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Home » NewsInvoking blessings for quake-affected people
Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin, in the country for official talks, yesterday visited the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara to invoke blessings on those affected by a huge earthquake that hit Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar on Friday. News agency reports say more than 1600 have been killed. (Please see Page 4 and ST2 Page 1 [...]
India to expand defence co-op with Lanka during Premier Modi’s visit
Six agreements in all; electricity connectivity project among them By Chandani Kirinde The defence sector agreement to be signed between Sri Lanka and India next week will expand on existing cooperation to include joint military exercises and maritime surveillance. The defence sector MOU will be among the six that the two countries will sign during [...]
Sunday Times journalist Namini selected for top US award
The Sunday Times Deputy Editor–Investigations Namini Wijedasa has been selected as one of the recipients of the US Secretary of State’s 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award. This year’s IWOC Awards ceremony will be hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump next week at the US State Department in [...]
Lanka now recognises court rulings of 53 C’wealth nations
By Ranjith Padmasiri Sri Lanka has facilitated the implementation of the reciprocal recognition, registration, and enforcement of judgements from 53 Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Canada, from this week. Accordingly, a gazette notification has been issued by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara that the effective day for the implementation of the Act [...]
Three probes on UK-based Lyca’s ownership of Lankan media companies
By Ranjith Padmasiri Three state agencies have launched investigations into how the United Kingdom-based Lyca Group had acquired 12 local media institutions. The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court (SC) that the Defence Ministry has instructed the State Intelligence Service to conduct a comprehensive investigation over the matter. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sumathi Dharmawardena told [...]
No Lankans harmed in Myanmar-Thailand earthquake disaster
No Sri Lankan nationals were reported to be affected due to the 7.7 magnitude the earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, according to Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in Yangon and Bangkok. Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Wijayanthi Edirisinghe told the Sunday Times yesterday (29) that Bangkok is back to normal [...]
PM Harini to attend BIMSTEC summit in quake-hit Thailand
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra are expected to travel to Thailand later this week to attend the sixth BIMSTEC Summit. The summit scheduled to be held in the Thai capital Bangkok on April 3-4 under the theme “Prosperous, Resilient and Open” will likely be overshadowed [...]
Burning down Ranil’s residence: Deputy Minister Gunasekara named a suspect
By Ranjith Padmasiri Deputy Youth Affairs Minister Eranga Gunasekara has been named as a suspect by the Criminal Investigation Department over the incident where former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence on 5th Lane, Kollupitiya was burned down by a mob during the Aragalaya period. Mr. Gunasekara is also named as one of the suspects who [...]
Man arrested under PTA for pasting anti-Israel posters in public places
By Mimi Alphonsus and Dilushi Wijesinghe A 23-year-old man is being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) after being arrested in Kompanna Veediya earlier this week on suspicion of engaging in activities that threaten Israeli citizens in Sri Lanka and causing communal disharmony. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has been [...]
All USAID funding to Lanka stops
By Miriam Alphonsus The United States’ aid flow to Sri Lanka through USAID has been completely halted, according to documents released to the US Congress by the Trump administration. Sri Lanka was receiving USD 53 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, all of which has been slashed, according to the Centre for Global Development (CGD), [...]
Chief Justice highlights legal profession’s crucial role in defending democratic values
By Dilushi Wiejsinghe Chief Justice Murdhu Fernando said yesterday the legal profession was required to play a critical role in safeguarding democracy, justice, and judicial independence. Addressing the 51st Annual Convocation of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), she stated, “A strong and independent bar working alongside the principal judiciary ensures that justice remains [...]
Local polls candidates to knock on doors during New Year break
By Kasun Warakapitiya Mainstream political parties are set to continue their campaigns irrespective of the New Year holidays with only a month remaining for the local government elections. The main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) plans to continue ground level campaigning during the Avurudu season. The national organiser, Tissa Attanayake told the Sunday Times [...]
Melco Resorts posts loss, reports Rs 5b City of Dreams Sri Lanka casino licence fee
By Kapila Bandara Hong Kong-based casino owner and operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, which will operate the John Keells Holdings’ multibillion-rupee integrated resort, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, has paid Rs 5 billion for a 20-year licence it secured, annual financial filings show. In line with accounting treatments, Melco Resorts has recognised it as [...]
Food adulteration on the rise the past five years
By D Thiviyatharshini Food adulteration is becoming a national concern, with experts warning that it is escalating fast in Sri Lanka. According to Dr. R. M. G. B. Rajanayake, former City Analyst of Colombo, 85 to 90% of commonly consumed food items are adulterated. Spices are among the food items most contaminated by hazardous additives. [...]
Government to create monkey island on Randenigala reservoir
By Kasun Warakapitiya The government is to launch a pilot project to relocate macaque monkeys to an island located within the Randenigala reservoir. Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta told the Sunday Times that they are in the initial stages of the project. According to him the proposal had been made to the Ministry of Agriculture [...]
Time to break monopoly of Booking.com with local versions, says minister
Leading hotelier welcomes move, but concerns raised by association for SMES in the industry By Damith Wickramasekara and Tharushi Weerasinghe Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath says that local alternatives for Booking.com, the international travel services platform, will be rolled out as early as the end of April. Speaking to the Sunday Times, the Minister noted that [...]
Iftar at Red mosque in Pettah
Muslims in Sri Lanka will end Ramadan fasting with the Eid-ul-Fitr festival, celebrated on Monday or Tuesday depending on the sighting of the new moon. Here, devotees are seen gathering at the Red Mosque in Pettah yesterday for their Iftar at sunset. Pic by M A Pushpa Kumara
Speaker to introduce rules to prevent misuse of Parliament’s vehicles, fuel and resources
By Ranjith Padmasiri Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has decided to introduce limits on the use of vehicles, fuel and property by Parliament’s senior officials after an inquiry uncovered widespread abuse of these privileges over the past 10 years. The inquiry’s findings are to be submitted to Parliament’s Staff Advisory Committee chaired by the Speaker with a [...]
SC paves the way for X-Press Pearl case to be heard in High Court; lifts interim injunction
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Supreme Court (SC) has lifted the interim injunction staying the Colombo High Court from hearing the case into eight accused being tried over the X-Press Pearl disaster. After lifting the interim injunction, the SC also notified the registrar of the Colombo High Court to take appropriate steps to speedily take up [...]
Judge allows Dewana Parapura activities to continue amidst internal squabble
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Mahara District Court has allowed normal activities of the Dewana Parapura party to resume after party leader Uvindu Wijeweera agreed not to amend his party’s constitution or structure. Mahara District Judge Channa Saliya Abeyratne extended the interim injunction issued preventing the convening of a special general meeting of the Dewana Parapura [...]
Warmer oceans, acidification endanger Sri Lanka’s maritime heritage
By Malaka Rodrigo Sri Lanka’s waters are home to over 200 shipwrecks, each holding a unique story of trade, war, and maritime heritage. Among the most significant are the Godawaya Shipwreck, which dates back over 2,000 years, and HMS Hermes, the world’s first purpose-built aircraft carrier built by British and sunk by Japanese dive bombers [...]
Stop now: Northern fishermen reiterate demands to Tamil Nadu fishermen
Fishermen from both sides of the Straits meet after nine years By S. Rubatheesan Northern fishermen reiterated once again this week to visiting Tamil Nadu fishermen leaders that they will not tolerate Indian mechanised bottom trawling under any circumstances, and they will have to stop venturing into the country’s territorial waters. A five-member delegation of [...]
Sweltering conditions put young lives and learning at risk
By Malaka Rodrigo Although the annual school sports events concluded without major incidents this year despite the rising heat, the traditional Aluth Avurudu games — once a source of joy for children — now warrant extra caution in the face of a changing climate. In March 2024, sixteen-year-old Vidurshan, a student from Ampara in Eastern [...]
Trainers to encourage safe driving
By Dilushi Wijesinghe The Transport Ministry is set to launch its ‘Go-Safe’ campaign this week — an initiative aimed at reducing the rising number of road traffic accidents. On Wednesday, a three-hour training of trainers programme will be held at the Wattala Toyota auditorium. The session, expected to be attended by 60 officials, will include [...]
Near-miss in Egoda Uyana station highlights peril of decaying overhead railway bridges
Poorly maintained overhead bridges over railway lines at railway stations cross the country pose a threat to both life and limb. On Thursday, commuters travelling in a train narrowly escaped as the Moratuwa Egoda Uyana railway station’s overhead bridge fell onto the track around 7.45 p.m. It occurred soon after the train to Colombo had [...]
State ceremony for anointing oil for Avurudu at Rathtota Ganethanna Raja Maha Vihara
The state ceremony for anointing oil for the upcoming Sinhala Tamil new year will be held at Matale, Rathtota Ganethanna Raja Maha Vihara, at 09.04 am Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs stated. “Every arrangement is set in place to have the national oil anointing ceremony at Matale, under the [...]
‘Let’s be true healers’
Call from CCP’s new President Prof. Prasad Katulanda with a promise of making ‘Physicians for the future’ By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Humanity was the overarching theme as the 49th President of the Ceylon College of Physicians (CCP) took over the leadership of this prestigious group recently. “Many of our patients are poor and the health system [...]
Reduction in rooftop solar feed-in tariffs- a ‘sundown’ for the industry?
The Solar Industries Association (SIA), representing over 1,000 companies and 40,000 workers in Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar sector, has expressed its concern regarding the proposed drastic reduction in rooftop solar feed-in tariffs. The decision will have catastrophic consequences for the industry, Sri Lanka’s renewable energy goals and the broader economy, the Association warned in a [...]
Trade unions ‘extremely dissatisfied’ over public sector salary revision
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Earlier this week, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular revising public sector employee salaries following the passing of the 2025 Budget. Many trade unions, some of which initiated strike action against some of the allocations made public during the Budget’s first reading, claim they are extremely dissatisfied with the changes [...]
Hauling a load
Text and pix by Eshan Fernando Each year thousands of Lankans climb to the top of Sripada making their way up with religious fervor. While most make it to the top and back without any major difficulties, some need assistance on the way in case of illness or accidents. A group of five young men [...]
K-8 trainer jet crash report due in weeks
By Dilushi Wijesinghe An initial report on the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) K-8 training aircraft crash is expected within two to three weeks, or longer if the investigation uncovers complications, Air Force Media Spokesman Group Captain Eranda Geeganage told the Sunday Times. The aircraft, used for advanced pilot training by the No. 05 Fighter [...]
Crop pest count to be re-checked by state officials: Deputy Minister
The Agriculture Ministry would not release the results obtained from the problem animal census without verification, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne. A second count will be done in areas where the pest animal count was high, he said. Grama Niladhari and Samurdhi development officers, economic development officers will handle the task. [...]