Jun 17 (FT) The UK’s Trade Envoy to SL, Lord Hannett of Everton, will hold talks with Govt ministers, officials and business leaders this week as the UK steps up efforts to deepen trade and investment ties with SL following the introduction of enhanced zero-tariff access for SL exports earlier this year. The British High Commission in Colombo said Lord Hannett of Everton, will return to Colombo from 17 to 19 June, his second visit within the span of a year. more..

Jun 17 (NF) Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today directed the Illegal Assets Unit of the CID to arrest former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and produce him before court in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds from the Tourism Promotion Bureau. The order was issued when the case was recalled before court. During proceedings, President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for the third suspect, informed that his client was willing to make a confidential statement more..

Jun 17 (EN) Sri Lanka plans to introduce a new labor code by end 2026, to replace outdated laws and shift the country away from a history of industrial confrontation toward a productivity-first model, Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando has said. A cabinet-appointed expert committee is currently merging and updating old acts into a single legal framework, and a draft will soon be open for public and expert review, Jayantha said at the launch of the National Export Development Plan 2026-2030. more..

Jun 17 (EN) Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been released on bail following his arrest earlier today in connection with an ongoing investigation. The order to grant bail was issued after he was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Rajapaksa had been taken into custody earlier in the day after appearing before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in response to a summons. more..

Jun 17 (NW) Chairman of the COPF, MP Harsha de Silva, has directed that a regulator be appointed to address the unchecked spread of online betting and casino advertisements across Sri Lanka. Speaking during a COPF session, de Silva questioned how such platforms were allowed to operate without licences or oversight, despite openly advertising during cricket matches. He noted that some online casinos were even using the SL govt logo in their promotions, claiming to be licensed operators. more..

Jun 17 (AD) Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, has endorsed the certificate on the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill today. Bill was first read in Parliament on 17 March 2026 and was subsequently passed by Parliament following a debate held on 6 May 2026. Act provides for the amendment of the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, more..

Jun 17 (FT) SL's school system has carried more than its share of weight over the past five years. The pandemic. The economic crisis. The interrupted school years, the textbook delays, the brain drain of teachers. That weight has, understandably, pushed conversation about new technology to the margins. Inside the classroom, however, a decision is being taken right now in every SL school that has not yet stopped to think about it, and that decision will outlast the immediate recovery. more..

Jun 17 (FT) Last week in Frankfurt, my granddaughter asked: Seeya, why are the streets so clean here without police? I had no good answer for SL. We have the same laws and the same potential, but the result is different. The answer is not more Govt programs or more CSR initiatives by companies. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which was once a buzzword among large corporates and professional circles, has now become a popular tool for fulfilling organisational social obligations more..

Jun 17 (EN) Govt has yet to decide whether to continue the current fuel subsidies, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said, as the 3-month concession allocated by the govt is expected to be fully utilized by the end of this month. Govt allocated Rs.100 billion for fuel subsidies after the oil prices sky rocketed following the Middle Eastern conflict started on Feb 28. Govt allocated Rs.57 billion for fuel subsidies this month. more..

Jun 17 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake chaired a meeting with the Circular Revision Committee appointed to review and update circulars issued under the State Lands Ordinance and the Land Development Ordinance at the Presidential Secretariat. The Committee has been mandated to recommend to the Cabinet the cancellation of out-dated circulars, the issuance of new circulars, and the revision of existing circulars to ensure alignment with current requirements. more..

Jun 17 (EN) Ministry of Foreign Employment has launched LankaKonect, a complaint management application (CMA) to support migrant workers worldwide. The mobile application provides migrant workers with a centralized and user-friendly digital platform to submit complaints and requests for assistance, monitor the progress of their cases, and access essential information and support services. It was developed in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), and more..

Jun 17 (FT) Sri Lanka yesterday launched an ambitious five-year National Export Development Plan (NEDP) aimed at almost doubling export earnings to $ 36 billion by 2030, with policymakers and development partners stressing that export diversification, competitiveness and reform implementation will determine the country’s next phase of economic recovery. Developed by the Export Development Board (EDB) under more..

Jun 17 (FT) World’s #1 Culture/Colour Brain Thinker Arthur Carmazzi, arrived in Sri Lanka Monday night ahead of his highly anticipated workshop on 19 June 2026 at the Monarch Imperial Hotel from 8.30 a.m. onwards. It was Arthur’s first-ever regional and national visit. The Daily FT, in partnership with Ads Store, will host the event, Reset the Brain, which focuses on team dynamics, leadership development, and organisational culture transformation through his exclusive expertise. more..

Jun 17 (CT) SL’s javelin sensation, Rumesh Tharanga Pathiragae, continued his golden run in Europe by clinching the gold medal at the Ostrava Golden Spike competition in the Czech Republic with a throw of 86.57m. Competing in this World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event, the 23‑year‑old opened with 85.87m, improved to 86.30m on his second attempt, and sealed victory with 86.57m on his third. That effort was more than enough to secure the top spot. more..

Jun 17 (DN) In a significant step toward establishing a regulatory framework for virtual assets in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) jointly conducted a special awareness session on digital assets on Sunday under the theme Let’s Join Together for a Safer Digital Future. Held under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, the programme brought together policymakers, regulators and more..

Jun 17 (FT) The country’s manufacturing and services sectors in May have expanded, as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), its compiler the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) said. The Manufacturing PMI registered an index value of 56.6 in May, reflecting an increase in manufacturing activities at a faster rate compared to 42.6 in April 2026. The CBSL said all sub-index values recorded above the neutral threshold during the month, contributing to the overall increase in the index value. more..

Jun 17 (TM) The mass grave discovered at Chemmani Siththupaththi in Jaffna has allegedly become the largest mass grave recorded in the Northern Province in recent history. With the exhumation of skeletal remains belonging to 10 additional individuals during excavations conducted on Monday (15), the total number of human remains recovered from the site has risen to 351. Previously, the mass grave more..

Jun 17 (DN) Opener Pulindu Perera performed a superb batting display scoring 145 as SL Emerging team ended the day two at 430 for 4 wickets against West Indies Emerging team in their 4-day game played at Rajapaksa Int'l Stadium Hambantota yesterday. SL Emerging team was in a commanding position with 199 runs lead with 6 wickets in hand in the first innings. Pulindu Perera the former National under 19 batter hit 14 fours and a six in his 188-ball knock also added 168 runs open stand more..

Jun 17 (NW) SL A cricketer Vishen Halambage and India A batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi have reportedly been sanctioned following their heated altercation during the Tri-Nation Series match in Dambulla on Monday. The match referee has recommended a fine amounting to 50% of the players’ match fees for both Halambage and Suryavanshi after reviewing the incident. The referee’s report has been submitted to the relevant cricket authorities in Sri Lanka and India for consideration. more..

Jun 17 (FT) The DFCC Bank said that its proposed acquisition of the wealth and retail banking business of Standard Chartered Bank SL is expected to be completed by 31 July 2026. The transaction, first announced in Nov & Dec 2025, remains on track and is now scheduled for conclusion by the end of next month. “A further announcement will be made upon completion of the transaction,” bank said, noting that the disclosure was made in compliance with CSE’s immediate disclosure requirements. more..

Jun 17 (FT) SL’s tourism development strategy is moving towards a more structured, investment-focused model, with the Presidential Task Force for the implementation of the Tourism Development Programme reviewing a series of large-scale initiatives ranging from special tourism zones and maritime transport links to film tourism and eco-tourism development. Meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday under the chairmanship of Minister Vijitha Herath, the task force more..

Jun 17 (TM) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) said that it is continuing investigations into the complaint alleging that former SIS Director, Major Genenal (Rtd) Suresh Sallay was subjected to various forms of mistreatment while in custody. HRCSL Commissioner Nimal G. Punchihewa stated that statements from officers of the CID were recorded again yesterday as part of the ongoing inquiry. more..

Jun 17 (NW) A 16-year-old suspect has been remanded in connection with the alleged abduction and assault of a youth following a dispute linked to a video shared on TikTok. Police said the incident occurred on June 1 near the Saddam Hussein Mosque in Eravur. The victim, who was travelling on a bicycle, was allegedly abducted by two individuals who arrived on a motorcycle and taken to a deserted land in the Sakathgramam area, where he was assaulted. Investigations revealed that more..

Jun 17 (DN) SL secured a convincing 2-1 victory over Laos in their Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group II tie at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. Akeesha Silva and Dinara de Silva won their singles matches to seal the contest before Laos claimed the doubles encounter. Akeesha Silva gave SL the perfect start when she defeated Aliya Vongdala of Laos 7-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought opening singles match. Dinara de Silva then ensured victory for Sri Lanka with more..

Jun 17 (CI) An outstanding fifth-wicket stand and an even better sixth-wicket partnership electrified a SL chase and propelled them to a tight final-over win against New Zealand. Nilakshika Silva was the primary architect. Having arrived at the crease at 55 for 4, with the required rate soon climbing above nine, she produced her finest international innings - a perfectly-paced 54 not out off 37 that saw SL to victory with 2 balls and more..

Jun 17 (ST) The ongoing uncertainty from the West Asian crisis has caused a slowdown in mergers, acquisitions, and buyouts, but both local and foreign investors remain interested in investing in particular sectors and products within the country, according to leading analysts. “Specific sectors such as spices, businesses, villas, wellness-related businesses, food and beverage sector businesses such as restaurants etc. are being seriously looked at by certain local as well as foreign investors,” more..

Jun 17 (FT) SL welcomed 54,465 tourists during the first 14 days of June, marking a 9% decline compared to the 59,787 visitors recorded during the corresponding period last year. Data show that 27,043 tourists arrived during the first week of the month, followed by 27,422 arrivals in the second week. Average daily arrivals stood at 3,890, down from 4,271 during the same period in 2025. Despite the slowdown in June, total tourist arrivals for the year up to 14 June reached 1,076,487. more..

Jun 17 (ST) SL’s key apparel manufacturer MAS is expecting a significant drop during the second half of this year as they are currently experiencing a marginal 3-4% decline in orders. MAS Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) Shakthi Ranatunga said, “In terms of our capacity in the current term we have not seen a significant drop only a marginal drop of 3-4 per cent but we anticipate a drop in the second half of the year.” With the possibility of the West Asian war continuing MAS more..

Jun 17 (DM) The gold prices climbed sharply yesterday, with the local bullion dealers reporting a steep increase in the sovereign prices after the international gold rates rose above US $ 4,300 an ounce, amid the heightened investor demand for safe-haven assets. The price of a 22-carat gold sovereign in Colombo’s Sea Street market rose to Rs.360,600, while a 24-carat sovereign increased to Rs.392,000, from Rs.386,000 recorded on Saturday. The traders said the local prices increased by more..

Jun 17 (ST) The 2026 Yala paddy cultivation season has been severely affected by a fertiliser crisis caused by the govt’s irregular approach to fertiliser imports, release, and distribution, farmer organisations claim. Paddy farmer organisations said the govt failed to order and import quality fertiliser on time and was also unable to distribute fertiliser properly in a practical and efficient way. more..

Jun 17 (ST) No govt in the world – not even in the best of Western democracies – has ever sincerely championed the rights of a free press or recognised its existence as being an indispensable component of democracy. On the contrary, every govt has, at best, held the free press as a positive nuisance to its wellbeing, a hazard to its health or, at worst, regarded it as a mortal enemy, a dangerous loose cannon that may well home in and topple it from its pedestals of power by exposing corruption more..

Jun 17 (CT) Certain things, we the people of SL, cannot comprehend. Either complete information is not revealed or is willfully hidden. This is especially true in the case of the business of the SriLankan Airlines. It has been reported that there is a Rs. 340 billion hole in Sri Lankan Airlines’ Balance Sheet (Daily FT, 13 June). According to the same report of Daily FT, during the 2025/26 financial year, passenger revenue increased to Rs. 265.9 billion from Rs. 234.5 billion, more..