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A series of tragic drowning incidents has cast a shadow over several parts of the country, with multiple lives lost and others still missing following separate incidents reported yesterday (14).

In one heartbreaking incident, three brothers who entered the Mahaweli River within the Somawathiya Reserve in Serunuwara have drowned and remain missing. Police stated that the victims, aged 24, 34, and 35, were residents of Mahindapura.

The brothers had been bathing in the river along with their father and another sibling when the tragedy unfolded. Search operations are currently underway, with lifesaving teams from the Sri Lanka Navy and officers from the Serunuwara Police Station working tirelessly to locate the missing bodies.

Meanwhile, a separate incident in Habaraduwa has claimed two more lives. The victims, aged 21 and 26, were residents of Katunayake who had travelled to the coastal area on a leisure trip.

Police reported that the two individuals drowned while bathing at the Habaraduwa Beach. Although they were rescued by local residents and admitted to Kalugala Hospital, medical officials confirmed that both had succumbed to their condition upon admission.

Authorities have launched investigations into both incidents, as concerns grow over water safety in rivers and coastal areas.

The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic once promised an “unbiased” look at the King of Pop’s life – until a reported series of costly reshoots completely cut the child abuse allegations against the singer from the film.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael depicts the early portion of Jackson’s life, spanning his time with the Jackson 5 through his early solo career. Early press releases of the film trailed a “riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man”, a project that would show both his “undeniable creative genius” and “human side and personal struggles”.

Previous reports claimed that the movie would open mid-action in 1993. At the time, Jackson had been accused of child sexual abuse, with the opening shot showing the “Smooth Criminal” musician (played by his real-life nephew Jaafar) staring at his reflection in the mirror as the police arrive at the Neverland Ranch. Jackson denied all the claims made against him in his lifetime.

But according to a new report by Variety, this scene was cut from the final version, along with the third act of Michael where the impact of the scandal on Jackson’s life was meant to be reported.

Sources with knowledge of the production told the publication that all references to the allegations of child molestation against Jackson were scrapped. The movie’s release was delayed while the filmmakers came up with a new ending, with 22 days of additional shoots taking place last summer. The film instead ends with Jackson at the height of his fame during the Bad tour, the report claims.

Variety’s sources estimate that this will have added between between $10 million (£7.4 million) and $15 million (£11.7 million) to the film’s costs, with the project initially being greenlit for $155 million (£115 million).

The Independent has contacted Universal Pictures for comment.

According to the publication, this change to the film’s narrative reportedly occurred after attorneys for the Jackson estate located a clause in a settlement with Jordan Chandler, one of Jackson’s accusers in 1993, that said he could not be depicted or mentioned in any film. The allegations by Chandler, who was 13 at the time he met Jackson, led to the Los Angeles Police Department’s criminal investigation into the king of pop. They found no physical evidence against Jackson, but the Chandler family filed a lawsuit against Jackson later that year.

A financial settlement was reached in early 1994, which Jackson and his lawyers clarified was not an admission of guilt, and the investigation closed later this year after the Chandlers refused to cooperate.

The Jackson family played a prominent role in the making of the film that went back further than the “Thriller” singer’s nephew portraying him on screen.

His attorney John Branca is a producer on the film, with him and estate archivist Karen Langford being consulted on production decisions. His son Prince is an executive producer and reportedly was on set every day.

Michael features an ensemble cast including Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Laura Harrier and Miles Teller, and is scheduled for release on 24 April.

Source: The Independent 

In a blend of tradition, spirituality, and state observance, Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with religious rites at the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic today (15).

The President participated in religious observances and received blessings, joining devotees gathered at the sacred premises in Kandy. The occasion was further highlighted by the State Oil-Anointing Ceremony, held at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya within the temple grounds under his patronage.

Organised in line with age-old New Year customs, the ceremony was conducted through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and the Department of Ayurveda, guided by the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters of the Siam Nikaya of the Maha Vihara tradition.

At the auspicious time of 6:55 a.m., Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera, Anunayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, performed the ceremonial oil anointing on the President and those present. The atmosphere resonated with blessings as members of the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith, invoking well-being for both the Head of State and the public.

Beyond the formalities, President Dissanayake also interacted warmly with members of the public who had gathered for the ritual, exchanging New Year greetings and inquiring about their well-being.

The ceremony was attended by prominent members of the clergy, including Venerable Dr Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, Venerable Wendaruwe Upali Thera, and Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thera, alongside members of the Karaka Sangha Sabhas. Several government representatives were also present, including Nalinda Jayatissa, Gamagedara Dissanayake, Prasanna Gunasena, and S. B. S. Abeykoon.

In addition to the temple visit, the President paid a courtesy call at the Malwathu Maha Vihara, where he met the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera. The discussion was followed by the chanting of Seth Pirith and blessings for the New Year.

The day’s events reflected a deep connection between governance and tradition, as the nation ushered in the New Year with rituals rooted in heritage and faith.

Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday on expectations peace talks between the U.S. and Iran may resume and eventually release supply from the key Middle East producing region trapped by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures fell 52 cents, or 0.55 per cent, to $94.27 a barrel at 0054 GMT after falling 4.6 per cent in the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down $1.04, or 1.1 per cent, to $90.24 after dropping 7.9 per cent the session before.

Talks to end the war between the U.S. and Israel and Iran could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, after the collapse of negotiations over the weekend prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports. This has increased optimism talks could eventually settle the conflict and open up crude oil and fuel flows.

The war has shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for crude and refined product flows out of the Gulf to global buyers, particularly in Asia and Europe. 

Despite a two-week ceasefire, transit through the strait remains uncertain, with traffic at only a fraction of the 130 or so vessels that moved through the waterway before the war, sources said on Tuesday.

A U.S. destroyer stopped two oil tankers from leaving Iran on Tuesday, a U.S. official said.  

“While diplomatic headlines suggest the possibility of renewed U.S.-Iran talks and even a temporary easing of transit restrictions, the physical reality remains fragmented,” the Schork Group said in a note.

“The result is a market that continues to price optionality around flow disruption rather than a return to equilibrium.”

The market stands to lose some access to further supply after two U.S. administration officials told Reuters on Tuesday the U.S. will not renew a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea that expires this week, and quietly let a similar waiver on sanctions on Russian oil expire over the weekend.

Later in the day, markets will be watching for official U.S. inventory data from the Energy Information Administration due at 10:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT). 

U.S. crude oil stockpiles were expected to have risen slightly last week, while distillate and gasoline inventories likely fell, a Reuters poll showed. 

Market sources familiar with American Petroleum Institute figures said on Tuesday U.S. crude oil inventories jumped for the third straight week. 

Source: Reuters

A quiet afternoon in Mattakkuliya turned tragic as a 10-year-old schoolgirl lost her life in a devastating road accident, according to a reporter from Ada Derana.

The incident took place yesterday (10) along Hendala Thotupola Road within the Mattakkuliya Police Division. The young girl had reportedly just disembarked from a bus and was attempting to cross the road when she was run over by the same vehicle.

She suffered critical injuries in the accident and was rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo, where she was pronounced dead upon admission.

The victim, a resident of the Mattakkuliya area, has left the community in shock as details of the incident continue to emerge.

Authorities have taken the bus driver into custody following the accident, and investigations are currently being carried out by the Mattakkuliya Police to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.

Sri Lanka is set to experience a blend of afternoon thundershowers and morning mist, as the Department of Meteorology outlines a dynamic weather pattern affecting several parts of the island.

According to the department, showers or thundershowers are expected to develop after 2.00 p.m. in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, Southern, and Uva provinces, along with the districts of Anuradhapura, Mannar, Kandy, and Nuwara-Eliya. These conditions are likely to bring temporary but intense weather changes to affected regions.

In contrast, much of the rest of the island will continue to experience predominantly dry weather, offering a clear divide in conditions across different regions.

Adding to the atmospheric mix, misty conditions are forecast during the early hours of the morning in parts of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Uva provinces, potentially reducing visibility for early commuters and travelers.

The Department of Meteorology has urged the public to remain cautious, particularly during thundershowers, warning of localized strong winds and lightning that could cause sudden disruptions or damage.

Meanwhile, a seasonal solar phenomenon is also underway. Due to the apparent northward movement of the sun, it will be directly overhead across Sri Lanka between April 5 and 15. Today (11), areas such as Pomparippu, Anuradhapura, Mihinthale, Galenbindunuwewa, Agbopura, and Serunuwara will experience the sun positioned almost directly above at around 12.11 noon.

As shifting skies and overhead combine, today’s weather serves as a reminder of the island’s ever-changing tropical climate.

The gap between rich and poor nations is growing even wider as actions agreed to by many countries last year, including overhauling the major global financial institutions, remain unfulfilled promises, a U.N. report concludes.

The report assessing the blueprint adopted in Seville, Spain, last June to narrow the gap and achieve U.N. development goals for 2030 was issued ahead of next week’s spring meetings in Washington of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the main global financial institutions promoting economic growth.

The managing director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said it had been prepared to upgrade global growth, but the Iran war has now darkened the outlook for the world economy.

Li Junhua, the U.N. undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs, said the geopolitical tensions were compounding the struggles of developing countries to attract financing. “This is an extremely perilous time for international cooperation, as geopolitical considerations are increasingly shaping economic relations and financial policies,” he said.

The report pointed to rising trade barriers and repeated climate-related shocks as also adding to the growing gap.

At last year’s conference in Seville, the leaders of many of the world’s nations, but not the United States, unanimously adopted the Seville Commitment, which was aimed at closing the $4 trillion annual financing gap for development. It called for scaling up investments in developing countries and reforming the international financial architecture, including the World Bank and IMF.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly called for major changes to the two institutions, saying the IMF has benefited rich countries instead of poor ones, and the World Bank has failed in its mission, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left dozens of countries deeply indebted. 

His criticisms echo those of outside critics who cite frustration in developing countries with the U.S. and its European allies dominating decision-making at financial institutions.

The U.N. report on implementing the Seville Commitment said it represents “the best hope” to close the widening financial gap.

But in 2025, Li said 25 countries decreased their development assistance to poorer countries, leading to a 23% overall drop from 2024, the largest annual contraction on record. The biggest decline — 59% — was from the United States, he said.

Based on preliminary data, Li said, a further decline of 5.8% is expected in 2026.

The report said tariffs — including those imposed by the Trump administration — have had a major impact on developing countries. Average tariffs on exports from the world’s poorest nations surged from 9% to 28% in 2025, the report said, and for developing countries, excluding China, average tariffs increased from 2% to 19%.

Source: AP