Apr 11 (FT) Releasing its latest economic outlook for SL yesterday, Asian Development Bank said that containing the economic fallout from the Mideast war and sustaining growth will depend on maintaining reform momentum and improving the execution of underperforming public investment. SL’s economic growth is expected to moderate to 4.0% in 2026 and edge up to 4.2% in 2027, following two consecutive years of 5.0% expansion, according to Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2026. more..

Apr 11 (Island) The recent disclosure of a substantial internal fraud at National Development Bank has understandably unsettled the financial community. What began as a relatively contained incident has since been revised upwards, revealing a scheme that operated over an extended period within a specific operational area. To their credit, both the bank and Central Bank of SL responded with speed. Staff were suspended, arrests followed, an independent forensic review was commissioned, more..

Apr 11 (Island) JVP-NPP govt has dropped the fig leaf of good governance and defended Minister Kumara Jayakody allegedly involved in a coal procurement scam, which has cost the state coffers billions of rupees and caused a huge drop in the national power supply. It went so far as to defeat a no-faith motion against him in Parliament yesterday. In 2023, JVP/NPP vehemently condemned the then SLPP-UNP govt for defending Minister Keheliya Rambukwella allegedly involved in a pharmaceutical procurement scandal. more..

Apr 11 (FT) On my way to a location adjacent to one of our foremost research institutes, I was struck by two near stone age scenes: paddy drying along the roadside and someone inviting me to drive over the harvest for threshing, revealing how rudimentary our agricultural technology remains. This illustrates my main concern—despite advances and repeated inquiries about paddy production and variety, our post-harvest processes have remained stagnant for decades. more..

Apr 11 (FT) There had been a close silence on the matter of bringing past miscreants in high places to justice until the renewed demand – and fresh deadline – for a former President to prove his bona fides as regards assets, revenue streams and sources of wealth. Then suddenly the cacophony of nationalists crying foul on the grounds of anti-patriotic elements driving the agenda threatened to drown out all other noise around the vexed issue. And it reminded me that not only is our sense of more..

Apr 11 (SO) April arrives with familiar signs which stir memory and meaning. The signals to watch out for are the steady call of the Asian koel and the crimson-hued Erabadu flowers in bloom. You also get the mouthwatering aroma of Avurudu sweetmeats sizzling in each kitchen. These are laid out as a feast at the tables during the auspicious hours. Avurudu food takes centre stage during this time. It is not just about consuming these delicacies, but is a core part more..

Apr 11 (CT) It is a reflection of the rot in governance in this country that the NDB Bank PLC Director Board is still in office despite its shocking negligence to prevent the massive internal fraud estimated at a minimum of Rs. 13.2 Billion. Their removal is necessary for their shocking negligence and the potential to tamper with evidence to save their skins. Since the integrity of most regulatory agencies have been compromised in some shape or form over the years – SEC, CBSL, CA SL and BASL, more..

Apr 11 (TM) The findings of the Special Audit Report on coal procurement for the 2025/2026 season transcend mere inefficiency. This is a document that shows systemic failure, a damning indictment of a Govt that has allowed the Nation’s energy security to be traded away for shoddy contracts and phantom oversight. Released on 2 April and laid before Parliament on 8 April, the report strips away the veneer of unforeseeable circumstances the Ministry has used to shield itself. more..

Apr 11 (TM) In an initiative to encourage the general public to use energy sparingly, amidst the uncertainty arising from the Iran war and tensions in the Middle East, Govt launched the Surakimu Lanka national programme on 29 March. As its primary objective focuses on fostering a community that carefully conserves energy resources, the programme encourages limiting electricity usage during peak hours (6 pm to 10 pm) or carrying out more..

Apr 11 (DM) Our country the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is once again in the middle of spell of dry weather. Temperatures are soaring and authorities governing our water resources are demanding, people use water sparingly. They warn only very limited quantities of the precious liquid is available and that too, for only a short period of time. The situation, according to the NSWDB, is dire. The reason, technology for preserving water has not grown since the kings of old ushered in the era hydro irrigation schemes centuries ago. more..

Apr 11 (DM) Iran restored the dignity of Muslims worldwide by single-handedly fighting against the world’s most powerful sole super power United States and the artificial political entity of Israel, planted by British and US powers for Jewish settlers, after driving out Palestinian, sons and daughters of the soil, by means of massacres and genocides. This happens while oppressive Arab nations, installed in power by Britain and France in the aftermath of the collapse of Ottoman Empire during World War I, more..

Apr 10 (FT) Today is an eventful day for the NPP administration, as it faces the first No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against a Cabinet Minister since coming into power in late 2024. Ironically, the NCM - which is moved against Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody – contains allegations of corruption although fighting corruption was the main campaign theme of the NPP-led political alliance during the previous national election cycle. more..

Apr 10 (Island) Former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody unless the minister stepped down on his own.Prof. Peiris, addressing a press conference called by the Opposition, said that Jayakody couldn’t under any circumstance continue to serve as a minister after the CIABOC moved the Colombo High Court against the govt member over a previous financial scandal. more..

Apr 10 (NW) A no-confidence motion against Minister Kumara Jayakodi is scheduled to be debated in Parliament today. Motion, submitted by the Opposition, is based on allegations related to the procurement and quality of coal imports and their impact on power generation. Opposition MPs have claimed that issues linked to coal procurement and supply contributed to disruptions in electricity generation, prompting the move to bring a no-confidence motion against the Minister. more..

Apr 10 (FT) In a major boost for the country, SL has reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews under its $ 3 billion EFF, positioning the country to access around $ 700 million in fresh financing, subject to key reform conditions. IMF said the agreement remains contingent on the restoration of cost-recovery electricity and fuel pricing, alongside the completion of financing assurances and more..

Apr 10 (NW) The ultra-luxury cruise ship Silver Dawn arrived in Galle (09) carrying 596 tourists and 411 crew members, bringing the total number onboard to 1,007. The vessel, currently anchored off the Galle Harbour, is 213 metres long and features 11 decks equipped with high-end luxury facilities. Tourists arriving on the cruise ship are scheduled to visit several popular destinations including the Galle Fort, Balapitiya Madu River, Unawatuna, Rumassala and Koggala. more..

Apr 10 (TM) SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara taking part in parliament sessions on Tuesday charged that the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) had failed to hold its annual general meeting for 2025, while failing to pass its budget for this year. He alleged that under such suspicious circumstances the NOCSL was planning to press ahead with its election of office bearers for the four-year term 2025-29 on 25 April. “NOCSL has also failed to submit the completed audit report for 2024, more..

Apr 10 (Island) Lankan Australian playwright S Shakthidharan, widely known as Shakthi, has won the $US 175,000 ($250,000) Windham-Campbell Prize for drama.The international prize is awarded each year to writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama for their body of work. Writers are nominated secretly and cannot apply. Shakthi won the award for his ambitious, multigenerational plays exploring Sri Lankan Tamil migrant experiences, including his debut Counting and Cracking. more..

Apr 10 (Island) SL could face extended drought conditions through September if an El Niño event develops during the upcoming southwest monsoon season, Dept of Meteorology warned. Additional Director General Ajith Wijemanna stressed the need for proactive water management to mitigate potential shortages. He cautioned that both drinking water supplies and irrigation systems would need to be carefully managed in the months ahead, particularly if rainfall levels decline. more..

Apr 10 (FT) Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA), the apex body of SL’s plantation industry expressed growing concern over rising prices and limited availability of fertiliser amid the escalation of the crisis in the Middle East. PA said that with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, shipping traffic through the region is reported to have dropped by 90%. Given that an estimated one-third of global trade in raw materials for more..

Apr 10 (ST) Clearing trees for beautification and safety, creating open spaces for pathways and erecting billboards have contributed to an increase in the heat in urban and suburban areas of SL. Colombo and most prominent cities have become areas which radiate more heat as the concrete buildings bake in the sun, subjecting urban wildlife to extreme heat. The heatwave has also driven the wildlife in parks and savanna forests to extremes; therefore, the natural behaviour of animals more..

Apr 10 (AD) Passengers travelling ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays are informed that additional bus services have been deployed from the Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) in Kottawa. Accordingly, transport services will operate daily from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. from April 08 to 13. Passengers can also obtain bus schedule information by calling 0112-034474 prior to arriving at the MMC. National Transport Commission (NTC) Makumbura Bus Terminal’s more..

Apr 10 (FT) Vidullanka PLC has announced the acquisition of a 100% equity stake in Bhoruka Power Lanka Ltd, which owns and operates the 4.5 MW Gurugoda mini hydro power plant situated in Aranayake. This latest addition serves as the company’s 12th mini hydro project, bringing the company’s portfolio to a total of 26 power projects. This strategic acquisition is one of the company’s numerous investments in expanding and diversifying its energy services. more..

Apr 10 (NF) Dept of Railways has announced that train services on the Northern Railway Line between Colombo Fort and Kankesanturai (KKS) will resume starting today. Officials confirmed that the extensive reconstruction work on the railway track following cyclone DItwah has been successfully completed. The line had previously sustained severe damage due Cyclone Ditwah. For the convenience of passengers, seat reservation facilities have been made available from Mount Lavinia to KKS more..

Apr 10 (NW) The cost of preparing a traditional kevili table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has increased by 7% in 2026 compared to 2025, according to an analysis published by Verité Research. Study found that the cost has risen 2.5 times compared to 2019, before the pandemic and economic crisis. Prices increased for six out of the eight items typically included in a kevili table, with nearly 80% of the 2026 rise driven by more..

Apr 10 (Xinhua) SL police recently repatriated 125 individuals suspected of involvement in telecom fraud, who had been apprehended during earlier crackdown operations, to China, Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said. These suspects were repatriated on March 29 with the support of the Chinese Embassy in SL and Chinese police. The joint operation was a result of deepened international law enforcement cooperation between Chinese and SL police to intensify crackdown more..

Apr 10 (Island) As SL continues to recover from the recent cyclone and widespread flooding, a meaningful example of corporate purpose in action has taken shape through the Back to School Project 2026. Delivered in partnership with the Rotary Club of Colombo Port City, the initiative was funded by The Sixty Three Foundation via Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., and supported on the ground by Fairfirst Insurance, which coordinated implementation on behalf of its parent more..

Apr 10 (ST) A shortage of Keeri Samba and complaints of prices exceeding Rs 350 a kg have emerged ahead of the biggest cultural festival this month. As a solution to the shortage of Samba and Keeri Samba, Food Policy and Security Committee has focused on importing alternative rice varieties. Since Keeri Samba is cultivated only in SL, it is not possible to import it. Cabinet approval was recently granted to more..

Apr 10 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has seen a sharp slowdown in early April as escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupted global air travel, although overall arrivals for the year remain marginally positive. Tourist arrivals fell 22% year-on-year (YoY) to 39,627 in the first eight days of April, down from 50,542 in the same period last year. Average daily arrivals also dropped to 4,953, compared to 6,318 a year earlier, highlighting the scale of the disruption to inbound travel. more..

Apr 10 (DN) Governor of the CB Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on Wednesday informed the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) that an initial investigation into the fraud that has taken place at the National Development in this regard is currently underway. He further assured that the Central Bank will report back to the Committee at the earliest possible opportunity once the necessary information has been gathered. Dr. Weerasinghe said so when the Committee which met on Wednesday more..

Apr 10 (FT) Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Ministry is set to award the largest lottery prize in SL’s history today, with a jackpot of Rs. 629.8 million under the Jayamalle Kapruka Lottery. The winning prize was drawn on 19 Feb 2026, marking a record pay-out for the country’s lottery sector. The official cheque presentation is scheduled to take place at the Development Lottery Board auditorium under the patronage of Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. more..

Apr 10 (ST) SriLankan Airlines is currently navigating a pivotal era of restructuring and growth amidst a leadership crisis. Following the resignation of Chairman Sarath Ganegoda on March 31, the company is now under the interim guidance of a Treasury official. Mr. Ganegoda and another director Rohan Goonetilleke stepped down from the board without any reasons attributed to the move. Both were appointed after NPP’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected Prez in late 2024. more..