Apr 13 (ST) SL is among the countries currently facing a 90-day pause on the new tariffs—as announced by US Prez Donald Trump on Wednesday—and is trying to work out a plan to reduce the trade surplus in its favour by increasing imports from the US amidst possible duty cuts. Govt will also look for new markets in India, China, Europe and several other countries as a way to circumvent the newly imposed US tariffs more..

Apr 13 (ST) Special arrangements have been made to facilitate the influx of passengers on public transport during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season. SL Railways (SLR) has deployed 10 new trains from Fort station to Galle, A'pura, and Badulla, with first, second, and third class seating facilities. In addition, several special train services will also be in operation. Special Train 1, the New Year Night Special, will run from the Fort station to Badulla at 7.30 p.m. on April 11, 12, 19 and 20; more..

Apr 13 (SLN) Acting on credible information, SL Navy launched a special operation on the high seas on 11 Apr 25, apprehending 06 suspects along with a local multi-day fishing trawler, believed to be involved in smuggling of narcotics. Subsequently, intercepted trawler was brought to Dikkowita Harbour, where a thorough inspection was carried out with the assistance of PNB experts, leading to uncover approximately 77kg and 484g of heroin and 42kg and 334g of methamphetamine (Ice). more..

Apr 13 (EN) Foreign investors sold over US$ 28 million worth SL govt securities in the week on April 10, CB data showed, amid jittery after U.S. Prez Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement early this year. The rupee has fallen slightly since Trump’s declaration while global investors have been shifting to safe-havens like gold. SL saw 8.67 billion rupees ($28.7 million at 1 US$ = 298 LKR) worth outflows from the govt securities in the week ended on Apr 10 after enjoying a total inflow of 28.6 b rupees more..

Apr 13 (AD) The NCPA has initiated an investigation following reports circulating on social media about a teacher allegedly assaulting children at a boys’ school in the Colombo Education Zone. According to the report, the class teacher is said to have punished grade 3 students by beating them with a metal belt. NCPA recently received a formal complaint regarding the incident. As part of the investigation, the NCPA has recorded statements from two 7-year-old students who were allegedly punished, more..

Apr 13 (EN) SL’s agricultural production in paddy, fish, coconut, tea and rubber declined in Jan-Feb, the central bank said. “Paddy production for the 2024/2025 Maha season, based on the sown extent as of end Jan 2025, is forecasted at 2.61 million metric tons, a 4.2% decline from the previous Maha season,” CB said. Paddy production for the 2024 Yala season was 1.98 million metric tons (8.8% increase from previous Yala) more..

Apr 13 (ST) Next Saturday’s repechage game against Malaysia will be crucial for SL as the winner is set to fill in the remaining slot of the Asia Rugby Championship 2025 as the fourth team alongside Hong Kong, South Korea & UAE. With both the domestic League and Knockout competitions coming to an end, last weekend, SL Rugby (SLR) officials have picked a gigantic pool of 75 players for the crucial fixture against Malaysia set to take place at Racecourse ground in Colombo on Apr 19. more..

Apr 13 (SO) With the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis behind us, many have been quick to categorise SL as being in a state of economic recovery. However, for the working class poor, daily life remains unchanged. Even in Colombo where the wheels of economic development are fastest, these communities are using the same survival strategies since 2022 of cutting expenses, depending on borrowing from the informal credit market, and juggling more..

Apr 13 (ST) Following the suspension of the Chandana Liyanage, the assistant secretary of the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) on Tuesday over allegation of misconduct and constitutional violations, majority of the NOCSL membership boycotted Wednesday’s Special General Meeting (SGM), forcing it be adjourned without a quorum. They were boycotting the meeting against what they called was a unilateral more..

Apr 13 (ST) As Sri Lanka approaches the 16th anniversary of the end of its civil war, Ravi speaks with M R Narayan Swamy in this episode. Swamy is the author of several books on Sri Lanka’s now-vanquished militant group, LTTE, and he talks about his most recent book – The Rout of Prabhakaran. Swamy’s book details the last days of Tamil Tigers supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, who was killed, along with hundreds of fighters and Tamil civilians, by the Sri Lankan army in May, 2009. more..

Apr 13 (ST) 16-man SL ‘A’ squad led by national cap Sadeera Samarawickrema left the island last afternoon for the upcoming Tri-Nation One Day Series in the UAE, beginning April 13. Tournament, hosted by the Afghanistan will include SL ‘A’, Ireland ‘A’, and Afghanistan ‘A’. The competition kicks off with SL ‘A’ facing Ireland ‘A’ on April 13, followed by a match against Afghanistan ‘A’ on April 15. Each team will play two matches against the others, with the top two teams advancing to the final more..

Apr 13 (IS) In the 27th match of the IPL 2025, the Punjab Kings are taking on the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH is looking for a win after losing four consecutive encounters in the IPL and is currently sitting at the bottom of the league table. Punjab Kings have won the toss and decided to bat first. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are desperate for a win, have made one change in their playing XI as Eshan Malinga replaces his compatriot Kamindu Mendis. more..

Apr 13 (Island) Tamil MPs with roots across the Palk Strait are often quick to look towards India at the drop of a hat. But last week, all they managed was a photo op with Indian PM Narendra Modi – smiles, handshakes and little else. In contrast, SL’s 1996 World Cup-winning cricket team was granted a 45-minute chinwag over tea with the Indian leader. Indian HC in Colombo had arranged the meeting. Not even former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, with all his so-called diplomatic finesse, more..

Apr 13 (DM) Loss-making national carrier SriLankan Airlines could transform into a leaner, profitable entity within five years under a new restructuring plan, which includes route rationalization, fleet optimization, and public listings of minority stakes in its profitable and monopolistic business units. The strategy, outlined in a 5-year business plan developed by a global aviation advisor and former London-based investment banker more..

Apr 13 (SO) Justice will be meted out immediately to any person duped by bribery and corruption. Minister Sunil Handunnetti said a ministerial level decision has been taken in this regard. Responding to public questions at a Meet the Minister forum in Colombo last week, he said corruption has been zeroed at ministerial level leaving no stone unturned for any official to be involved in shady deals. “We have received a mandate to eliminate corruption and we will do our utmost to fulfill more..

Apr 13 (Island) This comment is being written ahead of the normal Friday deadline for printing the Sunday Island due to the forthcoming New Year holidays – that is before sittings of Parliament commenced on Thursday to debate the Batalanda Commission report. But it has also drawn on some of what was said in the early stages of that debate. This widely anticipated discussion will continue for a second day next month after parliament adjourned for the New Year on Thursday evening. more..

Apr 13 (Island) One memory is as distant as 1944 and the other, 1971. One was childishly joyous, the other doubly traumatic. Yes, the first centered on the age old Sinhala and Tamil New Year; the other on a situation new to this land of smiles and then simple people – a violent uprising of youth. Ever since, the sun shining hotter, flowers ablaze, bright red jambus dripping from trees and the kohas’ cry heralding the month of April evokes recalled scenes flashing through my mind, still fresh. more..

Apr 13 (SO) In the unpredictable theatre of global trade wars, US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day suspension on tariffs imposed on multiple nations—except China—represents an uncertain ceasefire. This brief hiatus signals not the end but merely a deceptive calm. China, notably excluded from this pause, faces an unprecedented tariff escalation to 125%. Beijing responded promptly and defiantly, raising tariffs on American imports to 84%. more..

Apr 13 (CT) Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed disappointment over the recent State visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi to SL, asserting that it brought no tangible benefit to Tamil Nadu, particularly in addressing the enduring concerns of the State’s fishermen. Speaking during a debate in the TN Assembly, Stalin voiced concern over the continued arrests of Indian fishermen by SL authorities, despite repeated appeals made to Union Govt. more..

Apr 13 (ST) My dear Avurudu Kumaraya, I thought I must write to you now because you must be having difficulty in deciding what gifts you should bring as you usher in the Sinhala & Tamil New Year for all of us in Paradise. As I see it, there are some who have got their gifts already but there are others who could really do with a gift or two. As for Anura sahodaraya, you can argue that he has got all the gifts he wanted. With the top job, a two-thirds majority in Parliament and an opposition that doesn’t more..

Apr 13 (ST) Last week’s VVIP visitor, tweeting as he did almost on an hourly basis about his good friend Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was, no doubt, a well-studied approach from the Indian side intended to cement the allegiance of a president and a party that had, till lately, preached vehemently against Indian hegemony and expansionism. The relentless charm offensive by the Indian visitor must have greatly pleased his host, who has frequently been subject to public jibes about more..

Apr 13 (ST) Narendra Modi left for India after his visit to Anuradhapura, his aircraft flying over the Palk Strait, (Adams Bridge or Ram Setu) as the low islands and reef sholas between the two countries are known. He was headed from SL to Rameshwaram in TN to launch several new projects there. “On the way back from SL a short while ago, I was blessed to have a Darshan of the Ram Setu. And, as a divine coincidence, it happened more..

Apr 13 (ST) The shockwave created by the imposition of a 44% reciprocal tariff by US on imports from SL reverberated across the House as MPs from both sides grappled with how to avert a potentially catastrophic impact the tariffs could have on an economy still recovering from bankruptcy. The issue overshadowed most other business of the House. Opposition MPs attacked the govt for what they said was a failure to anticipate the situation and the lack of a proper plan to resolve the crisis. more..

Apr 13 (CT) It was a sultry morning—another day in Jaffna spent chasing the fragments of childhood memory. I found myself at the Malayan Café, one of Jaffna’s old vegetarian establishments, hoping to rekindle the familiar taste of its timeless dishes. Yet, there was a delay in placing my order—not due to any disorganization, but because the server was carefully processing every Tamil word I spoke. I realized, with a gentle jolt, that Tamil wasn’t his first language. A short exchange revealed more..

Apr 12 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed at the All-Party Conference (APC) convened by the Govt that two letters have been dispatched to US Prez Donald Trump regarding the ongoing tariff concerns between SL and the US, according to SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. The first had been a general letter by Prez Dissanayake, which had been followed by a more detailed letter from Secretary to the Treasury, more..

Apr 12 (NW) Court of Appeal has lifted the interim injunction that had previously halted the conduct of Local Govt Elections for 18 local govt bodies, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The decision was delivered today (11), clearing the way for elections to proceed for these councils. The interim order had initially been issued due to legal challenges, but the court has now allowed the electoral process to continue. Elections are expected to be held on May 6, following this ruling. more..

Apr 12 (AD) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa claims that the cost of living is the only thing that has increased under the incumbent govt. Opposition Leader asserted that the SJB will never put politics over people. Premadasa said: ‘Has the incumbent govt kept the promises they made? Pause for a moment and think about the hardships faced by the people today. The govt promised to improve your standard of living. But the only thing that has increased is the cost of living.’ more..

Apr 12 (TM) The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is facing mounting financial pressure as it prepares for a tariff revision expected in July, following a devastating net loss of Rs. 11,367 million reported for February. Internal sources revealed that engineers within the organisation were increasingly worried that without urgent tariff adjustments, the utility provider could spiral into deeper losses in the coming months. more..

Apr 12 (DN) The SL Railways Department has announced the commencement of special train services starting today (11), to facilitate travel for people returning to their hometowns for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations. According to the department, ten additional trains have been scheduled to accommodate the festive rush. Among these, a train will depart from Colombo Fort to Badulla at 7:30 PM, with a return service also operating from Badulla to Colombo Fort. more..

Apr 12 (TM) Despite the sharp drop in global crude oil prices, petroleum prices in the country will remain unchanged until end of the month. CPC Managing Director Mayura Neththikumarage said that the drop in the global market may be reflected in the refined oil prices in SL by the end of the month. “Although the global crude oil prices have dropped now, it will take a while for that oil to reach the local consumer. The prices might change during the end-of-month revision when this cheaper oil reaches us” more..

Apr 12 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured that the NPP government will not let racial and ethnic violence erupt in the country again. Speaking at an NPP Public Rally in Akkaraipattu, Ampara, the Prez claimed that projects under India’s Rs. 2 billion pledge for the development of agriculture, dairy and fisheries industries in the Eastern Province will commence next month. “The National People’s Power is the only govt that treats every race equally in this country. more..

Apr 12 (DN) Ten leading SL ICT companies will be showcasing their products & solutions at Japan IT Week (Spring) 2025, one of the Asia’s most prominent technology exhibitions. The event is scheduled to take place from April 23 to 25, at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. Companies will participate under the SL Pavilion, facilitated by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), marking a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between SL Export Development Board (EDB) and JICA. more..