Ahead of Modi’s visit...

A vehicle from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy took part in rehearsals in Colombo yesterday ahead of his visit to the island today.

U.S. tariffs to remain until Donald Trump determines

The U. S. tariffs will remain in effect until such a time as President Donald Trump determines that the threat posed by the trade deficit and underlying nonreciprocal treatment is satisfied, resolved, or mitigated, according to the White House.

Govt. to appoint committee on UK sanctions on military personnel, Karuna

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a Ministerial committee to submit a report on the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on four Sri Lankans including three military personnel, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Animal census at potential risk of inaccurate responses

The committee members tasked with analyzing data from the recently conducted animal census are in dilemma over receiving distorted data, Daily Mirror learns.

Elephant deaths surge due to govt misinformation: Researcher

The increase in elephant deaths has been influenced by wrong measures being taken by the current government and the word being spread on social media, presenting falsehoods, Wild elephant researcher Sameera Weerathunga said.

Demanding ransom over Whatsapp

The Meegoda police have received several complaints regarding demands made for ransom under death threat through Whatsapp messages in the names of underworld gangsters living overseas.

‘Uthurin Negam’ Jaffna Hindu College, Ananda College Annual Sports Festival tomorrow

‘Uthurin Negam’ the Annual Sports Festival between Jaffna Hindu College and Ananda College, Colombo will take place tomorrow, April 4th and 5th at the Ananda College premises.

UK withholds info on SL military training due to ongoing legal proceedings

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has refused to release information on the training of Sri Lankan military personnel in the UK, citing ongoing legal proceedings under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, it was revealed in UK’s Parliament.

Teachers contesting without no-pay leave

The Ceylon Teachers Union said several teachers contesting the Local Government Election have not obtained no-pay leave as required by the election law.

HC upholds first-ever conviction over Illegal pyramid scheme in Sri Lanka

The Anuradhapura High Court has upheld the first-ever conviction in Sri Lanka related to an illegal pyramid scheme, affirming the decision of the Magistrate’s Court to convict two development officers of the Department of Agriculture Research. The suspects were convicted after a legal battle that spanned 15 years.

Rejection of nominations: Court further suspends election activities till today

The Court of Appeal yesterday directed the relevant returning officers to suspend all election activities until today (03), in connection with local government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

SL reaffirms support for earthquake victims in Myanmar, pledges USD 1 million for recovery efforts

Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its support for Myanmar in the wake of the recent earthquake, with the Government of Sri Lanka pledging USD 1 million to assist in the country’s recovery efforts.

Indo Lanka joint energy programme should not be sabotaged: Former President

The proposed Indo Lanka joint energy programme should not be sabotaged but should be implemented, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Adani wind power project Mannar Island is too sensitive for any more mega projects – Leading environmental groups

Environmental groups who appeared as litigants against the Adani wind power project case which was heard before the Supreme Court reiterated that even though the petition had been withdrawn, there is always possibility of re-litigating against any other project proponent who plans to have a project of a similar nature that infringes the rights of Sri Lanka’s flora, fauna and citizens.

District Judge interdicted

Marawila Magistrate Additional District Judge Asela Silva has been interdicted for discrepancies with regard to certain cases by the Judicial Service Commission.

CID probes Rs. 100 Mn fund disbursement to 22 ex-Ministers and MPs from Presidential Fund

The Financial and Commercial Crime Investigation Division (FCCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into 22 former ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) concerning funds they allegedly received from the Presidential Fund between 2008 and 2024.

No PC election this year: Nalinda

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Provincial Council election will not be held this year as three elections were held within six months with the upcoming Local Government elections.

Excise orders 26 booze makers to print production date on bottles, cans from April 1

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka yesterday ordered all 26 soft and hard liquor manufacturing companies in the country to print the production date of their spirits on the respective bottles and cans with effect from April 1st.

Chinese Zodiac Culture exhibition

The Year of the Snake Chinese Zodiac Culture Exhibition was held at the China Cultural Centre in Colombo, yesterday.

KDU to host VISTA 2025 on April 8

The Faculty of Management, Social Sciences & Humanities at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) is gearing up to host VISTA 2025, an Undergraduate Research Symposium that aims to foster academic innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Hotel raid for Sewwandi leads to surprise bust

Police carried out a raid on a hotel in Anuradhapura town on information that the absconding suspect Ishara Sewwandi wanted in connection with the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa was staying at the hotel, to find that it was a misidentification, but arrested the woman with similar countenance of Ishara Sewwandi and a former Army Major in her company who had in their possession a stock of illegal intoxicants..

COPE to take Gem and Jewellery Authority before Bribery Commission

The Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) is to file a complaint against the Gem and Jewellery Authority for allowing illegal gem mining, it was reported yesterday.

Aussie tourist injured while taking selfie

A young Australian tourist travelling by Badulla bound Odyssey Express from Colombo Fort on Monday evening (31) received serious injuries when she struck her head against an iron post by the railway line between Nanuoya and Ambewela railway station in her attempt to take a selfie from the footboard.

Renewable Energy Developers denounce govt. committee to review renewable energy projects

The Federation of Renewable Energy Developers (FRED) yesterday denounced the committee appointed to review energy projects that have been agreed upon in recent times and urged the government to engage in a dialogue with the stakeholders to create a new balanced renewable energy portfolio.

Namal calls on AKD to question Shani, Ravi over Easter attacks

While alleging that Shani Abeysekera, and Ravi Seneviratne who are holding key positions in the government to avoid prosecution regarding the Easter Sunday attacks, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa called on the President to question them.

SL begins export of locally produced canned fish

Marking a significant step in expanding the fisheries sector, Sri Lanka has officially commenced exporting locally produced canned fish.

CA suspends Puttalam High Court Judge’s order to jail lady lawyer

In a swift response to an urgent appeal, the Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order suspending the decision made by the Puttalam High Court Judge to remand a lady lawyer over an alleged contemptuous conduct.

Bangladeshi human smuggling racket via SL continues Three Dhaka residents bound for Greece on fake PR cards nabbed at BIA

The Bangladeshi human smuggling racket operating via Dhaka, Chennai, Colombo and European destinations is continuing as Sri Lankan immigration officials arrested three Dhaka residents attempting to leave for Greece with fake PR cards at the airport.

Buddhist clergy urges President to set up fund to assist earthquake-hit Myanmar

Leading Sri Lankan Buddhist monks yesterday urged the Sri Lankan government and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to set up a fund to assist the temples and people of Myanmar, affected by the recent earthquake.

SL hospitality industry is booming - Aussie hospitality veteran

Sri Lanka has a growing tourism sector with an influx of international tourists and the hospitality industry to welcome them is also booming, compared to many countries in the Asia Pacific region, an Australian hospitality industry veteran said.