Apr 12 (CT) The world breathed a sigh of relief following the ceasefire declared between the warring Iran and the US from an escalation in hostilities on Tuesday, following a threat by US Prez Donald Trump that a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again, if Iran failed to move forward with a deal to open the vital Strait of Hormuz. The words followed closely with threats to send Iran back to the Stone Age and more..

Apr 12 (TM) As Sri Lankans prepare to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 14 April, there is a quiet but unmistakable shift in the national mood. What has traditionally been a season of renewal, abundance, and shared optimism is being overshadowed by the uncomfortable reality that this is, by almost every measure, the most expensive New Year in living memory. While the rituals remain unchanged – homes will be cleaned, hearths lit, and auspicious times observed – more..

Apr 12 (CT) In what will now be referred to as the biggest banking fraud recorded in the country’s history, the Rs 13.3 billion siphoned off from the National Development Bank reveals serious lapses in internal controls and audit oversight, with very pertinent questions raised on the corporate governance system in the banking industry. Allegedly carried out by three employees from within the bank itself; one an Assistant Manager of the Dept of Payments and Settlement, and more..

Apr 12 (TM) As the country eagerly awaits the dawn of a New Year, there is much hope that the continuing challenges faced by the country and people will take a turn for the better in the months to come. Despite hope of strong economic recovery last year, the ongoing global developments have dampened SL’s hopes of sustaining the anticipated recovery and growth, with the ADB projecting the country’s economic growth to decline from more..

Apr 12 (CT) No one knows whether the already broken ceasefire between the US and Iran, with Israel as a reluctant adjunct, will last the full 14 days, or what will come thereafter. The world’s economic woes are not over and the markets are yo-yoing in response to Trump’s twitches and Iran’s gatekeeping at the Strait of Hormuz. The gloomy expert foretelling is that full economic normalcy will not return until the year is over even if the war were to end with the ceasefire. more..

Apr 12 (SO) As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and variations of it dawn on South Asia and South East Asia, the citizens of these countries can breathe a sigh of relief that the US and Iran have ceased hostilities for two weeks, which could be extended depending on the progress made at peace talks in Islamabad. For nearly 40 days, the world was hanging on a cliff, with a penultimate Truth Social post by US Prez Donald Trump alluding to the end of Iranian civilisation and sending it back to more..

Apr 11 (AD) The motion of no-confidence submitted by opposition MPs against Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody, was defeated by a majority of 104 votes on Friday. A total of 153 MPs voted against the motion while 49 opposition members voted in favour when the division was held this evening following the debate on the no-confidence motion. The motion was recently presented to the Speaker by joint opposition, more..

Apr 11 (AD) GMOA announced that its 48-hour island-wide token strike ends at 8 a.m. this morning. GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe stated that the future course of actions will be decided at an upcoming Executive Committee meeting. “As we announced, the strike will end at 8 a.m. today. Accordingly, after 8 a.m. today, normal duties will resume across hospitals nationwide. However, decisions on future action will be communicated after Sinhala&Tamil New Year. more..

Apr 11 (Island) Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong yesterday assured that China would not allow a fuel crisis to arise in Sri Lanka, under any circumstances, reaffirming Beijing’s continued support to the country. The Ambassador made these remarks addressing the media after attending a dry ration distribution programme for 350 low-income families at Sri Chandananda Buddhist College, at Asgiriya, in Kandy. Highlighting the longstanding ties between the two countries, more..

Apr 11 (Island) Sanitary facilities, at the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand, has been vandalised again, with Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena saying it could be the result of organised activity. Following an inspection visit to the facility, Dy Minister said damage could be attributed either to public misuse due to lack of awareness or familiarity with the upgraded premises, or due to deliberate acts of vandalism. more..

Apr 11 (AD) It has been revealed before the COPE that coal shipments imported by the Trident Company were, from the initial stages of importation to SL, tested at a loading port laboratory that did not possess the required accreditation. This has been admitted by the General Manager of the Lanka Coal Company during proceedings held before the COPE Committee. It was also noted that the Chairman of the Lanka Coal Company was absent from the session, with allegations being raised that more..

Apr 11 (DN) A 19-year-old has been killed following an incident at a hotel on Moragahahena Road within the Homagama Police Division last night, with five suspects arrested in connection with the incident. Homagama Police said they initially received information regarding a sudden death at the location. However, further investigations indicate that the case is being treated as a homicide resulting from an assault allegedly carried out by a group of individuals. more..

Apr 11 (AD) Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, has certified the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amd) Bill yesterday. The second reading debate on the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill was held on April 7, while the third reading of the Bill was passed with amendments in Parliament. The Bill seeks to amend the Social Security Contribution Levy Act No. 25 of 2022 by reducing the business turnover threshold required for registration and revising more..

Apr 11 (AD) A Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry will be appointed to investigate all coal shipments imported to the country since 2009, says Minister Bimal Ratnayake. Speaking in Parliament, during the debate on the no-confidence motion brought by the opposition against the Minister of Energy, he said that the presidential commission will be headed by a Supreme Court Judge. Minister stated: "After this no-confidence motion, the President will appoint a special commission. more..

Apr 11 (AD) SL cricketer Nuwan Thushara has apologised to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) regarding his decision to take legal action over the non-issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). In a letter, Thushara has reportedly stated that he is willing to withdraw the petition filed against Sri Lanka Cricket. In the letter addressed to SLC’s CEO Ashley de Silva, with copies to President Shammi Silva more..

Apr 11 (DN) Rainbow Aquatics signaled their dominance on SL’s biggest junior meet as three of their swimmers were crowned national age group champions, with Rushalee Dissanayake stealing the spotlight with a stunning six-gold, record-breaking performance at the 50th HNB National Age Group Swimming C'ship 2026 held at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex in Colombo. Guided by legendary Olympic swimmer Julian Bolling and coach Penuka Wijemanna, more..

Apr 11 (Island) The much-anticipated 41st Edition of the Colombo Shopping Festival (CSF) – Avurudu Fair was ceremonially declared open at the BMICH Exhibition Centre, marking the beginning of five exciting days of festive shopping in celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The ceremonial opening commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp on 8th April 2026, in the presence of guests, industry leaders, and invitees. Organized by Aitken Spence Conventions and Exhibitions, more..

Apr 11 (DM) Police have been placed on high alert following a disturbing trend in which drug traffickers are using children’s toys to conceal and transport illegal narcotics through courier services. Police said the method is used to avoid routine security checks by disguising drugs inside ordinary, harmless-looking items. Police said that attention was drawn to the tactic after a raid conducted by the Ampara Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau led to the arrest of a suspect linked to more..

Apr 11 (Island) In a significant breakthrough for SL’s trade and logistics sector, authorities have agreed to halve the number of containers subjected to Customs examination at the Colombo Port—an intervention expected to dramatically reduce congestion and costly delays that have plagued importers and exporters for months. The decision emerged following high-level discussions between the Ceylon United Business Alliance (CUBA), senior Customs officials, and more..

Apr 11 (AP) Artemis II’s astronauts returned from the moon with a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific on Friday to close out humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than a half-century. It was a triumphant homecoming for the crew of four whose record-breaking lunar flyby revealed not only swaths of the moon’s far side — never seen before by human eyes — but a total solar eclipse. Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, more..

Apr 11 (FT) During the week, the market gained Rs. 401 billion in value with the ASPI up 4.78% or 1,011.24 points. S&P SL20 was up 4.71% or 277.04 with net foreign outflows recorded at over Rs. 2 billion. Yesterday, ASPI ended on the up by 1.30% or 284.12 points at 22,128.66 and the S&P SL20 was up 1.26% or 76.55 points at 6,152.73. Market turnover was over Rs. 5 billion on nearly 262 million shares traded. Foreign investors remained net sellers, posting a net outflow of Rs. 75.8 m. more..

Apr 11 (DM) Third edition of Varsity Battles, the inter-university capital market quiz competition organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), was successfully concluded at Heritage Hotel, Anuradhapura recently. This event saw participation from 29 teams representing 10 state universities, showcasing the intellectual calibre and enthusiasm of SL undergraduates. The participants at the final round won their way up through more..

Apr 11 (DM) Electricity bills are set to remain in fresh focus as SL pushes ahead with IMF-backed reforms, with rising global energy costs forcing further tariff pressure even as authorities try to protect struggling households. The challenge has been made harder by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which, according to the IMF, could have a significant impact on SL’s economy, particularly through higher fuel and energy costs more..

Apr 11 (TM) Labour Dept has confirmed that the day following the National Vesak Festival in 2026, which falls on 30 May, will not be observed as a public holiday. The 2026 National Vesak Festival in SL is scheduled to take place in Matara on 27, 28, and 29, May featuring religious, cultural, and community activities to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. Dept stated that Gazette Notification No. 2438/22 dated 27 May 2025, outlining public holidays for 2026, more..

Apr 11 (DM) SL could face a significant economic downturn if the conflict in the Middle East persists and market forces are not allowed to operate freely, JB Securities CEO and Advocata Institute Chairperson Murtaza Jafferjee warned at a recent webinar. Speaking at the session titled Geopolitics in motion: Understanding the Middle East crisis and its ripple effects, Jafferjee said the country’s 2022 economic crisis was largely driven by the prolonged govt intervention in key markets. more..

Apr 11 (FT) People's Bank, which introduced the tradition of doing business with the bank, is bringing new meaning to the Sinhala and Tamil Avurudu Ganu Denu customs, by making arrangements to offer gifts to all those who take part in traditional Avurudu Ganu Denu. Commenting on this initiative, Deputy General Manager-Retail Banking and Overseas Customer Services Aruni Liyanagunawardana stated: “People’s Bank, known for introducing numerous innovations to more..

Apr 11 (FT) UK’s revised Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), effective from Jan 2026, presents a clear opportunity for SL’s apparel sector. It is particularly significant for small and medium-sized exporters, offering them a stronger footing in a key market. The real strength of the revised scheme lies in its practicality. By easing rules of origin and allowing greater flexibility in sourcing inputs, DCTS removes a longstanding constraint that has disproportionately affected smaller exporters. more..

Apr 11 (FT) Releasing its latest economic outlook for SL yesterday, Asian Development Bank said that containing the economic fallout from the Mideast war and sustaining growth will depend on maintaining reform momentum and improving the execution of underperforming public investment. SL’s economic growth is expected to moderate to 4.0% in 2026 and edge up to 4.2% in 2027, following two consecutive years of 5.0% expansion, more..

Apr 11 (Island) The recent disclosure of a substantial internal fraud at National Development Bank has understandably unsettled the financial community. What began as a relatively contained incident has since been revised upwards, revealing a scheme that operated over an extended period within a specific operational area. To their credit, both the bank and Central Bank responded with speed. Staff were suspended, arrests followed, an independent forensic review was commissioned, more..

Apr 11 (FT) There had been a close silence on the matter of bringing past miscreants in high places to justice until the renewed demand – and fresh deadline – for a former President to prove his bona fides as regards assets, revenue streams and sources of wealth. Then suddenly the cacophony of nationalists crying foul on the grounds of anti-patriotic elements driving the agenda threatened to drown out all other noise around the vexed issue. And it reminded me that not only is our more..

Apr 11 (FT) On my way to a location adjacent to one of our foremost research institutes, I was struck by two near stone age scenes: paddy drying along the roadside and someone inviting me to drive over the harvest for threshing, revealing how rudimentary our agricultural technology remains. This illustrates my main concern—despite advances and repeated inquiries about paddy production and variety, our post-harvest processes have remained stagnant for decades. more..

Apr 11 (Island) JVP-NPP govt has dropped the fig leaf of good governance and defended Minister Kumara Jayakody allegedly involved in a coal procurement scam, which has cost the state coffers billions of rupees and caused a huge drop in the national power supply. It went so far as to defeat a no-faith motion against him in Parliament yesterday. In 2023, JVP/NPP vehemently condemned the then SLPP-UNP govt for defending Minister Keheliya Rambukwella allegedly involved in a more..