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The Archdiocese of Colombo has firmly rejected recent reports claiming that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is set to step down from his position as Archbishop of Colombo in late 2026.

Responding to an inquiry on the matter, Reverend Father Jude Chrysantha, Director of Mass Communications for the Archdiocese, stated that the reports are false and clarified that any decision regarding the appointment or retirement of an Archbishop lies solely with the Vatican.

He further explained that under Canon Law, retirement is generally considered upon reaching the age of 80. However, he emphasized that the final determination rests exclusively with the Pope Francis.

According to the clarification, although Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is expected to reach the age of 80 next year, no official announcement regarding his retirement has been made to date.

The statement comes in response to recent media reports citing unnamed sources, which had suggested that a significant leadership transition within the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka was likely by the end of this year.

With the Archdiocese now publicly addressing the speculation, church officials have moved to dispel uncertainty surrounding the Archbishop’s future and reaffirm that no formal decision has yet been communicated by the Vatican.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is beginning to feel the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with officials warning that the situation is affecting visitor arrivals just as the country moves closer to its peak travel season.

Tourism Deputy Minister and MP Ruwan Ranasinghe said the unrest in the region has created significant challenges for the industry, particularly because a large share of European travelers reach Sri Lanka through major transit hubs in the Middle East.

He noted that many tourists rely on connecting flights operated by airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, making regional disruptions a direct concern for inbound travel.

According to the Deputy Minister, tourist arrivals have declined by 20 percent since March when compared with figures from 2025. As of April 19, approximately 88,000 visitors had arrived in the country.

Despite expectations that total arrivals may reach around 120,000 by the end of April, the projected figure remains considerably lower than the 174,000 tourists recorded during the same period last year.

The decline comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which traditionally looks toward the upcoming season as a key period for growth and revenue. Officials are now closely monitoring developments in the Middle East as the sector faces mounting uncertainty.

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has officially declared May 31, 2026, as a public holiday in line with the State Vesak Festival celebrations scheduled to take place on May 30.

The announcement was made through an extraordinary gazette notification, which formally revises the previously scheduled public holiday that had been set for May 02.

According to the ministry, the decision has been taken to facilitate public participation and observance following the official State Vesak Festival program, one of the most significant religious events in the national calendar.

In addition, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, this year’s Vesak Week has been declared from May 27 to June 2, allowing for a full week of religious observances and commemorative activities across the country.

The revised holiday arrangement is expected to assist devotees and the general public in taking part in Vesak-related events and ceremonies held nationwide during the designated week.

Oil prices jumped 4 percent Thursday after Iran vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz so long as a US naval blockade remained in place despite a ceasefire extension.

At around 0025 GMT, the benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 4.06 percent to $96.73 per barrel.

International oil benchmark Brent North Sea crude rose 3.62 percent to $105.63. Both eased back in the following minutes.

Oil prices have soared since Israel and the United States attacked Iran on Feb. 28 and they have kept inching up on the uncertainty over whether war will resume.

As the clock ticked for a return to the war that has engulfed the region, US President Donald Trump had said Tuesday he would maintain the truce to allow more time for Pakistani-brokered peace talks.

Iran said it welcomed the efforts by Pakistan but made no other comment on Trump’s announcement.

Source: AFP

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory warning that showers and thundershowers are expected in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today, with several provinces likely to experience significant rainfall.

According to the forecast, fairly heavy showers exceeding 75 mm are expected in isolated areas of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, and Southern provinces. Residents in these regions have been advised to stay alert, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

In addition to the widespread afternoon rainfall, showers may also occur during the morning hours in the coastal areas of the Southern Province and in the Kalutara District.

The Department further noted that misty conditions are likely to prevail during the early hours of the morning in parts of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central, and Uva provinces, as well as in the Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts, potentially affecting visibility for commuters.

Authorities have urged the general public to take adequate precautions against temporary localized strong winds and lightning that may accompany the thundershowers, in order to minimize possible damage and ensure public safety.

A Sri Lankan delegation led by Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has held extensive discussions with the international investor community on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The delegation is currently in the United States to participate in the high-level global meetings, where a series of engagements have been carried out with key financial and commercial stakeholders.

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the visit included participation in an investor seminar organized by J.P. Morgan, as well as investor meetings hosted by the Jefferies Emerging Markets Team and HSBC. The delegation also attended a meeting with private sector representatives and officials from the U.S. Government, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

During these discussions, Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe provided updates on Sri Lanka’s recent macroeconomic improvements and responded to questions raised by participants regarding the country’s economic outlook and reform progress. The meetings come as Sri Lanka continues to strengthen confidence among international investors and financial partners.

Meanwhile, a significant step toward enhancing bilateral economic cooperation was marked with the soft launch of the U.S.–Sri Lanka Commercial Working Group at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

According to the CBSL, the initiative aims to strengthen commercial ties between Sri Lanka and the United States while promoting greater investment opportunities between the two countries.

The latest engagements at the Spring Meetings reflect Sri Lanka’s continued efforts to reinforce global investor confidence and expand international economic partnerships.