Jun 2 (NF) Former Minister Johnston Fernando appeared before the Illegal Assets Investigation Division today and subsequently left the premises at around 12:30 p.m. after providing a statement to investigators. Fernando had been summoned in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged provision of a vehicle on a rental basis to an individual identified as Sampath Manamperi. Authorities are probing the transaction as part of a broader inquiry into possible irregularities more..

Jun 2 (NF) Supreme Court has concluded hearings today in the fundamental rights petition filed by former Eastern Province Chief Minister S. Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan. Petition was filed challenging his arrest and detention under the PTA, with the former provincial leader alleging that his fundamental rights had been violated through the legal process. After hearing submissions in the case, SC bench announced that proceedings in the matter have now been completed. more..

Jun 2 (AD) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa today disclosed details pertaining to the fuel consumption and fuel import costs in the country so far this year. He stated that fuel import costs have continued to increase in line with prices in the global market. He stated that the govt spent USD 186 million on fuel imports in January, while the fuel import bill had surged to USD 521 million by May. Minister further commented, “If we look at fuel consumption figures, more..

Jun 2 (DM) SLC has announced the national player contracts for the 2026–2027 season, naming a pool of 46 players for the upcoming one-year cycle. The contracts will be effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The contracted players have been categorized into six groups — A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and a Central Contract category — based on performance, consistency, fitness levels, long-term potential, and the strategic requirements of the national team across all formats. more..

Jun 2 (SLN) In a display of naval tradition, SL Navy formally welcomed Pakistan Navy Ships PNS Taimur and PNS Aslat, alongside the submarine PNS/M Hangor, arrived at the Port of Colombo. Pakistan naval units made port in SL for a goodwill visit as well as to fulfill replenishment. The visiting naval assets are commanded by a lineup of naval officers, with Captain Niamat Saeed Khan (PNS Taimur), Captain Nadir Mateen Afridi (PNS Aslat), and Captain Uzair Farooq (PNS/M Hangor). more..

Jun 2 (NW) There will be no increase in bus fares despite the recent fuel price hike, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena said. He stated that bus fares are revised only in accordance with the existing bus fare revision formula and that the latest fuel price increase does not meet the threshold required for a fare adjustment. According to the Deputy Minister, a fare adjustment can be considered only if fuel prices change by more than 4%. more..

Jun 2 (NF) Sri Lanka has renewed its push to attract global investment, with Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof engaging in high-level discussions in Washington D.C. aimed at strengthening economic ties with the United States and positioning the country as a competitive investment destination. Governor Yusoof said he met with US Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg at the US Department of State, more..

Jun 2 (NW) The Cabinet has approved awarding the construction contract for Lot A of the Mullikulam Wind Power Transmission Project, a key initiative to strengthen SL’s renewable energy infrastructure. The project, which was cleared earlier this year, consists of two components, Lot A and Lot B. While the contract for Lot B has now been finalized, bidding for Lot A was conducted under international competitive procurement procedures, attracting four bids. more..

Jun 2 (EN) An EU-funded project is strengthening industrial practices in SL to make industrial parks more efficient, environmentally responsible, and economically competitive zones, contributing to the country’s broader green development agenda. The large-scale capacity-building programme aimed at promoting the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) concept in SL targets more than 1,000 stakeholders across the country’s industrial sector. It is conducted by the EU-funded Green Recovery Facility project, more..

Jun 2 (JT) Japanese experts have been helping Sri Lanka restore a huge volume of flood-soaked court documents. Late last November, the island nation in the Indian Ocean was hit by Cyclone Ditwah, affecting more than 2.2 million people and leaving some 820 of them dead or missing. More than 170,000 documents at a court in the city of Kandy, including papers on pending cases, were soaked in floodwater. Responding to the SL govt’s request for assistance with restoring the documents, more..

Jun 2 (AD) The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court has granted permission to former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give evidence online in the ongoing case concerning the disappearance of activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan. Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan of the Movement for People’s Struggle had disappeared in the Avarangal area on December 9, 2011, a day before a protest organized by them was to be held by relatives of those who disappeared during more..

Jun 2 (EN) Cabinet has approved a proposal to fast-track urban modernization and branding projects across select towns, at a cost of 1,475 million rupees. The plan, called the 10 Cities Development Program, aims to use a prioritized, data-based approach for urban development across the country, with 217 prioritized projects. These projects will take place in Jaffna, Matale, Hatton, Batticaloa, Chilaw, Thambuttegama, Vavuniya, Eheliyagoda, Badulla & Matara. more..

Jun 2 (FT) LG Electronics marked a historic milestone in the Sri Lankan commercial technology landscape with the grand opening of its first-ever LG Business Innovation Centre at Abans on 14th May. The centre is the country’s first experience hub dedicated exclusively to advanced Information Displays and Audio-Visual (AV) solutions. The inauguration ceremony was graced by a host of distinguished dignitaries, including LG SL Managing Director Keith Chung; Abans Managing Director Rusi Pestonjee; more..

Jun 2 (NW) Ten TH-57 Sea Ranger multi-role helicopters granted by the US Govt to the SL Air Force (SLAF) have arrived in SL, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing defence partnership between the two countries. Helicopters were transported to SL by sea and are currently undergoing configuration and technical preparation work at SLAF Base Ratmalana. Following inspections, acceptance procedures, and test flights, aircraft will be formally inducted into service. more..

Jun 2 (NW) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) today launched a month-long national awareness campaign titled Be Scam Proof, aimed at strengthening public awareness and resilience against financial scams across the country. Speaking at the launch event, Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said financial fraud in SL continues to thrive due to limited public awareness about legal and regulated financial services, alongside the growing sophistication of digital scams. more..

Jun 2 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to rehabilitate and upgrade the road lighting system along the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, including the Kerawalapitiya Interchange, following extensive damage caused by theft and vandalism. Nearly 85% of the lighting system is currently inactive, raising safety concerns for motorists. As such, under the first stage of the project, lighting will be reinstated at the Peliyagoda, Kerawalapitiya, Seeduwa and Ja‑Ela interchanges. more..

Jun 2 (EN) Sampath Bank is to open a branch at Colombo Port City (CPC), with services provided in rupees as well as designated foreign currencies to residents working within the special economic zone. 16 currencies are designated for banking and transactional purposes within CPC. Along with traditional banking services, Sampath Bank will also design a platform specifically for the companies within Colombo Port City, which will “combine transactional convenience, digital accessibility, more..

Jun 2 (FT) In the modern world, cybersecurity is no longer a technical subject reserved for programmers, governments, or financial institutions. It has become a deeply personal issue that affects every individual who uses a mobile phone, social media account, banking application, smart device, or internet connection. Behind every convenience offered by digital transformation lies an expanding ecosystem of invisible vulnerabilities, silent surveillance, and growing exposure to cyber manipulation. more..

Jun 2 (FT) Over the past few weeks, a familiar question has resurfaced: is Sri Lanka once again drifting towards an economic crisis? At the same time, there is a clear recognition that the country has made visible progress in advancing recovery measures following the economic and political shocks of 2022, particularly through reforms under the current IMF program. Legislative and policy changes relating to anti-corruption, public financial management, central bank independence, revenue mobilisation, more..

Jun 2 (FT) Power Minister Anura Karunathilaka yesterday defended the Govt’s latest fuel price increase, arguing that the revision was unavoidable to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies and prevent a potential collapse of the domestic fuel market amid soaring global oil prices. Addressing the media regarding concerns over the fifth fuel price hike since February, triggered by the Middle East conflict, Karunathilaka said SL had increased more..

Jun 2 (DN) The Govt has taken initiative to gazette five more forests situated in ecologically sensitive zones under the Vanaspathi Programme on June 5 to add to the existing 81 forests that have been declared as reserves through gazette notifications. The addition of these five forests – Ritigala, Aliyawetunuwewa, Bulagala, Konkatiyawa and Kallanchi – to the existing 81 reserves located in multiple districts will increase the total forest reserves in the country to 86. more..

Jun 2 (NF) The renovated Institute of Neurology at the National Hospital of SL will be officially opened to the public today. Ministry of Health said the facility has been refurbished at a cost of Rs. 99 million with the aim of significantly expanding and improving neurological healthcare services in the country. Neurological services focus on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. The ministry noted that the renovation project is expected to enhance more..

Jun 2 (TM) Secretary of the Supreme Sangha Council of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect, Ven. Dr Medagama Dhammananda Thera warned that organised efforts were underway to use the actions of a few individuals to discredit the entire Buddhist clergy and justify greater State control over temple affairs, while asserting that Buddhist monks found guilty of crimes must face the full force of the law. Thera said that any monk found responsible more..

Jun 1 (AD) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has warned that the country's inflation rate could increase to 7% due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising global fuel prices. Dr. Weerasinghe stated that although it was initially anticipated that the Middle East conflict would be resolved in the short term, its prolonged duration has had significant repercussions on Sri Lanka’s economy. He noted that fuel prices have continued to rise, creating upward pressure on inflation. more..

Jun 2 (NW) The Supreme Court on Monday (1) dismissed an appeal filed by convicted drug trafficker Samantha Kumara, alias Wele Suda, and upheld the death sentence imposed on him by the Colombo High Court. The ruling was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Mahinda Samayawardhena, Arjuna Obeysekara and Sobitha Rajakaruna. Welle Suda had been convicted of possessing and trafficking 7.05 grams of heroin in Mount Lavinia in 2008. more..

Jun 2 (CI) No SLC representative was invited to the ICC's quarterly meeting in Ahmedabad over the weekend, but the fact that the ICC board has not slapped sanctions on SLC's new Transformation Committee is being quietly celebrated by the new board in SL, a board member said. The Transformation Committee was appointed by the nation's govt in May, replacing the elected set of SLC office-bearers. The ICC had taken a dim view of govt interference in SLC in 2023, as well as more..

Jun 1 (TM) Police have confirmed the driver of the cab involved in the accident where six persons, including three females, were reported dead while several others were injured after a vehicle crashed into a crowd of people near a Vesak Dansala in the Meegoda Junction, was under the influence of alcohol. The driver of the cab has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run incident. The arrested suspect has been identified as a 42-year-old resident of the Piliyandala area. more..

Jun 1 (SO) German automotive giant Volkswagen is exploring the possibility of setting up an assembly plant in SL as the company seeks to strengthen its long-term presence in the island’s recovering automobile market. CEO of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India (Pvt) Ltd, Piyush Arora, said on the sidelines of the launch of the Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus passenger vehicle brands in Colombo last week, that the company is exploring more..

Jun 2 (NW) SL opener Pathum Nissanka has decided to skip the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL) in order to focus on recovering from a long-standing injury following SL’s upcoming tour of the West Indies. Nissanka, currently SL’s highest-ranked T20I batter, has been involved in continuous cricket over the past year, including commitments in int'l cricket and the IPL. Although he was eligible for selection, Nissanka was not among the direct signings announced ahead of this year’s LPL. more..

Jun 1 (Island) SL’s dance community has earned international recognition as Tarja de Silva and Gihan Umesh Madanpitiya delivered an exceptional performance on the global stage, proudly representing the nation at two of the world’s most prestigious Latin dance championships held in Blackpool, UK. The pair first competed at The Open Worlds Latin Dance Championship, held at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, UK. Recognised as one of the most celebrated more..

Jun 2 (TM) Opposition MP Mano Ganesan has written to the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairperson and Opposition MP Dr Harsha de Silva on the alleged unauthorised use of funds allocated for the Provincial Council (PC) Elections. Recently, General Secretary of the JVP, Tilvin Silva reportedly stated that funds allocated and set aside for the conduct of the PC Elections had been utilised by the Government for disaster-rebuilding and related purposes. more..