News Room : EPF announces 11% interest after assets rise to Rs 4.38 trillion in 2024
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) consolidated its position as the leading institution in the pension sector, accounting for 81.0% of the sector’s total assets at the end of 2024. The fund’s net worth increased by 12.6% year-on-year to Rs 4,375.7 billion, up from Rs 3,886.7 billion in 2023, mainly due to strong investment returns and net contribution returns. Total contributions...
News Room : China faces tariffs of up to 245% in retaliation, White House says
The United States announced that China will face new tariffs of up to 245% in retaliation, according to a White House statement late Tuesday. The White House’s latest administration order, revealed late Tuesday, has initiated a national security investigation into imports of essential resources. The order also included clarifications for the reciprocal tariffs announced on April 2. “China now faces tariffs...
News Room : Pilleyan Wept Asking What He Did Wrong – Gammanpila Asks, ‘Is This How We Treat Heroes?’
Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) held a press conference today at the party headquarters to address his meeting with Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pilleyan, at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 13 April 2025. Gammanpila accused the government of violating Pilleyan’s legal rights under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), politicizing the police, and orchestrating a separatist...
News Room : Nearly 40 Schools in Kandy to Close from 21 to 25 April
A total of 37 schools in Kandy town and surrounding areas will be closed from 21 to 25 April due to the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, according to the Central Province Director of Education. The exposition will begin at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy on 18 April, with an initial viewing from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30...
News Room : Cricket in Olympics: ICC welcomes LA28 venue announcement
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has welcomed the announcement of the Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California as the cricket venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28). The cricket competition at LA28 will feature six teams each for the men’s and women’s events, marking the sport’s return to the Games after a 128-year absence. ICC President Jay Shah has welcomed the...
News Room : IPL 2025: Chahal four-for stuns Kolkata Knight Riders as Punjab Kings defend 111
Last year Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off the highest successful chase in the IPL when they came across Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This year, they have nailed the lowest successful defence, bowling KKR out for 95 after posting just 111. And this after they failed to defend 245 in their previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. At 62 for 2, KKR...
News Room : Chaos After New Year: 412 Rushed to Hospital, 6 Dead
A total of 412 individuals were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital on 13 and 14 April due to injuries sustained from various accidents, with six pronounced dead on arrival, according to Dr. Indika Jagoda, Director of the Accidents Ward. Of the total admissions, 110 were due to indoor accidents while 94 were related to road mishaps. Dr. Jagoda stated...
News Room : CONCACAF opposes 64-team World Cup plans for 2030
A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining several other confederations in opposing a plan put forward by CONMEBOL. CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez last week officially proposed a 64-team World Cup for the 2030 tournament, up from the 48 teams scheduled for next year’s edition, with the tournament likely to be...
News Room : HBO reveals first cast members for Harry Potter TV series
American network HBO has confirmed that Nick Frost, Papa Essedoo, Janet McTeer and Paul Whitehouse will appear in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Frost will play Hagrid, McTeer will play Minerva McGonagall and Essedoo will play Severus Snape. All three have reportedly been in talks with the network in recent weeks. HBO has now officially confirmed their cast, announcing that...
News Room : CID Denied RW’s Request to Speak with Pilleyan, Public Security Minister Confirms
A request made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to speak with former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pilleyan, currently held under a detention order by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been rejected. Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala confirmed that Wickremesinghe’s request, made through one of his security officers via a phone call to CID officials, was...