The Sri Lankan Rupee experienced a minor depreciation against the US Dollar today (19), compared to its value on Wednesday.&nbsp; According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate for the US Dollar increased marginally from Rs. 307.54 to Rs. 307.58, while the selling rate rose from Rs. 315.07 to Rs. 315.12. Despite this slight decline against the dollar, the Sri Lankan Rupee has shown strength against a basket of other foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depreciates against US dollar

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

The United States Special Representative for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor, currently visiting Sri Lanka, held a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat.&nbsp; The discussion focused on further enhancing the bilateral relationship between the United States and Sri Lanka. During the meeting, President Dissanayake provided an update on Sri Lanka’s stance regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the challenges the country faces amid regional developments. The dialogue aimed to foster closer cooperation and mutual understanding between the two nations. Attending the meeting from the Sri Lankan side were Secretary to the President,. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development,. Harshana Suriyapperuma; Senior Economic Adviser to the President, Duminda Hulangamuwa; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Roshan Gamage; and members of Ambassador Gor’s delegation.

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President 

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court was informed today (19) that former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena admitted in a statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption that Rs. 60 million received as a bribe in the 2016 Airbus deal was handed over to then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.&nbsp; According to the Commission, Chandrasena stated that the bribe was paid in three installments to Rajapaksa, with an additional Rs. 20 million allegedly given to former Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne.&nbsp; Investigations revealed that the money was funneled through a shell company registered in Brunei under Chandrasena’s wife’s name, with funds transferred from Europe to an account in Australia. The funds, totaling over Euro 1.45 million, were reportedly obtained from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company as part of the scandal. Portions of the bribe money are said to have been distributed to a SriLankan Airlines director and other high-ranking officials. Chandrasena was arrested in connection with the case, and Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered his further remand until 2 April.&nbsp;The investigation continues as authorities seek to unravel the full extent of the alleged corruption.

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO claims Rs. 60 mn bribe was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Civil Society Collective for Malaiyaha Reconstruction has submitted a 15-point set of demands to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, calling for immediate measures to assist Tamil families in the Hill Country still impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.&nbsp; The group highlighted that months after the disaster, hundreds of families remain in temporary shelters, unsafe houses, and dilapidated plantation buildings, with little progress on resettlement or land allocation. They criticised the slow response and lack of clear policy direction, leaving many without relief or compensation. Key demands include financial aid of up to Rs. 5 million for homes destroyed, equal treatment in relief efforts, formal land ownership documents, transitional shelters that meet humanitarian standards, and the rebuilding of estate settlements into sustainable villages with proper infrastructure.&nbsp; The collective also advocates for women’s equal land rights, Tamil language accessibility in official communications, and government accountability for repairing estate infrastructure.&nbsp; They emphasise that direct intervention from the President and Prime Minister is crucial to bridge policy gaps and accelerate relief efforts, urging political unity among parties and representatives to support a dignified recovery for the affected communities.

Malaiyaha collective demands urgent housing and land reforms post-cyclone 

Labubu’s toothy grin will be coming to the big screen after toy maker Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced plans to develop a feature film based on the ugly-cute monster. The film, announced in a Pop Mart statement on Thursday, marks a major step in Chinese firm Pop Mart’s long-anticipated expansion of its best knoAwn characters beyond collectible toys and into other entertainment and cultural products. The move highlights Pop Mart’s determination to turn Labubu from a viral sensation ⁠into an entertainment franchise with broad international reach. The company underscored that ambition earlier this year when it said London would become its European headquarters. Paul King, the BAFTA-nominated filmmaker behind ‘‘Paddington’’, ‘‘Paddington 2’’ and ‘‘Wonka’’, is attached to produce and direct the film. He will also co-write the screenplay with Steven Levenson, the award-winning writer best known for ‘‘Dear Evan Hansen’’. The film is in early development and is planned as a live-action and CGI hybrid, according to the companies. Pop Mart has said it is drawing on Disney’s DIS.N playbook as it looks to turn Labubu’s popularity into lasting success. Executives have said there is significant scope to expand Pop Mart characters, ⁠such as Labubu, into content, entertainment, theme parks and additional merchandise, much as Disney has done with its best-known intellectual property. Morningstar analyst Jeff Zhang said the partnership with Sony Pictures was a milestone in Pop Mart’s efforts to diversify its revenue streams. ‘‘Given Labubu’s global popularity, the movie will likely add to Pop Mart’s future licensing ⁠income,’’ Zhang said. ‘‘However ... we do not expect the news to materially impact Pop Mart’s stock valuation.’’ Labubu’s global popularity has helped drive the Hong Kong-listed company’s shares up 64% over the past year, lifting Pop Mart’s market value above ⁠the combined worth of Hasbro, Mattel and Sanrio. Kasing Lung, the Hong Kong-born artist and writer who was raised in the Netherlands, created Labubu and The Monsters in a series of picture books known ⁠as ‘‘The Monsters Trilogy’’ in 2015. Lung will serve as executive producer on the film. Pop Mart is currently showcasing The Monsters as part of a global tour to mark the characters’ 10th anniversary, with the latest stop in Paris. Source: Reuters&nbsp;

Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach

During a parliamentary debate on the Port City Commission Act regulations today (19), opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake announced that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has undergone surgery in Singapore.&nbsp; He confirmed that the procedure was successful and extended his wishes for a swift recovery.

Ex - President Ranil undergoes surgery in Singapore

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena has been further remanded until 2 April by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The order was issued by Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama following submissions by CIABOC and the defence. Chandrasena was arrested on 12 March over allegations of accepting a USD 2 million bribe linked to an Airbus aircraft deal.

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded

Sri Lanka has been ranked 134th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, with a score of 4.0, marking a decline from its previous position of 133rd in 2025.&nbsp; The country now shares the bottom tier with Ethiopia and remains behind regional neighbours such as India (ranked 116th), Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The report, released on March 18, highlights ongoing social and economic challenges that hinder improvements in public satisfaction and quality of life.&nbsp; A significant focus this year is the impact of social media on well-being, especially among young people. The study indicates that excessive social media usage is contributing to declining life satisfaction in many nations, prompting calls for regulatory measures. Finland continues to hold the title as the happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, with Iceland and Denmark close behind. Costa Rica made a notable leap to fourth place, marking its highest-ever ranking among Latin American countries.&nbsp; The report also notes a decline in life satisfaction among youth in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, largely due to increased social media use, while other regions report more optimistic outlooks among young populations.

Sri Lankan Rupee slightly depreciates against US dollar

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high- ...

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President

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Malaiyaha collective demands urgent housing and land reforms post-cycl ...

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Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach

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Ex - President Ranil undergoes surgery in Singapore

Ex - President Ranil undergoes ...

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded

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Sri Lanka among world’s least Happy Nations in 2026 report

Sri Lanka among world’s least ...

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high- ...

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President

US Special Representative Serg ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO claims Rs. 60 mn bribe was paid to former Pr ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO clai ...

Malaiyaha collective demands urgent housing and land reforms post-cycl ...

Malaiyaha collective demands u ...

Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach

Pop Mart and Sony team up for ...

Ex - President Ranil undergoes surgery in Singapore

Ex - President Ranil undergoes ...

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO ...

Sri Lanka among world’s least Happy Nations in 2026 report

Sri Lanka among world’s least ...

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Sri Lanka and Japan hold high-level defence talks

Sri Lanka and Japan hold high- ...

US Special Representative Sergio Gor meets President

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Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO claims Rs. 60 mn bribe was paid to former Pr ...

Ex-SriLankan Airlines CEO clai ...

Malaiyaha collective demands urgent housing and land reforms post-cycl ...

Malaiyaha collective demands u ...

Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach

Pop Mart and Sony team up for ...

Ex - President Ranil undergoes surgery in Singapore

Ex - President Ranil undergoes ...