Apr 8 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, meeting with the Council of Arab Ambassadors accredited to Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat today, expressed Sri Lanka’s hope for the early restoration of peace in the Middle East. During the discussion, the ambassadors briefed the President on the challenges faced by countries in the Middle East amid the prevailing conflict situation, more..

Apr 8 (EN) Cabinet has cleared awarding a JICA funded contract valued at 628.10 million Japanese Yen (Rs. 2,660.70 million) for the expansion of the A'pura North Water Supply Project Phase II to Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. The contract is for laying distribution mains and providing service connections in the Kahatagas Digiliya, Horowpathana, and Rambewa divisional secretariat divisions, aimed at providing safe drinking water to areas currently dependent on unsafe groundwater. more..

Apr 8 (AD) Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health has issued a set of guidelines to prevent accidents and acute medical conditions during traditional Avurudu games and events organized during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season in SL. These guidelines have been issued specifically to focus on festive games such as pillow-fighting (Kotta Pora), Kana Mutti Bindima, cross-country running (Gama Haraha Divima), cycling, swimming, rowing, more..

Apr 8 (CI) SL captain Chamari Athapaththu has no immediate plans to retire, according to new head coach Jamie Siddons. In her 16th year of international cricket, the 36-year-old remains the rock of the national side and is reportedly energised by the team's new tactical direction. Athapaththu's future has been a constant topic of debate, particularly following the 2025 ODI World Cup in India, but Siddons' comments suggest her career may extend into the next T20 cycle. more..

Apr 8 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya has instructed officials to expedite the completion of compensation payments for those affected by the disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The directive was issued when the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force met at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the PM. Extensive discussions were held on the current progress of the Rebuilding Sri Lanka programme and its future plans during the meeting more..

Apr 8 (EN) Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Wednesday, with banks pushing turnover. ASPI was up 4.21%, or 885.14 points at 21,917.60. The S&P SL20 was up 4.42%, or 257.68 points at 6,090.50. The two-week ceasefire announcement by the US has seen investors coming back into the market and panic buying, analysts said. John Keells Holdings (up 6.49% at Rs.19.70), Commercial Bank (up 5.01% at Rs.209.75), Hatton National Bank (up 3.95% at Rs.414.00), Dialog Axiata (up 6.58% at Rs.32.40), more..

Apr 8 (FT) The auditing profession occupies a critical place in modern economies. Auditors are entrusted with safeguarding financial integrity, protecting investors, and ensuring that corporate entities adhere to accepted standards of accountability. Yet an uncomfortable question is increasingly being raised: who examines the internal labour practices of the very firms entrusted with auditing others? Recent discussions surrounding the working conditions of audit trainees in SL have drawn attention to more..

Apr 8 (FT) On a clear morning in Norochcholai, the three concrete stacks of the Lakvijaya power station stand against the sky like fingers pointing at an accusation nobody wants to read. The plant generates about a third of SL’s electricity. It is the country’s only coal-fired power station, and it has been, by almost any measure of regulatory compliance, operating outside the law for most of its existence. The story of Norochcholai is not simply one of a badly run power plant. more..

Apr 8 (FT) In a special Parliamentary address yesterday, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced a Rs. 100 billion relief package to help contain the impact of the Middle East war on the domestic economy. “You may recall that, in addition to addressing the destruction caused by the Ditwah catastrophe, we allocated Rs. 50 billion to meet public needs. That is what governance entails. Likewise, in response to the current crisis, more..

Apr 8 (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday ​agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating attacks on ‌its civilian infrastructure. Trump's announcement on social media represented an abrupt turnaround from earlier in the day, when he issued an extraordinary warning that a whole civilization will die tonight if his demands were not met. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, more..

Apr 8 (AD) An adjournment motion regarding the current situation in SL, to be moved by the govt is scheduled to be debated today in Parliament. Accordingly, the adjournment debate will take place from 11.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Meanwhile, Parliament will convene at 9:30 a.m. as decided at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held yesterday under the chairmanship of the Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. The time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for more..

Apr 8 (TM) Prez and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake acknowledged in Parliament yesterday that substandard coal supplied to power plants has affected electricity generation, but maintained that there were no issues with the tender procedure and that the problem lay with suppliers failing to provide coal of the required quality. Delivering a statement, he said: “True, there is a quality issue with the coal. But, more..

Apr 8 (TM) Over 1,000 incidents of abuse and violence reported from Govt and private schools from 2015 to 2025 have resulted in 425 school dropouts and six suicides, PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said in Parliament. Presenting year-wise data, PM said that a total of 1,026 incidents were reported from 2015 to 2025 including 69 incidents in 2015, 67 in 2016, 78 in 2017, 86 in 2018, 85 in 2019, 66 in 2020, 62 in 2021, 82 in 2022, 117 in 2023, 155 in 2024, and 159 in 2025. more..

Apr 8 (FT) Rs. 13.2 billion fraud-hit NDB Bank’s share price yesterday fell down 15.13% or Rs. 19.75 to close at Rs. 110.75 after the Colombo Stock Exchange lifted the trading suspension. More than 4.1 million NDB Bank shares changed hands generating Rs. 455 million in turnover, over 24% of the day’s total market turnover of Rs. 1.8 billion. The trading halt was lifted at 8:32 a.m. after it was imposed at 9:02 a.m. on Monday. Most banking stocks gained although sector index fell 0.8% more..

Apr 8 (FT) Govt has approved a dedicated housing program to support estate sector workers whose homes were damaged or deemed unsafe following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, addressing a gap in earlier relief measures. Cabinet approved the proposal, jointly submitted by Prez in his capacity as the Finance Minister and Plantation Minister Samantha Vidyarathna, to provide up to Rs. 5 million per household in stages to construct new homes for affected workers. more..

Apr 8 (DM) Claiming that the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched a special programme to safeguard consumers in view of the upcoming festive season, its chairman, Hemantha Samarakoon said that more than 1,000 raids have been carried out since March 20. He said raids are being conducted on traders who are hoarding stocks and selling goods exceeding the controlled price and pointed out that legal action is being taken against the offenders. The Chairman said more..

Apr 8 (TM) A group of families of those detained under Prevention of Terrorism Act, No. 48 of 1979 (PTA), organisations and movements, unions, and individuals, have appealed to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to unconditionally release 10 long-term Tamil political prisoners as promised in the NPP Election manifesto. Letters of appeal have been signed by PTA detainees’ families represented by K. Vaakani, S. Rajeshwari, more..

Apr 8 (DM) A leading and century old cricket club in SL, Colts Cricket Club, has challenged SLC to prove the authenticity and transparency of the so-called Jaffna Sports City project in Mandathivu. In a letter fired to the Secretary of SLC, Colts Cricket Club president Nishantha Ranatunga and secretary Shiran Abeysekera have asked that the Jaffna Sports City project be clarified to all its member clubs and stakeholders before the Resolution is put to a vote and passed. more..

Apr 8 (Island) Sri Lanka have turned to seasoned Australian campaigner Jammie Siddons to steady the ship and sharpen their edge, with the new women’s head coach making it clear that toppling heavyweights, not merely making up the numbers, will be the name of the game. Siddons, a well-travelled coach with miles on the clock, has set his sights firmly on the upcoming Women’s World Cup in England, where Sri Lanka will open proceedings against the hosts at Edgbaston in June. more..

Apr 8 (CI) Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga are among 15 Sri Lankan players under central contracts yet to take their mandatory fitness tests, SLC has confirmed. Six others are understood to have failed at least one attempt, which means that of the 45 centrally-contracted players, currently only 24 have passed the test. The reasons for those yet to take the test vary from injuries to logistical issues. The timelines for Hasaranga and Pathirana remain most pertinent, more..

Apr 8 (ST) Uncertainty hangs over the annual Nuwara Eliya spring festival that usually draws large crowds from various parts of the country. Residents say that this time around an acute water shortage, rail disruptions following the Ditwah destruction, fuel restrictions, and the government’s cancellation of large public events have all put a damper on the festival. Organisers of the event say as a result fewer sponsors have come forward as well as less crowds. more..

Apr 8 (ST) Govt has allocated Rs. 56.288 billion (as of Mar 27) toward an empowerment programme to help those affected by Cyclone Ditwah rebuild their lives. Despite the considerable allocation, lakhs of beneficiaries are still awaiting compensation. The immediate relief category like house cleaning in the aftermatch of the destruction has seen almost full completion (99.37%),but many are yet to receive compensation in areas more..

Apr 8 (FT) Cabinet on Monday agreed on awarding the contracts to repair Honeywell Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) of the SriLankan Airlines for five years, to Honeywell International Inc. following competitive bids. Commercial aircraft utilise Honeywell APUs to provide essential electrical power and pneumatic support when the main engines are not operating. As Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd, does not possess the in-house capability to carry out the removal and maintenance of such APUs more..

Apr 8 (Island) SL’s renewable energy sector is poised for a significant investment surge as the Int'l Solar Alliance (ISA) moves to operationalise a comprehensive Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), positioning the island as a key emerging hub for solar deployment and green financing in South Asia. A high-level ISA delegation led by Director General Ashish Khanna is currently in Colombo (April 6–9), engaging with policymakers, multilateral lenders, and private sector stakeholders more..

Apr 8 (DM) Sri Lanka’s tourism sector successfully crossed the three-quarter million milestone during the first week of April, with cumulative arrivals for the year reaching 767,434 by 5 April. However, a closer look at the inflow indicates a noticeable deceleration in the immediate growth momentum, marking a contraction compared to the same period last year. During the first five days of April 2026, SL welcomed 26,800 tourists. more..

Apr 8 (TM) Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody firmly rejected claims of power cuts, insisting the Govt has not imposed any such measures despite the deepening energy crisis, and asserting that the daily disruptions experienced by the public are merely the result of routine electricity breakdowns. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman challenged the Govt’s position, demanding to know why the public has not been clearly informed if power cuts are, in fact, being carried out. more..

Apr 8 (FT) Malaysian Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Penang (MAICCI) President S. Parthiban led a 15-member team to the Board of Investment (BOI) to explore potential FDI opportunities in SL. The Malaysian investor team represented a diverse range of sectors, including ICT, banking, value-added agriculture, mining, IT infrastructure (data center development), fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), manufacturing, healthcare, recycling, semiconductors, more..

Apr 8 (FT) Uber Eats is now live in Nuwara Eliya, making it easier for locals and tourists to enjoy their favourite meals – from a hot plate of kottu on a chilly evening to a comforting rice and curry spread or crispy egg hoppers – delivered right to their doorstep. Known for its cool climate, old-world charm, and rolling tea estates, Nuwara Eliya sees a surge of Sri Lankan and international visitors during the April holiday season. But as temperatures drop in the evenings, food options more..

Apr 8 (FT) Vogue Jewellers Ltd. has been honoured with two prestigious accolades at the Best Management Practices Company (BMPC) Awards 2026, organised by the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of SL (CPM SL). Company received a Merit Award in the highly competitive People/HR Governance (ESG) category and was named Winner in the Manufacturing Sector (Diamonds, Gems & Jewellery) for the second consecutive year, in recognition of more..

Apr 8 (TM) Ex-SL head coach Sanath Jayasuriya says that the current set of national players need to be thick skinned and accept both bouquets and brickbats in equal measure, if they intend to carve out long-term careers in the world game. The former national captain who quit his post in the aftermath of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, made this remark during a podcast with Upul Shantha Sannasgala recently. more..

Apr 8 (Island) It is ironic that JVP-NPP govt is now defending tainted ministers and downplaying corruption in the Parliament it came to power promising to clean up. A few weeks ago, it vehemently denied the allegation that more than a dozen coal shipments obtained from a new supplier for the Norochcholai power plant were substandard. Having realised the futility of defending the indefensible, it chose to eat its words. However, it kept on claiming that the lowquality coal more..

Apr 8 (Island) Representatives of almost all the main opposition parties were in attendance at the recent book launch by PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila. The book written by the PHU leader was his analysis of the Easter bombing of April 2019 that led to the mass killing of 279 persons, caused injuries to more than 500 others and caused panic and shock in the entire country. Easter bombing was inexplicable for a number of reasons. First, it was perpetrated by suicide bombers who were SL Muslims, more..