Apr 13 (Island) This year, Easter Sunday on April 5 was a deeply meaningful and reflective day for me. As I contemplated the solemn stillness of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the hope of His resurrection, my thoughts travelled far beyond the Catholic churches and quiet streets of Poland—back to the rice fields, dusty roads, and restless dreams of my childhood in the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. One memory, in particular, remains vivid. It was exactly 55 yrs ago—Apr 5, 1971. more..

Apr 13 (ST) With less than two weeks to go before the 7th anniversary of the Easter Sunday terrorist attack, Parliament held yet another adjournment debate on one of the country’s darkest chapters in recent history. While there was nothing to distinguish this debate from multiple others that had been held on the same subject since 2019, it was a stark reminder that even after almost seven years, victims’ families were yet to find closure or receive justice. Much of the debate saw more..

Apr 13 (SO) The Sinhala and Tamil New Year has long been celebrated as a time of renewal and reunion. How has it changed over time, and what remains grounded? How far does one’s financial capacity matter in celebrating Avurudu in a meaningful way? Sunday Observer spoke to Colombo Uni Sinhala Department Prof. Sandagomi Coperahewa and Kelaniya Uni Mass Communication Dept Senior Lecturer Wijayananda more..

Apr 13 (ST) A newspaper had reported that the call of the Koha, the bird which emerges during the Avurudu season, would be heard less this year for different reasons. Kussi Amma Sera was, however, lucky to hear the call well and clearly just before the Avurudu and informed us. It was one of the few calls we will hear this year. As I prepared on Wednesday (a day earlier than the usual Thursday as Kussi Amma Sera and her friends were going to their respective villages on their seasonal trip back more..

Apr 13 (SO) Never forget, the Iran–Iraq war raged for eight brutal years from 1980 to 1988. Iran survived the Iraqi invasion. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, once courted by the West for strategic gain, was dragged from his hideout near Tikrit and executed after a deeply flawed tribunal. Today, United States Prez Donald Trump has toyed with another reckless scheme to de-stabilise Iran, a continuation of his decapitation project, even as Tehran struggles with fractures demanding more..

Apr 13 (CT) While energy remains central to global power and geopolitical control, in SL, it has increasingly become a source of economic strain and political instability. That reality has now come to a head, with a No-Confidence Motion against Power & Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, even as a widening coal procurement scandal exposes deep structural failures in the country’s energy sector. SL’s energy sector has once again been thrust more..

Apr 13 (TM) In recent times, Opposition political circles have been raising criticisms that the JVP, the leading party of the ruling NPP, intends to establish a one-party rule in SL. Among Tamil politicians, ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran has been at the forefront of voicing these concerns. These criticisms were initially sparked by comments made by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva following his visit to China last June, where he discussed the advantages of China’s one-party system. more..

Apr 13 (CT) In recent weeks, SL’s coal procurement process has come under intense scrutiny, following revelations from audit findings, parliamentary disclosures, and political accusations. At the center of the controversy are allegations of irregular tender procedures, substandard coal imports, and financial losses running into billions of rupees. While the issue has quickly evolved into a political battleground, a careful examination of available evidence reveals a more layered more..

Apr 12 (ST) As the National New Year dawns, SL, which has undergone many difficult periods in recent years, is facing yet another challenging time. No doubt it will be a time that both the country’s govt and its people will be truly tested, as events at home and abroad threaten to push back hard-won economic gains. Foremost challenge facing the NPP govt, just like many others in the region and around the world, is the fuel crisis more..

Apr 12 (AD) Officials attached to the CID have sealed the office of the Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. Earlier it was announced that a decision was taken to provide special police protection to the office of the Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. The decision was taken following a complaint lodged by the Secretary to the President with the CID this morning (11), calling for an investigation into coal imports since 2009, police stated. The Secretary to the President lodged the complaint to the CID more..

Apr 12 (SO) The SL Transport Board (SLTB) and SL Railways have launched special services to meet the increasing demand of travellers during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. SLTB Chairman Sajeeva Kanakaratne said that the special bus service which commenced from April 9 will continue till April 21. Outbound services from Colombo and the surrounding suburbs to outstation destinations will operate till April 13, while return journeys to Colombo are scheduled from April 15 to 21. more..

Apr 12 (TM) The No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, linked to the substandard coal import controversy, was defeated by a majority of 104 votes on Friday (10). A total of 153 MPs voted against the motion, while 49 Opposition members voted in favour when the division was held on Friday evening following the debate. The motion was spearheaded by the Opposition, led by the SJB, and more..

Apr 12 (SO) There will be no shortage or price increase in rice and vegetables during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said. Allaying growing public concerns over food supplies during the festive season, Minister Samarasinghe said there will be no increase in prices of essential items such as milk powder and wheat flour, as part of the steps taken by the Govt to ease the Cost-of-Living burden on consumers. more..

Apr 12 (DM) The All Ceylon Fireworks Manufacturers Association (ACFMA) says the firecracker industry is experiencing steady demand ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, although supply has been affected by disruptions caused by the recent Ditwah cyclone. ACFMA Chairman Dinesh Fernando said a significant portion of firecracker stocks produced for the festive period had been damaged due to the cyclone, leading to pressure on overall supply. more..

Apr 12 (Island) CEB has directed owners of large-scale rooftop solar systems to temporarily disconnect their installations for a 10-day period beginning from Friday (10), citing growing concerns over grid stability amid low electricity demand and high solar generation. The directive applies to rooftop solar systems exceeding 300 kW capacity, which are required to remain switched off until April 20. The move coincides with the extended holiday season, during which more..

Apr 12 (ST) Tea smallholders have expressed concern that the govt continues to sideline their requirements and the latest offer of 25,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser at subsidised prices is largely insufficient to meet growers’ needs. Galle-Kalutara Tea Smallholders Association President Ushan Samarasinghe said that the recent subsdised fertiliser announced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a mere 20 per cent of the total annual requirement. more..

Apr 12 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) is not considering an electricity tariff increase to offset losses stemming from the recent coal procurement crisis. A senior PUCSL official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the regulator would not entertain tariff revisions linked to the procurement failures. “If the coal is of low quality, the loss must be borne by the responsible parties, including the supplier. more..

Apr 12 (AD) Sri Lanka received USD 814.8 million in workers’ remittances in March 2026, according to the latest figures released by the CB. In March 2025, foreign remittances to the country were recorded at USD 693.3 million. Accordingly, remittances in March 2026 increased by USD 121.5 million compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the CB stated that remittances sent to the country by migrant workers from January to March 2026 amounted to USD 2.29 billion. more..

Apr 12 (NW) SL Police has introduced a dedicated WhatsApp number, 070-4755600, for the public to report incidents of reckless and dangerous driving. The move comes as increased use of social media has led to more road incidents being recorded and shared online. Authorities said members of the public have been submitting video footage of traffic violations, including speeding, unsafe overtaking and other hazardous driving behaviors. Police said such submissions have assisted in identifying more..

Apr 12 (NW) SL’s industrial sector entered 2026 with renewed momentum, underpinned by a clear reform agenda, targeted infrastructure investments, and strong institutional coordination. The first quarter has been marked by decisive progress across policy, financing, industrial recovery, and international partnerships laying the groundwork for sustained, private sector-led growth. Infrastructure development continued to play a catalytic role in enabling regional industrial expansion. more..

Apr 12 (TM) Retailers are bracing for a slowdown in consumer spending during the upcoming New Year season amid weakening purchasing power and growing economic uncertainty. SLRA Founder Prez Hussain Sadique stated that retailers had already observed a decline in product availability alongside reduced consumer purchasing power in the lead-up to the festive period. Against this backdrop, he noted that retail spending during this year’s New Year season was expected to fall compared to last more..

Apr 12 (ST) The govt will introduce a new fuel pricing formula which could see multiple fuel price revisions within a month based on fluctuations in world oil prices, rather than the monthly review system in place now. The Cabinet has given approval for the new formula, which will come into effect from May, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said. Accordingly, constant monitoring of the prices will take place with the possibility of more..

Apr 12 (ST) Prominent names are among those who missed out selection in the Sri Lanka 15s squad for the upcoming two-legged test series of the New Zealand U85kg Rugby Tour of SL 2026. According to the list of names who made it into the squad of 45, a total of 65 players have been players subjected to a medical screening earlier this week by the Ministry of Sports, and a list of 18 players were not cleared for selection. The list of 18 listed out, 15 were identified as injured, or recovering from or more..

Apr 12 (ST) Aloka – the peace dog – is expected to travel with a group of Buddhist monks from the US to SL for the week-long Walk for Peace scheduled to start on April 21. Aloka, who accompanied the monks who undertook the 2,300-mile Walk for Peace across the US, became the star attraction with millions turning up to get a glimpse of the unlikely star. A source familiar with peace march event said discussions are underway to see how Aloka can be transported with comfort and safety by air. more..

Apr 12 (CT) The final report of the 2024 Census of Population and Housing, released by DCS, reveals significant demographic, social and economic shifts across SL, including a rapidly ageing population, declining fertility rates, rising literacy, and changing household and migration patterns. The census also marks SL’s first fully digital population count, expected to guide future policy decisions in health, labour, urban dev more..

Apr 12 (ST) Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has extended a formal apology to SLC and signalled his readiness to abandon legal proceedings in his ongoing dispute over a No Objection Certificate (NOC) linked to the board’s mandatory fitness requirements. The development appears to open the door for a possible compromise after a disagreement that had threatened to escalate into a prolonged legal battle. Thushara, who was contracted to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for more..

Apr 12 (Island) One of cricket’s most battle-hardened operators is Steve Waugh. He may not have possessed the silken elegance of his twin brother Mark Waugh, but when it came to rolling up his sleeves and digging in, few did it better. Nicknamed the Iceman, Waugh made a career out of staring adversity in the face and refusing to blink. His back-to-the-wall double hundred in Jamaica didn’t just win a Test, it snapped the spine of West Indies’ dominance that had stretched over decades. more..

Apr 12 (TM) A 4-pronged tussle for the top post at the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) has emerged, with three of its current Vice Presidents being challenged by the head of the Football Federation of SL (FFSL), as nominations for its election of office bearers closed last afternoon. NOCSL Vice Presidents Shirantha Peiris of the National Shooting Sport Federation of SL, Deva Henry of Ski and Snowboard Association, and Asanga Seneviratne of SL Baseball are more..

Apr 12 (Island) It is said that when the people fear the govt, there is tyranny, and when the govt fears the people there is liberty. However, in a bid to retain its hold on power, a govt that fears the people, tends to resort to draconian measures that are deleterious to civil liberties and democracy and could lead to tyranny. Among them is the misuse of Emergency regulations on some pretext or another. Sri Lanka has spent most of its postIndependence years under a state of Emergency. more..

Apr 12 (CT) In a brazen blow to SL’s banking sector, internal staff at National Development Bank (NDB), allegedly aided by external accomplices, siphoned off Rs 13.3 billion—exposing massive lapses in internal controls, audit oversight, and corporate governance. Executed with IT precision, the theft exploited weekend processing windows and electronic fund transfer mechanisms, leaving the bank scrambling to secure its more..

Apr 12 (Island) It all began in 1881 with a single platoon at Royal College, Colombo. John B. Cull, then principal, envisioned promoting discipline through drill among students and attached the newly formed cadet platoon to the Ceylon Light Infantry (CLI) Volunteers. That modest beginning laid the foundation for what would evolve into Sri Lanka’s National Cadet Corps (NCC), a nationwide school-based auxiliary force training nearly 100,000 young men and women across 4,492 platoons. more..

Apr 12 (SO) The Inter-Schools Under-19 League Rugby Tournament for the 2026 season is set for a blockbuster start as 18 top teams will battle it out for honours in a gruelling championship starting on April 23. The first-round phase of the tournament will conclude on May 24 after five weeks of fierce competition while the second-round stage will commence in the first week of June and will end on June 28. The cynosure of all eyes will be on the defending champions Trinity College, more..