Mar 30 (NW) A young actress was granted bail by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court after being arrested yesterday over a complaint filed by a cricketer regarding a gold chain valued at over Rs. 900,000. The actress was arrested by the Crimes Division of the Thalangama Police following a complaint lodged by the cricketer, who alleged that she had received the gold chain from him and later pawned it without his knowledge, obtaining approximately Rs. 600,000. The suspect was produced before more..

Mar 30 (AD) Dept of Agrarian Development has decided to restrict the issuance of urea fertilizer exclusively to paddy cultivation, citing limited national stocks due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. According to the Dept, unmixed urea fertilizer for the 2026 Yala season will be distributed solely for rice cultivation through Agrarian Service Centers. The Dept has informed all Agrarian Development Officers islandwide of this decision and instructed them to issue fertilizer more..

Mar 30 (NW) Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that SL has successfully hosted one of its largest international weddings, welcoming over 800 international guests for the four‑day celebration of entrepreneur Mujtaba Shaikhani and Dr. Hafsha Merchant at the Shangri‑La Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa. Guests from the UAE, India, Pakistan, UK, and SL stayed an average of five to seven nights, contributing significantly to more..

Mar 30 (DM) A wild elephant that was struck by a speeding train early last morning on the Polonnaruwa–Batticaloa main railway line is now wandering through the village of Manikwela with severe leg injuries, wildlife officials said. The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on the 29th near the Velikanda Sevapitiya area, as the express train was travelling from Batticaloa to Colombo. According to C.A. Wanasinghe, the wildlife officer in Velikanda, the injured animal is a male elephant more..

Mar 30 (DM) SL’s imports of sprat and dhal - two key food commodities used for regular meals - has been hampered due to the Israeli - US war against Iran, an importer said yesterday. Sri Lanka imports a bulk of its sprat requirement (Halmesso) from Iran. A spokesman for the Essential Food Commodities” Importers and Traders Association said that sprat imports from Iran had stopped as a result of the war. He said Sri Lanka imports more than 80 percent of its sprat requirement, and more..

Mar 30 (TM) US District Court for the Southern District of New York has on Monday (23) issued an order in favour of SL on the dispute with Hamilton Reserve Bank (HRB) concerning the schedule for filing supplementary briefs in relation to HRB’s motion for summary judgment. The dispute was brought to the attention of Judge Denise L. Cote by a joint letter dated 23 March filed by both parties, informing that while they had reached more..

Mar 30 (NW) Mr. Sarath Ganegoda, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Limited and SriLankan Catering Ltd, has tendered his resignation from both boards with effect from March 31, 2026. SriLankan Airlines announced that Mr. Dimal Arandara will serve as Acting Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Limited and SriLankan Catering Limited until a new Chairman is appointed by the Secretary to the Treasury. The airline also confirmed that Director Mr. Rohan Goonetilleke has resigned from the Boards of more..

Mar 30 (AD) The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today (30) that investigations are ongoing into the violent incident that occurred near the Mirihana residence of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the Aragalaya period. The disclosure was made by the State Counsel representing the Attorney General during a hearing on a fundamental rights petition filed by Thanabalasingam Subakaran, who claimed to have been injured in the incident. more..

Mar 30 (FT) The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport SL (CILT SL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EFL Global to strengthen the flagship IGNITE Mentoring Program of its women’s forum, Women in Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka (WiLAT SL), further connecting structured mentorship with defined industry exposure. Through this partnership, top performing IGNITE mentees will receive structured internship placements under EFL Global’s Pathway to Logistics Program. more..

Mar 30 (DN) The Govt has prepared a comprehensive programme to stabilise the economy in the face of global challenges and steps have also been taken to provide services without interruption during the festive season, Labour Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said. Minister responding to a query said necessary plans have been prepared to ensure that the people do not face any food, fuel shortage or disruption to electricity supply during the upcoming April festive season. more..

Mar 30 (AD) A set of guidelines have been issued to curb fuel and electricity consumption across Sri Lanka amidst the global energy crisis owing to the conflict in the Middle East. Guidelines have been issued by the Commissioner-General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi. Under the new guidelines: All air-conditioning units in govt and statutory institutions must be switched off by 3 p.m., with private sector offices urged to more..

Mar 30 (Island) The Little Japan Institute has invited applications for its Japan employment programme, under the theme Stable Employment Through Education, offering Sri Lankan youth the chance to work in Japan’s care sector as government-recognised Certified Care Workers. The programme features one year of Japanese language training followed by two years of practical on-the-job training. On successful completion of the national Certified Care Worker training, participants are more..

Mar 30 (Island) SL’s trailblazing 1996 World Cup-winning side will roll back the years when they take on a World XI in Kuala Lumpur, marking three decades since their watershed triumph that changed the game’s field settings for good. The exhibition match, hosted by the historic Royal Selangor Club, an institution that has been part of Asia’s sporting fabric since 1884, will be preceded by a gala dinner before the old warhorses lace up their boots once more against a Rest of the World XI. more..

Mar 30 (AD) The Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has granted approval to increase electricity tariffs with effect from April 1. The CEB in February requested a 13.56% electricity tariff revision from the Public Utilities Commission for the second quarter of this year. Under the electricity revision announced by the PUCSL for domestic consumers: For the 0–30 units category, electricity tariffs will rise by 4.3%, more..

Mar 30 (DM) Balapitiya High Court acquitted and released four accused who were indicted over a triple murder, including the killing of two policemen, in Thotagamuwa, Balapitiya in 2006, citing serious contradictions in the prosecution’s evidence relating to the identification of the suspects. Case relates to an incident on September 11, 2006, when a Police Sergeant and a Police Constable attached to the Ambalangoda Police Station, along with a driver, were shot dead. more..

Mar 30 (NW) Athithiya Anantharajah, a 25‑year‑old of SL origin, has been appointed Maire Adjoint (Deputy Mayor) of Pontault‑Combault, a municipality on the outskirts of Paris, France. Athithiya, the daughter of SL Tamil refugees who fled the war, began her public service career at the age of 19 as a city councillor. She was officially appointed Deputy Mayor in March 2026 and assumed duties on March 23 following the municipal elections. Her family traces its roots to Kayts in the Jaffna district. more..

Mar 30 (FT) Based on the telecom reform experience, some expect to see dramatically lower prices in other infrastructure sectors such as fuel and electricity as soon as entry is permitted. Not seeing lower prices, the claim is then made that liberalisation was wrong. This article seeks to explain how competition works in infrastructure industries and what must be done to get lower prices. In essence, competition is about consumer choice: if I do not like the price-quality bundle you offer, more..

Mar 30 (FT) The veteran SL researcher and writer on rebirth and reincarnation, Tissa Jayawardena, in his latest book containing research outcomes relating to amazing body signs of children who have spoken of previous births, has brought 35 stories suggestive of rebirth to Sinhala readers. These stories had originally been published by their main researcher, the late Professor Ian Stevenson of Virginia University in the USA. Jayawardena had been Stevenson’s local research partner and, more..

Mar 30 (Island) Recommendations made by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, following an inquiry into claims by a female employee of the Dept of Information Systems and Management of Parliament, regarding sexual harassment, denial of due salary increments and other forms of harassment, were yet to be implemented, sources familiar with the investigation said. Retired HC Judge handed over more..

Mar 30 (AD) Prabhath Madusanka, also known as Midigama Chuti, a member of an organized criminal gang who was taken into custody in Oman, has been brought back to the country this morning. He was escorted to the BIA by a team of special police officers. Midigama Chuti, who is connected to multiple criminal activities, was taken into custody by Omani security authorities last year while having a red warrant issued against him. Accordingly, 3 officers from the CID departed for Oman more..

Mar 30 (DN) Sri Lanka’s 400m men’s, women’s and mixed relay teams secured second place at the 1st International Invitation Relay held in Chandigarh, India over the weekend. In the mixed 4x400m relay led by Kalhara Indupa Silva, followed by Jithma Wijethunga and Aruna Darshana, kept Sri Lanka in front for much of the race. However, in the final 100m, anchor runner Nishendra Fernando was overtaken by India’s runner. India won the race and SL had to satisfy with silver medal. more..

Mar 30 (SO) The country’s power system is under mounting pressure, with engineers predicting that targeted night- outages may become necessary from next month. Energy sector engineers said that falling water levels in reservoirs and rising diesel costs are squeezing supply margins, forcing officials to consider short, rotational power cuts to stabilise the grid. “Delaying such measures could lead to more severe, more..

Mar 30 (TM) Amid mounting political and public pressure over a controversial coal tender, Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) yesterday launched a public petition demanding the immediate resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, alleging the procurement of substandard coal has caused massive financial losses to the State. Association’s General Secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika said the signature campaign commenced in Nugegoda, with plans to gather islandwide support more..

Mar 30 (NW) Govt yesterday launched the national programme Surakimu Lanka, aimed at encouraging the public to conserve energy, citing potential supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict and forecasts of possible El Niño weather conditions. The programme, launched on March 29, will run for five months and seeks to promote responsible energy use while strengthening national energy security. The initiative aims to foster a community that carefully conserves energy resources more..

Mar 30 (ST) Two opinions have emerged within the Attorney General’s Department regarding the Uni of Wolverhampton’s response to the CID in relation to its probe into former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to Britain in 2023. The difference of opinion has resulted in a delay in the completion of the probe into the allegation that Mr Wickremesinghe misused more than Rs 16.6 million in state funds to attend the Wolverhampton University’s graduation ceremony where his wife, Maithree Wickramasinghe, more..

Mar 30 (NW) Supreme Court conducted a landmark paperless trial on March 26, marking a major step in the country’s judicial digitalisation. The hearing, led by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena with judges Arjuna Obeyesekera and Sobitha Rajakaruna, involved a case of contempt of court. Respondent had failed to pay a govt-ordered fine of Rs. 3 million related to the 2024 Grade 5 scholarship exam question paper leak. For the first time, the court used a fully digital case file instead of more..

Mar 30 (TM) Another Indian fuel vessel, HARI ANAND, arrived at the Colombo Port yesterday, carrying 36,000 metric tonnes (MT) of diesel and petrol, as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with fuel supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. The vessel docked at the Dolphin Jetty at around 1.30 pm, and pumping of the fuel to the Kolonnawa storage complex commenced shortly after, authorities stated. more..

Mar 30 (NW) Businessman Dudley Sirisena has raised concerns over SL’s 36% personal income tax, warning that high taxation and excessive public holidays could hinder investment and slow the country’s economic recovery. Speaking at an event in Galle, Sirisena said the country was currently facing a severe economic challenge amid global uncertainties, including the Middle East conflict, and stressed the need for stronger cooperation between the govt and the business community. more..

Mar 30 (TM) Anti-dumping legal measures aimed at curbing the sale of imported goods at prices lower than local products will soon be formulated Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti said recently to media, during a special inspection tour of the Nalanda and Kaludewala industrial zones in the Matale District. He urged complaints to be lodged whenever imported products are sold at prices lower than those of locally produced goods. more..

Mar 30 (ST) Former Director General of the Land Reform Commission (LRC) Liyanage Padmasiri has acknowledged that a statement he made claiming MP Chamindrani Kiriella had illegally acquired 43 acres of land in Hantana, Kandy, was false. He has tendered an apology to the SJB MP over the false statement and also expressed his regret over the matter. Tendering his apology before Parliament’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Mr Padmasiri claimed that the statement was made when more..

Mar 30 (DM) SL’s tourism sector has crossed the 150,000 mark for March, but the industry is grappling with a sudden contraction that threatens the newly revised monthly target of 200,000 arrivals. 151,693 tourists arrived in the country between Mar 1 and Mar 25. On a cumulative basis, SL welcomed 708,348 international visitors during the year up to Mar 25. Despite a strong start to 2026, the current pace represents a stark drop compared to the 185,164 arrivals registered during more..