Apr 16 (SO) Bodyline (Pvt) Ltd, a division of MAS Holdings, officially handed over the 2025 SL athletic kits to the national contingent, as part of Bodyline’s ongoing partnership with Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA). The handover ceremony, held on April 7, 2025, marks the continued partnership between Bodyline and SLA, which extends through to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Bodyline CEO, Sahan Rajapakse, presented the newly designed athletic kits to SLA President, Palitha Fernando, more..

Apr 16 (SO) Financial market experts and policy analysts made a red flag warning that if SL fails to lift all tariffs and para-tariffs on U.S. imports it will be in a catch- 22 situation soon without an exit route to the tariff problem. “If these tariffs remains we will go into a deep recession – job losses, large scale NPLs (Non performing loans) in the banking sector, widening fiscal deficit and import curbs,” said former Director of the CSE and current CEO of JB Securities (Pvt) Ltd Murtaza Jafferjee. more..

Apr 16 (ST) Eventistry Sports has made all arrangements to inaugurate the country’s first-ever padel competition, SL Padel League (SLPL), which will take place this June in Colombo. Franchise-based tournament will feature six teams, uniquely named after iconic SL cities known for their tourism appeal and global recognition. “We believe SL is ready for a new kind of sport—fast-paced, energetic, and most importantly, community-driven. These were the core motivations behind the creation of more..

Apr 16 (ST) Mount Lavinia Magistrate Chathurika de Silva will deliver her order on June 16 regarding whether Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe should be named as a suspect in a fraud case. The case involves a building belonging to a trust known as the National Workers’ Institute, which had been leased for Rs. 3.6 million by individuals posing as officials of National Workers’ Congress (NWC) trade union. They included Mr. Samarasinghe. The magistrate gave the order after considering more..

Apr 16 (BBC) The cricket tournament at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 will be played at a temporary stadium in Pomona, a southern Californian city about an hour's drive from the athletes' village. A source close to the LA 2028 organising committee said that a number of potential venues were explored during the planning stage. That included holding the event in a city on the East Coast of the US, such as New York, more..

Apr 16 (NW) SL Police has commenced using new speed cameras to detect speeding motorists. The devices feature dual cameras and night vision technology, capturing the driver’s photo, vehicle number, and speed in real time. Police has introduced advanced speed guns to improve road safety and reduce accidents. The devices, manufactured in the US, can detect vehicles from a distance of 1.2 km, even at night. The recorded video footage can serve as evidence in court more..

Apr 16 (ST) In a touching moment of compassion, Sri Lankan cricket sensation Angelo Mathews fulfilled the wish of a terminally ill young fan, bringing joy to a child facing life’s greatest challenge. The emotional visit, arranged by the Indira Cancer Trust’s Make-A-Wish campaign, created memories that will last beyond a lifetime. The cricketer spent precious time with the young fan, whose eyes reportedly lit up with wonder and delight upon meeting his hero. This child, battling against cancer, more..

Apr 16 (SO) A major SL bank is facing public scrutiny and regulatory questions after a catastrophic cybersecurity breach exposed more than 1.9 terabytes of data, over one million files, containing highly sensitive personal and internal information. The breach, reportedly orchestrated by the ransomware group Hunters International, included National identity card (NIC) scans, phone numbers, bank account details, signatures more..

Apr 16 (AD) Two suspects have been arrested on charges of money laundering and aiding and abetting money laundering, along with Rs. 5,745,000 in cash found in their possession. The arrests were made as part of the ongoing island-wide crime and drug prevention operation initiated under the directives of the Acting IGP. Two individuals were taken into custody near Thunmodara Junction in the Kirulapone Police Division after being observed acting suspiciously in a three-wheeler more..

Apr 16 (ST) PM Narendra Modi promised to look into a request made by the four Mahanayaka Theras to allow full Buddhist representation in the management of the Maha Bodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya in India when a letter signed by them was handed over to him during his visit to A'pura. A two-month-long agitation campaign is going on in India by Buddhists, demanding full control of the Buddha Gaya Temple Management Committee currently comprising 4 Buddhists and 4 Hindus with more..

Apr 16 (AD) Special attention must be paid to the prevailing extreme heat in the country, health experts warn. Physician Dr. Nandana Dickmadugoda noted that the high temperatures pose a risk that could even lead to death. Therefore, he emphasized that individuals with chronic illnesses should be particularly cautious, and that even the general public should be mindful of the prevailing weather pattern. He said, “Even though there are occasional rains, we still feel intense heat. more..

Apr 16 (NW) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe has lodged a complaint with the Police regarding a series of fake news posts targeting him on social media. Deputy Minister said the misinformation campaign involved deliberately fabricated content. “For years, people attacked JVP leaders with mudslinging. Since 2021, they also tried to discredit newcomers like us. But in the end, the people gave their answer. The era of politics led by corrupt parasites is over. more..

Apr 16 (ST) In a damning audit report, Sri Lanka’s Auditor General has uncovered a series of financial mismanagement issues, questionable spending decisions, and governance failures at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka. The findings raise serious concerns about the organisation’s stewardship of resources meant to develop Sri Lanka’s Olympic athletes and sports programmes. more..

Apr 16 (ST) The oldest member at the Dehiwala National Zoological gardens, the giant tortoise, who is around 153 years, will be among the animals selected for the traditional New Year oil anointing ceremony on April 16, at 9.04 a.m. Visitors to the Dehiwala Zoological gardens will be able able to witness the event as always. Anoma Priyadharshini, Director of the Zoo said elephants, zebra, hippopotamus, the lion cub Simba, deer and some birds are among others selected for the ritual. more..

Apr 16 (TM) A total of 412 individuals were admitted to the National Hospital of SL (NHSL) on 13 and 14 April due to various accidents, with 6 pronounced dead on arrival, according to Dr. Indika Jagoda, Director of the Accidents Ward at the NHSL. Of the total, 110 were injured in indoor accidents, while 94 were due to road accidents. About 80 patients required surgeries over the two-day period. Notably, firecracker-related injuries saw a sharp decline this year, with only two cases reported. more..

Apr 16 (AD) The revenue generated from expressway tolls during the past four days has exceeded Rs. 170 million, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said. A total of 497,223 vehicles have used the expressways since 11 April, it said. Accordingly, the income generated in the past four days from motorists using expressways stood at Rs. 173,505,300. This is an increase of 20% in comparison to the income generated by the RDA during the same period last year. more..

Apr 16 (AD) An American national has been arrested at the BIA this morning (15), by officers of the Narcotics Control Unit of SL Customs for attempting to smuggle 23 kg of Kush cannabis into the country. The 31-year-old suspect, who is employed by a company involved in land trading in the US, had arrived from Bangkok, on a SriLankan Airlines flight. He was detained while attempting to exit the airport through the Red Channel, a designated business corridor at the arrival terminal. more..

Apr 16 (AD) The CEB has reiterated that owners of rooftop solar systems must switch off their units until 3 p.m. on a daily basis until 21 April if they receive an SMS from the board. CEB noted that such measures are taken when there is a risk of grid instability, owing to the significant reduction in demand during the New Year holiday period. After a detailed study on the forecast demand for electricity during the April holidays and more..

Apr 16 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was met with loud cheers after swiftly rescuing a young girl who got trapped in a crowd during a NPP rally held in Samanthurai. As the Prez arrived, a large crowd gathered around the stage, cheering and moving closer to shake hands with him. Many attendees took selfies with the Prez during the rally. After the event, when the Prez was about to leave via stage staircase, a large group of supporters gathered near the steps to greet him. more..

Apr 16 (AD) The suspect allegedly responsible for the recent shooting of the retired Superintendent of the Boossa Prison was arrested this morning (15) by officers of CID while attempting to leave the country through BIA. The arrest was made at the departure terminal with the assistance of the Face Recognition System installed by the CID at the airport. Suspect was reportedly apprehended while preparing to board SriLankan Airlines flight to Bangkok, Thailand, using a forged passport. more..

Apr 16 (SO) Govt has kicked into gear with immediate effect a comprehensive plan to target corruption on several fronts. Proceeds of Crime Bill was passed in Parliament, which will enable the authorities to track down and locate illegally earned funds. This will complement the previously passed Anti Corruption Act (ACA). In the latest salvo against corruption at all levels in society, Govt will soon implement more..

Apr 17 (CT) “There is silver lining in this for developing countries, which is that for too long, for may be three decades, we have been told that the only way we can develop is through export-led growth, and that’s really – it’s been unfortunate, because we have never seen giving our own workers a fair deal as a good option. We’ve always seen wages as cost, not as a source of our own domestic demand and market. It’s now to me to actually change, to shift gears, more..

Apr 17 (DM) It was no surprise to see the Trump Administration raising tariffs. What no one expected was how big and how irrational they would be. Countries with zero tariffs on imports such as Singapore and Switzerland were being slapped with tariffs. Territories with no inhabitants were subjected to punitive tariffs on their non-existent exports based on an irrational formula that has nothing to do with tariffs, designed solely to reduce bilateral trade deficits. more..

Apr 17 (TM) Despite Indian PM Narendra Modi’s public comments about an agreement to build a multi-product pipeline aimed at developing Trincomalee as an energy hub, SL authorities remain uncertain about the development. According to reliable sources, the SL Govt has only held one discussion on the pipeline since the new administration came into power, which was limited to a meeting by the Energy Committee, more..

Apr 17 (DM) Avurudu (Sinhala & Tamil New Year) is that time of the year when a majority of the population return to their hometowns to spend quality time with loved ones. While Avurudu is the season to engage in rituals and make merry, it is also a season where people express careless and reckless attitudes. Today, it is common to see more road accidents due to reckless driving, lack of discipline and patience on the roads. A video posted onto a social media platform indicated more..

Apr 17 (ST) It was during the British parliamentary election that brought the Labour Party to power after some years of conservatism that I heard a prominent activist damn the stream of promises flowing from the lips of seasoned politicians. He was recalling the days of Conservative politician Boris Johnson, who promised many things except the moon when Britain voted Brexit—Britain’s exit from the European Union—which Johnson said would make Britain blossom. Instead of blossoming, more..

Apr 17 (TM) In the wake of the controversial custodial death of Sathsara Nimesh, Police has announced plans to install CCTV cameras inside detention cells – a move aimed at addressing mounting public outrage and calls for accountability. SSP Buddhika Manatunga confirmed that discussions were underway and implementation was imminent. However, Minister Ananda Wijepala has cautioned that surveillance alone is not more..

Apr 17 (CT) As SL celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with customary festivities, an unusual silence echoed across the country’s thermal power plants. For the first time in recent memory, CEB deactivated all Thermal Plants in operation, including a Generator at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant and Kelanitissa Power Plant. This unprecedented move was attributed to a dramatic drop in electricity demand during the holiday period, leading CEB to rely entirely on hydro & renewable energy more..

Apr 17 (Island) Much publicity has been given to a recent incident where Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake acted swiftly to rescue a small girl lost in a large, milling crowd at an NPP election rally in Sammanthurai. A viral video shows the Prez lifting the bewildered girl and placing her beside him to ensure her safety. What would have happened to her but for his timely intervention? One may recall that Dissanayake did something similar during his presidential election campaign as well; more..

Apr 17 (SO) SL’s police have reopened several major corruption cases, particularly those involving members of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family under the new Govt. These include investigations into the unexplained wealth of Rajapaksa’s second son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, connected to the latter’s maternal grandmother Desi Aachchi, and allegations against his first son, Namal Rajapaksa, involving misappropriation of funds in the Krrish property deal and irregularities more..

Apr 17 (Island) As a 16-year-old sitting my GCE O/L exam, I never realised the gravity of these words. Presented to us as an afterthought when discussing the history of our country, I could not see how an entire community and their story of struggle were erased. Nor could I understand the importance of this brief statement against the backdrop of endless historical political reforms. Our texts drew attention to the needs of locals and how labour could be easily acquired from elsewhere more..

Apr 17 (EN) Sri Lanka’s remittances coming from its overseas expatriate workers rose to near record high and gained 21.1% to $693.3 million in March 2025 compared to the same month last year, helped by more expatriates using the official banking channels. Sri Lanka’s witnessed record high monthly remittances of $702.1 million in July 2020, data showed. The March remittances were the second best in the history of the country. more..

Apr 17 (EN) Over 80 participants from SL electronic and electrical companies attended a wire harness competition and technical session organized by Int'l Electronics Manufacturing Association (IPC), which sought to attract young people to the sector. Participants gained an understanding about IPC standards’ requirements, assembly functionality, proper soldering & assembly techniques, assembly procedure adherence & overall product quality requirements in wire harness assembly. more..

Apr 17 (FT) The Global Franchise Forum (GFF) is set to host its Sri Lanka edition on 27 April at the Sheraton Hotel, Colombo. This premier event will bring together top global brands, investors, and entrepreneurs to explore expansion opportunities in the burgeoning SL market. The forum has garnered support from prominent organisations, including the Indo-SL Chamber of Commerce, Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) SL, more..

Apr 17 (ST) Sri Lanka’s population is gradually increasing, though at a slower pace, the Census and Statistics Department has revealed. The Department, in its findings released this week said the annual average growth rate has been comparatively reducing, Accordingly, the population growth rate, which was 0.7% at the time of the 2012 census, has decreased to 0.5% in the 2024 census. Reasons for the decrease more..

Apr 17 (FT) The Colombo stock market was positive on the first day of trading yesterday after the Sinhala-Tamil New Year holidays amidst low turnover. The active S&P SL20 gained by over 29.95 points or 0.65% whilst the benchmark ASPI improved by over 99.68 points or 0.64%. Turnover was Rs.792.76 million involving 30.23 million shares. However, the foreign investors remained net sellers, with a net outflow of Rs. 50.1 million. The bourse staged a comeback from previous session more..