Jun 26 (DM) Govt has decided to speed up the release of state and private lands in Jaffna and Palaly that are currently being used by the security forces. The decision was discussed at a progress review meeting held at the Parliament Complex on June 24. Meeting was chaired by Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara and several other ministers. The meeting focused on resolving land ownership issues, speeding up compensation payments and returning identified lands to more..

Jun 26 (AD) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday criticised the Indian National Congress (INC) for the 1974 transfer of Katchatheevu to SL, labelling it another historic dark chapter of the Grand Old Party's rule, alleging it compromised India's national interests. Katchatheevu is an uninhabited island in the island in the Palk Strait that was recognised as SL's sovereign territory by India in 1974. BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said more..

Jun 26 (AD) It was revealed before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that 89 companies registered in Sri Lanka had remitted more than Rs. 190 billion in US dollars out of the country under the guise of importing goods, despite no such goods being imported into the country. This was revealed when a suspect arrested in connection with the alleged racket was produced before the court on Thursday (25). more..

Jun 26 (NW) The govt has underscored the advantages available to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that voluntarily register for VAT, even if their annual turnover is below the Rs. 60 million threshold. Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera said VAT-registered SMEs, particularly manufacturers, can claim input VAT on raw materials and certain services. He noted that such businesses can also expand by attracting customers who prefer dealing with suppliers that issue VAT more..

Jun 26 (DM) A quantity of confiscated narcotics is scheduled to be destroyed tomorrow morning at the incinerator facility located at Lactowatta in Wanathavilluwa, Puttalam. The narcotics include items seized by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) during various raids, for which legal proceedings have been completed at the Negombo Magistrate’s Court. The consignment also includes narcotics held by the Govt Analyst’s Dept, which courts across the country have ordered to be destroyed more..

Jun 26 (DM) In a shocking disclosure, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament yesterday that the country had lost as much as US $ 1 billion because of the transfer of a whopping Rs.300 billion ill-gotten cash in terms of Telegraphic Transfers and Advanced Payments for imports. He said that certain banks had been implicated in the fraudulent transactions. “We have identified certain bank branches. When the manager of more..

Jun 26 (NW) Jana Aragala Sandanaya has lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission over the Bharatanatyam Guinness World Record event held at Galle Face Green on June 14, alleging financial irregularities and misuse of state patronage. Jana Aragala Sandanaya representative and FSP Propaganda Secretary Duminda Nagamuwa alleged that around 5,000 participants, mainly children from the Northern and Hill Country communities, had each been charged Rs. 5,000 to take part more..

Jun 26 (CI) Nuwanindu Fernando's unbeaten 65 kept SL A in the contest on the second day of their first unofficial Test against India A in Galle. At stumps, SL A were 113 for 2, still trailing by 339 runs after India A had declared on 452 for 6, on the back of Dhruv Jurel's 141 not out. Jurel resumed the day unbeaten on 68, in a century partnership with Shaik Rasheed, who was on 53 not out himself. Rasheed fell soon after - bowled by right-arm fast bowler Chamika Gunasekara - on 63, more..

Jun 26 (NW) Minister Anand Wijepala says 96 organised crime suspects who are the subject of international red notices remain in hiding across several countries, with authorities working to bring them back to SL. Speaking today, the minister said 37 of the 96 suspects have already been identified, including 19 in the UAE, 11 in India, and one each in Malaysia, UK, France, Canada, Russia, Italy and Saudi Arabia. SL authorities have repatriated 58 suspects over the past 20 months, more..

Jun 26 (FT) India and Pakistan held a fresh round of unofficial Track 2 talks in Colombo and Bangkok earlier this week, focusing on crisis management and measures to prevent future military escalation, according to a report by Indian broadcaster WION News. Report said delegates from both countries discussed strengthening crisis management mechanisms, alongside issues relating to terrorism and water, while exploring ways to translate the discussions into formal Govt-level dialogue. more..

Jun 26 (NW) A public awareness march was held today in Colombo to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, as part of the ongoing national drug prevention programme Iwathwenu. The programme, launched on 30 Oct 2025, is being implemented islandwide with awareness activities conducted by police stations and relevant govt institutions. As the main event, Ministry of Public Security organised more..

Jun 26 (NW) Bar Association of SL (BASL) has clarified that it did not make any representations on behalf of Attorney-at-Law Rakhitha Rajapaksa during court proceedings following his arrest by the CIABOC. In a statement issued on Friday, the BASL said certain media reports had incorrectly suggested that the Association made submissions during proceedings at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The BASL said its role in matters involving its members is limited to more..

Jun 26 (AD) The Ministry of Environment has introduced a new WhatsApp number to allow the public to report environmental issues, with the service coming into effect from today (26). Accordingly, the public can submit complaints and reports directly via WhatsApp massaging using the telephone number 070 250 9509. The Ministry stated that priority will be given to submissions supported by documents, photographs, and official reports containing factual information and evidence. more..

Jun 26 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake joined the ceremony held this morning (26) at the Sri Lanka Infantry Regimental Centre in Panagoda to extend his best wishes to members of the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force who are set to depart on UN peacekeeping missions. This marks the largest contingent of personnel ever to depart from SL at a single time for UN peacekeeping operations. more..

Jun 26 (TM) Colombo Port City Economic Commission and CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, in collaboration with the Embassy of SL in Oman, concluded a series of high-level engagements in Muscat aimed at deepening investment ties between Oman and Sri Lanka and positioning Port City Colombo as South Asia’s gateway for international business and investment. The delegation, led by Colombo Port City Economic Commission Chairperson Harsha Amarasekera PC, more..

Jun 26 (AD) Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed against 11 defendants, including former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran and former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, in connection with the Central Bank bond scam be called again on July 22. The case was taken up today before Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne. During the trial, the Judge stated in open court that the trial-at-bar, the presiding judge bench, in the case has not been properly constituted. more..

Jun 26 (FT) Top blue chip John Keells Holdings’ (JKH) Chairman Krishan Balendra was yesterday re-elected Chairperson of SL’s premier private sector body, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, at its 187th AGM for 2026/27. British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick attended as Chief Guest. The 2026/27 office-bearers are Chairperson Krishan Balendra (John Keells Holdings Chairperson), Vice Chairperson Bingumal Thewarathanthri (Standard Chartered Bank SL CEO), and more..

Jun 26 (NF) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $57.4 million financing package to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to expand access to affordable clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through an ambitious rooftop solar aggregation and virtual net metering initiative. The financing package includes a $35 million concessional loan, $16.9 million in grants from the European Union, and $5.5 million from the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism. more..

Jun 26 (AD) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando says the govt expects to provide relief to the public in the future in line with the decline in global fuel prices. Minister said the govt has so far provided a fuel subsidy of Rs. 57 billion for fuel, which is scheduled to end this month. He stated that a policy decision will be taken on whether the subsidy can be provided again, stressing that the govt does not intend to place an more..

Jun 26 (NW) Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas told Parliament today that the govt has launched a major project to develop infrastructure for electric vehicles by introducing charging points at key public locations. The initiative, in collaboration with the UNDP, comes as Sri Lanka saw a surge of electric vehicles entering the country in 2025, with plans to add 5% of these to the govt fleet. Pointing out that it was pointless importing such vehicles if they only charge at night, more..

Jun 26 (AD) A further seven units of the Battery Energy Storage System project, initiated by the govt to strengthen grid stability and provide relief to electricity consumers, arrived at the Colombo Port last evening. The systems are scheduled to be installed near power substations in Panadura, Beliatta, Hambantota, Ampara, Vavunathivu, Valachchenai, and Mahiyanganaya. The seven battery storage systems have a combined capacity to store 280MW of electrical energy, more..

Jun 26 (NW) Owners of rooftop solar systems with a capacity of 300 kW and above have been requested to disconnect from the national grid during daytime from June 27 to 29, Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas said. Ilyas said that the measures are being taken in view of the Poson Festival and to prevent a possible system collapse. He said past govts had encouraged solar installations without establishing more..

Jun 26 (DM) The SJB has taken steps to suspend the party membership of its Horana Organiser, Charith Abeysinghe, following his arrest and subsequent remand over an alleged bribery incident. In addition, the party has decided to suspend him from all positions and portfolios he held within the party, with immediate effect. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that by the year 2023, Abeysinghe was neither operating as a member nor an organiser of the party. more..

Jun 26 (FT) SL’s corporate sector has long welcomed the digital transformation introduced through the Registrar of Companies’ eROC online platform. Since its implementation in 2018 and full implementation in 2020, the system has significantly improved access to corporate information, reduced paperwork, and supported the country’s efforts to improve its standing in global ease-of-doing-business rankings. However, the recent requirement to maintain Beneficial Ownership Registers more..

Jun 26 (TM) Vietjet has opened bookings with special launch fares for its new Colombo-Ho Chi Minh City route, scheduled to commence on 18 August 2026. The service will be the first scheduled direct air connection between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Vietjet is offering Eco fares from $ 90 one-way (all-in), while passengers booking Deluxe and SkyBoss tickets can enjoy a 20% discount on base fares (excluding taxes and fees). Tickets are now available via Vietjet’s official website more..

Jun 26 (TM) The delicate balance of governance is rarely as stark as it is within the boundaries of our agricultural economy. This week, as Agriculture Minister K D Lalkantha addressed Parliament regarding the escalating crisis over paddy procurement prices, he laid bare a classic economic deadlock that has come to define the early tenure of the National People’s Power administration. Govt is trapped in a profound dilemma where protecting the farmer directly threatens the consumer, more..

Jun 26 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday launched a scathing attack on what he described as SL’s entrenched nexus of corruption, organised crime, and political patronage, alleging that recent investigations revealed that nearly $ 1 billion had been transferred overseas through advance-payment transactions since 2023 without any corresponding imports. Speaking during the adjournment debate on combatting more..

Jun 26 (FT) The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Transformation Committee has decided that no international cricket stadium will be constructed in Jaffna. “We don’t have the funds at this point in time to invest in an international cricket stadium, even in Jaffna or in any part of the world. Our review of the originally reviewed project is beyond the scope of SLC. We don’t have the current financial strength to complete it,” said Transformation Committee Secretary Prakash Schaffter. more..

Jun 26 (NW) Lawyers representing Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapaksa and Horana SJB organiser Charith Abeysinghe told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that their clients suffer from serious medical conditions as they sought bail following their arrest in the alleged Rs. 120 million bribery case linked to underworld figure Harak Kata. Counsel for Charith Abeysinghe told court that his client suffers from severe heart disease, has undergone the insertion of three stents more..

Jun 26 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday pledged to repeal the long-controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) before the end of the year, while simultaneously unveiling plans for a new legal framework aimed specifically at combatting organised crime, in what could mark one of the most significant overhauls of Sri Lanka's security and civil liberties architecture in decades. more..

Jun 26 (Island) The University of Kelaniya has emerged as the highest-ranked university in Sri Lanka in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, securing a position in the global 401–600 band. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the university’s ongoing efforts towards sustainability and excellence in higher education, with the ranking recognising its contributions through teaching, research, community engagement and institutional practices more..

Jun 26 (DM) Sri Lanka is currently seeing both dengue fever and seasonal influenza circulating at the same time, and doctors are urging the public not to try and self-diagnose at home. Health experts say the early symptoms of dengue and influenza are very similar, especially in the first few days, which often leads to confusion and delay in proper treatment. “Dengue or Influenza—decide it at the dispensary, not at home. If fever lasts more than two days, consult a doctor. more..