Apr 9 (NW) Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is losing nearly Rs. 20 million each day due to fraudulent practices by bus conductors, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake revealed at a public event. Calling the losses a leakage of public funds, Rathnayake said not just buses, but the entire SLTB administration, including its human resources framework, has been destroyed. Despite the crisis, the Minister firmly rejected speculation of privatization. “We will not sell SLTB. more..

Apr 9 (AD) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who underwent a surgery in Singapore, has returned to the island this morning. Former Prez Wickremesinghe departed for Singapore on March 15 to receive medical treatment. It is reported that he had previously undergone a surgical procedure in SL before traveling to Singapore. Earlier, the Chairman of the UNP, Vajra Abeywardana confirmed former Prez Wickremesinghe underwent a successful surgery at a hospital in Singapore. more..

Apr 9 (EN) The IMF and SL authorities have reached staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the combined fifth and sixth reviews of SL’s reform program supported by the global lender’s EFF, the IMF said in a statement. Once the review is approved by the IMF Executive Board, SL will have access to about US$700 million in financing, the IMF said on Thursday. The statement comes after an IMF mission team more..

Apr 9 (DM) An unauthorized quartz mining operation in the Kotikambokka area of Alikota Ara in Wellawaya was raided by officers of the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force in collaboration with Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), officials said. They said that the illegal site, which was operating near a quartz deposit, had caused significant environmental damage. During the operation, approximately 70 cubes of illegally mined quartz were seized, along with equipment more..

Apr 9 (EN) IMF said they are maintaining a close watch of the NDB fraud of 13.2 billion rupees.“The way it was presented, that was confined to a very specific operational area of the bank, and estimated losses, as it has been reported, comes to 13.2 billion rupees. And I believe deeper internal investigations are underway,” Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for SL said. “In terms of the public information that we have, and the discussion that we’re having, the CBSL has assessed that NDB remains more..

Apr 9 (DM) A contract to procure coal was signed with Trident Chemphar Limited without obtaining the approval of the Attorney General, according to a report by the Auditor General investigating the alleged fraud. “The contract with Trident Champhr had been signed on November 19, 2025, despite the approval by the Attorney General being due on Nov 20, 2025,” the AG’s report presented to Parliament said. more..

Apr 9 (Island) Members of the Kandy District Branch of the Sri Lanka Communist Party held a protest in Kandy town, Tuesday (07) afternoon, urging the government to purchase oil from Russia without surrendering to reactionary forces. Pointing out that the prices of goods and services had already risen to high levels, the protesters claimed that state officials advising the government were endangering the country’s interests by acting as consultants to the IMF, etc. more..

Apr 9 (FT) In every democratic society, trade unions play an essential and respected role. They are the voice of employees, the defenders of fairness, and a necessary counterbalance to authority. SL is no exception. For decades, trade unions have contributed significantly to protecting workers’ rights and advancing social justice. However, a growing concern now demands urgent national attention: the gradual but visible overreach of certain trade unions into administrative and decision-making more..

Apr 9 (FT) Visiting Nuwara Eliya after a considerable lapse of time, I had almost forgotten how derelict the Nuwara Eliya town was. Held out in our tourist brochures as a pristine holiday resort in a pleasant and picturesque hill country, you begin to wonder whether you are a victim of a hoax the minute you hit the ramshackle town. Old ugly buildings coated with soot, foul smelling drains, narrow roads jammed with motor vehicles impatiently sounding their horns, smoke belching lorries loaded beyond more..

Apr 9 (DM) Amid sweltering daytime conditions, Meteorology Dept has warned of afternoon thundershowers across several parts of the island, with the public urged to remain vigilant over lightning and gusty winds. Showers or thundershowers are expected at a few places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Mannar districts after 2 p.m., while much of the rest of the country will experience more..

Apr 9 (FT) SL’s National Audit Department has found that failures in procurement governance, supplier selection, and quality controls in coal purchases for the Lakvijaya Power Plant resulted in a loss of Rs. 2,237.7 million, with a further Rs. 2,332.5 million identified as recoverable penalties. This comes even as Prez told Parliament on Tuesday that the issue stemmed from suppliers failing to meet required standards. more..

Apr 9 (AD) IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has issued a set of instructions to all police officers regarding the acceptance of gifts and the provision of monetary allowances for New Year celebrations. It is reported that the instructions were issued based on information received that many police stations are preparing to collect money from officers to hold Sinhala & Tamil New Year celebrations and are also preparing to organize New Year parties with contributions from the business community. more..

Apr 9 (NW) Ministry of Health on Thursday announced the new appointments and service locations for 436 intern doctors who had applied for post-intern medical placements. Accordingly, these doctors are required to report to the govt hospitals or health institutions across the island to which they have been assigned, during the period from today until the 11th. Ministry stated in its release that these appointments have been made transparently and based on a scientific methodology, more..

Apr 9 (Reuters) Nearly six weeks of war in Iran have ended, for now, with Prez Donald Trump claiming victory, but the US-Iran ceasefire locks in a harsh reality: an entrenched, radical govt with control over the Strait of Hormuz and a powerful lever over global energy ​markets and Gulf rivals, analysts say. The shockwaves have rippled outward, contributing to global economic strains and bringing conflict to Gulf neighbours whose economies depend more..

Apr 9 (Island) Former Ambassador to Iran M. M. Zuhair said that Sri Lankans must honour Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith for hitting the nail right on its head over the IsraeliAmerican war on Iran. The respected Archbishop declared that the entire humanity is undergoing pain and suffering due to the greed of one man wanting to rule the whole world! Adolf Hitler tried to become Emperor of Europe. What was his fate?, queried the Archbishop, speaking at the midnight Easter Vigil Service more..

Apr 9 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said the govt had admitted that substandard coal had been imported. Speaking in Parliament in response to a statement made by Prez on Tuesday, the SJB leader alleged that the low electricity generation, recorded at the country’s main coal-fired power plant, was evidence of the problem. He said the previous day’s power output had fallen to an unprecedented level, claiming it was the first time such a situation had arisen, under any govt. more..

Apr 9 (TM) Although there have been no reports of job losses due to the economic pressures caused by the ongoing fuel crisis, the Labour Ministry is holding discussions to prepare for possible future impacts on employment. Ministry Secretary S.M. Piyatissa said that the issue has already been taken up at the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), which brings together representatives from the Government, employers and employees to review labour-related developments. more..

Apr 9 (AD) The Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that it will begin a 48-hour nationwide token strike starting from 8 a.m. today (9). The token strike is being launched in protest of the Health Ministry granting Post-Graduate Internships in violation of conditions agreed upon during discussions. According to a statement issued by the GMOA, the union had initiated several trade union actions in response to attempts to politicize the transfer process of doctors. more..

Apr 9 (Island) Auditor General has warned that delays in coal procurement and continued reliance on suppliers of questionable standards could disrupt the supply of electricity. The special audit report on coal imports was presented to Parliament on Tuesday by Bimal Ratnayake, Leader of the House, at the commencement of proceedings. However, Opposition MPs complained to Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne that copies of the more..

Apr 9 (DN) Aseni Thalagune produced a brilliant 5 for 42, but her effort went in vain as Australia Women’s Under-19 team defeated SL Women’s U19 by one wicket in their Tri-Nation unofficial ODI at Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, yesterday. Chasing a target of 175, Australia appeared in control at 161 for five after 36.5 overs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, however, fought back strongly, taking the final four wickets for just 12 runs. The match was ultimately decided in the 43rd over when the last-wicket pair, more..

Apr 9 (FT) When Bilaal Lookman cast his vote for the first time in France’s municipal elections last March, he was also on the ballot himself as part of a list of candidates. At just 18 years old, the first-year law student at the renowned Paris-Panthéon-Assas University has been elected as a municipal councillor in his hometown of Guyancourt, on the outskirts of Paris. Born in November 2007 in France to a family of SL origin from Mannar and Jaffna, he ranks among the youngest elected officials more..

Apr 9 (TM) Admitting that SL has not properly assessed the economic value of its biodiversity, including the unique genetic properties found in many native species, Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody said there are plans to study these resources scientifically and integrate the environment more closely with the national economy. He said that although several institutions coming under the Ministry's purview generate revenue through environment-related activities, more..

Apr 9 (DN) Opener Lasith Croosepulle blazed a 103 off 76 balls, while Sonal Dinusha (93) and skipper Sahan Arachchige (74) also contributed half-centuries as SL A recorded a 44-run (DLS method) win over New Zealand A in their second unofficial ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota, yesterday. Chasing a target of 368, New Zealand A were 153 for three in 28 overs when bad light stopped play. At that stage, the DLS system indicated SL were 44 runs ahead of the DLS more..

Apr 9 (FT) A Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) has raised concerns over non-compliance by senior officials and persistent losses at regional ports, even as SL Ports Authority (SLPA) reported strong overall profitability. At a recent sitting of the SOC on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, chaired by SJB MP S.M. Marikkar, members criticised the absence of the Ports Ministry Secretary, warning that more..

Apr 9 (FT) SL’s recovery from Cyclone Ditwah is entering a slower phase, with more than 149,000 people still displaced despite a steady scale-up in humanitarian assistance, according to the latest update by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). As of 3 April, over 291,000 people have been reached under the Humanitarian Priority Plan (HPP), implemented by 68 partner organisations across all 25 districts. Women account for majority of beneficiaries, more..

Apr 9 (NF) The Dept of the Registrar General has introduced a new instant hotline service under the number 1930, aimed at providing the public with more efficient and accessible services. Alongside the launch of the hotline, the department also unveiled its modernised official website, marking a significant step in improving public access to accurate and timely information. The launch ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Public Admin, Provincial Councils and Local Govt. more..

Apr 9 (DM) SL’s automotive sector is bracing for a market contraction, driven by the recent depreciation of the rupee and lingering consumer anxieties over the fuel situation. “If things were equal and you were having a normal movement of cars, you would have a 15% to 20% drop at least as a result of the fuel crisis and vehicle prices,” Kia Motors Lanka Chairman Mahen Thambiah said. He shared these remarks on the sidelines of an exclusive more..

Apr 9 (ST) The demand for apartment rentals in Colombo is mostly centred around expat workers, driving them to such soaring prices which locals cannot afford, experts said. Niloshan Mendis, General Manager of Business Development at Global Housing Real Estate said the local high-end income earners are buying apartments. About 80% of the sales are driven locally. Only about 20% of these belong to the diaspora. “Most expats are buying these apartments,” Mendis said more..

Apr 9 (EN) Cabinet have approved a proposal to implement the GovTech App/Service Marketplace project in three phases during 2026-2027 at an estimated cost of Rs. 563 million, minister Vijitha Herath said. A centralized GovTech marketplace aims to streamline digital procurement and eliminate fragmented spending across state agencies, he told reporters. Currently, SL state institutions often procure technology solutions individually. Herath, who also oversees Foreign Affairs, more..

Apr 9 (Island) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) announces a planned and orderly leadership transition, underscoring its commitment to strong governance, leadership continuity, and long-term institutional stability. Accordingly, Shiran Fernando has been appointed Secretary General and CEO, effective 8th May 2026, succeeding. Buwanekabahu Perera, who will conclude a threeyear tenure at the helm of the Chamber. Commenting on the transition, Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of The CCC more..

Apr 9 (DM) SL’s national tea sale average fell in March, extending a broader softening in prices both month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY), reflecting continued pressure on auction realisations across the elevations. Average price for March 2026 stood at Rs.1,144.23 per kg (US $ 3.63), down Rs.7.88 and US $ 0.09 from February’s Rs.1,152.11 (US $ 3.72). Compared with March 2025, the decline was more pronounced, with the prices slipping Rs.39.53 and US $ 0.36, from Rs.1,183.76 more..