Apr 29 (Island) A nursing mother has been remanded by the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court over a land dispute following a complaint lodged by independent Jaffna MP Dr Archchuna Ramanathan, who was filmed brandishing a firearm during a confrontation with residents. The incident took place on Saturday in the Periyavilan area, within the Ilavalai Police Division, on land claimed by the MP as ancestral property. According to Ramanathan, he had entered plot to carry out clearing work more..

Apr 29 (AD) A former Deputy Commissioner of the Dept of Motor Traffic has been arrested by the CIABOC, officials said. The suspect was arrested today (28) in connection with an allegation of corruption involving the issuance of number plates for a vehicle that had no valid initial registration. The arrested individual is currently serving as a Commissioner at the Dept of Probation and Child Care Services in Battaramulla. Following her arrest, she is scheduled to be produced before more..

Apr 29 (TM) The recent cyberhack involving a sum of $ 2.5 million being miscredited to a third party’s account, instead of the Australian Govt as a creditor to Sri Lanka, is a crime of impersonation by way of email phishing, rather than a sophisticated computer system attack, Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera said. “Technically, this is not a sophisticated technical infiltration into the system, by way of breaking down firewalls. This is basic trickery. more..

Apr 29 (FT) A high-level discussion was held at the Finance Ministry yesterday to streamline and strengthen the identification and listing of beneficiaries under the Aswesuma Welfare Program. The meeting focused on revising existing eligibility criteria, expediting the identification process, and leveraging digitalisation to improve accuracy and efficiency. Officials also examined both long-term and immediate measures, including potential amendments to the relevant Act alongside more..

Apr 29 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is making steady progress in formulating the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2026–2030, a strategy aimed at steering the country toward sustained export-led growth in line with the Govt’s vision of A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life. As part of this process, an ADB fact-finding mission under Trade, Investment & Industry Development Policy-Based Lending (PBL) Program more..

Apr 29 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) is to discard the latest electricity tariff revision proposal submitted by the National System Operator (NSO) on 6 April, it is learnt. PUCSL sources said the Commission has decided to disregard the latest submission as it was received after a tariff revision had already been approved with effect from 1 April 2026, making it impractical to implement another revision more..

Apr 29 (DM) The ongoing Middle East crisis should serve as a critical wakeup call for Sri Lanka to implement long-overdue fundamental structural economic reforms, according to Regional Centre for Strategic Studies Executive Director Ravinatha Aryasinha. Aryasinha emphasised the need for greater product and market diversification, noting that such measures should have been prioritised earlier, particularly following trade disruptions triggered by policies such as Trump tariffs. more..

Apr 29 (DN) Cabinet of Ministers has decided to grant permanent appointments to 9,800 employees currently serving in temporary and non-permanent positions across the state sector, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Minister stated, “This decision aligns with Budget Proposal No. 33.11 for 2026, presented by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He added that the proposal seeks to regularise the employment status of workers engaged on temporary, casual (daily-paid), substitute, contract, and more..

Apr 29 (CI) Half-centuries from Harshitha Samarawickrama and Imesha Dulani propelled Sri Lanka to a 25-run win in the first T20I against Bangladesh. The home side's batting woes continued as they failed to chase down 162 against an efficient bowling effort by the visitors in Sylhet. Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya and captain Chamari Athapaththu picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka restricted Bangladesh to 136 for 7 in the chase. Athapaththu was outstanding with more..

Apr 29 (KH) A South Korean university project helped Sri Lanka build its first immunology and molecular medicine department, which later became the country’s only infectious disease analysis center during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Education Ministry said Monday. The project, led by Sungkyunkwan University, established the department at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in July 2020 as part of Korea’s university-based international cooperation program. more..

Apr 29 (Island) SLC President Shammi Silva had outlasted three Executive Presidents – Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe – and looked set to see off the new ball from Anura Kumara Dissanayake as well. For a while, it seemed like he had the measure of every spell thrown at him. But this time, the batter has edged one and walked. New govt, elected on a platform of transparency & good governance, more..

Apr 29 (DM) The recent exploit of US$ 2.5 million from Sri Lanka’s external resources department, tricked into funding a US$ 2.5 million sovereign debt payment to a malicious third-party account, is embarrassing enough. However, as the government has opted for a vague and self- contradictory narrative, and the opposition going for cheap political mileage, there is an immediate life-and-death concern. Who was the actual threat vector? Was it a business email compromise, more..

Apr 29 (Island) The police yesterday intervened to prevent a clash between a group of JVP activists and some Opposition politicians who held a protest near the private residence of Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, in a Colombo suburb. The protesters complained of a cow dung attack by the JVP members, who denied the charge. Tempers were flaring, and the two groups would have come to blows but for the police presence. more..

Apr 29 (DN) In 2025 SL achieved a primary surplus of 5.4% of GDP, exceeding the conditionality under the EFF programme entered between the SL Govt and the IMF in 2023 which stipulates the country should maintain a primary surplus of 2.3% of GDP in 2025. Primary balance is the gap between a govt’s total revenue and expenditure minus interest expenditure. A primary surplus would indicate that excluding the interest expenditure the gap between govt revenue and expenditure is positive. more..

Apr 29 (SO) In the digital backwaters of Sri Lanka’s post-crisis economy, a new and silent predator has emerged. As the nation painstakingly negotiates its way out of the 2022 economic collapse, a surge in sophisticated online financial crimes is threatening to derail the fragile recovery. From fake Govt Securities to high-yield task-based apps, Sri Lankans, driven by a desperate need for secondary income, are falling prey to a multi-million dollar invisible heist that drains domestic savings more..

Apr 29 (SO) For decades, boarding a public bus in Sri Lanka has been a daily struggle for many. The steep climb onto the first step, the rush of passengers jostling for space, and the lack of facilities for the elderly or differently–abled persons have made public transport less than welcoming for thousands of commuters. Yet, for most Sri Lankans, buses remain the most affordable and accessible mode of travel. Now, a long-overdue more..

Apr 29 (ST) So now some political card readers or whatever they read seem convinced that they know where this country is heading. Maybe they have been communicating with Mr Trump. Just the other day he sent a torpedo into the belly of a passing Iranian ship not too far from our waters, without even a by-your-leave. And a couple of days earlier America’s big chief of the navy, Admiral Stephen Koehler, was in Colombo hobnobbing with our own big chief about maritime security and more..

Apr 29 (CT) The ongoing peace march by a group of international Buddhist monks has captured the sentiment of Sri Lankans in a manner that few public events have done in recent times. It is led by the Vietnamese monk Venerable Thich Pannakara who is associated with a mindfulness movement that has roots in Vietnamese Buddhist practice and actively promoted among diaspora communities in the United States. The peace march by the monks, accompanied by their mascot, the dog Aloka, more..

Apr 29 (SO) Even calm waters can turn deadly in a matter of seconds. This April, the country’s rivers, tanks, reservoirs, irrigation canals and coastal waters devoured lives in a sudden, yet in a familiar way. What might appear as isolated tragedies, in reality, is a part of a pattern that is hard to ignore. SL Life Saving President Athula Senarathna said alcohol consumption remains a significant factor in many drowning incidents. more..

Apr 29 (DM) Although Opposition parties so far have not proven their allegations of corruption against the govt, they have succeeded in creating considerable suspicion among the people about the moral high ground the NPP has been laying claims for. Despite the Opposition leaders having failed at least to pin point, leave alone proving, what the corruption involved and who the culprits are in for example the controversial release of over 300 containers from the Colombo harbour without physical inspection, more..

Apr 29 (TM) Twenty-two questions. None of them trivial. All of them unanswered. That is where this controversy now stands. Nearly a week after a suspected cyber heist involving $ 2.5 million in State funds, a set of pointed queries from the Free Lawyers organisation has cut through the noise and placed the burden squarely where it belongs, on the Govt. The questions go to the heart of the matter. Does the State acknowledge the money has been lost or stolen? more..

Apr 28 (AD) SLPP MP, Namal Rajapaksa has alleged that the current govt’s incompetence and corruption are increasingly being exposed with events unfolding in recent weeks. MP said the govt has made headlines for several controversial developments, including the release of 323 containers from the harbour, the import of substandard coal and the costly procurement of a fuel tanker. He further alleged that funds from Min. of Finance had also been misappropriated. more..

Apr 28 (AD) Finance Ministry officials, including the Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, are to be summoned before the COPF, chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, on Thursday (30) over the USD 2.5 million cyber theft incident. The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance convened under its chair today to discuss the alleged incident pertaining to the USD 2.5 million in funds obtained by cyber criminals who breached a computer system at Finance Ministry. more..

Apr 28 (DM) Many cancer patients in SL are facing life-threatening delays as broken machines and disrupted services cripple access to timely treatment and diagnosis, forcing them into long waiting lists. Waiting lists for cancer treatment have significantly increased due to the malfunctioning of Linear Accelerator Radiation Therapy machines. Out of five machines currently in operation, two are out of service, severely limiting the capacity to more..

Apr 28 (NF) Court of Appeal has directed the Dept of Wildlife Conservation to appear in court and explain the measures taken to reduce human-elephant conflict, including the removal and regulation of illegal electric fences. Court ordered that Director General of Wildlife Conservation, or a responsible representative on his behalf, must appear in person on the next hearing date to clarify the steps taken in this regard. Order was issued by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, more..

Apr 28 (DM) As Buddhist monks walk across Sri Lanka for peace, a special companion has been quietly winning hearts. Aloka, known as the Peace Dog, is walking alongside them, spreading a simple message of kindness and compassion. A rescue dog from India, Aloka, today is under special veterinary care and fed with unique pet food. SL Veterinary Association Secretary Dr Uditha Bandara said that Aloka is in good health so far. “No health issues have been reported,” he said, more..

Apr 28 (AD) Attention has been drawn towards launching cable car projects at several tourist destinations, including Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak), during a meeting of the Tourism Task Force held today, under the patronage of Minister Vijitha Herath. It was noted that requests have been made over a considerable period by various parties to commence a cable car project in the vicinity of Sri Pada. In addition, several locations, more..

Apr 28 (Dawn) Troops from Pakistan and Sri Lanka commenced a two-week bilateral counter-terrorism exercise in Tarbela, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The Pakistan–Sri Lanka Bilateral Exercise Shake Hands-II is a joint counter-terrorism exercise conducted between the two armies, ISPR said. The exercise commenced on April 27 (Monday) at Tarbela, with the participation of Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) and Special Forces from the SL Army. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Nuwara Eliya Municipal Councillor Jude Chandana Madegama alleged, during the recent Council meeting, that a massive financial misappropriation of Rs. 9.7 million had taken place through the illegal procurement of street lamps and related materials, without the approval of the Finance Committee. Although those items were allegedly purchased for the city’s annual development projects, it was disclosed that they reached the warehouse before obtaining more..

Apr 28 (Island) The death of Sujeewa, a female elephant held under state custody for nearly a decade, has ignited renewed calls for accountability, transparency, and urgent reform in SL’s handling of wildlife crime—particularly the shadowy networks behind elephant smuggling. Environmental conservationist and researcher Supun Lahiru Prakash has urged authorities, including the Ministry of Environment and the CID, to launch an immediate and comprehensive investigation more..

Apr 28 (NW) The govt has announced that several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed during the upcoming state visit of the President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to Sri Lanka. President Muizzu will visit Sri Lanka from May 3–5, at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the signing of MoUs aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors. These include: An MoU between the Maldives more..