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Home » NewsNuwara Eliya glows for Vesak
Saffron-robed Buddhist monks heading to the State Vesak festival that will feature week-long programmes highlighting the most important event in the Buddhist calendar. The festival was inaugurated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday. Photo by Shelton Hettiarachchi.
CEB plans up to 35% tariff hike
Chairman resigns reportedly due to political interference By Niranjala Ariyawansha An electricity tariff increase of 25 to 35 percent is among the proposals under consideration by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) awaits the implementation of the revised rates. CEB sources said these tariff proposals would be prepared in accordance with [...]
For IMF clearance, electricity tariff revision should cover Rs. 25bn loss
By Damith Wickremasekara The Government would have to revise electricity tariffs in a way that covers a Rs 25 billion loss before obtaining clearance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the implementation of the new tariffs, a senior Treasury official said. He said the next review of the IMF is due in July, but [...]
Tariff blow to renewable energy sector: Unit purchase price to be reduced
The Cabinet will next week consider a proposal to reduce the tariffs for all renewable energy-based (RE) electricity supply to the national grid. If approved, the Energy Ministry’s memorandum will allow the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to significantly lower the prices paid for every unit of electricity generated under all new private rooftop solar, mini-hydro, [...]
As India, Pakistan go for truce: Pak passengers stranded in Colombo
By Tharushi Weerasinghe The Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) has received reports of Pakistanis, largely transit passengers, being marooned in Colombo after all flights were cancelled owing to hostilities between Pakistan and India. While the numbers weren’t immediately available, Sri Lanka’s mission in Islamabad had flagged the presence of transit passengers whose visas are [...]
Viet Nam and Lanka agree to boost trade to USD 1 billion, enhance defence ties
Both Viet Nam and Sri Lanka agreed to review the bilateral investment treaty and the avoidance of double taxation agreement to facilitate trade and investment, a joint statement issued following the visit of President Anura Dissanayake said. These aim to bring the trade turnover to USD 1 billion in the near future. Currently the trade [...]
Constitutional Council secretary to quit
Constitutional Council (CC) Secretary Dhammika Dasanayake is to resign from his post. Citing personal reasons, he has informed the CC in writing that he will step down from his position with effect from May 15. The CC headed by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has accepted Mr. Dasanayake’s resignation, the Sunday Times learns. The CC has [...]
AG to appoint team to study Batalanda report
The Attorney General’s Department will carry out a detailed study on the Batalanda Commission report, the Sunday Times learns. The report, along with documents containing proceedings of the commission—officially known as the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the “Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme”—has already [...]
President gets four names for two CA vacancies
Four names have been proposed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fill two vacancies in the Court of Appeal (CA). Chief Justice Murdu Fernando has proposed the names of High Court Judges Frank Gunawardena, Adithya Kumara Patabendi and Nawaratne Marasinghe on two occasions. Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, meanwhile, has proposed the name of Deputy Solicitor [...]
No leniency for Divineguma officer who solicited sexual bribe: High Court Judge
By Ranjith Padmasiri A former Divineguma Development Officer in Kataragama was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Kumara Patabendi after being found guilty on four counts of soliciting a sexual bribe from a woman to give his recommendation to obtain Samurdhi benefits and treatment for one of her children [...]
Prelate to contact Peppé family, to stop auctioning of the Piprahwa relics
By Chandani Kirinde Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thera, the chief incumbent of the temple that is the repository of a part of the Piprahwa relics said he hopes to contact the family attempting to auction a part of the relics through the Sotheby auctioneers and have it stopped. Venerable Mahindawansa Thera, chief incumbent of [...]
The Dalada Veediya bridge leading to the Maligawa removed
By L. B. Senaratne The massive bridge constructed across Dalada Veediya to provide entrance to the Sri Dalada Maligawa for the exposition of the tooth relic has at last been partially removed, perhaps so that the Vesak Perahera of the Sri Dalada Maligawa may proceed without hindrance. The photograph shows the bridge during the exposition.
Vesak across the country
Pix by Nilan Maligaspe, Pic by Palitha Ariyawansa,Pic by Palitha Ariyawansa and M.A. Pushpa Kumara
The light of Vesak falls on Nuwara Eliya
By Kasun Warakapitiya The State Vesak Festival, this year themed “Let us associate with noble friends endowed with virtuous qualities”, began yesterday under the patronage of the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This was the first time when a State Vesak Festival was held in the hill station. The festival commenced after the wahalkada thorana (ornamental [...]
Shangri-La mall and apartments deliver profit, hotels stand out for revenue growth
By Kapila Bandara Shangri-La Asia’s hotels in Colombo and Hambantota have recorded the highest rate of revenue growth in 2024 for the group in its 50th anniversary year, while investment properties such as the seven-storey shopping mall One Galle Face, and apartments have delivered profit. Though not profitable, consolidated revenues of the Sri Lanka hotels [...]
All about the flu bug doing the rounds and simple precautions to ward it off
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Tiny infectious bugs have gone ‘viral’, compelling a large number of men, women and children to take to their beds at home or flood the hospitals. Influenza (flu), dengue and chikungunya are some of these viruses doing the rounds in Sri Lanka. While influenza is spread through respiratory droplets when infected people [...]
No public transport through Wilpattu, SC case ends after 15 years
By Tharushi Weerasinghe The Supreme Court this week concluded a 15-year legal battle over the use of a road through Wilpattu National Park, following a government decision not to allow public transport through the protected area. The case was brought by Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited (EFL), Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS), [...]
In every crisis, midwives stand strong; so must our support for them
“I’ve devoted 35 years to midwifery. I visit homes, check on expectant mothers, ensure they are healthy, their newborns are safe, and guide young couples on reproductive health. These mothers depend on me, and I go where I’m needed. That’s my duty.” – G.P.D. Padmakanthi, Public Health Midwife, Magastota Estate, Nuwara Eliya Padmakanthi’s words stay [...]
Unresponsive ‘hotline’ a symptom of uni anti-ragging failures
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Investigations into the death of Charith Dilshan, the Sabaragamuwa University student believed to have been the victim of extreme ragging, are continuing. According to the police media division, 10 arrests have been made so far. Four of the suspects were arrested and produced in the Balangoda Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and six [...]
Student suicide highlights system failures in protecting abuse victims
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Parents and supporters rallied outside a Colombo school this week, demanding justice after a schoolgirl who accused her teacher of abuse died following months of official neglect and public shaming, including by a private tuition institute owner. The student of Ramanathan Hindu Ladies’ College in Bambalapitiya was preparing for her Ordinary Level [...]
Main parties put a positive spin on how they performed at the elections
The National People’s Power (NPP) faced its first electoral test since taking office seven months ago at Tuesday’s local councils elections, which saw a dip in its popularity across the country with a drop in support in rural areas as well as in the North and East of the country. The NPP won around 4.5 [...]
Local monitors say local government elections were free and fair
By Ishu Bandara Local observation organisations monitoring the local government elections, which concluded on May 6, said it was a free and fair election, similar to the previous two elections held late last year, but was not without election law violations. The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reported that this election was more problematic [...]
Question mark still over CMC while alliances sought for other councils
By Sandun Jayawardana Behind the scenes negotiations are continuing among various political parties and independent groups to form administrations in more than 150 local councils where no party or group has obtained an outright majority. The National People’s Power (NPP) won 265 local councils of the 339 to which polls were held on Tuesday [...]
NPP won most wards in Colombo, main political parties received support across city
The National People’s Power (NPP) won a historic victory at the 2025 local government elections when it emerged as the largest party in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The party however, still fell short of an outright majority that would have enabled it to form the council administration without having to rely on other parties [...]
Regional parties regain lost ground in North and East; discuss coalitions
By Mimi Alphonsus As with the receding tide, the ‘Anura wave’ ebbed this election, with his party slipping to second place in the North and East. Regional parties recovered some lost ground and gained control of most local councils. ITAK vote share surged in Jaffna, made significant strides in Vanni districts, and enjoyed a slight [...]
Galle Fort: ‘The heritage is vanishing before our eyes’
Long term residents decry traffic, garbage woes and corruption Business stakeholder calls for structured contribution facilitated by the authorities so that hotel industry could give back to the Fort’s community By Tharushi Weerasinghe Residents and business owners in Galle Fort say mounting traffic and inefficient garbage collection are eroding the quality of life [...]
First vaccine against Chikungunya: Need for careful evaluation before introduction to SL
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi As Chikungunya, the mosquito-borne viral disease, is spreading fast in Sri Lanka and severely affecting many adults, it would be good to have a “safe” vaccine, an expert said on Friday, urging however that strong data should be available before any decision is taken. Reiterating that safety is of paramount importance, Prof. [...]
SLAF probe team begins investigation at Bell 212 helicopter crash site
By Dilushi Wijesinghe A field inspection at the site of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Bell 212 helicopter crash was carried out yesterday by the 9-member committee appointed by SLAF Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe to investigate the crash. The main airframe of the helicopter was hoisted out of the water yesterday. The investigation [...]
Opposition’s council hopes lie in alliances
By Kasun Warakapitiya Opposition parties have displayed renewed vigour following the local government elections where the ruling party won. The main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), plans to create alliances with other parties to form councils where the combined opposition obtained more seats than the National People’s Power. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara [...]
From shrew to elephant: a handy field guide to our land mammals
By Malaka Rodrigo “Imagine how many people in the tourism industry would be out of work without Leopards, Asian Elephants, Sloth Bears, Spotted Deer, Jackals, and other charismatic Mammalian species that make Sri Lanka’s wildlife experience so compelling,” says Asoka Yapa, author of the newly released “Land Mammals of Sri Lanka: A Field Companion.” “These [...]