Jul 19 (CT) Four years after the MV X-Press Pearl cargo vessel caught fire off SL’s western coast, the wreckage of accountability still smoulders in the corridors of justice. Environmental lawyer and civil society activist Dr. Ravindranath Dabare revealed shocking details, alleging a systematic failure to prosecute those responsible, intentional sabotage of legal procedures, and a conspiracy to cheat SL of rightful more..

Jul 19 (AD) Bangladesh’s central bank (Bangladesh Bank) hosted a special award ceremony to formally recognise officials from SL’s Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC (PABC) for their role in preventing a US$20 million fraudulent transaction during the infamous 2016 Bangladesh Bank reserve heist incident. This ceremony held at its headquarters in Motijheel on Thursday (17), described by the Bangladesh central bank’s Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as more than a formal recognition- more..

Jul 19 (DM) Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata recently visited the highly anticipated Colombo International Airport Hotel Project, reinforcing the strong bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka. During the visit, Isomata met with Dr. Ruwan Perera and a delegation of Little Japan Investors, who are spearheading the development of this significant hospitality venture. Dr. Perera, a distinguished SL academic and innovator, combines international experience more..

Jul 19 (CT) Dept of Motor Traffic is currently taking steps to introduce a new digital driving licence that will be recognised in nearly 100 foreign countries, according to Motor Traffic Commissioner General Kamal Amarasiri. Amarasiri revealed that discussions are underway to sign the Vienna Convention, which would grant international validity to the upcoming digital driving licence. The goal is to issue a licence that meets global standards more..

Jul 19 (DN) SL’s Minagi Rupesinghe asserted her supremacy in South Asian open water swimming, finishing as the fastest South Asian swimmer in the 5km race at the Open Water Swimming of the World Aquatics Championships currently underway in Singapore. Rupesinghe of Killer Whale Aquatics clocked 1 hour, 14 minutes and 03 seconds, securing 61st place in a highly competitive international field. Crucially, she finished ahead of both Indian competitors, underlining her more..

Jul 19 (DM) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that economics and entrepreneurship should be built on a foundation of human values, rather than driven purely by monetary gain. She highlighted the importance of the care economy as a powerful example of this human-centered approach. Speaking at a program held at the Education Ministry, Dr. Amarasuriya said that while current societal norms prioritize financial value, true development must include ethical and more..

Jul 19 (DM) Minister Saroja Paulraj has raised alarm over a recent surge in pregnancies among school-aged girls, calling for immediate and comprehensive education on sexual health and responsibility. Minister Paulraj revealed that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of adolescent schoolgirls becoming pregnant, some under the age of 18, leading to serious health and social complications. "Recently, the number of pregnancies among our school-age children has increased more..

Jul 19 (Island) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations has made inquiries about the policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism regarding the establishment and operation of Jewish community Chabad Houses in the country. At a recent committee meeting, chaired by MP Lakmali Hemachandra, members questioned the Ministry over its regulatory approach in light of ongoing public discourse concerning domestic security more..

Jul 19 (FT) Central Bank has issued a new directive, revising Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios for vehicle financing, effective 18 July. Notably, the preferential 90% LTV cap previously applicable to electric vehicles (EVs) has been removed, bringing EVs under the same financing thresholds as conventional vehicles. Move is expected to tighten credit access for EV purchases, especially impacting lending by Licenced Commercial Banks more..

Jul 19 (Island) Defence Ministry is studying a request to release part of the land coming under the SLAF, Vavuniya. Military sources said that the issue had been referred to the Defence Ministry after Transport, Highways, Ports & Aviation Ministry received a missive from the PM’s Office. Sources said so in response to The Island queries. Sources disclosed that one Gnana Sampanthan based in Vavuniya had requested that his land along the A9 road acquired way back in 1985 be released. more..

Jul 19 (DM) The govt’s plan to vest certain dysfunctional local bodies under special commissioners has sparked controversy, with opposition parties threatening legal action if such measures are implemented unfairly. Minister Chandana Abayarathna, announced that local bodies which are unable to form proper administrations—particularly those deadlocked in electing chairpersons and deputy chairpersons—will be brought under the control of more..

Jul 19 (DN) With our oceans increasingly under threat from plastic pollution, climate change, and human negligence, the need for urgent, collective action has never been greater. In response, AIESEC in Uni of Kelaniya is proud to launch WAVEZ 2025, a youth-led environmental initiative combining an Ocean Awareness Walk and a Beach Cleanup on July 20, at Wellawatte Beach. This first-of-its-kind event, led entirely by youth volunteers, is rooted in the principles of UN Sustainable Dev. Goals, more..

Jul 19 (NF) Colombo High Court has scheduled the next hearing of the corruption case against former Minister Chandrani Bandara for July 28, following proceedings held before High Court Judge Sahan Mapa Bandara. The case, filed by the CIABOC, accuses Bandara of unlawfully appointing H.M. Chandrawansa as Project Director at the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs, and Dry Zone Development during her tenure under the previous Yahapalana govt. She is also alleged to have illegally more..

Jul 19 (CT) A group of SL fishermen from Wennappuwa, currently detained by authorities in Madagascar, claim they have been held under inhumane conditions—without adequate food, water, or medical care—for nearly 50 days. Fishermen described their ordeal, saying one crew member is seriously ill while others suffer from untreated injuries. The group had left the Wennappuwa Harbour on 5 April 2025 more..

Jul 19 (CT) Chairperson of the SL United Business Forum (SLUBF) Tania S. Abeysundara, said that they expect to hold a discussion with the President soon to discuss the problems faced by small and medium-sized entrepreneurs and industrialists and find solutions following the import tariff imposed by the United States govt on the exports of the Sri Lankan exports. She said this while participating in a special press conference held in Colombo on Wednesday (16) afternoon. more..

Jul 19 (CT) Shelter for all was the theme of a speech made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at a recent function in Colombo, said. Premadasa invoked the above phrase Shelter for All, first introduced by his father President R. Premadasa and later adopted by the United Nations in 1987, pledging to pursue time-bound housing targets that are measurable and deliverable, when in power at a conference organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors SL Chapter. more..

Jul 19 (CT) The Govt Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF), lashing out, said that the circular issued by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), instructing health institutions to continue the local purchasing of medicines and surgical consumables, would only make pharmaceutical companies richer. GMOF President, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, said on Friday (18) that it looked more like an effort to privatise free healthcare service. more..

Jul 20 (SO) The recent death of Bathiya, one of SL’s best-known tuskers, has brought renewed national attention to the ongoing human-elephant conflict. Bathiya was found in a critical state in the Polpithigama area, suffering from gunshot wounds and severe injuries, including a foot pierced by a plank embedded with nails. Despite the efforts of veterinarians, wildlife officials, and security forces, Bathiya succumbed to his injuries, one of several elephants in treatment for similar causes. more..

Jul 20 (TM) According to official data, SL’s foreign exchange reserves dropped by 3.3% in June, settling at $ 6 billion – half a billion less than what the Wickremesinghe regime handed over in September last year. Nevertheless, beneath this seemingly stable figure lies a critical caveat: $ 1.5 billion is tied up in a Chinese currency swap, effectively rendering it unusable under current economic conditions. This leaves SL with $ 4.5 billion in actual, deployable reserves. more..

Jul 20 (TM) That Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his JVP-led NPP Govt is on a tightrope walk balancing the economy and governance is evident by the multiple challenges before them at present. It is learnt that while trying to address the economic challenges faced by the country, the President and his Govt are looking at amending the Constitution. It is also learnt that the proposed constitutional amendment, more..

Jul 20 (ST) Sri Lanka’s divisive Electricity (Amd) Bill this week received approval from the multiparty Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development for its second reading scheduled for July 24 in Parliament. The debate—and subsequent vote, which, given the govt’s numbers in the House, will favour the Bill’s passing—will proceed despite serious worry among a range of stakeholders regarding the repercussions of the law on the country’s electricity sector. more..

Jul 20 (CT) Between voter fatigue and the need to fast-track promised development, JVP-NPP Govt has run out of new ideas to further put off the long-delayed polls to the nine Provincial Councils. In their place, they have now returned to the equally delayed electoral reforms, the ruse that successive Govts had floundered in their time, not to face the electorate at the intermediary level. On every such occasion for a decade and more, the present-day rulers, then forming a minuscule minority in more..

Jul 20 (ST) NPP has acknowledged that a portion of the salaries and allowances of its MPs and ministers are credited to a single account of a state bank. The funds accumulated in the account are utilised for public service, the party has claimed. MPs and ministers, however, do receive a portion of their salaries and allowances for their personal expenses. Party has pointed out the process has been the practice ever since the days when more..

Jul 20 (CT) It is nearing eleven months since Anura Kumara Dissanayake became Prez and nine months since JVP-NPP coalition was put in power with an unassailable two-third majority in parliament. Both were made possible by a new generation of Sri Lankans awakened by an accelerating desolation of the country’s democratic governance, economic development and its socio-cultural heterogeneity. The 2022 aragalaya was the expression of their discontent, which impressed upon voters more..

Jul 20 (ST) My dear Rajitha, I thought of writing to you this week because you are in the news after a lapse of a few months. That is not necessarily good, because these days, when we hear of former ministers it is usually because they are either being convicted and sent to prison or being remanded on some serious charge. We heard you were filing an application in court to prevent being arrested. There is a sense of déjà vu in that. more..

Jul 20 (Island) CIABOC and CID have been in overdrive, probing and prosecuting Opposition politicians and their family members—and rightly so. Several former ministers are already behind bars. It is being argued in some quarters that the culture of impunity has come to an end under the incumbent dispensation. This, we believe, is an overstatement. CIABOC and Police acted very efficiently under the previous govts as well when complaints were made against the then Opposition politicians. more..

Jul 20 (ST) West Indies batting legend Brian Lara has hailed Shane Warne as the best bowler he ever faced, but also admitted that Muttiah Muralitharan caused him more confusion and pressure during their iconic battles. Lara didn’t hesitate when asked if Warne was among the finest: “He is the best,” he responded instantly. Yet while Warne earns top billing in Lara’s mind, the Trinidadian maestro was quick to acknowledge the brilliance of Sri Lanka’s spin wizard. more..

Jul 20 (CT) National Hospital of SL (NHSL), Colombo, is the country’s largest teaching and referral hospital, with 3,000 beds spread across a 32-acre site. It also serves as a key training centre for medical undergraduates and postgraduates from the Uni of Colombo and is affiliated with several paramedical training institutions. Hospital boasts over 150 years of service to the nation and is widely regarded as more..

Jul 20 (Island) Mohamad Suhail was arrested twice in one day, first under normal law, then under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The first crime of this 21-year-old student was walking down the road outside the Chabad House in Dehiwala. The Chabad House (a religio-political-social institution belonging to the Chabad-Lubavitch Movement, a Jewish-fundamentalist sect – think of Bodu Bala Sena with way more brains and cash), reportedly an illegal construction, continues to thrive more..

Jul 20 (ST) A closer analysis of SL’s batting performances throughout the series reveals a clear lack of strike rotation—particularly evident in the first two ODIs, where the team used up 159 dot balls in the first match and 174 in the second. This high dot-ball percentage resulted in under-par totals of 245 and 232 respectively, with the batsmen often on the back foot. Another area of concern was the over-reliance on Kusal Mendis and skipper Asalanka. The duo scored over 50% of the team’s total runs more..

Jul 20 (SO) National Olympic Committee (NOC) of SL, under the leadership of its President Suresh Subramaniam, held the Awarding Ceremony for National Course Directors at the SL Olympic House in Colombo. This landmark event supported by Olympic Solidarity, highlighted Subramaniam’s long-standing vision to professionalise and uplift the standards of sports administration in the country. By recognising those who completed the National Course Director Training Programe, more..

Jul 20 (ST) In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC), the Administrative Committee of the SL Automobile Sports (SLAS) has found that the July 2024 ban imposed on CMSC was contrary to the Constitution of SLAS and relevant rules. The finding was communicated to the Court of Appeal on July 7, 2025. It was further submitted to the court that, should the Director General revoke the impugned decision in light of the finding, more..

Jul 20 (DM) National Police Commission (NPC) has officially terminated the service of former Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, following a disciplinary inquiry related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Jayawardena, who previously served as the head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), was placed on compulsory leave by the NPC in July 2024, pending an internal investigation. more..

Jul 20 (AD) Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, PM Harini Amarasuriya, stated that the govt’s goal is to limit the number of students in a classroom to between 25 to 30, emphasizing that it is not possible to deliver quality education in classrooms with around 50-60 students. PM made these remarks while participating in a program held today (19) at the Dakshinapaya Auditorium in Galle, organized to raise awareness among education authorities more..

Jul 20 (AD) A total of three persons, including two women, have reportedly died after a van veered off the road and toppled down a precipice in the Karambaketiya area of Ududumbara, ASP F.U. Wootler said. Meanwhile, a five-year-old child and two others have sustained injuries in the accident and were admitted to the Udadumbara and Teldeniya Hospitals for treatment. The deceased have been identified as residents of Kadawatha and Mirigama, aged between 35 and 40 years. more..

Jul 20 (TM) Amid rising regional competition, the Energy Ministry has sought Cabinet approval to cancel the MoU signed between India’s Petronet LNG Ltd. (PLL) and SL’s LTL Holdings for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure development and supply, Sunday Morning reliably learns. It is also learnt that India’s Petronet proposal was assessed and found to be unsuitable for SL as a short-term solution, both in terms of scale and timing. more..