Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa andh Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm, the Department of Meteorology stated. Mainly dry weather will prevail over the other parts of the island, the Met. Department noted. Meanwhile, misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa andh Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm, the Department of Meteorology stated.

Showers expected in several provinces after 1pm today

The International Monetary Fund has reaffirmed continued support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva noted progress following a staff-level agreement on programme reviews. The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Nandalal Weerasinghe, held discussions during the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings 2026. Officials noted the importance of sustaining reforms and policy discipline to support long-term growth.

IMF reaffirms support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed G.M.R.D. Aponsu as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Energy. The letter of appointment was handed over at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. Aponsu previously served as Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Finance and Economic Affairs. The appointment follows the resignation of Kumara Jayakody and Udayanga Hemapala earlier today.

New Secretary to the Ministry of Energy appointed

Members of the Nallur Council have installed a temporary shade shelter made of sackcloth at the Thirunelveli signal junction in Jaffna.&nbsp; The initiative aims to provide immediate relief to motorists and cyclists traveling under the scorching heat.&nbsp;&nbsp; The shelter, erected last night, is now being actively used by travelers and has garnered widespread attention on social media today (17).&nbsp; The move has been praised for its quick response to the intense weather conditions, offering much-needed shade to those on the move.

Temporary shade shelter set up in Jaffna to protect travelers from heat

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has rejected claims that crude oil was purchased above USD 286 per barrel. Chairman D. J. Rajakaruna stated that crude oil shipments were procured at USD 66.99 and USD 71.99 per barrel in March and April. He noted that diesel, however, was purchased at higher global prices ranging between USD 288 and USD 303 due to the Middle East conflict. The CPC stated that claims regarding crude oil prices arose from misinterpretation of a statement by HSBC.

CPC denies claims of crude oil bought above $286

Nutella just launched its first new flavor in its over 60-year history, inspired by a classic combination. Nutella Peanut is here, marking the brand’s first new flavor since its debut, and it’s now available nationwide. The new spread blends the “unmistakable creaminess” of Nutella’s hazelnut-cocoa spread with the taste of roasted peanuts, creating a nostalgic yet new flavor for fans. The brand said the flavor innovation is “everything fans hoped it would be” after a year of anticipation and social media buzz. Ferrero, Nutella’s parent company, first teased the introduction of a nutty variety of its beloved spread back in 2025, and ever since fans on social media have been anxiously waiting for it to roll out. And the timing is out-of-this-world, as the original Nutella just went viral for floating in zero gravity alongside the astronauts of the Artemis II mission. “Honestly, when a jar of Nutella goes viral floating in space, you start to feel like anything is possible. So naturally, our next move as a brand was dropping our first new flavor innovation in over 60 years,” Noah Szporn, Senior Vice President of Spreads, Ferrero North America, said in a statement. “Nutella Peanut delivers the same creamy experience fans know and love, now blended with the irresistible taste of roasted peanuts. Our fans have been asking for this for years. We heard them, and afternoon snack time will never be the same.” Nutella Peanut is available now at major retailers nationwide, including Aldi, Amazon, Giant, Hy-Vee, Kroger, ShopRite, Stew Leonard’s, Stop &amp; Shop, Target, Wegmans and Walmart. Prices may vary, but it will be available in the recognizable 13-ounce Nutella jars, but this time with a gold, peanut-colored label. Fans in the comments of Nutella’s Instagram post were ecstatic about the release. “What!?! So excited! I can not wait to find it near me!” one said. “Wow I didn’t think this could get any better,” another wrote. “I want it on my table now!!!” a user exclaimed. “I tried it. It is sooooooo good!!” someone shared. “Literally had it last night,” Pasha Pashkov from “Dancing With the Stars” chimed in. The launch doesn’t stop in stores, either. For those in New York City, Nutella is celebrating the launch with its first-ever Nutella Peanut Pop-Up in NoHo at 372 Lafayette Street for one weekend only. On May 16-17, fans can participate in an interactive experience with gams, rewards and an “ultimate snack worth playing for.” Source : BBC

Nutella debuts first new flavor in 60 years 

Some of the most hotly anticipated films of the next couple of years have been previewed at the annual gathering of the cinema industry, CinemaCon, in Las Vegas this week. The event gives fans and cinema owners a glimpse of the biggest movies coming down the tracks, with footage and trailers screened there - often before they're posted online. A-list stars and directors were on hand to give peeks at what to expect. From the Avengers to Ariana Grande to an AI Val Kilmer, here are some of the main films and what we learned. Doomsday is nigh Disney showcased the first proper trailer for the long-awaited next Avengers film, Avengers: Doomsday, as the conference closed on Thursday. The clip gave the first look at Robert Downey Jr - who played Iron Man in 2019's Avengers: Endgame - as the new masked villain, Doctor Doom. The latest film, out on 18 December, brings together a host of Marvel characters old and new. The trailer showed a fight between Gambit and Shang-Chi, played by Channing Tatum and Simu Liu respectively, and Patrick Stewart reprising his role as X-Men's Professor Xavier. "Something's coming, something we may not be able to deter," he warns. Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, appearing before Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, as the Norse god's Mjolnir hammer flies into the former's hands. On stage, Evans told the CinemaCon crowd: "I said I would only come back if there was a real reason. And in Doomsday, there is a very real reason that these heroes need Steve Rogers." Tom Cruise back in the Top Gun hot seat Tom Cruise is returning for Top Gun 3, Paramount announced. The follow-up to 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick is "officially in development with a script well under way", Paramount's Josh Greenstein told the convention. The last film earned $1.5bn at the global box office, giving cinemas a much-needed boost as punters began to return after Covid. Cruise was at CinemaCon earlier in the week to preview a very different film, Digger, in which he plays a grey-haired oil baron who has to clean up his environmental mess. Ariana Grande meets the parents (and grandparents) Fresh from her Oscar-nominated turn in Wicked, Grande is flexing her comedy muscles in Focker In-Law. The singer will appear alongside Ben Stiller and Robert de Niro in the latest instalment of the franchise that began with 2000's Meet The Parents. Where Stiller's character once struggled to impress his girlfriend's father, the latest take will move to the next generation as Grande plays the love interest of Stiller's son. The first trailer was released during CinemaCon and is online. Fresh from her Oscar-nominated turn in Wicked, Grande is flexing her comedy muscles in Focker In-Law. The singer will appear alongside Ben Stiller and Robert de Niro in the latest instalment of the franchise that began with 2000's Meet The Parents. Where Stiller's character once struggled to impress his girlfriend's father, the latest take will move to the next generation as Grande plays the love interest of Stiller's son. The first trailer was released during CinemaCon and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyISuWUWcFs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">is online</a>. Christopher Nolan unveils footage from The Odyssey Christopher Nolan returns this year with his first film since 2023's Oppenheimer, which won the Oscar for best picture. Adapted from Homer's ancient Greek poem, The Odyssey will star Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and Zendaya, and Nolan played a key section of the film featuring the Trojan Horse at CinemaCon. That section hasn't been posted online, but a trailer has previously been released. "Why The Odyssey? It's a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years," Nolan said at the event. "It's not a story, but the story. I wanted to grab the exciting opportunity of bringing it to a modern cinema audience." Chalamet and Zendaya return for 'action-packed' Dune: Part III The stars of Dune, including Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Jason Momoa, were on hand to introduce a seven-minute opening scene from the third film in the epic franchise. So was director Denis Villeneuve, who said Dune: Part III is more of a thriller than the first two instalments. "It's more action-packed, faster-paced, and more emotional," he said. Variety's reporter at the screening concurred, saying "things get violent, loud and deadly, fast". A trailer was released last month, and the film will be released on 18 December - yes, the same day as Avengers: Doomsday, setting up a "Dunesday" heavyweight box office battle. The stars of Dune, including Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Jason Momoa, were on hand to introduce a seven-minute opening scene from the third film in the epic franchise. So was director Denis Villeneuve, who said Dune: Part III is more of a thriller than the first two instalments. "It's more action-packed, faster-paced, and more emotional," he said.<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/dune-3-cinemacon-opening-scene-footage-chalamet-1236721718/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Variety's reporter at the screening concurred</a>, saying "things get violent, loud and deadly, fast".<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_9vCamtuPY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A trailer</a>&nbsp;was released last month, and the film will be released on 18 December - yes, the same day as Avengers: Doomsday, setting up a "Dunesday" heavyweight box office battle. Val Kilmer resurrected by AI Val Kilmer was cast in As Deep As The Grave before his death last year, but the Top Gun star was never able to shoot his scenes. So the film-makers have used AI to resurrect him - with the blessing of his family - and have now revealed the results in the first trailer. It shows him as a Catholic priest at various ages in the American West - ending with Kilmer's digital clone crouching down and somewhat spookily telling a child: "Don't fear the dead, and don't fear me." The detail and depiction are convincing, but have heightened worries among some in Hollywood about the potential for AI to replace actors on a wider scale. James Bond will return 'when the time is right' Amazon MGM Studios' head of film Courtenay Valenti gave fans an update on how preparations for the next era of James Bond are going. The answer is - slowly. "I know you're all wondering when we're going to announce who's playing James Bond," she said. "Please know that we're taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it's a responsibility we don't take lightly. "What I can tell you is this: When you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class film-making team... you're setting the stage for something that's truly worthy of the Bond legacy. That film is coming, and when the time is right, we'll have much more to share." Fourth Paddington film confirmed The humble marmalade-loving bear is going from strength to strength. After three hit films and a West End musical that reigned at the Olivier Awards last weekend, a fourth big-screen outing was confirmed at CinemaCon. Details are still scarce, but Studiocanal chief executive Anna Marsh promised that "world-renowned comedy writers" are attached. A reckoning comes in Sorkin's Social Network sequel Sixteen years after The Social Network, which depicted the birth of Facebook, a sequel will explore the 2021 Facebook leak by whistleblower Frances Haugen. Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the previous film, is in the director's chair for The Social Reckoning, with an impressive cast including Mikey Madison, Wunmi Mosaku and Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg. "There isn't a life that Facebook's algorithm hasn't touched, and that influence has shaped everything. So it's time to say more," Sorkin told the event. The trailer hasn't been publicly released yet, but was played exclusively for an audience at CinemaCon. The film is scheduled for an October release - perfect timing to be in pole position for the next awards season. Michael B Jordan remakes The Thomas Crown Affair Pierce Brosnan starred in 1999 art house caper The Thomas Crown Affair, which itself was a remake of a 1968 film of the same title. Now, Michael B Jordan - fresh from winning best actor at the Oscars for Sinners - is starring in and directing an updated take on the film for a new generation. A trailer gave CinemaCon audiences the first glimpse of Jordan in the film alongside co-stars Adria Arjona, Lily Gladstone and Aubrey Plaza. Rick Moranis out of retirement for Spaceballs sequel Comedy legend Mel Brooks took the opportunity to unveil the title for the forthcoming sequel to 1987 Star Wars parody Spaceballs. Spaceballs: The New One will see the return of several original cast members, including Brooks, George Wyner, Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman. It will also see the comeback of Rick Moranis, who was one of the biggest box office stars of the 1980s and 90s but hasn't appeared in a live-action film for three decades. The first trailer "spoofed everything from Star Wars to Avatar to Harry Potter", according to Variety's report from the screening. Playing a young Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky CinemaCon also launched the first trailer for a film about the tumultuous making of 1976 boxing classic Rocky. Anthony Ippolito plays a young Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky, and was praised by audience members at the festival for capturing Stallone's posture, mannerisms and speech. Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway's Colleen Hoover adaptation The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us was a box office hit in 2024, even if it's now more remembered for the fall-out between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Another of Hoover's novels, Verity, is now being adapted as a film starring Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett and Anne Hathaway. The story follows a struggling writer who is hired to complete the remaining books by an author who suffered a mysterious accident, and whose secret unfinished manuscript could reveal crucial clues. Jumanji stars remember Robin Williams Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black have made a huge success of the Jumanji franchise over the past decade - and there's another film on the way. The trio announced that the new film will be called Jumanji: Open World, with Hart saying they are "pumped about being back". Johnson revealed that the new film uses the same dice as the original 1995 film starring Robin Williams, commenting: "Robin, as we like to say, this one's for you." Sequels, more sequels Toy Story is onto its fifth instalment and the conference also saw charming footage of Woody and Buzz Lightyear fighting over who can save the toys from digital extinction - in the form of a new threat, Lilypad. Voice actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen took to the stage in Las Vegas and acknowledged how 30 years had gone by since the first film. "We looked at a video of us doing the first one - we look like our grandchildren," Allen joked. Elsewhere on Thursday, Johnson (again) and Queen Latifah showcased footage from their forthcoming Disney films, the live action remake of Moana and Ice Age: Boiling Point respectively. Disney also played clips from The Devil Wears Prada 2, with Meryl Streep reprising her role as ice cold fashion editor Miranda Priestly. And director Jon Favreau introduced the opening scene of his new movie, the latest Star Wars offering, The Mandalorian and Grogu. Source : BBC

Avengers reassemble and Top Gun flies back - Hollywood studios preview their new movies

Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala have resigned from their respective positions. No further details have been announced.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary resign from posts

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced that the temporary concession allowing vehicle owners to obtain fuel without a QR code will expire at midnight on Saturday (April 18). Starting from 19 April, the QR code system will once again be mandatory for fuel distribution nationwide.&nbsp; The concession was initially introduced as a short-term measure to ease access to fuel during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season.&nbsp;&nbsp; Motorists are advised to ensure they have the necessary QR codes to avoid any inconvenience when refueling from Sunday onwards.

Showers expected in several provinces after 1pm today

IMF reaffirms support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery

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CPC denies claims of crude oil ...

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Nutella debuts first new flavo ...

Avengers reassemble and Top Gun flies back - Hollywood studios preview ...

Avengers reassemble and Top Gu ...

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary resign from pos ...

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakod ...

CPC announces end of temporary fuel access concession without QR code

CPC announces end of temporary ...

IMF reaffirms support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery

IMF reaffirms support for Sri ...

New Secretary to the Ministry of Energy appointed

New Secretary to the Ministry ...

Temporary shade shelter set up in Jaffna to protect travelers from hea ...

Temporary shade shelter set up ...

CPC denies claims of crude oil bought above $286

CPC denies claims of crude oil ...

Nutella debuts first new flavor in 60 years

Nutella debuts first new flavo ...

Avengers reassemble and Top Gun flies back - Hollywood studios preview ...

Avengers reassemble and Top Gu ...

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary resign from pos ...

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakod ...

CPC announces end of temporary fuel access concession without QR code

CPC announces end of temporary ...

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IMF reaffirms support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery

IMF reaffirms support for Sri ...

New Secretary to the Ministry of Energy appointed

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Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Temporary shade shelter set up in Jaffna to protect travelers from hea ...

Temporary shade shelter set up ...

CPC denies claims of crude oil bought above $286

CPC denies claims of crude oil ...

Nutella debuts first new flavor in 60 years

Nutella debuts first new flavo ...

Avengers reassemble and Top Gun flies back - Hollywood studios preview ...

Avengers reassemble and Top Gu ...