Apr 3 (EN) Sri Lanka will give Myanmar US$ 1 million in aid, and dry rations in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said, adding that a medical team was also on standby to help if needed. “Considering the close ties between the two nations as two Buddhist states, Cabinet approved the decision to contribute US$ 1 million collected from the SL people,” Jayatissa said. Dry rations collected with the guidance of Buddhist monks will also be transported more..

Apr 3 (FT) Food Policy and Safety Committee has recommended the importation of rice to stabilise supply and prevent shortages, following a notable increase in market prices despite the ongoing harvest season. During its fifth meeting on Tuesday, the Committee, chaired by Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha and Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, assessed the need for immediate action to more..

Apr 3 (DM) In the wake of four Sri Lankans being deported after they were caught in their attempt to cross the border into the US, SL is now in contact with the US authorities to make sure that the procedure laid down in the Extradition Treaty and mechanisms outlined in other laws between the two countries are followed in case any Sri Lankan is sought to be deported under the migration policy of the Trump administration in the future, more..

Apr 3 (FT) Cargills Bank reassured customers and stakeholders over the recent cyber security infringement. In a statement the bank said as previously disclosed, an unauthorised party claimed to have accessed and published certain data belonging to the bank. The bank’s ongoing investigation reveals that some of the bank’s information is among the data. Upon detection of the incident, the bank engaged a team of leading international cyber security specialists to more..

Apr 3 (Island) SL’s Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara voiced confidence yesterday that warming U.S.-Russia relations could catalyse economic opportunities for SL, during a forum hosted by the National Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the Russia-Sri Lanka Development of Trade, Economic, and Banking Cooperation event, Jayasundara, a seasoned official with experience across multiple political administrations more..

Apr 3 (AD) Shammi Silva, who was recently re-elected uncontested as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the fourth consecutive term, has been appointed to three key committees of the International Cricket Council (ICC). At a council meeting held yesterday (1), Silva was named to the ICC’s Human Resources and Remuneration Committee, Finance and Commercial Committee, and Nominations Committee. Silva’s re-election as SLC President extends his tenure for another more..

Apr 3 (CT) The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Bungo and Etajima arrived at the Port of Colombo yesterday (2) for a goodwill visit, further strengthening maritime cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka. The vessels were warmly welcomed by the SL Navy in a ceremonial reception held in accordance with Naval traditions. The Bungo (MST-464), a 141-metre Uraga-class minesweeper tender, is commanded by Commander Tanaka Koji and operates with a crew of 125 personnel. more..

Apr 3 (FT) SL Customs Dept is aiming for an unprecedented revenue target of Rs. 2,250 billion for 2025, calling it an attainable reality. “It is a massive target, but I am optimistic that 2025 will mark another record-breaking year for the Dept,” Customs Director-General Sarath Nonis said. With the highest revenue goal in the Dept’s history, this ambitious target follows a near 60% revenue surge in 2024 with a record-breaking collection of more..

Apr 3 (Island) St. Joseph’s hold the edge when they meet arch rivals St. Peter’s in the 91st Battle of the Saints’ big match starting today. After having beaten Petes by nine wickets in the U-19 Division I Tier ‘A’ quarter-final at Polonnaruwa the Joes arive at the SSC ground to prove that the victory registered two months ago was not a fluke. St. Joseph’s captained by wicketkeeper batsman Kenath Liyanage are concluding a successful season after having remained unbeaten until more..

Apr 3 (DN) Sri Lanka Athletes Nimesha Nidarshani (14th – 2:55.03), K. Shanmugeswaran (17th – 2: 25.48), and T. Ratnapala (19th – 2:27.07), finished within the top 20 at the 19th Asian Marathon Championship held in Jiashing, China last Sunday. Four Sri Lankan athletes took part at this Asian Marathon but unfortunately, the other female athlete, Wathsala Herath was unable to complete the race. Finished among first 20 places at this Asian Marathon is good achievement. more..

Apr 3 (ST) Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath says that local alternatives for Booking.com, the international travel services platform, will be rolled out as early as the end of April. Minister noted that the technical elements and complete packages of the services being provided were ready. “Booking.com was the platform we used when there were no other options, so this allowed it to capture an excess market share with no competitors” more..

Apr 3 (Island) Dr. Chulani Kodikara, researcher at Social Scientists’ Association (SSA Magazine) says that even though representation of women in Parliament increased there is persistent underrepresentation of women in politics. Representation of women in formal political institutions remains low when compared with other countries in South Asia, Dr. Kodikara said delivering the opening remarks at a recent half-day event titled Improving media engagement with women in, more..

Apr 3 (ST) Supreme Court (SC) has lifted the interim injunction staying the Colombo High Court from hearing the case into eight accused being tried over the X-Press Pearl disaster. After lifting the interim injunction, the SC also notified the registrar of the Colombo High Court to take appropriate steps to speedily take up the case before the High Court. The order was given by a 5-judge SC bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Dilip Nawaz, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli more..

Apr 3 (FT) Sarawak Institute of Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (SiADR) yesterday marked a significant milestone with the formal signing of a MoU with the International Chamber of Commerce SL (ICC SL). The signing of the MoU signified a shared commitment to promote and strengthen the practice of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the region. MoU was executed by SiADR Chairperson Datuk Yew Jen Kie and ICC SL Chairman Anthony Fernando at a brief but meaningful signing more..

Apr 3 (Island) Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi, on March 27, 2025, acquitted former ASP Kulasiri Udugampola, who had been indicted over the Kandy police raid on a safe house run by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) at the Millennium City housing complex, Athurugiriya. The raid, conducted in the first week of January 2002, sent shock waves through the defence establishment. Delivering the judgment, 23 years after the raid, Patabendi declared that more..

Apr 3 (TM) Ex-Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe says the onus is on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, if he is genuine of ridding Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) of its perception of being controlled by undesirable officials, to act on his firm pre-election rhetoric to that effect. He said the current Prez should act on his strong pledge to the public to clean up the image of the SLC. “Prez had publicly spoken of his desire, to remove all officials more..

Apr 3 (DN) Ministry of Mass Media recently held a ceremony to appoint a Chairman and 3 Board members to the SL Press Council, with Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, in attendance. Award-winning writer, critic, and journalist Priyan Wijebandara has been appointed as the new Chairman of the SL Press Council. Additionally, Dr. Anushka Kahandagamage, a Supreme Court Advocate; journalist Mahisha Mudugamuwa; and journalist Devadasan Sendilwelawar more..

Apr 3 (CT) SL’s domestic aviation sector stands at a crossroads, burdened by bureaucratic inertia and regulatory inconsistencies. The Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOAOA) has presented a compelling case for urgent reform, highlighting fifty key concerns that impede growth, investment, and operational efficiency. At stake is not merely the convenience of private aircraft owners and flight training organisations but the broader economic potential of a thriving aviation industry. more..

Apr 3 (Island) Justice finally caught up with former North Central Province Chief Minister S. M. Ranjith and his sister-in-law Shanthi Chandrasena yesterday, when the Colombo High Court (HC), which heard a case filed by the CIABOC against them in 2021, sentenced them to 16 years RI for having misappropriated Rs. 2.6 million between 2012 and 2014. They were also fined Rs. 200,000 each. HC judgment must have gladdened the hearts of all those who long for an end to corruption. more..

Apr 3 (ST) So the govt has come up with another plan to re-develop the loss-making Mattala International Airport, once dubbed the loneliest airport in the world for its lack of passengers. What is it? I dived deeper into the issue after receiving a call this Thursday morning from Ruwanputha, my young economist friend. “It seems we are going through another cycle of foolhardy decisions pertaining to the Mattala airport,” he said. “Why do you say that?” I asked. more..

Apr 3 (CT) Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, has big plans for the future. He discussed the challenges posed by a fractured economy and a struggling nation. He emphasised that it could take at least another two-and-a-half years for the public to enjoy the benefits of the implementation programmes currently being lined up, as the country is working to recover from more..

Apr 3 (DM) At least five known incidents of youth deaths by suicide happened in SL during the first three months of 2025. While the situations varied, each incident took away a young life which could have been prevented if proper interventions had been sought. In a recent incident, the young victim had posted a status on social media prior to taking his own life. The post, which is widely being shared on social media with users continuing to comment on the loss of an innocent life, more..

Apr 3 (DM) Every journalist in Sri Lanka knows that some stories are harder to tell than others. Like reporting on suicide. It requires sensitivity, restraint, and a deep awareness of the consequences, especially when it involves sharing something as intimate as a suicide note. Yet, across newsrooms in Sri Lanka and beyond, a troubling practice persists: the publication and broadcasting of suicide notes after someone has died by suicide. We justify it as giving the public the full story, or more..

Apr 3 (TM) As SL continues its journey towards digital transformation, the Govt has announced plans to integrate traffic fine payments into the GovPay system, providing motorists with a seamless and convenient method of settling penalties. This move aligns with the broader national digitalisation agenda under the Govt’s Clean Sri Lanka programme. The initiative, while promising, presents several regulatory more..

Apr 3 (CT) The current govt’s spectacular electoral success, was in essence a clear rejection of the chaos, incompetence and corruption, that were hallmarks of the traditional parties (UNP, LSSP & SLFP), that have exercised dominant electoral power since Independence in 1948. The remarkably successful Aragalaya was an emphatic rejection of the old parties and hopes of a refreshingly enlightened System Change. This was the unspoken reliance on the NPP, (a lightly disguised JVP). more..

Apr 3 (FT) In the run up to the 2019 Prez election, there was Muhudu Maha Viharaya. While Candidate Gotabaya, reassuring in his moderate mask, did the kovil and mosque rounds, his official and unofficial surrogates busied themselves stirring the extremist cauldron. In the Pottuvil Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Muslim extremists are destroying statues depicting the Buddha’s eighty great disciples, social media posts claimed. These statues, built by the Rajapaksa administration in 2013, more..

Apr 2 (AD) Dept of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for tomorrow in several provinces of the country. It states that the heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to Caution level at some places in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces. As per the advisory, under the Caution level of temperature, fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and activity while continuing activity could result in heat cramps, the advisory said. more..

Apr 2 (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. Responding to a question during the Cabinet press briefing, 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. more..

Apr 2 (CT) Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that individuals earning less than Rs 1.8 million annually can now claim relief on Advance Income Tax (AIT) charged on interest and discounts from deposits. To benefit from this relief, eligible individuals must submit a self-declaration to their respective banks or financial institutions. In compliance with the IRD’s directive, financial institutions have been instructed to implement more..

Apr 2 (NF) UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said that Self-Defense is NOT a crime. He made this statement in response to allegations regarding the crimes committed at the Batalanda torture chamber during the 1987-1990 period. "When a govt elected by the people is attacked, the govt controls it. It does not belong to murder. This is stated in the constitution, not by me. For example, if someone's life is threatened here and they defend themselves, it is not considered murder. more..

Apr 2 (NW) Karaka Sabha of the SL Ramanna Maha Nikaya has decided to expel Ven. Rajangane Saddharathana Thero from the Buddhist monastic order, Ada Derana reported. The decision comes following a series of controversial statements made by the Thero on social media, which gained significant attention and sparked public debate. He is widely known as the Heyy Monk due to his signature opening remark Heyy at the beginning of his videos. A senior member of the Ramanna Nikaya more..