News

Residents in several parts of Sri Lanka will witness a unique celestial event today (09) as the sun appears directly overhead at around 12:12 noon.

The locations closest to this phenomenon include Chilaw, Bingiriya, Halmillawewa, Panduwasnuwara, Gokarella, Kawudupelella, Koppaveli and Kirankulam.

According to the Department of Meteorology, this occurs because of the sun’s apparent northward relative motion. Between April 05 and April 15, the sun is expected to pass directly above different latitudes across Sri Lanka.

When the sun reaches its zenith at solar noon, it appears positioned straight overhead, causing vertical objects to cast little to no shadow.

Authorities explained that this is a natural annual event caused by the Earth’s tilt and orbit, reflecting the sun’s apparent transition across the equatorial region.

Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC) has announced a price increase across several fuel categories, with the revised rates coming into effect from today (April 8).

The company confirmed that the price of Super Diesel has been raised by Rs. 18, setting the new retail price at Rs. 600 per litre. The adjustment marks a notable change for consumers relying on diesel amid ongoing fluctuations in fuel costs.

In addition to Super Diesel, LIOC has also updated the pricing of its premium fuel range. Under the revised structure, XtraGreen Diesel is now priced at Rs. 620 per litre, while XtraMile Diesel stands at Rs. 590 per litre. Meanwhile, XtraPremium Petrol has been set at Rs. 465 per litre.

The latest revision reflects changes implemented by the company across its premium product lineup, impacting both diesel and petrol consumers nationwide.

Israeli police announced that holy sites in Jerusalem will reopen to visitors and worshippers on Thursday morning.

‘‘Hundreds of police officers, Border Police forces, and volunteers will be deployed throughout the city, along major routes, in the Old City, and at holy sites, in order to enable safe access for all worshippers and visitors while upholding a safe environment for the freedom of worship, maintaining public order, and ensuring public safety,’’ according to a statement from the Police Spokesperson’s Unit, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Authorities expect it to be busy and have asked the public to remain patient, listen to police instructions and report any concerns.

The announcement was made shortly after Israel said it was loosening wartime restrictions, paving the way for schools and workplaces to reopen.

Israeli authorities had restricted access to religious sites in East Jerusalem amid the war with Iran, including al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Last month, there was widespread backlash when two senior leaders of the Catholic Church in Jerusalem were initially blocked from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to mark the start of Holy Week on Palm Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly reversed the security precaution and granted them access. Arrangements were made between church leaders and officials for the rest of the Easter week.

Source: News.Az

A police raid in Kalutara has led to the arrest of a man allegedly attempting to sell a rare Valampuri conch shell for millions of rupees.

The suspect was taken into custody yesterday afternoon (08) near the Kalutara depot during an operation carried out by officers from the Kalutara Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau. The raid was launched following a tip-off received by investigators.

Police revealed that the seized Valampuri conch shell had reportedly been prepared for sale at an estimated price of Rs. 3.5 million.

Following the arrest, both the suspect and the conch shell were handed over to the Kalutara South Police Station for further action.

Authorities identified the arrested individual as a 51-year-old resident of Kurunegala.

Kalutara South Police are continuing investigations into the incident.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Apr 7) that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face widespread attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council also said it has accepted a two-week ceasefire in the war.

Trump’s announcement on social media was the latest example of Trump backing down from severe threats, after he warned Iran earlier on Tuesday that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if his demands were not met.

Trump said the deal was subject to Iran’s agreement to pause its blockade of oil and gas supplies through the strait, which typically handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments.

“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East.”

Trump said Iran had presented a 10-point proposal that was a “workable basis” for negotiations and that he expected an agreement to be “finalised and consummated” during the two-week ceasefire.

He said the ceasefire is based on conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Muni, whom he said requested that the US “hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran”.

This is “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz”, he added.

“On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

ISRAEL SAYS IRAN FIRED MISSILES

Minutes after Trump’s announcement, Israel’s military warned early on Wednesday that Iran had fired missiles toward it.

“The (Israeli army) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said on its official Telegram channel.

Blasts were heard from Jerusalem and Jericho on the occupied West Bank, AFP correspondents said.
The Israeli military told people in the areas affected by the incoming missile warnings to seek safety in bomb shelters.

(Adaderana.lk)

Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed all its military units to stop firing after agreeing to two-week ceasefire with the United States. But, at the same time, it made it clear that this is not the end of a war.

In a statement read on state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Khamenei said: “This is not the end of the war but all military branches should follow the Supreme Leader’s order and cease their fire.”

Iran made it clear that ceasefire does not imply end of the war and its hands remain upon the trigger in case the enemy- US or Israel - act in any way.

In a statement released after ceasefire announcement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said: “It is emphasised that this does not signify the termination of the war... Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.”

Iran’s 10-Point Proposal

US and Israel launched a joint strike against Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war. Over the past 39 days, several people across countries have been killed in the conflict.

Thanking people of Iran for their sacrifices, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said: “Now we give the great nation of Iran the good news that nearly all the objectives of the war have been achieved, and your brave children have brought the enemy to historic helplessness and lasting defeat.”

Tehran further confirmed that negotiations talk will be held in Islamabad on Friday, April 10.

The US had sent a 15-point proposal to Iran, seeking ceasefire and received a revised 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations. Sharing the details of the proposal, Iran said it emphasised fundamental points such as “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iran’s armed forces; the necessity of ending the war against all components of the Axis of Resistance; the withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and positions in the region; establishing a safe transit protocol in the Strait of Hormuz that guarantees Iran’s dominance according to the agreed protocol; full payment of damages to Iran according to estimates; the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council; the release of all of Iran’s blocked assets and properties abroad; and finally, the approval of all these items in a binding UN Security Council resolution.”

(Adaderana.lk)

Tamil television actress Subashini, known for playing a key role in popular Tamil soap Kayal, has died by suicide in Chennai.

Subashini, who has Sri Lankan origins, was living in an apartment in Chennai’s Iyyappanthangal, when she took her life. The tragic incident has shocked fans with many of her co-stars expressing their sadness on social media. Upon receiving information regarding the incident, Police officers sent her mortal remains for medical examination.

While further investigation is underway, reports state that she was in an argument with her husband over a video call, with officers hinting that her mental agony could have resulted in her taking the extreme step.

Besides the soap that was being aired on Sun TV, Subashini has also played supporting roles in a few films.

Source: Cinema Express