Mar 17 (FT) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday dismissed the findings of the Batalanda Commission report, asserting that it was politically driven and aimed at discrediting him. In a special statement, he stated that the Commission was established solely to tarnish his reputation, but ultimately failed to achieve its intended objective. He emphasised that the report only referenced his involvement in facilitating more..

Mar 17 (TM) Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union (PTOU) and the United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) launched a 48-hour strike at 4 p.m. yesterday (16), demanding solutions to seven key issues. According to them, these include filling vacancies in the Postal Department, implementing the Postal Services Constitution, and ensuring proper overtime (OT) payments. UPTUF Convener Chinthaka Bandara said that apart from a small number of recruitments on two occasions, more..

Mar 17 (AD) An agreement has been reached between the Attorney General (AG) and the legal counsels of the suspects implicated in the 2023 shooting incident near a hotel in Weligama. In this regard, the AG has issued a special notice today (16) regarding the order to arrest former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and six other suspects in connection with the incident. Accordingly, based on the agreement reached, the AG has directed CID not to arrest OIC of Colombo Crimes Division more..

Mar 17 (ST) Dutch authorities are investigating deposits made by a Netherlands-based healthcare firm involved in two Sri Lankan hospital projects into the offshore account of a British Virgin Islands-registered company whose beneficial owner is a prominent SL businessman. The Dutch Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD) carried out searches in an investigation into corruption, a press release from the office said, more..

Mar 17 (AD) Six persons have been arrested in connection with the violent incidents that occurred during a recent musical show at Divulankadawala in Medirigiriya. All six arrested suspects are residents of Medirigiriya. The incident had occurred during a musical show held at the President’s College grounds in Divulankadawala on the night of March 14. It is reported that the chaotic situation arose due two singers not showing up to perform despite it being announced previously that more..

Mar 17 (AD) Disaster Management Center (DMC) and the Dept of Examinations have planned to initiate a special joint program to conduct the exam while avoiding possible disruptions due to unexpected weather conditions that may occur during the period when the 2024 (2025) G.C.E. O/L exam is being held. Accordingly, this joint plan has indicated the responsibilities to be fulfilled by all involved parties to strengthen the emergency response coordination mechanism and more..

Mar 17 (TM) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) stated that there will be no shortage of fuel despite the defect found in the oil pipelines connecting the Colombo Port to Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Ltd in Kolonnawa. CPC Chairperson D.J.A.S. Rajakaruna said that the location of the defect had been identified and the supply had returned to normal by yesterday afternoon. He also stated that around 3,000 litres of oil had leaked; however, most of the leaked oil had been collected. more..

Mar 17 (AD) A passenger who attempted to sexually abuse two female flight attendants on a flight from Singapore to BIA in Katunayake has been arrested by the Airport Police. The arrested individual is a 38-year-old resident of the Athurugiriya area. The suspect had arrived at BIA onboard a SriLankan Airlines flight from Singapore at 10.00 p.m. last night (15). The suspect, who was heavily intoxicated, had attempted to sexually abuse two female flight attendants on duty. more..

Mar 17 (ST) SL has hired a foreign consultant to prepare for regional scrutiny of its regime against the economic crime of money laundering and terrorism financing after repeated failures to fully comply with global standards. It has negotiated breathing space until next year for the purpose. Dr. Gordon Hook, a barrister and the former Executive Secretary of Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, has been hired as a consultant more..

Mar 17 (TM) Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara, stated that 474,147 candidates have applied for the 2024 (2025) GCE O/L exam. Among the applicants, there are 398,182 school candidates and 75,968 private candidates. Commissioner also made a special request to candidates to arrive at the exam hall early and to refrain from bringing unnecessary materials. He emphasised that any violation of these instructions would be considered more..

Mar 17 (FT) SL Association for Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM), in collaboration with the SL Govt, made a powerful statement at the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) 2025 in Mumbai, India, taking centre stage to highlight SL’s rising prominence as a global innovation hub, underscoring the nation’s strategic position as a preferred destination for IT and Business Process Management (BPM) services. Themed Navigating Disruption in a more..

Mar 17 (FT) Potential international investors tend to be fired up by a nation’s transparency, a positive anti-corruption stance, and healthy respect for investor interest. This powerful combination of factors blended in the atmosphere at the Business Roundtable with SL Ambassador to the US Mahinda Samarasinghe, which took place in Washington D.C. on 11 March, organised by the US Business Council for International Understanding in collaboration with Washington Global Advisors. more..

Mar 17 (CI) Strong all-round performances from Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday along with a breakout bowling display from Bree Illing helped New Zealand breeze to a seven wicket win against Sri Lanka in Christchurch to level the series at 1-1. NZ's bowlers set the tone with a frugal display after winning the toss and electing to bowl, restricting SL to 113 for 7 in their 20 overs before Bates and Halliday made 47 and 46 not out respectively as the hosts cruised home with seven wickets more..

Mar 17 (SO) Govt has set up an Action Task Force (ATF) to tackle the global challenges arising from new tariff policies introduced recently by US Prez Donald Trump, Minister Vijitha Herath said. He said that SL exports goods valued at approximately US$ 3 billion annually to the US, while imports from the US total US$ 370 million. Given the significance of the American market to SL’s exports, the Govt considers it vital to assess more..

Mar 17 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is off to a strong start in 2025, raking in $ 768.2 million during the first two months, marking a 12% year-on-year (YoY) growth in tandem with the boost in arrivals. Tourism earnings in February stood at $ 367.6 million, reflecting a 6.3% increase from the corresponding period of last year. It is also the highest earnings registered since 2020. However, on a month-on-month comparison, February earnings were 9% lower than January 2025. more..

Mar 17 (FT) The long-awaited debate on the Batalanda Commission report will commence on 10 April and will take place in two stages. The Department confirmed that the first stage of the debate will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., focusing on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme, which was tabled in Parliament last Friday (14) after 27 years. more..

Mar 17 (Hindu) The Sri Lankan Energy Ministry had reached out to the local arm of Adani Green Energy Ltd to find out the reason behind their proposed exit. “Adani’s haved replied to our letter withing two weeks. The project is still alive,” a senior official with the Sri Lankan govt said when asked now that Gautum Adani led entity has expressed its desire to exit the project, whether the project will be offered to other players. more..

Mar 17 (FT) FitsAir, Sri Lanka’s first privately-owned international airline, is expanding its regional connectivity with the introduction of direct flights to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia, further strengthening its position as the country’s leading low-cost carrier. Flights to KL will commence on 4 April with four weekly services. This expansion reflects the airline’s ongoing efforts to cater to the increasing demand for cost-effective, reliable air travel, reinforcing its position as a key player more..

Mar 17 (FT) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said that former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s response to the Batalanda Commission report came far too late, noting that the Govt is proceeding with legal action based on its findings. Speaking to the media, he pointed out that Wickremesinghe, more than anyone, was fully aware of the details surrounding the Batalanda incident, but remained silent for decades till Al Jazeera raised the issue in a recent interview earlier this month. more..

Mar 17 (Island) Big matches come and go; today they are numerous but the Royal-Thomian, the first of its kind in this country, stands apart as an eternal metaphor for tradition, style, charm, excitement and unpredictability. No other sporting encounter in the country, not even an international event, generates the passionate rivalry, the limitless appeal, the widespread social enthusiasm, the Bacchic revelry or the fervent anticipation, as does the battle between these two tribes. more..

Mar 17 (ST) SL’s 22-member national football squad, led by veteran goalkeeper Sujan Perera, was officially announced for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round. The team will first travel to Laos for an international friendly in Vientiane on March 20, followed by a clash against Thailand in Bangkok on March 25. The squad features a mix of experienced players and fresh faces as head coach Abdullah Almutairi looks to refine the team ahead of the crucial more..

Mar 17 (CT) Director General of SL Customs has strongly condemned Airport and Aviation Services (Pvt) Ltd (AASL) for installing five CCTV surveillance cameras within Customs-controlled areas at BIA in Katunayake. SL Customs has deemed the installation unauthorised and raised serious concerns over its impact on operational security, legal authority, and the overall integrity of border enforcement. more..

Mar 17 (FT) SL Business Council UAE, in collaboration with the Embassy and Consulate General of SL in Dubai, hosted a remarkable Iftar gathering on 7 March at Crowne Plaza Deira, attended by over 250 distinguished guests, including members of the diplomatic community, business leaders, and representatives of various SL professional organisations. The evening was a shining example of unity in diversity, bringing together people from multiple ethnicities, more..

Mar 17 (Island) Minister Bimal Ratnayake, tabling the Batalanda Commission report in Parliament on Friday, mourned for the thousands of youth killed during the second JVP uprising in the late 1980s. Media reports have said that on listening to Ratnayake, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne became choked with emotion and could hardly speak. It is only natural for anyone to be overwhelmed by such a moving narrative. Ratnayake’s speech reminded us of more..

Mar 17 (TM) SL’s energy infrastructure is aging, and with time, the risk of disaster continues to increase. Yesterday, oil pipelines connecting the Colombo Port to Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Ltd in Kollonawa leaked, spilling some 3,000 litres of oil, according to the CPC. The energy infrastructure, particularly the pipeline network, begins from an offshore moored buoy, where tankers discharge their loads, and the on-land storage facilities, which supply the Sapugaskanda Refinery, more..

Mar 17 (CT) The index computerisation project of the National Archives Department is yet another example of the inefficiency, corruption, and negligence rampant in SL’s govt institutions. Initiated in 2015 with a Budget of Rs 25.3 million, it was supposed to be completed by 2019. Yet, six years past the deadline, it remains unfinished. Only 850,000 index cards have been digitised at a cost of Rs 13.5 million, while 400,000 more still need to be computerised. Why? Because of a lack of more..

Mar 17 (CT) Govt recently invited, Jagath Vithana, a member of the SJB, to render his support and expertise in uplifting the country’s bus transport sector. Vithana offers candid insights into the challenges and opportunities within the transport sector. Known for his work in the private bus industry, he discusses his vision for improving public transport services and his experience in navigating the political landscape. more..

Mar 17 (DM) In less than a month, we will be celebrating the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. It will be the the first under the NPP govt. It is also the first time that a national political party was able to gather the regional political parties in the Jaffna District. During its first few months in power, the NPP has come in for considerable criticism from all other national political parties for not being able to fulfil most of the pledges it made during the election campaign. more..

Mar 17 (DM) It is a tragedy that Ranil Wickremesinghe, widely regarded as one of South Asia’s most astute politicians, who managed to steer a bankrupt nation back from the brink of collapse, failed to revive the UNP and restore its former glory. His leadership during the 2021-2024, national crisis, marked by remarkable diplomatic skills and political acumen, was commendable. Wickremesinghe secured international assistance and implemented crucial economic reforms that stabilized more..

Mar 17 (SO) For decades, investigative journalist Nandana Weerarathne has wielded his pen to uncover Sri Lanka’s darkest and most horrifying chapters, including the burning of the Jaffna Public Library and more recently, the Easter Sunday terror attack. Throughout his career, he has faced significant personal danger, being one of the few journalists to bravely speak out about the infamous torture chambers at Batalanda. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Sri Lanka has historically signalled what other countries can expect to face amidst global economic and political shifts. For better or worse, it is often the first country for many feats in South Asia: universal suffrage in 1931, liberalisation in 1978 and, most recently, the first country to default on its external debt in 2022. These political and economic changes have had enormous social repercussions and prefigured changes in the region. The massive protests in Sri Lanka more..

Mar 17 (ST) Has anyone spotted the very large elephant in the Batalanda torture chamber, I wonder? To be perfectly clear, this is not simply a word play on the UNP's symbol and its ruthless state-terror tactics to quell the South’s second youth uprising (1987-1989). That included employing the Batalanda Housing Scheme to torture suspected JVP insurrectionists. Rather, the question speaks to systemic impunity that also visits the NPP Govt led by a now rebranded JVP. more..