His Holiness Pope Francis has died aged 88, the Vatican has announced.
According to the Vatican news service, the Pope has passed away at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” His Eminence Cardinal Farrell has stated.

His death comes a day after the Pope appeared in St Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers.

He was the first Pope from the Americas or the southern hemisphere. Not since Syrian-born Gregory III died in 741 had there been a non-European Bishop of Rome.

(Agencies)

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy has announced that the daily exposition hours of the Sacred Tooth Relic has been extended.

Accordingly, the exposition will be held from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm. Previously the exposition started at 12 noon.

The move comes in response to the significantly increased number of pilgrims arriving in Kandy for the ‘Siri Dalanda Vandanawa’.

(Previous news 2025 April 21 –9.57.a.m.)

‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ : Nearly 300,000 pilgrims 03 days

The Central Province Deputy Inspector General of Police Sudath Masinghe has said that nearly 300,000 devotees have paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic during the first 03 days of the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’.

Long queues continue as the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ enters the 04th day today (April 21).

Meanwhile, Kandy District Secretary – Indika Udawatta has said that a special programme will be kicked off to broaden services provided to devotees arriving at the city for the special exposition.

Kandy Municipal Health Officer Pasan Parakum Jayasinghe has also said that registrations had been granted for 820 ‘dansals’ which have come forward to offer food and beverages to devotees.

He said that with the increase in the number of devotees, registrations for ‘dansals ‘are also increasing rapidly and the registration can be done easily by visiting the official website of the Kandy Municipal Council.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning (April 21).

Reports indicate that he was summoned to provide a statement.