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..

Apr 25 (FT) SL’s latest Census of Population and Housing points to a structural shift in the country’s economic foundations, with ageing, low fertility, and weak labour force participation emerging as the most critical pressures on future growth and fiscal stability. According to 15th Census of Population and Housing – 2024 Final Report, the population stood at 21.78 million in 2024, but the more consequential shift lies in its composition. more..

Apr 25 (Island) The Opposition yesterday called for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers to accept responsibility for the coal scam. Addressing the media at the Flower Road Office of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris emphasised that Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s resignation, in the wake of the damning report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO), has now implicated the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers. Prof. Peiris asserted that Jayakody, more..

Apr 25 (DN) Two high-tech machines provided to the Kandy National Hospital at a cost of Rs.600 million as part of the planned programme implemented by the Ministry of Health to increase the physical resources of the health service were inaugurated by Kandy National Hospital Director Dr. Iresha Fernando. Accordingly, two machines, the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) machine and the Digital Subtraction Angiography, were made available to the public. more..

Apr 25 (FT) CEB remained under financial strain in 2025 despite cost-reflective tariff adjustments, Central Bank said in its Annual Economic Review. CEB recorded an overall loss of Rs. 38.7 billion during the year, reflecting the impact of tariff reductions and elevated generation costs. Electricity tariffs were revised downward by an average of 20% in Jan 2025 following earlier reductions in 2024, but higher thermal generation costs during more..

Apr 25 (DN) Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday said that a failure to properly verify the intended recipient may have led to US$ 2.5 million being transferred to a third party during foreign debt repayment by the Finance Ministry. Responding to a question raised by a journalist, he said that officials responsible for external debt servicing should have confirmed the recipient’s account details in Australia before releasing the funds. more..

Apr 25 (ST) Shangri-La Asia’s real estate in Colombo including seafront luxury apartments, and commercial and office spaces have generated strong profit for the group in 2025, more than double the income from the year before. The group’s investment properties including One Galle Face shopping mall and One Galle Face Tower, posted US$ 14.2 million (about Rs 4.4 billion) full year profit for the year ended 31 Dec 2025, versus US$5.2m in 2024. This was an increase of more than 173%. more..

Apr 25 (DN) SL’s Ishara Samanmali and Sashikala Lankathilaka secured silver and bronze medals respectively in the women’s long jump at the 6 th Asian BeachGames held in Sanya, China yesterday. Samanmali won silver with a 5.87m leap which is a historic first silver medal by a Sri Lankan at Asian Beach Games. Meanwhile Shashikla Lankathilaka claimed bronze with a 5.83m jump in this same event. Thi Thuy Hang Ha of Vietnam won the gold medal in this event with a leap of 6.16m. more..

Apr 25 (DM) Bake House Kandy has officially relaunched with a refreshed brand identity, contemporary interiors and an enhanced customer experience, marking a new chapter for one of the city’s most recognised heritage dining establishments. With a legacy spanning over 55 years, relaunch reflects a strategic transformation designed to resonate with Gen Z and Millennials, while continuing to honour the loyalty of families who have grown alongside the brand for decades. more..

Apr 25 (FT) Sri Lanka’s latest Census data on language literacy reveals a sharp and unexpected decline in English literacy among the Burgher community, standing in contrast to broad-based gains recorded across all other ethnic groups. English literacy among Burghers fell to 79.3% in 2024 from 97.4% in 2012, marking the most significant drop across any community over the period. more..

Apr 25 (NW) SL’s javelin star Rumesh Tharanga produced a sensational performance in Nairobi, winning gold with a new meet record at the Kip Keino Classic after a massive throw of 89.28m. He outperformed a world-class field, including Olympic champion Thomas Röhler of Germany and Olympic silver medallist and world champion Julius Yego of Kenya. This marks his second 89m+ throw within 30 days, further underlining his consistency at elite international level and establishing him as more..

Apr 25 (BBC) Olympic cricket stadium for LA 2028 could host IPL teams in the future as part of its global expansion plans, says Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore. Construction has now started on the site at the Fairgrounds, officially known as Fairplex, in the southern Californian city of Pomona in readiness for cricket's return to the Games. The stadium will become the home to KKR's US franchise, Los Angeles Knight Riders and will host Major League Cricket matches this July. more..

Apr 25 (DM) Health authorities in Anuradhapura District have expressed concern about the rapid increase of HIV cases in the district. Senior Medical Officer of Anuradhapura teaching hospital Dr. Hema Weerakoon said 170 HIV infected patients have undergone treatment at the centre since 2003. She added that about two thirds of these cases are from the Anuradhapura district. The remaining one third are from other districts, and they visit the Anuradhapura centre for treatment. more..

Apr 25 (DN) Leg-spinner Dilum Sudeera took an impressive 6 for 107 as New Zealand A were bowled out for 305 before lunch on day two of the second unofficial four-day match against SL A at Galle. NZ A resumed from 238 for 4 but lost their last six wickets for just 67 runs. Sudeera was the pick of the bowlers, while Ramesh Mendis supported well with 3 for 103. Rain interrupted play for more than two hours after the innings break. Despite this, SL A made a strong reply, reaching 197 for 2 more..

Apr 25 (ST) It may have appeared to be a minor issue over adequate parking space in a Colombo apartment complex but the matter received the attention of the highest court of the land and, and what was more admirable is that the issue was fought by two laypersons appearing for themselves in court without a battery of lawyers. And they won after a 23-year struggle The fundamental rights case in the Supreme Court filed by more..

Apr 25 (DM) Three-wheelers continue to play a critical role in SL’s transport ecosystem, supporting thousands of drivers across urban and rural areas. However, growing evidence suggests that long-term operation of conventional fuel-powered three-wheelers may pose significant occupational health risks. A study published in the SL Journal of Occupational Health highlights that prolonged exposure to engine vibrations, combined with extended driving hours and suboptimal more..

Apr 25 (FT) A special program organised to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day, which recognizes the value of human creativity, was held yesterday at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry. World Intellectual Property Day, which falls on 26 April, is celebrated this year under the theme “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.” The event highlighted the critical role of intellectual property rights in driving innovation, technology, branding, and more..

Apr 25 (FT) SL’s export sector is operating well below potential, with an estimated $ 6 billion in unrealised export capacity, as weak trade performance continues to strain the country’s external position and weigh on currency stability. This is according to a recent Asian Development Bank brief notes that if this untapped potential were fully realised, SL’s exports could increase by 47%, providing a critical buffer as external debt more..

Apr 25 (FT) SLASSCOM Women in Tech Conference 4.0 reaffirmed its position as SL’s premier platform for advancing women’s leadership in the digital economy. Held under the theme Give to Gain: Building Inclusive Digital Futures, it convened industry leaders to explore the future of work, digital transformation, and the growing role of women in shaping business, technology, and policy, highlighting gender diversity as a strategic imperative for future-ready organisations. more..

Apr 25 (FT) Agriculture Ministers from across Asia and the Pacific have called for stronger regional cooperation to safeguard food security and build resilient agrifood systems, as geopolitical tensions and climate pressures intensify risks to global food supply chains. The discussions took place at the 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific in Brunei Darussalam, convened by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). more..

Apr 25 (ST) The first zero-emission Material Collection and Processing Facility in SL was recently inaugurated. This initiative is funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), implemented by Janathakshan, with Neptune Recyclers serving as the recycling partner, in collaboration with Talawakelle Plantation. Somerset ECO Material Collection & Processing Centre was officially opened on March 18, commemorating World Recycling Day, under the theme Circular Symbiosis for more..

Apr 25 (TM) The recent Iran conflict demonstrates that modern warfare is fundamentally intertwined with energy law and energy security. Rather than being limited to military confrontation, the conflict has exposed the vulnerability of energy systems as central pillars of national and global stability. Attacks on energy infrastructure — such as oil refineries, pipelines, and power plants — transform war into a direct assault on economic lifelines. From a legal perspective, the targeting of more..