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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.

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.

The Court of Appeal has lifted the interim injunction that prevented the local government elections for 18 local authorities, including the Colombo Municipal Council, from being held on May 6.

The decision was made by a bench comprising Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Mohamed Laffar Thahir, and Judge Priyantha Fernando, following a motion submitted by the Attorney General.

The court also issued an order to accept the previously rejected nomination papers for these local authorities.

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.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an ongoing probe involving former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Chamara Samapath Dassanayake.

Dassanayake has been in remand custody since March 27, following allegations that he caused a loss of Rs. 17.3 million to the government by withdrawing funds from six fixed deposit accounts belonging to the Uva Provincial Council before their maturity.

According to the Commission, Wickremesinghe recently provided a special statement regarding the matter, indicating that he had knowledge of the incident and may have been involved at a certain stage.

Noting that this information is relevant to the ongoing investigation, Wickremesinghe has been instructed to appear before the Commission on April 17 at 9:30 a.m., along with any relevant documents, to verify the claims made in his statement.

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 Government of Sri Lanka has extended financial assistance amounting to USD 01 Million to provide relief to the people of Myanmar affected by the recent earthquake.

The relevant cheque was officially handed over today (10) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to the Ambassador of Myanmar to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Marlar Than Htaik.

Despite the prevailing economic challenges in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of Myanmar expressed her deep appreciation to President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Government of Sri Lanka for this gesture of solidarity and support towards the disaster-stricken people of Myanmar.

Furthermore, the Ambassador extended her gratitude for Sri Lanka’s decision to deploy relief teams and medical personnel during this difficult time. She also noted that such acts of compassion further strengthen the longstanding religious and cultural friendship between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

The Ambassador also briefed the Secretary to the President on the current situation in Myanmar following the earthquake.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Roshan Gamage, along with officials from the Embassy of Myanmar, Mr. Winh Wint Khaus Tun and Ms. Lei Yi Win, were also present at this occasion. (PMD)

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.

The Court of Appeal has ordered the reinstatement of 31 previously rejected nominations for the upcoming local government elections.

The court's ruling quashes the decisions made by returning officers across several districts, including Kandy, Colombo, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, and Mannar.

Nizam Kariapper, PC, representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (MP), expressed gratitude for the court's intervention. "Today, the Court of Appeal quashed the decision of the returning officers in many districts, including Kandy, Colombo, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, and Mannar, and gave a writ of mandamus compelling the returning officers to accept those nomination papers which were filed by me. We are very thankful. My client will now be able to face the elections," he stated.