Mar 28 (NW) An employee attached to the Dambulla Divisional Secretariat has handed over Rs. 213,780 found in an unidentified bag to its rightful owner, following a police-assisted inquiry. The officer, Thushara Jayawardhana, had discovered the cash inside two unfamiliar bags among items he had purchased from shops in Dambulla town on Wednesday. Jayawardhana promptly reported the matter to the Dambulla Police Station after finding the money, as he had no knowledge of more..

Mar 28 (FT) Indigo yesterday said it is further strengthening its connectivity to SL, with the launch of new, direct flights between Delhi and Colombo. Commencing 29 March, the airline will operate six flights every week on this route using its A320 aircraft, offering seamless and convenient travel options for customers. India and SL share deep historical, cultural, and economic ties; improved connectivity will significantly strengthen these relations by boosting trade and tourism more..

Mar 28 (FT) Sri Lanka’s apparel sector came under intensified pressure in Feb 2026, as exports fell by 11.46% YoY to $ 361.2 million with broad-based contraction amid weakening global demand. As per provisional data of Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the steepest drop was registered in the European Union (EU), where exports declined by 19.48%, while shipments to the US fell by 3.53% and the UK by 5.67%. more..

Mar 28 (ST) Chamika Heenatigala, an 18-year-old allrounder from Mahanama College, with a decent wealth of first class experience and an impressive National Youth player, has indicated his potential of becoming a future star for Sri Lanka. With 109 runs including a half century, at an average of 109, and with three wickets with his leg-spins, Heenatigala showed what he is capable of at the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup, a height he climbed after years of commitment. more..

Mar 28 (FT) Colombo stocks yesterday failed to sustain a strong rebound in early trading to end the volatile week in red. Both indices ended on the up compared to a week earlier with the ASPI gaining 3.56% or 736 points during the week while the active S&P SL20 gained 4.3% or 247 points. Foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of over Rs. 1.2 billion. Yesterday, ASPI ended down 0.21% or 44.21 points to 21,375.73 and the S&P SL20 was down 0.59% or 35.53 points to 5,999.99. more..

Mar 28 (FT) Industry Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara yesterday said the cess tax on imports will not be fully removed from 1 April, with the Govt opting for a slower phase-out for vulnerable sectors. Addressing the media, she said the broader plan for phased reduction will begin with a 50% cut in cess rates from 1 April 2026, followed by a further 25% reduction in April 2027 and the remaining 25% will be deducted in 2029. more..

Mar 28 (ST) Fertiliser companies and agro chemicals suppliers have agreed to abide by regulated prices days ahead of the Yala paddy planting season, in a coordinated policy response to mitigate risks, just as prices increased sharply in domestic and global markets due to the widening war in West Asia. Following a meeting this week of all stakeholders with state agriculture authorities, suppliers settled at a cash-only Rs 9,650 for a 50 kilo bag of urea, and a further lower offer more..

Mar 28 (FT) Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Central Bank of SL, setting aside a decision of the Right to Information (RTI) Commission that had directed the disclosure of detailed transaction level information relating to Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). Case arose from an RTI request submitted by Verité Research seeking information on EPF investments, including detailed information of Govt securities transactions such as purchase dates, yields, prices, and counterparties. more..

Mar 28 (FT) SL’s National Payment Network, operating under the guidance of the CB – LankaPay, has partnered with Bar Association of SL (BASL) as a Corporate Partner. LankaPay also operates the LankaSign digital certification service, only commercially operating Certification Service Provider (CSP) authorised by the National Certification Authority of SL. Welcoming LankaPay on board, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said: “We are happy to welcome LankaPay more..

Mar 28 (FT) A 25-member delegation from the SL Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) visited India from 2 Feb to 13 March, to participate in a specialised Training and Capacity-Building Program. The delegation comprised founders, owners and co-owners of SL Start-ups. The program was organised pursuant to the announcement made by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to SL in April 2025, under which India committed to offering more..

Mar 28 (ST) Govt has so far not provided a favourable response to the budget proposal and requests submitted by the SL Book Publishers’ Association (SLBPA) to remove the tax imposed on books. President of the Association, Dinesh Kulathunga said that although they had made written representations to the IMF's Resident Representative in SL too regarding this issue, no response has been received so far. more..

Mar 28 (Island) It was 35 years ago, on March 28, 1991, that Venerable Rahula Thera, then a young monk, embarked on a journey to the Na forest in Ulpathagama, Palagama, in the A'pura District. Today, three and a half decades later, this mission stands as living proof of the enduring bond between Buddhist philosophy and the natural world. Marking the 35th year of this green mission, Rahula Thera’s relentless dedication has transformed the National Namal Uyana into an environmental landmark more..

Mar 28 (CT) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is no novice. He is the current Union Minister of External Affairs of India. Schooled in the much accredited Indian foreign service, prior to his present position as Union Minister, his ascent to being Minster has not been meteoric but rather gradual. Sri Lankans would remember that he once served as Special Assistant to Gopalaswami Parathasarathi who was Indira Gandhi’s emissary to Colombo during the Tamil riots in the country. more..

Mar 28 (Island) US Prez Donald Trump has postponed his much-advertised plan to attack Iran’s national grid and critical energy infrastructure for 10 more days as part of his efforts to find an offramp with Tehran. He has asked Tehran to declare a ceasefire and come for talks on his own terms or face a series of attacks of unprecedented ferocity. One of his main conditions for negotiations has left the world puzzled; he wants Iran to abandon its nuclear programme, while insisting that more..

Mar 28 (GV) In Konniyan Kudiyirippu, women’s lives are written in palmyrah and soil. A wind farm arrived without their consent, flooded their land and poisoned their water. Now a mining company is quietly circling the same village. Vashingtina is 32 years old, a kindergarten teacher, a mother of two daughters and has lived in Konniyan Kudiyirippu for nearly 20 years, long enough to know when the palmyrah is ready, what the soil needs and which way the water moves after rain. more..

Mar 28 (SO) As the U.S. – Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, its repercussions are rippling far beyond the Middle East, unsettling global energy markets, trade routes, and the fragile balance of international power. For smaller States such as SL, the conflict is more than a distant crisis. It is a stark reminder of their vulnerability in an increasingly volatile and multipolar world. In this context, questions of strategic alignment, more..

Mar 28 (FT) SL drugs and medical supplies requirements are met through three sources. The State hospital system is supplied by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), and the private sector is supplied by the SPC as well as private importers, and statistics show that the private importer share of total imports is around 60% of the total spend on drugs and medical supplies. Regarding quality assessments of imports, the SPC has a long-established process to check more..

Mar 28 (DM) The official launch of the book Maa Akamathiwa siti J.R. (The J.R. I Disliked), based on the J.R. Jayewardene Memorial Lecture delivered by former MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, along with its Tamil and English translations, will be held on March 30 (Monday) at 4:15 PM at the J.R. Jayewardene Centre (191, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07). Speakers in the likes of Dr. Ranga Kalansooriya (Regional Advisor (Asia), International Media Support, Dr. Rayes Musthafa – President, more..

Mar 28 (DM) As the Inland Revenue Department celebrates 94 years of service, taxation remains the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s fiscal stability and social progress. In an era of rapid globalisation, the department is pivoting toward a digital-first, taxpayer-friendly culture to foster public trust and voluntary compliance. By integrating virtual assistants and AI-driven solutions, we are streamlining the tax experience, ensuring more..

Mar 28 (DM) According to multiple sources Israel blackmailed US President Trump into entering its war with Iran. A war which the president’s advisors had warned him to back away from. Unfortunately without any warning to Iran and not heeding advice from his own advisors, Trump carried out a sneak attack against Iranian civilian targets which included taking out Iran’s spiritual leader, targeting an elementary girls’ school which killed over 160 school girls as well as some military targets. more..

Mar 28 (DM) The war of aggression waged by the US and Israel against Iran seems very likely to intensify in the next few days. Washington has threatened to escalate and expand the war further if Iran does not comply with US demands. The unreasonable demands are unacceptable to Iran. President Donald Trump’s modus operandi of pretending to negotiate peace with an outstretched hand while preparing to punch forcefully with the other hand fools very few people now. more..

Mar 27 (DM) A shipment of 38,000 metric tonnes (MT) of petroleum products is scheduled to arrive in Colombo on March 28, following high-level discussions between Sri Lanka and India aimed at addressing recent fuel supply disruptions. The consignment includes 20,000 MT of diesel and 18,000 MT of petrol, and comes in the wake of a telephone conversation held on March 24 between Indian PM Narendra Modi and SL President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. more..

Mar 27 (DM) Two Mobile Mercury Analyzers worth Rs. 1.8 million have been donated to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen consumer safety measures and test mercury levels in cosmetic products, including skin lightening creams. The machines were officially handed over today at the Ministry of Trade in the presence of Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and CAA Director General Samantha Karunaratne, along with more..

Mar 27 (AD) Sri Lanka’s health authorities have warned that a significant rise in environmental temperatures is currently being experienced, primarily due to a combination of climatic factors. These include the relative proximity of equatorial regions to the sun, increased atmospheric humidity, higher levels of water vapor, and reduced wind speeds, said Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media. more..

Mar 27 (DM) A man was arrested by Chilaw Police following a road accident involving a tricycle driven in a dangerous manner on the Chilaw–Kurunegala road, police said. The accident had occurred on March 22 at around 6.30 p.m. in the Thitthakade area when a tricycle travelling along the road collided with an oncoming car. Investigations by the Traffic Division of the Chilaw Police revealed that the tricycle had been driven without proper permission to use the road. more..

Mar 27 (AD) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says a special programme has been implemented to safeguard consumers ahead of the upcoming festive season. CAA Director Asela Bandara stated that these special raids are being carried out from March 20 to April 30. He also stated that the officers of the CAA have been briefed and deployed for relevant duties to safeguard consumers, paying attention to the upcoming festive season and potential market changes due to the ongoing ME conflict. more..

Mar 27 (AD) Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has been served indictments before the Colombo High Court in connection with allegations of corruption. The indictments were served before Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela. Minister Jayakody appeared before the court in response to a summons previously issued by the court. Following the serving of indictments, the judge ordered the defendant’s release on more..

Mar 27 (EN) SriLankan Airlines has recorded a boost in revenue following the rollout of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) powered management system, the airline said on Friday. The carrier said it had implemented a next-generation Origin and Destination revenue management platform to automate pricing and inventory. The system uses predictive analytics to offer real-time seat availability, allowing the airline to adjust prices dynamically based on more..

Mar 27 (AD) Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers Association (LCMA) has announced that prices of biscuits, ice cream, chocolate, and other confectionery products will not be increased until May. This was stated by representatives of the association during a discussion held yesterday with the Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. The meeting was convened to discuss the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on the confectionery industry in the country and how decisions taken by more..

Mar 27 (OL) A 43-year-old Czech monk staying as a meditation practitioner at the Bambaragasthalawa Forest Hermitage in the Panama Police Division has died after reportedly being bitten by a leopard. The investigation was launched by Panama Police on the morning of March 26, after the Panama Police Station received a complaint about the monk’s death. The monk had been residing at the Bambaragasthalawa Forest Hermitage as a meditation practitioner at the time of incident. more..

Mar 27 (NF) For years, clean drinking water was not a basic right for hundreds of families in rural SL, it was a daily struggle, a distant hope, and a painful reminder of inequality. Today, that long-standing hardship has been transformed into dignity, security, and renewed hope. Through yet another impactful community-driven initiative by Gammadda, a life-changing solution has reached the people of Naegampaha village, in the Galnewa Divisional Secretariat of the A'pura District. more..