News Room : Mercantile Investments opens 74th & 75th branches in Kilinochchi and Puthukkudiyiripu – The Island
The SLT Group has reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2,001 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, a surge from Rs. 156 million in Q1 2024, reflecting effective financial management and improved operational efficiency. SLT Group demonstrated strong performance for the first quarter of 2025, with revenue increasing 3.4% to Rs. 27,851 million. The growth...
News Room : Sri Lanka’s Adventure Tourism to Hit USD 2.1 Billion by 2035: Report
Sri Lanka’s hiking and trekking tourism industry is set to grow rapidly, with the market projected to reach USD 2.1 billion by 2035, up from USD 780 million in 2025. This growth, driven by a strong annual rate of 10.5%, highlights the island’s rising popularity as a top adventure and eco-tourism destination in South Asia. Trails like Adam’s Peak, Knuckles,...
News Room : Salt Shortage Emerges in Market Due to Import Delays – Producers’ Association
A salt shortage has emerged in the market due to delays in salt imports, according to the Salt Producers’ Association. The association’s chairman, Ganaka Amarasinghe, stated that although the government had decided to import 30 metric tons of salt, the process has been delayed. As a result, a shortage of salt is now visible in the market, Amarasinghe noted. However, he added...
News Room : More Jaffna HSZ land released – The Island
…NPP yet to decide on new procedure The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) has called upon the National People’s Power (NPP) government to reveal its position on foreign research vessels visiting Sri Lanka ports. Top PNM spokesman Dr. Wasantha Bandara yesterday (12) said that the recent visit by FS BEAUTEMPS-BEAUPRE A 758 of the French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service went almost...
News Room : Breaking: Bus Plunges Off Road in Aladeniya: 20 Injured
At least 20 people were injured and hospitalised after a bus veered off the road and crashed in the Yatihanagala of Aladeniya. Police confirmed that the injured passengers were rushed to hospital for treatment following the incident. Further investigations are underway.
News Room : Reasons for Gerandi Ella Bus Accident Revealed
Initial investigations have revealed that the tragic bus accident which claimed 22 lives in the Gerandi Ella area of Ramboda, Kotmale, was not the result of a mechanical failure. Nuwara Eliya District Chief Motor Vehicle Inspector Jaliya Bandara stated that authorities suspect the bus was overloaded and that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel due to extreme...
News Room : Bodies of Kothmale Bus Accident Victims Handed Over to Families
Steps were taken yesterday afternoon (11) to hand over the bodies of those who died in the bus accident in the Kothmale–Geradi Ella area to their families. According to the police, one unidentified body remains at the Gampola Hospital. Meanwhile, 46 others injured in the accident are still receiving treatment in hospitals. The accident occurred at around 4 a.m. yesterday when a...
News Room : Japanese Ambassador Says Japan Was a Victim of Corruption in Sri Lanka
Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata said Japan had been a victim of corruption in Sri Lanka and expressed hope that the government would take concrete steps to address the issue. Isomata made the remarks during a roundtable discussion organized by the Pathfinder Foundation last week in Colombo. His comments follow reports that some Japanese companies have encountered difficulties investing in Sri Lanka...
News Room : Hamas to release US-Israeli hostage as part of efforts to reach Gaza ceasefire
Hamas says it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who is believed to be the last living captive with US nationality in Gaza, as a part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement. The decision comes ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East on Tuesday. Hamas said it was also intended to facilitate a deal for the...
News Room : Address root causes of road fatalities
Monday 12th May, 2025 A tragic road accident near Kotmale claimed 21 lives yesterday and left 35 others seriously injured. Disaster struck when a state-owned bus plying from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya, veered off a winding road and plunged down a precipice. Yesterday’s tragedy has jolted politicians and officials alike into action, but it is bound to be...