Apr 7 (TM) Sri Lanka’s education system is in crisis and the tuition industry keeps an ailing system’s wheels turning. Yet, whether the future of education should rest in the hands of a shadow system remains a question. Rashini from Deraniyagala entered a school in Colombo to do her A/L exams in the Science stream in 2020. What she learnt when she came to Colombo was that her school teachers paid little attention to more..

Apr 7 (CT) In a world where narratives often overshadow reality, a retired electoral officer has taken it upon himself to inject thought-provoking wisdom into public discourse. His commitment to reviving Tamil language proverbs and their deeper societal implications has sparked conversations across social media. Recently, he shared a compelling Tamil saying on his META account: Kudipaddu Kool Koppalipaddu Panneerbo – Drinking Cheap Porridge and Vomiting Luxury more..

Apr 7 (TM) As I observed during my recent visit, Ravan Mandir in Uttar Pradesh, a temple claiming to mark the birthplace of Ravana, the central character of the Ramayana, remains largely forgotten, drawing little attention from the masses. Situated in an area characterised by extreme poverty and surrounded by the harsh realities of modern Indian inequality – despite India’s projected rise as the third-largest global economy by 2030 – the temple’s isolation reflects the broader disconnection more..

Apr 7 (TM) As the US imposes a 44% reciprocal tariff on all Sri Lankan exports, concerns are mounting over whether SL has adequately anticipated and prepared for the fallout. While the measure is only one component of a wider recalibration of US trade policy under President Donald Trump, trade analysts and exporters argue that the warning signs were visible for months. With protectionist rhetoric steadily intensifying, more..

Apr 7 (ST) It is a travesty of the so-called international rules based order when old rich men (and rich countries) somehow pass themselves off as victims of supposed international trade imbalances, wreaking global havoc at their will and fancy. Brutally put, US Prez Donald Trump engaged in a classically amoral financial sleight of hand this Thursday. That was by imposing punitive baseline (10%) reciprocal tariffs on goods coming into the US from across the world. more..

Apr 7 (CT) According to President Trump, the trade deficit of the US in the last year (2024) was a staggering figure of $1.2 trillion dollars. The trade deficit of this magnitude is considered as being ripped of America by other nations – friends and foes alike. To make the United States rich and wealthy again, Prez Trump believes that this ripping off got to be stopped by eliminating trade deficit by imposing tariffs on all goods imported to the US. Two methods are used to impose tariffs. more..

Apr 6 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s govt is walking a tightrope, balancing between rays of hope and looming shadows. With the local council elections on the horizon, the administration is pulling out all the stops to win over the public. The task is not difficult since opposition parties remain in disarray. SJB appears less active. It can be gauged from a Colombo district organisers’ meeting summoned by their more..

Apr 6 (ST) Sri Lanka and India inked a defence cooperation memorandum of understanding yesterday, sealing close interlinked security ties between the two nations a Sri Lanka reiterated once again that the country will not be allowed to pose threats to India’s interests. “[this] signifies a point of really close convergence in the narratives of both sides—that has been the recognition of the completely interlinked nature of the national security of Sri Lanka and India,” more..

Apr 6 (AD) Indian PM Narendra Modi was presented with the Mithra Vibhushana award, the highest award to a foreign head of state, by SL Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (5). In a joint press statement alongside PM Modi, Dissanayake said, “I am pleased to announce that the Govt of SL has decided to confer upon him (PM Narendra Modi) the highest SL honour to a foreign head of state of govt- SL Mitra Vibhushana. more..

Apr 6 (AD) Indian PM Narendra Modi said the Sampur Solar Power Plant, Multi-product Pipeline, and Trincomalee Energy Hub will benefit all Sri Lankans, and that the interconnectivity agreement will enable Sri Lanka to export electricity. Modi held a bilateral meeting with SL President Anura Kumar Dissanayake on Saturday during his visit to Colombo. Two sides signed seven MoUs after the bilateral talks including an ambitious more..

Apr 6 (EN) India has converted US$ 100 million of loans into grants, visiting PM Narenda Modi said in Colombo, effectively writing off the debt. “In the last 6 months alone, we have converted loans worth more than US$ 100 million into grants,” PM Modi said at a briefing with Prez Anura Dissanayake at the Prez Secretariat. SL defaulted on its foreign debt in 2022 after extreme macro-economic policy inflation flexible inflation targeting and potential output targeting, shattered the balance of payments. more..

Apr 6 (EN) Sri Lanka, India and the UAE signed an agreement to make Trincomalee an energy hub, during the visit of PM Narendra Modi to Colombo. India and Sri Lanka also signed an agreement for a high voltage direct current interconnection which will allow for the export and import of power. The cable has been in the works for many years. PM Modi also mentioned the multi-product fuel pipeline planned between Trincomalee and India. Trincomalee has 99 World War II era tanks more..

Apr 6 (EN) Sri Lanka is expecting to initiate prompt discussions with the US to gain relief from 44 percent tariffs imposed by Prez Donald Trump on exports from the Indian Ocean island. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed a committee to review the tariff and recommend measures. “A discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat between Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Committee appointed to submit recommendations on the new U.S. tariff system,” more..

Apr 6 (ANI) PM Narendra Modi interacted with SL's cricket legends who won the 1996 Cricket World Cup, including Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Aravinda de Silva, Marvan Atapattu, and others in Colombo. PM Modi is on a State visit to SL from April 4 to 6 at the invitation of SL Prez Disanayaka. His arrival in Colombo on Friday marked his first visit to SL since 2019. During his visit, he met members of 1996 WC-winning more..

Apr 6 (DM) A writ petition filed challenging Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company’s decision to evict N. Seelanatha Holdings from the Lotus Tower premises was yesterday dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice (Acting President) M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.M.S. Dissanayake upheld the preliminary objection raised by the Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Pvt) Limited and decided to dismiss the petition in-limine. more..

Apr 6 (AD) Indian PM Narendra Modi has met with Sri Lanka’s Leader of the Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa in Colombo, during his official state visit to the island. Modi said he appreciated Premadasa’s personal contribution and commitment to strengthening Indo-Lanka friendship. “Glad to meet Sri Lanka’s Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Sajith Premadasa. Appreciated his personal contribution and commitment to strengthening India-Sri Lanka friendship.” more..

Apr 6 (AD) Indian PM Narendra Modi met a delegation of Tamil political party representatives in Colombo, during his ongoing visit to SL. The Head of State has conveyed his condolences on the passing of former TNA leaders R. Smapanthan and Mavai Senathirajah. Modi said he reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to a life of equality, dignity and justice for the Tamil community within a united SL, and assured that many projects and initiatives launched during his visit will contribute to more..

Apr 6 (AD) The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed grave concern over the death of a youth while in the custody of the Welikada Police in the early hours of April 02, 2025. The youth reportedly sustained fatal injuries while in custody, which are said to have been self-inflicted. It has also been reported that the youth was not in a proper mental state at the time. He was subsequently transferred to Mulleriyawa Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. more..

Apr 6 (PMD) A specialized medical and disaster relief team, consisting of 26 members from the SL tri-services led by Brigadier Punya Karunathilake, has departed for Myanmar on a special flight today, (5), to assist those affected by the recent earthquake. These disaster relief operations are being conducted under the supervision of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), following directives from Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake. more..

Apr 6 (TM) Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka has resulted in the signing of several key agreements, marking a new phase of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Modi arrived in Colombo for a bilateral engagement with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The visit, coming just months after President Dissanayake chose India as his first overseas destination after assuming office, more..

Apr 6 (EN) India has concluded debt restructuring with Sri Lanka, with sharply lower interest rates, PM Narendra Modi announced during a visit to the island. “Our bilateral Debt Restructuring Agreement will provide immediate assistance and relief to the people of Sri Lanka,” PM Modi said in Colombo Saturday at ceremony in Colombo with President Anura Dissanayake. “Today we have also decided to reduce interest rates. It symbolises that even today, India stands with the people of SL.” more..

Apr 6 (EN) India’s PM Narendra Modi has urged SL to conduct provincial council elections, which were set up following an accord with India as way of settling the ethnic question. “We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in SL,” PM Modi said. “Prez Dissanayaka appraised me of his inclusive approach. “We hope that the SL Govt will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people and fulfil its commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of SL, and conducting PC polls.” more..

Apr 6 (ST) The delayed Colombo Airport phase 11 Expansion project is now embroiled in an int'l bidder disqualification issue in the latest tender to award SL’s largest-ever construction contract which officially closed on March 25, 2025. As the nation anxiously watches the progress of the Colombo Airport Expansion Tender, two newly unearthed and deeply troubling facts have surfaced about one of the key bidders: the Sojitz-L and more..

Apr 6 (EN) SL Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and visiting PM Narenda Modi virtually launched a solar power plant and an hi-tech agricultural warehouse in SL’s Eastern and Central Provinces. The solar power plant in Trincomalee built by India’s NTPS and SL’s CEB will supply power to the national grid. The environmentally controlled warehouse in Dambulla will help modernize SL’s agricultural supply chain. “Today, we have also set up the largest warehouses in Sri Lanka for the benefit of farmers,” more..

Apr 6 (ST) 91st Battle of the Saints cricket match between traditional rivals St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College ended in an tame draw at the SSC yesterday. St. Joseph’s, resuming their innings at the overnight score of 150-3 in reply to St. Peter’s 243, struggled to build momentum despite Yenula Dewthusa’s impressive knock of 86. Dewthusa formed valuable partnerships of 91 runs for the fourth wicket with Senuja Wakunugoda and 64 runs for the fifth wicket with Rishma Amarasinghe, more..

Apr 6 (Island) There are few sights in cricket more pleasing to the purist’s eye than Pathum Nissanka in full flow – batting as if he were painting strokes on a canvas. Last year, the elegant right-hander had a breakthrough season, making headlines and turning heads. But 2025 hadn’t been kind to him until now. After a barren patch where his bat was quieter than a library on a Sunday, Nissanka has found his rhythm once more. He started last year with a bang – quite literally – blasting his way past more..

Apr 6 (ST) A settlement has been reached among the concerned parties to eliminate the legal barriers that delayed the long-overdue Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections for Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) for nearly a year, according to reliable sources. Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Withana dismissed the injunction that had previously been issued to indefinitely prevent the SLR AGM from taking place on March 25. Initially, the SLR was prepared to proceed with its election process more..

Apr 6 (TM) India and SL have signed a long-anticipated MOU to connect their electricity grids. However, while diplomatic momentum builds around the agreement, CEB has confirmed that the technical foundations of the project remain a work in progress. CEB Chairman Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya acknowledged that although there had been multiple technical studies over the years, detailed infrastructure requirements for the grid more..

Apr 6 (FT) Seasoned environmentalists, senior scientists, and legal professionals have reiterated that legal recourse will be sought yet again should another global or local entity seek to resume wind power initiatives in the ecologically sensitive Mannar Island, following withdrawal by India’s Adani Group last June. A press brief was organised by environmental conservationist Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda and environmental organisations The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, more..

Apr 6 (Island) Indian PM Narndra Modi’s 3-day visit here was predictably heralded by a blaze of publicity in the local press and electronic media. This was no cause for surprise given that good relations with our giant neighbour, or Big Brother as some would prefer to style it, must remain the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy. New Delhi accurately judged in which direction the political winds were blowing well ahead of last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections and invited more..

Apr 6 (ST) My dear Narendra Modi, I thought of writing to you while you are visiting us, enjoying the generous hospitality being dished out to you. People have been quick to call your visit a historic one. They say that about anyone who visits from your land, but I do think your visit is at least an important one for a variety of reasons. To begin with, this is not the first time you are visiting us as PM, it is the fourth occasion. That is because you have been in charge of your country for the past decade. more..

Apr 6 (CT) Of the multiple agreements / MoUs that India and SL are likely to sign after PM Narendra Modi lands in Colombo this evening, 4 April, the framework agreement on defence cooperation, or however else it’s otherwise titled, should be of interest to most and concern to some. Of course, Modi, among other things, would also launch the work on the India-funded Sampur green energy project in the East, which has gone through various changes and modifications since more..