Apr 6 (TM) The Tamil-Speaking Women Journalists Association recently celebrated International Women’s Day at Choccan Indian Restaurant, Wolfendhal Street, Colombo 13, bringing together women journalists and media professionals for an evening of recognition, solidarity, and inspiration. The event, led collectively by all members of the Association, highlighted the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of women in the field of journalism, while creating more..

Apr 6 (AD) GMOA has alleged that specialist medical posts have been removed from several hospitals across the country. Its President, Consultant Dr. Sanjeewa Thennakoon stated that political interference has also influenced the transfers of grade medical officers. He pointed out that while the national requirement for specialist doctors stands at 3,000, only around 2,100 are currently in service. more..

Apr 6 (AD) A special meeting was held today between Minister Sunil Handunneththi, and representatives of the IMF. The discussion focused on the contributions of the country’s industrial sector to economic stability and the overall wealth it generates. During the meeting, Minister Handunneththi briefed the visiting IMF delegation on the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the policy measures the govt has implemented to support them. more..

Apr 6 (NW) Six Sri Lankan fishermen who had been detained in Bangladesh since July 2025 have been released and safely repatriated to Sri Lanka. The fishermen, who were on board the SL fishing vessel IMUL-A-0138-PTM (SLFV Sudu Duwa-4), had been apprehended by Bangladesh authorities last year. The six fishermen arrived at BIA at 5:10 a.m. on April 2, 2026, on FitsAir flight 8D912. The release was facilitated by the High Commission of SL in Dhaka through diplomatic engagement, more..

Apr 6 (AD) Banking system bears a significant cost in providing cash transaction services through ATM machines, Governor of the CB Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has stated. He made this assertion during a special discussion held between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and heads of banks and financial institutions. Following the launch of the National QR Payment Promotion Initiative, a meeting between Prez and heads of banks more..

Apr 6 (NW) A new report by Freedom House has highlighted Sri Lanka as one of the countries that recorded improvements in political rights and civil liberties in 2025, even as global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year. In its Freedom in the World 2026 report, Freedom House said Sri Lanka gained five points, citing progress following the 2024 presidential election and efforts by the new government to combat corruption and promote religious tolerance. more..

Apr 6 (NW) GMOA has suspended the ongoing doctors’ strike after the Health Minister agreed to hold a discussion on Thursday. The islandwide strike, which disrupted routine hospital services, was launched over concerns related to doctor transfers and post-intern appointments. Emergency services, however, continued during the trade union action. The GMOA said the decision to suspend the strike was taken following agreement from the Health Minister to hold discussions aimed at more..

Apr 6 (DM) While awarding Rs. 225,000 in compensation to a daily wage earner for unlawful arrest, detention and torture by three policemen attached to the Hanwella Police Station in 2023, Supreme Court held that the Constitution does not permit law enforcement authorities to treat individuals differently based on prejudice or social profiling, particularly on account of their poor economic status. The SC delivered this judgement in a Fundamental Rights application filed by more..

Apr 6 (DM) One of the seven persons who gang-raped and murdered schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in Jaffna in 2013 is alleged to have attempted to sexually abuse a lady Doctor on duty at the prison in Pallekelle, Kandy where he is being held since conviction. Police said the prisoner J. Kokilan Kanna, who is under treatment at the prison hospital, had grabbed the Doctor in embrace and attempted to rape her. Police said following screams from the lady Doctor, prison officials rushed to more..

Apr 6 (NW) The National Development Bank (NDB) says the estimated loss from the recently reported fraud incident amounts to approximately Rs. 13.2 billion, while assuring that customer deposits remain unaffected and banking operations continue as normal. In a corporate disclosure issued on 6 April, the bank said investigations determined that the fraud was confined to a specific operational area and more..

Apr 6 (NW) Retired Major General Suresh Sallay, the former head of Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence Service, has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal challenging his arrest and detention by the CID. The arrest was made under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in connection with ongoing investigations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The petition, submitted through his lawyers, names several senior officials as respondents. more..

Apr 6 (DM) In an obvious swipe at US Prez Donald Trump over the US-Israeli war on Iran, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said all nations are suffering today because of selfishness of one man who wants to rule the world. Speaking during the Easter Vigil service, Cardinal Ranjith said these leaders cannot be called Christians considering what they are doing today. “This leader, who is the head of the most important nation in the world, is showering bombs and causing more..

Apr 6 (NW) The special holiday granted on Wednesdays for govt institutions, schools and universities will be cancelled with effect from April 8, the Commissioner General of Essential Services announced. Wednesday holiday had previously been introduced as part of temporary measures implemented in view of prevailing national requirements. According to the Commissioner General of Essential Services, more..

Apr 6 (AD) A vessel carrying 7,000 metric tonnes of LP gas arrived in the country, according to LAUGFS Gas PLC. LAUGFS Gas PLC said it successfully received an LPG shipment of 7,000 metric tons via the vessel ANDOVER at the Hambantota LAUGFS Terminal. The arrival of the shipment will significantly strengthen supply availability across the country and ensure that there will be no shortages during the upcoming festive season, the company said in a statement. more..

Apr 6 (NW) Sri Lanka and Russia have signed a MoU to enhance cooperation in transport sector training and human resource development, during the International Transport and Logistics Forum held in St. Petersburg. The agreement was signed between the Russian Ministry of Transport and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in the transport sector. more..

Apr 6 (FT) As Sri Lanka approaches the seventh commemoration of the Easter Sunday Attacks, the national mood is once again marked by grief, reflection, and an enduring sense of incompleteness. Nearly seven years later, the tragedy continues to cast a long shadow not only over the victims and their families, but over the institutions and narratives that have since emerged. Commemoration, however, must go beyond ritual. It must be anchored in clarity, accountability, and restraint. more..

Apr 6 (FT) This writer was invited to deliver the keynote address at a recent event. At the outset, the promoters noted that the Ceylon Foundation for Economic Policy Analysis (CFEP) had its origins in the severe economic crisis SL faced in 2022. They also observed that the young people engaged in this policy analysis, commonly referred to as Generation Z or Gen-Z, differ markedly from the older generations that had governed the country. It was this difference that led them to engage in more..

Apr 6 (FT) The two main domestic gas suppliers, Litro Gas Lanka Ltd, and LAUGFS Gas PLC, have raised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices with effect from yesterday (5) midnight, citing sharp increases in global energy costs and mounting logistical pressures linked to geopolitical tensions. Litro announced that the price of a 12.5 kg cylinder in the Colombo District has been increased by Rs. 775 to Rs. 4,765. more..

Apr 6 (SO) CIABOC has issued notice to former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa to provide a declaration of his assets and liabilities through an affidavit before April 10. CIABOC has directed the former Prez to provide this declaration in connection with an investigation initiated in 2015 into Rajapaksa’s assets and liabilities and of his family between the years of 2010 and 2015. Commission in a letter to the former Prez has stated that the investigations have been delayed for a long period and, more..

Apr 6 (AD) Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Northern, Eastern, North-central, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Puttalam, Galle & Matara districts after 2 pm, today, Met Dept said. Showers may occur in coastal areas of Western province and in the Puttalam and Jaffna districts in the morning. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa & Uva provinces and in Ampara district during the early hours of the morning, more..

Apr 6 (FT) Govt has published its 2026 Governance Action Plan, which sets out timelines for key structural reforms, including procurement legislation, State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) restructuring, and changes to the governance of EPF, with several measures scheduled for completion within the year. Plan outlines that the Public Procurement Bill is to be drafted and cleared by April 2026 and submitted to the Cabinet more..

Apr 6 (DM) The Petroleum Distributors Association (PDA) has announced that fuel station owners across the island will stage a silent protest in front of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) today (6) at 9.30 a.m., citing several unresolved issues affecting their operations. Executive Committee Member Shantha Silva said that the primary concern prompting the protest is the difficulties faced by filling station employees under the current odd-even fuel distribution system. more..

Apr 6 (AD) The service charge levied on merchants for all LankaQR transactions up to Rs. 5,000 will be completely removed with effect from today (6). Marking a new milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital economy, the National QR Payment Promotion Programme will be officially launched today (6) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The primary objective of this initiative is to steer Sri Lanka towards a cash-lite economy with reduced reliance on coins & banknotes, more..

Apr 6 (ST) The govt has further postponed the imposition of an 18% VAT on digital services supplied by non-resident service providers through electronic platforms until July 1, according to an Inland Revenue Dept circular. The imposition of VAT on such services has been further postponed until July 1, subject to formal amendment to the VAT Act, IRD Commissioner General said. Earlier, govt imposed an 18% VAT on specified digital services from Oct 1 last year, under VAT (Amd) Act, more..

Apr 6 (NW) Commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, Christian devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world celebrate Easter Sunday with deep reverence and devotion. It is a reminder of the enduring power of hope, renewal and compassion. Beyond being a religious observance, Easter is also a cultural celebration for Christians that invites reflection on humanity, love and resilience. Through His Resurrection, having triumphed over death, Christ demonstrated to the world through more..

Apr 6 (TM) GMOA has given Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa until 8 a.m. today to initiate discussions on ending their ongoing strike. GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said the association decided to set the deadline due to the Minister’s reluctance to engage in discussions on the issues raised by doctors. He said the continuation of the strike would depend on the Minister’s response, adding the association was prepared to take more..

Apr 6 (AD) Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vijitha Herath, stated that nine fuel tankers are scheduled to arrive in the country during the month of April. The Minister made these remarks today (05) while addressing a public rally in Matara, held to commemorate the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)’s Il Maha Viru Samaruma. Minister Herath noted that the government has successfully managed the energy crisis that emerged following the onset of the Middle East conflict. more..

Apr 6 (EN) Hambantota International Port (HIP) has expanded its operational capacity to manage the increased volume of global shipping that has been rerouted due to the US-Israel war on Iran. The port has increased its container yard capacity by 30% and doubled its Roll-On/Roll-Off yard capacity. “What we are witnessing today is a structural shift in global shipping patterns. At HIP, we have focused on building the capacity and operational agility to respond to such changes,” more..

Apr 6 (FT) Hatton National Bank (HNB) CEO Damith Pallewatte pushed back against criticism of high lending rates to micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs), arguing that current pricing reflects funding costs rather than excessive spreads during a panel exchange with Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe. Deputy Minister questioned why banks were charging around 11% on SME loans backed by collateral and proper financial documentation when inflation remains near 2%, suggesting more..

Apr 6 (AD) Deputy High Commissioner of SL to Southern India in Chennai Ganesanathan Geathiswaran on Sunday rejected claims he took part in a meeting with fishermen hosted by any political party. Stating that it was a routine visit and that the event was not organised by any political party, Mr. Geathiswaran said, “I’m not here to do politics.” Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Pawan Khera, in a social media post, referred to the meeting reportedly held in more..

Apr 6 (ST) Lanka Coal Company Ltd (LCC) this week floated a tender for 2.28 million metric tonnes (MT) for the 2026-27 season, changing several of the bid conditions with the objective of avoiding a procurement similar to the ongoing fiasco of substandard coal. While some of the terms have been tightened, tender this time is open to eligible and qualified coal suppliers, rather than the usual registered coal suppliers. more..

Apr 6 (DM) Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has alleged that the continued silence of health authorities over the controversial Ondesterone vaccine, suspected to be linked to several patient deaths, raises serious concerns. Dr. Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, questioned why international reports related to the vaccine have not yet been disclosed to the public. He said several hospitals across SL had reported deaths more..