Mar 31 (NW) Sri Lanka will introduce a six‑month program granting free tourist visas to passport holders from 39 selected countries, in a bid to boost the nation’s tourism industry. Approval for the initiative was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on July 21, 2025. Under the Immigration and Emigration Act, draft regulations prepared by the Legal Draftsman for the issuance of free visas will be presented to Parliament for approval. more..

Mar 31 (Wisden) Playing for NCC in the Major League Tournament, Udara hit 94 and 100 not out against Colts Cricket Club in the final round of the Super Eight stage. Though his side conceded the first-innings lead, the opener only added to his great form, taking his tally across the last five innings to 601 runs. Udara’s golden run started with a massive 261 against the Police Sports Club in Galle, and he followed it up with knocks of 126 and 20 against Bloomfield, before the 194-run aggregate more..

Mar 31 (DM) A high-level Indian business delegation, led by the International Trade and Delegation Federation of Chambers (ITDFC), concluded a 4-day visit to Sri Lanka last week, highlighting a renewed momentum in bilateral trade and investment ties, particularly in healthcare, infrastructure and cross-border services. The delegation, led by ITDFC Chief Operating Officer Bency George, comprised industry representatives from healthcare, infrastructure, trade and investment sectors. more..

Mar 31 (TS) Kugatheeswaran Thuraisinkam grew up in SL amid a civil war, witnessing death and suffering displacement. He dropped out of elementary school to work. He fled to Canada for asylum, part of a voyage that made int'l headlines, but instead of finding peace, trauma and misfortune followed him here. He has had to deal with an agent who his lawyer claims mishandled his case, prolonged separation from his wife and three children, homelessness, and psychosis that went more..

Mar 31 (NW) A special discussion was held today at the Consumer Affairs Authority to ensure that Kithul treacle sold in the market complies with SL standards and to provide consumers with high-quality products. Representatives from the Consumer Affairs Authority, SL Standards Institution (SLSI), and companies engaged in commercial Kithul treacle production participated in the meeting. During the discussion, officials highlighted the importance of manufacturing Kithul treacle more..

Mar 31 (DN) Australian HC Matthew Duckworth made a significant visit to Sri Lanka’s largest lentil and pulse processing plant located in Kelaniya last week. His visit aimed to showcase the remarkable collaboration between Australia and Sri Lanka, where top-quality Australian produce meets local manufacturing expertise to create a powerful partnership that is making waves in the global market. Duckworth suggested that more..

Mar 31 (Island) A group of social justice and human rights activists yesterday urged the public to remain vigilant over a proposed counter-terrorism law they say could threaten democratic freedoms if enacted. Speaking at a press briefing convened by the Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM), campaigners warned that the government’s proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) could concentrate sweeping powers in the hands of the Executive. more..

Mar 31 (NW) Four suspects, including the two sons of former Minister Johnston Fernando, who were remanded over the misuse of a Lanka Sathosa lorry, have been released on bail by the Negombo High Court. The other suspects released on bail today are the former Working Director and the former Transport Manager of Lanka Sathosa. Johnston Fernando, his elder son Johan Fernando, his younger son Jerome Fernando, and the other two former state officials were arrested and more..

Mar 31 (AD) Supreme Court has ruled that the Colombo Municipal Council and the Kolonnawa Urban Council violated fundamental rights of residents by illegally dumping waste on the land known as Pothuvil Kumbura in Meethotamulla. The ruling was delivered in a fundamental rights petition filed by a group of residents from the affected area, including lawyer Nuwan Bopage. The case was heard before a 3-judge bench of the SC, more..

Mar 31 (NW) The Cabinet has approved plans to hold the State Vesak Festival of 2026 (Buddhist Year 2570) in the Matara District, centred at the ancient Midellawala temple premises in Thihagoda. Organized jointly by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Public Administration, and the Department of Buddhist Affairs, the festival will be conducted under the theme Abhiththaretha Kalyane (Let us swiftly unite for the common good). more..

Mar 31 (NW) The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered the release of former Parliamentarian Sajin Vass Gunawardena on bail, following his arrest by the Bribery Commission over allegations of illegally earning assets worth Rs. 243.8 million. Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama imposed two sureties of Rs. 05 million each and barred the suspect from foreign travel. Gunawardena was produced before court by prison officials after being held in remand custody since March 9, more..

Mar 31 (DM) In the wake of controversy over substandard coal imports to SL, a parliamentary Committee has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant. It was revealed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, which met in parliament complex recently, that the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation more..

Mar 31 (DM) Minister Sunil Handunneththi, announced that 2026 will witness the highest number of loans granted to entrepreneurs in recent history, as part of the govt’s efforts to strengthen the industrial sector. Addressing the Central Province Entrepreneurship Awards Ceremony as the chief guest, Minister said the govt is placing significant emphasis on empowering local industrialists and expanding access to finance. A substantial allocation of Rs. 87 billion had been made in 2025 to more..

Mar 31 (DM) The security of the Indian Ocean is once again in the spotlight because of the US-Israeli war on Iran. SL, once, sought the region to be declared a zone of peace. The ocean’s significance for freedom of navigation is talked about with fresh perspectives now in the wake of Iranian warship IRIS- Dena being torpedoed in SL’s Exclusive Economic Zone by a US submarine. SL, given its strategic positioning, is dragged more..

Mar 31 (NW) Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has expressed concern about Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody, continuing to hold a ministerial position, after he has been indicted in the High Court, reportedly on charges relating to corruption / financial misconduct. CPA said that according to media reports, CIABOC filed these charges, alleging that in 2016, while serving as Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, Jayakody was involved in more..

Mar 31 (EN) SL’s Defence Ministry is looking to get professional qualifications for its retiring Navy personnel so that they can get international jobs. A meeting to discuss foreign employment opportunities in the shipping and marine sectors for SL’s retired navy personnel was held on March 30. “The discussion focused on the lack of internationally recognized professional qualification certificates required for employment in the global maritime industry and the need to establish more..

Mar 31 (DM) A disturbing new study has intensified concerns over environmental pollution and public health in Sri Lanka due to combustion of low-quality coal, revealing that women with no occupational exposure to mercury have recorded alarmingly high levels of the toxic metal in their hair. Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) chairperson and senior advisor Hemantha Withanage said the findings point to more..

Mar 31 (FT) Despite having a regasified LNG power generation capacity of 600 MW in Kerawalapitiya, Sri Lanka has chosen not to include LNG in its future energy mix because of the associated risks. This is the Govt's most prudent decision, and they deserve praise. Sri Lanka had planned to secure LNG by leasing a FSRU (Floating Storage Regassification Unit). If Sri Lanka had needed LNG during the Hormuz Strait closure by Iran, the penalties could have exhausted our limited USD savings. more..

Mar 31 (AD) Vehicles with number plates ending in both odd and even numbers will be able to obtain fuel from filling stations tomorrow (1), the CPC announced. Since Feb 19, fuel quotas through the QR system have been issued based on the last digit of the vehicle number plate. Accordingly, the last digit of the vehicles with zero and even-numbered number plates are allowed to purchase fuel on even-numbered dates. Despite tomorrow being an odd-numbered dates, fuel will be dispensed to all vehicles. more..

Mar 31 (DM) Food prices at eateries across the country will be increased with effect from midnight today (31), following a decision by the All-Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners' Association, citing rising operational costs. Association President Harshana Rukshan said the price of popular items such as fried rice and kottu has been increased by Rs. 30, while short eats have gone up by Rs. 10. The price of a cup of plain tea and milk tea has also been raised by Rs. 5. more..

Mar 31 (FT) In a world where access to justice remains elusive for millions, SL has built something quietly remarkable: a nationwide community mediation system that is highly effective, trusted, and uncommonly low cost. At a time when governments everywhere are searching for ways to deliver justice more efficiently, SL’s model deserves far greater attention. Over the past year, I had the privilege of studying this system in depth while preparing a report commissioned by New York Uni’s more..

Mar 31 (AD) A controversy has emerged after reports that a birthday celebration was arranged for Ishara Sewwandi, who is currently in custody of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) over allegations linked to the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa. Sewwandi’s birthday fell on Sunday (29), and information was received by Head of Colombo Range DIG Nishantha Soysa, that an event has been organized to celebrate birthday more..

Mar 31 (NW) Gampaha Magistrate’s Court has ruled that the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) is entitled to continue occupying its headquarters located at Salmal Uyana along Kirindiwela Road in Yakkala. The case was filed following an incident on Sept 2, 2025, when a group allegedly linked to the JVP entered the premises and took control of the office. Following the incident, Administrative Secretary of the FSP, along with affiliated trade unions operating from the premises, filed a private plaint more..

Mar 31 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged the Govt is shifting the financial burden of controversial coal procurement losses onto electricity consumers, intensifying political pressure over the recent tariff hike. Speaking amid growing public concern over rising living costs, Premadasa claimed the Govt had conveniently transferred losses linked to disputed coal tenders to end users through higher electricity tariffs, despite earlier assurances of reducing energy costs. more..

Mar 31 (FT) Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved an average 10% tariff increase, lower than the 13.56% hike initially sought by the CEB. PUCSL Chairman Prof. K.P.L. Chandralal said the Commission moderated the increase after weighing its potential impact on households, businesses, and the overall economy, following extensive public and stakeholder consultations held. more..

Mar 31 (Island) The Ambassador of SL to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of Rehlat Wa Manafe Company, the new Hajj service provider for 3,500 SL pilgrims who will perform Haj during the forthcoming season in May this year. During the visit, the Ambassador met with the CEO of Rehlat Wa Manafe Company, Mohammed Al-Taiab Al-Khuzami, along with his team responsible for various services related to Haj rituals, particularly in Mina and Arafah. more..

Mar 31 (DM) Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika Ragala rejected the preliminary objections raised by former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who are accused of misappropriating public funds. The case relates to allegations that during the 2015 Presidential election period, 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 draught boards were imported through the Lanka Sathosa and distributed to political offices of then Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa, more..

Mar 31 (TM) Govt is to continue with the existing fuel cost subsidy, under which the State currently bears Rs. 100 per litre of diesel and Rs. 20 per litre of petrol, with the IMF not opposing it so far, Energy Ministry stated. Responding to queries on whether the IMF had approved the continuation of the subsidy, Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala said that the Fund had not objected to the arrangement at present. "We can continue current arrangement. IMF has not opposed it." more..

Mar 31 (FT) Well known physician and nephrologist Vidyajyothi Prof. Rezvi Sheriff passed away yesterday at the age of 77. Prof Rezvi Sheriff contributed to the discipline of medicine, universities and the health care of Sri Lanka in numerous ways. He was a pioneer in the field of nephrology and transplantation in Sri Lanka, and was the chief proponent of the introduction of renal disease diagnosis and dialysis and kidney transplantation in the country. more..

Mar 31 (TM) Chairperson of the NWSDB, Chandana Bandara said that due to the prevailing dry weather and drought-like conditions in the country, water supply may need to be restricted for several hours per day over the next two to three weeks. He noted that although such water cuts have not yet been implemented, current weather conditions may make it difficult to maintain a continuous 24-hr water supply in near future. more..

Mar 31 (DN) Sanoj Dharshika made a fighting unbeaten century as Colts CC gained first innings victory over NCC in their Major Club super eight cricket fixture at Pallekele yesterday. This game ended in a high scoring draw but a first innings win guided Colts CC to take the championship of this tournament. In fact two teams Colts CC and Ace Capital CC came close to take the title yesterday as Ace Capital won out right against Police SC at NCC grounds. But that was not enough them to more..

Mar 31 (DN) Altogether Eight under 19 players get chance to play National Super League (NSL) cricket tournament, the SLC’s premier tournament of the domestic calendar which scheduled to commence from April 6. National selection committee headed by Promodya Wickramasinghe said they have an idea to give more exposures for the young cricketers and this NSL tournament is a good platform for the National under 19 players to play with senior club players as well as National players. more..