Apr 2 (TM) Arrangements have been finalised to import fuel from Russia, the CPC confirmed. CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage yesterday noted that discussions with Russian suppliers are ongoing, adding that the majority of crude and refined fuel shipments scheduled for this month and next month have already been secured. However, logistical and technical arrangements regarding arrivals more..

Apr 2 (Island) The Examinations Department has said that 62.64 percent of the total applicants who sat the 2025 GCE A/L Exam qualified for university admission. The results of the 2025 A/L Exams were released on Tuesday (31). Dept of Examinations released the names of the students who secured the highest ranks across all subject streams. The full list of top achievers across all streams is as follows: Biological Science stream: First Place: Dilan Sanjana (Royal College, Colombo) more..

Apr 2 (EN) Higher spending on fuel and vehicle imports led to a surged import bill in Feb 2026 and an expanded trade deficit. Merchandise imports in February jumped 25.2% to US$1.83 billion compared to US$1.46 billion recorded in the same month last year. Import bill on personal and commercial vehicles in February skyrocketed to US$ 193.6 million from US$ 9.7 million a year earlier, while the outflow for fuel purchases jumped 43% to US$398m from US$ 278.4m a year earlier. more..

Apr 2 (TM) GMOA alleged that the current Govt including Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa is attempting to compel doctors to provide services against their will. GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya stated that more than 23,000 doctors affiliated with the Association are not prepared to work under coercion. Meanwhile, Dr. Jayatissa defended the ongoing annual transfer process for doctors. more..

Apr 2 (Island) Eksath Janaraja Peramuna leader Champika Ranawaka said that SL would not be able to secure oil from Russia before the reimposition of US sanctions on Russian oil. The former Minister said so at a joint Opposition media briefing. He said it wouldn’t be possible to import Russian crude before the 12 April deadline. Deputy Russian Energy Minister Roman Marshavin was here last week to discuss how the Russian Federation could help SL meet its energy needs more..

Apr 2 (DM) US Embassy in SL has issued an update regarding its visa services, announcing an expansion of social media presence review requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants. Effective March 30, a wider range of visa classifications will be subject to this vetting process, requiring affected applicants to change all social media profiles to public. Affected visa classifications are all A‑3, C‑3 (if a domestic worker), G‑5, H‑3 and their H‑4 dependents, K‑1, K‑2, K‑3, Q, R‑1, more..

Apr 2 (AD) Extreme heat can lead to depression, stress, mental distress, and restlessness, Psychiatrist Vindya Wijayabandara said. She made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau, focusing on the impact of extreme heat on mental health. Dr. Wijayabandara explained that dehydration caused by excessive heat can alter chemical conditions in the body, potentially leading to a decline in mental well-being of a person. more..

Apr 2 (DN) With the election of the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) scheduled for April 25, one of the presidential candidates, who is a reputed business tycoon, sports administrator and present vice president of the NOCSL Shirantha Peries has announced his candidacy with a clear and practical mandate to strengthen governance, unify affiliated federations and elevate SL’s sporting performance on international stage. Shirantha, a product of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo more..

Apr 2 (Island) Intelligence agencies have uncovered several assassination plots targeting one of the country’s drug traffickers, Samantha Kumara, alias Wele Suda, who is currently being held in the high-security wing of Boossa Prison, security sources said. According to confidential reports issued by Chief of National Intelligence, the plots, allegedly orchestrated by underworld figures operating from overseas, are being planned, more..

Apr 2 (FT) Export Development Board (EDB) recently convened a high-level meeting with the CPC and leading export industry stakeholders to address mounting concerns over fuel distribution and its impact on export performance. The meeting was organised at the initiative of the EDB amid growing concerns from exporters over fuel accessibility, logistical bottlenecks, and the need for a more reliable and prioritised supply mechanism for export-oriented industries. more..

Apr 2 (FT) The Govt has taken a major step towards strengthening its energy storage capacity, with the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approving funding for the proposed Maha Oya Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant, one of the largest grid-scale energy projects planned in recent years. The project, to be implemented by the CEB, is estimated to cost Rs. 243.09 billion and will be financed in line with the provisions of the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024. more..

Apr 2 (NW) Further details have emerged regarding the fishing trawler seized with narcotics during a SL Navy surveillance operation in deep seas, based on foreign intelligence. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the consignment of drugs had been transferred to the vessel from an Iranian ship. The trawler, named Ave Maria, had departed from the Wellemanakanda Fisheries Harbour on Feb 4. Six fishermen arrested in connection with the incident had reportedly set out on more..

Apr 2 (AD) Veterinarian Dr. Shobhath Wijeratne has warned that the prevailing extreme heat conditions can lead to fatal consequences for pets. High temperatures can be particularly fatal for dogs and cats with dark coloured fur. Dr. Wijeratne explained that extreme heat causes a rapid rise in animals’ body temperature, which they are unable to control, increasing the risk of fatal reactions. He further stressed that pets should never be left inside parked vehicles under any circumstances. more..

Apr 2 (TM) The prevailing dry weather conditions over the island are expected to change from today, Met Dept stated. Meanwhile, showers or thunder storms may occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa & Southern Provinces in the evening or night. The general public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms. more..

Apr 2 (FT) Suresh Shah has assumed office as Chairman of the Board of Hatton National Bank PLC from yesterday. Prior to the appointment he was an Independent Non-Executive of the bank. Shah is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. His experience includes serving as CEO of two listed entities, extensive involvement in economic and related matters through trade chambers and employer organisations and leading Govt SOE reforms. more..

Apr 2 (EN) Cabinet has approved a proposal to procure 300 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to stabilize the growth of renewable energy, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) moved the project timeline forward from 2032 to the 2028-2029 period, after identifying that peak demand is increasing two years faster than forecasted in the Long-Term Power Generation Plan. To meet this requirement, the Cabinet cleared two procurement strategies; more..

Apr 2 (AD) SL Navy proudly announces that Rear Admiral Princely Liyanage (Retd) has etched his name in the annals of global endurance by qualifying for three Guinness World Records on a manual treadmill. His monumental journey commenced on 20 March and reached a triumphant milestone on the morning of 22 March, as he successfully completed 48 hours of continuous running, it said. Under the guidance of more..

Apr 2 (DM) The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has flagged key risks in the proposed Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill of 2026 and cautioned that several provisions could strain financing, compliance and investor confidence at a delicate stage of economic recovery. Following a review by its Tax Steering Committee, the CCC said while updating the tax framework is necessary, certain proposals risk undermining business continuity, taxpayer rights and overall competitiveness. more..

Apr 2 (ST) A new ward is being constructed to serve communities in the Uva Paranagama area and parts of the Central Province, replacing the Dimbulana District Hospital ward that was closed in 2013 due to landslide risks. The estimated Rs 42 million project is being carried out with the support of the SL Navy’s Civil Engineering Unit, under the supervision of Engineer Ananda Silva, and led on-site by Chief Petty Officer M L M P Kumara. Construction follows plans prepared by Uva Provincial more..

Apr 2 (FT) Representatives of the SL–Benelux Business Council (SLBBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently paid a courtesy call on Kingdom of the Netherlands Ambassador to SL Wiebe De Boer. The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the Embassy, followed by comments from the President of the SL–Benelux Business Council, who thanked the Ambassador for the opportunity to engage and reaffirmed the Council’s interest in encouraging stronger more..

Apr 2 (FT) Liberty Lands and Developments (LLD) has acquired the remaining shares of Scope Cinemas, securing full ownership of the cinema chain as part of its broader group restructuring and long-term strategic direction. The acquisition marks a significant step in LLD’s efforts to consolidate its entertainment portfolio and strengthen its commitment to delivering world-class cinema experiences, while enhancing operational alignment. With Scope Cinemas now fully under more..

Apr 2 (FT) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe vent his frustration with the banking sector, accusing them of withholding State-funded concessional credit to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He said the Govt’s Rs. 95 billion MSME financing push is facing bottlenecks at the banking level, with official data showing slow disbursement of funds. Abeysinghe shared scheme-level and bank-level data, more..

Apr 2 (Island) SL scientists have uncovered a remarkable long-distance migration route used by seabirds, linking the island’s shores with the Arctic—an achievement that is expected to reshape global understanding of bird movement and highlight SL’s importance in the natural world. The discovery, led by Professor Sampath Seneviratne of the University of Colombo, shows that Heuglin’s Gulls travel nearly 8,000 kilometres from Sri Lanka to breeding grounds in northern Russia, more..

Apr 2 (Island) The truth about the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks remains buried under a mountain of conspiracy theories. The way most stakeholders have sought to get at the truth reminds us of the ancient folk tale, The Blind Men and the Elephant. They have grasped only fragments of what they believe to be the truth, each assuming that his or her limited perspective represents the entire reality. There are still others who have let their political prejudices and self-interest colour more..

Apr 2 (DN) Govt’s decision to implement strict energy conservation measures is a timely move, especially considering the many factors that mitigate against the uninterrupted provision of electricity to consumers. Such moves have been implemented even by some developed countries to conserve energy wherever possible given the serious energy crisis stemming from the Iran War. Today we live in a gadget-oriented society where almost everything operates at the press of a button or the click more..

Apr 2 (TM) The Supreme Court ruling delivered on 31 March is more than a mere legal victory for the residents of Meethotamulla. It is a damning indictment of a State machinery that has, for decades, treated the fundamental rights of its citizens as secondary to the convenience of illegal dumping. By holding the Colombo Municipal Council, the Kolonnawa Urban Council, and the Urban Development Authority accountable for the catastrophic collapse of the Pothuvil more..

Apr 2 (CT) Dept of Agrarian Development has made all necessary arrangements to ensure an adequate supply of fuel for farmers. This will enable them to carry out land preparation work, complete the ongoing Maha season paddy harvesting, and begin cultivation for the upcoming Yala season without disruption. These measures come in response to the fuel shortage caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, more..

Apr 2 (DM) Since 2019, there’s just one topic that almost every Sri Lankan is interested in particularly in April, other than the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. Seven years have elapsed since the Easter Sunday carnage but the mastermind has not yet been revealed. This means justice has not yet been done to victims and survivors of the deadly attacks. This also means that it would take many more years or even an entire lifetime to bring closure to these victims. more..

Apr 2 (DM) I just asked Google AI what really prompts the US to attack Iran. It gave a list of reasons. Here are some of them, which it attributed to US Prez Donald Trump: To ensure that Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon, to stop planned Iranian attacks on Americans, specifically citing threats against U.S. diplomats and military personnel, to destroy Iran’s missile production and naval capabilities, to prevent the Iranian regime from continuing to arm, fund, and more..

Apr 2 (TM) The SL leopard, also known as Panthera pardus kotiya, is a subspecies native to SL and is the country’s apex predator. However, Uni of Peradeniya is currently on alert following multiple leopard sightings and related activity on campus premises, raising concerns among students and staff. The uni administration has intensified safety measures after CCTV footage showed leopards – who were believed to have more..

Apr 2 (ST) Uncle Thennakoon is known to me since my childhood. I guess he must now be in his eighties. He retired about 25 years ago after serving many long years at Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) as a Bus Conductor. He was not only a friendly bus conductor to the passengers and honest public sector employee to the government, but also a knowledgeable and intelligent person. Those days, I found lots of insights and in-depths in his conversations. more..

Apr 2 (CT) The foremost responsibility of the AKD govt is one: safety and security of its people. Everything else falls second to it. Sustained prosperity, a superior education system and a healthy upbringing of her children are amongst them. Prez Dissanayake and his govt is facing today a global situation which is unique; its architecture and design, its roots and its branching out, its very sustenance depends not on the narrow implementation of the domestic policies more..