Apr 19 (CT) As the country slowly moves out of the New Year celebrations and the reality of the increasing cost of living, the toll on the country’s economy, with a still weak ceasefire in the Middle East, was continuing its impact. With the first round of talks between the warring Trump Administration and Iran failing to achieve the desired end to the crisis, now over a month of intensification, tensions are still a reality on the ground. more..

Apr 19 (Island) We are now paying the price for electing successive govts that, with their oligarchic advisers, promoted continued dependence on imported fossil fuels for personal gain rather than national interest. This has been reinforced by repeated tariff hikes, resulting in an unfair transfer of the burden of systemic policy failures onto households and businesses undermining productivity solely due to high energy costs. This model of passing the buck is not only more..

Apr 19 (Island) The Grim Reaper apparently rides shotgun in many vehicles on SL roads, where chaos is the norm, with drivers and riders moving like bats out of hell and jaywalkers darting across arterial roads and busy streets in a suicidal rush. The situation takes a turn for the worse during festive seasons, when road users behave as if they had a death wish. This may explain why as many as 44 lives were lost in 42 fatal accidents across the country between April 10 to 15 this year. more..

Apr 19 (ST) The tug-of-war, as part of the fun and games of the traditional New Year, has taken a far different, more belligerent mode with the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The personal pride of a mad hatter and his cowboys in one country and the national pride of another are at play as the world watches in muttering resignation if there will be an early conclusion to the fighting. So far, world leaders have been indulging the whims and unilateral excesses of a prez who is casting himself more..

Apr 19 (CT) Govt effectively exhibited a level of political maturity this week with a two-fold mechanism directed at overcoming a very pressing issue that was threatening its path. Prez on Thursday announced the appointment of a Special Prez Commission, chaired by SC Justice Gihan Kulatunga, to investigate alleged malpractice or illegal activities in coal imports by Lanka Coal Limited and its subsidiaries, as well as power generation, from the inception of coal-based more..

Apr 19 (ST) No sooner had the renovated Pettah Central Bus Stand been declared open last week than images and visuals emerged of damage to property at the location. The mystery of who was responsible for the acts of vandalism soon led to various accusations being made on social media, where some fake posts circulated widely. The fake posts also targeted activists from opposition political parties, including the SB and SLPP. more..

Apr 19 (ST) My dear Anura sahodaraya, I thought of writing to you, first to wish you suba aluth avuruddak weva and also to let you know of a few issues that have been bothering us in recent months. You had to deal with cyclones and coal tenders in the year that just ended. So, we know you must be hoping for a better year ahead. Anura sahodaraya, we didn’t see you during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year last year. Your critics said you didn’t observe time-honoured customs like Mahinda maama more..

Apr 19 (CW) The rise of AI is bringing economic optimism in developing countries such as Sri Lanka and Nepal. Computerworld’s Agam Shah was in the region recently talking to entrepreneurs about the fast-evolving technology and their plans for it. The soap refill dispenser at a cafe in TRACE Expert City — a technology hub in Colombo, Sri Lanka— boldly declares that it was delivered by USAID, from the American people. The device is a relic from the past, reflecting goodwill that once existed between more..

Apr 19 (TM) As the country eases back into routine after the Sinhala & Tamil New Year, there is a familiar sense of reset in the air – renewed hope, quiet expectation, and the enduring question of whether life will, at last, become a little more affordable. The recently concluded Sinhala and Tamil New Year was undoubtedly one of the most politically potent New Year celebrations, with all key political leaders working on outdoing more..

Apr 19 (TM) There is a certain brutal honesty in a remark attributed to former President J.R. Jayewardene: Even the most diehard socialist remains a socialist only until they acquire their first asset. It is a line that has echoed through SL’s political history – often invoked cynically, and sometimes, dismissively. Yet today, in the wake of yet another rapidly unfolding controversy, it feels less like a quip and more like a prophecy fulfilled. Barely had the country settled into the calm more..

Apr 19 (SO) The world breathed a sigh of relief as Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz, following discussions with the United States (US). But a lot more has to be done before oil tankers restart using it. There are still many contradictions and friction points. Statements from Washington and Tehran reveal negotiations that are simultaneously advancing and stalling. It is obvious that neither side has a credible path to outright victory. Consider the message of US Prez Donald Trump. more..

Apr 18 (EN) In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through SL’s political establishment, Energy Minister Kumar Jayakody has tendered his resignation following allegations of a coal procurement deal that resulted in substandard coal. The controversy, which centers on the quality of coal imported for the Chinese-built Norochcholai Power Plant, has forced the govt of Prez AKD to take unprecedented measures to more..

Apr 18 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath categorically rejected claims that any fraud had taken place in the importation of coal, but admitted that the imported coal shipment was of substandard quality. He said this at a special media briefing with the participation of several other ministers, regarding the resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody. Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala stepped down from their respective positions to facilitate an impartial & indpt investigation more..

Apr 18 (AD) The SL delegation, headed by the CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, has engaged in productive discussions with the senior leadership of the IMF, World Bank Group, as well as with rating agencies and investors during the IMF-WB Spring Meetings 2026. IMF Managing Director, Dr Kristalina Georgieva, congratulated SL on reaching a staff-level agreement for the combined fifth and sixth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility and reaffirmed the IMF’s continued support for more..

Apr 18 (EN) Central Bank has said it was finalizing arrangements with National Development Bank (NDB) to engage an int'l firm to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, after the lender disclosed an internal fraud of 13.2 billion rupees last month. “The scope of this audit will apart from matters directly related to the commission of this fraud, also fully address and assess any failures on compliance with regulatory requirements more..

Apr 18 (DN) Defence Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara stated that more than 150 kilograms of heroin were discovered in the multi-day fishing vessel that arrived in Dikowita Fisheries Harbour noting that the estimated street value of the drugs was exceeding Rs. 4 billion. “These drugs were delivered to a Sri Lankan fishing vessel by a foreign ship. We have received that information and accordingly, we are now taking action internationally with responsibility. more..

Apr 18 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Senior Additional Secretary to the President G.M.R.D. Aponsu as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Energy. The relevant letter of appointment was handed over to him by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, this afternoon (17). G.M.R.D. Aponsu, who served as the Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Finance and Economic Affairs, is a senior officer of SL Planning Service (SLPS). more..

Apr 18 (AD) The CPC has announced that the temporary suspension of the QR code-based fuel quota system for petrol-powered vehicles will come to an end from midnight today (18). Accordingly, from that time onward, the QR code-based fuel quota system will be reintroduced as usual. However, the existing odd-even number plate system for fuel distribution will continue to remain in effect for all vehicles. On April 11, the CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna stated that the QR system more..

Apr 18 (AD) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa says that Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s resignation, although welcome, comes a bit too late. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala stepped down from their respective positions today (17) in order to facilitate an impartial and independent investigation by the Special Presidential Commission appointed to probe matters related to coal imports. Rajapaksa said that the Parliament spent an entire day debating more..

Apr 18 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate whether irregularities or illegal acts occurred within the state-owned Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd or its successors in relation to the importation of coal and the generation of electricity, covering the period from the inception of coal-based power generation in SL until April 16, 2026. The Commission has been appointed by Prez in terms of Section 2 of more..

Apr 18 (EN) Sri Lanka received its first crude shipment for its solo Iran-built refinery after the start of escalation in the Middle East, Deputy Energy Minister Arkam Ilyas said. The island nation, which was buying crude from the UAE, was struggling without crude after U.S./Israel started bombing on Iran on February 28. The island nation switched to more expensive refined oil amid fear of not receiving any crude shipments with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. more..

Apr 18 (NW) Five suspects, including the main accused, have been arrested by police over an incident in which a woman was assaulted and her hair forcibly cut at a shop in the Ragama area. Police said the arrests were made based on video footage that circulated on social media. Following the incident, officers recorded a statement from the victim and referred her to the Ragama Teaching Hospital for a medical examination. The main suspect is a 27-year-old resident of Ragama. more..

Apr 18 (ST) Serious concerns have come to the fore after a team of Sri Lankan researchers examined social media and health information regarding fatty liver disease, originating from Sri Lanka. In the first broad analysis of posts relating to Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in SL on social media (SoMe), the team found that most content originated from non-healthcare sources. MASLD was earlier known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). more..

Apr 18 (AD) The Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from April 19 to 20, 2026. During this visit, he is expected to hold bilateral discussions with President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in a continuation of the recent high-level diplomatic engagements which reinforce the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. more..

Apr 18 (AD) Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala have resigned from their respective positions. They have submitted their letters of resignation to Prez Dissanayake this afternoon (17). This decision was taken to facilitate an impartial and independent investigation by the Special Presidential Commission appointed to probe matters related to coal imports, it said. more..

Apr 18 (DN) Sri Lanka women’s Under 19 team continued their performance to get third consecutive win when they scored a 35 run victory over England women’s Under 19 in their Tri Nation T -20 cricket fixture played at Ian Healy Oval grounds Brisbane yesterday.This victory guided Sri Lanka lasses to maintain their unbeaten record in this tournament having beaten England twice and Australia once with only one game against Australia to spare in this series. more..

Apr 18 (TM) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) officially opened its Galle Branch to the public, inaugurated with the participation of SEC Chairperson Professor D.B.P.H Dissabandara, CSE Chairperson Dimuthu Abeyesekera and CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike in the presence of senior officials representing both public and private sectors. CSE has branches in Matara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Negombo, Jaffna, Batticaloa, A'pura, Ratnapura, Panadura, Bandarawela, Kegalle, Galle, more..

Apr 18 (NPR) In her home in a tidy working class alley, Shiranti Rambukkana has set up a literal bonfire in her narrow living room. At precisely 10:51 a.m. she strikes a match to get a fire going under the wooden kindling on a metal pan in her living room. She throws fire starters to feed the flames, and soon a clay pot of milk resting on bricks boils over — to bring on prosperity and good fortune in the New Year. more..

Apr 18 (Island) Uber Eats is now live in Nuwara Eliya, making it easier for locals and tourists to enjoy their favourite meals – from a hot plate of kottu on a chilly evening to a comforting rice and curry spread or crispy egg hoppers – delivered right to their doorstep. Known for its cool climate, old-world charm, and rolling tea estates, Nuwara Eliya sees a surge of Sri Lanka and international visitors during the April holiday season. But as temperatures drop in the evenings, more..

Apr 18 (Island) As Sri Lanka confronts mounting environmental and economic pressures, a timely national conversation on resilience has underscored the urgent need to rethink how societies respond to change—by balancing resistance with alignment to nature. The inaugural Nature Talks Webinar Series, titled Nature’s Secrets for Building Resilience in a Changing World, took place on Wednesday night, bringing together leading environmental thinkers who argued that more..

Apr 18 (ST) The prospectus for the Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship 2026 has now been released and is available for viewing on the ceylonmasters.lk, website. The event is due to take place from June 25 to 29 at the St. Joseph’s College Indoor Sports Complex in Darley Road. A galaxy of master’s badminton players, both local and international, are due to participate and Ceylon Masters Badminton (CMB) are having no stone unturned to make it a huge success. more..

Apr 18 (Island) SL speedster Matheesha Pathirana has passed his fitness tests with Sri Lanka Cricket and linked up with Kolkata Knight Riders, ready to steam in again after a frustrating spell on the sidelines. The Knight Riders are propping up the table without a win, their campaign already wobbling placed last. Injuries and indifferent form have left their bowling attack looking toothless and Pathirana’s return could be just the spark they need to stop the rots. more..