Apr 22 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, says the Secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media will take the necessary actions regarding complaints received against any media violating conditions related to the broadcasting frequency licence. Minister said legal action can be initiated by any individual who feels that their rights have been violated due to a particular news report. “If we get a complaint that conditions related to the broadcasting frequency licence have been violated, more..

Apr 22 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to establish a structured mechanism to monitor the implementation of recommendations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Approval had previously been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on May 17, 2021, to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Sunday Attacks, as well as those of the then Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, aimed at preventing more..

Apr 22 (DM) Since 2019, April 21 is not just another day for Sri Lankans who became victims of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks. Seven years have elapsed since this tragedy took place, but the victims and survivors still await justice. Despite many commissions and committees that have been appointed, families of victims and interest groups who have been demanding truth and justice are yet to know mastermind(s) behind these attacks. more..

Apr 22 (DM) Banners supporting Tamil Nadu political leaders have been displayed across several areas in Jaffna in connection with the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. As the TN Assembly election is scheduled to be held tomorrow, all campaign activities officially concluded yesterday evening. In the 2026 TN Assembly election, the ruling DMK, opposition AIADMK, Naam Tamilar Katchi and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor Vijay are among the parties contesting. more..

Apr 22 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to ensure that the Government approved compensation of Rs. 500,000 for houses partially damaged by Cyclone Ditwah is paid to all beneficiaries before the end of May, except in exceptional circumstances. The President instructed officials during a progress review meeting held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat, which focused on compensation payments and the provision of new housing for residents more..

Apr 22 (DM) SL is on the brink of a crippling medicine shortage, including essential and life saving medicines, that threatens to paralyze both public and private healthcare sectors, SL Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) warned. Issuing an urgent call to action, Chamber cautioned that escalating pressures across the pharmaceutical supply chain are severely jeopardizing SL’s ability to ensure more..

Apr 22 (DM) The reported loss of US$2.5 million through fraudulent payment instructions is not a minor financial lapse but a serious breakdown in oversight, internal controls and institutional safeguards within the Treasury, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has said. In a post on X, Namal said that when systems fail at the highest level, junior officials should not be made sacrificial lambs to shield those responsible for supervision and decision-making. more..

Apr 22 (NW) A fleet of buses imported for the CHOGM and left idle for years is being refurbished and prepared for re-entry into service, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said in a social media post. He said 15 buses have already been fully repaired and deployed, while work is underway to restore the remaining vehicles. Of the 38 buses yet to be returned to service, 18 are expected to be operational within the next one and a half months, with the balance to be deployed before more..

Apr 22 (DM) Cabinet has approved the awarding of a consultancy contract for the feasibility study and preparation of detailed plans to extend the Kelani Valley Railway Line from Avissawella to Ratnapura. Initial approval for the project was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on Oct 21, 2025, to conduct a feasibility study and develop detailed plans for the proposed extension. Expressions of Interest were called under the National Competitive Procurement Procedure, attracting eight bidders. more..

Apr 22 (DS) Riding on skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s all-round brilliance, Sri Lanka bounced back strongly in the three-match WODI series, defeating hosts Bangladesh by four wickets in the second match at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on Wednesday. Athapaththu, who missed the opening match due to injury -- a game Sri Lanka lost by three wickets -- returned in style, claiming 3-36 to help bowl Bangladesh out for 165 in 45.5 overs after the hosts opted to bat first. more..

Apr 22 (DM) As the Middle East conflict disrupts global energy markets, the long-dormant Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm project has shifted from a conceptual strategic goal to an urgent national security priority. Following high-level talks during Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s visit, officials emphasized that no further time can be lost on the 99-tank complex. The proposed India-SL-UAE pipeline and grid more..

Apr 22 (NW) The Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne, has raised concerns over the introduction of new low-floor luxury buses by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in collaboration with the Metro company. Wijeratne said he supports the modernization of public transport but questioned the manner in which the project has been implemented, particularly the use of public funds. “These buses have been bought using taxpayers’ money. more..

Apr 22 (AD) Sri Lanka’s economic growth rate in 2026 is projected to be lower than the growth recorded in 2025, according to Professor in Economics at the Dept of Economics, Priyanga Dunusinghe of the University of Colombo. Professor Dunusinghe noted that recent data indicates an around a 30% decline in tourist arrivals this year. He further pointed out that the agricultural sector has been adversely affected by unfavorable weather and climatic conditions. more..

Apr 22 (DM) New Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake said that the govt’s primary objective remains the consistent and uninterrupted delivery of essential services, specifically electricity and fuel, to the public. He said that national energy policies will stay steady and aligned with long-term objectives, irrespective of ministry portfolio changes. He made these remarks after assuming duties as the new Minister of Energy. more..

Apr 22 (NW) A retired Chief Legal Officer of the Ministry of Health has been arrested on corruption charges and remanded until May 5, 2026. The CIABOC confirmed that its officers arrested the suspect on Tuesday (21) at around 3.45 pm, after investigating a complaint. According to the Bribery Commission, while serving as a legal officer, the suspect prepared three lease agreements to extend the rental period of the Medi House building leased to the Ministry of Health. more..

Apr 22 (AD) The Former Director of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who is currently detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. He has been escorted to court under tight security by officers of the CID, Ada Derana reporter said. He was brought to court in accordance with an order issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara during the previous hearing. more..

Apr 22 (NW) RDA is preparing to introduce a new toll collection method known as Multi‑Lane Free Flow (MLFF), as part of efforts to reduce cash handling on SL’s expressways. RDA Director General Anuradha Hettiarachchi said the system is part of the authority’s continuous measures to modernize toll operations and improve efficiency. The MLFF system will allow vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping, with payments processed electronically. He explained that the MLFF system more..

Apr 22 (AD) Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 will be held from July 10 to August 5. The sixth edition of the much-anticipated T20 league will be played across four venues: Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) grounds, Colombo. R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (PICS), Kandy. Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS), Dambulla. Meanwhile, the online portal for foreign player registration will open on May 4, more..

Apr 22 (TM) Despite complaints from school meal suppliers over rising costs of food items, fuel, and cooking gas, Education Ministry stated that there is no possibility of revising the meal payment rates at present, as the rates have been fixed for a one-year period under the relevant tender system. Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said that the Ministry has not received any official request from those providing school meals seeking more..

Apr 22 (DM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should intervene and get the assistance of any foreign Central Bank to carry out a forensic audit to conduct a probe on Rs 13.2 billion fraud at the National Development Bank (NDB), DNA MP Ravi Karunanayake said. “The Prez should get involved in resolving the issue in his capacity as the Minister in charge of Finance. He should seek the assistance of either the Central Bank of India, the Bank of England or even the Central Bank of Singapore,” more..

Apr 22 (NW) The Socialist People’s Forum has condemned the NPP government over the withholding of several literary works by renowned Tamil writer Pradeepan Deepachelvan, which have remained in custody at SL Customs for weeks. In a statement, the Forum said the incident highlights two key issues about the state. Firstly, it argued that even govts with progressive outlooks act to protect racist and supremacist foundations, noting that decisions on whether Tamil writings are more..

Apr 22 (DM) Anti-corruption crusaders and die-hard cricket followers in the island could breathe a sigh of relief as Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has at last bowed down to ground realities and ordered Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) merry-go-round dictator Shammi Silva to clear out. Silva, the Daily Mirror exclusively learns, will be replaced by former MP Eran Wickramaratne, a former Royal College cricketer, in an Interim Committee. more..

Apr 22 (AD) Former Ratnapura District MP Premalal Jayasekara, who was arrested yesterday in connection with an alleged incident of threatening an individual with a firearm, has been granted bail. The suspect was produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court today, following which Magistrate Pushpika Jayadasa ordered his release on bail under strict conditions. The Magistrate ordered to release Premalal Jayasekara on a Rs. 25,000 cash bail & two surety bails amounting to Rs 1 m. more..

Apr 22 (NW) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar has claimed that the govt may be considering changes to the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket in a bid to gain public popularity ahead of May Day. Marikkar said reports suggest the Prez may remove the current Sri Lanka Cricket administration and appoint a new board as a popular decision before May 1. He alleged that the government was concerned about turnout for May Day rallies, claiming the SJB would stage the largest rally this year. more..

Apr 22 (FT) Seven years after the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter Sunday attacks, SL continues to live not only with the grief of that day, but also with the unresolved struggle over how the tragedy is remembered, interpreted, and politically used. Over 260 innocent people were killed, hundreds were injured, and thousands of families were left with pain that time has not erased. Yet each year, as the commemoration returns, so too does a familiar contest over narrative, blame, symbolism, more..

Apr 22 (FT) Mangala Samaraweera passed away in 2021. Had he lived, he would be 70 on 21 April. What is the measure of a politician? What people say at the funeral and in eulogies that only highlight positives? It seems that what would matter more is what they’d say years later. Would they still remember? Would there be anything to talk about five or ten years later? Not having conducted a survey, I only have anecdotal evidence about Mangala. On Monday, I was talking to a more..

Apr 22 (TM) Seven Buddhist monks, led by Vietnamese monk Pannakara Thera arrived in the country yesterday to take part in the Walk for Peace in SL. The rescue dog Aloka has also arrived along with the delegation. The international Walk for Peace programme is scheduled to be held in SL until 28 April, under State patronage. The procession, led by Pannakara Thera along with the Buddhist clergy, will carry a Bodhi sapling obtained from more..

Apr 22 (Island) Ven. Bhante Gunaratana, Chief Sangha Nayaka for North America has requested all Sri Lankans to support the second phase of the International Walk for Peace scheduled to begin in Sri Lanka this week. The following is the text of a statement issued by Ven. Bhante Gunaratana: “As a distinguished assembly of Venerable monks embarks upon the second phase of the International Walk for Peace across our beloved island, I respectfully and earnestly implore all more..

Apr 22 (AD) Special attention should be given at the district level to expedite the payment of compensation for those affected by the Cyclone Ditwah and to accelerate reconstruction work, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. The Prime Minister also noted that all necessary allocations have already been made to the Provincial Councils, and instructed that progress on disaster damages and reconstruction should be closely monitored at the provincial level. more..

Apr 22 (TM) Chief Sanganayake of the Amarapura Sect, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said that despite three Presidents having left office and a fourth now in power, and with successive Govts coming and going, the shadow cast by the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks has still not been lifted. Addressing the gathering at the seventh-year commemoration of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks at Kochchikade Shrine yesterday, more..

Apr 22 (UCAN) UN urged SL to deliver concrete results after long-running investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners. UN's top envoy to the country, Marc-Andre Franche, said survivors and families of victims were still waiting for answers, despite multiple probes and renewed political pledges following the formation of a new govt in Sept 2024. "Public commitments by the govt to pursue justice are important & must be welcomed," more..

Apr 22 (AD) SL Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) has called for urgent action to prevent a looming medicine shortage crisis in SL, warning that growing pressure on the pharmaceutical supply chain could affect the country’s ability to ensure uninterrupted access to essential and life-saving medicines. Chamber cautioned that unless immediate and practical steps are taken, SL could face increasing shortages across both pvt & public healthcare channels, more..