Apr 3 (DM) Anuradhapura High Court has upheld the first-ever conviction in SL related to an illegal pyramid scheme, affirming the decision of the Magistrate’s Court to convict two development officers of the Department of Agriculture Research. The suspects were convicted after a legal battle that spanned 15 years. Suspects were initially found guilty of promoting and marketing a pyramid scheme while serving as govt employees. The high Court verdict confirmed the Magistrate’s ruling, more..

Apr 3 (AD) The general public has been requested to inform the CID in writing regarding individuals who were aggrieved while attempting to obtain funds from the President’s Fund between the years 2008 and 2024. The public is requested to provide information to the Director of the CID. Ongoing investigations of the CID into funds obtained from the President’s Fund have revealed names of 22 former Ministers and MPs as beneficiaries between 2008 and 2024. more..

Apr 3 (Island) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya who is on an official visit to France from 31 March to 2 April 2025, participated in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in SL and Associated Living Heritage, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on Tuesday (1). more..

Apr 3 (DM) The CID today informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that they have launched an investigation into allegations that MP Namal Rajapaksa had fraudulently obtained his Attorney-at-Law qualification. The probe was initiated based on a complaint lodged by the Citizens’ Power Against Bribery and Corruption. CID’s Special Investigation Unit stated that the inquiry focuses on whether Rajapaksa engaged in fraudulent activities during his SL Law College examinations. more..

Apr 3 (AD) The Court of Appeal is scheduled to deliver its decision tomorrow (4) on three categories of rejection of nominations for 2025 LG Elections. Accordingly, the decision on the petitions filed regarding the nominations that were rejected on the grounds of failure to submit certified copies of birth certificates, failure to formally submit the affidavits, and submission of only photocopies of birth certificates is also scheduled to be pronounced tomorrow. more..

Apr 3 (DM) Asoka Handagama, who is well-acclaimed for his controversial handling of the audio-visual medium, has entered the limelight with his newest film Rani based on Manorani Saravanamutttu, the brave mother of assassinated journalist, writer, poet and actor Richard de Zoysa. Handagama is known for his skills to discuss serious issues like war, women’s liberty and even taboo subjects like homosexuality and more..

Apr 3 (AD) Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya alliance MP Dilith Jayaweera has issued a stern warning to the incumbent govt on the backdrop of US Prez Donald Trump imposing a set of reciprocal tariffs on a several countries including on Sri Lanka. MP noted that SL’s failure to anticipate US Prez Trump’s 44% reciprocal tax is a self-inflicted wound. Issuing a statement, MP stressed that short-sighted politics is steering SL back towards bankruptcy. He added, “With U.S. buying 23% of our exports more..

Apr 3 (DM) The increase in elephant deaths has been influenced by wrong measures being taken by the current govt and the word being spread on social media, presenting falsehoods, Wild elephant researcher Sameera Weerathunga said. Addressing the media during a petition signing campaign conducted in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station yesterday against the killing of elephants he said with compared to the year 2024 there is a significant increase of elephant deaths more..

Apr 3 (TM) SL renewable energy producer Vidullanka PLC is planning to sell the nation’s first publicly listed Sukuk bond in coming weeks after efforts by the local bourse to kick start an Islamic finance market. Vidullanka, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), is seeking to raise Rs. 500 million ($ 1.7 million), with the potential to upsize the deal based on investor demand, according to people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private information. more..

Apr 3 (CT) Joseph Stalin, Secretary of Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), has stated that the recent salary increase for public servants, as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Public Admin, has resulted in actual salary increments for teachers ranging between Rs 3,000 and Rs 19,000. He explained that while there has been an increase in the basic salary, this is largely due to the incorporation of the previously granted Rs 7,500 allowance into the basic salary, rather than more..

Apr 3 (AFP) SL animal rights activists marched on Thursday to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian PM Narendra Modi. Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of A'pura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday. Many of Colombo's strays are beloved by their adopted neighbourhoods despite lacking formal more..

Apr 3 (Island) Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent threat that the govt would release funds only to local govt bodies to be won by a clean party at the May 06 LG polls. EJP, led by former Minister Champika Ranawaka, complained that Prez Dissanayake has claimed during a public rally at Weligama that the NPP was the only clean party. The EJP is contesting 37 LG bodies at the forthcoming election. more..

Apr 3 (DM) The committee members tasked with analyzing data from the recently conducted animal census are in dilemma over receiving distorted data. This situation has delayed the announcement of the final results. The committee was supposed to hand over a draft report to the Agriculture Ministry on March 28; however, the report could not be submitted as adequate data had not been received. A senior official said the committee members are receiving data across districts. more..

Apr 3 (DM) A discussion on Pest Animals Management organised by the Committee for the Popularization of Science (CPS) of SLAAS was held on March 25. The session was conducted by Prof. Sarath Kotagama. In this timely discussion Prof. Kotagama addressed the problem of destruction caused by pest animals to agricultural sites, while urging on how research and statistical data could be used to find solutions. more..

Apr 3 (EN) SL exports stocks plunged in Thursday, dragging down the broader market, after 44% in reciprocal tariffs were slammed on the island’s exports by US President Donald Trump, brokers said. “Investors are in a panic after the US tariff imposition,” Ranjan Ranatunga, Assistant VP – Research at First Capital said. The market had previously held course ahead of the White House’s announcement, before President Donald Trump’s liberation day tariff proposal. more..

Apr 3 (Kyodo) The bereaved family of a SL woman who died in detention at an immigration facility in Japan in 2021 will file a lawsuit seeking the disclosure of all security camera footage leading up to her death, the family's lawyers said Thursday. Japanese immigration authorities rejected a call for releasing additional footage of Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma Sandamali in a decision dated March 26, and her family plans to challenge the decision at the Tokyo District Court possibly in May. more..

Apr 3 (DM) India will be referred to as the Republic of Bharat on Commemorative plaques to be unveiled in SL during the visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi. Commemorative plaques will be unveiled in view of the groundbreaking of the Sampur solar energy project, the opening of cool storage complex in Dambulla and the commissioning of 5000 rooftop solar panels at 5000 places of religious worship. The names India, Bharat and Hindustan three names are used interchangeably officially and more..

Apr 3 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a committee to conduct an in-depth study and provide recommendations on the issues that could be faced by SL due to the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US Govt. The committee consists of experts from various sectors of SL, including apparel, as well as state officials. Secretary to Finance Ministry, Governor of Central Bank of SL (CBSL), Chairman of SL Board of Investment (BOI), Chairman of Export Development Board more..

Apr 3 (CT) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed that during their regime between 2023 and 2024, they approved a number of proposals on renewable energy, considering the country’s power requirements. He highlighted, “Foreign investments were received for power and energy projects. We approved projects worth Rs 2 to 2.5 billion.” Wickremesinghe stated that when these projects were approved, the committees more..

Apr 3 (AD) Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to be further remanded until April 10 in connection with the 2023 shooting incident near a hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama. Tennakoon, who had been subject to an arrest warrant, surrendered to the court by submitting a motion on March 19, after evading arrest for nearly 20 days. Matara Magistrate’s Court had previously issued an arrest order for eight police officers, including more..

Apr 3 (NW) Former NCP Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith and his former secretary Shanthini Chandrasena have filed petitions before the Court of Appeal against their sentence of 16 years of rigorous imprisonment for corruption charges. The appeal has been transferred to the Colombo HC for presentation before the Court of Appeal. In the appeal petition, the petitioners claim that HC judge had not taken up for consideration the facts they presented during the relevant trial when announcing his decision. more..

Apr 3 (AD) Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando says that SL will hold talks and negotiate the new trade tariffs imposed by the US on the country’s exports before April 9. Issuing a clarification on the 44% trade tariffs imposed on SL as part of US Prez Donald Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs with a baseline 10% tax on all imports and significantly higher rates on dozens of countries, Minister stated that the govt had prior more..

Apr 3 (EN) Four Sri Lankan listed companies are likely to be hit by U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs because of their exposure to US export market, the research arm of Capital Alliance Holdings Limited (CAL Group) said. The reciprocal tariff rate on Sri Lanka at 44% was the 6th highest imposed in the sweeping tariff measures announced to be in effect from 9th April. CAL has identified four listed companies with the largest export exposures to the US market. more..

Apr 3 (NW) Former Minister Lohan Ratwatte has questioned Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake about his policies, highlighting the recent arrests of politicians and their wives. Lohan Ratawatte said the Prez not only placed him in remand custody, but also his wife. “Shameful. Not only did you put me and my wife behind bars, but now another former Chief Minister and the wife of a former minister have also been remanded,” he said. Ratwatte further said that Prez & his associates must be hanged more..

Apr 3 (FT) In Part 1 we assessed the IMF’s diagnosis of external imbalances in developing countries and its corresponding policy recommendations. We argued that these diagnoses and recommendations lacked theoretical rigour and empirical support. Furthermore, we suggested that the primary reason developing countries accept IMF policy recommendations for resolving balance of payments problems is that they have no viable alternative—particularly given the influence more..

Apr 3 (FT) Who comprised the SL team drafting the (reportedly imminent) Defence Pact with India? The Armed Forces chiefs? The Defence Ministry and its Secretary? None of the above? Were the content and text almost wholly imported? Shouldn’t it be debated in parliament beforehand and bipartisan national consensus obtained? Wouldn’t any civilized democracy submit it to a national Referendum? The story of a tectonic shift which will alter the destiny of the island of SL utterly and negatively, more..

Apr 3 (AD) US Prez Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a sweeping set of reciprocal tariffs, imposing a baseline 10% tax on all imports and significantly higher rates on dozens of countries with which the US runs trade deficits. The sweeping duties, which drew bewildered condemnation from many long-standing U.S. allies who found themselves tagged with unexpectedly high tariff rates, promise to erect new barriers more..

Apr 3 (CT) Four second-year senior students suspected of involvement in a ragging incident at the Uni of Jaffna’s Science Faculty have been immediately suspended from attending classes. This action was taken following an incident where a first-year student was subjected to ragging and complained of a hearing problem due to severe ragging. Acting on the instructions of the VC, a 3-member inquiry committee has been appointed, and investigations are currently underway. more..

Apr 3 (EN) Sri Lanka does not expect an immediate hit from any tariffs imposed by US Prez Donald Trump but the country is working on a new tariff policy, Industries Minister Sunil Handunetti said. “We do not think immediately there will be a threat, but in the future we hope to put forward a new tariff policy,” Minister Handunetti said. “The initial work is completed. In the future we hope to bring it to parliament and pass it. “I do not expect there to be an immediate problem. more..

Apr 3 (DN) Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s media spokesperson Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said the Catholic community places significant trust in Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent announcement. Prez assured that revelations regarding those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks would be made before April 21. He also expressed confidence in this commitment, emphasising the need for more..

Apr 3 (NW) Financial and Commercial Crimes Investigation Division of the CID has launched investigations into 22 former ministers and MPs over alleged misuse of funds from the President’s Fund between 2008 and 2024. Police said that 22 files related to the disbursement of funds from the President’s Fund have been obtained by investigating officers as part of the inquiry. Preliminary findings have revealed that more than Rs. 1 billion had been obtained by more..

Apr 3 (AD) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that 42 individuals have yet to return their licensed firearms, despite a directive issued by the Ministry of Defence, requiring all licensed firearms and ammunition provided to civilians for personal protection to be returned. He noted that authorities are investigating whether the individuals who have not returned their firearms are still alive or whether they are residing in the country. He also stated that legal action will be taken promptly against those who fail to more..