Apr 26 (ST) The new year hasn’t got off to an auspicious start for the ruling NPP. Barely had the govt managed to distract the public from the scandal over the import of substandard coal when it was hit by a worse scandal — the breach of Finance Ministry’s computer systems, which resulted in a payment of USD 2.5 million to hackers. A party that insisted it was the one hope to end the 76-year curse plaguing the country due to the corrupt more..

Apr 26 (ST) Two more shipments from controversial coal supplier Trident Chemphar have failed, bringing the total number of consignments confirmed to be off-spec by independent accredited laboratory Cotecna to five. Total number of shipments ordered from Trident was 25. 16th is being unloaded now, while ships from a separate, emergency purchase of coal are also arriving. Sunday Times reported last month that three coal shipments from South Africa initially failed quality testing by Cotecna, more..

Apr 26 (SO) The Maradana Railway Station, the second main station in the country after Colombo Fort, was vested with the public following a major renovation carried out under the Dream Destination initiative of the Govt’s Clean Sri Lanka program yesterday. Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake, the chief guest praised the stakeholders of the project including the main sponsor Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd for its successful completion. more..

Apr 26 (ST) Documents relating to the repayment of a loan from France have gone missing from Finance Ministry computer systems and could be linked to the same group of hackers who breached its systems, leading to USD 2.5 million going missing from treasury funds. Initial investigations have revealed that the papers pertain to the French loan repayment due in the future, and its disappearance has been detected. more..

Apr 26 (ST) As if to emphasise that peace is universal and transcends species, a SL community dog wandered into the US-based monks’ peace march in Colombo on Friday, instantly gaining celebrity status. This happened just as Aloka, official peace dog mascot, was briefly taken off the road for a rest. The local dog, fondly called Kalu, with white socks stole the limelight during its 20 minutes of fame. Organisers said: “We do not know where he came from or where he wandered off to. more..

Apr 26 (SO) France is keen to strengthen partnerships with countries such as SL to defend international law, protect Freedom of Navigation and preserve the maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific, Vice President of the France-SL Parliamentary Friendship Group in the French Senate, Senator Didier Marie said. Senator Marie said during a recent visit to SL that France was an Indo-Pacific power with major territories and maritime interests in the region, more..

Apr 26 (AD) Steps will be taken to summon the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and other relevant officials before the CoPF as soon as possible over an incident involving a US$2.5 million foreign debt repayment that reportedly ended up in the hands of an unintended party, Chairman of the committee MP Dr. Harsha de Silva stated. MP said that members of the COPF have already been informed to arrange a session to question the officials concerned. more..

Apr 26 (Island) A new low-floor bus service that gives priority to persons with disabilities and special needs was launched last Tuesday from Makumbura Multimodal Center. Service was inaugurated under the patronage of Minister Bimal Rathnayake. Accordingly, ten specially designed low-floor buses have been introduced into the transport service today. These buses are specially designed so that wheelchair users, visually impaired passengers and also expectant women more..

Apr 26 (TM) Govt has suspended four senior officials of Ministry of Finance – two from the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) and two from the External Resources Department (ERD) – pending a disciplinary inquiry into a cyber fraud that resulted in the diversion of $ 2.5 million. The funds had been allocated for an external debt repayment to an Australian creditor. The payment had been redirected after unauthorised access more..

Apr 26 (CT) It is expected that the ongoing rise in alcohol consumption among women across different social groups in the country will lead to an increase in the incidence of birth defects in SL, stated Prof. Vajira Dissanayake, President of the Medical Committee on Birth Defects of SLMA. The professor noted that alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects and negatively influences the behavioural and coordination development of newborns. more..

Apr 26 (TM) Tea prices at SL’s local auctions have risen above pre-crisis levels despite a significant drop in export volumes and a complete halt in exports to Iran. SLTB Chairman Rajpal Obeyesekere said that tea exports to Iran had come to a complete standstill amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Despite the loss of the Iranian market, the local tea market had remained resilient, with auction prices increasing by approximately Rs. 30–40 compared to pre-crisis price levels. more..

Apr 26 (NF) Several previously undisclosed details are emerging during the ongoing proceedings at the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the April 21st, 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, while authorities are also taking steps to ensure that relevant information is obtained without delay or obstruction. Following recent revelations reported by Channel 4 regarding the attacks, it was claimed that Pillayan was allegedly behind the incident. A report submitted by the CID to the Fort Magistrate’s Court more..

Apr 26 (ST) Five officials of the Treasury have been suspended while a massive probe is underway – with Interpol expected to be involved – by the Govt to recover the stolen US $2.5 million in system breach by hackers using fraudulent email instructions to divert the payment to a third-party account. The Ministry of Finance is actively working with int'l partners and the Australian HC in this exercise. Those suspended include two directors, two deputy directors & one IT Division Head. more..

Apr 26 (TM) Preliminary findings have not established evidence of a cyber intrusion into Govt systems as SL continues investigations into the purported misdirected Treasury payment of $ 2.5 million, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne claimed on Friday. This was a day after the Treasury Secretary stated that hackers had breached the e-mail system to carry out the deed. According to Weeraratne, the payment, more..

Apr 26 (EN) Multiple SL banks are alerting customers from yesterday on attempts to by hackers to direct them to fake websites where credentials can be stolen and their accounts wiped clean of cash. The websites would also have domain names that closely resemble the actual one. The hackers were targeting or preparing to target over a dozen banks in Sri Lanka, according to sources. Cyber security experts in Sri Lanka had counterattacked the hackers after the first attacks started. more..

Apr 26 (SO) Colombo Dockyard is set to boost SL’s export earnings from the shipbuilding sector, supported by a strategic majority stake held by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), alongside a new order book from France & India, its CEO, Thimira Godakumbura said. MDL, which holds over 51% of CDPLC, brings extensive experience in complex shipbuilding and is widely recognised in India as Shipbuilders to the Nation. “With these new investments, we are strategically more..

Apr 26 (TM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday averred that they were unaware of any move by the Govt to request the resignation of its Executive Committee members, headed by SLC President Shammi Silva. “We have also seen some reports in the media. But we have not been notified of anything. We are not aware of anything of that nature,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said at a press conference. It was held to introduce new more..

Apr 26 (TM) Govt has initiated firm and decisive measures to eradicate irregularities and corruption that have become increasingly entrenched across several sports bodies in the country. This was stated by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Media Secretary Tuan Nazeer Amath, in response to the growing concerns surrounding governance and accountability within the sporting sector. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, he noted that new regulations had been introduced under more..

Apr 26 (SO) Asanga Seneviratne was elected President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka for the period 2026 to 2030 after securing a clear majority at the Annual General Meeting held at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Sports Ministry in Colombo last evening. Seneviratne, who succeeds former President Suresh Subramaniam, polled 16 votes out of 29 to defeat Jaswar Umar, President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, who obtained 11 votes. more..

Apr 26 (ST) A marathon 174 from Kamil Mishara helped Sri Lanka ‘A’ gain a commanding 213-run first innings lead against New Zealand ‘A’, who are now in serious trouble after collapsing to 45-4 in 13 overs in their second innings on day three of the second and final unofficial Test being played at the Galle Int'l Stadium. At stumps yesterday, New Zealand ‘A’ trail by 168 runs, with the match firmly tilted in favour of the hosts. Responding to the visitors’ first innings total of 305, more..

Apr 26 (SO) SL put up a splendid performance to beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the third Women’s ODI and clinched the 3-match series 2-1 in Rajshahi yesterday. Bangladesh Women were restricted to 213 for eight in 50 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat first in the series decider and the visitors cruised to their target with seven wickets and 21 deliveries to spare. Bangladesh, of course, took the series opener by three wickets before SL bounced back to level series 1-1 more..

Apr 26 (ST) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has revised its national player contracts, introducing a more selective bonus structure that limits series win incentives to victories against the world’s top four ranked teams, a notable shift from the previous system, which extended rewards down to the ninth-ranked side. The board confirmed that the updated contracts will be presented to players within the next fortnight. more..

Apr 26 (Island) Sri Lanka is quietly but quickly becoming one of the most charming wedding destinations around the globe. After reading Suresh Abbas’s insightful letter in Newsline, I felt inspired to share my thoughts too. The truth is simple: no other island offers romance, diversity, and breathtaking natural beauty quite like SL. And more and more people are discovering this wonderful place. Today, couples are looking for wedding experiences that are intimate, meaningful, more..

Apr 26 (Island) Corruption scandals and blunders of successive govts have bled the state coffers for decades. The Treasury has lost USD 2.5 million again owing to a compromised payment process, and its bigwigs and their political masters are all out to muddy the water. The Opposition is out for their scalps. It never rains but it pours. Scandals have been cropping up in quick succession under the current dispensation. The JVP-NPP govt is in the same predicament as a cantankerous, more..

Apr 26 (CT) In an artful move that has wrongfooted its critics, the NPP govt would seem to have orchestrated the resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala, while simultaneously appointing a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate whether any irregularities or unlawful actions have taken place in the business of importing coal for the Lak Vijaya power station, by state-owned Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. more..

Apr 26 (ST) My dear Anguru Kumara, I didn’t think I will be writing to you twice within three weeks. However, I thought I must do so after you achieved what most people thought was impossible — the first resignation of a Cabinet minister in this government. I don’t know what I should say, whether it is congratulations or commiserations! I hope you don’t mind me calling you Anguru Kumara. That is only to differentiate you from your more illustrious comrade, Anura Kumara, the boss himself. more..

Apr 26 (CT) Govt’s struggles through the effects of a conflict in the Middle East were exemplified as it ended another week with greater criticism levelled against it on several crucial fronts. Barely weeks after the CB attempted to assure the shareholders of a leading private bank following a cyberattack leaving it at a Rs 13.2 billion loss, it was again seen attempting to assure a shocked country that its finances were in safe hands as the Treasury came out with more..

Apr 26 (ST) Auditor General’s findings on the botched, if not corrupt, coal tender have further tested and eroded the credibility of the governing party while raising the profile and reputation of the department – the National Audit Office (NAO). The appointment of the head of the NAO became a controversial issue not long ago. Political chess games between the President and the Constitutional Council saw numerous nominees of the President for the job being rejected by the Council. more..

Apr 26 (TM) It is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss the unfolding events in Sri Lanka’s political and economic landscape as mere coincidence. Whether one chooses to call it karma, irony, or simply the inevitable consequence of power meeting reality, the fact remains that the very political movement which rose to prominence on a platform of uncompromising anti-corruption rhetoric is finding itself engulfed in a relentless cycle of scandal, one after another. more..

Apr 26 (TM) That President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his JVP-led NPP Govt are now entering the period of terrible twos is evident by the weekly issues and controversies faced by them and their growing intensity. Sri Lanka’s latest economic indicators, according to DCS, note that year-on-year inflation measured by the National Consumer Price Index has edged up to 2.4% in March this year from 1.6% in February. more..

Apr 26 (CT) The country remains in shock over a USD 2.5 million financial crime that had effectively taken place right under the country’s Department of Treasury. Paid as part of a debt settlement due in September 2025, of a USD 22.9 million loan to Australia, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance on Thursday claimed that the theft was the work of a cyberattack that had been detected as early as January this year. Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, maintains that the incident, more..

Apr 26 (SO) If you travel to other countries in Asia or even South Asia, you will come across gleaming new low-floor buses that are fully accessible for the differently-abled. These buses are clean, comfortable, punctual and reliable. SL already has very comfortable luxury buses that ply on long-distance routes (100 Km-600 Km), but the normal routes are still serviced by crowded buses mostly built on lorry chassis. Passengers have to endure a very uncomfortable ride in these buses more..