Apr 10 (TN) Decades ago, passengers could travel from Chennai (then Madras) to Colombo, Sri Lanka, by train and ferry. The journey began at Egmore station and continued along the eastern coast, crossing the iconic Pamban Bridge to reach Rameswaram. From there, trains ran to Dhanushkodi, the southernmost rail point in India. A short ferry ride across the Palk Strait took travellers to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, where they could board a train to Colombo. more..

Apr 10 (EN) SL’s All Share Price Index closed 4.74% higher, or 704.88 points, at 15,580.83, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on the proposed 44% tariff increase on Sri Lankan exports. The more liquid S&P SL20 closed up 6.68%, or 290.94 points at 4,643.63. “Markets have revitalised buying interest,” Ranjan Ranatunga, Assistant Vice President – Research at First Capital said. “This is mainly due to the reversal on tariffs by Donald Trump.” more..

Apr 10 (Island) Top SJB spokesman Mujibur Rahuman that what had happened at the Batalanda detention centre couldn’t be debated leaving out the JVP terrorism in the late ’80s. He said that the JVP, that made an abortive bid to assassinate the then Prez J.R. Jayewardene, inside Parliament, on 18 August, 1987, as they opposed the signing of the Indo-Lanka peace accord on 29 July, 1987, couldn’t absolve itself of more..

Apr 10 (Island) Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC), Sri Lanka, and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Odisha, India, recently signed a MoU to pave the way for student and staff exchanges to enhance research and other educational purposes. This took place at the KIIT when a delegation, consisting of the President of IChemC, Prof. Janitha Liyanage, and its Joint – Secretary, Dr. Thelma Abeysinghe, visited the KIIT. MoU was signed by President of IChemC, more..

Apr 10 (Island) Signs are clear that the LG elections, originally scheduled for 6 May, will have to be held on a staggered basis, as nomination lists in respect of about 200 out of 339 LG institutions have been challenged before the Court of Appeal, according to sources. Those who have filed cases in the Court of Appeal seek writs against holding the elections. The final date for filing cases is 21 April. By yesterday only 113, out of 339 local govt bodies, had been cleared for the 06 May elections, more..

Apr 10 (FT) In a bold step towards redefining its global image, SL is set to unveil a unified national tourism brand immediately after Sinhala & Tamil New Year, targeting both traditional and potential markets with an ambitious global campaign. SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam announced that this campaign will be formally launched more..

Apr 10 (TM) SL’s total exports share under trade agreements fell in 2024, despite new trade agreements signed in the year as the percentage dropped to 38.9% from 40.1% in 2023. According to CBSL’s annual economic review, the country’s total exports value under trade agreements increased by 4.2% year-on-year in 2024 to $ 4.97 billion, while that value as a share of total exports fell to 38.9%. This indicates an increase in exports outside preferential trade agreements during 2024. more..

Apr 10 (AD) 22 Indian nationals with expired visas, employed at an office complex in Rajagiriya, have been detained by immigration officials. The foreign nationals will be held at the Welisara detention centre pending deportation, according to the Immigration and Emigration Department. A group of officers from the Investigation Division of the Immigration and Emigration Department raided an office in the Rajagiriya area this afternoon (10) and apprehended them. more..

Apr 11 (DM) Avurudu (New Year) presents us with an opportunity to connect with tradition. This is the time of the year when there is a longing to get back home, even if that means driving a distance of over a 100 kilometres. Avurudu is best celebrated at home. Last year, two days before New Year, this writer was at a bus stop and a passenger was seen boarding a crowded bus in a mighty hurry. He just managed to squeeze onto the footboard of the vehicle. He was heard saying, more..

Apr 11 (DM) When U.S. President Donald Trump announced his sweeping Liberation Day tariffs, the world economy braced for seismic aftershocks. In a bold and controversial return to economic nationalism, Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose a baseline 10% duty on all imports, with significantly higher tariffs on nations with which the U.S. maintains the largest trade imbalances. SL, already reeling from its 2022 economic collapse, more..

Apr 11 (SO) When the ground shakes, even for a few seconds, it reminds us just how fragile life really is. Earthquakes are sudden and powerful natural disasters that can cause massive damage to buildings, roads, and even entire cities. They strike without warning, and in a few moments, they can change lives forever. As we watch other countries deal with these disasters, many people in SL are starting to ask: What if it happens more..

Apr 11 (DM) Agriculture in Sri Lanka is at a deadlock, and for the smallholder farmers, who constitute the backbone of the nation’s food production, it is a question of survival. Endless debates go nowhere, with a focus stuck on fertiliser subsidies and drones. Yet, the solution—a part of our agricultural heritage for centuries—is being glaringly ignored: rice-duck integration. Indeed, the ancient practice alone can provide small farmers in rice production with a lifeline to retain economic viability, more..

Apr 11 (TM) With the Sinhala and Tamil New Year around the bend, The Daily Morning would like to wish our readers a happy and prosperous Avurudu season. This week, as Sri Lankans are heading home or back to their villages in droves, few would be able to celebrate Avurudu as they would like. Nevertheless, let us be thankful that despite the political turmoil and the economic crisis we have seen in the rear mirror, situation is better this year than it was in the last few years. more..

Apr 11 (TM) National AIDS Committee is due to convene within the next two months as Sri Lanka records 824 new diagnoses of HIV in 2024. (NSACP) Coordinator Dr. Vino Dharmakulasinghe said they had diagnosed 824 new cases of HIV in 2024. They have further observed a slight increase in cases among the 15-24 years age group with 115 new diagnoses – 14% of the total new infections in the past year. more..

Apr 11 (Island) US Prez Donald Trump has made another U-turn––a historic one. He has suspended unprecedented tariff hikes he announced the other day; he vowed that he would neither pause nor waive them under any circumstances. The 90-day tariff reprieve he has opted for has gladdened many hearts and made stock markets soar across the word, but a global recession is looming with a fierce tariff war between the US and China intensifying. Trump has jacked up tariffs on all Chinese more..

Apr 11 (ST) I had anticipated that the US reciprocal tariff policy would be more robust than what was ultimately announced. The new tariffs were unveiled on Wednesday from the Rose Garden of the White House. During the announcement, Prez Donald Trump displayed a large poster detailing the new tariff rates for various countries, specifically mentioning Pakistan and SL: “You see what’s going on. Pakistan, 58%; SL, 88%. So, what we’re doing is we’re taking not the full; we could take more..

Apr 11 (CT) The recent Liberation Day announcement by Donald Trump has disrupted the domestic economies of several countries trading with the United States. What were once smooth trading operations are now facing severe consequences, causing distress and anxiety across many nations. This move signals the onset of a global conflict that may polarize international relations and usher in an era of uncertainty, ultimately impacting global economic stability. more..

Apr 11 (Island) Globalisation can be understood as relations between countries, and it fosters a greater relationship between countries that involve the movement of goods, services, information, technology, money, and human beings between countries. These relationships transcend economic, cultural, political, and social contexts. Globalisation in the modern world today is a significant shift from the past. Globalisation in the modern world today is a state in which the world becomes more..

Apr 11 (TM) In response to the warning issued by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the Govt would remove and replace public officials after next month (May) if they continue to resist change, the SL Govt Officers’ Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA) stated that the Govt should first present a clear and consistent programme for public servants to follow. Speaking at the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan more..

Apr 11 (FT) As the festive and holiday season is here, the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) yesterday urged the public to remain vigilant and prioritise safety while embracing the spirit of celebration. This special time of year brings families and communities together, marked by joy, tradition, and travel. However, it also presents a higher risk of accidents, injuries, and other unforeseen events that can dampen the festive cheer if precautions are not taken. more..

Apr 11 (FT) In a pioneering display of technological excellence, SLT-Mobitel transformed the IESL Robo Games 2024 competition into an inspiring technological showcase, with the grand finale held recently, setting new benchmarks for robotics innovation in the country. Going far beyond traditional corporate support, SLT-Mobitel’s active involvement demonstrated the commitment to championing SL’s digital transformation, nurturing the nation’s brightest young minds. more..

Apr 11 (Island) Veteran coach Susantha Fernando has questioned the credibility of the selection process of SL Athletics after Harsha Karunaratne, the reigning national champion in the men’s 800 metres was dropped from the team for the up coming South Asian Athletics Championships. South Asian Athletics C'ship will be held from May 3 to 5 in Ranchi, India. Unlike at previous editions, SL Athletics has picked only one athlete per event for a majority of disciplines in a bid to cut costs. more..

Apr 11 (OPR) SilverAisle, the company, which was recently launched as an e-commerce venture, aims to transform gift-giving within Sri Lanka by introducing Sri Lanka's first fully connected online platform for gifting. The company was created by the entrepreneur Yanika Amarasekara. SilverAisle (https://silveraisle.com) gives customers a carefully selected selection of the best brands and experiences, wedding registry items, and gift ideas for every occasion. more..

Apr 11 (FT) The COPE, chaired by MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, has unearthed significant financial mismanagement in the BIA Development Project, revealing a misuse of billions in public funds and flawed execution of critical infrastructure developments. Following a field investigation at BIA on Wednesday, prompted by its recent review earlier this month of the AG’s Reports for 2022 and 2023, CoPE exposed a trail of more..

Apr 11 (FT) ICT Lawyers Guild (ICTLG) Chairman, Dr. Sunil Abeyratne addressing the third AGM last week in Colombo said the organisation will help a more efficient cyber law enforcement in Sri Lanka. “The reason to form this guild is mainly to give a supportive role to the legal community, including the Bar Association of SL. We formed this guild to upgrade the knowledge of our members first. Secondly, we share our knowledge with the legal community and the general public. more..

Apr 11 (DM) The 30th National Bartenders Competition, a collaborative effort by International Distillers Ltd (IDL) and the SL Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA), has seen a surge in female contestants, nearly doubling the number from the previous edition. This development indicates an emerging trend in Sri Lanka’s burgeoning hospitality sector, showcasing its commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Supported by the SL Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), more..

Apr 11 (Island) SL’s controversial MoU on Defence Cooperation with India was unlikely to be taken up any time soon in Parliament in spite of the House Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection that has been assigned defence, authoritative sources said. Of the seven SOCs only one was activated with the recent election of Dr. Najith Indika, MP, as the Chairman of SOC on Governance, Justice, more..

Apr 11 (Island) PayMaster, the leading, award-winning digital payments app in SL, has announced its launch of HOPPR, a cutting-edge ride-hailing feature that will transform the market by providing all stakeholders from drivers and customers with financial independence through digital payments and credit access. More than just a ride-hailing service, HOPPR is a tool for financial empowerment that works in unison with PayMaster to allow users to schedule rides without using cash more..

Apr 11 (DN) Billiards and Snooker Association of SL (BASASL) have finalised arrangements to conduct the National Billiards Championship scheduled to be played from April 19 to May 11. The National Billiards Championship’s 70th edition is sponsored by the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) for the second successive year with the support of the Billiards and Snooker Association of SL. Meanwhile before the national billiards championship which is scheduled to be played more..

Apr 11 (FT) SL’s tourism industry continues to build momentum in 2025, with over 56,000 arrivals in the first nine days of April alone—a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. A total of 56,567 tourists was registered during the first nine days of April, pushing the cumulative arrivals for the year to 778,843 and marking a robust 13.5% year-on-year (YoY) growth. The daily average arrivals rate has also risen to 6,285 during the nine days of April, up from 5,615 in the same period last year. more..

Apr 11 (DN) Court of Appeal yesterday ordered the relevant returning officers to accept another 35 nominations that were originally rejected in connection with the Local Govt Elections. A Court of Appeal Bench, comprising Justice Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando, made this order after considering several writ petitions that had been filed to challenge the rejection of nomination papers, which were taken up for hearing. Court of Appeal noted that this order would apply to more..

Apr 11 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday led a productive all-party meeting to tackle rising concerns over the high reciprocal tariffs announced by the US and possible repercussions on SL’s economy. The meeting was held in response to a request from several Opposition MPs who called for a direct discussion with the Prez on formulating a national response to the issue. Prez began the session by briefing more..

Apr 11 (ST) The High Court Judges’ Association (HCJA) has written to the Bar Association of SL (BASL) expressing concerns over what it says are attempts by some members of the Bar in recent days to intentionally tarnish the reputation of the judiciary following a recent incident. “It has been brought to our notice by the members of the judiciary and also members of the Bar that some lawyers are willfully targeting the judiciary in order to meet their personal ends,” says the letter, more..

Apr 11 (EN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake govt’s ambitious Clean Sri Lanka programme has planned to launch 34 new projects this year. Clean Sri Lanka is an ambitious project of the new govt and is a comprehensive national initiative aimed at fostering both environmental sustainability and ethical rejuvenation across the country. This program seeks to address the degradation of SL’s social and environmental fabric by promoting cleanliness and revitalization in all sectors of society. more..