Jun 2 (DN) SL Export Development Board (EDB) has taken steps to implement a comprehensive plan to expand testing and certification facilities across the island, addressing one of the most significant bottlenecks faced by the country’s export sector. A high-level stakeholder discussion was recently held in Colombo with the participation of government institutions, testing laboratories, certification bodies, and exporters. Speaking at the event, more..

Jun 2 (ST) Fertiliser companies still need to be paid Rs.4.8 billion from the govt for two years as a result of which they are facing concerns over importing adequate stocks for the upcoming Maha season. It was noted that the companies require payment for the years 2018 and 2021 for the subsidies. In this respect, some fertiliser importers noted that they believe they will face some problems when bringing down stocks for the next season. It was pointed out that they too are in financial trouble as more..

Jun 2 (ST) The investigation into the Welikada Police extortion scandal is continuing, and the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has now focused on a woman who is believed to be a key figure in the case. She is suspected of helping in a bribery and extortion scheme involving the passports of 19 Chinese nationals, Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamal Ariyawansa, Director of the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in SL, told the Sunday Times. more..

Jun 2 (TM) The NPP, which accused previous govts of ruining SL’s economy, has been following the economic policies of those very same old govts – particularly that of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe – since coming to power. Wickremesinghe asserted that SL had no alternative path to recovery other than implementing economic restructuring under the IMF assistance programme. As a result of the Wickremesinghe Govt implementing the conditions imposed by the IMF to increase State revenue more..

Jun 2 (Island) The world marked World Otter Day 2026 recently. Conservationists are warning that SL’s rapidly disappearing wetlands, polluted waterways and unplanned development are placing increasing pressure on one of the island’s most elusive freshwater predators, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). The species, locally known as Diya Balla, is the only otter found in Sri Lanka and is regarded as a key indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems. more..

Jun 2 (Island) A pickup truck ploughed into a crowd near a Vesak dansala at the Meegoda junction on Sunday night, killing six people. More than 12 others were seriously injured. The driver of the vehicle was arrested while fleeing the scene of the accident, and the police said he was under the influence of alcohol. Produced before the Homagama Magistrate, he was remanded until 16 June. Sunday’s tragedy at Meegoda has triggered an outpouring of public anger at the hit-and-run driver. more..

Jun 2 (CT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s directive last week to release 1,570 acres of grazing land in the Mayilaththamadu –Madhavanai area of Batticaloa has brought renewed attention to a long-standing dispute between livestock farmers, State authorities, and development agencies. While the decision has been welcomed as a step toward easing tensions, affected farmers say the issue remains unresolved and warn that the allocation falls far short of long-term needs. more..

Jun 2 (SO) Last week, headlines from Bloomberg screamed that the SL rupee was the worst performing currency in Asia, and then, just a few days later, that the rupee was suddenly the best performing currency in Asia. On May 26, Central Bank of SL made the biggest interest rate hike in three years. The rupee-dollar conversion rate is one of those indicators that economists and the average citizen obsess over. For citizens, a strong rupee is a good thing because consumption more..

Jun 2 (ST) Last week, during two separate public events, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake turned the national spotlight onto an old enemy that continues to plague our island nation: the narcotics trade. In doing so, he made an observation that many discerning observers of Sri Lankan society have also noted. Despite the regular, high-profile detections made by our law enforcement authorities, the influx of drugs into this country behaves like the unceasing waves of the sea. more..

Jun 2 (TM) The Middle East (ME) conflict is triggering widespread economic shockwaves across the globe, testing the resilience of every economy. According to the IMF, world growth forecasts have declined to 3.1% and 3.2% in 2026 and 2027 respectively, down from 3.4% in 2025. Asia is particularly vulnerable to these shocks due to its large and growing population and its heavy dependence on energy imports and reliance on oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz. more..

Jun 2 (CT) A damning report released by Amnesty International on the labour rights abuses faced by Malaiyaha Tamil tea workers in private estates and smallholdings in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, reveals that the community faces several human rights abuses of forced labour, including abuse of vulnerability, intimidation and threats, physical and sexual violence, debt bondage, restriction of movement, and abusive working and living conditions. more..

Jun 2 (CT) SL is once again confronting deeply troubling allegations of sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old girl and a senior Buddhist monk with close proximity to political power. Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, 71, a chief prelate and custodian of eight of SL’s most sacred Buddhist sites, was arrested on 9 May over allegations of sexually abusing a minor over several years. Although he has not been charged and was released on bail, the case has shaken public confidence more..

Jun 1 (DM) The UNP alleged that the govt is trying to fulfil vested interests by its proposal to amend the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance of 1931 and by setting up a sanga court. Following is the full statement issued by the UNP in this regard. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has recently publicly agreed to a call to take the same measures as previous kings had taken in cases where the Buddhist religion is distorted under the guise of institution of a Dhammadhikaranaya. more..

Jun 1 (NW) CPC is currently incurring a loss of Rs. 129 on every litre of auto diesel and Rs. 60 on every litre of Octane 92 petrol sold, CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said while explaining the latest fuel price increase. The actual cost of supplying a litre of auto diesel is around Rs. 536, while it is sold at Rs. 407, resulting in a loss of Rs. 129 per litre. He said a litre of Octane 92 petrol costs approximately Rs. 494 to supply but is sold at Rs. 434, resulting in a loss of Rs. 60 per litre. more..

Jun 1 (NW) SL Police reported a spate of fatal road accidents across the country between May 29 and May 31, leaving more than 20 people dead and dozens injured. The incidents involved motorcycles, three‑wheelers, lorries, buses, and private vehicles, with several drivers arrested in connection with the crashes. On May 29, a 58‑year‑old pedestrian was killed after being struck by a motorcycle in Peradeniya. more..

Jun 1 (FT) SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake cautioned against pursuing large-scale port investments in Trincomalee without proven commercial demand, stressing that future developments must be financially viable and supported by strong logistics connectivity. Responding to concerns raised over the pace of development at Trincomalee Port, Dr. Dissanayake said the existing National Port Master Plan identified several potential projects, but many had more..

Jun 1 (AD) A total of 33,572 dengue cases and 19 deaths have been reported in SL so far this year, according to health authorities. 8,321 dengue cases were recorded in May alone, highlighting the continued spread of the disease across the country. The highest number of cases has been reported from the Colombo District, Gampaha District and Kurunegala District. 72 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions have been identified as high-risk areas for dengue transmission. more..

Jun 1 (AD) Supreme Court today overturned a ruling by a 3-judge bench of the Colombo High Court that had prevented the continuation of charges filed under the Public Property Act against several defendants in the 2016 Treasury bond case. The case was filed by the Attorney General against Perpetual Treasuries Ltd, former Governor of the CB Arjuna Mahendran, former Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake and more..

Jun 1 (News) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya delivered the Bishop Cyril Abeynayake Memorial Lecture at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, addressing a distinguished gathering on the theme, Shaping the Future of Education in 21st Century SL and Beyond. Attending the memorial ceremony on 30 May at the invitation of the Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo, PM highlighted SL’s rich tradition of multi-faith collaboration and plurality, as embodied by the Anglican Church. more..

Jun 1 (NW) SL Police has called for greater public attention to the safety and wellbeing of elderly parents and individuals living alone, warning that they are increasingly vulnerable to crime and other risks. In a statement issued, the police said incidents involving elderly persons living in isolation have become a growing concern, particularly as many of their children have migrated overseas for employment, settled abroad, or relocated to other parts of the country. more..

Jun 1 (News) Retired Ambassador Grace Asirwatham has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission on Women (NCW) by the President of Sri Lanka on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council. Established under the Women Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024, the NCW is mandated to promote, protect, and advance women’s rights and gender equality in SL, including investigating violations or potential violations of such rights. more..

Jun 1 (TOI) A bar brawl spilled onto the road with a group of youth crashing their car into a bike, killing an 18-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil woman and critically injuring her 17-year-old female friend near Thirumangalam in the city late on Saturday night. Police said the deceased, Yancy , and five women friends went on three twowheelers to a star hotel at Koyambedu on Saturday night. They drank and danced at the pub. A group of young men who had arrived in a car joined the celebrations. more..

Jun 1 (DM) The introduction of a new Constitution including the abolishing of the Executive Presidency is not a priority for the govt at the moment though it was an election promise, a senior govt source said. The NPP, in its election manifesto titled A thriving nation, a beautiful life, pledged to repeal the current constitution in place of a new one scrapping the Executive Presidency. Meanwhile Minister Chandana Abayaratne, in response to more..

Jun 1 (Island) Former Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam, was elected by acclamation as the Chair of the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW) last Thursday at the opening segment of the Committee’s 42nd session held at Palais Wilson in Geneva. In his remarks, following the election, Ambassador Kariyawasam thanked the Committee fo electing him by acclamation and more..

Jun 1 (DM) Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has urged the govt to reconsider the country’s open economic policies and reassess its engagement with the IMF. Cardinal said the open economy introduced in 1978 had diminished SL’s ability to become self-sufficient in many essential goods. “There was a time when SL had the capacity to produce many of the items it now imports. However, the country has increasingly become dependent on imports, and it is struggling to more..

Jun 1 (AD) The luxury bus service operating between BIA and Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre has resumed operations from today. The service is implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Highways & Urban Development and Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, jointly by the Airport and Aviation Services (SL) (Pvt) Ltd and the National Transport Commission. Authorities said the service is more..

Jun 1 (News) The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival in Colombo, organized under the guidance of Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thero of the Gangaramaya Temple, was officially inaugurated under the patronage of PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Following the opening ceremony, PM also participated in the opening of the dansala held within the Gangaramaya Temple premises. Later in the afternoon of 31 May, PM attended the inauguration of the Sri Sarvajna Sacred Relic Exhibition more..

Jun 1 (AD) Container Transport Owners’ Association (CTOA) has announced a 5% increase in container transport charges with effect from today. Chairman of the Association Sanath Manjula said the revised rates would come into force immediately. The Association noted that the increase applies to all container transportation services from today. Ceypetco revised fuel prices, effective from midnight on May 30. Accordingly, the price of Auto Diesel was increased by Rs. 15 to Rs.407 per litre more..

Jun 1 (NW) The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) Irakkamam branch has refuted the Police statement claiming that an individual arrested over the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in Irakkamam was a Moulavi, stating it was incorrect. Issuing a statement, the ACJU said that the individual was not a certified moulavi and had not been educated at any Arabic school. The organization further said that the said individual was not a member of the ACJU or its Irakkamam branches. more..

Jun 1 (AD) SL Police have issued a new directive requiring licence holders of firearm to present their weapons for inspection every six months as part of licence renewal procedures for 2026. According to Police Media Division, licence holders must produce their firearms at the nearest police station six months after obtaining or renewing their licence. Authorities will then verify the firearm’s functionality and ensure that the serial number matches the details recorded on the licence. more..

Jun 1 (DM) Minister Anura Karunatilake said that the govt intends to strictly enforce the existing fuel QR code system moving forward. Minister said that the primary objective during this crisis period is to limit fuel consumption to mitigate its adverse effects on the national economy. Despite a noticeable reduction in fuel usage following the introduction of the QR and quota systems, consumption levels have still not more..