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Sri Lanka’s garment exports to the US are expected to be affected by President Trump’s tariffs after a 90-day pause announced by him on Wednesday lapses. However, as this Avurudu season picture at a local shop in Pettah, Colombo shows, there is still significant demand for made-in-Sri Lanka garments in the local market. With proper [...]
Lanka moves to reduce its trade surplus with US
Sri Lanka is among the countries currently facing a 90-day pause on the new tariffs—as announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday—and is trying to work out a plan to reduce the trade surplus in its favour by increasing imports from the US amidst possible duty cuts. The government will also look for new [...]
Govt. seeks IMF help to counter US tariff blow
The government will seek concessions from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its 48-month Extended Fund Facility with Sri Lanka to offset the impact of the US tariffs on the economy, a senior Treasury official said. He said that while the fourth tranche of the funds was due in May or June and the fifth [...]
Minister Samarasinghe a suspect or not: Court to rule on June 16
Mount Lavinia Magistrate A.D. Chathurika de Silva will deliver her order on June 16 regarding whether Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe should be named as a suspect in a fraud case. The case involves a building belonging to a trust known as the National Workers’ Institute, which had been leased for Rs. 3.6 million by individuals [...]
Premier Modi pledges to study dispute over control of Buddha Gaya temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to look into a request made by the four Mahanayaka Theras to allow full Buddhist representation in the management of the Maha Bodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya in India when a letter signed by them was handed over to him during his visit to Anuradhapura last Sunday. A two-month-long agitation [...]
AG to file revision application against releasing Deshabandu on bail
The Attorney General is to file a revision application in the Matara High Court against the order by the Matara Magistrate’s Court to release suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon on bail. Matara Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa ordered him to be released on bail on Thursday (10) on two sureties of Rs. 1 million [...]
Kandy all decked for the exposition of the tooth relic
All arrangements have been made for the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha to be held from April 18 to 27. The exposition will open to the public on April 18 from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and thereafter from April 19 to 27, daily from 12.00 p.m. to 5.30 [...]
Ministry secretaries told to monitor implementation of government manifesto
The Presidential Secretariat has written to ministry secretaries instructing them to monitor the implementation of the government’s manifesto “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” in their respective ministries, departments and other institutions. In March, Cabinet directed ministry secretaries to accept the manifesto “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” as the National Policy Framework [...]
SLR and SLTB promise a smooth run for the season with additional trains and buses
Special arrangements have been made to facilitate the influx of passengers on public transport during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season. Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) has deployed 10 new trains from Fort station to Galle, Anuradhapura, and Badulla, with first, second, and third class seating facilities. In addition, several special train services will also [...]
Youth dead under custody: Family refuses to believe police version
By Palitha Ariyawansa in Badulla The family members of Satsara Nimesh (26), who died under suspicious circumstances after he was taken into police custody, refuses to accept the police version of events that led to his tragic end. The young man from Meegahakivula, Badulla was multi-talented, excelling in dance and acting. He had begun training as [...]
100 solar light units from Australia for the quake-struck
The Australian community service “Anduren Eliyata” coordinated by the STF has donated 100 solar light units to the headquarters of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, to be sent to monks and laymen affected by the earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand. Pic by Shane Seneviratne
Sri Lankan troops ministering to quake-struck Myanmar commended for their dedication
A specially deployed Sri Lankan Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Team, comprising Tri-Service personnel, have been mobilised in Myanmar to support post-disaster recovery efforts following last week’s powerful earthquake that struck the country. Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport the same day, the team proceeded to the disaster-stricken region approximately 450 km away and are currently [...]
Peradeniya- a pretty picture this season
The gardens of the University of Peradeniya are a sea of colours this season, with flowers of various hues blooming around the campus. The trees have been hand-planted by its first curator and his men on the instructions of Sir Ivor Jennings, the first Vice Chancellor of the University. This land on which the Campus [...]
Overdoing mangrove restoration has downside
By D. Thiviyatharshini In earlier times, people overexploited mangroves for their use all over the country. It eventually caused mangrove degradation. So mangrove restoration became essential. Over time, it may become a tradition to plant mangroves without adequate scientific research. Many developed countries offset their carbon emissions by planting mangroves in Sri Lanka. Most NGOs [...]
Festive time is spending time, but with restraint
By Kasun Warakapitiya Preparations for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations continued despite financial hardships in most households. Some goods vendors said sales were lean, while others were satisfied. But, unlike in previous years, as many workers in Colombo had started leaving the city by Wednesday. “By Wednesday, the city was becoming deserted, affecting [...]
Zoo’s 153-year-old tortoise among those selected for oil anointing
The oldest member at the Dehiwala National Zoological gardens, the giant tortoise, who is around 153 years, will be among the animals selected for the traditional New Year oil anointing ceremony on April 16, at 9.04 a.m. Visitors to the Dehiwala National Zoological gardens will be able able to witness the event as always. Anoma [...]
Industry says commercial rooftop solar tariff shakeup dents confidence
By Dilushi WIjsinghe Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector is facing a crisis as recent policy reversals and regulatory uncertainty threaten both economic stability and the country’s climate commitments. After years of steady progress toward a sustainable energy future, abrupt government actions have triggered an investor backlash, stalled major projects, and raised concerns over long-term energy [...]
Wildlife to try out Canadian radar gear at danger zone for elephants
By Kasun Warakapitiya A multi-pronged plan will seek solutions to the human elephant conflict in areas where issues are widespread. One such issue which contributes to elephant injuries and death are train collisions and the Departments of Wildlife, Forestry, Railways, university experts and environmentalorganisations are trying to reduce collisions. Train collisions kill most elephants and [...]
Percussion bands herald Nuwara Eliya spring festival
The annual Nuwara Eliya spring festival started with a bang on April 1, with a performance by 18 percussion bands featuring 600 schoolchildren. The parade was held along Queen Elizabeth Mawatha, near the Nuwara Eliya central market, with the Central Provincial Chief Secretary, G.H. M. Ajith Premasinghe as Chief Guest. The Nuwara Eliya Municipal Commissioner, [...]
Kandy vendors given ‘back-to-the pavement’ greenlight for the season
Public complain of inconvenience Vendors in Kandy town have been given permission to sell goods on the pavements until the end of the New Year season. The decision was taken at the Coordinating Committee meeting of the Kandy District presided over by Minister Lal Kantha recently. However, only vendors already occupying will be allowed. The [...]
Medicine security for SL: Need for stronger state backing for local pharma
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi As a proposed strategy and recommendations to boost the local pharmaceutical industry are being drawn up, the need is to re-orient government policies including technological and other support to develop ‘medicine security’ and reduce the import burden. This was the general consensus at the conclusion of the presentation of a ‘Situational Analysis [...]
Special focus on west, south and east in land use and infrastructure framework
By Niranjala Ariyawansha The National Physical Plan prepared by the National Physical Planning Department under the Urban Development Authority (UDA) for 2025 to 2050 is scheduled to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval, the Sunday Times learns. Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Ranjith Ariyaratne said the plan was submitted [...]
Sri Lanka’s population increasing at a slower rate, 2024 census shows
Sri Lanka’s population is gradually increasing, though at a slower pace, the Census and Statistics Department has revealed. The Department, which completed the Census of population and Housing-2024, in its findings released this week said the annual average growth rate has been comparatively reducing, Accordingly, the population growth rate, which was 0.7 percent at the [...]
Thirteen-year curse for nine destitute families in Bulathkohupitiya
Nine families evicted after a landslide in Levela, Bulathkohoupitiya in the Kegalle district and settled in a plot of land temporarily 13 years ago with the promise of providing them with a permanent solution, still live in temporary shelters. The families were located in a land close to the Yakella school and promised that they [...]