Jun 28 (Island) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament on Thursday that the PTA would be repealed before the end of 2026. He said the PTA, introduced as a temporary measure, had lasted for 46 long years despite calls for its abolition. It is not clear from media reports on the President’s parliamentary speech how the government will set about the task of doing away with the PTA. However, one may recall that the Ministry of Justice published a proposal for a new anti-terrorism law, more..

Jun 28 (SO) For decades, many Sri Lankans believed that power and proximity to it meant immunity. Well-connected persons have literally walked away from murder with little consequences. Ministers, who had been accused of corruption by foreign Govts, have continued as if nothing has happened. At the grassroots level, political henchmen misused State resources, harassed citizens, grabbed lands, and behaved as if the law existed only for the hoi polloi. The recent spate of arrests of more..

Jun 28 (SO) Dengue fever has once again become one of SL’s biggest public health challenges. While the disease has long been associated with the rainy season, health experts now warn that Dengue has become a year-round threat affecting almost every district in the country. According to Epidemiology Unit, Dengue is now both a local and global health problem, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. SL is currently facing one of the worst Dengue outbreak in recent years. more..

Jun 28 (ST) My dear Wijey, I know I am writing to you at a time of great distress but I thought I must. That is after we heard the news that your offspring, along with Charith from the telephone party, had been detained on charges of soliciting and accepting bribes from underworld figures. Many of us reacted with shock and horror. These past few weeks, we have seen politicians and those associated with them being marched into custody with unnerving regularity. Just last week, we saw Yo baby being detained more..

Jun 28 (ST) On Nov 28 last year, NPP govt imposed a State of Public Emergency under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (PSO)—ostensibly to facilitate faster, more efficient coordination and implementation in the aftermath of the Cyclone Ditwah disaster. Given the scale of devastation, this special measure was perhaps understandable—at the time. The military was on the ground. The state machinery, creaking under the weight of the disaster, needed administrative and more..

Jun 28 (ST) With only weeks left for the Yala season harvest, farmers across the island are lamenting that most of them have not received the proposed fertiliser subsidy from the govt yet, despite the voice-cut announcements by govt ministers. In Batticaloa and various parts of the Northern and North-Central provinces, several farmer federations staged protests demanding a fair price for their harvests, as private millers and the govt-run Paddy Marketing Board are unwilling to more..

Jun 28 (GV) A collective of human rights organisations, including the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice (SLC), is calling for an urgent halt to the deployment of Sri Lankan forces to Haiti. This year, the Sri Lanka Army announced that a Gang Suppression Force Pre Deployment course for Haiti had been concluded on April, 10, 2026. Such deployment must not occur before a series of actions, for the following reasons: Between 2004 and 2007, at least 134 SL peacekeepers sexually exploited more..

Jun 28 (SO) SL leaders introduced the Prevention of terrorism Act (PTA) in 1979 at a time when the LTTE and several other terror groups in the North were ramping up their campaign for a separate State. Although initially described as a temporary measure, it became a permanent component of the country’s laws just three years later. Just one year later, in 1983, the conflict erupted as a full-blown war between the LTTE and Govt Armed Forces, which would last for the better part of three decades. more..

Jun 27 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning to introduce time-of-use (ToU) electricity tariff rates and roll-out smart meters to shift the country’s electricity usage pattern from the night peak to the day peak, Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas said. ToU tariffs are pricing where electricity cost changes based on the time of day, week day, or season. Ilyas told parliament that the country’s night peak has increased compared to the day peak, more..

Jun 27 (DM) SL's dengue outbreak has reached epidemic levels, with cases crossing the 50,000 mark, health authorities confirmed. Acting Director of National Dengue Control Unit, said that the rapid increase in cases indicates the country has now reached the epidemic level and that urgent preventive measures are needed to prevent the situation from worsening. "We are now reporting around 600 to 700 dengue cases a day, and the total number of cases has exceeded 50,000. more..

Jun 27 (FT) The tourism industry crossed the 1.11 million visitor mark during the first 24 days of June, but the latest figures point to a slowdown in momentum, with monthly arrivals trailing last year’s pace amid a sharp decline in Indian travellers. According to provisional data from the SLTDA, the country welcomed 95,747 visitors between 1 and 24 June, a 7.5% year-on-year (YoY) decline from the 103,562 arrivals registered during the corresponding period in 2025. more..

Jun 27 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday reviewed an ambitious push to transform four key export industries into major foreign exchange earners, targeting up to $ 6 billion over the coming years. During separate discussions at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday with industrialists representing the coconut, food and beverage, rubber and tea sectors, Prez pledged policy support, investment incentives & regulatory reforms more..

Jun 27 (DN) Opposition MPs submitted a motion to the Speaker yesterday seeking permission to hold an adjournment debate in Parliament on the measures to be taken to fill the prolonged vacancies in the Supreme Court. More than eight vacancies in the Supreme Court have not been filled for over six months. MPs submitted the letter to the Speaker, emphasising the responsibility and accountability of Parliament regarding the impact on the rule of law and consequences on the fundamental rights more..

Jun 27 (Island) Suranga Sanjeewa Karunaratne, alias Matiya, an alleged underworld gunman linked to organised crime figure Kehelbaddara Padme, was arrested on arrival at the BIA in the early hours yesterday. Police said the suspect, a resident of Kotugoda, Yagodamulla, had been detained by Malaysian authorities and deported to Sri Lanka. Officers of the CID took him into custody upon his arrival. Investigators said an Interpol Red Notice had been issued against the suspect. more..

Jun 27 (NW) A senior official attached to SL’s Presidential Secretariat has been arrested over allegations that, while serving in his former role as Deputy Controller of the Foreign Missions Division at the Dept of Immigration and Emigration, he helped prepare a forged passport for an organised crime suspect, Police said. The suspect, a 41-year-old Senior Assistant Secretary attached to the Parliamentary and Cabinet Affairs Division of the Presidential Secretariat, was arrested more..

Jun 27 (DN) West Indies Emerging, led by Rivaldo Clarke, defeated SL Emerging by 76 runs to clinch the three-match one-day series 2-1 in the high-scoring third and final match at the NCC Grounds yesterday. Twenty-two-year-old right-hander Shaqkere Parris stole the show with a magnificent 177 off 139 balls with 13 fours and 11 sixes, as the visitors piled up 349 for 4 after electing to bat first. The SL bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies batters on a good batting surface. more..

Jun 27 (ST) SL Police has proposed to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development that all vehicles obtain a roadworthiness certificate along with the emission certificate. Preliminary steps needed to implement this proposal are being taken, according to DIG W.P.J. Senadheera who is in charge of the Traffic Management and Road Safety Division. At present, the only requirement is that a vehicle owner more..

Jun 27 (DM) The authorities are stepping up efforts to position its traditional handloom industry as a higher-value export sector, with a renewed focus on innovation, product development and branding, to capture the growing global demand for sustainable and ethically produced textiles. Export Development Board (EDB), together with the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, Textile Industries Department and Uni of Moratuwa, held a workshop titled The Art of Weaving, alongside more..

Jun 27 (ST) The removal of peacocks and giant squirrels from the protected animal list is under consideration, Wildlife Director General Ranjan Marasinghe said, adding that the Agriculture Dept has pointed out the two species are damaging crops. Already the grey langur as well as macaque monkeys had been removed from the protected list, as they are considered crop raiders, he noted. The numbers of peacocks had increased uncontrollably and were even seen in areas where more..

Jun 27 (ST) As if illegal bottom trawling by Indian fishermen weren’t enough, Delft’s traditional fishermen are also hit by local trawlers, leaving them with little or nothing to catch, activists lament, urging the govt to take immediate measures to protect their livelihoods. Leeliyan Croos, a fisherman leader and former president of the Fishermen Federation of Delft Island, Jaffna, said that more than 400 local trawlers in the Jaffna region fish around the island at the expense of Delft fishermen’s livelihood. more..

Jun 27 (FT) An anti-counterfeiting operation led by the CCD has resulted in the seizure of suspected counterfeit engine oil belonging to one of the world’s leading energy companies, acting through its local legal representatives, Sudath Perera Associates. The successful raids, conducted on 2 June 2026, targeted two retail entities, SF Marketing in Mawanella and J.W. Auto in Kegalle, suspected of dealing in counterfeit lubricant products bearing the Caltex and Delo brands. more..

Jun 27 (FT) Govt formally presented its Fiscal Strategy Statement to Parliament, setting out the policy framework that will underpin the 2027 Budget while reaffirming its commitment to fiscal consolidation, revenue mobilisation and transparent public financial management as the country continues its economic recovery. Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said the statement was tabled in accordance with the Public Financial more..

Jun 27 (DN) The Govt and the SL Hajj Committee will focus on guaranteeing a safe, seamless, and comfortable experience for all Sri Lankan Hajj pilgrims in 2027. Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi told Parliament yesterday that in 2026, the official Hajj quota allocated to Sri Lanka was 3,500 pilgrims and operations were carefully managed to transport the full quota of 3,500 individuals in groups throughout the early Hajj season. more..

Jun 27 (FT) The Colombo stock market ended yesterday in green with the ASPI gaining 0.21% and the S&P SL20 up 0.51% during a week characterised by cautious investor sentiment. Despite losing counters outpacing winners 115 to 95 yesterday, ASPI closed marginally up by 0.01% or 2.77 points to 22,409.81 and the S&P SL20 ended up 0.07% or 4.67% at 6,247.42. Market turnover was over Rs. 1.9 billion on nearly 64 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net buyers on more..

Jun 27 (CI) Sri Lanka Cricket's next proposed constitution will likely feature fewer electors, have seats mandated for women on top committees, and will draw on the constitutions of other Full-Member nations. These were some of the commitments made by SLC's new Transformation Committee, whose primary stated mission is to overhaul the board's constitution and modernise its governance structures. more..

Jun 27 (NW) Sri Lanka has been re-elected to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), securing the highest number of votes in elections held at the UN Headquarters. Professor Rangita de Silva received 144 of the 185 valid votes cast, topping all successful candidates and becoming the only Sri Lankan to be re-elected to the CEDAW Committee. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the result reflects the confidence of the international community more..

Jun 27 (FT) Zydus Lifesciences and Sunshine Healthcare yesterday announced the setting up of a strategic joint venture company, Zydus Sunshine Lifesciences Ltd., with an investment commitment of over $ 20 million to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka, strengthening local production and reducing import dependence. The facility, to be located at the Board of Investment zone in Horana, will be developed on nearly four acres of land. more..

Jun 27 (CI) Amir Jangoo may not have even featured in the opening Test for West Indies had Shai Hope not suffered an injury during training. But with a chance handed out, he made full use of it to rescue the hosts from a precarious position to leave them only 37 behind SL's first-innings 308. Jangoo, playing his second Test, walked in at 97 for 2 in the afternoon, and showed off an obdurate batting style, taking 174 balls for his unbeaten 78. His maiden Test half-century took WI to 271 for 5 at stumps. more..

Jun 27 (Island) Govts of all political hues in Sri Lanka usually do not uphold the foundational legal principle of the presumption of innocence when their political rivals happen to be arrested. The JVP-NPP administration has failed to be different despite its election pledge to usher in a new political culture. Its politicians and propagandists ruthlessly vilify their political opponents who are taken into custody. They apparently consider their rivals held on remand guilty until proven innocent. more..

Jun 27 (CI) Sri Lanka kept alive their slim hopes of making it to the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a nervy win over Scotland in Manchester Chasing 152, they found themselves needing seven from the final over. Nilakshika Silva and Sugandika Kumari took four off the first three balls of Rachel Slater before the seamer hobbled off with what looked like a knee issue. Priyanaz Chatterji came on to bowl remaining 3 balls. more..

Jun 27 (Island) For thousands of Sri Lankans living with limb loss and physical disabilities, access to quality rehabilitation services remains a significant challenge. Yet, for more than three decades, our organisation has quietly transformed lives through innovation, compassion and community-based care. The Meththa Rehabilitation Foundation Guarantee Limited (MRFGL), supported by the Meththa Foundation-UK and in partnership with the Manitha Neyam Trust, more..

Jun 27 (DM) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will begin restricting transactions on dormant securities accounts from next week, under a new investor protection framework, aimed at reducing fraud risks and strengthening oversight of long-inactive holdings. Central Depository Systems (CDS), the custodian of electronically held securities traded on the CSE, will classify the accounts that have remained inactive for three years or more as Non-Operative Client Accounts, requiring more..