News

Due to the Siri Dalada Relic Exposition, 37 schools within the Kandy city limits will be closed from April 21st to 25th, as announced by the Central Province Education Department.

The Siri Dalada Relic Exposition, scheduled to take place from April 18th to 28th, is a significant cultural event that draws large crowds, necessitating these measures.

In addition to the school closures, three new access routes have been introduced by the Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic to facilitate the movement of devotees:

1. From D.S. Senanayake Street to the Dalada Maligawa's main entrance.

2. From Ratubokkuwa through the Kandy Lake roundabout (Sangharaja Mawatha) to the main entrance.

3. From Ratubokkuwa through the Kandy Lake roundabout (Maligawa area) to the main entrance.

To accommodate the influx of visitors, the Sri Lanka Transport Board has announced the deployment of 150 additional buses from various regions across the country.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka Railways has planned special train services from Colombo and other areas to Kandy during this period.

The Department of Examinations says that the results of the Advanced Level examination will be released after April 20th.

The results were initially scheduled to be released before April 20th. However, due to several practical issues, the Department said that the release has been delayed.

A total of 333,185 candidates sat for the Advanced Level examination this year.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena attended the 2025 World Summit of the Universal Peace Federation in South Korea, from 10-14 April, as a Chief Guest.

Maithripala Sirisena, the Asia-Pacific Regional Chair of the International Peace Summit Council of the World Peace Conference, delivered a special address at the inaugural session of the Global Summit.

During his address, Maithripala Sirisena emphasised the need to build a bicameral global organisation that integrates religion and politics to maintain global political stability and peace, manage climate change, and manage conflicts.

The 2025 Global Summit was attended by former heads of state, current speakers, current members of parliament, and other diplomats, scholars, and professionals from about 40 countries.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has requested rooftop solar system owners to voluntarily switch off their systems during daytime hours, up to 3:00 PM each day, from April 13 to April 21.

In a statement issued on April 12, the CEB said the request is due to a drop in national electricity demand during the extended holiday period combined with high solar power generation, which is placing stress on the national grid.

The CEB stated that the resulting reduction in grid inertia has increased the risk of sudden disruptions and potential outages.

The request aims to support the stability and reliability of the national power grid during this period.

The National Election Commission states that postal voting in 18 local government bodies, including the Colombo Municipal Council, will be delayed.

This delay is due to the postponement of printing of postal ballot papers, following an interim injunction that prevented the local government elections scheduled for May 6th, in these local government bodies.

Chairman of the National Election Commission R.M.A.L. Rathnayake stated that they are currently studying the court rulings and taking steps to inform the Government Printer.

However, postal ballot papers for 227 local government bodies have already been distributed.

Postal voting for the upcoming local government elections is scheduled for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of this month.

Voters who are unable to cast their votes on those dates can do so on April 28th and 29th.

The Court of Appeal issued an interim injunction on the 7th of April, suspending the election proceedings in 18 local government bodies, including the Colombo Municipal Council.

This was in response to writ petitions filed by several political parties and independent groups against the rejection of their nominations.

However, on the 11th of this month, the Court of Appeal ordered the removal of this interim injunction.

This order was issued after ordering the re-acceptance of the rejected nomination papers submitted for those local government bodies.

The Court of Appeal issued this order after considering a motion filed by the Attorney General.

(News 1st)

The Criminal Investigation Department has obtained approval to detain and interrogate Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, for a period of 90 days.

He was arrested in Batticaloa on April 8 in connection with an abduction and missing persons case.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, speaking in Parliament recently, stated that significant information has emerged suggesting Pillayan’s involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Pillayan previously served as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province and later held the position of State Minister under former administrations.

The revenue generated by the Road Development Authority (RDA) through expressway tolls on 11, 12 and 13 April has increased by 30% in comparison to the income generated during the same period last year.

A total of 387,586 vehicles had used the expressways on 11, 12 and 13 April, according to the Director of Expressway Operation Maintenance and Management Division, R.A.D. Kahatapitiya.

Accordingly, the RDA has generated an income of Rs. 134,498,800.

Kahatapitiya added 163,541 vehicles used the expressways on 11 April, and the RDA generated an income of Rs. 54,066,450, while on 12 April, 134,195 vehicles used the expressways, and their income was Rs. 47,012,350.

Furthermore, 89,850 vehicles have entered expressways on April 13, which has generated an income of Rs. 32,120,000 for the RDA.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, has announced a new e-payment system for expressway users, introduced as an "Awurudu Gift" by the Road Development Authority (RDA).

Expressway users will be able to make payments via credit and debit cards at Kadawatha and Kottawa.

Starting from May 1st, all exit points will be equipped with the e-payment model.

Let us step into the New Year with renewed hope and a vision, as we continue to work together toward “a prosperous country and a beautiful life.”

I extend my heartfelt wishes to the Sinhala and Tamil people of Sri Lanka, who celebrate the New Year in unity and generosity.

This New Year dawns at a moment when a new change is essential in every aspect of our lives. This traditional festivity reminds us to bring about positive change that is deep rooted in our culture and values, and move forward together in unity.

In recent years, the economic crisis made even the thought of celebrating the New Year a painful experience for many. However, the courageous efforts of the people to break free from a cycle of corruption and fraud, has led the path for the emergence of a new beginning.

Thus, the 2025 New Year marks a significant turning point. It is a year where communities from the North, South, East, and West unite and continue to work together under democratic principles to build a better future. In the upcoming month of May, the people’s aspirations will once again bear fruit.

At this moment when a new chapter begins with the New Year, I urge every citizen to act with respect, peace, and compassion in community. Let us commit ourselves to move forward with dedication, trust, and resilience to achieve success and progress in the coming year.

To all Sri Lankans celebrating Sinhala and Tamil New Year, I wish the nation is blessed with the strength, unity, and new energy needed for meaningful transformation and a prosperous tomorrow.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

Prime Minister

Democratic Socialist Republic

of Sri Lanka

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a special statement after being summoned by the Bribery Commission to appear before it on April 17.

The former President noted that the summons had been issued during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday period, when he and his legal team are not in Colombo. He has requested for a new date citing his unavailability.

In his statement, Wickremesinghe also drew attention to the “World record speed” at which the Bribery Commission acted, summoning him soon after he made a public statement regarding the arrest of MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

He noted that the comment in question was first made at 6 p.m. on April 10. “It is evident that Bribery Commission officials did not work until office hours the following day,” Wickremesinghe said in a statement.

The letter summoning him to appear before the Commission was received around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, less than 18 hours after the comment was made.

Wickremesinghe said this indicated that officials had acted within a window of roughly three working hours.

A case file had been compiled and presented to the Director General of the Commission within that time, and the Commission had convened during the process, the statement said.

The statement described the Commission’s actions as unprecedented, claiming it had “never acted in this manner before.”

As we celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year this year, a festival that symbolises the hope of both physical and spiritual renewal, our nation finds itself at a defining moment, achieving significant victories while resolutely striving towards the realisation of a better and more prosperous future.

It is with profound joy and gratitude that I reflect upon the efforts undertaken by the National People’s Power government over the past months to lift our nation from adversity and steer it towards economic, social and political advancement. The successes we have thus far achieved rightfully belong to the people of this country, whose steadfast trust, as expressed in the most recent Presidential and General Elections, has been the driving force behind this transformative journey.

As a responsible government, we possess the strength and determination to further deepen our commitment to the nation, even amidst formidable challenges. We are implementing well-considered plans to address the multifaceted challenges confronting our country, both in terms of national development and within the broader geopolitical landscape.

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year traditions beautifully reflect the harmony between humanity and nature, bearing witness to the deep-rooted history of coexistence between our Sinhala and Tamil communities. While contemporary society may be burdened by various divisions, occasions such as the New Year provide a timely reminder of the enduring values of unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence. It is our solemn responsibility, particularly at this time of renewal, to nurture those values within ourselves and to foster a more compassionate and ethical society.

Moreover, the rituals associated with the sun’s transition are underpinned by the universal aspiration to create a renewed individual, one free from outdated thoughts and attitudes. The New Year, therefore, offers us an invaluable opportunity to embrace renewal in our own lives.

As we welcome this New Year, I call upon all of you to come together with renewed strength, unity and goodwill. Let us collectively work towards a common purpose, supporting the government’s vision for economic, social and political transformation and thereby ensuring enduring progress and prosperity for our country and all its people.

May this New Year bring you and your loved ones peace, happiness, renewed hope and abundant prosperity in your journey towards ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”.

Warmest wishes for a Happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

Anura Kumara Disanayake

President

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

14th April 2025

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced the signing of a power purchase agreement for the 'Sahasdhanavi' power plant.

In a statement, the CEB noted that the construction, ownership, and operation of the power plant will be undertaken by Sahasdhanavi Limited. After 25 years, ownership of the plant will be transferred to the CEB.

The project aims to provide reliable and affordable electricity to residential and commercial consumers in Sri Lanka.

The Public Utilities Commission has approved the construction of the 350 MW Sahasdhanavi combined cycle power plant, which will be expedited.

The CEB stated that the plant will initially supply electricity to the national grid through open cycle operations within 30 months.

Subsequently, it will commence full combined cycle operations within an additional 12 months.