Apr 27 (FT) The CoPF has approved new regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, easing restrictions on duty-free retail operations within Colombo Port City. The regulations, issued via Gazette No. 2475/28 dated 13 Feb, relax limits previously imposed on SL citizens purchasing goods from duty-free shopping complexes in Port City. The move is aimed at increasing local participation in retail activity within the zone. more..

Apr 27 (ST) The Hemas Group is in the process of obtaining EU GMP (European Union Good Manufacturing Practice), in a bid to venture into European markets with their locally-made medicines, a top official said. EU GMP consists of stringent regulations that guarantee pharmaceutical products are consistently manufactured and controlled to meet high-quality and safety standards, and it encompasses quality management, personnel, premises, documentation, and production for more..

Apr 27 (TM) Deflecting allegations of diminishing surveillance in the prevention of a resurgence of measles in the country, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana said that there was a case based surveillance system in place at ground level to prevent the disease from reemerging. He said that the public health services carried out a surveillance in which the patients – whether child or adult, contacts who were exposed to the patient were identified and advised to be cautious. more..

Apr 27 (FT) For thousands of schoolchildren across SL, a daily meal is more than nourishment—it is the foundation for learning, growth, and a more secure future. It is within this context that the Lions Clubs Int'l Foundation (LCIF) recently convened a press conference to highlight the scale of national impact achieved through Lions-led initiatives, specially its collaboration with the UN World Food Program (WFP). The collaboration with the WFP is part of a $ 2 million partnership more..

Apr 27 (DN) Leg spinner Dilum Sudeera finished with impressive bowling figures taking match bag of 10 for 145 while Kamil Mishara hit superb knock of 174 as SL A recorded an easy innings and 109 runs win over New Zealand A in their second 4-day unofficial test match to seal the series win 1-0 at Galle Int'l Cricket Stadium yesterday. NZ A continued their overnight total of 45/4 and were bowled out for 104 yesterday before lunch after batting only 18.2 overs of the first session. more..

Apr 27 (FT) SL’s fiscal position strengthened markedly in Jan 2026, with a sharp expansion in the primary surplus and a near-elimination of the overall Budget deficit, according to the data. Govt recorded a primary surplus of Rs. 222.82 billion for the month, up 86.7% from Rs. 119.33 billion a year earlier, reflecting a continued improvement in revenue performance alongside restrained expenditure growth. more..

Apr 27 (DM) ​Sri Lanka’s local automotive market recorded a substantial influx of vehicle imports in March, with total motor vehicle registrations expanding by 15.6% month-on-month to reach 59,734 units, according to the latest data. This sharp acceleration is largely driven by a pronounced pickup in electric vehicle adoption, reflecting immediate consumer momentum as the country grapples with rising foreign exchange outflows. ​A comprehensive breakdown of the March more..

Apr 27 (NW) A video circulating on social media shows MP Ramanathan Archchuna involved in an altercation with a group of individuals during a dispute in Periyavilaan, Jaffna, over a contested piece of land. The incident is linked to an ongoing case before a magistrate’s court regarding ownership of the land, with both the MP and another party, including a woman, claiming rights over the property. On the 25th, the MP was reportedly engaged in cleaning work on more..

Apr 27 (Island) Sri Lanka’s Tuskers showed bite but not quite enough teeth as New Zealand’s Under-85kg side edged a bruising 27-16 win in the opening leg of their two-match series at Racecourse on Saturday. Under lights for the second straight year, the visitors rode pressure, precision and a late sucker punch to take first blood in a contest that swung on momentum and discipline. NZ struck early at the breakdown, forcing a turnover penalty with SL pinged for holding on. more..

Apr 27 (AD) COPF is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, and a decision will be taken then over the incident involving a US$2.5 million foreign debt repayment without any political party differences, says the Chairman of the Committee, MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. He also stated that the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance is expected to be summoned to the Parliament based on the decision taken there. MP said that it is absolutely unbelievable that the computer network of the Ministry of Finance more..

Apr 27 (DN) Making SL an event management hub is on top of the government’s agenda, Minister Sunil Handunnetti told the launch event of SL’s first event calendar held in Colombo on Thursday. He said, “SL has naturally received many good opportunities in this sector due to the geographical location of our country and we will make our maximum contribution by providing the necessary facilities for this industry, more..

Apr 27 (Island) US President Donald Trump would have the world believe that Saturday evening’s shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner, at the Washington Hilton, was part of a plot to assassinate him. The event had just got underway when shots were heard in a lobby adjoining the ballroom. Prez Trump, his wife, Vice Prez J. D. Vance and other govt politicians were rushed off the stage unhurt and escorted out of the hotel. Others ran for cover. more..

Apr 27 (DN) Sri Lanka produced a fighting performance to record a hard-earned 3-2 win over Kazakhstan in their Pool B match of the Women’s Asian Games Hockey Qualifier 2026 played in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday. The SL women showed strong character and composure to control the game in key moments, holding their nerve under pressure to seal an important victory in the tournament. After a goalless first quarter, SL opened scoring in the 19th minute through skipper more..

Apr 27 (Island) SL’s coal supply crisis is significantly deeper than previously understood, with senior engineers and energy analysts warning that a dangerous combination of reduced procurement volumes, rising coal consumption and shipment delays could place national power generation at serious risk. Information reviewed by The Island shows that Lanka Coal Company (LCC) had originally planned to secure 2.32 million metric tons of coal for the relevant supply period to meet more..

Apr 27 (FT) The case study presentation to MTI’s Global Strategy Interns in the Balkan countries was delivered by Curry Souls Founder Clement Senaratne—the pioneering SL street food franchise in Serbia and Croatia. His outlets are celebrated for their vibrant, funky, and youthful atmosphere, blending authentic SL flavours with a modern, urban setting that resonates with the dynamic spirit of the Balkans. Curry Souls has consistently ranked among the top restaurants in Serbia on Trip Advisor. more..

Apr 27 (SO) Former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, who resigned from his ministerial portfolio following the recent controversy over coal imports, said he stepped aside for the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to proceed without obstruction. Jayakody rejected allegations of political interference in coal procurement, saying that the Opposition is attempting to undermine the credibility of the NPP Govt, and outlined more..

Apr 27 (CT) They walked for miles barefoot. The sun and rain didn’t bother them. Three Buddhist monks were on a mission – to promote Peace. It all originated in 2022 in India, when, based on the 2022–2026 peace walks, the Buddhist monks, known for Walking for Peace, were led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, a Vietnamese American Buddhist monk and a former engineer. Bhikkhu Pannakara walked in India, for a notable 112-day journey, primarily to promote peace, more..

Apr 27 (ST) Sri Lankans are confronted with two contradictory (not surprisingly so) framing of the 2019 Easter Sunday jihadist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka in regard to which investigations, we are informed, have reached a critical stage. There is a (nauseatingly) familiar mix of political opportunism and anguished calls for justice in commemorating the seventh anniversary of the atrocity. Speaking at an event, Catholic and Muslim clergymen alike condemned more..

Apr 27 (TM) Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure and financial security are currently under intense scrutiny following two significant cyber incidents that have exposed vulnerabilities within the State apparatus. The first involves a highly sophisticated cyber heist resulting in the misdirection of $ 2.5 million in Treasury funds, initially intended for foreign debt repayment. The second incident revolves around the alleged breach and more..

Apr 27 (GV) On May 31, 1962 Adolf Eichmann, the SS official responsible for the identification, assembly and transportation of Jews in occupied Europe to Auschwitz, was executed by hanging in a Tel Aviv prison. He was the second and the last man to be hung in Israel. In March 2026, Israeli parliament passed a law imposing mandatory death sentence on Palestinians of West Bank convicted by Israeli military courts of nationalist crimes. Death Penalty for Terrorists Law passed in more..

Apr 27 (DM) S.J.V. Chelvanayakam KC Memorial Lecture Delivered at Jaffna Central Collage on Sunday 26 April by Professor G.L. Peiris. Had Mr. Chelvanayakam been with us today, he would no doubt be profoundly unhappy with the state of our country and the world. Samuel James Velupillai Chelvanayakam was born on 31 March 1898 in the town of Ipoh in Malaya. When he was four years of age, he was sent by his father, along with his mother, for the purpose of his education more..

Apr 26 (ST) The new year hasn’t got off to an auspicious start for the ruling NPP. Barely had the govt managed to distract the public from the scandal over the import of substandard coal when it was hit by a worse scandal — the breach of Finance Ministry’s computer systems, which resulted in a payment of USD 2.5 million to hackers. A party that insisted it was the one hope to end the 76-year curse plaguing the country due to the corrupt more..

Apr 26 (ST) Two more shipments from controversial coal supplier Trident Chemphar have failed, bringing the total number of consignments confirmed to be off-spec by independent accredited laboratory Cotecna to five. Total number of shipments ordered from Trident was 25. 16th is being unloaded now, while ships from a separate, emergency purchase of coal are also arriving. Sunday Times reported last month that three coal shipments from South Africa initially failed quality testing by Cotecna, more..

Apr 26 (SO) The Maradana Railway Station, the second main station in the country after Colombo Fort, was vested with the public following a major renovation carried out under the Dream Destination initiative of the Govt’s Clean Sri Lanka program yesterday. Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake, the chief guest praised the stakeholders of the project including the main sponsor Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd for its successful completion. more..

Apr 26 (ST) Documents relating to the repayment of a loan from France have gone missing from Finance Ministry computer systems and could be linked to the same group of hackers who breached its systems, leading to USD 2.5 million going missing from treasury funds. Initial investigations have revealed that the papers pertain to the French loan repayment due in the future, and its disappearance has been detected. more..

Apr 26 (ST) As if to emphasise that peace is universal and transcends species, a SL community dog wandered into the US-based monks’ peace march in Colombo on Friday, instantly gaining celebrity status. This happened just as Aloka, official peace dog mascot, was briefly taken off the road for a rest. The local dog, fondly called Kalu, with white socks stole the limelight during its 20 minutes of fame. Organisers said: “We do not know where he came from or where he wandered off to. more..

Apr 26 (SO) France is keen to strengthen partnerships with countries such as SL to defend international law, protect Freedom of Navigation and preserve the maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific, Vice President of the France-SL Parliamentary Friendship Group in the French Senate, Senator Didier Marie said. Senator Marie said during a recent visit to SL that France was an Indo-Pacific power with major territories and maritime interests in the region, more..

Apr 26 (AD) Steps will be taken to summon the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and other relevant officials before the CoPF as soon as possible over an incident involving a US$2.5 million foreign debt repayment that reportedly ended up in the hands of an unintended party, Chairman of the committee MP Dr. Harsha de Silva stated. MP said that members of the COPF have already been informed to arrange a session to question the officials concerned. more..

Apr 26 (Island) A new low-floor bus service that gives priority to persons with disabilities and special needs was launched last Tuesday from Makumbura Multimodal Center. Service was inaugurated under the patronage of Minister Bimal Rathnayake. Accordingly, ten specially designed low-floor buses have been introduced into the transport service today. These buses are specially designed so that wheelchair users, visually impaired passengers and also expectant women more..

Apr 26 (TM) Govt has suspended four senior officials of Ministry of Finance – two from the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) and two from the External Resources Department (ERD) – pending a disciplinary inquiry into a cyber fraud that resulted in the diversion of $ 2.5 million. The funds had been allocated for an external debt repayment to an Australian creditor. The payment had been redirected after unauthorised access more..

Apr 26 (CT) It is expected that the ongoing rise in alcohol consumption among women across different social groups in the country will lead to an increase in the incidence of birth defects in SL, stated Prof. Vajira Dissanayake, President of the Medical Committee on Birth Defects of SLMA. The professor noted that alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects and negatively influences the behavioural and coordination development of newborns. more..

Apr 26 (TM) Tea prices at SL’s local auctions have risen above pre-crisis levels despite a significant drop in export volumes and a complete halt in exports to Iran. SLTB Chairman Rajpal Obeyesekere said that tea exports to Iran had come to a complete standstill amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Despite the loss of the Iranian market, the local tea market had remained resilient, with auction prices increasing by approximately Rs. 30–40 compared to pre-crisis price levels. more..