Apr 6 (FT) The two main domestic gas suppliers, Litro Gas Lanka Ltd, and LAUGFS Gas PLC, have raised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices with effect from yesterday (5) midnight, citing sharp increases in global energy costs and mounting logistical pressures linked to geopolitical tensions. Litro announced that the price of a 12.5 kg cylinder in the Colombo District has been increased by Rs. 775 to Rs. 4,765. more..

Apr 6 (SO) CIABOC has issued notice to former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa to provide a declaration of his assets and liabilities through an affidavit before April 10. CIABOC has directed the former Prez to provide this declaration in connection with an investigation initiated in 2015 into Rajapaksa’s assets and liabilities and of his family between the years of 2010 and 2015. Commission in a letter to the former Prez has stated that the investigations have been delayed for a long period and, more..

Apr 6 (AD) Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Northern, Eastern, North-central, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Puttalam, Galle & Matara districts after 2 pm, today, Met Dept said. Showers may occur in coastal areas of Western province and in the Puttalam and Jaffna districts in the morning. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa & Uva provinces and in Ampara district during the early hours of the morning, more..

Apr 6 (FT) Govt has published its 2026 Governance Action Plan, which sets out timelines for key structural reforms, including procurement legislation, State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) restructuring, and changes to the governance of EPF, with several measures scheduled for completion within the year. Plan outlines that the Public Procurement Bill is to be drafted and cleared by April 2026 and submitted to the Cabinet more..

Apr 6 (DM) The Petroleum Distributors Association (PDA) has announced that fuel station owners across the island will stage a silent protest in front of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) today (6) at 9.30 a.m., citing several unresolved issues affecting their operations. Executive Committee Member Shantha Silva said that the primary concern prompting the protest is the difficulties faced by filling station employees under the current odd-even fuel distribution system. more..

Apr 6 (AD) The service charge levied on merchants for all LankaQR transactions up to Rs. 5,000 will be completely removed with effect from today (6). Marking a new milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital economy, the National QR Payment Promotion Programme will be officially launched today (6) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The primary objective of this initiative is to steer Sri Lanka towards a cash-lite economy with reduced reliance on coins & banknotes, more..

Apr 6 (ST) The govt has further postponed the imposition of an 18% VAT on digital services supplied by non-resident service providers through electronic platforms until July 1, according to an Inland Revenue Dept circular. The imposition of VAT on such services has been further postponed until July 1, subject to formal amendment to the VAT Act, IRD Commissioner General said. Earlier, govt imposed an 18% VAT on specified digital services from Oct 1 last year, under VAT (Amd) Act, more..

Apr 6 (NW) Commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, Christian devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world celebrate Easter Sunday with deep reverence and devotion. It is a reminder of the enduring power of hope, renewal and compassion. Beyond being a religious observance, Easter is also a cultural celebration for Christians that invites reflection on humanity, love and resilience. Through His Resurrection, having triumphed over death, Christ demonstrated to the world through more..

Apr 6 (TM) GMOA has given Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa until 8 a.m. today to initiate discussions on ending their ongoing strike. GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said the association decided to set the deadline due to the Minister’s reluctance to engage in discussions on the issues raised by doctors. He said the continuation of the strike would depend on the Minister’s response, adding the association was prepared to take more..

Apr 6 (AD) Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vijitha Herath, stated that nine fuel tankers are scheduled to arrive in the country during the month of April. The Minister made these remarks today (05) while addressing a public rally in Matara, held to commemorate the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)’s Il Maha Viru Samaruma. Minister Herath noted that the government has successfully managed the energy crisis that emerged following the onset of the Middle East conflict. more..

Apr 6 (EN) Hambantota International Port (HIP) has expanded its operational capacity to manage the increased volume of global shipping that has been rerouted due to the US-Israel war on Iran. The port has increased its container yard capacity by 30% and doubled its Roll-On/Roll-Off yard capacity. “What we are witnessing today is a structural shift in global shipping patterns. At HIP, we have focused on building the capacity and operational agility to respond to such changes,” more..

Apr 6 (FT) Hatton National Bank (HNB) CEO Damith Pallewatte pushed back against criticism of high lending rates to micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs), arguing that current pricing reflects funding costs rather than excessive spreads during a panel exchange with Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe. Deputy Minister questioned why banks were charging around 11% on SME loans backed by collateral and proper financial documentation when inflation remains near 2%, suggesting more..

Apr 6 (AD) Deputy High Commissioner of SL to Southern India in Chennai Ganesanathan Geathiswaran on Sunday rejected claims he took part in a meeting with fishermen hosted by any political party. Stating that it was a routine visit and that the event was not organised by any political party, Mr. Geathiswaran said, “I’m not here to do politics.” Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Pawan Khera, in a social media post, referred to the meeting reportedly held in more..

Apr 6 (ST) Lanka Coal Company Ltd (LCC) this week floated a tender for 2.28 million metric tonnes (MT) for the 2026-27 season, changing several of the bid conditions with the objective of avoiding a procurement similar to the ongoing fiasco of substandard coal. While some of the terms have been tightened, tender this time is open to eligible and qualified coal suppliers, rather than the usual registered coal suppliers. more..

Apr 6 (DM) Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has alleged that the continued silence of health authorities over the controversial Ondesterone vaccine, suspected to be linked to several patient deaths, raises serious concerns. Dr. Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, questioned why international reports related to the vaccine have not yet been disclosed to the public. He said several hospitals across SL had reported deaths more..

Apr 6 (DN) Spinners Thanuga Palihawadana (5/44) and Sethru Fernando (4/36) bowled well to pick 9 wickets between them to wreck the Isipathana second innings for 109 as Thurstan fought back to record an innings and 8-run win in their 63rd Battle of the Brothers cricket encounter and bagged the Blackham Wijewardena Trophy at the SSC grounds yesterday. The match ended with almost two sessions to spare. It was Thurstanites’ superb bowling performance with spin duo more..

Apr 6 (FT) Private sector credit showed a sharp rebound in February, with fresh borrowings rising 74.7% month-on-month to Rs. 144.3 billion from a nine-month low in January, even as overall lending momentum remained below late-2025 peaks amid lingering post-Cyclone Ditwah disruptions and before the outbreak of the Middle East war. New private sector borrowing from SL’s banking sector slowed sharply to Rs. 82.6 b more..

Apr 6 (Island) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to unsettle global energy and trade flows, SL appears to be finding a degree of resilience by deepening economic engagement with partners such as Russia and the UK. Recent diplomatic and trade developments suggest Colombo is positioning itself to benefit from both energy cooperation with Moscow and expanded export opportunities in the British market, potentially softening the impact of external shocks more..

Apr 6 (DN) Leg spinner Wanuja Sahan had a superb figures of 5 for 13 as Sri Lanka ‘A’ notched up an easy 140 runs win over New Zealand ‘A’ in their first unofficial ODI of the 3- match series played at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday. New Zealanders chasing a target of 262 were all out for 121 in only 28.4 overs and leg spinner Wanuja Sahan was leading from the front taking 5 for 13 in his 6.4 overs to restrict opponents for just 121 runs. Wanuja was adjudged the Man of the Match. more..

Mar 6 (FT) Micro-Star International Ltd, (MSI), headquartered in Taiwan, recently hosted its Partner Excellence Awards in Colombo, bringing together over 100 partners and industry stakeholders to celebrate outstanding performance and strengthen its growing partner network in SL. With a presence in over 130 countries, MSI is globally recognised as a leading technology brand offering a comprehensive portfolio including PC components, notebooks, desktops, displays, and accessories. more..

Mar 6 (FT) A regional workshop on enhanced transparency and cooperation for climate action concluded recently in Colombo, bringing together representatives from countries across Asia and the Pacific and Central Asia to strengthen collaboration on climate transparency, agrifood systems transformation, and engagement in the lead-up to the 31st session of the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). Held from 11 to 13 March, the workshop convened Govt representatives, more..

Mar 6 (FT) In a significant and welcome development, the Govt last week decided to revise the much-debated Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2026 following strong objections and a Supreme Court challenge. The Bill, which was placed on the Order Paper of Parliament, faced immediate legal pushback when five petitioners challenged several provisions, arguing that they were unconstitutional. The contested clauses included attempts to more..

Mar 6 (Island) A nation’s future is shaped not only by its economic policies or technological progress, but by the historical consciousness of its people—especially its younger generation. Education is the most powerful means through which a society transmits its collective memory, values, and sense of purpose. Within this process, history occupies a singular and irreplaceable role. It is history that tells a child who they are, where they come from, what their forebears endured, and more..

Apr 6 (CT) The plight of SL, an island nation of about 23 million people caught in the after-effects of a war in faraway Iran and GCC countries (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – UAE), reminds one of Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed 1973 film Ashani Sanket (Distant Thunder). The movie depicts the sufferings of a small village in Bengal due to the Great Bengal Famine triggered by World War II. SL was rudely awakened to the reality of the war in Iran more..

Apr 6 (DN) The world is facing the challenge of importing fuel due to the armed conflicts in the Middle East. Sri Lanka has to bear the brunt of it. To manage limited stocks and minimise consumption, many countries have adopted strategic measures. The immediate benefit of saving money aside, fuel conservation is already an option without choice in terms of ensuring an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Work From Home (WFH) has been the go-to concept in the times of crises. more..

Apr 6 (FT) In the late 1990s, the Quantum speculation of George Soros sent a cold shiver through the counting-houses of South Asia. As the Thai baht and the Malaysian ringgit buckled under the weight of hot money flight, the region’s central bankers learned a painful lesson: liquid capital is a fair-weather friend. In 2001, seeking a more stable class of suitor, SL’s policymakers looked north to India’s Non-Resident Indian model. The result was the Rupee Account for Non-resident SL more..

Apr 6 (CT) With the US effectively losing support from many of its Western allies, the future of the Middle East conflict remains increasingly away from Donald Trump’s favour. It was a very angry, clearly worried, and possibly very defeated US Prez who, on Wednesday, retorted that he would be seriously considering leaving NATO. Coming close on the heels of an outright rejection of support by the US closest ally, UK, with British PM very strongly more..

Apr 6 (SO) The April 1971 uprising was not an accident of history. It was the expression of a generation’s accumulated grief at inequality, broken promises, and a post-Independence order that had delivered independence but withheld justice from its people. The young men and women who rose that month did so because all other avenues for change had been pursued to no avail. They were not reckless. Their actions were desperate, but principled. They were motivated to more..

Apr 6 (DM) Independence of the judiciary is, without question, an essential element of a functioning democracy. In recognition of this, ample provision is made in the highest law of our country, the Constitution, to engender an environment in which the courts are able to fulfil their public responsibility with total acceptance. As part of this protective apparatus, judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal are assured of security of tenure by the provision that more..

Apr 6 (DM) Pasku Praharaye Mahamolakaru Soyayema (In Search of the Mastermind of the Easter Attacks) is the title of a book written by PHU party leader and former Cabinet minister, Udaya Gammanpila. The book launch event held in Colombo on March 31 was well attended. Among those in the audience were Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. more..

Apr 6 (GV) By the time Christians complete their Holy Week observances on Easter Sunday, at one end of West Asia, the Holy Land itself will be nearing a genocide count of 80,000 and at the other end, Iran is being bombed back to the Stone Age according to a twisted fantasy of the bombers. The bombers themselves are the most malignantly innovative in hominin history; worse, the most prolific serial bombers. Imagine if the Al Queda had access to just a tenth of the explosives more..

Mar 6 (Island) Seven years have almost elapsed since the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, but there are still no answers to some vital questions about the tragedy that shook the world. Several schools of thought have emerged on the mastermind/s behind the 2019 terror strikes. It is being claimed in some quarters that the terror attacks were carried out by NTJ leader Zahran Hashim and his followers at the behest of Islamic State (IS), which was suffering severe setbacks at the time. more..