Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Sri Lankan postdoctoral research scientist Piyumi Wijesekara is among the new crew of four volunteers selected by NASA to participate in a simulated mission to Mars within a habitat at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.



Court extends enjoining order blocking Sirisena from SLFP chairmanship until May 9

The Colombo District Court today (April 18) extended an enjoining order that prevents former President Maithripala Sirisena from serving as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) until May 09.



Proposed Electricity sector reforms gazetted, to be tabled in Parliament

The proposed electricity sector reforms have been published in the government gazette on Wednesday (April 17), as the ‘Sri Lanka Electricity Bill’.



Sri Lanka register highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history

Chamari Athapaththu smashed the third-highest individual score in women’s ODIs to help Sri Lanka pull off the highest-ever successful run-chase in women’s ODIs.



NPP promises justice for Easter Attack victims with special Judicial Commission

The National People’s Power (NPP) has stated that if it comes into power, it will set up a special judicial commission to further investigate the Easter Sunday attacks based on findings from previous inquiries.



Iran rescues 21 Sri Lankan crewmen from sinking tanker in Gulf of Oman

Iranian authorities said they rescued 21 Sri Lankan crewmen from a Cook Islands-flagged tanker sinking in the Gulf of Oman, the state news agency IRNA reported today, according to Reuters.



Sri Lanka consults IMF after rejecting debt restructure proposal

Reuters reports that Sri Lanka intends to engage with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to determine if its recent debt restructuring proposals align with the terms of its financial aid program, according to a statement from the finance ministry on Wednesday.



Sri Lankan Fishermen released from Myanmar Prison under General Amnesty

The 15 Sri Lankan fishermen who were sentenced to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment in Myanmar for violating maritime boundaries have been granted a general amnesty.



ADB urges Sri Lanka to address gender inequality to boost economic growth

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has highlighted the critical role of addressing gender inequality in achieving Sri Lanka’s ambitious growth targets.



Sri Lanka launched eVisa system for tourists from today

Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration announced that a new online visa application system is now operational as of April 17.



Excise Officer arrested for distorting ‘Soorya Mangalya’ song, sharing online

An Excise officer was arrested on Tuesday (April 16) in Wariyapola for allegedly distorting and sharing the ‘Soorya Mangalya’ song on social media.



Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne passes away

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, the founder of the Sarvodaya Movement, has passed away at the age of 92 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.



Palitha Thewarapperuma passes away

Former Parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma died from electrocution this evening (April 16), at the age of 64.



Sri Lanka debt restructuring stumbles as government rejects bondholders’ proposal

Reuters reports that Sri Lanka has turned down a restructuring plan proposed by international bondholders to address its $12 billion debt, thereby endangering crucial International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid and further delaying the resolution of its ongoing two-year debt crisis.



Sri Lanka must stay neutral in world conflicts – Harshana Rajakaruna

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP, Harshana Rajakaruna, emphasized today (April 16) the need for Sri Lanka to maintain a cautious and neutral stance in international relations, particularly highlighting the importance of not getting involved in global conflicts.



Sri Lanka commences IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings with positive bilateral talks

Sri Lanka began the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group (IMF/WBG) Spring Meetings with a productive bilateral discussion with Kenji Okamura, the Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, according to State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe.