Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution.

He was 88, and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.

"Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican's TV channel.

"At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father."

Sri Lanka Police have appointed a four-member committee to study the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, which spans approximately 66,000 to 67,000 pages, police said.

The government is questioning why some former government members, now in the Opposition, appear so worried about the ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

A suspect was arrested following a failed shooting attempt at Andiambalama in Katunayake this morning, police said. Police said two individuals on a motorcycle had attempted to target a businessman in the area. However, their attempt was foiled when the weapon reportedly malfunctioned, preventing the shooting attempt.

Referring to the reports in the social media that Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is a contender for the papacy which has fallen vacant with the death of Pope Francis, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka said there is no such thing called contenders for the papacy.

To genuinely bring justice to those who died and to those permanently disabled in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, we must unite to defeat the rabid Islamic extremist forces that are spreading like a cancer in this country, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said.

The Attorney General has requested the Chief Justice to appoint three High Court judges to constitute a High Court-at-Bar for the trial against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella over the controversial purchase of substandard immunoglobulin injections.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended his heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka following the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis.

Twenty-two soldiers were injured when a bus transporting army personnel collided with a lorry at the Manamala bend on the Nittambuwa–Kirindiwela road this morning.

The Court of Appeal today ordered the dismissal of about 60 writ petitions filed challenging the rejection of nominations related to the Local Government elections.

A catalogue of faith honouring 167 victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya and St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade was officially proclaimed today during a ceremony marking the sixth anniversary of the tragedy.

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish an independent prosecution office specifically to hold accountable those responsible for the Easter Sunday bomb attacks that took place six years ago.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Secretary to the President to hand over the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the 2019 Easter Sunday’s attacks to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

The Government Printer states that all ballot papers for postal voting will be handed over to the Election Commission today (April 20). Printing of the ballot papers for 102 local government institutions were delayed due to a court order. Director of the Government Printer – Pradeep Pushpakumara says that printing of ballot papers for postal voting, is currently underway and nearing completion.

As Christians in Sri Lanka and around the world celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we are reminded of the enduring power of hope, renewal, and compassion. Easter is a time to reflect on our shared humanity and the values that unite us—faith, love, and resilience in the face of adversity. I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans celebrating this sacred occasion. May this Easter bring peace, strength, and spiritual renewal to you and your families.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has hinted at fresh revelations in a key investigation, widely believed to be the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. “Those who stayed silent are now starting to speak. Those who claimed they had no links are now being exposed,” the President said, adding that some upcoming investigations will need to be carried out discreetly and may not be revealed immediately.

The Elections Commission has received a second complaint against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, alleging that he violated election laws during the ongoing local councils campaign.

Mullivaikkal 16th Annual commemoration day will be conducted on Sunday 18th of May 2025in Central London at TRAFALGAR SQUARE, London WC2N 5DN Evening from 4.00 PM till 7.00PM.

General Secretary of the Ilankai Tamil Arachu Katchi (ITAK) M.A. Sumanthiran said it is highly regrettable that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has chosen to repeatedly offer bribes to voters by stating that funds will be more easily allocated to councils governed by the ruling National People's Power (NPP) and not to others.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today he never said no funds will be allocated for local bodies that are not controlled by the National People's Power (NPP) as claimed by some people.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kaviratne in a letter addressed to Secretary Election Commission and Assistant Commissioner Matale District has lodged a complaint against a leaflet that has been distributed by the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) which indicates that funds for the local bodies which will be secured by the opposition at the Local Government polls will be blocked.