Apr 23 (AD) The convenor of the Nawa Sinhale National Movement and political activist, Dan Priyasad, has succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalized following a shooting incident in Wellampitiya last night (22). According to reports, he was initially admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with gunshot wounds, but passed away shortly after due to the severity of his injuries. The shooting incident took place at the Laksanda Sevana Housing Complex in Wellampitiya last evening, more..

Apr 23 (FT) The ROK Navy ship Kang Gam Chan, the 44th Escort Task Group (ETG) arrived at Colombo Port yesterday. The port call was followed by a reception and was graced by Ambassador of Korea Miyon Lee, Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara, and Commanders of all three armed forces. The port call of ROKS Kang Gam Chan marked an important landmark given that this is the second visit of a ROK Naval ship within a span of one and a half years since the previous visit in year 2023. more..

Apr 23 (FT) In a bold step toward streamlining gaming and betting laws, the Cabinet on Monday approved publishing the draft Bill on Gambling Sports Regularisation Act in the Govt gazette and presenting the same in Parliament for approval. The move paves the way for a long-awaited overhaul of rules. “The Gambling Sports Regularisation Act has received the clearance of the Attorney General and the draft Bill will now be published in Govt Gazette more..

Apr 23 (FT) Govt has decided to increase the Govt’s financial contribution from Rs. 650,000 to Rs. 1,000,000 per beneficiary under the national housing program A house for you—A tomorrow for the country. This adjustment is intended to ease the financial burden on low-income recipients was approved by the Cabinet on Monday to ensure continued progress on housing construction across the country. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the move is in response to rising construction costs more..

Apr 23 (TM) Ministry of Urban Development, Construction & Housing has instructed the UDA to submit a report on past irregularities related to its land and properties, including instances where certain politicians had illegally used them or handed them over to their associates. In the past, there have been numerous reports of UDA-owned properties being illegally occupied by various parties, along with allegations of irregularities and corruption in processes involving the UDA. more..

Apr 23 (FT) Dubai-based Dnata Airport Services Ltd, has won the contract to provide ground handling services to SriLankan Airlines in Melbourne International Airport, Australia for three years. Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake in his capacity as the Finance, Planning & Economic Development Minister to award the contract after bids were called from registered suppliers for the long-term agreement of ground handling for three years. more..

Apr 23 (FT) Apparel exports have reached a new high in March and in the first quarter, an achievement which is likely to be overshadowed by the looming high duty in its biggest market the United States. Shipments in March rose by 11.65% to $ 467 million, highest in recent months whilst for the first quarter exports rose by 11.7% to $ 1.3 billion. As per provisional data imports by the US in March rose by 16.5% to $ 172 million whilst the EU saw a 14.5% increase to $ 142 million. more..

Apr 23 (ST) Experts in the renewable energy sector have criticised the CEB for requesting the voluntary disconnection of solar power systems, calling it a major setback for their industry and blaming the utility for systemic failures. Between April 10 and 21 this year, CEB requested the disconnection of net plus and net plus plus systems. Under the current structure, net plus and net plus plus contributors receive direct payment for electricity more..

Apr 23 (FT) The Board of Investment (BOI) SL has been rated well for promoting gender equity and women empowerment among global investment promotion agencies by the leading FDI Strategist, the FDI Centre’s report Advancing Gender Equality in Investment Promotion: A Practical Guide for IPAs. The BOI has been featured as a best practice case study for recommendation 2.4 of the report: Conduct regular staff training sessions promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. more..

Apr 23 (FT) Leema Creations, SL’s premier interior solutions provider, has taken a significant step towards sustainability by installing and commissioning a 500kWp / 400kW Solar PV System at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dompe. The project was undertaken by David Pieris Renewable Energy Ltd. This initiative is a bold stride and smart alternative towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of electricity bills and also to positively contribute to the environment by more..

Apr 23 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved the establishment of a Special Committee on Economic Development to oversee and guide policy decisions in line with national performance objectives and growth targets. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the new Committee will be tasked with coordinating and supervising policy initiatives that contribute to achieving over 5% GDP growth in the medium term. more..

Apr 23 (Island) In a rare and a prestigious honour in the world of biological sciences, a newly discovered species of bronzeback snake has been named after one of Sri Lanka’s foremost herpetologists, Dr. A. A. Thasun Amarasinghe. The new species, scientifically named Dendrelaphis thasuni, was found in Eastern SL and belongs to the genus Dendrelaphis— a group of slender, tree-dwelling snakes known for their agility and distinctive colouration. This naming is more than symbolic. more..

Apr 23 (Island) A 4-member committee has been appointed to study the report of the Prez Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) that probed the Easter Sunday terrorist bombings (2019). It comprises a Senior Deputy Inspector General (Chairman), DIG of the CID, Director of the CID and the Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division. It is reported to have set up several subcommittees. Based on new evidence that may emerge, fresh investigations will be launched, Police Media Spokesman has said. more..

Apr 23 (ST) I wonder whether our whizz-kids in the tourism industry grant frequent visitor passes for those who set foot in our country like no other, especially now that Emperor Trump has trumped the rest of the world and gathered up much of what he could to negate the rest of the universe. Personally, I doubt that those gatherers of dollars would have given up such an opportunity when they have been moaning for decades that they have been the mistreated ones. more..

Apr 23 (CT) The recent foundation-laying of a new Day Care and Learning Centre at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) might not make headlines like a big investment deal or a flashy ribbon-cutting ceremony. But for thousands of working women who constitute 70% of the total workforce at KEPZ, especially mothers, this quiet move by Board of Investment (BOI) and the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) is a lifeline. It’s a reminder that real progress sometimes more..

Apr 23 (TM) The current minimum basic salary in the SL public sector stands at Rs. 24,250. Budget 2025 proposed an increment of Rs. 15,750, increasing the basic salary to a maximum of Rs. 42,775, with implementation slated for 1 April. The Sunday Morning learns from the Treasury that Govt sector institutions had been instructed to finalise the public sector salary increment on or before 10 April, if feasible. more..

Apr 23 (CT) SL, renowned as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural heritage and pristine natural endowments. It is blessed with spectacular sandy beaches, mesmerizing hilly terrain, abundant natural water streams and rivers, cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, dense forestlands, a vast expanse of tea lands in cool climes, numerous historical monuments and religious sites speaking of a great civilization, breathtaking scenic beauty and a rich biodiversity that attracts more..

Apr 23 (TM) Responsible motorists in Sri Lanka have long called for improved enforcement of traffic laws and sought an improvement of general discipline while monitoring. Sri Lanka has long spoken of and piloted the use of CCTV surveillance for traffic control. However, only recently has the Sri Lanka Police begun to use CCTV as an effective tool for traffic enforcement, and action has taken place, which is a commendable development by law enforcement authorities. more..

Apr 23 (SO) Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has had quite the windfall — over just four days, it raked in a whopping Rs. 600 million during the Avurudu travel surge. Some 350 additional buses were rolled out to meet the holiday rush, with daily earnings peaking at around Rs. 200 million. Both State-run and private buses were in overdrive during the 2025 New Year commute. The SLTB expanded its capacity, while private operators helped shoulder the demand. more..

Apr 23 (DM) In mid-March this year, the Commissioner of Elections announced the long overdue LG elections would be held on May 6 this year. God willing, this time around, the LG elections will hopefully be held in a timely fashion. The term of office for 340 out of 341 local govt authorities expired on March 19, 2023. However, LG elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were postponed by Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to the economic crisis. He extended the term by a year. more..

Apr 23 (DM) The thrust of all the conspiracy theories, unsubstantial allegations and a search for an elusive mastermind are based on this whimsical premise. This runs counter to findings not only from the SL investigation agencies but also from the FBI and a group of foreign investigation teams, including Australian, Dutch, Scotland Yard, and Danish, and Indian. The elusive mastermind Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith claims was behind the attacks, has long been revealed by a host of foreign intelligence agencies more..

Apr 22 (AD) South Korea has played a key role in equipping young Sri Lankans with vocational skills and language proficiency, says Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd). The Deputy Minister made this remark during a ceremony held to welcome the Republic of Korea Navy’s destroyer Kang Gam Chan at the Port of Colombo today. Deputy Minister of Defence graced the ceremony to welcome the ship, which was making an official visit. more..

Apr 22 (NW) A 33-year-old resident of Ampara has been identified as one of the gunmen in the failed shooting attempt that targeted a businessman in Katunayake today. Two suspects on a motorcycle had attempted to open fire at a businessman at his residence in the Dhewawettawa area in Adiambalama. As the weapon had failed to discharge, the suspects had climbed over the wall of the house and attempted to escape. However, one suspect who had sustained injuries during more..

Apr 22 (AD) A 4-member committee has been appointed to study the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Under direct instructions from Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the final report and all accompanying volumes of the PCoI into the Easter Sunday attacks were formally submitted on 20 April to the CID. Accordingly, a committee has been appointed under the chairmanship more..

Apr 22 (NW) Deputy PM of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stated that the UAE will prioritize the promotion of the energy, tourism, foreign investment and foreign employment sectors while further strengthening its longstanding ties with Sri Lanka. The Deputy PM who is currently on an official visit to SL accompanied by a high-level UAE delegation made these remarks during a meeting with Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today. more..

Apr 22 (AD) The price of gold in the local and world market has reached its highest level in history. Accordingly, it is reported that, as of today, the price of an ounce of gold in the global market has reached a historic high of USD 3,500. The Assistant Director of the Precious Metal Assaying and Hallmarking Office of the NGJA, Indika Bandara, said that following the tariff announcement made by US Prez Donald Trump, the price of gold in the global market has surged to a new high. more..

Apr 22 (AD) Pope Francis had a very special soft corner for the poor and always spoke about the poor and the downtrodden, says the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who paid glowing tribute to a person who really represents Jesus Christ. Issuing a special message on Tuesday on the death of Pope Francis who passed away yesterday at the age of 88, the head of SL’s Catholic Church described Pope Francis more..

Apr 22 (NW) SL Police say that by 6 p.m. today (22), over 80,000 pilgrims have already gathered in Kandy to take part in the Siri Dalada Vandana program scheduled for tomorrow (23). Issuing a statement, police stated that the number of devotees arriving is expected to exceed 100,000 by tomorrow morning, and may further increase by noon. Given the high turnout, police have advised the public to consider visiting on one of the four remaining days allocated for the Siri Dalada Vandana program more..

Apr 22 (PMD) The Clean Sri Lanka programme respectfully urges all devotees visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa for the veneration of sacred relics, to avoid bringing non-biodegradable items, such as polythene and to prioritize cleanliness within and around the temple premises. Visitors are kindly reminded to dispose of waste responsibly, using only the designated disposal areas. As a flagship govt programme, Clean Sri Lanka seeks to inspire a collective awakening in environmental, more..

Apr 22 (DM) Cinnamon Gardens Police informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali that they have identified the suspect who stole a gold-plated model ship from the Martin Wickramasinghe Foundation Museum in Kurunduwatta. The suspect, Jayakumar, a resident of Narahenpita, is currently in remand custody under an order by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court for drug-related charges. During interrogation, when questioned about how he obtained money to fund his drug more..

Apr 22 (AD) The Heat Index, the temperature felt on the human body, is likely to increase up to Caution level in several parts of the country tomorrow (23), the Met Dept says. Accordingly, warnings have been issued to residents of the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota districts. Under this level of temperature, fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and activity while continuing activity could result in heat cramps, more..