Wishing everyone a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

As Sri Lankans across the country prepare to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, we extend heartfelt wishes for happiness, health, and success in the year ahead.

To help you mark the occasion in accordance with tradition, here is the New Year Auspicious Times Table – 2025, translated into English for your convenience:

New Moon Observation
To mark the beginning of the new lunar and solar year, the new moon is to be observed on Thursday, May 1st.

Bathing for the Old Year
On Sunday, April 13th, it is customary to bathe using herbal oil mixed with juice of Dimbul leaves, while remembering the guardian deities.

Dawn of the New Year
The Sinhala New Year dawns on Monday, April 14th at 3:21 AM.

Auspicious Period (Punya Kalaya)
This begins at 8:57 PM on Sunday, April 13th, and continues until 9:45 AM on Monday, April 14th. It is advised to stop all work and engage in religious observances during this time. Between 3:21 AM and 9:45 AM on April 14th, observe the traditional customs including food preparation, work commencement, and other rituals.

Cooking of Meals
At 4:04 AM on Monday, April 14th, dressed in orange and facing south, light the hearth to prepare milk rice and sweetmeats using milk and jaggery.

Commencing Work, Transactions, and Meal Consumption
At 6:44 AM on April 14th, dressed in white and facing south, commence work, engage in transactions, and partake of meals.

Anointing the Head
On Wednesday, April 16th at 9:04 AM, wearing green and facing north, apply herbal oil (mixed with neem juice), place Kohomba and Kolon leaves on the head and feet, and bathe.

Leaving for Work (for Protection and Blessings)
On Thursday, April 17th at 9:03 AM, dressed in gold and facing north, enjoy milk rice and sweetmeats before setting out.

Planting of Trees
On Friday, April 18th at 10:16 AM, wear multicolored attire and face east to plant trees as a symbol of new beginnings.

A New Era of Stylish Menswear Begins

Arrow, the iconic American menswear brand with over 170 years of heritage, has officially launched in Sri Lanka through an exclusive collaboration with Softlogic. This landmark opening took place at ODEL, One Galle Face Mall, marking a new chapter in the island’s premium fashion scene.

Globally renowned for its authentic American style, Arrow is a trusted name among modern gentlemen who value sophistication and versatility. The newly launched store showcases a curated range of apparel, including classic shirts, tailored blazers, sharp suits, polished polos, chinos, and smart-casual staples designed for the evolving tastes of the urban man.

But this is more than just a retail outlet—it’s an immersive brand experience. The store’s interior has been meticulously designed to reflect Arrow’s premium identity, seamlessly blending contemporary design with subtle nods to the brand’s rich legacy. Clean architectural lines, elegant finishes, and thoughtfully arranged displays create an elevated and seamless shopping journey for customers.

The launch also underscores Softlogic’s continued commitment to enhancing the local retail landscape with world-class brands. Arrow’s arrival in Sri Lanka is another stride forward in bringing global style closer to home and delivering an international shopping experience to local consumers.

Visit the new Arrow store at ODEL, Level 3, One Galle Face Mall, and explore the latest in stylish menswear.

The Police Headquarters reports that 30 shooting incidents have occurred in the past three months, resulting in 30 deaths.

Out of these, 19 individuals were killed in underworld-related shootings during the same period.

Police sources indicate a noticeable rise in underworld activities in recent times.

A report by the National Audit Office reveals that 13 officials from the University of Sabaragamuwa, who went abroad on study leave between 2000 and 2020, have failed to repay over Rs. 92 million due to bond violations.

The report states that this amount had not been recovered as of April last year.

These findings are included in the university’s 2023 annual report, as highlighted by the National Audit Office.

The Sri Lankan Army will be deployed alongside the police to ensure the safety of devotees attending the Sacred Exposition of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha (Sri Dalada Dākma).

Under the guidance of the Army Commander, all army units under the Central Security Forces Command will be assigned to this duty.

The exposition is scheduled to take place from April 18 to 27.

Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, announced that Provincial Council elections will be held promptly after the upcoming Local Government elections.

He questioned the commitment of other political parties towards fostering national reconciliation and emphasized the importance of their contribution.

The Minister further stated that the government will soon implement a special program dedicated to promoting reconciliation and upholding democratic values.

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) has launched a 24-hour emergency hotline—106—to ensure rapid response to maritime emergencies.

Directly connected to the SLCG Operations Room, the new hotline aims to enhance coordination during distress situations at sea.

This initiative strengthens Sri Lanka’s maritime safety framework, offering seafarers, coastal communities, and the public a direct line to report incidents.

As the country’s primary maritime law enforcement agency, the SLCG plays a crucial role in search and rescue operations, environmental protection, and combating maritime crimes.

The Coast Guard urges all stakeholders to use the hotline 106 for immediate assistance in any maritime emergency.

The circular on public sector salary revisions, in line with the 2025 budget proposals, was issued today (25).

It was released under the signature of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara.

The circular has been distributed to ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, and department heads.

A proposal to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently on compulsory leave and in remand custody, was handed over to the Speaker by National People’s Power (NPP) MPs today (25).

The proposal, submitted to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, includes 27 allegations of misconduct against Tennakoon.

Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that the Speaker will present the proposal to Parliament on the 8th of next month.

A total of 115 NPP MPs signed the proposal, which was officially handed over by Deputy Ministers Mahinda Jayasinghe and Eranga Gunasekara, along with MPs Kaushalya Ariyaratne and Upul Abeywickrama.

Three newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (24) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The new envoys represent France, Palestine, and Nepal:

Mr. Remi Lambert – Ambassador of France

Mr. Ihab I.M. Khalil – Ambassador of Palestine

Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali – Ambassador of Nepal

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, along with Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka, attended the ceremony.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has rejected reports suggesting a political alliance between him, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Ranil Wickremesinghe, calling them baseless.

Speaking at a meeting with Kurunegala district candidates, he stated that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) does not need to align with any other party. He accused the government and bankrupt political groups of spreading false news to undermine SJB’s expected victory in the upcoming local elections.

He also criticized the government for using fake headlines to mislead the public while failing to fulfill election promises. Premadasa condemned the government’s handling of economic issues, accusing it of betraying the people by following IMF agreements made by previous administrations.

Additionally, he accused the government of oppressing unemployed graduates and the poor while failing to control the rising cost of living. He claimed that the upcoming elections are being rushed to counter the growing unpopularity of the government.

The 16th Contingent of the Sri Lanka Force Protection Company (SLFPC) saluted Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo at the Gajaba Regiment parade ground on 22nd March 2025, ahead of their United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on 3rd April.

During the ceremony, the Army Chief handed over the National, UN, Army, and Gajaba Regiment flags to the contingent commander. The team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Y.S.H.N.P. Silva, includes 11 officers and 125 other ranks. Senior officers, troops’ families, and fellow soldiers attended the event.

Parliament has decided to suspend the parliamentary pension previously received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following his request in an official letter.

On February 21, President Dissanayake stated in Parliament that he did not wish to receive two pensions. Prior to this statement, he had formally informed the Secretary-General of Parliament to suspend his MP pension starting next month.

The letter was forwarded to the Parliament’s Director of Finance for necessary action, according to parliamentary sources.

A former MP who has served for at least five years is entitled to a parliamentary pension. Additionally, after retirement, a former president is eligible for a separate presidential pension.

It was recently revealed that past presidents have received multiple pensions under this system. The discussion around this issue is expected to gain further momentum following President Dissanayake’s decision, setting an example for others.

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe has appointed a special seven-member committee to investigate the K-8 jet crash that occurred in the Wariyapola area.

Although initial reports suggested the aircraft took off from the China Bay Airstrip, an official statement from the Air Force has now confirmed that it departed from the Katunayake Air Force Base.

According to the statement, the K-8 jet, used for advanced pilot training under the No. 05 Fighter Squadron at Katunayake, crashed during a training exercise this morning (21) in the Padeniya area of Wariyapola, Kurunegala.

The aircraft was carrying a chief flight instructor and a trainee pilot, both of whom ejected safely and landed in the Minuwangate College premises in Padeniya using parachutes. They have been admitted to the Kurunegala National Hospital for treatment.

The jet took off at approximately 7:27 AM and crashed around 7:55 AM. Following the incident, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe appointed a special investigation committee to conduct a detailed inquiry.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently on compulsory leave, was presented before the Matara Magistrate’s Court today and has been remanded until tomorrow (20).

He was taken into custody in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in 2023 in the Weligama area of Matara. The arrest was made following an order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

Deshabandu Tennakoon had previously filed a writ petition requesting a stay order to prevent the enforcement of the arrest warrant. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the petition without hearing it yesterday (17). Following this decision, Tennakoon appeared before the court today.

Reports indicate that a large number of lawyers were present at the Matara Magistrate’s Court to represent him.

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deshabandu Tennakoon, has voluntarily surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the 2023 shooting incident at the W15 Hotel in Weligama.

Tennakoon, who had been evading arrest, appeared before the court following an arrest warrant issued for him and eight former officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

The shooting, which took place on December 31, 2023, in front of the W15 Hotel, led to the issuance of arrest orders for the suspects involved. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was instructed to locate and arrest the individuals named in the case, including Tennakoon, who had been absconding.

Tennakoon attempted to block the arrest order by filing a writ petition with the Court of Appeal, seeking an injunction to suspend the warrant. However, on March 17, the Court of Appeal dismissed the petition, directing the CID to proceed with Tennakoon’s arrest. The decision, made without a hearing, came after the Court rejected Tennakoon’s request to delay the execution of the arrest order.

On March 16, the Attorney General (AG) issued a special notice clarifying Tennakoon as the primary suspect in the case, while also instructing the CID not to arrest the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the CCD and five other accused individuals. Tennakoon, however, remained the key target in the investigation.

With Tennakoon now in custody, the case is set to continue later this afternoon before the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

An air force soldier assigned to the Presidential Security Division was arrested along with another suspect while traveling in a Land Cruiser carrying explosives. The Wellawali Police stated that they are being held for 48 hours for further investigation.

The arrested airman, 34, is a resident of Godekawela, Niyangama, while the second suspect, 60, is from Gonawala, Kelaniya.

The arrest took place in the early hours of the 17th when officers from the Wellawali Police Station, conducting a night patrol, stopped and inspected the vehicle on the Wellawali-Bakki Ella road in the Palaiyadwatta area.

Investigations revealed that the Land Cruiser belongs to the Presidential Secretariat and is assigned to the Presidential Security Air Force Unit. The police discovered one water gel explosive stick, one kilogram of ammonia, a service fuse, and three bottles of plant remover inside the vehicle.

Since the suspects could not provide legal documentation for possessing these explosives, they were taken into custody. The police are questioning them to determine the purpose for which the explosives were being transported.

Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurial Development, Sunil Handunnetti, stated that requests have been made to include entrepreneurship in the school curriculum after Grade 9.

Speaking in Parliament today (18), he emphasized the need to create an entrepreneurial mindset in Sri Lanka.

“We have a plan to integrate youth into the economy as entrepreneurs. That’s why we have already requested the inclusion of entrepreneurship as a subject after Grade 9,” he said.

He also highlighted that, according to international standards, a country should allocate 3% of its land for industries, and steps are being taken to provide land for industrial purposes.

The Parliamentary Committee on Parliamentary Affairs has decided to commence a two-day debate on April 10 regarding the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda.

The committee has also decided to schedule the second day of the debate for another date in May.

The debate will focus on the report of the Presidential Commission appointed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, which investigated the establishment of illegal detention centers and torture chambers at the Batalanda housing complex.