Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in the first few days of April, according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
Speaking in Parliament today (15), the minister revealed that several new agreements between the two nations are expected to be signed during the visit.
Reports indicate that PM Modi is likely to arrive on April 4 or 5, with the inauguration of the Sampur power plant expected to coincide with his visit.
The West Indies Masters team secured a spot in the 2025 Masters League T20 final after defeating Sri Lanka last night.
Batting first, West Indies posted 179/5 in 20 overs, with Dinesh Ramdin scoring 50 off 22 balls and captain Brian Lara contributing 41 runs.
Sri Lanka, chasing the target, fell short, managing only 173/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Asela Gunaratne’s fighting 66 off 42 balls was not enough to secure victory.
The final will be played tomorrow between West Indies and India.
A man has been shot dead in a shooting incident that occurred moments ago in the Idamthota area of Ambalangoda, police reported.
The victim has been identified as Girumadhura Saman Kumara, also known as “Sudda.”
According to police, two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire at Saman Kumara while he was at his residence, and then fled the scene.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to make a special statement on the Battalanda Presidential Commission Report the day after tomorrow (16), following its tabling in Parliament after 25 years.
According to several local media reports, Wickremesinghe is expected to reveal key details regarding the report’s findings as well as the recommendations made by the commission.
His response comes after Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, tabled the report in Parliament earlier today.
The Battalanda Presidential Commission Report, which probed alleged torture during the 1988/89 period and had not been presented to Parliament since 2000, was tabled today (14).
Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, while presenting the report, stated that Battalanda, which had been confined to a dark chamber in the Presidential Secretariat, has now come into the light.
The commission was appointed on December 15, 1995, by then-President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and was chaired by former High Court Judge Dharmasiri Jayawickrama, with High Court Judge Nimal Edward Dissanayake serving as Commissioner. The commission submitted its report in 2000.
However, despite 25 years passing, the report had not been tabled in Parliament until now.
The topic resurfaced following a recent interview former President Ranil Wickremesinghe gave to Al Jazeera. During the interview, Wickremesinghe denied allegations regarding the Battalanda torture chambers and claimed that the Presidential Commission Report had never been presented to Parliament.
At that moment, a BBC journalist, who had the report in hand, presented it to the session and questioned why the commission’s recommendations had not been implemented.
The government has now submitted the Battalanda Commission Report to Parliament in this context.
Accordingly, the report has been referred to the Attorney General, and a Presidential Committee has been appointed to decide on future actions regarding commission reports. Minister Bimal Rathnayake informed Parliament that a two-day debate on the matter has also been scheduled.
A recently retired prison officer residing in Thalagaha, Akmeemana, was shot dead at his home today (13).
The former officer, who had served at Galle Boossa Prison, was attacked by an unidentified armed individual who entered his residence and shot him in the mouth before fleeing the scene.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
A young woman suspected of orchestrating the murder of Nadagamuwe Mahanama Thero, the chief monk of Sri Nandarama Temple in Waettaewa, Seeduwa, was arrested by immigration officers upon her arrival from Dubai last night (12). She was handed over to the Seeduwa Police for further investigation.
The 24-year-old suspect, a resident of Hinatiana, Minuwangoda, had reportedly developed a romantic relationship via Facebook with one of the monk’s disciples, who is accused of carrying out the murder on her instructions. At the time of the crime on September 14, 2022, she was residing in Dubai, according to police investigations.
It was later revealed that she had allegedly manipulated the disciple from Dubai to murder the chief monk in an attempt to gain control over the temple’s assets. The disciple was arrested at the airport while attempting to flee to Dubai after committing the crime.
Reports also suggested that the suspect had received assistance from her fiancé, who was also residing in Dubai. Since he was a Sri Lankan national, Sri Lankan authorities had planned to request an Interpol Red Notice to extradite both of them. However, no steps had been taken to issue the Red Notice until her arrest at the airport on the 12th.
The brother of Pookudikanna, a notorious underworld criminal involved in drug trafficking, was arrested by Indian security forces at Chennai Airport while preparing to travel to Dubai. Following an intelligence operation, he was deported to Sri Lanka.
After being held in India for a few days, he was scheduled to be flown back to Sri Lanka early today (13). Sri Lankan Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers were prepared to arrest him upon arrival at the airport.
Pookudikanna’s brother has multiple pending court cases in Sri Lanka related to drug trafficking. Arrest warrants had been issued against him for failing to appear in court.
Due to underworld conflicts, Pookudikanna fled Sri Lanka to India, and his brother later followed by air, seeking refuge under his protection.
During a 2015 operation by Indian security forces, several Sri Lankan underworld figures, including Kimbula Ela Guna, were arrested, with Pookudikanna among them. Fearing for his safety, his brother secretly returned to Sri Lanka by boat but stayed only briefly before obtaining a foreign passport under a false identity and returning to India.
Indian intelligence agencies have intensified their operations due to threats to national security posed by drug traffickers collaborating with Pakistan. As a result, several Sri Lankan criminals hiding in India have been arrested in recent times. These individuals are then deported to Sri Lanka through coordination between the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force (STF) and Indian intelligence agencies.
Pookudikanna’s brother was caught in one such operation last week. While under surveillance, he attempted to leave for Dubai but was intercepted by Indian intelligence forces, leading to his deportation to Sri Lanka.
The launch of the Mahinda Prabhawa book, which explores the history of Galle Mahinda College, will take place on April 1 at 10:00 AM at the Olcott Hall.
The book has been authored by four friends—Engineer Mahinda Jayasinghe, Anura Wattage, Dr. Sujeewa Wijewikrama, and Damith Pathirana—who studied in the 12-F class of Mahinda College in 1980.
Mahinda College is now marking its 134th anniversary. “We compiled this book covering the entire history of the college, even referring to the school logbook,” said Mahinda Jayasinghe, one of the authors, in a statement to News Wave.
For this event, invitations have been extended to eleven former principals of the college, as well as to close relatives of five deceased principals, according to Mahinda Jayasinghe.
The Ministry of Education has announced that the first phase of the first school term for the year 2025 will conclude tomorrow (14th).
For Sinhala and Tamil medium government schools and government-approved private schools, the first phase of the first school term will officially end on Friday, March 14, 2025.
According to the announcement, the second phase of the first school term will commence on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, for all schools.
Investigations have revealed that the suspect involved in the rape of a female doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for burglary and theft.
According to police sources, the suspect, who had a strong obsession with mobile phones, not only raped the doctor but also stole her mobile phone. A technical operation using the phone’s number led to his arrest today.
Further inquiries revealed that the suspect had previously been convicted for breaking into the residence of a Colonel and stealing valuables. At the time of his previous arrest, he had disguised himself as a Buddhist monk to evade capture.
The nationwide initiative to clean and refurbish 1,000 selected schools under the government’s Clean Sri Lanka program is progressing successfully with the dedicated involvement of the Tri-Forces.
Supervised by the Ministry of Defence, the Tri-Forces are actively engaged in renovating schools across the country. The project is closely monitored by Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
Launched on February 20, 2025, the project has now entered its second phase. As of March 10, 2025, 432 schools have been renovated with the contribution of Army personnel, 25 schools with the support of Navy personnel, and 34 schools with the assistance of Air Force personnel. The Civil Security Department (CSD) has also played a key role in supporting the initiative.
In addition to cleaning, the project includes essential refurbishments such as repairing deteriorated school buildings, applying fresh paint, restoring boundary fences, and repairing school equipment like desks, chairs, and bookshelves for continued use.
Through these efforts, the Tri-Forces aim to create a cleaner and more conducive learning environment in schools nationwide. Their participation in the Clean Sri Lanka initiative aligns with the government’s vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life,” under the comprehensive supervision of the Ministry of Defence.
The initiative has also received strong support from school principals, teachers, students, and parents, who have actively contributed to the project’s success.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) have launched a 24-hour token strike from 8:00 AM today (12) in protest against the sexual assault of a female doctor at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
In a media statement, the AMS expressed strong condemnation of the incident, stating that the doctor was attacked while on duty in her on-call room. The association emphasized that such acts of violence threaten the safety of healthcare workers.
The AMS urged the government to take immediate action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Meanwhile, several nursing unions in the North Central Province have also announced their support for the protest by withdrawing from their duties today.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held discussions today (11) with excise officials regarding the regulation of the alcohol and tobacco industries to enhance state revenue.
According to the Presidential Media Division, the meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat. The discussions focused on the challenges faced by the Excise Department and strategies to meet this year’s revenue targets.
A key topic of discussion was integrating the operations of the Excise Department with the Inland Revenue Department to ensure efficiency and fairness in tax collection. The meeting also addressed several critical aspects, including:
Further discussions were held on improving revenue collection and safeguarding state income through strategic operational and management mechanisms. The need for a human resource and technological development plan to improve the efficiency of the Excise Department was also emphasized.
The meeting was attended by Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumaranayake, Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, Excise Commissioner General Udaya Kumara Perera, and other senior officials from the Excise Department.
Last week, during a Parliamentary Finance Committee session, there was a heated debate over whether individuals using electronic cigarettes should be arrested. However, the statement issued following today’s meeting did not mention any specific measures regarding the use of electronic cigarettes, including their impact on schoolchildren.
The Matara Chief Magistrate, Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, issued an open warrant today (11), ordering the immediate arrest of suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon upon sight.
This decision follows a request from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to issue an open warrant for the arrest of the suspect.
The CID informed the court that they had already searched ten locations where the former IGP was believed to be hiding but had failed to locate him. Additionally, intelligence officers are currently monitoring 18 other locations where he is suspected to be in hiding.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal had previously scheduled a hearing for tomorrow (12) to verify the facts related to a writ petition filed by Deshabandu Tennakoon.
The Matara Magistrate had initially issued a warrant for his arrest following a magisterial inquiry into the death of a sergeant from the Colombo Crime Division. The officer was killed during a shooting incident in Weligama, Matara, in 2023, allegedly involving Weligama police officers in response to an attack by individuals arriving in a white van at the W15 hotel.
AFI Corp, a leading international talent solutions and technology services provider, successfully organized and managed the prestigious Shorelight Partner Symposium and Global Revenue Summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from February 9-15, 2025. The event brought together representatives from 24 countries, including several high-profile C-suite executives.
Founded as a technology services provider, AFI Corp has evolved into a key player in connecting Sri Lankan professionals with global opportunities. It has earned a reputation for delivering customized resource augmentation solutions, helping international clients scale efficiently while achieving their strategic objectives.
A key area of focus for AFI Corp is higher education, particularly in North America. The company provides specialized talent in enrollment management, student services, and institutional sales, helping universities enhance student engagement, improve retention rates, and expand enrollment pipelines. Its partnership with Shorelight, a U.S.-based higher education platform that connects international students, universities, and service providers, highlights its ability to meet the demands of the competitive North American education sector.
The Shorelight Partner Symposium and Global Revenue Summit is an annual event that brings together higher education leaders to discuss best practices and innovations for international student success. AFI Corp took charge of organizing the event, ensuring a seamless experience for Shorelight’s global network. Themed “A Voyage to Sri Lanka,” the week-long event featured high-level discussions, cultural explorations of Colombo and Galle Fort, and curated experiences showcasing Sri Lanka’s renowned hospitality.
“This global event is a testament to the trust that our clients, including Shorelight, place in AFI Corp to always deliver and exceed expectations,” said AFI Corp CEO Rimaz Marzook. “As a Sri Lankan company that connects local talent to international opportunities while contributing to the nation’s foreign reserves, we are proud to showcase Sri Lanka’s capability to host an event of global significance.”
Hosting the symposium in Sri Lanka marks a major achievement for the country, signaling its post-COVID revitalization and its potential as a hub for global talent and business. By organizing this international event, AFI Corp not only strengthened its position as a leading talent solutions provider but also highlighted Sri Lanka’s thriving business environment and rich cultural heritage.
“At AFI Corp, we are dedicated to proving the value of Sri Lankan talent on a global stage. Moving forward, we aim to expand our partnerships and continue showcasing Sri Lanka as a premier destination for global collaboration and innovation,” added Marzook.
As the first 100 days of the National People’s Power (NPP) government pass, a pressing question arises: What has the government accomplished so far? This question places President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his administration under intense scrutiny.
The NPP came into power with a landslide victory, securing well over a two-thirds majority in Parliament—a result that signaled a dramatic shift in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. However, the high hopes placed in the new administration have been overshadowed by a series of controversies and challenges.
The Ranawala Controversy
One of the most damaging issues has been the controversy surrounding former Speaker Ranawala’s academic qualifications. Despite public demand, he has yet to provide proof of his claimed doctoral degree. In a recent interview with BBC Sinhala, when pressed on when he would produce the necessary documents, Ranawala dismissed the question, asserting that it was not a matter of public concern. This response has only fueled criticism, raising questions about the integrity of the government and its leadership.
Rising Security Concerns
A series of shooting incidents across the country some occurring within court premises have raised serious concerns about national security. Instead of addressing these fears head-on, the NPP government has downplayed them, asserting that the country is in safer hands than ever before. An NPP MP further redefined national security, stating that it refers solely to the government’s and armed forces’ ability to defend the nation from invasion.
Adding to the controversy, the President announced during the budget debate that the size of the armed forces would be reduced, arguing that this was necessary given current circumstances. While some see this as a strategic decision, others worry it could compromise national security.
Economic Struggles and Unmet Promises
One of the NPP’s key campaign promises was to increase salaries for state employees. However, while the official salary figures show an increase, take home pay has remained largely unchanged. In reality, the promised salary hike will only take effect in 2027. This has led to frustration among state employees, many of whom voted for the NPP and now feel betrayed as they struggle with the rising cost of living.
The Mahinda Rajapaksa Residence Issue
Amidst these challenges, the government has also shifted focus to the official residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Some NPP members have suggested that his eviction was imminent, at one point claiming it was only a matter of hours. However, as of now, Rajapaksa remains in his official residence, raising questions about the government’s ability to follow through on its statements.
Fuel Price Controversy
Despite earlier claims by NPP members that a significant portion of fuel prices was being siphoned off by corrupt officials under the previous administration, fuel prices have remained virtually unchanged. This has led to speculation about whether members of the previous government still benefit from commissions on fuel sales or whether the NPP’s allegations were unfounded. If corruption was indeed the issue, has it persisted under the new government?
Unaddressed Agricultural Concerns
The government has yet to take meaningful action to support paddy farmers, a crucial segment of the economy. With mounting challenges in the agricultural sector, their struggles continue to go largely unaddressed.
A Disappointing First 100 Days?
As we enter the third month of 2025, the NPP government has yet to implement significant reforms or deliver on its major promises. While some argue that the administration is still new and needs more time, others recall how the 2015 Good Governance government enacted substantial changes within its first 100 days.
With that in mind, the public is left to decide: Has the NPP government lived up to its promises, or has it fallen short of expectations?
Sri Lanka Masters secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over England Masters in today’s (10) T20 International Masters League match.
Kumar Sangakkara played a stunning innings, scoring a rapid century off just 46 balls. He sealed the match in style with a six when Sri Lanka needed just two more runs to win.
Batting first, England Masters posted 146/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing the target, Sri Lanka Masters lost their first wicket when Romesh Kaluwitharana was dismissed early. However, Sangakkara was well-supported by Asela Gunaratne, and the duo completed the chase in just 12.5 overs.
Match Summary:
🔹 England Masters – 146/5 (20 overs)
🔹 Sri Lanka Masters – 150/1 (12.5 overs)
The Court of Appeal has ordered that details regarding the writ petition filed by suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon be presented on the 12th of this month.
Deshabandu Tennakoon had submitted a writ petition requesting an interim injunction to suspend the arrest warrant issued by the Matara Magistrate. The warrant had been issued for his arrest in connection with an incident where a police sergeant from the Colombo Crimes Division was killed in a shooting at the W15 Hotel in Weligama in 2023.
Considering the request made by President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, who appeared on behalf of Tennakoon, the Court of Appeal issued the directive.
The arrest warrant was issued following a magisterial inquiry into the incident, during which Weligama police officers opened fire on a group that arrived in a white van at the hotel.
Individuals using electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, could face arrest, as stated during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance.
This revelation was made during a meeting chaired by Dr. Harsha de Silva, the committee’s chairman. However, Dr. de Silva also noted that no arrests have been made so far for vaping.
Recently, parents have raised concerns about the growing use of vapes among schoolchildren. However, they also pointed out that there has not been a comprehensive discussion in the country regarding a complete ban on vaping.
The Indian cricket team emerged victorious in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final held last night (10).
Batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 251 runs for the loss of seven wickets at the end of their allotted 50 overs. In response, India successfully chased down the target, scoring 254 runs for six wickets with an over to spare.
After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first, but India managed to restrict the strong Kiwi side to 251 runs.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a match-winning knock of 76 runs off 83 balls. Shreyas Iyer contributed 48 runs, while KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 runs.
Rohit Sharma was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
This marks the third time India has won the ICC Champions Trophy, further cementing its dominance in world cricket.
In the ICC Champions Trophy final, the strong New Zealand team set a target of 252 runs for India to chase in order to secure victory.
The match is currently taking place in Dubai. Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell contributed 63 and 53 runs, respectively.
In the last ten overs, New Zealand added 79 runs for the loss of two wickets, strengthening their position.
At the end of their allotted 50 overs, New Zealand posted a total of 251 for seven wickets. For India, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav each took two wickets.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has announced that more than 500,000 tourists arrived in the country during the first two months of 2025.
In 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed 2 million foreign tourists, and the SLTDA aims to attract 3 million visitors in 2025.
Between January 1 and March 5, 2025, a total of 530,746 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka. Among them, 84,476 were Indian nationals.
Over 70,000 tourists came from Russia, while more than 50,000 arrived from the United Kingdom. Additionally, a significant number of visitors traveled from Germany, France, and China.
In the first five days of March alone, 37,768 foreign tourists entered the country.
The Sri Lanka Police have appealed for public assistance in locating suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is believed to be in hiding, Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga announced.
A warrant has been issued for Tennakoon’s arrest, and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to inform the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) immediately.
The CID has been assigned to locate the suspended IGP following a Matara Magistrate’s Court order in connection with the death of a Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) sergeant, who was fatally shot during an operation in Weligama to arrest a drug trafficking suspect.
Despite the court order, Tennakoon has not surrendered to authorities and remains at large. In response, the Police Headquarters has formally requested Presidential Secretary Sanath Nandhitha Kumaranayake to revoke all privileges granted to Tennakoon.
These privileges reportedly include:
Authorities continue their efforts to track down Tennakoon, urging public cooperation in the search.
Kurunegala District Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara today (05) issued a public apology in Parliament to MP Sugath Silva of the National People’s Power (NPP) and all individuals with special needs.
Addressing the House, Jayasekara acknowledged his previous statement and clarified his stance following remarks made by MP Sugath Silva in Parliament.
“Sugath Silva was my university colleague. I had no intention whatsoever to insult individuals with special needs. He even dined with me today. However, he has been pushed into this process of spreading hostility. The Opposition Leader should not take this matter further. A person with a heart would never humiliate or attack someone with special needs,” Jayasekara stated.
His remarks come in response to growing criticism over his previous statements, with calls for accountability and sensitivity towards individuals with disabilities.
RM Parks Inc., a leading U.S.-based petroleum company, officially launched Sri Lanka’s first Shell-branded fuel station in Ambathale yesterday (Feb. 26). The inauguration ceremony was led by U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung.
With this launch, RM Parks becomes the fourth company to enter Sri Lanka’s fuel market. The company signed an agreement with the Sri Lanka Board of Investment (BOI) in 2023, granting it the rights to import, distribute, and sell fuel in the country for a period of 20 years.
Under this agreement, RM Parks will begin operations through 150 fuel stations that are currently in partnership with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). Additionally, the company has received approval to establish 50 new fuel stations across the country.
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