Apr 23 (TM) A USD 2.5 million payment linked to a bilateral agreement between Sri Lanka and Australia has come under scrutiny after it was allegedly diverted through fraudulent email instructions, with lawyers and civil society organisations now urging the Finance Ministry and key State financial agencies to take clear responsibility and ensure a full public account of what happened. more..

Apr 23 (Island) President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne has urged the Parliament to intervene in an ongoing investigation conducted by the Treasury into the wrongful payment of USD 2.5 mn loan instalment to a third party instead of the country that gave the loan to the Govt of SL. Gunaratne, in a letter addressed to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne copied to leaders of all political parties represented in Parliament, General Secretaries of those political parties, COPF, more..

Apr 23 (NW) A senior police officer has appealed to the public to avoid obstructing the Walk for Peace, refrain from crowding the route, and allow the monks to continue their journey peacefully. The officer said Aloka the Peace Dog, the certified service canine accompanying the procession from Dambulla, became unwell and received treatment after heavy crowds and disruptions along the route yesterday. He said large numbers of people, media crews and onlookers attempting to take selfies, more..

Apr 23 (DM) SL’s economic recovery is entering a more fragile phase, with the Central Bank warning that rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are beginning to test the resilience built through recent stabilisation efforts, even as domestic conditions remain broadly supportive of growth. CB, in its latest macroeconomic outlook released Monday, noted that while the economy has regained a degree of more..

Apr 23 (TM) Opposition members of the Parliamentary Committee probing the release of 323 containers from the Colombo Harbour without mandatory physical inspection have formally requested that several high-ranking officials be summoned to give evidence. The committee has been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the release of the containers, which were not subjected to required inspections, and to present its findings, recommendations & more..

Apr 23 (TM) Despite India–SL energy cooperation projects being discussed during Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan's recent visit to SL, the Energy Ministry stated that no immediate implementation is planned for either the proposed gas pipeline or the Trincomalee energy hub projects, as initial steps remain to be completed. Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said that with regard to the proposed gas pipeline, a feasibility study has not yet been carried out, and there is no more..

Apr 23 (FT) SL’s per capita GDP at current market prices rose to an all-time high of $ 5,003 in 2025, extending the recovery from the contraction seen during the economic crisis. Increase follows a steady rebound over the past 3 years, with per capita income rising from $ 3,464 in 2022 to $ 3,818 in 2023 and $ 4,546 in 2024, before crossing the $ 5,000 mark in 2025. Data reflect a reversal of the decline recorded in 2019-2022. Per capita GDP fell from $4,080 in 2019 to $3,850 in 2020 more..

Apr 23 (NW) Asia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which operates Hiru TV, has rejected a letter of demand sent over a news report concerning Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, stating the claims of defamation will not be accepted. In a legal response dated April 21, lawyers for ABC said the April 16 news report was not intended to defame Lal Kantha and was published without malice. Company said a subsequent internal review found calculation errors in figures relating to Minister’s declaration of more..

Apr 23 (NW) Deputy Minister of Finance Dr Anil Jayantha says complaints have been filed with law enforcement agencies following a cyber theft incident involving unauthorised access to the computer system of the Department of External Resources under the Ministry of Finance. He said the incident occurred during communication and fund settlement activities between Australian Export Finance Agency and Treasury, more..

Apr 23 (FT) The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) recorded a sharp increase in the market value of its listed equity portfolio in 2025, rising to Rs. 188.85 billion as at 31 December from Rs. 148.25 billion a year earlier, reflecting a broad-based recovery in share prices. The increase of over Rs. 40 billion comes despite a reduction in the number of listed holdings, with the portfolio declining to 59 companies in 2025 from 65 in 2024. A comparison of the two year-end disclosures shows that more..

Apr 23 (NF) Cabinet has approved the appointment of a special expert committee to obtain recommendations aimed at resolving issues that have arisen in housing projects launched by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA). It has been revealed that during the 2015 to 2019 period, a total of 2,562 housing projects had been planned for implementation under the NHDA. The total number of houses expected to be constructed under these projects stood at 64,407. more..

Apr 23 (AD) The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath has held a telephone conversation with Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran. During the call, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed appreciation for the SL govt’s efforts in the rescue operation for the sailors of the IRIS Dena and for assisting in the transfer of the bodies of the crew of the IRIS Dena and other Iranian naval personnel back to Iran, according to the Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 23 (DN) SL’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) presidential candidacy has turned into a 3-way contest after two candidates, Rohan Perera and Deva Henry, decided to withdraw their nominations ahead of the April 25 election at the Sports Ministry in Colombo. Perera, a member of the Canoeing and Kayaking Association and Henry, President of the Ski and Snowboard Federation, said that they are expected to officially submit their withdrawal letters to the Election Committee more..

Apr 23 (FT) The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) recorded a 13.6% increase in net worth to Rs. 4.9 trillion at end-2025, up from Rs. 4.4 trillion a year earlier, according to the CB Annual Economic Review 2025. The expansion was supported by higher member contributions and investment income. Total contributions rose by 15.6% to Rs. 270.8 billion, while refunds to members & legal heirs declined by 6.4% to Rs. 176 b. more..

Apr 23 (FT) Insurance Association of SL President Lasitha Wimalaratne said the industry will tighten credit practices in motor insurance, with a phased shift towards a cash-before-cover model from 1 May. He said the current practice of extending credit of between 30 and 90 days will be reduced as part of efforts to bring greater discipline to the sector. “We are introducing revised credit guidelines for motor insurance. The current 30 to 90-day credit period will be reduced to 30 days more..

Apr 23 (FT) Advocata Institute yesterday warned that the recent increase in domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices remains insufficient, effectively shifting the cost burden onto lower-income households through indirect cross-subsidies. The economic policy think tank said the shortfall between the cost of LPG and its retail price is being covered by charging higher prices to industrial users, costs that are then passed on to consumers through higher prices of goods and services. more..

Apr 23 (FT) Asia Siyaka Commodities said the escalation of tensions between the US, Israel & Iran significantly impacted tea exports in March, following the bombing of Iran on 28 Feb and subsequent retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf States. The resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused severe disruptions to shipments, with exports in the first two weeks of March falling sharply. Cargo already in transit was rerouted, and, more..

Apr 23 (FT) Cabinet has approved steps to draft legislation to establish a new apex body aimed at streamlining the country’s industrial and enterprise development framework. “It was approved to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to formally create the new authority,” Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Proposed SL Industrial Transformation and Innovation Authority will consolidate three existing institutions; Industrial Development Board, National Enterprise Development Authority, more..

Apr 23 (FT) Dialog Axiata has announced a strategic partnership with OREL Corporation Ltd, bringing together complementary strengths in digital platforms and device innovation to enhance smart living experiences in Sri Lanka. As part of this collaboration, the two companies will work together across both digital entertainment and smart home solutions. This includes integrating the Dialog Play Smart TV App into OREL’s smart TV range, enabling customers to access a wide range of content more..

Apr 23 (FT) Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry yesterday said cyber hackers had breached its systems, resulting in a reported loss of $ 2.5 million which was part of a bilateral payment to Australia. Ministry said it has already lodged complaints with law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions regarding the theft committed by cyber hackers who breached the computer system of the External Resources Dept of Finance, Planning & Economic Dev. Ministry. more..

Apr 23 (FT) Dubai-based Dnata Airport Services Ltd., has won the contract to provide ground handling services (passenger, ground handling and cargo handling) to SriLankan Airlines in Dubai Int'l Airport for three years. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake to award over 40 million AED (Rs. 3.5 billion) contracts after bids were called from registered suppliers for the long-term agreement of ground handling for 3 years. more..

Apr 23 (Island) Advising people to use water sparingly, the Meteorology Dept yesterday said the rain expected in the coming weeks would be insufficient to raise water levels in upper catchment reservoirs. Most hydropower reservoirs, including Rantambe, Victoria, Upper Kotmale, Maussakele, Samanalawewa, Castlereigh, Kotmale and Dayaraba, contain water below 60% of their capacity. However, the water levels in more..

Apr 23 (Island) Speech delivered, in Colombo, by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at the 7th Year Commemoration of the Easter Sunday Bomb Victims. Most Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Nayaka Thero, Ven. Sirs, Most Rev. Dr. Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio in SL, Most Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo, Bishop of Colombo of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Anton Ranjith, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Batticaloa, more..

Apr 23 (Island) SL has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its national security and countering terrorism financing with renewed focus on Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS), according to media reports quoting the Ministry of Defence. SL’s compliance with the implementation of the TFS is in line with UN Security Council Resolutions, we are told. The irony of the aforementioned govt announcement, which has come close on the heels of the 7th anniversary of the Easter Sunday more..

Apr 23 (TM) As the tropical sun beats down on the dry zone of Anuradhapura and the humidity rises over the central hills, a most unusual procession is making its way across the heart of Sri Lanka. It is a sight that feels ancient and yet modern: a small group of saffron-robed monks, walking barefoot, accompanied by a rescue dog named Aloka. This international peace walk, led by Venerable Pannakara Thera, is more than just a religious pilgrimage. It is a silent, moving sermon on more..

Apr 23 (TM) Leel Gunasekara was a capable public servant who earned the respect of both the people and the bureaucracy. He was also an award-winning writer. In the 1960s, he wrote three novels, the first being Petition (Pethsama), which captured the hardships of village life in the North Central Province and how ordinary people viewed public servants. In that novel, among a few poems, there is one simple but powerful line: “when we look up, we see the blue sky; when we look down, we see the earth; more..

Apr 23 (TM) Every morning, millions of Sri Lankans unlock their phones, tap their banking apps, scroll through social media, and book rides — generating a torrent of personal data with each interaction. Behind the screen, corporations harvest, analyse, and monetise that data at industrial scale. Govts surveil. Algorithms profile. Yet, few Sri Lankans pause to ask a deceptively simple question: Who owns this data? more..

Apr 23 (FT) The financial fraud of a staggering amount of Rs. 13.2 billion at NDB Bank is without precedent in SL. It has sent shock waves throughout the industry and among investors. The possibility of recovery of the stolen funds seems to be very uncertain at this point of time. NDB Board collectively have to take the ultimate responsibility for this serious financial fraud. They have been in receipt of lavish amounts paid to them as emoluments (2025 – Bank Rs. 99 million and more..

Apr 23 (CT) Back in the 1980’s when JRJ allowed private bus operations, me and my brother invested in several privates to run between Homagama and Colombo on the 138 bus route with 100% owned buses with no bank loans. We owned 6 – private buses of Japanese manufacture. Right off the bat, we came to observe that in Kottawa and Homagama bus stations, thugs with blessings from local politicians started doing what they always used to do. Make kappan money from busses. more..

Apr 23 (CT) Over the past few days, we have witnessed a small miracle on our little island. A leading private bank announces an internal fraud of Rs 13.2 billion – not million, billion – and then calmly assures the country that depositors are safe, operations are normal, and the bank can absorb the loss thanks to its strong financial position. Central Bank backs this up, saying capital and liquidity ratios remain above the minimum and depositors more..

Apr 23 (GV) Your Excellency, It has been 19 months since you took office as president and 17 months since you formed the government with a two-thirds majority. In this context, I think I can share some details with you as a Sri Lankan, beyond being a Tamil. When you were in the opposition, I was one of those who was amazed by the dedicated politics of you and your colleagues Bimal Ratnayake, Sunil Handunnetti and Vijitha Herath. Due to the anti-Tamil activities of your party, the JVP, more..

Apr 23 (ST) Central Bus Terminal at Pettah in Colombo was recently refurbished and given a fresh look by the govt. But the very next day, media reports with photos and videos showed the premises already damaged and dirty. Washroom taps had been broken, betel spit stained the floor, and trash was scattered everywhere—plastic bottles, empty snack packets, and candy wrappers littered the ground. Modernisation of a bus terminal or purchase of new buses or making other physical more..