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 (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 (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) 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 (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 (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 (AD) The Vasavilan–Palaly road, which remained closed for 34 years due to the prolonged civil conflict, has officially been reopened to the public this morning. It was reported that the decision to reopen the route comes following persistent requests from local residents and the wider public. The road, which passes through a designated high-security zone and military quarters, will now operate under a strict set of security regulations. Authorities have stated that these measures are more..

Apr 10 (CT) A suspect involved in the illegal clearing of approximately 50 acres of State-owned land within the Makarawewa Reserve, located in the Amunichchiya Grama Niladhari Division, which falls under the Thirappane Divisional Secretariat in the Anuradhapura District, was arrested on Tuesday. The suspect was caught red-handed while operating a bulldozer, which was being used to destroy the forested area. Officers from the Thirappane Divisional Secretariat seized the machine and more..

Apr 10 (NW) Opposition MPs who participated in the All-Party Conference convened by the govt today expressed support for Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s efforts to address the reciprocal tariffs imposed on Sri Lanka by the US. SJB MP Harsha de Silva described the discussions with the govt and other opposition members as productive. Speaking to the media, he said there was consensus on responding to the more..

Apr 10 (AD) SL rupee has declined against the US dollar today, with the spot exchange rate surpassing the Rs. 300 mark for the first time since Sept 27, 2024. The buying rate for the US dollar stands at Rs. 294.13, while the selling rate is recorded at Rs. 303.20. Meanwhile, the spot exchange rate has been registered at Rs. 301.20 today. The spot rate reflects the weighted average of all spot transactions carried out in the domestic interbank foreign exchange market, including any market more..

Apr 10 (NW) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka – Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament. The revival meeting of the Friendship Association was held on 9th April at the Parliament premises under the patronage of the Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih. The Ambassador of Japan to SL, Akio Isomata, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs, more..

Apr 10 (NW) The COPE of Parliament, chaired by MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, conducted a field investigation at the Bandaranaike International Airport. The COPE recently (2025.04.02) reviewed the BIA Development Project in connection with the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the Airport and Aviation Services (SL) (Pvt) Ltd (AASL), and accordingly more..

Apr 10 (TM) In keeping with its vision to consistently evolve and address accelerated business growth needs, Brown & Company recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and warehouse facility in Katunayake. Strategically located within minutes of the Bandaranaike International Airport and the nation’s rapidly evolving highway network, the space is positioned to significantly enhance Browns’ logistical capabilities. The hub will enable seamless access to key markets across the island, more..

Apr 10 (AD) Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Govt, Prof. Chandana Abeyratne, informed Parliament today that no final decision has been made regarding the declaration of April 15 as a public holiday. Responding to a question raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake, Minister stated that the matter is still under consideration. He noted that the week in question includes Good Friday (Apr 18), which is already a public holiday, leaving only three working days for that week. more..

Apr 10 (DM) Health authorities have raised concerns over a noticeable increase in the spread of the Chikungunya virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and poses a serious threat to public health. Physician Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon stated that the Chikungunya virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1956 and later spread to SL in 1960. In recent days, Chikungunya cases have been on the rise. Dr. Weerakoon revealed that 190 suspected cases have been reported, with 65 confirmed positive. more..

Apr 10 (SH) SL has been a major source of industrial minerals for millennia but one ASX company is on the cusp of becoming the country’s first independent bulk export mineral sands project while actively planning for future expansion. Titanium Sands (ASX:TSL) is on the march from explorer to operational processor at the Mannar Island project, home to an enormous 318Mt resource at 4.17% total heavy minerals (THM) containing ilmenite, which accounts for the majority of the asset’s more..

Apr 10 (NW) Board of Investment (BOI) has initiated industry-level dialogue for the way forward related to the recently imposed US reciprocal tariffs on SL. BOI Chairman, Arjuna Hearth, invited all top 50 exporters of the BOI in key industries to open a dialogue to seek alternative strategies to mitigate the consequences due to the new US tariff. Also participating in the meeting, Senior Advisor to the President, more..

Apr 10 (AD) Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, stated that all necessary arrangements have been made for local and foreign devotees to worship the Sacred Tooth Relic with great pride and proper facilities. The Minister made this statement during a press briefing held today, aimed at informing the public about the upcoming Siri Dalada Vandana special exposition. The special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic is scheduled to take place for ten days, from April 18 to April 28. more..

Apr 10 (NW) A team of science undergraduates in Sri Lanka became the overall winners of a South Asian youth hackathon to come up with innovative solutions to tackle the global crisis of plastic pollution. The winners designed a biodegradable fish storage box as an alternative to Styrofoam-based boxes widely used in fisheries. The team, calling itself Myco Box by White Root, instead proposes to use mycelium, a root-like structure found in fungus. Second place was won by an Indian more..

Apr 10 (AD) Suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon has been granted bail today after being produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court. Accordingly, he was granted bail under two sureties of Rs.1 million each. Tennakoon was previously remanded until today, after he surrendered to the court on March 19. After an arrest warrant was issued in connection with a shooting incident near a hotel in the Pelena area of more..

Apr 10 (DM) Shankar Dharmaratne of Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo (CTSCC) maintained his authority to complete the mission of becoming champion of the NSSF Skeet Open Meet 2025 held at the CTSCC Shotgun Range in Payagala. Dharmaratne, who finished among the top four alongside top finishers Jeremy Fernando, Shehan Patterson and Johann Fernando, all representing CTSCC, outsmarted the rest in the finals to complete at top with 47 points. more..

Apr 10 (EN) SL’s Joint Apparel Association Forum has commended the govt on engaging with US authorities on Trump tariffs and urged continued action to arrive at a formal deal. SL’s team met US officials Tuesday night as become one of around 75 countries to make formal proposals to Trump. “These efforts are a strong indication of the govt’s commitment to protecting SL’s export industries and would be instrumental in protecting livelihoods and maintaining confidence across the sector,” more..

Apr 10 (FT) At least 30 women politicians associated with different political parties at the local govt level from two districts—Ratnapura and Kegalle—came together to discuss the digital threats they experience in their daily political careers due to their gender. This gathering was held in Ratnapura from 4-6 March. It was a unanimous consensus that every woman who participated in this event agreed that all of them are concerned about cyber gender-based violence, & that digital threats are on the rise. more..

Apr 10 (FT) Indian defence analysts speak of a Defence Pact or Defence Cooperation Pact with Sri Lanka. Officials on both sides say it was a formalization, an umbrella over the existing agreements. But why an umbrella --or chapeau (hat) as the French call it? Why formalization? Because it takes things to the next level. What’s that level? Addressing an election meeting in Galle, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake clarified matters: “We need security in this region. more..

Apr 10 (EN) US Prez Donald Trump said he is ordering a pause on reciprocal tariffs slammed on SriLanka and other countries after 75 countries offered to negotiate, amid a collapse of stock markets, but a 10% tax would remain. China would still be hit with a 125% tax, because the country dared to retaliate. “Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the US, including more..

Apr 10 (DN) A meeting will take place today at 11 am at the Presidential Secretariat, where Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will engage in discussions with opposition party leaders about the impact of the new US reciprocal tariff system on SL. During this meeting, it is expected to outline the steps the Govt has already implemented in response to the new US import tax policy. 12 Opposition party leaders requested to meet the Prez to discuss the above issue. US Prez Trump last week unveiled more..

Apr 10 (DM) Parliamentary debate on the Batalanda Commission report will take place today. The debate will be conducted in two stages. The debate on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme, which was tabled in Parliament on March 14, will take place from 11.30 am to 5.30 pm. It was also decided to allocate another date in May to continue this more..

Apr 10 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized that since assuming office, the current govt has taken decisive steps to free the process of combating bribery and corruption from political interference. He emphasised that while the political mechanism has been liberated from engaging in such crimes, it is now the responsibility of the administrative machinery operating beneath that political structure to fall in line and more..

Apr 10 (AD) Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe says govt does not anticipate the newly imposed US reciprocal tariffs to have a prolonged negative effect on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. He said Sri Lanka is focusing on attracting up-market tourists to the island, whose spending power will not be greatly affected by the tariffs. Commenting further, Deputy Minister expressed: “In the long term we need to consider how long US will go on with these tariffs. more..

Apr 10 (FT) The Solar Industries Association (SIA) has strongly objected to a recent directive by the CEB mandating the shutdown of solar power systems from 10 to 21 April, a move the industry body says threatens investor confidence and undermines Sri Lanka’s renewable energy ambitions. In a letter addressed to the CEB Chairman, the SIA criticised the unilateral decision to curtail solar generation during the April festive season, citing concerns over grid stability. more..

Apr 10 (DM) Ashoka Wickremasinghe, who was the former Chairman of the Kataragama PS, was arrested by CID officers yesterday on charges of forging documents linked to a house in the Kataragama area that belongs to the Rajapaksa family and committing fraud. CID arrested Ashoka Wickremasinghe after investigations revealed that irregular approval had been granted based on forged documents prepared by him for a construction project near the Menik River in Kataragama more..

Apr 10 (DN) Labour Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe told Parliament that he has instructed the Labour Ministry Secretary and the Labour Commissioner General to intervene in the issue of non-payment of bonuses at a garment factory in Weligama to its employees citing the imposition of US Reciprocal tariff on SL exports. Deputy Minister said that 1,244 employees of this garment factory have been on strike since yesterday due to the issue of non-payment of annual bonuses. more..