Mar 14 (DM) People cannot expect anything from this govt, as it has placed a monkey in front of everything else, SLPP former MP Thisakutti Arachchi said. He said that no road developments or constructions have taken place in rural villages, no state buildings have been constructed, no bus stands have been built, no measures have been taken to extend the expressways, no carpet roads have been laid, and no progress has been made in port development or Colombo Port City more..

Mar 14 (TM) Ministry of Public Security is in the process of equipping special crime investigation bureaus, which are to be established in all the nine provinces. It was recently reported that special crime investigation bureaus are to be set up covering all the provinces to minimise crime. When queried by The Daily Morning about the progress of establishing these bureaus, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said that the process of equipping them is currently underway. more..

Mar 14 (EN) SL’s agricultural production in Dec-Jan saw a decrease in paddy, fish and coconut, while tea and rubber picked up. “Paddy production for the 2024/2025 Maha season, based on the sown extent as of end Dec 2024, is forecasted at 2.57 million metric tons, a 5.7% decline from the previous Maha season,” data showed. However, the paddy production forecast for the 2024 Yala season, based on more..

Mar 14 (CT) With the announcement of the Local Govt Elections, the Northern and Eastern provinces have begun rallying behind their preferred political parties, while also calling for unity among factions. The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), yesterday, paid the deposit in Jaffna for the upcoming Local Govt Election. ITAK General Secretary and President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran paid the deposit for 17 Local Govt councils in Jaffna at the Elections Office. more..

Mar 14 (NW) An elephant that suffered a broken tusk after being hit by a lorry on the Habarana-Maradankadawala road recently was found this morning near a tank in the Labunoruwa area in the Thirappane DS. Following the accident, multiple teams from the Dept of Wildlife Conservation conducted a search operation to locate the injured elephant. Wildlife officers had discovered the injured animal resting near the tank earlier today and confirmed that elephant has rejoined its herd. more..

Mar 14 (EN) State-run Ceylon Electricity Board is making the second tariff proposal of 2025 to submit to the regulator, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said as an IMF review looms.IMF has said SL was breaching a structural benchmark in the program after the regulator cut tariffs by 20 percent, which is likely to lead to losses by the utility and breaching a requirement for electricity to be cost-reflective. more..

Mar 14 (NW) Sri Lanka has been recognised for its Pekoe Trail in the Central Highlands in TIME Magazine’s list of the world’s 100 greatest places to visit in 2025. Writing for Time Magazine, Audrey Phoon has described the Pekoe Trail as offering hikers an intimate look at Sri Lanka’s diverse landscape and tea-entwined history. “Up in the SL highlands, a 19th-century transport network for tea is now conveying adventurers to remote communities and businesses. more..

Mar 14 (NW) Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will deliver a special statement on the Batalanda Commission Report on Sunday. According to a statement from the UNP Office, the former President will make a special revelation regarding the facts and recommendations of the report. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s special statement comes after Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake tabled the Batalanda Commission Report in Parliament today. more..

Mar 14 (Island) Four individuals, including former Director-General of Archaeology, Senarath Disanayake, and the chief Accountant of the Department of Archaeology, were indicted in the Colombo High Court on Monday for approving payments to a supplier who provided substandard bricks during the conservation work at the Deegavapi Chaithya in Digamadulla, Ampara. The charges include abuse of power for personal gain, fraudulent approval of payments, and more..

Mar 14 (AD) The popular SL rapper and singer known as Shan Putha has been arrested by Homagama Police today for the possession of a 9mm firearm. According to police reports, a Police Constable attached to the Mannar Police and Shan Putha’s manager were also taken into custody in connection with the case. Investigations have revealed that the Police Constable in question had allegedly stolen the firearm from the Matara Kotuwila Police Station and provided it to the artist. more..

Mar 14 (TM) SL’s domestic debt has increased by Rs. 177.6 billion (year-to-date), as maturities exceed Rs. 1.4 trillion with yields trending downward. The govt has settled Rs. 1.43 trillion of maturities as of 11 March so far in the year, while issuing Rs. 1.61 trillion, increasing the outstanding debt by Rs. 177.6 billion. Moreover, 3-month Treasury bill (T-bill) yield has decreased by 95 bps (year-to-date), while 6-month T-bill yield more..

Mar 14 (PMD) A meeting between Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake and academics of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) was held this morning (13) at the Prez Secretariat. During the discussion, the academics briefed the Prez on the challenges they are currently facing, and potential solutions to address these issues were examined. It was highlighted that SL is presently engaged in the IMF program, which requires the govt to adhere to more..

Mar 14 (FT) A SL born world famous conservation scientist and the Conservation International’s CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan said, Sri Lanka had a lot to offer as it was a unique place on earth with amazing natural resources. He said that if he was to tell about SL for his five-year-old daughter he would tell her stories from his childhood where a monkey had stolen his birthday cake, his first time fishing experience, love for animals and the elephants seen behind his house but for the world he would tell more..

Mar 14 (Island) Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar emphasised that only the Central Govt of India could prevent the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet from poaching in SL waters. Minister said that the Central Govt of India in consultation with Tamil Nadu should without further delay deploy the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to prevent large-scale organised crossing of the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary. more..

Mar 14 (AD) Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe emphasized the importance of promoting a sustainable and cost-effective construction industry in the country, highlighting key challenges and opportunities in the sector. Speaking at Construction Expo 2025 on Friday, Dr. Weerasinghe underscored the need for Sri Lanka to align with global trends in sustainable construction, integrating cost-effective energy solutions and eco-friendly building practices. more..

Mar 14 (EN) Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP, Mohamed Sali Naleem, has officially resigned from his position as a MP. Speaking in parliament today, Naleem said that he is resigning as an MP in order to contest the upcoming LG Election for the Eravur Urban Council. Naleem was sworn in as a member of the Tenth Parliament before the Speaker on Dec 3. He was appointed as a National List MP representing the SLMC. He had also previously served as the Chairman of Eravur UC. more..

Mar 14 (NW) Muttur Police have arrested a 15-year-old girl on suspicion of brutally murdering her two elderly grandmothers in their home in Dahangar, Muttur. The victims, aged 68 and 74, were found hacked to death early this morning, with initial investigations indicating they had been attacked with a sharp weapon. Following the gruesome discovery, a magisterial inquiry was conducted by the Muttur Magistrate, while police launched a probe to identify those responsible for the killings. more..

Mar 14 (PMD) A meeting between Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake and officials of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development was held today at the Prez Secretariat. Discussions focused on enhancing the efficiency, integration and development of the manufacturing sector to strengthen the national economy, as well as addressing the challenges associated with these efforts. Key topics included govt-led initial investments & proper regulation to empower more..

Mar 14 (CI) Debutant Malki Madara's three-for combined with two-fors from Kavisha Dilhari and Inoshi Priyadharshani set up a comfortable victory for Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener in Christchurch. Chamari Athapaththu's unbeaten 64 off 48 balls then took the visitors home with seven wickets in hand. This was SL's first T20I win in NZ and second win overall against NZ in the format. Emma McLeod (44) was NZ's highest scorer more..

Mar 14 (FT) Western Provincial Council announced the launch of an exciting new initiative, the Salam Ramadan campaign, which will take place from 21 to 31 March which will include a cultural festival from 21-23 March at Green Path, Col 7. The multi-stakeholder initiative aims to enhance the Ramadan experience through a cultural festival at Green Path, offering both a festive atmosphere and a deeper understanding of the Holy Month of Ramadan and the cultural practices of the SL Muslims. more..

Mar 14 (EN) Top American universities will be on a road show across key cities initiative backed by the US-SL Fulbright Commission. Students seeking admission in undergraduate, post-graduate, and doctorate programs can meet representatives from 9 accredited universities and colleges from across the United States. “Come study in the United States where top talent and innovators are cultivated, and our universities drive discovery,” US Ambassador to SL Julie Chung said. more..

Mar 14 (FT) Local authority elections are looming large on the Sri Lankan political horizon. The anticipated island-wide mini-election has resulted in much activity among SL’s political parties, groups and organisations. Tamil dominated Northern Province and Tamil majority Eastern Province are also caught up in this election excitement. There have been diverse attempts by concerned Tamil political parties to strike up new alliances or more..

Mar 14 (DM) SL is facing a sleep related problem that can lead to various physical and mental health issue due to not getting proper sleep. Specialist Dr. Dilesha Wadasinghe stated that not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of vehicle accidents. She stated that practicing good sleep hygiene can improve memory growth during sleep, and boost both mental and physical health. She urged that lack of good sleep can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more..

Mar 14 (AD) The school cut-off marks for the admission of students to Grade 06 of the schools based on the results of the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam have been released by the Ministry of Education. Accordingly, the ministry said the students can check the schools that they have been selected to, using the following link starting: https://g6application.moe.gov.lk/ Students who have qualified based on the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Exam but have not received a school or more..

Mar 14 (FT) Having served in a role focused on attracting investment into SL during one of its most challenging periods, what stood out to me was the commitment of a few remarkable investors – those willing to risk their capital for long-term returns, largely because of their deep connection and love for the country. Their contributions often go unnoticed. Many of them came to SL in a small way, fell in love with the country, and over time decided to invest more of their wealth, even when more..

Mar 14 (FT) Following is the keynote address delivered by Dr. Sasanka Perera at the first award ceremony of The Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership & Public Policy recently at Mihilama Medura, BMICH. I have been made to understand, today marks the convocation of the first cohort of students at the The Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership & Public Policy. So, it is a happy day for all those graduating in a world where immediate work and life circumstances are not more..

Mar 14 (TM) GMOA called for a long-term comprehensive mechanism to ensure the safety of resident doctors and healthcare staff. This call follows the token strike launched by GMOA on Wednesday across all hospitals in the country in protest against the sexual assault and rape of a female doctor at the A'pura Teaching Hospital (TH). However, the GMOA, along with the doctors and staff of the A'pura TH, called off their strike yesterday after more..

Mar 14 (AD) A former Superintendent (SP) of the Boossa Prison, Siridath Dhammika, was shot by an unidentified gunman at Thalagaha in Akmeemana, according to police. Akmeemana Police stated that the assailant arrived at the victim’s house this afternoon (13), carried out the shooting, and fled the scene. The former prison officer had succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The deceased, a 61-year-old retired Superintendent of Prisons, had served at Boossa Prison & retired in March last year. more..

Mar 14 (NW) Govt of India has gifted 50,000 ampoules of Furosemide injection 20mg/2ml to cater to the medicine shortage in SL hospitals in the immediate term. The stock of medicine has been granted in response to an urgent request from the Govt of SL. The consignment was handed over by the High Commissioner of India to SL Santosh Jha to Minister of Health of SL, Nalinda Jayatissa at an event held at the Ministry of Health today (13). Secretary to the Ministry of Health, more..

Mar 14 (FT) The COPE has uncovered serious discrepancies in the procurement of medicines during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The revelations emerged during a COPE session this week, attended by top health officials including representatives from National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena. During the proceedings, more..

Mar 14 (AD) Former Member of Parliament for the Kalutara District, Lakshman Wijemanne, has announced his decision to leave the United National Party (UNP) and join the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). The former UNP Kalutara District Leader has met with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today and pledged his support to the SJB. Incidentally this comes following the appointment of new constituency organizers and district leaders for the UNP which was held yesterday (12). more..

Mar 14 (AD) The suspect arrested for the sexual assault of a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been ordered to be detained for 48 hours for questioning after being produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court. Furthermore, his sister and another person who were arrested in connection with aiding and abetting the suspect have been ordered remanded until March 17. Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya issued the order. more..