Apr 23 (FT) Asia Siyaka Commodities said the escalation of tensions between the US, Israel & Iran significantly impacted tea exports in March, following the bombing of Iran on 28 Feb and subsequent retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf States. The resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused severe disruptions to shipments, with exports in the first two weeks of March falling sharply. Cargo already in transit was rerouted, and, more..

Apr 23 (FT) Cabinet has approved steps to draft legislation to establish a new apex body aimed at streamlining the country’s industrial and enterprise development framework. “It was approved to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to formally create the new authority,” Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Proposed SL Industrial Transformation and Innovation Authority will consolidate three existing institutions; Industrial Development Board, National Enterprise Development Authority, more..

Apr 23 (FT) Dialog Axiata has announced a strategic partnership with OREL Corporation Ltd, bringing together complementary strengths in digital platforms and device innovation to enhance smart living experiences in Sri Lanka. As part of this collaboration, the two companies will work together across both digital entertainment and smart home solutions. This includes integrating the Dialog Play Smart TV App into OREL’s smart TV range, enabling customers to access a wide range of content more..

Apr 23 (FT) Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry yesterday said cyber hackers had breached its systems, resulting in a reported loss of $ 2.5 million which was part of a bilateral payment to Australia. Ministry said it has already lodged complaints with law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions regarding the theft committed by cyber hackers who breached the computer system of the External Resources Dept of Finance, Planning & Economic Dev. Ministry. more..

Apr 23 (FT) Dubai-based Dnata Airport Services Ltd., has won the contract to provide ground handling services (passenger, ground handling and cargo handling) to SriLankan Airlines in Dubai Int'l Airport for three years. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake to award over 40 million AED (Rs. 3.5 billion) contracts after bids were called from registered suppliers for the long-term agreement of ground handling for 3 years. more..

Apr 23 (Island) Advising people to use water sparingly, the Meteorology Dept yesterday said the rain expected in the coming weeks would be insufficient to raise water levels in upper catchment reservoirs. Most hydropower reservoirs, including Rantambe, Victoria, Upper Kotmale, Maussakele, Samanalawewa, Castlereigh, Kotmale and Dayaraba, contain water below 60% of their capacity. However, the water levels in more..

Apr 23 (Island) Speech delivered, in Colombo, by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at the 7th Year Commemoration of the Easter Sunday Bomb Victims. Most Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Nayaka Thero, Ven. Sirs, Most Rev. Dr. Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio in SL, Most Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo, Bishop of Colombo of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Anton Ranjith, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Batticaloa, more..

Apr 23 (Island) SL has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its national security and countering terrorism financing with renewed focus on Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS), according to media reports quoting the Ministry of Defence. SL’s compliance with the implementation of the TFS is in line with UN Security Council Resolutions, we are told. The irony of the aforementioned govt announcement, which has come close on the heels of the 7th anniversary of the Easter Sunday more..

Apr 23 (TM) As the tropical sun beats down on the dry zone of Anuradhapura and the humidity rises over the central hills, a most unusual procession is making its way across the heart of Sri Lanka. It is a sight that feels ancient and yet modern: a small group of saffron-robed monks, walking barefoot, accompanied by a rescue dog named Aloka. This international peace walk, led by Venerable Pannakara Thera, is more than just a religious pilgrimage. It is a silent, moving sermon on more..

Apr 23 (TM) Leel Gunasekara was a capable public servant who earned the respect of both the people and the bureaucracy. He was also an award-winning writer. In the 1960s, he wrote three novels, the first being Petition (Pethsama), which captured the hardships of village life in the North Central Province and how ordinary people viewed public servants. In that novel, among a few poems, there is one simple but powerful line: “when we look up, we see the blue sky; when we look down, we see the earth; more..

Apr 23 (TM) Every morning, millions of Sri Lankans unlock their phones, tap their banking apps, scroll through social media, and book rides — generating a torrent of personal data with each interaction. Behind the screen, corporations harvest, analyse, and monetise that data at industrial scale. Govts surveil. Algorithms profile. Yet, few Sri Lankans pause to ask a deceptively simple question: Who owns this data? more..

Apr 23 (FT) The financial fraud of a staggering amount of Rs. 13.2 billion at NDB Bank is without precedent in SL. It has sent shock waves throughout the industry and among investors. The possibility of recovery of the stolen funds seems to be very uncertain at this point of time. NDB Board collectively have to take the ultimate responsibility for this serious financial fraud. They have been in receipt of lavish amounts paid to them as emoluments (2025 – Bank Rs. 99 million and more..

Apr 23 (CT) Back in the 1980’s when JRJ allowed private bus operations, me and my brother invested in several privates to run between Homagama and Colombo on the 138 bus route with 100% owned buses with no bank loans. We owned 6 – private buses of Japanese manufacture. Right off the bat, we came to observe that in Kottawa and Homagama bus stations, thugs with blessings from local politicians started doing what they always used to do. Make kappan money from busses. more..

Apr 23 (CT) Over the past few days, we have witnessed a small miracle on our little island. A leading private bank announces an internal fraud of Rs 13.2 billion – not million, billion – and then calmly assures the country that depositors are safe, operations are normal, and the bank can absorb the loss thanks to its strong financial position. Central Bank backs this up, saying capital and liquidity ratios remain above the minimum and depositors more..

Apr 23 (GV) Your Excellency, It has been 19 months since you took office as president and 17 months since you formed the government with a two-thirds majority. In this context, I think I can share some details with you as a Sri Lankan, beyond being a Tamil. When you were in the opposition, I was one of those who was amazed by the dedicated politics of you and your colleagues Bimal Ratnayake, Sunil Handunnetti and Vijitha Herath. Due to the anti-Tamil activities of your party, the JVP, more..

Apr 23 (ST) Central Bus Terminal at Pettah in Colombo was recently refurbished and given a fresh look by the govt. But the very next day, media reports with photos and videos showed the premises already damaged and dirty. Washroom taps had been broken, betel spit stained the floor, and trash was scattered everywhere—plastic bottles, empty snack packets, and candy wrappers littered the ground. Modernisation of a bus terminal or purchase of new buses or making other physical more..

Apr 22 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, says the Secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media will take the necessary actions regarding complaints received against any media violating conditions related to the broadcasting frequency licence. Minister said legal action can be initiated by any individual who feels that their rights have been violated due to a particular news report. “If we get a complaint that conditions related to the broadcasting frequency licence have been violated, more..

Apr 22 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to establish a structured mechanism to monitor the implementation of recommendations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Approval had previously been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on May 17, 2021, to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Sunday Attacks, as well as those of the then Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, aimed at preventing more..

Apr 22 (DM) Since 2019, April 21 is not just another day for Sri Lankans who became victims of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks. Seven years have elapsed since this tragedy took place, but the victims and survivors still await justice. Despite many commissions and committees that have been appointed, families of victims and interest groups who have been demanding truth and justice are yet to know mastermind(s) behind these attacks. more..

Apr 22 (DM) Banners supporting Tamil Nadu political leaders have been displayed across several areas in Jaffna in connection with the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. As the TN Assembly election is scheduled to be held tomorrow, all campaign activities officially concluded yesterday evening. In the 2026 TN Assembly election, the ruling DMK, opposition AIADMK, Naam Tamilar Katchi and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by actor Vijay are among the parties contesting. more..

Apr 22 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to ensure that the Government approved compensation of Rs. 500,000 for houses partially damaged by Cyclone Ditwah is paid to all beneficiaries before the end of May, except in exceptional circumstances. The President instructed officials during a progress review meeting held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat, which focused on compensation payments and the provision of new housing for residents more..

Apr 22 (DM) SL is on the brink of a crippling medicine shortage, including essential and life saving medicines, that threatens to paralyze both public and private healthcare sectors, SL Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) warned. Issuing an urgent call to action, Chamber cautioned that escalating pressures across the pharmaceutical supply chain are severely jeopardizing SL’s ability to ensure more..

Apr 22 (DM) The reported loss of US$2.5 million through fraudulent payment instructions is not a minor financial lapse but a serious breakdown in oversight, internal controls and institutional safeguards within the Treasury, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has said. In a post on X, Namal said that when systems fail at the highest level, junior officials should not be made sacrificial lambs to shield those responsible for supervision and decision-making. more..

Apr 22 (NW) A fleet of buses imported for the CHOGM and left idle for years is being refurbished and prepared for re-entry into service, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said in a social media post. He said 15 buses have already been fully repaired and deployed, while work is underway to restore the remaining vehicles. Of the 38 buses yet to be returned to service, 18 are expected to be operational within the next one and a half months, with the balance to be deployed before more..

Apr 22 (DM) Cabinet has approved the awarding of a consultancy contract for the feasibility study and preparation of detailed plans to extend the Kelani Valley Railway Line from Avissawella to Ratnapura. Initial approval for the project was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on Oct 21, 2025, to conduct a feasibility study and develop detailed plans for the proposed extension. Expressions of Interest were called under the National Competitive Procurement Procedure, attracting eight bidders. more..

Apr 22 (DS) Riding on skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s all-round brilliance, Sri Lanka bounced back strongly in the three-match WODI series, defeating hosts Bangladesh by four wickets in the second match at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on Wednesday. Athapaththu, who missed the opening match due to injury -- a game Sri Lanka lost by three wickets -- returned in style, claiming 3-36 to help bowl Bangladesh out for 165 in 45.5 overs after the hosts opted to bat first. more..

Apr 22 (DM) As the Middle East conflict disrupts global energy markets, the long-dormant Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm project has shifted from a conceptual strategic goal to an urgent national security priority. Following high-level talks during Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s visit, officials emphasized that no further time can be lost on the 99-tank complex. The proposed India-SL-UAE pipeline and grid more..

Apr 22 (NW) The Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne, has raised concerns over the introduction of new low-floor luxury buses by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in collaboration with the Metro company. Wijeratne said he supports the modernization of public transport but questioned the manner in which the project has been implemented, particularly the use of public funds. “These buses have been bought using taxpayers’ money. more..

Apr 22 (AD) Sri Lanka’s economic growth rate in 2026 is projected to be lower than the growth recorded in 2025, according to Professor in Economics at the Dept of Economics, Priyanga Dunusinghe of the University of Colombo. Professor Dunusinghe noted that recent data indicates an around a 30% decline in tourist arrivals this year. He further pointed out that the agricultural sector has been adversely affected by unfavorable weather and climatic conditions. more..

Apr 22 (DM) New Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake said that the govt’s primary objective remains the consistent and uninterrupted delivery of essential services, specifically electricity and fuel, to the public. He said that national energy policies will stay steady and aligned with long-term objectives, irrespective of ministry portfolio changes. He made these remarks after assuming duties as the new Minister of Energy. more..

Apr 22 (NW) A retired Chief Legal Officer of the Ministry of Health has been arrested on corruption charges and remanded until May 5, 2026. The CIABOC confirmed that its officers arrested the suspect on Tuesday (21) at around 3.45 pm, after investigating a complaint. According to the Bribery Commission, while serving as a legal officer, the suspect prepared three lease agreements to extend the rental period of the Medi House building leased to the Ministry of Health. more..

Apr 22 (AD) The Former Director of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who is currently detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. He has been escorted to court under tight security by officers of the CID, Ada Derana reporter said. He was brought to court in accordance with an order issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara during the previous hearing. more..