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..

Apr 6 (DN) Spinners Thanuga Palihawadana (5/44) and Sethru Fernando (4/36) bowled well to pick 9 wickets between them to wreck the Isipathana second innings for 109 as Thurstan fought back to record an innings and 8-run win in their 63rd Battle of the Brothers cricket encounter and bagged the Blackham Wijewardena Trophy at the SSC grounds yesterday. The match ended with almost two sessions to spare. It was Thurstanites’ superb bowling performance with spin duo more..

Apr 6 (FT) Private sector credit showed a sharp rebound in February, with fresh borrowings rising 74.7% month-on-month to Rs. 144.3 billion from a nine-month low in January, even as overall lending momentum remained below late-2025 peaks amid lingering post-Cyclone Ditwah disruptions and before the outbreak of the Middle East war. New private sector borrowing from SL’s banking sector slowed sharply to Rs. 82.6 b more..

Apr 6 (Island) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to unsettle global energy and trade flows, SL appears to be finding a degree of resilience by deepening economic engagement with partners such as Russia and the UK. Recent diplomatic and trade developments suggest Colombo is positioning itself to benefit from both energy cooperation with Moscow and expanded export opportunities in the British market, potentially softening the impact of external shocks more..

Apr 6 (DN) Leg spinner Wanuja Sahan had a superb figures of 5 for 13 as Sri Lanka ‘A’ notched up an easy 140 runs win over New Zealand ‘A’ in their first unofficial ODI of the 3- match series played at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday. New Zealanders chasing a target of 262 were all out for 121 in only 28.4 overs and leg spinner Wanuja Sahan was leading from the front taking 5 for 13 in his 6.4 overs to restrict opponents for just 121 runs. Wanuja was adjudged the Man of the Match. more..

Mar 6 (FT) Micro-Star International Ltd, (MSI), headquartered in Taiwan, recently hosted its Partner Excellence Awards in Colombo, bringing together over 100 partners and industry stakeholders to celebrate outstanding performance and strengthen its growing partner network in SL. With a presence in over 130 countries, MSI is globally recognised as a leading technology brand offering a comprehensive portfolio including PC components, notebooks, desktops, displays, and accessories. more..

Mar 6 (FT) A regional workshop on enhanced transparency and cooperation for climate action concluded recently in Colombo, bringing together representatives from countries across Asia and the Pacific and Central Asia to strengthen collaboration on climate transparency, agrifood systems transformation, and engagement in the lead-up to the 31st session of the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). Held from 11 to 13 March, the workshop convened Govt representatives, more..

Mar 6 (FT) In a significant and welcome development, the Govt last week decided to revise the much-debated Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2026 following strong objections and a Supreme Court challenge. The Bill, which was placed on the Order Paper of Parliament, faced immediate legal pushback when five petitioners challenged several provisions, arguing that they were unconstitutional. The contested clauses included attempts to more..

Mar 6 (Island) A nation’s future is shaped not only by its economic policies or technological progress, but by the historical consciousness of its people—especially its younger generation. Education is the most powerful means through which a society transmits its collective memory, values, and sense of purpose. Within this process, history occupies a singular and irreplaceable role. It is history that tells a child who they are, where they come from, what their forebears endured, and more..

Apr 6 (CT) The plight of SL, an island nation of about 23 million people caught in the after-effects of a war in faraway Iran and GCC countries (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – UAE), reminds one of Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed 1973 film Ashani Sanket (Distant Thunder). The movie depicts the sufferings of a small village in Bengal due to the Great Bengal Famine triggered by World War II. SL was rudely awakened to the reality of the war in Iran more..