Mar 31 (DM) In the wake of controversy over substandard coal imports to SL, a parliamentary Committee has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant. It was revealed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, which met in parliament complex recently, that the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation more..

Mar 31 (DM) Minister Sunil Handunneththi, announced that 2026 will witness the highest number of loans granted to entrepreneurs in recent history, as part of the govt’s efforts to strengthen the industrial sector. Addressing the Central Province Entrepreneurship Awards Ceremony as the chief guest, Minister said the govt is placing significant emphasis on empowering local industrialists and expanding access to finance. A substantial allocation of Rs. 87 billion had been made in 2025 to more..

Mar 31 (DM) The security of the Indian Ocean is once again in the spotlight because of the US-Israeli war on Iran. SL, once, sought the region to be declared a zone of peace. The ocean’s significance for freedom of navigation is talked about with fresh perspectives now in the wake of Iranian warship IRIS- Dena being torpedoed in SL’s Exclusive Economic Zone by a US submarine. SL, given its strategic positioning, is dragged more..

Mar 31 (NW) Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has expressed concern about Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody, continuing to hold a ministerial position, after he has been indicted in the High Court, reportedly on charges relating to corruption / financial misconduct. CPA said that according to media reports, CIABOC filed these charges, alleging that in 2016, while serving as Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, Jayakody was involved in more..

Mar 31 (EN) SL’s Defence Ministry is looking to get professional qualifications for its retiring Navy personnel so that they can get international jobs. A meeting to discuss foreign employment opportunities in the shipping and marine sectors for SL’s retired navy personnel was held on March 30. “The discussion focused on the lack of internationally recognized professional qualification certificates required for employment in the global maritime industry and the need to establish more..

Mar 31 (DM) A disturbing new study has intensified concerns over environmental pollution and public health in Sri Lanka due to combustion of low-quality coal, revealing that women with no occupational exposure to mercury have recorded alarmingly high levels of the toxic metal in their hair. Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) chairperson and senior advisor Hemantha Withanage said the findings point to more..

Mar 31 (FT) Despite having a regasified LNG power generation capacity of 600 MW in Kerawalapitiya, Sri Lanka has chosen not to include LNG in its future energy mix because of the associated risks. This is the Govt's most prudent decision, and they deserve praise. Sri Lanka had planned to secure LNG by leasing a FSRU (Floating Storage Regassification Unit). If Sri Lanka had needed LNG during the Hormuz Strait closure by Iran, the penalties could have exhausted our limited USD savings. more..

Mar 31 (AD) Vehicles with number plates ending in both odd and even numbers will be able to obtain fuel from filling stations tomorrow (1), the CPC announced. Since Feb 19, fuel quotas through the QR system have been issued based on the last digit of the vehicle number plate. Accordingly, the last digit of the vehicles with zero and even-numbered number plates are allowed to purchase fuel on even-numbered dates. Despite tomorrow being an odd-numbered dates, fuel will be dispensed to all vehicles. more..

Mar 31 (DM) Food prices at eateries across the country will be increased with effect from midnight today (31), following a decision by the All-Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners' Association, citing rising operational costs. Association President Harshana Rukshan said the price of popular items such as fried rice and kottu has been increased by Rs. 30, while short eats have gone up by Rs. 10. The price of a cup of plain tea and milk tea has also been raised by Rs. 5. more..

Mar 31 (FT) In a world where access to justice remains elusive for millions, SL has built something quietly remarkable: a nationwide community mediation system that is highly effective, trusted, and uncommonly low cost. At a time when governments everywhere are searching for ways to deliver justice more efficiently, SL’s model deserves far greater attention. Over the past year, I had the privilege of studying this system in depth while preparing a report commissioned by New York Uni’s more..

Mar 31 (AD) A controversy has emerged after reports that a birthday celebration was arranged for Ishara Sewwandi, who is currently in custody of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) over allegations linked to the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa. Sewwandi’s birthday fell on Sunday (29), and information was received by Head of Colombo Range DIG Nishantha Soysa, that an event has been organized to celebrate birthday more..

Mar 31 (NW) Gampaha Magistrate’s Court has ruled that the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) is entitled to continue occupying its headquarters located at Salmal Uyana along Kirindiwela Road in Yakkala. The case was filed following an incident on Sept 2, 2025, when a group allegedly linked to the JVP entered the premises and took control of the office. Following the incident, Administrative Secretary of the FSP, along with affiliated trade unions operating from the premises, filed a private plaint more..

Mar 31 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged the Govt is shifting the financial burden of controversial coal procurement losses onto electricity consumers, intensifying political pressure over the recent tariff hike. Speaking amid growing public concern over rising living costs, Premadasa claimed the Govt had conveniently transferred losses linked to disputed coal tenders to end users through higher electricity tariffs, despite earlier assurances of reducing energy costs. more..

Mar 31 (FT) Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved an average 10% tariff increase, lower than the 13.56% hike initially sought by the CEB. PUCSL Chairman Prof. K.P.L. Chandralal said the Commission moderated the increase after weighing its potential impact on households, businesses, and the overall economy, following extensive public and stakeholder consultations held. more..

Mar 31 (Island) The Ambassador of SL to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of Rehlat Wa Manafe Company, the new Hajj service provider for 3,500 SL pilgrims who will perform Haj during the forthcoming season in May this year. During the visit, the Ambassador met with the CEO of Rehlat Wa Manafe Company, Mohammed Al-Taiab Al-Khuzami, along with his team responsible for various services related to Haj rituals, particularly in Mina and Arafah. more..

Mar 31 (DM) Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika Ragala rejected the preliminary objections raised by former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who are accused of misappropriating public funds. The case relates to allegations that during the 2015 Presidential election period, 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draught boards were imported through the Lanka Sathosa and distributed to political offices of then Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa, more..

Mar 31 (TM) Govt is to continue with the existing fuel cost subsidy, under which the State currently bears Rs. 100 per litre of diesel and Rs. 20 per litre of petrol, with the IMF not opposing it so far, Energy Ministry stated. Responding to queries on whether the IMF had approved the continuation of the subsidy, Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala said that the Fund had not objected to the arrangement at present. "We can continue current arrangement. IMF has not opposed it." more..

Mar 31 (FT) Well known physician and nephrologist Vidyajyothi Prof. Rezvi Sheriff passed away yesterday at the age of 77. Prof Rezvi Sheriff contributed to the discipline of medicine, universities and the health care of Sri Lanka in numerous ways. He was a pioneer in the field of nephrology and transplantation in Sri Lanka, and was the chief proponent of the introduction of renal disease diagnosis and dialysis and kidney transplantation in the country. more..

Mar 31 (TM) Chairperson of the NWSDB, Chandana Bandara said that due to the prevailing dry weather and drought-like conditions in the country, water supply may need to be restricted for several hours per day over the next two to three weeks. He noted that although such water cuts have not yet been implemented, current weather conditions may make it difficult to maintain a continuous 24-hr water supply in near future. more..

Mar 31 (DN) Sanoj Dharshika made a fighting unbeaten century as Colts CC gained first innings victory over NCC in their Major Club super eight cricket fixture at Pallekele yesterday. This game ended in a high scoring draw but a first innings win guided Colts CC to take the championship of this tournament. In fact two teams Colts CC and Ace Capital CC came close to take the title yesterday as Ace Capital won out right against Police SC at NCC grounds. But that was not enough them to more..

Mar 31 (DN) Altogether Eight under 19 players get chance to play National Super League (NSL) cricket tournament, the SLC’s premier tournament of the domestic calendar which scheduled to commence from April 6. National selection committee headed by Promodya Wickramasinghe said they have an idea to give more exposures for the young cricketers and this NSL tournament is a good platform for the National under 19 players to play with senior club players as well as National players. more..

Mar 31 (ST) While the SL Navy assisted in bringing to shore an ailing member of the crew of a Chinese research vessel anchored in SL’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the vessel will not be allowed into the country’s territorial waters, a senior govt source said. Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6, which is 700 nautical miles off SL, had sent a distress signal seeking medical treatment for a crew member suffering from a kidney disease. SL Navy had responded by sending a vessel more..

Mar 31 (Island) SLC has drawn a hard line in the sand, vowing zero tolerance for players who fail fitness tests, with a clear message that those who don’t make the grade risk being left out in the cold when selections are made. While SL’s campaign in the recent T20 World Cup, co-hosted with India, had its moments in the sun, fitness issues proved to be the Achilles’ heel. The wheels began to come off midway through the tournament as key bowlers broke down, forcing the selectors to field more..

Mar 31 (FT) Sri Lanka’s aviation sector has stabilised its fuel supply chain with sufficient jet fuel stocks to last nearly two months, even as flight operations to the Middle East gradually return to normal following recent disruptions. Addressing the media, Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) Director General Capt. Daminda Rambukwella said fuel availability, which had emerged as a key concern amid the Middle East crisis, now appears firmly under control. more..

Mar 31 (FT) Dialog Axiata, SL’s #1 connectivity provider, has announced the expansion of its 5G network to over 800 live sites spanning 24 districts, reinforcing its commitment to accelerating nationwide digital transformation through sustained investment in next-generation connectivity. Building on the commercial launch of Dialog 5G Ultra with over 220 sites serving more than 1.5 million subscribers, the network has now expanded rapidly, extending coverage to new districts more..

Mar 31 (TM) Sri Lanka needs to leverage its Trincomalee natural deep-water harbour for an anticipated increase in trade within the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Thailand, COPF Chairperson Harsha de Silva said. “If you look at the Bay of Bengal, you look at Trincomalee, and then you look at the eastern seaboard of India, going up to Bangladesh, turning around Myanmar, Thailand, all these countries – that space is open and so much trade will happen. more..

Mar 31 (ST) Although the war in West Asia will have a significant impact on the Sri Lanka economy both in the short as well as long-term, SL can control the economic consequences due to the financial stability, an economist says. In the long term, the productive economy may collapse to some extent and the current 20-year poverty rate may increase, but there is no chance of a crisis like the economic crisis that occurred in 2022, more..

Mar 31 (DM) The govt is set to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the establishment of artificial intelligence (AI) data centres shortly, transitioning from a highly successful Request for Information (RFI) phase. According to the industry reports, the initial RFI attracted at least eight responses from global suppliers and potential investors, underscoring a strong international appetite to build high-performance computing and AI infrastructure within the island nation. more..

Mar 31 (FT) Singer Sri Lanka PLC (SINS) has officially announced a strategic collaboration with Kapruka Holdings PLC (KPHL) to offer its comprehensive range of consumer electronics and homeware through the Kapruka Partner Central platform. This partnership allows one of the nation’s most trusted retail brands to leverage the digital infrastructure of Sri Lanka’s largest locally owned e-commerce enterprise. By joining forces, more..

Mar 31 (FT) John Graham FCMA (UK), CGMA, President of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and CoChair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), will visit SL from 5 to 9 April to meet CIMA members, CGMA candidates, business leaders, and stakeholders across the finance and business community. The visit underscores CIMA’s continued commitment to advancing the development of the finance profession more..

Mar 31 (Island) Indian PM Narendra Modi once again signaled the priority India places on SL by swiftly dispatching a shipload of petrol following a telephone conversation with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Indian PM’s gesture came at a cost to India, where there have been periodic supply constraints and regional imbalances in fuel distribution, even if not a countrywide shortage. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has demonstrated to SL an abundance of goodwill, more..