Sri Lanka News : InfoLanka News Room

Apr 30 (NW) 26th Asia-Pacific Secretaries Congress (ASA Congress) successfully concluded in Colombo on April 29, marking a historic return to SL after 25 years. Organised by the SL Association of Administrative and Professional Secretaries (SLAAPS), Congress was held from April 25 to 29 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo under the theme Empowering Diversity Beyond Borders. Event brought together administrative professionals, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs from more..

2026න් ඔබ්බට GSP+ රැකගතහැකිද?

Court to hear petition by NOC Secretary General against suspension

Apr 30 (AD) Court of Appeal today scheduled the hearing of the petition filed by Maxwell de Silva, who served as the Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOC), requesting an order to invalidate the decision made to suspend him from the position. However, Court rejected the request to issue an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the decision made by the Minister of Sports to suspend Maxwell de Silva from functioning as the Secretary of the National Olympic Committee. more..

Sri Lanka reaffirms diplomatic support for Palestine: Foreign Minister

Apr 30 (NW) SL Muslim civil society leaders met with government officials today to discuss longstanding concerns of the Muslim community and measures the new administration is taking to address them. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salie, and MP Aslam attended the meeting, along with about 30 Muslim civil society activists. Herath said the govt’s policy is grounded in national unity and that no tolerance would be given to racial divisions or extremist activity. more..

Cricket all set to return to Asian Games 2026 after inclusion in LA Olympics 2028

Apr 30 (PO) Cricket is set to make a return to the Asian Games 2026 following its inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. The reports suggested that the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) formally added cricket to the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Nagoya, Japan. The decision comes after prolonged negotiations between the Asian Olympic Council and the ICC. Both men’s and women’s cricket teams will participate in 20th edition more..

War on Dengue Task Force to eliminate Chikungunya & Dengue

Apr 30 (NW) Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusuf, has established a task force titled War on Dengue to eliminate the Chikungunya and Dengue diseases from the Province. Secretary to the Ministry of Health of the Western Provincial Council, L.A. Kalukapuarachchi, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Task Force. A preliminary discussion on an action plan to eradicate the rapidly spreading diseases across SL was held, with the participation of the Task Force, more..

Sri Lanka inflation up 0.89% over 31 months, 12-m down

Apr 30 (EN) Sri Lanka’s inflation prices fell 0.2% in the 12-month to April 2025, with consumer prices rising only 0.89% since the central bank’s deflationary policy started to show up in the balance of payments, data from the state statistic office showed. Sri Lanka’s Colombo Consumer Price Index, which was 189.3 points in September 2022, when the central bank triggered a balance of payments surplus, rose to only 191.2 points or 0.89% in the intervening 31 months. more..

Measures to integrate people with special needs into digital economy

Apr 30 (DN) Ministry of Digital Economy has developed a special programme to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with special needs by integrating them into SL’s growing digital economy. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said that this programme has been developed for the community with special needs for a digital economy that leaves no one behind. This was revealed during a recent discussion more..

Türkiye’s Penthol Group explores investment opportunities in Sri Lanka

Apr 30 (FT) Signalling the growing investor business confidence in Sri Lanka, a high-level delegation from the Türkiye conglomerate Penthol Group, led by the Chairman Faruk Erkoc, is currently visiting Colombo to explore investment avenues in the country. The visit initiated by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Türkiye is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism seeking to enhance investment and strengthen bilateral commercial relations. more..

BusinessThai Airways celebrates first anniversary of resuming flights to Sri Lanka

Apr 30 (Island) Thai Airways celebrated the one-year anniversary of its resumed operations in Sri Lanka with a series of activities recently. This initiative, which aligns with the airline’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, was successfully held at TRACE City, Colombo 10, on April 4, 2025. The celebrations culminated with a successful blood donation campaign which involved the community at large. The campaign underscored Thai Airways’ dedication to the local SL community and more..

Four Stories with ‪News19

Power of minimalism in a consumer society

Apr 30 (FT) In a world dominated by consumerism, minimalism has become popular among those wanting to live a simple and authentic life. By removing excess and focusing on what truly matters, minimalism can provide a holistic alternative to consumer culture. Understanding the common traps of consumer culture – where we buy more than we need – does not only make us more financially savvy, but also more mindful about what brings value to our lives. This article explores these factors more..

Vesak dansal registration underway

Apr 30 (TM) Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) Union has announced that the registration of Dansal for the upcoming Vesak season has commenced. PHIs Union Secretary Chamil Muthukuda stated that the relevant registration activities must be carried out at Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices in the area where the Dansal is being organised. He emphasised that all registration activities for ‘Dansal’ must be completed before 9 May. Commenting further, Muthukuda said: more..

PM opens Rs. 478M multipurpose exam facility to boost education infrastructure

Apr 30 (NW) PM and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, officially declared open the newly constructed multipurpose building at the Department of Examinations headquarters today, marking a major step towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s assessment infrastructure. Constructed at a cost of Rs. 478 million, the six-storey facility is designed to enhance the operational capacity of the Examinations Dept. more..

New animals to arrive at Dehiwala Zoo under exchange programme

Apr 30 (DM) National Zoological Dept is set to bring several new animals to the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens under an animal exchange programme, Director. The zoo will soon receive three zebras, two pairs of giraffes, three anacondas from France, Mandarin ducks and two giant turtles as part of the programme. In return, department has sent two pairs of toque macaques, a pair of giant squirrels, a pair of hippopotamuses, a pair of fishing cats, a Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus), and more..

NHSL urges CIABOC probe into Haematologist

Apr 30 (CT) Authorities at the National Hospital, Colombo, have urged the CIABOC to inquire into allegations of corruption levelled against the hospital’s Consultant Haematologist. Informed sources said yesterday (29) that the consultant in question had allegedly been responsible for the hospital having to pay over Rs 50 million – a sizable sum – for reagents for a machine, despite objections raised by members of the Technical Evaluation Committee. more..

Sri Lanka awaiting US response over Trump tariffs proposals

Apr 30 (EN) Sri Lanka is expecting a US response to proposals made by Sri Lanka to address a trade surplus and reduce import barriers, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma said. SL team had met the US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other officials. “We understand there are two fronts in the US tariff discussions,” Suriyapperuma told reporters, after returning from talks in Washington. more..

Clean Sri Lanka programme to launch 1,000-acre forest plantation project

Apr 30 (PMD) Under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, plans are underway to launch a 1,000-acre forest plantation project in collaboration with the private sector. This large-scale initiative is designed to operate under Public-Private-People Partnership (4P) concept and a preliminary discussion on the project was held today. The discussion focused on resolving technical aspects associated with the project and addressing the fundamental issues necessary for the land release. more..

TPA urges EU to condition GSP+ concessions on tangible democratic,...

Apr 30 (DM) Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) has submitted a comprehensive five-point proposal to the visiting European Union GSP+ Monitoring Delegation urging that any future extension of the GSP+ trade concession to SL be strictly conditioned on measurable and time-bound progress in areas of human rights, democratic reform and social justice. TPA said that TPA led by Mano Ganesan MP, held a high-level diplomatic meeting with the visiting EU GSP+ Monitoring Delegation in Colombo. more..

US නව ආනයන බදු ප්‍රතිපත්තිය...

Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder: Boossa Prison Jailor granted bail

Apr 30 (AD) Jailor at the Boossa Prison, who was remanded in connection with the shooting and killing of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court complex, has been granted bail. Accordingly, the Colombo HC judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered the suspected Jailor, Manoj Udayakantha, to be released on two surety bails of Rs. 2.5 million each and a cash bail of Rs. 75,000, after considering a bail application filed on behalf of the suspect. more..

Vedda chief introduces new political culture

Apr 30 (DM) A new political culture in election propaganda campaigns was introduced yesterday by Vedda Chief Wanaspathi Uruwarige Vannila Ettho. He provided a platform for all candidates contesting the election for the Dambana ward in the Mahiyangana Pradeshiya Sabha, offering the public an opportunity to raise questions about issues affecting them. Vannila Ettho said he introduced this innovative method to prevent confrontational politics and mudslinging. more..

EU willing to continue supporting Sri Lanka

Apr 30 (PMD) The Head of South Asia Division, European External Action Service of the European Union Mr. Charles Whiteley stated that the European Union has a favorable perspective on the current GSP+ review process. He made these remarks during a meeting held today at the Presidential Secretariat with Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake, as part of an official visit by a European Union delegation to Sri Lanka. more..

People’s Bank business loans for step up your business to the next level

Apr 30 (TM) People's Bank is dedicated to fostering business growth by providing flexible and competitive business loan solutions. With interest rates starting as low as 7% annually, entrepreneurs can access tailored financing options designed to meet the diverse needs of industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, sales and services, import and export, and sustainable businesses. "Development and SME loans play a crucial role in driving economic growth by more..

Key plans unveiled to transform Panadura Depot as National level Model Depot

Apr 30 (NW) Panadura Bus Depot operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is set to be transformed into a national-level model depot under a Transport Ministry project aimed at developing 25 selected depots across the country. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, visited the Panadura Depot yesterday (29) to review its current operations and future plans. Speaking during the visit, Deputy Minister, said the objective of the project is to improve these depots more..

Blue whale decline in Sri Lanka tied to climate and human activity

Apr 30 (MB) SL waters are considered a haven for the largest creatures ever to have lived, the blue whale, a rare place for a resident, year-round population to thrive. In 2021, however, news headlines claimed a population decline, and in 2023, a media report mentioned a significant drop in blue whale sightings. For decades, North Indian Ocean has been known to have its own distinct population of blue whales. more..

No April 30 deadline for WHT declarations: IRD Commissioner says

Apr 30 (DM) Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Department (IRD) today denied a report circulating on social media claiming that April 30 is the last date for individuals subject to withholding tax (WHT) on interest income, but without taxable income, to submit their self-declaration to banks and financial institutions. Commissioner clarified that a false claim is being spread, suggesting that April 30 is the deadline for submitting self-declarations for exemption from WHT deduction more..

Education staff accused of violating election law

Apr 30 (CT) The Ceylon Teachers’ Union has alleged that several employees of the Education Department who are contesting the upcoming Local Govt (LG) Election have violated election law and the Establishment Code by drawing their April salaries. Union’s President, Priyantha Fernando, revealed that more than 400 Education Department staff —including principals, teachers, teacher consultants, and non-academic personnel — are contesting the 2025 Local Govt Election. more..

කාශ්මීරය යළි ගිනි ගනියි