Apr 6 (ST) Election Commission (EC) and the Broadcaster’s Guild of SL (BGSL) have locked horns after the EC decided to raise the fees it would levy from media institutions to release official results of the 2025 local govt elections. The new fee structure requires a single media institution to pay Rs. 8 million if it wishes to release election results immediately after they are officially released, while a package fee is on offer at Rs 15 million for more..

Apr 6 (FT) Sri Lanka is no longer in crisis but it is in debt. Politicians are in debt to the people. People are in debt to the world. Elections will be held as they are part of the process of democracy. Democracy is a process not an event. As the late Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto said: Democracy is the best revenge; this is the ending note of the documentary called Democracy in debt: Sri Lanka beyond the headlines. The 25-minute-long documentary, giving a deeper understanding more..

Apr 6 (CT) PM Modi is visiting Sri Lanka this weekend, from Friday, April 4th to Sunday, April 6th. This is Modi’s third official visit as PM, and the first since Anura Kumara Dissanayake became Prez and led the NPP to form a new govt with a massive electoral victory. The official welcoming ceremony will be at the Independence Square on Saturday April 5th, 54 years to the day after the April 1971 insurrection launched by the JVP, the political progenitor of the present SL govt. more..

Apr 6 (TM) The past week was undoubtedly an important one for Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his JVP-led NPP Govt, given the visit of the first high-level foreign dignitary since AKD and the Govt assumed office as well as US Prez Donald Trump’s decision to impose an over 40% tax on SL exports to the US, which is SL’s single largest export market. However, Trump’s announcement of the reciprocal tariffs just a day before more..

Apr 6 (ST) Since those halcyon days when Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru arrived in Sri Lanka to a tumultuous welcome with locals of all communities lining the state drive from Ratmalana airport to Queen’s House, Indo-Sri Lanka relations have seen many ups and downs and twists and turns. On Friday, PM Narendra Modi arrived in a country no longer sharing that kind of deep and genuine affinity with India. The support India gave for a terrorist group to wreak havoc in Sri Lanka more..

Apr 6 (TM) In terms of numbers, the new US tariffs imposed on its global trading partners are nothing short of brutal. These new tariffs that are due to come into effect as early as next Wednesday (9) will not only forever alter global trade but also bilateral relations and alliances, with the so-called father of the free world literally abandoning the concept it created and nurtured all these years. While shaky national economies like Sri Lanka will bear the brunt of the impact, trillions of dollars more..

Apr 5 (AD) PM of India Narendra Modi has arrived in the island this evening on a historical three-day state visit. PM Modi who arrived at the Katunayake International Airport, is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary and several senior officials of the Govt of India. Indian delegation was officially received by SL’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath more..

Apr 5 (MoD) In a prominent display of cooperation and environmental stewardship, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) joined forces for a coastal cleanup initiative at the iconic Galle Face on 03 Apr 25. The event which exhibited the camaraderie of both maritime forces, brought together naval personnel from the visiting JMSDF BUNGO and ETAJIMA as well as the SL Navy. The collaborative effort aimed to ensure the pristine condition of Galle Face, more..

Apr 5 (NF) Earl Sugi Perera, a key witness who testified before the Batalanda Commission, spoke to Newsfirst this morning. Previously, we reported on his abduction and torture for extortion, but he insisted on recounting the crimes in his own voice. Earl Sugi Perera, also known as Sydney, was abducted on March 23, 1990. He was taken to a house in the Batalanda housing complex, where he endured various forms of torture. On some days, he was forced to wear women's clothing & wigs. more..

Apr 5 (FT) SL yesterday announced its readiness to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, following US Govt’s decision under its reciprocal tariff policy. “We are committed to substantially reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers that hinder trade and investment. Improving the ease of doing business remains a top priority of the Govt, as we strive to create an environment that encourages innovation, fosters commercial partnerships, more..

Apr 5 (EAR) Indian PM Narendra Modi is visiting Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 to bolster economic and strategic ties with New Delhi’s southern neighbor. The visit comes at a critical juncture as India navigates shifting dynamics in South Asia, including uncertainties surrounding Sri Lanka’s left-nationalist govt under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the fallout from the ouster of the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina regime in Bangladesh, and growing Chinese influence in the region. more..

Apr 5 (FT) SJB MP and economist Dr. Harsha de Silva called for a unified national approach to address the tariff crisis, offering his expertise to the Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake-led Govt. “I am willing to help figure the way forward on Trump tariffs if Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake so desires. This crisis is national. Fallout could be huge. My position has always been that SL must break (tariff) walls and build (trade) bridges, SJB blueprint – not other way around,” he noted via ‘X.’ more..

Apr 5 (Island) Customs officials took into custody a haul of foreign cigarettes worth over Rs 435 billion while they were being smuggled into the country at the Orugodawatta cargo inspection division. The cigarettes were found inside a 20-foot container that had been brought into the country from the Jebel Ali port in the UAE. Customs spokesman Additional Customs Director General Sivali Arukgoda said that Customs officers found 2.5 million cigarettes in the container. more..

Apr 5 (DM) One of the three main revenue-generating arms of the country and the competent authority regulating the liquor industry, the Excise Department of Sri Lanka has earned a record revenue of Rs.61 billion during the first quarter of this year. The department comes third amidst the revenue-generating arms of the Department of Inland Revenue and Sri Lanka Customs functioning under the Ministry of Finance and has been given a revenue target of Rs.242 billion for 2025. more..

Apr 5 (EN) Indian PM Narendra Modi’s current two-day state visit to SL holds significant implications for both nations and the broader geopolitical landscape. This visit comes at a pivotal moment, addressing various facets of bilateral relations, historical complexities, and regional dynamics.​ Modi’s visit is strategically timed as SL emerges from a severe economic crisis that saw the nation declare bankruptcy in April 2022, more..

Apr 5 (CT) Resident Representative of the UNDP in SL, Azusa Kubota, stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive disability assessment system in the country, stating that the absence of such a framework has hindered a full understanding of the needs and capabilities of the disability community. Kubota made these remarks at a lesson-learning session organised on Friday, by the Ministry of Rural Development and Social Security, focused on reviewing the outcomes of Model Disability more..

Apr 5 (DM) Colombo Rubber Traders Association (CRTA) joined the bandwagon in expressing deep concern about the recent imposition of a 44 percent blanket tariff by the United States on all imports from Sri Lanka and said it is particularly worried on the devastating impact it would have on Sri Lanka’s natural rubber industry. As one of the country’s key export sectors, the natural rubber industry contributes significantly to both employment and foreign exchange earnings. more..

Apr 5 (NW) GMOA has issued a media statement in response to a serious allegation of sexual misconduct reported at the Negombo District General Hospital. According to the statement, a young woman who visited the hospital’s Outpatient Dept (OPD) for treatment has filed a complaint claiming she was subjected to sexual harassment by a doctor. GMOA acknowledged the gravity of the incident and revealed that the doctor named in the complaint had been previously expelled more..

Apr 5 (FT) Colombo stock market plunged further yesterday as investors remained negative over the impact to the economy from US President Donald Trump’s exorbitant 44% reciprocal tariff. The active S&P SL20 saw an over 2% decline for the second successive day and the benchmark ASPI was down by 1.8%. For the week, ASPI lost 2.8% and the S&P SL20 was down by over 4%. Turnover yesterday was Rs. 3.1 billion involving 218 million shares. For the week, turnover averaged Rs. 2.8 billion. more..

Apr 5 (FT) Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) said SL, being an unsuspecting player in this global trade confrontation, finds itself grappling with an unprecedented challenge that threatens to derail its export-driven industries following the US’s reciprocal tariffs. In a seismic move shaking SL’s economic foundations, US Prez Donald Trump on 2 April unleashed a sweeping 44% reciprocal tariff targeting nations with more..

Apr 5 (FR) US tariffs have reached levels that are transforming the global economic outlook, significantly raising US recession risks and constraining the Federal Reserve’s ability to lower interest rates further, says Fitch Ratings. The Liberation Day tariff increases outlined by the US govt on 2 April sharply exceeded the already steep rises assumed in our March 2025 Global Economic Outlook (GEO). These increases impose a minimum tariff rate of 10% for all US trade partners and more..

Apr 5 (DN) A discussion was held yesterday (03) between Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and Minister of Sports Sunil Gamage at the Shangri-La Hotel. During the meeting, Sheikh Salman acknowledged that while many Asian nations face economic challenges, SL is making positive strides forward under the current govt. He expressed confidence that football in SL would also see significant progress in the coming years. more..

Apr 5 (AD) The 2025 LG Elections will be held as scheduled on May 6, according to the Chairman of the National Election Commission R.M.A.L. Rathnayake. He noted that they will comply with court rulings as several petitions have been filed in relation to the rejection of nomination papers. Rathnayake confirmed that the printing of polling cards and ballot papers that are not affected by court cases have commenced. more..

Apr 5 (ST) Hong Kong-based casino owner and operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd, which will operate the John Keells Holdings’ multibillion-rupee integrated resort, City of Dreams SL, has paid Rs 5 billion for a 20-year licence it secured. In line with accounting treatments, Melco Resorts has recognised it as an intangible asset (non-monetary asset) which will be amortised on a straight-line basis (equal depreciation expense annually) until the casino licence expires. more..

Apr 5 (ST) Five of Sri Lanka’s top female athletes were celebrated at Her Journey, Her Victory, recognising the resilience and achievements of women in sports. Organised by the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL), the event served as both a celebration and a call to action for gender equity in sports. In his speech, NOCSL President Suresh Subramanian addressed struggles women face in sports—how, for centuries, societal expectations have dictated their paths. more..

Apr 5 (DN) Kandy’s 118th Battle of the Maroons the big match between Kingswood College and Dharmaraja College, will be played for 3 days, starting from April 4th, 5th, and 6th at the Pallekele Stadium, In this big match Dharmaraja College holds the edge with 37 wins against Kingswood College’s 19, while 53 matches have ended in a draws. Last year Dharmaraja Colelge ended as winners and this time it is going ot be close game if the weather favours both teams are in good form. more..

Apr 5 (Island) The govt has, with the help of National Food Promotion Board, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, launched a programme to provide the public with nutritious food at reasonable prices as part of its Clean SL initiative. The public, fleeced by private eatery owners ruthlessly, will surely benefit from this programme, which deserves praise. It will also help improve the govt’s approval rating significantly. A way to a person’s heart is said to be through his or her stomach. more..

Apr 5 (ST) Northern fishermen reiterated once again this week to visiting TN fishermen leaders that they will not tolerate Indian mechanised bottom trawling under any circumstances, and they will have to stop venturing into the country’s territorial waters. A 5-member delegation of Tamil Nadu fishermen from Ramanathapuram and Rameshwaram districts met with representatives of Northern Federation more..

Apr 5 (Island) SL’s agricultural landscape is witnessing a silent yet profound transformation with the rapid expansion of oil palm plantations. Once introduced as a commercial crop, the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is now at the center of a heated debate, with environmentalists and scientists warning of its devastating ecological consequences. Research scientist Rajika Gamage, said: “The spread of oil palm in SL is not just a concern for biodiversity, but also for water resources, more..

Apr 5 (FT) SL Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) has announced the launch of the 7th annual SLASSCOM National Ingenuity Awards 2025. Premier event, which recognises technological innovation and ingenuity across all sectors, will highlight SL talent making a significant impact globally. The awards ceremony will take place in June, where winners will be celebrated at a grand gala for their contributions to innovation, ethics, and leadership in technology. more..

Apr 5 (TM) “The Tamil people aren’t wrong here. These are innocent people; they are only asking for their land. I am on their side,” says Nagadeepa Temple Chief Incumbent Ven. Navandagala Padumakiththi Tissa Thera about the struggle for land rights in Thaiyiddi, Jaffna. According to him, a temple was situated on about one-and-a-half acres of land belonging to the Nagadeepa Temple in Thaiyiddi. With the outbreak of ethnic tensions in 1958, the temple was abandoned but more..

Apr 5 (FT) The Trump trade shock is a massive blow to the global order. It represents the biggest rupture since the end of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s. In fact, it could have greater consequences, even inviting global economic disintegration and geopolitical conflagration. How does a small country like ours respond to this crisis and what policies should we adopt? The current upheaval was not unexpected. The fallout of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, leading to Brexit and more..