Mar 28 (MB) Ella, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations, draws scores of foreign visitors who come to admire its natural beauty and marvel at engineering wonders like the famous nine-arched bridge, also known as the Bridge in the Sky. But in February, those visitors witnessed a very different scene — not the lush greenery they expected, but massive flames of orange and red engulfing the hills around Ella. more..

Mar 28 (NW) Minister Sunil Handunneththi drew an analogy between debt collection and personal relationships, stating that banks often forget the past contributions of borrowers when financial difficulties arise. He was addressing an event organized by the Regional Development Bank. “Debt can be like certain girls,” quipped Minister, drawing a comparison between bad debt and what he described as the behaviour of certain women. He claimed that banks often forget good deeds more..

Mar 28 (AD) Former SL cricketer and int'l umpire Kumara Dharmasena emphasizes that cricketers must comply with the country’s tax laws, stating that if taxes are required, players should adhere to legal obligations. Sharing his views on the matter, Dharmasena stated, “I personally believe that if there is a law in the country, we must respect it. If we are required to pay taxes, we should do so as law-abiding citizens.” He added that while he is unaware of the exact earnings of current cricketers, more..

Mar 28 (NW) The main suspect in the rape of a female doctor at the A'pura Teaching Hospital has been identified by the victim. Victim doctor had identified the suspect during an identification parade before A'pura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Jayasuriya. The identification parade had taken place at the official quarters of the A'pura Chief Magistrate today. The female doctor was raped inside her official quarters at the A'pura Teaching Hospital after being held at knife-point by suspect on 10 Mar. more..

Mar 28 (EN) SL’s National Immunization Summit 2025 opened on Friday with over 180 immunization and medical experts gathering to review the island nation’s immunization program and strengthen collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “With a remarkable commitment to strengthening and updating national immunization plan, Sri Lanka remains at the forefront of best practices,” UNICEF said. UNICEF SL Representative Christian Skoog highlighted more..

Mar 28 (TM) The Ministry of Tourism stated that discussions with the Ministry of Health have already taken place regarding the deployment of medical staff for an emergency treatment unit (ETU) in Sigiriya, while plans are also underway to establish first aid units at around 25 key tourist destinations. There have been several incidents of both local and foreign tourists falling ill in Sigiriya, including cases where some visitors have more..

Mar 28 (Island) PHU Leader Udaya Gammanpila alleged that the NPP govt’s response to the UK sanctioning Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, retired Generals Shavendra Silva and Jagath Jayasuriya and ex-LTTEer Karuna Amman was wholly inadequate. Former minister said that the govt should have made use of the opportunity to set the record straight. Unfortunately, the Foreign Ministry statement had failed to address the issue properly, he said. more..

Mar 28 (AD) Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC), Dr. Bandura Dileepa Vitharana has tendered his resignation today. He has reportedly forwarded his resignation letter to the Ministry of Transport. Dr. Vitharana, who previously served as the head of the Transport Committee of the NPP, is also a lecturer at the Open University. However, the reason for his resignation has not yet been disclosed, and attempts by Ada Derana to contact him were unsuccessful. more..

Mar 28 (DM) In an article published in the Daily Mirror on February 27, 2025, we revealed that heavy metals from a copper and brass extracting company were being discharged into the Kelani River, the primary water source for Labugama and Kalatuwa. Following the article titled Pethiyagoda Copper, Brass Factory a Threat to the Kelani River, the factory confirmed that they are operating in an environmentally friendly manner. more..

Mar 28 (AD) Two individuals, including the convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), who were among the medical graduates arrested for protesting near the Health Ministry in defiance of a court order, have been remanded until April 4. Meanwhile, 25 others involved in the protest have been released on bail. A total of 27 individuals, including members of the IUSF, were arrested for violating a court order by holding a protest march in front of the Ministry of Health. more..

Mar 28 (NW) Prestige OUD, a world-class luxury oud perfume, was officially launched, marking a new chapter in SL’s premium fragrance industry. Crafted in collaboration with renowned French perfumer Dominique Ropion, the perfume is the latest creation from Pintanna Oud — a venture led by int'l cricket umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Known for his work with some of the world’s most prestigious fragrance houses, Ropion has brought his signature expertise to this uniquely SL product. more..

Mar 28 (EN) SL has started a system to certify recycled plastic in the fast moving consumer goods industry, ensuring that they are safe, of high quality and sustainable. GP Certified, SL’s first certification mechanism for high-quality recycled plastics, was launched by Island Climate Initiative (ICI). “GP Certified initiative is a game-changer for the recycling industry. It ensures that the plastics we process meet high standards for safety and quality, which will not only boost consumer more..

Mar 28 (AD) Following an earthquake of 7.4 magnitude in Myanmar that caused tremors in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, the Embassy and Permanent Mission of SL in Bangkok is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with Thai authorities. No adverse incidents involving SL citizens have been reported as of now, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a special notice. Meanwhile, SL nationals in Thailand are advised to contact the emergency hotline at +66 812498011 more..

Mar 28 (AD) IMF says that the economic recovery is gaining momentum in SL and that yet, the economy still remains vulnerable, making it critical that the reform momentum be sustained to ensure that macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability are durably achieved. IMF Spokesperson Julie Kozack stated that the fourth tranche of $334 million was made available to SL to support its economic policies and reforms, more..

Mar 28 (DM) Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, a suspect in the investigation into the attack that destroyed UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence at Fifth Lane, Kollupitiya, on July 09, 2022, and for obstructing the Fire Brigade, failed to appear before Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura when the case was heard on March 26. Gunasekara’s counsel informed the Court that he could not attend due to health issues. Several other suspects also cited their inability to appear. more..

Mar 28 (NW) Banks have started notifying customers that the Withholding Tax (WHT) on interest earned from deposits will increase to 10% with effect from April 1, 2025. Change is being implemented under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 02 of 2025, which was passed earlier. The current WHT rate of 5% will be doubled as part of the new tax measures introduced by the govt. Revised rate will apply to interest income from savings and fixed deposits, more..

Mar 28 (DM) SL’s consumer prices rose 1.2^ in the 30 months to March 2025 from September 2022, when the central bank’s deflationary policy started to show up in the balance of payments, while food prices were down 3.1%, official data show. The Colombo Consumer Price Index fell absolutely for the second month to 191.6 points in March from 192.2 points in February. The food price sub-index fell 1.3% in March, after rising steadily more..

Mar 28 (DM) Saturn’s transit to the Pisces Zodiac sign from Aquarius at 21.44 hours on March 29, 2025, being a major significant celestial event, has captured the attention of astrologers and individuals the world over.Added significance for people in Sri Lanka. This celestial event holds added significance for the people of SL, as Saturn is the Ascendant lord (Lagnadhipati) of the national horoscope. A flashback to the day of gaining National Independence In this context, more..

Mar 28 (AD) Dept of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for tomorrow in several provinces and districts in the country. It states that the Heat Index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to Caution level at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Colombo and Gampaha districts. As per the advisory, under the Caution level of temperature, fatigue is possible with more..

Mar 28 (FT) Equity is about ensuring fairness by recognising and addressing the individual needs, challenges, and circumstances of each person, while equality treats everyone the same. In SL’s evolving landscape, equity—not just equality—has become crucial for building performance-driven organisations. By focusing on equitable pay, gender equity, career progression, and workplace inclusivity, businesses can unlock their full potential while navigating challenges of equity-based more..

Mar 28 (FT) PM Narendra Modi’s forthcoming state visit to Sri Lanka on 5 April 2025, presents a defining moment in bilateral relations and carries far-reaching strategic consequences. As the first foreign leader to visit under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration, this high-profile engagement serves multiple critical functions – reinforcing diplomatic bonds, accelerating economic recovery, and recalibrating regional power dynamics. The visit builds upon the foundation laid during more..

Mar 28 (DM) Govt is set to launch a nationwide initiative to establish new restaurants, ensuring food security and providing the public with access to nutritious and affordable meals. This program will be implemented in collaboration with National Food Promotion Board, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture. Existing restaurant owners will also be involved to secure their support. The first model restaurant under this initiative is scheduled to more..

Mar 28 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continues its strong momentum in 2025, with over 200,000 tourists arriving in the first 27 days of March, marking a 13% growth compared to the same period last year. As of yesterday, over 200,000 tourists visited SL, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) total to over 690,000 arrivals. The latest data showed that the first 26 days of March saw a footfall of 198,982 tourists, propelling the YTD figure to 684,960 reflecting a 14% YoY growth. more..

Mar 28 (CT) Colombo HC Judges Manjula Thilakaratne and Sujeewa Nissanka, yesterday, recused themselves from hearing the case against SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, in connection with the misappropriation of Rs 70 million through the controversial Krrish project. High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne announced his decision in open court in the morning, stating that it was based on two social media posts by senior journalists Sanath Balasooriya and Poddala Jayantha. more..

Mar 28 (FT) The Govt yesterday told foreign investors now is the right time to enter SL as subsequent to restoration of stability, the new policy thrust is to achieve higher growth sans corruption. The emphasis of the new growth model was in addition to SL being second most attractive for listed equities on valuations among emerging markets. The new pitch to woo investors was made at a top forum organised by the CSE and more..

Mar 28 (CT) A delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) met with the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, on Wednesday at Parliament premises. The delegation was led by the newly appointed Head of Delegation of the ICRC Sri Lanka, Séverine Chappaz, and included Ruwanthi Jayasundara, Communications Manager of the ICRC SL; John Entwistle, Head of the South Asia Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and more..

Mar 28 (ST) The Veterinary Hospital in Peradeniya has begun maintaining records digitally from this week. Veterinary Teaching Hospital, ancillary to the University of Peradeniya, celebrated a milestone with new initiatives which will shape the future of veterinary care and education. The hospital launched a comprehensive digital record data recording system which was made possible by a private pet care organisation, shifting traditionally handwritten records to digital platforms, more..

Mar 28 (Island) SL govt has intensified its efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflicts and reduce elephant fatalities, allocating substantial funds in the 2025 budget for elephant conservation. The Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has introduced a range of targeted measures, emphasizing public participation and localized interventions. Recognizing the critical role of local communities, the govt has launched awareness programs in high-risk Grama Niladhari divisions. more..

Mar 28 (AD) Former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda has responded to the sanctions imposed by the UK govt against him and several others alleging them of widespread human rights violations during SL’s military operations against the LTTE. Karannagoda claimed that the sanctions are not based on any transparent investigation or legal proceedings, but reflect the selective application of int'l pressure, targeting those who played key roles in SL’s military victory. more..

Mar 28 (DM) The govt's total dues for the company selected for the construction of the Kadawatha-Mirigama stretch of the central expressway have soared to US $ 189.513 million (Rs.56 billion) and further delay involves daily addition of Rs. 21 million to the outstanding amount, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said. He said that though the project is at a standstill, there are costs involved in various aspects including more..

Mar 28 (DM) The govt is currently exploring all potential avenues to determine the most effective strategy for restructuring the debt-laden national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, suggesting that options like privatisation or Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) remain under consideration. Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma shared that an expert committee is diligently studying the optimal course of action to restructure the financially strained national airline, adhering to govt guidelines. more..

Mar 28 (TM) SL’s stock market needs to be more diversified with more companies listed including state-owned enterprises (SOEs) for the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) to invest over 1% without overheating the market, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. He said that the Central Bank doesn’t have options to invest 95% of the EPF and that it can only invest in govt securities. “If the fiscal consolidation path is going forward, I don't think EPF will have a challenge to invest savings of more..