News

Ceypetco fuel prices will be reduced from midnight today (30), the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) announced.

Accordingly, the price of Petrol Octane 92 will be reduced by Rs. 6 to Rs. 293 per litre, and Petrol Octane 95 by Rs. 20 to Rs. 341 per litre.

Auto Diesel will be reduced by Rs. 12 to Rs. 274 per litre and Super Diesel by Rs. 6 to Rs. 325 per litre.

Meanwhile, the price of Kerosene has been slashed by Rs. 5 to Rs. 178 per litre.

The revised rates are as follows:

Petrol 92 Octane – Rs. 293 (reduced by Rs. 06)

Petrol 95 Octane – Rs. 341 (reduced by Rs. 20)

Auto Diesel – Rs. 274 (reduced by Rs. 12)

Super diesel – Rs. 325 (reduced by Rs. 06)

Kerosene – Rs. 178 reduced by Rs. 05)

Veteran singer Saman De Silva, a renowned and popular Baila artist, has passed away, family sources confirmed.

Saman De Silva was widely celebrated for his contribution to Baila music.

Among his popular songs are ‘Niyare Piya Nagala’, ‘Punchi Kurulu Kuduwe’, ‘Suroopi Viroopi’ (Epa Epa Rewatenu), ‘Santhosa Wenna Preethi Wenna’, ‘Thana Nilla Dige’, and ‘Pura Handa Neguna’, all of which remain favorites among audiences.

Throughout his musical career, Saman De Silva travelled extensively, performing in many countries around the world.

He was an alumnus of Nalanda College, Colombo.

(Ada Derana)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Sri Lanka Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou says Sri Lanka should restore cost-recovery electricity pricing as soon as possible to minimise fiscal risk and is essential to complete the fourth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program.

He stated this in response to a question raised during a virtual press conference on Tuesday (29).

He said the staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Executive Board approval, contingent on the implementation of prior actions relating to restoring electricity cost-recovery pricing and ensuring proper function of the automatic electricity price adjustment mechanism and the completion of financing assurances review, which will focus on confirming multilateral partners’ committed financing contributions and adequate debt restructuring progress.

Upon completion of the Executive Board review, Sri Lanka would have access to SDR254 million (about US$344 million), bringing the total IMF financial support disbursed under the arrangement to SDR1,270 million (about US$1,722 million).

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath attended the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis today (26 April 2025) at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, representing the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Batalanda Commission Report has been officially handed over to the Attorney General, the President’s Office announced.

The ‘Batalanda Commission Report’ was tabled in Parliament on 14 March by the Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake.

At the time, Minister Rathnayake informed Parliament that the report would be forwarded to the Attorney General for advice on necessary action.

He further said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would appoint a special committee to study and make recommendations on the report.

The Batalanda Commission Report was brought to the spotlight once again, following former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s controversial interview with international media, Al Jazeera, this year.

At the time, responding to allegations of his involvement, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe rejected the findings of the Batalanda Commission report, claiming it was politically motivated.

Making a special statement, Wickremesinghe said that the commission was established with the sole purpose of discrediting him, but failed to achieve its objective.

He further said the report only mentioned his involvement in facilitating housing for police officers during the 1988-1990 insurgency, but did not implicate him in any other allegations.

What is the Batalanda Commission Report?

It concerns the alleged human rights violations, murders and disappearances that occurred during the 1988/90 period.

Upon assuming office as President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga established the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on September 21, 1995, to investigate these incidents.

Known as the Batalanda Commission, it was tasked with examining the illegal detention, torture, assassination and disappearances of individuals at the Batalanda Housing Scheme.

After nearly three years of gathering evidence, the commission submitted its report to President Kumaratunga in 1998, but the recommendations of the Batalanda Commission Report were never implemented.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the government will take the necessary actions to safeguard farmers who have fallen victim to multinational corporations.

The President made these remarks while addressing a public gathering organized by the National People’s Power (NPP) in Puttalam, as part of their campaign for the upcoming local government elections.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake further highlighted that:

“We must secure victory for the ‘Malimawa’ symbol on May 6 and we can. On September 21, the citizens of this nation brought an end to 76 years of dynastic governance and renewed Parliament. With high expectations and confidence, they handed over power to us. That victory marked the greatest political transformation in recent history. You courageously supported that change. In 2019, our party received just 3% of the vote. Today, we lead the government with the largest representation in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the party that secured 6.9 million votes in 2019 was reduced to 2.5%. Is that a normal decision? Today, there is one political movement and one political leadership in the country. Other parties have fragmented, failed and lost public trust. The future of this country and its people rests with us. What did you expect from us? To revitalize the economy, eradicate corruption, hold fraudsters accountable, ensure equal enforcement of the law, and enhance healthcare, education, and transportation wouldn’t you agree? This is precisely what we are achieving, even in our brief time in office.

Preliminary we will defeat racism. In the past, elections in our country divided the people. Muslim voters chose leaders from Muslim parties, Tamil voters supported Tamil party leaders and Sinhalese voters backed Sinhalese party leaders. Isn’t that how it was? That was how racism was spread in our society. But for the first time, at the last General Election, people of all ethnicities came together and voted for the NPP, and have showed true national unity. We will not allow this country to be divided again. They are trying to stir up racism for political gain, fuelling Sinhalese-Muslim tensions, nurturing extremist groups and spreading division. But look around you today do you see racist propaganda thriving? No. Today, racism has been defeated. The NPP is building a government and a system of governance free from racism one that is inclusive and united for all Sri Lankans.

We are defeating racism through new legislation and through decisive action. What we need is a country where all communities live together in harmony. The government has stabilized the economy. Inflation is at a low level. Essential goods and services are being provided without interruption. Foreign-funded projects have resumed. To take the economy further forward, we need a strong and efficient public service. Massive amount has been allocated for road development in the Puttalam District. Now it’s up to the public officials to get the work done. For the first time in years, funds have been set aside in the national budget to recruit 30,000 new personnel into the public sector.

To rebuild the country, a skilled and capable public service is essential. After many years, the salaries of public servants have been increased. While efforts are underway to stabilize the economy, the government continues to provide uninterrupted assistance to the public. A government that genuinely cares for the people has now been established. In addition to economic recovery, steps are being taken to improve healthcare, education and transport services. Around Rs. 1.08 billion has been allocated to recommence the halted development work at Chilaw Hospital. Officials have also been instructed to identify shortcomings at Puttalam Hospital so that the necessary funds can be allocated in the next budget. Ensuring quality healthcare for the people remains a key priority.

From its very first budget, the government has prioritized addressing the needs of the people. In the past, the country was governed by an administration divided among those in power. Today, there is a government that shares its benefits with the people. For the first time in 76 years, a people’s government has emerged one that sets aside privileges traditionally enjoyed by rulers and instead redistributes them to the citizens. Steps have been taken to provide seeds to farmers to strengthen the agriculture sector. In previous seasons, paddy farmers were not given a fair price for their harvests. However, in this season, they have received a good price. Government paddy storage facilities have been renovated with the aim of ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation. A sustainable system has now been put in place to guarantee that paddy prices do not fall again. The government is committed to maintaining a mechanism that supports farmers and ensures price stability.

Farmers who cultivate vegetables are burdened by the high cost of pesticides, which many can no longer afford. Farmers should not be exploited by multinational companies. Therefore, the government has initiated a programme to import pesticides through state-owned enterprises and distribute them to farmers at fair prices. As a responsible government, steps are being taken to protect farmers from being victimized by large corporations. In addition, fuel subsidies have been provided for the fisheries sector and discussions are underway to remove taxes applicable to that industry. Plans are also being developed to make better use of the country’s deep-sea fishing resources for national development. We are delivering on the promises the people expected when they voted for us. Do you like it? or you don’t?. People are satisfied, they are supportive but there’s a small group making noise in the media. Were they the ones who voted for us? They complain, but we stay focused on our work. The people are with us.

Has there ever been a government in the past that didn’t steal or waste public funds? Previous governments not only misused public money from the Treasury but also extorted bribes from businesspeople. That era of extortion-based politics of stealing public property and funds is now over. Today, the government guarantees freedom for entrepreneurs, investors and all citizens. Investigations are underway into the illegal acquisition of lands in Aanamaduwa, and legal action will be taken against those responsible. The land will be returned to the rightful owners, the people. Has that ever happened before? Previously, there existed two distinct legal systems. That era has ended. A nation has now been established where the law is equally enforced for everyone. Individuals who commit crimes or partake in theft will face consequences, regardless of when the offense occurred. This is the commitment we are making and fulfilling.

Currently, the nation is being guided positively across all areas by a government that is fulfilling your hopes and expectations. Isn’t that a good thing? To continue this progress, we need municipal and local councils that are aligned with the national government. The steps we have taken must move forward, not backward. Let’s strengthen the journey we began at the Provincial Council elections and move ahead with greater determination. Let’s fill every municipal and local council with representatives from the same movement that is building the nation.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority announced that the East Container Terminal had received its largest-ever container vessel with the arrival of the MSC Mariella, operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

The MSC Mariella, constructed in 2023, measures 399.90 meters in length and 61.30 meters in width. This ultra-large container ship has the capacity to transport 24,346 containers. It boasts a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 240,739.0 and can accommodate a maximum draft of 16.26 meters.

The event highlighted the Port of Colombo’s position as a key transshipment hub in the region and demonstrated its ability to handle some of the world’s largest and most sophisticated container ships, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority stated.

The Committee of Inquiry investigating Inspector General of Police (IGP) T.M.W. Deshabandhu Tennakoon over alleged gross abuse of power has formally requested the Acting IGP to nominate a police investigation team to assist with its proceedings.

This request was conveyed in a letter presented during the committee's second meeting, held today (April 25) in Parliament. The committee, appointed to inquire and report its findings on the matter, also discussed the structure of its upcoming sessions and the involvement of key stakeholders.

The Attorney General has appointed Additional Solicitor General (President's Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera to support the committee's work.

The committee is scheduled to convene again on April 28, 2025, to finalize decisions regarding the investigation's next steps.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has lodged a written complaint with Election Commissioner General R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, alleging that her name and photograph

are being used for election campaigning without her consent.

In her letter, Kumaratunga states that candidates of the United Front, contesting under the chair symbol in the Attanagalla Pradeshiya Sabha constituency, have been distributing handbills featuring her photograph alongside images of Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Sarana Gunawardena.

She emphasizes that she has not granted permission for her name or image to be used.

Kumaratunga also informed the Election Commissioner that she had explicitly instructed all candidates contesting under the chair symbol not to use her name or photograph in any form.

She has requested the Election Commissioner to take immediate action to halt these activities, citing them as violations of election laws.

(Daily News)

President Anura Kumara Disanayake visited the Vatican Embassy today, where he extended his condolences on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.

Upon his arrival, the President was warmly received by Most Reverend Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Sri Lanka.

Following a brief discussion with Archbishop Udaigwe, President Disanayake signed the book of condolence.

The President conveyed, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, heartfelt sympathies to the global Christian community on the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis.

The daughter of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of a high-profile false sterilisation allegation in 2019, has secured entry to a medical faculty after achieving outstanding results at the 2024 GCE Advanced Level examination.

Despite being forced to leave school due to the intense public scrutiny and mental pressure faced by the family during the controversy, she displayed remarkable courage and resilience by sitting for the exam as a private candidate.

She obtained 3 As in the Science stream, achieving a district rank of 12 and an island rank of 357, securing a place at a state medical faculty.

Earlier, she had excelled at the GCE Ordinary Level examination as well, securing 9 As, and had publicly expressed her dream of becoming a doctor like her father to serve the people.

The case against Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen was later dismissed after investigations found no evidence to support the allegations. His daughter’s achievement stands as a testament to her perseverance in the face of immense adversity.

(Newswire)

All schools across Sri Lanka will be closed on 05 and 06 May in view of the upcoming 2025 Local Government Elections.

According to the Education Ministry, schools are expected to resume academic activities on 07 May.

The move follows a request by the Election Commission to use school premises as polling centres, counting centres, and for the distribution and collection of ballot boxes and other election-related materials.

The circular states that schools used as polling centres must be handed over to Grama Niladharis by 04 May and be ready with desks, chairs, halls, and necessary facilities. Education directors and principals have been instructed to coordinate accordingly.

Despite resuming, institutions requested for post-school hours may still be used for election purposes after regular school hours, as specified in the official instructions.