News Room : Watch: TikTok Turns Battleground as Chinese Factories Expose Western Luxury Secrets
In response to the escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, Chinese manufacturers are utilizing TikTok to highlight their integral role in producing luxury goods for Western brands. This digital campaign emerges as a countermeasure to the Trump administration’s imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, which has significantly impacted the global supply chain. Chinese TikTok users are sharing videos that showcase...
News Room : Iraq sandstorm leaves many with breathing problems
More than a thousand people have been left with respiratory problems after a sandstorm swept across Iraq’s central and southern parts of the country, health officials said. One official in Muthanna province reported to the AFP news agency at least 700 cases of what they said was suffocation. Footage shared online showed areas cloaked in a thick orange haze, with local...
News Room : Amin, bowlers leave West Indies Women’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread
West Indies’ ODI World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after they slumped to a second defeat in three matches in the qualifier in Lahore. They were beaten by 65 runs by hosts Pakistan, who have moved to the top of the points table, and are undefeated in the event so far as they remain on track for...
News Room : Confidence in Financial System Stability Rises, Says CBSL
Confidence in the stability of Sri Lanka’s financial system has improved in the first half of 2025, according to the latest Systemic Risk Survey conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). The survey results, based on responses from 136 financial sector institutions, reflect a more optimistic outlook compared to previous rounds. The findings indicate a decline in the...
News Room : Committee Appointed to Repeal PTA, Public Consultations to Begin in May
The Ministry of Justice and National Integration has announced the appointment of a committee to examine the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The committee will be chaired by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and is set to begin public consultations in May. In addition to gathering public views, the committee has been tasked with obtaining input from civil...
News Room : CEB Explains Why It Requested Rooftop Solar Shutdown During New Year Holidays
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has issued an urgent appeal to all rooftop solar users across Sri Lanka, requesting the voluntary disconnection of their systems between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily until 21 April. The request comes in a bid to prevent a possible collapse of the national power grid during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays. The...
News Room : Committee to Probe Allegations Against Deshabandu Tennakoon to Be Appointed Next Week
The appointment of members to the committee investigating allegations against Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon is scheduled for next week, according to reports. Speaker of Parliament has reportedly notified the Chief Justice and other relevant parties in writing regarding the matter. As per Standing Orders, the Chief Justice is required to appoint a judge and a professional mutually agreed upon...
News Room : Government to initiate new projects to help rural communities to strengthen the national economy – Prime Minister – The Island
The country’s education system is facing a severe crisis, marked by a growing shortage of teachers for the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) classes, particularly in urban national schools, says the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), which highlights the government’s failure to take meaningful action despite acknowledging a deficit of approximately 30,000 teachers. CTU Secretary Joseph Stalin told the media on Thursday...
News Room : Pilleyan Detained for 90 Days Under PTA
Police say they have received approval to detain and question Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pilleyan, for 90 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). According to the Police, the detention is in connection with the investigation into the abduction and disappearance of Professor Sivasubramaniam Ravidranath, who served as Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University from 2004 to 2006. The incident is...
News Room : Sinhala New Year celebrated at ‘Synergy Heart and Soul’ in Makola – The Island
The premises of Synergy Heart and Soul, a school dedicated to differently-abled children in Makola, were filled with laughter and excitement last Monday as students celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with traditional games and rituals. The children enthusiastically took part in a variety of festive activities, including sack races, tug of war, lime and spoon races, and the...