Apr 9 (DM) Education Ministry has issued a directive urging schools to exercise financial prudence when organizing festivals and other celebrations, following concerns over excessive spending that may place an additional burden on parents. Ministry said that despite previous instructions, some schools continue to spend heavily on such events. It emphasized that all programs should be conducted in a cost-effective manner, minimizing unnecessary expenses while maintaining the quality of activities. more..

Apr 9 (DM) The govt officially commenced the modernization of the Colombo Fort Railway Station today. The project's inauguration was presided over by PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the station premises. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development's Project Management Unit, the Railway Efficiency Improvement Project is being implemented with the Sri Lanka Railways Department as the employer. Given the station's historical significance, more..

Apr 9 (AD) Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has claimed that ongoing investigations have uncovered that the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks were not an isolated incident, but a result of a conspiracy that had been in motion since 2017. Delivering a statement in Parliament today, the Minister revealed that the Easter attacks were the result of a series of coordinated and systematically executed events carried out over several more..

Apr 9 (AD) The National New Rice Festival, a traditional annual ceremony in which newly harvested rice from the Maha season is offered to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, was held this morning under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in the presence of the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. On the guidance of the Chief Prelate of the Atamasthana, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, the 59th National New Rice Festival was more..

Apr 9 (AD) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has informed the Colombo District Court that it intends to file objections to a petition submitted by cricketer Nuwan Thushara over the non-issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The petition requests an interim order requiring SLC to issue a No Objection Certificate enabling him to participate in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) and other international league tournaments. more..

Apr 9 (Island) SL’s power sector is bracing for a steep electricity tariff hike, with senior officials confirming that a revised proposal seeks an additional 53% increase, just weeks after the last revision took effect on 1 April. The move follows a deepening cost crisis, triggered by substandard coal imports and ongoing fossil fuel supply constraints, which, officials say, have already imposed a burden exceeding Rs. 20 bil for April–June period. more..

Apr 9 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said the govt had admitted that substandard coal had been imported. Speaking in Parliament in response to a statement made by Prez Dissanayake on Tuesday, SJB leader alleged that the low electricity generation, recorded at the country’s main coal-fired power plant, was evidence of the problem. He said the previous day’s power output had fallen to an unprecedented level, claiming it was the first time such a situation had arisen, under any govt. more..

Apr 9 (DM) A large stock of imported foreign liquor worth over Rs.20 million, kept ready for distribution during the Avurudu season, was seized by the Department of Excise from a location in Wellawatta this week. Officials of the Excise Special Intelligence Unit, acting on information, raided the residence of a businessman in Wellawatta and found the stock of liquor concealed in a storeroom. Authorities found about 400 one-litre bottles of liquor from over 50 foreign brands, more..

Apr 9 (FT) The Court of Appeal on 30 March 2026 rejected a motion filed by Petitioner Sirimalee Liyanagama in an ongoing writ application challenging the Pentara condominium project. The matter was taken up to consider a motion filed by the petitioner after the case had already been fixed for order. Along with the motion, the petitioner had presented a news article referring to an alleged internal report from Urban Development Authority (UDA) concerning Pentara project. more..

Apr 9 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has renewed calls for independent and transparent investigations into the Easter Sunday bombings, stressing that seven years on, the masterminds remain unidentified despite repeated promises by successive govts. Premadasa said political mudslinging and revenge must be avoided, and that justice can only be delivered if all past inquiry reports are made public and perpetrators are identified through accountable mechanisms. more..

Apr 9 (DM) FSP has raised serious allegations over the awarding of two coal tenders, claiming that both long-term and emergency contracts are illegal and calling for legal intervention. Speaking at a media briefing today, FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said the long-term tender for 25 coal shipments awarded to Trident Kempfer and the emergency spot tender for 5 shipments granted to Taranjot Resources more..

Apr 9 (AD) The motion to approve the extension of the State of Public Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance was passed in Parliament toda by a majority of 110 votes. A total of 137 votes were cast in favor, while 27 votes were cast against the motion. Members of the SJB, ITAK, NDF & SLPP, along with Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna, voted against the motion. The vote was held after ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that a division more..

Apr 9 (NW) Ministry of Plantation and Rural Infrastructure reports that SL’s new QR system for subsidized tea fertilizer has achieved remarkable progress within just six months since its launch on October 1. Compared to the 2024/2025 year, when only 84,472 farmers received 13,015.5 metric tons of fertilizer, the QR system has delivered fertilizer to more than double that number of farmers in half the time, a 122.3% increase in beneficiaries and a 62.2% rise in fertilizer distribution. more..

Apr 9 (FT) Motorists and vehicle importers are facing mounting delays in vehicle registrations amid operational disruptions at the Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT), with industry stakeholders warning of growing inefficiencies despite strong demand following the reopening of imports. Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) said registration books, though already printed in many cases, remain pending at the RMV, more..

Apr 9 (AM) Prices of cleaning products have been increased by 25% with effect from midnight on 8 April, according to the Domestic Entrepreneurs Empowerment Organisation. Price revision applies to a wide range of cleaning products and liquids. Accordingly, the price of washing powder has been increased by Rs. 75 per kg, while dishwashing liquid has been raised by Rs. 105. Toilet cleaning liquid prices have increased by Rs. 115, and handwash liquid by Rs. 120. more..

Apr 9 (NW) A country without a developed public transport system cannot be considered a developed nation, PM Harini Amarasuriya said today, as she launched the project to modernize the Colombo Fort Railway Station. Speaking at the launch, PM said that the govt aims to build a sustainable and inclusive transport system that allows children, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities to access services conveniently. Large-scale project to renovate the Colombo Fort Railway Station more..

Apr 9 (NW) Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is losing nearly Rs. 20 million each day due to fraudulent practices by bus conductors, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake revealed at a public event. Calling the losses a leakage of public funds, Rathnayake said not just buses, but the entire SLTB administration, including its human resources framework, has been destroyed. Despite the crisis, the Minister firmly rejected speculation of privatization. “We will not sell SLTB. more..

Apr 9 (AD) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who underwent a surgery in Singapore, has returned to the island this morning. Former Prez Wickremesinghe departed for Singapore on March 15 to receive medical treatment. It is reported that he had previously undergone a surgical procedure in SL before traveling to Singapore. Earlier, the Chairman of the UNP, Vajra Abeywardana confirmed former Prez Wickremesinghe underwent a successful surgery at a hospital in Singapore. more..

Apr 9 (EN) The IMF and SL authorities have reached staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the combined fifth and sixth reviews of SL’s reform program supported by the global lender’s EFF, the IMF said in a statement. Once the review is approved by the IMF Executive Board, SL will have access to about US$700 million in financing, the IMF said on Thursday. The statement comes after an IMF mission team more..

Apr 9 (DM) An unauthorized quartz mining operation in the Kotikambokka area of Alikota Ara in Wellawaya was raided by officers of the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force in collaboration with Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), officials said. They said that the illegal site, which was operating near a quartz deposit, had caused significant environmental damage. During the operation, approximately 70 cubes of illegally mined quartz were seized, along with equipment more..

Apr 9 (EN) IMF said they are maintaining a close watch of the NDB fraud of 13.2 billion rupees.“The way it was presented, that was confined to a very specific operational area of the bank, and estimated losses, as it has been reported, comes to 13.2 billion rupees. And I believe deeper internal investigations are underway,” Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for SL said. “In terms of the public information that we have, and the discussion that we’re having, the CBSL has assessed that NDB remains more..

Apr 9 (DM) A contract to procure coal was signed with Trident Chemphar Limited without obtaining the approval of the Attorney General, according to a report by the Auditor General investigating the alleged fraud. “The contract with Trident Champhr had been signed on November 19, 2025, despite the approval by the Attorney General being due on Nov 20, 2025,” the AG’s report presented to Parliament said. more..

Apr 9 (Island) Members of the Kandy District Branch of the Sri Lanka Communist Party held a protest in Kandy town, Tuesday (07) afternoon, urging the government to purchase oil from Russia without surrendering to reactionary forces. Pointing out that the prices of goods and services had already risen to high levels, the protesters claimed that state officials advising the government were endangering the country’s interests by acting as consultants to the IMF, etc. more..

Apr 9 (FT) In every democratic society, trade unions play an essential and respected role. They are the voice of employees, the defenders of fairness, and a necessary counterbalance to authority. SL is no exception. For decades, trade unions have contributed significantly to protecting workers’ rights and advancing social justice. However, a growing concern now demands urgent national attention: the gradual but visible overreach of certain trade unions into administrative and decision-making more..

Apr 9 (FT) Visiting Nuwara Eliya after a considerable lapse of time, I had almost forgotten how derelict the Nuwara Eliya town was. Held out in our tourist brochures as a pristine holiday resort in a pleasant and picturesque hill country, you begin to wonder whether you are a victim of a hoax the minute you hit the ramshackle town. Old ugly buildings coated with soot, foul smelling drains, narrow roads jammed with motor vehicles impatiently sounding their horns, smoke belching lorries loaded beyond more..

Apr 9 (DM) Amid sweltering daytime conditions, Meteorology Dept has warned of afternoon thundershowers across several parts of the island, with the public urged to remain vigilant over lightning and gusty winds. Showers or thundershowers are expected at a few places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Mannar districts after 2 p.m., while much of the rest of the country will experience more..

Apr 9 (FT) SL’s National Audit Department has found that failures in procurement governance, supplier selection, and quality controls in coal purchases for the Lakvijaya Power Plant resulted in a loss of Rs. 2,237.7 million, with a further Rs. 2,332.5 million identified as recoverable penalties. This comes even as Prez told Parliament on Tuesday that the issue stemmed from suppliers failing to meet required standards. more..

Apr 9 (AD) IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has issued a set of instructions to all police officers regarding the acceptance of gifts and the provision of monetary allowances for New Year celebrations. It is reported that the instructions were issued based on information received that many police stations are preparing to collect money from officers to hold Sinhala & Tamil New Year celebrations and are also preparing to organize New Year parties with contributions from the business community. more..

Apr 9 (NW) Ministry of Health on Thursday announced the new appointments and service locations for 436 intern doctors who had applied for post-intern medical placements. Accordingly, these doctors are required to report to the govt hospitals or health institutions across the island to which they have been assigned, during the period from today until the 11th. Ministry stated in its release that these appointments have been made transparently and based on a scientific methodology, more..

Apr 9 (Reuters) Nearly six weeks of war in Iran have ended, for now, with Prez Donald Trump claiming victory, but the US-Iran ceasefire locks in a harsh reality: an entrenched, radical govt with control over the Strait of Hormuz and a powerful lever over global energy ​markets and Gulf rivals, analysts say. The shockwaves have rippled outward, contributing to global economic strains and bringing conflict to Gulf neighbours whose economies depend more..

Apr 9 (Island) Former Ambassador to Iran M. M. Zuhair said that Sri Lankans must honour Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith for hitting the nail right on its head over the IsraeliAmerican war on Iran. The respected Archbishop declared that the entire humanity is undergoing pain and suffering due to the greed of one man wanting to rule the whole world! Adolf Hitler tried to become Emperor of Europe. What was his fate?, queried the Archbishop, speaking at the midnight Easter Vigil Service more..

Apr 9 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said the govt had admitted that substandard coal had been imported. Speaking in Parliament in response to a statement made by Prez on Tuesday, the SJB leader alleged that the low electricity generation, recorded at the country’s main coal-fired power plant, was evidence of the problem. He said the previous day’s power output had fallen to an unprecedented level, claiming it was the first time such a situation had arisen, under any govt. more..