Apr 3 (FT) The visiting staff delegation of the IMF yesterday met with leaders of the Opposition parties in Parliament to get their views on issues of mutual interest. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih and comprised MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Dilith Jayaweera, Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, and Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna. For some reason, other party leaders, including those from the SJB and SLPP, were absent, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. more..

Apr 3 (Island) A sweeping regulatory move to safeguard public health came into force April 1, banning the manufacture and sale of baby feeding bottles and reusable plastic bottles containing harmful chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA), while making Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification mandatory across the sector. The new regulation, issued by the CAA under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2456/42 dated Oct 1, 2025, requires more..

Apr 3 (ST) Northern and Eastern farmers who are preparing for the upcoming Yala harvesting season are worried about the police crackdown on fuel hoarding. A farmer in Murasumottai, Kilinochchi, was arrested for transporting 400 litres of diesel, in 20 cans, intended for his tractor. He was released on bail after being produced in courts on Thursday. Two large-scale farmers from Uriyaan, Kilinochchi, who cultivate over ten acres of land, were also taken into custody along with their fuel stocks but more..

Apr 3 (Island) A newly launched initiative, the Sri Lanka Brand Forum (SLBF), seeks to redefine the role of business in national development, urging companies to move beyond profit and become institutions of trust, clarity, and progress. At a recent press conference in Colombo, founders announced the forum as a response to what they described as a BANI world – an acronym for Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible – where uncertainty has become the norm. more..

Apr 3 (FT) Most venture funds celebrate one good exit. nVentures is quietly sitting on two, and both are still getting bigger. In the span of three years, the Singapore-SL-based venture capital (VC) fund has logged an acquisition by JPMorgan and watched a portfolio company it seeded get valued at $ 600 million. Neither outcome was obvious when nVentures wrote the cheques. The MAS-licenced firm is now publicly raising Fund II, targeting $ 10 million to back Enterprise AI startups built by more..

Apr 3 (DN) Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte recorded a convincing five-wicket victory over their arch-rivals St. John’s College, Nugegoda in the 26th Battle of Sri Jayawardenapura big match played at the P. Sara Oval Stadium on Wednesday. Ananda Sastralaya skipper Positha Madanayake, an off-spinner, was the standout performer of the match. He delivered a match-winning performance, claiming 5 wickets for 11 runs in his 9-over spell in the first innings, followed by 3 wickets for 62 runs more..

Apr 3 (FT) Discussions yesterday between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the visiting IMF delegation centred on how SL can continue to advance within the EFF program without undermining the economic stability achieved so far, amid fresh external pressures from the Middle East conflict. Visiting delegation, led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou, is here to conduct 5th and 6th Reviews under the EFF program, which more..

Apr 3 (Island) Around 40% of the annual energy we use is consumed in domestic activities. Energy is costly, and supply is not unlimited. Unfortunately, we realize the importance of energy – saving only during the time of a crisis. If you adopt readily affordable energy-saving strategies, you will cut down your living expenditure substantially, relieving the energy burden of the nation. Here are some tips. Cooking: Cooking consumes a good portion of domestic energy demand and more..

Apr 3 (Island) Sri Lankan governments are said to be like cattle-rustling trucks displaying various religious blessings above their windshields. A govt once came to power promising to create a righteous society but did the very antithesis of its pledge. Its rule paved the way for a culture of political violence, election malpractices and corruption. One of the promises made by the JVP-NPP govt during its election campaigns was to restore the rule of law. Those who voted for it may have expected more..

Apr 3 (TM) From war zones to world courts, feminism has reshaped global policy. But, has global policy reshaped feminism in return? An Institute for Youth in Policy (YIP) Fellow and recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Faculty Award at the New York Uni (NYU), legal scholar, feminist thinker, and one of the sharpest critics of how gender, power, and conflict intersect in global governance, Professor Vasuki Nesiah — joined Kaleidoscope to discuss her book International Conflict Feminism, more..

Apr 3 (DN) Cabinet has approved a draft Bill aimed at dismantling criminal gangs, drug trafficking networks and their financial bases, according to our front-page report of yesterday’s edition. The legislation is also aimed at closing legal loopholes and facilitating the forfeiture of assets acquired through illegal means, among other matters. Legal Draftsman is to be instructed to prepare the new draft Bill on the prevention of organized crime in Sri Lanka, the report further adds. more..

Apr 3 (TM) Educational professionals, specifically teachers, are facing widespread financial hardship, with most reporting a decreased family income and insufficient funds to maintain their standard of living. As a result, many are coping by being forced to reduce spending on necessities including food, medicine, transportation, communication, and entertainment, and nearly half of them pursue additional employment more..

Apr 3 (ST) The above headline is the theme song of a popular TV series. I was reminded of this when global experts this week warned of a climate emergency saying the earth has hit a record heat level, with SL experts also warning of extreme heat conditions. This along with the other heat issue – the ongoing conflict in West Asia – places the world in an extremely vulnerable position largely due to man-made and natural disasters. One (man-made) – can certainly be avoided as Donald Trump, more..

Apr 3 (TM) The global order is currently defined by a profound and turbulent transition that mirrors a tectonic shift. For decades, the int'l financial and political architecture operated under a unipolar shadow where a single centre of power issued instructions that the rest of the planet was expected to follow. Today, that shadow is receding, replaced by a multipolar reality where the Global South is finally asserting its economic and political agency. For a small island nation like SL, more..

Apr 3 (TM) SL’s post‑crisis recovery is unfolding against an increasingly hostile global backdrop. As conflict in West Asia threatens energy supplies, trade routes, remittance flows, and tourism corridors, the question is no longer whether SL is stabilising, but whether it is becoming resilient fast enough. Senior Professor in Economics Prasanna Perera warns that headline reserve figures mask deeper vulnerabilities and that the country’s more..

Apr 3 (DM) No sooner had US President Donald Trump ended his special address to the nation on Wednesday—Thursday around 6.50 a.m. SL time—than War Secretary Pete Hegseth took to X to post a hubristic message. Echoing Trump’s warning to Iran, he tweeted with a mix of megalomania, perversion, and sarcasm: Back to the Stone Age. The Stone Age that maverick Trump and fanatic Hegseth threaten to reduce Iran to is, in fact, a more fitting description of the United States’ own behaviour. more..

Apr 3 (DM) Sri Lanka’s renewed engagement with Russia in the energy sector comes at a moment of considerable uncertainty in global geopolitics and energy markets. With the deadline for sanctions-related waivers for Russian oil approaching on April 12, Sri Lanka finds itself traversing a delicate diplomatic and economic path. The prospect of deeper energy cooperation with Moscow is often presented as a pragmatic response to SL’s vulnerability to global fuel shocks. more..

Apr 2 (AD) Colombo Magistrate’s Court today has ordered the issuance of open warrants for the arrest of Shamindra Rajapaksa, a former board member of SriLankan Airlines and son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, and Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, the wife of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, in connection with the alleged Airbus aircraft deal. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama after considering a request submitted by more..

Apr 2 (NW) Former Eastern Province Governor Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, was remanded by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court pending the Attorney General’s recommendations over investigations into the 2006 disappearance of an Eastern Province Vice Chancellor. According to court proceedings, Pillayan was produced after nearly a year in detention under detention orders, during which he had not been brought before the court. more..

Apr 2 (TM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley de Silva says that they would not compromise on physical fitness tests of players under any circumstance, as the former intensifies its crackdown on unfit national players. He made this remark in response to recent media reports that SLC has decided to expedite its new fitness regimen to bring the national team and its players on par with other top sides in the world game. more..

Apr 2 (AD) Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has filed a petition before the Colombo District Court seeking an order directing SLC to issue a no objection certificate, enabling him to participate in int'l league tournaments, including the 2026 Indian Premier League. The petition was filed through attorney G.G. Arulpragasam and was heard today (2) before the Colombo District Court. The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 9 and has ordered that notices be issued to the respondents. more..

Apr 2 (AD) The final rites of former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera will be performed on Saturday (4). Former Minister Wijesekera, a prominent political figure from the Southern Province, passed away this morning (2) at the age of 83. Former Minister Wijesekera’s final rites will be held at the Matara crematorium at 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to his son, former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera. The remains of late Wijesekera will be placed at the family residence in Matara tomorrow more..

Apr 2 (AD) The visiting delegation of the IMF met with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today to discuss SL’s ongoing economic reform programme and progress under the IMF-supported Extended Fund Facility. During the discussions, attention was drawn to the current status of SL in relation to the fifth and sixth review of the IMF programme, with the IMF delegation engaging the President on more..

Apr 2 (NW) Education Ministry has issued a directive to all schools stating that corporal punishment and any form of physical or psychological harm to students are strictly prohibited. The move follows court observations highlighting the need for clearer guidance to teachers and school administrators on maintaining discipline without harming students. In a circular issued to education authorities, the ministry said no child should be subjected to physical or psychological punishment more..

Apr 2 (AD) NWSDB says that three-hour water cuts will be imposed in Battaramulla, Pamankada, Wellawatte, Nawala and surrounding areas on every other day from today until April 10 from 10 pm to 1 am. Meanwhile, a 24-hour water cut will be imposed to Padukka, Homagama, Pelanwatta and Pannipitiya areas once in four days for 24 hours from 8 pm today. Accordingly, the water supply will be suspended for 24 hours on one day, while the water supply will be uninterrupted for next 3 days more..

Apr 2 (FT) CB Economic Research Director Dr. Lasitha Pathberiya has said interest rates are expected to ease, with private sector credit continuing to grow. “Market interest rates followed a broad-based downward adjustment in spite of a short-lived uptick in November and December 2025, and [the] reduction in interest rates will continue in the months ahead,” Dr. Pathberiya said, presenting the case for holding rates at the Monetary Policy Review No. 2 of 2026 media briefing more..

Apr 2 (TM) National Agrarian Unity (NAU) organisation alleged the fertiliser distribution process through Agrarian Service Centres has failed, claiming the system forces farmers to pay the full cost of the entire season’s fertiliser requirement in a single instalment. The organisation also charged the Govt’s fertiliser subsidy remains inadequate. The organisation’s President, Anuradha Tennakoon, said that under the previous system, farmers were able to purchase fertiliser from more..

Apr 2 (FT) CB Economic Research Director Dr. Lasitha Pathberiya has said interest rates are expected to ease, with private sector credit continuing to grow. “Market interest rates followed a broad-based downward adjustment in spite of a short-lived uptick in November and December 2025, and [the] reduction in interest rates will continue in the months ahead,” Dd energy more..

Apr 2 (DM) The Director General of the CIABOC Ranga Dissanayake said that all public officials are legally required to declare their assets and liabilities, warning that failure to comply will result in strict legal consequences. Speaking at an event held at the BMICH to launch an electronic system to declare assets and liabilities, he said that any wealth exceeding a person’s known income would be presumed to have been acquired through bribery unless proven otherwise. more..

Apr 2 (TM) United States continues to look forward to seeing Sri Lanka offer market access for its homegrown exports ranging from agricultural commodities, machinery and pharmaceuticals, as Sri Lanka continues to run a $ 2.27 billion trade surplus with the global superpower, US Embassy in SL Economic Unit Chief Zachary Bailey said in a recently (31 March) published panel discussion on social media. “We would also really like to see more US exports coming to Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 2 (EN) National Water Supply and Drainage Board has said its water sources are running low, and they are looking to avert an acute problem by limiting supply to the island’s Western Province immediately. “From tomorrow, we will have to limit water supply to places that have so far received 24-hour water supply,” NWSDB chairman Chandana Bandara said. “We anticipate problems arising in the next two weeks, especially more..

Apr 2 (Island) Perched above the historic town of Gampola, where rolling hills meet drifting clouds, Ambuluwawa emerged this week as a powerful symbol of peace, sustainability, and renewal. Marking the 30th anniversary of the Ambuluwawa Religious and Biodiversity Complex, foundation stones were laid for an International Meditation Centre and an International Library—two landmark initiatives aimed at promoting global harmony, spiritual reflection, and knowledge sharing. more..