Sagarika Express Derails Twice Crippling Coastal Line; Underworld Kingpin 'Karandeniye Raju' Extradited as US-Iran Talks Falter

Sri Lanka is managing its fuel supply with an incoming 95,000 MT crude oil shipment and a 36,000 MT petrol shipment expected by late April, as authorities prepare to reactivate the QR system for petrol from April 18

. However, the Central Bank warns the 2026 fuel import bill is set to soar due to Middle East instability

. Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry confirmed a USD 2.5 million loss was a stolen bilateral debt repayment intended for Australia, marking the largest cyber theft from a state body

. On a positive note, tourist arrivals surpassed 840,000 by April 22, though daily averages have declined

, and the Central Bank reports the economy has stabilized after 10 years, with per capita GDP exceeding $5,000

. In digitalization efforts, digital motor insurance cards will be introduced from May 1st

, while the Motor Traffic Department plans to introduce name-based number plates to address a 400,000-vehicle backlog

. Authorities also expanded warnings on a banking Trojan scam spreading via WhatsApp and Telegram

, and the first phase of the Maradana Railway Station renovation, costing Rs. 35 million, was completed

. Police and the NTC continue to crack down on bus operators overcharging passengers

.

Notorious underworld figure Sobanahandi Sanath de Silva, alias 'Karandeniye Raju', has been extradited from India and is now under a 90-day detention order under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Linked to 48 murders, Raju was arrested in New Delhi based on an Interpol Red Notice

. A subsequent search of his Meetiyagoda residence uncovered a Russian-made 9mm pistol and 15 rounds of ammunition buried in his garden, suspected to have been used in several murders

. The nationwide anti-drug crackdown continues, with 964 suspects arrested on April 24th alone, and over 12 kg of heroin seized

. Further details emerged on a Pettah drug bust, where four individuals aged 31-42 were arrested with 6,000 tablets

. At BIA, a massive smuggling operation was uncovered with 38 arrests and over Rs. 140 million in contraband seized

, while a separate bust yielded 2.5 kg of 'kush' valued at Rs. 25 million from a passenger arriving from Bangkok

. In other news, the seven suspects in the Ragama hair-cutting incident were released on bail

, a 33-year-old son was arrested for the murder of his father in Matale

, and a former Haputale Labour Officer was sentenced to six years in prison for a 2009 bribery offense

.

Hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the US-Iran conflict faced a major setback as US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by his envoys to Pakistan, stating an 18-hour flight for potentially fruitless talks was unnecessary

. The move came despite intense diplomatic activity in Islamabad, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived for high-level meetings with Pakistani officials to discuss mediation efforts

. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were confirmed to be in Pakistan for parallel talks, but Iran's foreign ministry consistently maintained there were no plans for a direct meeting between Iranian and US representatives

. Separately, Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary, Sampath Thuyacontha, met with UN and US officials in New York to discuss the deployment of Sri Lankan troops for UN peacekeeping operations, including a potential role in the gang suppression force in Haiti

.

The international 'Walk for Peace', also known as the 'Ehi Passiko' pilgrimage, is continuing its journey across Sri Lanka with significant public support. The walk completed its fourth day on April 25, proceeding from Mawanella to the Tholangamuwa National School

. The fifth day's route is planned through Yakkala and Kelaniya, with the pilgrimage set to conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28. The event is supported by the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, with the Maharaja Media Network serving as the official media partner

.

Health authorities have confirmed the re-emergence of measles in Sri Lanka, with two infected children identified in the Colombo District. The country was declared measles-free by the WHO in 2019, and officials are now urging parents to ensure children complete their full vaccination schedule

. Ahead of the upcoming festive season, Public Health Inspectors have issued stricter guidelines for Vesak and Poson dansals, which now include pre-event inspections of locations to ensure suitability and hygiene standards are met

.

The Sagarika express train derailed twice in two days, causing major disruptions on the coastal railway line. The first derailment occurred on April 24 near Wadduwa, blocking both tracks and injuring 15 people. The train separated into two parts, causing significant damage. The second incident happened on April 25 near Slave Island station while the re-railed train was being moved to Colombo, blocking one track and compounding delays from the initial accident. Recovery and repair operations are ongoing, with an investigation board to be appointed

. Separately, two lorry accidents in Nuwara Eliya resulted in multiple injuries, including one incident where a firewood lorry plunged 100 feet down an embankment due to suspected brake failure

.

The Department of Meteorology forecasts afternoon thundershowers for April 26 in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North-Western provinces, as well as in Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya districts, while the rest of the island is expected to remain largely rain-free. The public is advised to take precautions against strong winds and lightning

. Additionally, the Central Environmental Authority has extended the application deadline for the Presidential Environment Awards 2026 to May 15 to encourage broader participation

.

Asanga Seneviratne has been elected as the new President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka for a four-year term, securing 16 votes in the election held on April 25

. In international competition, Sri Lanka secured one silver and two bronze medals in long jump events at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, placing the nation fifth on the overall medal table

.