Jun 25 (DM) Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to providing every possible support to strengthen the work of the National Commission on Women and safeguard its independence. The assurance was given during a meeting with Chairperson Ambassador Grace Asirwatham and members of the Commission at the Parliamentary Complex. Welcoming the newly appointed members, the Speaker described the establishment of the National Commission more..

Jun 25 (DM) The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, and the World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director, Philip Ward, met with Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Ministry of Defence. The discussion focused on the World Food Programme's ongoing initiatives in Sri Lanka and the Government's priorities relating to disaster risk management and resilience-building programmes. more..

Jun 25 (AD) A discussion has been held in a bid to strengthen child protection systems and prevent violence against children in SL. The matter was deliberated when a delegation from UNICEF, accompanied by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (VAC), Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid met with PM Harini Amarasuriya at the Parliament premises. The discussion was focused on more..

Jun 25 (DM) A retired professional engineer in her late 60s has lost more than Rs. 9 million after falling victim to an online investment scam promoted through WhatsApp, SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) said. The woman, who had more than 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, was financially secure and lived in a private retirement facility. She also maintained bank deposits exceeding Rs. 10 million and owned a house in a well-known more..

Jun 25 (TM) Though SL’s overall retail and consumer sector saw a 405% year-on-year growth in earnings in March 2026, the food, beverage and tobacco sector’s earnings experienced both a year-on-year and quarterly decline, with the food and staples retail sector seeing a moderate recovery, First Capital Research’s sector report for March said. The research unit found that though the overall retail and consumer sector saw a 405% year-on-year growth in March and 62% quarterly growth, more..

Jun 25 (DM) Central Bank of SL has submitted its report to the COPF regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 million that had been held by the Treasury for the repayment of state debt. The report was discussed at a COPF meeting held in Parliament on June 23 under the chairmanship of MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne and Nishantha more..

Jun 25 (DM) The Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry has issued Circular No. 25/2026 outlining the procedure for the admission of children to Grade One in government schools for the 2027 academic year. According to the Ministry, the relevant press release on Grade One admissions was published in govt newspapers on June 29, 2026. Parents and guardians can obtain the circular and related information by visiting the Ministry’s official website, moe.gov.lk⁠ more..

Jun 25 (DM) The media will not survive in this society if they fail to come out of the garbage pile they have put themselves into, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today. “The media is divided. We have nothing to do with it. They can criticise the govt. There is no issue in it. However, they will not survive in society if they do not come out of the old pile of garbage which they have put themselves into,” he said. “The media was attacked in Parliament in the past. more..

Jun 25 (DM) SL’s judicial system marked a historic milestone today as the Court of Appeal successfully accepted and heard its first-ever electronic filing (E-Filing) case, ushering in a new era of digital justice and paperless court administration. This case, a writ application was filed electronically by Ramzi Bacha Associates, Attorneys-at-Law, representing Super Willshine (Pvt) Limited. The matter was taken up before the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya more..

Jun 25 (DM) Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI), Renuka Weerakone, will retire from her position on June 30, bringing to a close a distinguished 32-year career at the country’s premier investment promotion agency, the BOI said. Weerakone joined the BOI on June 1, 1994, as an Assistant Manager (Legal) and steadily rose through the ranks to become Director General. During her tenure, she served in several key departments, including Investment Promotion, more..

Jun 25 (TO) Wellness travel is no longer just about booking a massage and calling it self-care. According to the State of Retreats 2026 Report, more travellers are now booking holidays that promise something beyond a tan and an overworked camera roll. The report, which surveyed 1,040 US travellers, found that nearly half of respondents – 49% – plan to spend on a wellness retreat this year. That puts retreats ahead of spa treatments, more..

Jun 25 (EN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said investigations are underway for money worth around US$ 1 billion that was sent out of the country illicitly since 2023 as advance for imports. The money was paid via Telegraphic Transfers (TT), but no corresponding goods arrived to the country in return, the president told Parliament. “Who can take around Rs. 300 billion out of the country? No ordinary person or businessman can move such vast sums of money. However, they have taken it out,” more..

Jun 25 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that SJB will carry out a disciplinary inquiry into SJB organiser for Horana, Charith Abeysinghe, who was arrested by the CIABOC this morning. Premadasa made these remarks while responding to a question raised in Parliament by Minister Harshana Nanayakkara regarding the matter. “We will definitely conduct a disciplinary inquiry and take the strongest possible action. There is absolutely no place in our party for criminals,” more..

Jun 25 (DM) A controversial audio recording allegedly linked to a bribery investigation has surfaced online, just hours after the arrest of Rakitha Rajapaksa and SJB Horana organiser Charith Abeysinghe by the CIABOC. Recording, which has rapidly spread across social media platforms and mainstream media networks, is purported to contain conversations involving Rajapaksa, Abeysinghe and the wife of alleged underworld figure more..

Jun 25 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to undertake an official visit to France on July 16, with discussions expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and attracting increased French investment to SL. A key highlight of the visit will be a meeting between Prez Dissanayake and Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM, one of the world's largest maritime transport and logistics companies. The planned engagement more..

Jun 25 (FT) SL is soon to be shocked by another wave of rupee depreciation after mid-August this year unless the Govt and monetary authorities do something proactively to avoid it. Necessary conditions have already been set for the crisis. The previous time (in May, 2026) the domestic conditions for rupee depreciation were set, perhaps unknowingly, by the Govt & Central Bank. This time, the necessary conditions have already been set by Govt & CB under the pressure of IMF. more..

Jun 25 (NW) The Welfare Benefits Board has announced that from now on, payments under the Aswesuma benefits programme will be made only to poor and extremely poor families. Launched in 2023, the programme is entering its second phase this year, with work underway to update beneficiary information. At its inception, nearly 1.6 million people received allowances under four categories. However, in April 2025, payments to 315,000 beneficiaries in the transitional category more..

Jun 25 (Island) ​Representatives from Ceylon Chamber of Commerce met with PM Harini Amarasuriya on Wednesday at the Parliament premises. During the meeting, discussions focused on the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2026 (SLEIS 2026), which is scheduled to be held on 12 and 13 Oct. Attention was also given to digitalization initiatives, the introduction of digital technologies in schools under new education reforms, and the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence more..

Jun 25 (LeN) ​Three suspects have been arrested by the CIABOC today for soliciting and accepting a massive bribe in 2023. Bribe was allegedly taken from Madhushika Madhuwanthi, wife of notorious organized criminal Nadun Chinthaka, alias Harak Kata, who was held under detention orders by the CID. ​The bribe was allegedly solicited in Dubai in exchange for ensuring the protection of the suspect's life more..

Jun 25 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the Govt to adopt Singapore‑style punishments against drug traffickers, stressing that those engaged in narcotics and crime must be punished without discrimination. Speaking in Parliament today in response to the Prez’s remarks, Premadasa said SJB stands firmly on the policy of eradicating narcotics, drugs, and poisonous substances from the country, and that no individual connected to such crimes has any place more..

Jun 25 (AD) Colombo High Court today directed that summons be issued to two Indian witnesses in the case filed against MP Namal Rajapaksa over the Krrish project deal, following the procedure set out under the Judicial Service Commission circular for issuing summons to foreign witnesses. The order was issued after the CID informed the court that the two witnesses in question could not be contacted. Colombo High Court Judge Nadee Suwandurugoda instructed that steps be taken to serve more..

Jun 25 (NW) Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has called for urgent reforms to safeguard Buddhism in SL, warning that repeated allegations of misconduct involving members of the clergy are eroding public trust, particularly among young people. Kumaratunga said many people who love the country are deeply concerned by recent incidents involving Buddhist monks. She referred to reports of monks being arrested more..

Jun 25 (EN) SL Customs exceeded its monthly target for a sixth consecutive month, achieving the June target before the end of the month. Customs’ May revenue target was set at 184.9 billion rupees. However, the revenue collecting body had already collected 194.1 billion rupees in the first 23 days of the month, exceeding the target. Customs has set a revenue target of 2,207 billion rupees for this year, 13.5% less than last year as it originally expected a significant decline in car imports. more..

Jun 25 (NF) Rohitha Rajapaksa, son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, has left the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau after being questioned for over 5 hours in connection with an ongoing financial investigation. Police stated that Rajapaksa, who arrived at the investigative unit at approximately 9:45 a.m., departed around 3:00 p.m. after providing a detailed statement to investigators. He had been summoned to record a statement regarding an inquiry into an investment of 19 million rupees more..

Jun 25 (FT) Sri Lanka, as reported in the Daily FT on Wednesday, has signalled a major reset in its economic engagement with India. The Govt announced that its review of existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is nearing completion, while policymakers and business leaders called for a shift beyond traditional trade towards deeper integration in investment, technology, logistics, and digital commerce. This is precisely the approach SL should pursue with other key markets as well. more..

Jun 25 (CI) Sai Sudharsan's 132 and an unbroken century stand between Dhruv Jurel and Shaik Rasheed helped India A finish a dominant opening day on 333 for 4 against SL A in the first unofficial Test in Galle. Having opted to bat, India A made a steady start despite losing Aayush Pandey for 25 after an 82-run opening partnership. Pandey fell to left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera in the 23rd over. India A slipped from 82 for 0 to 181 for 3 when Devdutt Padikkal departed for a seven-ball more..

Jun 25 (DN) National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) warned that several major hospitals, including the National Hospital of SL in Colombo, are operating near maximum capacity amid the surge in dengue cases, raising concerns that the outbreak could escalate into a hyper-epidemic. 750 dengue cases were reported on Tuesday (23) alone, bringing the total number of infections recorded this year to 48,287. more..

Jun 25 (Island) Leader of the ITAK and MP Sivagnanam Shritharan recently met the BJP’s Tamil Nadu state president, Nainar Nagenthran in India during a three-day visit in which discussions centred on the political and livelihood challenges facing Tamils in the North-East of SL. Talks ranged across a number of contemporary issues confronting the Tamil people among them the demolition of ancestral Tamil Hindu temples and the construction of Buddhist viharas in their place, more..

Jun 25 (DN) Sri Lanka A will meet India A in the first four-day match of the series, scheduled to begin today at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka A will be led by all-rounder Sahan Arachchige, while India A will be captained by wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, with Devdutt Padikkal serving as vice-captain. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan are among the experienced players in the India A squad. Dhruv Jurel comes into the series following his most productive IPL season, more..

Jun 25 (TM) The Govt is weighing the option of increasing the prices at which the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) purchases paddy during this year’s (2026) Yala cultivation season or adopting an alternative mechanism, amid concerns that an increase in procurement prices could prompt rice mill owners to push up retail rice prices. Agriculture Minister K D Lal Kantha said the PMB has already begun purchasing paddy as harvesting for more..

Jun 25 (AD) Governor of the Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan has ordered the removal of the Mayor of Vavuniya Municipal Council and Vice Chairman of Chavakachcheri Urban Council following the conclusion of official inquiries into alleged irregularities. According to extraordinary gazette notifications issued under the Municipal Councils Ordinance No. 29 of 1947 and the Urban Councils Ordinance No. 61 of 1939, read together with Provincial Councils Act No 12 of 1989, more..

Jun 25 (FT) A dispute over the allocation of a Parliament committee room has disrupted the work of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), its Chairman MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday. Raising the issue in the House, Dr. de Silva said the activities of the CoPF had effectively come to a standstill after the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) sought exclusive use of the committee room from Tuesday to Friday, from morning until evening. more..