Online systems to expand across public service by April 20

The third meeting of the Cabinet-appointed committee tasked with ensuring the continuous functioning of the public service, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, via virtual platform.

TPA mets President to discuss Malayagam Community issues

A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, led by Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (02) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Court grants bail to insurance company Engineer in alleged bribery case

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered the release on bail of an engineer attached to Continental Lanka Insurance Company, who had been remanded over allegations of aiding and abetting the offering of a bribe to an Additional Government Analyst of the Government Analyst’s Department.

New Chief of Staff appointed to Sri Lanka Army

Major General Manada Yahampath of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry has been appointed as the 68th Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, effective today (02 April 2026).

Govt moves to regulate elder care institutions with new guidelines

The government is taking steps to introduce regulations and guidelines to standardize institutions providing residential care for senior citizens, in line with broader efforts to safeguard their rights and well-being.

Namal accuses President of shielding ‘Coal Scam’ suspects

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa today alleged that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is complicit in an alleged coal-related fraud, claiming the government is protecting those involved.

Zero tolerance for corporal punishment in schools reiterated

The Education Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline in schools while strictly prohibiting any form of corporal punishment or psychological harm to students.

Water supply to be managed until April 20 as river levels drop

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board warned that water supply across the island will be managed until April 20 due to the rapidly declining river levels caused by prevailing dry weather conditions.

Iran ‘will not tolerate vicious cycle of war, negotiations, ceasefire’

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman has issued a statement in response to Trump’s speech, in which the US president warned that Iran must agree to a deal within two to three weeks or face strikes on every one of its power plants.

Severe lightning alerts issued for several provinces

The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for severe lightning affecting several parts of the country, including the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Western and Uva provinces, as well as the Galle, Matara and Anuradhapura districts.

24-hour water cuts in several parts of Colombo from today

Water cuts will be imposed in some places in the Colombo District from tonight due to the reduction of water level at the Labugama and Kalutuwawa Reservoirs, Deputy General Manager ((Wstern-Centtral) of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Disna Pannila said.

First national guidelines on oxygen use unveiled in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has introduced its first national guideline series on the use of oxygen in government hospitals, under the patronage of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

Sri Lanka on alert as new COVID variant sparks concerns

Sri Lankan health authorities say they are closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant that has been spreading in several countries, while maintaining surveillance measures to safeguard the local population.

UK to host multi-nation meeting on Hormuz shipping

Britain will on Thursday (Apr 2) hold a virtual meeting of about 35 countries to discuss how to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz which has been crippled by the Middle East war.

Violation of Fundamental Rights: SC orders Police Spokesman to pay Rs. 60,000 as compensation

The Supreme Court, by a majority decision, has ordered the current Police Media Spokesman SSP Wootler Udayakumara to personally pay Rs. 60,000 as compensation to an Attorney-at-Law for violating his fundamental rights during an incident at the Negombo Police Station in 2017.

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO further remanded

Former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, who was arrested in connection with the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal investigation, was further remanded till April 17 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Special committee appointed to tackle water shortage

A special operations committee has been appointed by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to monitor and manage the prevailing drinking water shortage amid ongoing dry weather conditions.

Schoolboy killed in fatal motorbike–bus collision

A Grade 12 schoolboy was killed and another student was critically injured in a tragic road accident this morning (02) while they were travelling on a motorbike to assist with organising a major schools’ cricket match in Kandy.

Gold prices retreat as Trump threatens further attacks on Iran

Gold retreated from two-week highs ‌on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington would continue its military campaign in Iran in the coming weeks, pushing crude prices sharply higher and dampening hopes of interest rate cuts.

Unexplained wealth presumed bribery, says CIABOC

The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (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.

Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera passes away

Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera, a prominent political figure in Sri Lanka’s southern region, passed away this morning (02).

Open warrant issued on Shamindra Rajapaksa

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today issued open warrants for the arrest of Shamindra Rajapaksa, son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, and Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, wife of Kapila Chandrasena, who have been named as suspects in the alleged bribery incident related to the purchase of Airbus aircraft.

Nasa declares ’we’re back in the business’ as Artemis II now racing towards the Moon

Nasa has declared it’s ’’back in the business’’ of sending mankind to the Moon after the historic launch of the Artemis II rocket.

175,000+ tourists visit Sri Lanka in March

Sri Lanka welcomed 175,661 tourists during the first 29 days of March 2026, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said.

Extreme heat can worsen chronic diseases: health experts warn

The prevailing heat condition must not be neglected by the people specially by those who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancers as their health condition may worsen and even cause death, a health expert said yesterday.

Sri Lanka, Russia should not restrict energy deals according to US’s wish - Russian Deputy FM

Visiting Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko said yesterday that Sri Lanka and Russia should not restrict support deals on energy when the United States allows it but to build it on a solid legal and economic foundation.

Call for probe as Keheliya-era officials remain in Health Ministry

Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has called for an immediate investigation into Sri Lanka’s health sector, alleging that officials appointed during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella continue to hold key positions, contributing to a worsening crisis.

NATO chief to visit Washington next week as Trump threatens exit from alliance

NATO ​Secretary-General Mark Rutte will visit Washington next ‌week for what a spokesperson for the military alliance called a ’’long-planned visit’’ that comes after President Donald Trump blasted European ​allies over differences on the Iran war.

Fatal illusion of cheap medicine: how Supreme Court ruling exposes rot in Sri Lanka’s health procurement

In the complex ecosystem of national healthcare, the pill a patient swallows is the final link in a long, often invisible chain of science, manufacturing logistics, and regulation. For Sri Lanka, industry experts have long warned that this chain is structurally unsound, stretched to a breaking point by a misplaced national fixation on the price of medicine over its quality, efficacy, and safety.

Excise revenue up over 60% on liquor sticker system

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka has recorded a revenue growth of over 60 percent over the past three years, attributing the increase primarily to the implementation of security stickers on liquor bottles.