Mar 5 (FT) The proposed additional tariffs on the US imports from Canada, China, and Mexico went into effect early Tuesday morning (4), paving the way for a trade war between the US and major trade partners. In addition, the Presidential Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariff of the US has called for studies on the unfair trade practices of US trade partners to determine reciprocal tariff rates as a counter measure. This means that, if the EU has a 10% automobile tariff, more..

Mar 5 (AD) Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate Hemali Halpandeniya has assigned further investigations into the mysterious death of a journalist’s husband to the CID. Accordingly, notice has been issued to the Director of the CID to appear before the court on March 18. The deceased has been identified as Agosthinuge Samarajeewa, a 60-year-old resident of Waidya Road in Dehiwala. It is reported that after his wife noticed her husband had not returned home after work on January 1, more..

Mar 5 (DM) A person against whom 96 cases have been filed for allegedly defrauding Rs. 140 million by promising foreign jobs in Canada, has been further remanded today till March 19 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali. According to the Fraud Bureau, the suspect had deceived multiple individuals by collecting money under the false pretense of securing employment opportunities abroad. Earlier during this investigation, a lawyer from Ja-Ela was also arrested. more..

Mar 5 (FT) On 12 April 2022, SL declared bankruptcy. Two days later, SriLankan, the national carrier, unveiled a plan to lease up to 21 new aircrafts. The plan failed, as it was bound to. The fact that it was made during a time of terminal economic crisis symbolises the disconnect between policymaker perceptions and the antipodal reality on the ground. The existence of SriLankan is not essential to the national economy, more..

Mar 5 (NW) MP Jeevan Thondaman has called on Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to issue an apology over his recent statement in Parliament regarding former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Addressing Parliament today, MP Jeevan Thondaman mentioned the Justice Minister’s statement referring to the former president as a thief and a beggar. “Today all of you have been voted in and are sitting in your seats because people wanted a change. People wanted a change not just more..

Mar 5 (EN) The UNDP in SL and the World Food Programme are working with Ministry of Environment to promote a wider uptake of lesser-known foods of the island. The collaboration seeks to create a commercial value for these plants and support the conservation of these traditional food plants, the UNDP said on X. “Our island is home to over 700 plants with agricultural value – many of which are nutrient-dense.” “These traditional plants have climate-resilient potential and can play more..

Mar 5 (AD) Daisy Forest, also known as Daisy Achchi, the maternal grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, was questioned by the CID this morning in connection with investigations into a money laundering case. Following questioning by the CID this morning, she was arrested and is scheduled to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court later today. On Feb 14, Attorney General filed indictments in Colombo HC more..

Mar 5 (FT) Fintrex Finance has made history by issuing SL’s first-ever high-yield bond worth Rs. 1 billion and it being oversubscribed on its opening day itself. The issue, initially set at Rs. 500 million with an option to raise an additional Rs. 500 million, was concluded on 25 February. The bonds will be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), marking Fintrex’s transition into a public limited company (PLC). In recent years, Fintrex has achieved several milestones. more..

Mar 5 (DM) Notwithstanding significant criticism from relevant stakeholders including environmentalists, govt has decided to go ahead with the proposed animal census covering the entire country. Director Wildlife Health at Dept of Wildlife Conservation Dr. Tharaka Prasad said the census covers the animals such as giant squirrels, peacocks, macaques and monkeys, who are responsible for crop-damaging. "This census, first of this nature in the history of Sri Lanka, will take place on March 15, more..

Mar 5 (CT) The Online Safety Act, introduced in 2024, will be amended soon following a decision by the Govt, Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament. “A committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Media, and Ministry of Justice has been appointed for this purpose. Three Ministries are expected to submit a joint Cabinet Paper to amend the Act,” Minister said in response to a question raised by Opp. Leader Sajith Premadasa more..

Mar 5 (TM) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) is committed to make $ 2.65 billion net foreign purchases from the domestic market between Nov 2024 and end 2025 to build its reserves. The staff report by the IMF said that SL should achieve a 3.2 month import cover of $ 7,056 million foreign reserves by the end of 2025. “We stand ready to undertake outright FX purchases on a net basis of $ 2.65 billion between Nov 2024 and end-2025 to meet reserves targets,” SL said in its letter of intent to the IMF. more..

Mar 5 (WION) Indian PM Narendra Modi is likely to travel to Sri Lanka in April. The visit, according to Sri Lankan sources, is still firming up and could happen around 5th April, with focus on a range of issues, including connectivity and economic ties. The invitation for this visit was extended by SL President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his two-day trip to New Delhi in mid-Dec 2024. more..

Mar 5 (AD) The overseas travel ban imposed on Pastor Jerome Fernando has been lifted by court. The order was issued when the case filed against Fernando was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. The court had previously imposed a foreign travel ban on Pastor Jerome Fernando in connection with the case filed against him for allegedly making derogatory statements about other religions. The controversial pastor was arrested on Dec 1, 2023 after a video of more..

Mar 5 (EN) Sri Lanka is expected to get US$ 1,012 million from the IMF in 2025 if all three scheduled reviews are passed, while repayments of capital and interest are US$ 366 million, program documents showed. The April review requires electricity tariff adjustments if the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) runs losses. World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) may contribute another US$ 783 million in 2025. SL is getting debt relief after restructuring of US$ 3,211 million. more..

Mar 5 (NW) Sri Lanka 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 kilometers, even at night. The recorded video footage can serve as evidence in court, allowing authorities to present clear proof of traffic violations. Senior DIG Manoj Ranagala, Director of Traffic Control & Road Safety, more..

Mar 5 (Island) A police constable has been arrested on suspicion that he supplied a stock of T56 firearms to underworld hitmen involved in a plot by Backhoe Sarath to kill Aruna Vidanagamge alias Kajja.Police said the 36-year-old constable had been working for Kehelbaddara Pathme, who allegedly ordered the killing of Ganemulle Sanjeewa recently inside a courtroom. The constable had been receiving regular payments and other benefits from the Pathme’s gang, police said. more..

Mar 5 (NW) MP Sugath de Silva told Parliament that a lawyer who recently made derogatory remarks about him was inciting hatred and violence. He was referring to MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, whose recent comments against the visually impared MP have drawn widespread criticism. “I wouldn’t be upset if these remarks came from an unknown person. But they came from someone who called us brother. This person not only insulted my vision impairment but also questioned more..

Mar 5 (AD) As the IMF Executive Board recently approved Sri Lanka’s Third Review of its IMF-supported program, Clifford Chance says it remains committed to advising Sri Lanka through the final stages of its debt restructuring process in 2025. Clifford Chance, alongside financial advisor Lazard, has successfully advised the Govt of Sri Lanka on its sovereign bond exchange offer, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s multi-year debt restructuring process. more..

Mar 5 (AD) Dept of Wildlife Conservation says that steps will be taken to reopen a limited number of roads in Yala National Park, which have been temporarily closed to tourists, starting today. The roads will be accessible to tourists from 2 p.m. today. To minimize damage to the Yala National park’s road system caused by heavy rainfall in recent days and reduce the impact on the ecosystem, the park had taken steps to temporarily close certain roads starting March 1. more..

Mar 5 (DM) In response to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya's criticism of the National Police Commission (NPC) over certain appointments, the NPC has addressed the issue, rejecting allegations of interference in the internal affairs of the Police Dept. The dispute between NPC and Acting IGP came to the forefront last week after Weerasooriya accused the NPC of interfering with the internal workings of the Police Dept, more..

Mar 5 (NW) SJB MP Jagath Vithana has raised concerns over disciplinary action being taken against school principals due to the involvement of opposition MPs in events related to state schools. MP Jagath Vithana said he had recently held a vehicle parade to welcome a state school student in Kalutara who had emerged victorious at an international athletics event. “I welcomed the student and held a vehicle procession for him. However, I did not visit the school thereafter. more..

Mar 5 (EN) CEB has made an operating loss of 3 billion rupees in the Dec 2024 quarter, and made a marginal net profit with the help of other income and gains, interim accounts showed. CEB’s revenues plunged 28 percent to 111.8 billion rupees in the Dec 2024 quarter, from 156.2 billion rupees, while cost of sales grew 49% to 116.2 billion rupees, leading to gross loss of 4.49 billion rupees, down from 78 billion in 2023. SL got exceptional rains in 2023 in inter-monsoon period, keeping costs down. more..

Mar 5 (BBC) The recently opened Pekoe Trail, which runs for more than 300km through tea plantations, villages and forests, tells the story of Sri Lanka's complex and chequered tea history. The sun is bright and harsh on my face when I stop to admire the view – okay, to catch my breath – at the top of the steep path. How is it that just 20 minutes ago, the skies were grey and moody with the threat of an imminent downpour? more..

Mar 5 (NW) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe says coconut oil unfit for human consumption has been found in the local market. Minister said the presence of coconut oil unfit for human consumption has been found during routine inspections conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). “It has been identified through a market sample test conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority that coconut oil available in the market is not in accordance with the required standards. more..

Mar 5 (AD) Federation of Health Professionals has decided to temporarily call off its planned token strike, which was scheduled to be launched tomorrow. Joint Convenor of the federation Ravi Kumudesh stated that they decided to call off the strike until 8 a.m. on March 17, after discussions with Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Several health sector trade unions including the GMOA had decided to launch a joint trade union action tomorrow, in protest against alleged cuts more..

Mar 6 (CT) Recently, PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed information about the massive costs of foreign tours by former presidents. This revelation is significant for many reasons. There is no need to write about the hardships the people and the country face. Many people cannot meet basic needs such as food, shelter, health, and education. Indeed, the quality of the above is of profound concern. At the same time, many people are poor. So that they can compare where Ceylon was at the time of more..

Mar 6 (CT) The recent revelation by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa regarding an extremist group allegedly operating in the Eastern Province has once again brought national security into focus. Intelligence reports suggest the presence of such a group in Kalmunai, prompting heightened vigilance from the Security Forces. While the govt assures the public that intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation, the broader discourse on national security has been overshadowed by political rhetoric more..

Mar 6 (SO) The Govt has been actively advancing its renewable energy sector with a focus on solar power to enhance energy security and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. With an ambitious goal of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, a significant portion of this energy is expected to come from solar power. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said that the Govt is committed to more..

Mar 6 (DM) Sri Lankans have become aware of hard-hitting air pollution events lately where pollutants from regional countries have negatively impacted our health. Unfortunately this is not new, as pollution levels in nearby countries have been extremely high for many years (Health Effects Institute, 2025), and weather patterns transporting such pollution have not changed much in recent years. Our heightened awareness of these transboundary events is probably a good more..

Mar 6 (DM) Despite having as many as 21 female MPs in Parliament, the incumbent govt has come under scrutiny for not condemning insults directed at fellow Parliamentarians in the House. Recently, a commotion erupted in Parliament when Deputy Minister of Vocational Training MP Nalin Hewage announced that an individual by the name Rohini Kaviratne had changed her name to Rohini Lamarathna and that it had appeared on papers. Subsequently, Opposition MP Dr. Harsha more..

Mar 6 (TM) After a 5-year ban, the first privately imported vehicles arrived in SL on Tuesday (25), following the long-awaited relaxation of import restrictions. According to the 2025 Budget, a significant portion of the targeted revenue is to be accounted for by vehicle imports, with the Govt hoping to achieve Rs. 700 billion in vehicle-related tax revenue. VIASL Secretary Arosha Rodrigo stated that the demand and response to vehicle more..

Mar 6 (TM) Issues surrounding the SL Customs, such as corruption and financial mismanagement, which have remained a topic of discussion for years, have received more attention with the economic crisis and the recent work-to-rule action that triggered a backlog at the Colombo Port, causing the new Govt to crack the whip against one of the oldest State institutions which has long had a culture of impunity. Let’s be honest, it has long been public knowledge that there was rampant corruption more..

Mar 6 (GV) The incidents of extra judicial killings are on the rise again with several suspects being killed while allegedly trying to escape or dying while in police custody. The police are identified as the main perpetrators. The killings are human rights violations and raise questions about the rule of law and the limits of police powers. This article discusses the nature of the problem, its impacts, the influence of civil and political society, international examples of suppressing such crimes, more..

Mar 6 (Island) Sunandaji, the internationally acclaimed teacher of Vedanta and daughter-disciple of Swami A. Parthasarathy, will return to Colombo this March to deliver a series of lectures on Knowledge and Wisdom: Chapter VII of the Bhagavad Gita. The sessions will take place from March 15 to 18, 2025, at the Buddhist Cultural Centre, Colombo 05, from 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM. The event is sponsored by the Kanapathy Chetty Selvanathan Trust. more..

Mar 6 (ST) The Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head Monk of the London Buddhist Vihara, Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thera was invited to Windsor Castle by King Charles III of the United Kingdom for a convivial evening on Thursday together with a small group. During the discussion the Most Ven. Seelawimala Thera invited the King for the centenary celebrations of the London Buddhist Vihara which was established by the Anagarika Dharmapala in 1926 and more..