Mar 7 (Island) Between 4,000 and 5,000 children are born with birth defects in Sri Lanka annually, with heart-related conditions being the most prevalent, according to Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, President of the Association of Community Medicine Specialists. He said so at a press briefing held at the headquarters of the Medical Association in Colombo recently, in commemoration of World Birth Defects Day. He said they had concerns over rising birth defects and declining birth rates. more..

Mar 7 (Island) The FSP has sent a letter to all MPs of the ruling NPP govt, urging them to reject what it describes as a severely unfair tax policy outlined in the 2025 Budget. The party has warned that the proposed tax structure will place an unbearable burden on the public, while at the same time granting significant concessions to large corporations and wealthy individuals. The 2025 Budget, which was presented to Parliament more..

Mar 7 (AD) BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero claims that he is aware of the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks and intends to share this information with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and top security officials. Speaking to the media after meeting the Malwatta and Asgiri Maha Nayaka Theras in Kandy last morning (6), Gnanasara Thero said he would not disclose the details publicly but would convey them to relevant authorities. more..

Mar 7 (FT) Industries Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara made a scathing critique of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA), stating that its existence has done more harm than good to the gem industry. During the CoPE inquiry, she asserted that the NGJA operates within a system that enables widespread scams, expressing her belief that the country would have benefited more without it. “I wish there was no NGJA at all in this country. It is a system of scam,” more..

Mar 7 (AD) Police investigations have revealed that the recent shooting and killing of Anura Vidanagamage, alias Kajja, and his two children in Middeniya was part of a revenge killing linked to the underworld. Police confirmed that the murder was orchestrated as revenge for stealing a parcel of Cannabis belonging to a notorious drug trafficker infamously known as Backhoe Saman. According to police, the gunman—who was arrested along with nine others—confessed that more..

Mar 7 (AD) At least 2 million devotees are expected to travel to Kandy to witness the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is scheduled to be held from April 18 to 27. This was revealed during a discussion held today (6) under the patronage of the Central Province Governor Sarath Abeykoon regarding the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Discussion about its organizational activities was held at the Kandy District Secretariat. It was also revealed that although it is estimated more..

Mar 7 (EN) SL Police are in search of their own chief who has been evading arrest after a court order and , Police Spokesman said, amid a legal battle on the apex post in the island nation. The Magistrate’s Court in Matara issued an order for the arrest of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon over a 2023 shooting incident. However, Tennakoon who is still the official police chief, has gone missing and yet to be arrested despite the efforts of his own more..

Mar 7 (DM) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe criticized the stance of the European Union (EU) against him, claiming the Union had first attempted to depose him before crediting him for Sri Lanka's economic recovery. During a fiery interview with British broadcaster Mehdi Hasan on Al Jazeera's Head to Head, which aired on Al Jazeera last evening, Wickremesinghe also questioned the integrity of human rights watchdog Amnesty International. more..

Mar 7 (NW) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed dissatisfaction with the Al Jazeera interview that was broadcast today, raising concerns over the integrity of the panelists involved. Speaking to the media shortly after the interview aired, Wickremesinghe claimed that two of the three panelists who joined host Mehdi Hasan had pro-LTTE affiliations. “I was informed that Human Rights Lawyer & Former Commissioner of Human Rights Commission of SL, Ambika Sathkunanathan, more..

Mar 7 (AD) Former SL Prez and six-time PM Ranil Wickremesinghe denied shielding ousted prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa from prosecution, during an interview for Al Jazeera’s Head to Head. He also rebuffed renewed accusations that his own administration failed to credibly investigate alleged government links to deadly terrorist attacks that rocked SL in 2019. Wickremesinghe, who was voted out of office more..

Mar 7 (FT) Sri Lanka’s 2025 Budget, introduced by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, marks a significant step towards revitalising the nation’s economy post-crisis. The Budget aims to address the immediate needs of the public while laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth and stability. This article explores the key provisions of the 2025 Budget and their potential impact on Sri Lanka’s economic development. One of the central themes of the 2025 Budget is fiscal discipline. more..

Mar 7 (FT) SL is a country where language has always been intertwined with politics. Language played a crucial role in the origination and continuation of the 30-year ethnic conflict on the island. Sinhalese was offered the official language status through the Official Language Act, No. 33 of 1956 and Tamil was granted the official language status through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1987. The constitution recognises English as the link language, specifically more..

Mar 7 (DM) Since Dec 2024, the market prices of 92 Octane petrol and auto diesel have remained steady at LKR 309 and LKR 286 per litre respectively, despite fluctuations in the formula prices between January and March 2025. According to the fuel price tracker, the formula price of 92 Octane petrol increased from LKR 298.85 in January to LKR 310.14 in March—an overall rise of LKR 11.29 per litre. This resulted in the formula price being LKR 10.15 lower than the market price in January, more..

Mar 7 (NW) The govt aims to convert the Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) into an aircraft maintenance hub, Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced. Speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget, the Minister stated that the govt intends to collaborate with a suitable foreign partner to make MRIA a profitable venture. “The airport was constructed at a cost of Rs. 36.5 billion, and over the past five years, it has incurred a total loss of Rs. 38.5 billion. more..

Mar 7 (AD) The signing ceremony of the Exchange of Notes between the Govt of Sri Lanka and the Govt of Japan and the Amendment Agreements between SL and Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the debt restructuring process was held at the Ministry of Finance premises this afternoon. The Exchange of Notes were signed by Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development Mahinda Siriwardana more..

Mar 7 (DM) Disciplinary action has been taken against an SLTB bus conductor who harassed a group of school children in Nuwara Eliya by not allowing them to travel in the bus using their season tickets, Minister Bimal Ratnayke said. "This conductor has been suspended from all duties while a disciplinary inquiry is on the cards," Minister said. "These children have been prevented from getting into the bus despite direction that anyone who produces a season ticket should be allowed more..

Mar 7 (Island) A group of 20 amputees from the N&E provinces was taken to Chennai, India, on 5 March to receive free prosthetic limbs. The group departed from Jaffna International Airport as part of a community welfare initiative launched by the University of Jaffna. The programme is funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives and the Canada-SL Business Council. A selected group of individuals from N&E provinces receive prosthetic limbs under this initiative each year. more..

Mar 7 (CT) SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne, said that 333 medicinal drugs were out of stock, according to the Out of Stock Medicines list at the Medical Supplies Division (MSD). She said that a report of the MSD on 27 Feb 2025 showed a shortage of 333 types of medicines. “Under such circumstances, how can you say that you are a people-centred govt,” she queried, accusing NPP Govt of being capitalist, as it had allocated more..

Mar 7 (NW) A wild elephant has lost a tusk in an unexpected tragic accident reported on the Habarana – Maradankadawala Road early this morning. Video footage shows two elephants running across the road, during which one elephant collides with a goods transporting lorry, but manages to escape. Following the incident, it was found that the elephant had lost a tusk, while the lorry had been partially damaged in the accident. The incident is reported to have taken place in more..

Mar 7 (AD) Minister Bimal Rathnayake says that SL’s railway service will be made attractive to public and also efficient and timely within the next one or two years. Addressing concerns related to the repeated delays in train services during today’s parliamentary session, the Minister stated that when foreigners think of Sri Lanka, one of the first images that comes to mind is its iconic train journeys. “Sri Lanka’s railway service has now become very sexy, everyone loves that. more..

Mar 7 (AD) The govt has made a policy decision to recruit women for various positions in Sri Lanka Railways and the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), including railway guards and train drivers, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said. Rathnayake emphasized that the govt expects to see highly efficient female railway guards, train drivers, and bus drivers by next year. He stated that the ministry made this policy decision in recognition of International Women’s Day, which falls tomorrow. more..

Mar 7 (DM) Environmental organisations and animal lovers have expressed concern about the haphazard watching of wild elephants from safari jeeps and other motor vehicles transporting tourists. They maintain that tour guides are in the habit of halting vehicles very close to the wild elephants, frequenting the edge of the jungle by the main highway. This running highway runs through Dambulla, Habarana, Minneriya Sigiriya, and Kaudulla areas. Hence elephant watching poses its dangers to more..

Mar 7 (Island) Former MP Chandima Weerakkody claimed that public expectations of Prez Anura Dissanayake and NPP govt have now faded. He stated that many who had placed their hopes in Prez Dissanayake and the NPP for change were now feeling disillusioned. “What has happened to many groups today is similar to moths drawn to light. All the country’s teachers united to elect Anura Dissanayake as Prez. more..

Mar 7 (CI) Maddy Green struck her second ODI century and Hannah Rowe claimed a four-wicket haul to give New Zealand a comfortable 78-run win in the second ODI against Sri Lanka and an unassailable 1-0 lead with one game left in the series. Green's 109-ball 100 dragged NZ out of a delicate situation early in the game to set SL a target of 246, after which Rowe led the bowling effort to stop the visitors 78 runs short. After a rain-hit no-result in the series opener in Napier, more..

Mar 7 (AD) Ministry of Finance says that importers must register at least 25% of the total number of vehicles imported within six months. Failure to comply with this will result in the suspension of the importer’s import permit, according to the Finance Ministry. This measure has been introduced in order to protect foreign exchange reserves, discourage excessive vehicle imports, and prevent the unnecessary accumulation of motor vehicles. However, these conditions do not apply to more..

Mar 7 (DM) SL has a notably low rate of alcohol consumption and smoking among women, according to the Alcohol Information Centre. Executive Director of the ADIC, Sampath De Seram revealed the economic, health and social issues arising from the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Seram highlighted that alcohol and tobacco companies are using various strategies to target women as consumers and normalise more..

Mar 7 (AD) The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has summoned the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the CID to appear before the court on March 21 and present facts in connection with a request made by Piumi Hansamali through a motion. Hansamali, an influencer, who is under investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, has claimed that her business operations have been negatively impacted due to the actions of the CID officers. more..

Mar 7 (EN) China Export Import Bank officials are due in three days to discuss funding for the halted first phase of SL’s central expressway, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said. Sri Lanka built a section from Mirigama with local funding and local contractors. “You know that the companies left. President during hist visit to China and later we also made efforts and the Exim Bank of China is coming on the day after tomorrow,” Rathnayake said Friday. “We hope to start the first phase.” more..

Mar 7 (TM) The Police stated that while they are encouraging all three-wheeler owners to register with ride-hailing services, challenges such as the lack of mobile network coverage in certain areas hinder this effort. Following a complaint lodged with the National Police Commission (NPC), it recently directed the Marine and Tourist Police Range to investigate the alleged harassment of three-wheeler drivers registered with ride-hailing services. When contacted by The Daily Morning, more..

Mar 7 (EN) SL’s women have suffered disproportionately due to several crises, Deputy Minister of child and women affairs, Namal Sudarshana said at the launch of a public awareness installation called සමதீவு. “The status of SL women has stagnated against several indicators on gender equality, owing to multiple crises,” Sudarshana said. සමதீவு (SamaTheevu), by UN Women SL, brings to life a vision of a gender equal world ahead of Int'l Women’s Day on Mar 8. more..

Mar 7 (SCMP) The maiden budget from SL’s recently elected leftist govt highlights expanded trade pacts and foreign investment as vital pillars of recovery from the island’s debilitating economic crisis – an approach analysts have described as surprising but strategically pragmatic. Drafted in line with the conditions attached to the US$2.9 billion IMF package negotiated after the country’s 2022 sovereign debt default and more..

Mar 7 (DM) Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said the assessment scheduled for 15 March is not a wildlife census but merely a simple survey, claiming that it is inappropriate to ridicule this effort. He explained that the survey is being conducted solely to gather some preliminary data in an area where no prior data is available. The Deputy Minister made these remarks during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment held at the Parliament Complex more..

Mar 7 (EN) Sri Lanka is optimistic about achieving 3 million tourist arrival targets in 2025 after the island nation witnessed 500,000 foreign visitors into the country in the first two months. Tourist arrivals into SL reached 530,746 up to March 5 of this year with 15.1% growth compared to the same period in 2024, official data showed. The country has seen record tourist arrivals in January and February, surpassing the peak monthly arrivals in those months recorded in 2018. more..

Mar 7 (CT) 70% of deaths in SL are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with heart disease accounting for 70% of these fatalities, said Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa in Parliament. Speaking during the Third Reading Debate on the 2025 Budget proposals under the Expenditure Head of the Health Ministry, he stressed the urgent need to control the spread of NCDs across the island. He highlighted the growing prevalence of more..

Mar 7 (AD) Acting OIC of the Weligama Police Station has been interdicted over his alleged connection to a shooting incident in 2023. He had surrendered to the court on Tuesday (4) as the court had issued arrest warrants against him and several police officers including the former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon in connection with the incident. On March 01, the Matara Magistrates Court imposed an overseas travel ban on former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon based on a request made by CID more..

Mar 7 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasised the necessity of transforming the SL Insurance Corporation (SLIC) into a significant contributor to the national economy through efficient and productive investments. Prez made these remarks during a discussion held today at the Presidential Secretariat with officials of the SLIC. The meeting included a comprehensive review of the corporation’s current operations. The Prez emphasized that any financial losses more..