June 9 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake an official visit to Germany from 11 to 13 June 2025 on the invitation from the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has confirmed. During this visit President Dissanayake will hold bilateral discussions with the President of Germany, key ministers of the Federal Govt and other dignitaries to discuss new avenues for cooperation including more..

June 9 (DM) The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that the recent security breach of its SMS communication system has been fully recovered, though it will take a few more days to restore the NWSDB SelfCare mobile app, officials said. Speaking to Daily Mirror, NWSDB Analysis Programmer Namal Wijewardana confirmed that all ports connected to the SMS system were immediately blocked upon receiving information about the breach on June 1. more..

June 9 (TM) The education reforms that are to begin implementation by January 2026 for students of Grades 1 and 6 have begun their drafting stage. Deputy Minister Dr. Madhura Senevirathna said that the education reform process was continuing in a project-based manner under five pillars. “The curriculum aspect of the reforms are in the drafting stage. The entire reform will take place as projects under the pillars.” more..

June 9 (TM) SL Railways has announced 56 special train services for the upcoming Poson festival to facilitate the large influx of pilgrims. From 9 to 12 June, 20 trains will operate between Colombo Fort and A'pura, while 36 will run from A'pura to Mihintale. Thanks to full sponsorship by a private company, these services will be offered free of charge to all passengers. Railway authorities have also arranged accommodation facilities at key locations, including the A'pura railway station, to support more..

June 9 (EN) US Department of Justice has worked with new prosecutors from SL’s Attorney General’s Dept to build trial skills. These included skills Like delivering powerful opening & closing arguments & examining witnesses on the stand, the American Embassy in Colombo said. These prosecutors will soon take on smugglers of narcotics, humans, and other illicit goods, the embassy said. “Holding transnational criminals accountable strengthens justice, security, more..

June 9 (DM) In light of the acute shortage of essential medicines, the SL Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) is urging the Ministry of Health to act immediately and to rethink its reliance on Govt-to-Govt (G2G) procurement warning that it may come too late to meet urgent needs. While commending the Ministry’s recent efforts to coordinate with local pharmaceutical manufacturers and other stakeholders, the Chamber expressed alarm over govt’s decision more..

June 9 (AD) Former Minister Nalin Fernando has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court against the sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court in May. Former Minister Nalin Fernando was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty in a case filed over causing a loss of over Rs. 53 million to the govt by illegally purchasing 14,000 Carrom boards and 11,000 draught boards during the 2015 presidential election period and distributing them among sports clubs. more..

June 9 (NW) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the govt took immediate action following the unauthorized release of an individual named Athula Tilakaratne from Anuradhapura Prison under the 2025 Vesak Day Presidential pardon. The minister confirmed that Tilakaratne’s name was not on the official list of 388 inmates approved for pardon by the President, nor was it supported by court documentation. more..

June 9 (FT) Port City Colombo, in collaboration with the Department of Town and Country Planning of the Uni of Moratuwa, has launched the inaugural Smart City Ideathon: Innovate, Plan & Transform Urban Futures of Port City Colombo workshop. Hosted at the Sales Gallery, the pioneering initiative aims to explore innovative and practical approaches to urban planning, design, and development for Port City Colombo, SL’s first foreign-currency designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ). more..

June 9 (NW) SL Customs has alerted the public to an online facility that allows individuals to verify the legality of imported vehicles before making a purchase. The measure aims to help prevent buyers from unknowingly purchasing vehicles brought into the country through illegal channels. Motor Vehicle Verification service is available via the official Customs website at: https://services.customs.gov.lk/vehicles. To use the system, users must enter the vehicle’s more..

June 9 (DM) In a significant move to boost transport infrastructure in the Northern Province, Transport Ministry and Railways Dept are working to extend the Kankesanthurai (KKS) railway line to a new industrial estate currently under development in the area. This extension is expected to enhance both passenger travel and goods transportation services in the region. Kankesanthurai Railway Station, which was heavily damaged more..

June 9 (DN) Deputy Minister of TourismRuwan Ranasinghe said that Sigiriya’s recognition as Sri Lanka’s first sustainable tourism destination sets a benchmark for similar efforts across the country. “SL marks a milestone in sustainable tourism with the first sustainable destination. It affirms sustainability as a guiding principle in national tourism development,” he added. The Deputy Minister made these observations while participating in an event of Sigiriya stakeholder appreciation more..

June 9 (AD) A significant increase in state revenue has been recorded during the first four months of 2025, according to data released by the Central Bank of SL (CBSL). Govt revenue and grants, which amounted to Rs. 1,218.07 billion during the corresponding period in 2024, have increased by Rs. 236.60 billion to reach Rs. 1,454.67 billion in the first four months of 2025—reflecting a growth of 19.42%. Notably, a tax revenue of Rs. 463.19 billion was recorded in April 2025 alone. more..

June 10 (CT) Despite holding a two-thirds majority, the governing party continues to behave like the official opposition in parliament. While senior members of the JVP have remained relatively quiet, taking a backseat, the party’s novice politicians frequently make ill-considered remarks, much to the amusement of the real opposition. Their reliance on AKD’s rhetoric raises the question: how long will they continue to hide behind his eloquence? It is noteworthy, the Chief Monk of Mihintale more..

June 10 (DM) Media has questioned several recent incidents in Parliament where MPs have wasted valuable time of the House by raising inappropriate and irrelevant issues. The recent statement made by Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archuna was prominent among the incidents raised by the media. The MP said that the 323 containers that are at the centre of a controversy these days contained weapons belonging to Velupillai Prabakaran, the leader of the LTTE, the outfit that was more..

June 10 (SO) SriLankan Airlines has bolstered its long-haul fleet with the addition of an Airbus A330-200, marking the carrier’s first new wide-body acquisition in seven years. The aircraft, registered as 4R-ALT, arrived in Colombo on Tuesday (3), on an eight-year lease from Carlyle Aviation Partners. According to the Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines, Sarath Ganegoda, the latest purchase has been a strategic move more..

June 10 (DM) The magnitude of Illegal immigration, fear of terrorism and other security concerns, visa violations, refusal to accept deportees, and the administrative incapacity of the countries listed, lie at the root of the ban. The US has an enormous problem of illegal immigrants and Visa over-stayers. As per 2021 figures, there were over 11 million unauthorised immigrants in the US. Among these, Mexicans dominated, accounting for 2.5 million; These were followed by El Savadorians more..

June 10 (ST) The importance of improving the country’s passenger transport system for the public’s benefit was the focus when Parliament debated the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill on Thursday. Opening the debate, Minister Bimal Rathnayake wondered aloud whether the country’s transport sector is progressing or regressing given it does not seem to be improving as a profession. “If we take the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), previous govts have actually murdered it. more..

June 10 (TM) Diverse stakeholders have sent in their submissions to the committee tasked with drafting a new anti-terror law, thereby repealing the existing draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) No.48 of 1979. Officials at the Ministry of Justice said that a number of submissions had been received, including from prisoners. The next steps include reviewing the submissions, which may take between two and three months. more..

June 10 (CT) The unexpected release of a convicted financial fraudster under the pardon granted for Vesak Poya Day has become a topic that has overshadowed the day dedicated for spiritual enlightenment, and might just continue on Poson Poya Day, another day venerated by Buddhists in SL, commemorating the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. As such, a day where peace of mind should triumph, and celebrating the many gifts Buddhism has brought to SL culture and more..

June 10 (TM) The country is currently going through a concerning period in terms of public health, with rising fears about four illnesses affecting the population. The seasonal flu/influenza, dengue, and chikungunya are all reportedly increasing, and to make matters worse, there are growing concerns about a new Covid-19 sub-variant as neighbouring India is reporting an increase in cases. Dengue breeding sites are a concern in places such as schools and public institutions, more..

June 10 (Island) Unholy things have happened on Poya days in this country. A court was once kept open on a Poya day to grant bail to an influential suspect. A little over two decades later, a fraudster received a presidential pardon and walked free on Vesak day last month. Over the past 40 years or so, presidential pardons have sparked numerous controversies, which have fuelled ongoing campaign against exec. presidency, which pro-democracy activists view with utmost antipathy. more..

June 10 (DN) 2333rd Poson Festival was commemorated and celebrated on a grand scale, with the Mihintale-centric state Poson festival zone inaugurated by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday. Around two million devotees visited the sacred cities of Mihintale, Anuradhapura, and Thanthirimale during the Poson celebration week beginning on June 9. The Mihintale sacred zone is one of the most revered places of worship in the country and stands as an apex complex of more..

June 10 (FT) Visa, the global payments leader, reaffirmed its long-term commitment to SL’s economic development and tourism growth, hosting its Asia Pacific Leadership Summit in Colombo. The announcement follows the signing of a strategic MoU between Visa and SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), to boost the country’s appeal as a premier destination for both leisure and MICE tourism. more..

June 10 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the SL – Bangladesh Business Council, will host a visiting business delegation from the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), Bangladesh, on 17 June, at the Hilton Colombo Residence. The delegation comprises 24 representatives from 22 Bangladeshi companies, spanning a wide range of sectors including automobiles, FMCG, agri cold chain, IT services, logistics, construction, packaging, more..

June 10 (FT) As part of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute’s (LKI) ongoing commitment to support the teaching of international relations and foreign policy in Sri Lanka, as well as to increase interaction between the SL academic community/researchers with foreign policy practitioners, LKI Executive Director Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha on 21 May delivered a guest lecture at the Realpolitik study circle of the Department of Public Policy at the University of Ruhuna. more..

June 10 (DN) The Sri Lanka national football team will face Chinese Taipei this evening in a key AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to 2027 match at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo, with kickoff set for 3.45pm. This match is vital for Sri Lanka’s hopes of moving forward in the qualifiers and continuing their inspiring football revival under head coach Abdullah Al Mutairi. Speaking at the pre-match press conference yesterday, coach Al Mutairi revealed on his journey with Sri Lanka so far. more..

June 10 (Island) Olympian Nimali Liyanarachchi is set to compete in an overseas event for the first time in four years while Ambagamuwa Central hurdler Ayomal Akalanka makes his senior international debut when Sri Lanka field a team of eight athletes at the upcoming Thailand Open Championship. This season’s leader in the women’s 800 metres, Nimali last represented Sri Lanka at the Tokyo Olympics where she was the country’s sole female track and field athlete. more..

June 10 (TM) The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has reactivated several projects that are on hold, with various future projects around the country to be commenced within the next few months, according to UDA Director General Mahinda Withanaarachchi. Withanaarachchi said that the authority’s primary mega-scale middle-income housing project was ongoing, with the objective of breaking barriers to access for more..

June 10 (Island) Impermanence refers to the temporary and uncertain nature of much of what people perceive as reality. People often cling to the illusion of stability and permanence in their lives. Still, a deeper examination reveals that everything is constantly changing—even those things they perceive as solid and unchanging. This assumption of certainty sharply contrasts with one of the fundamental insights of Buddhism. Despite the reality of continuous change, people more..

June 10 (PMD) Poson Poya holds significant importance for us in Sri Lanka as it marks a series of religiously significant events in the history of our country. The inception of our nation as a heartland for Theravada Buddhist philosophy and tradition was signified on that remarkable Poson Poya Day, when Arahant Mahinda Thero arrived in SL. The arrival of Arahat Mahinda in SL sparked a spiritual awakening as well as a deep social transformation, reached far beyond its religious significance. more..

June 10 (DN) Sri Lanka’s motor racing super star Yevan David produced a masterclass in speed and courage to win the final race of the Euroformula Open 2025 round at the legendary Hockenheim circuit in Germany on Sunday, raising the Lion Flag high with pride. Starting from third on the grid, the Lankan teenage driver stormed to the front from the very first metres, never looking back as he dominated the wet and wild race. more..

June 10 (FT) Pioneering business magazine LMD has reported in its June issue: “The tide appears to have shifted again with businesspeople turning more optimistic.” “The latest LMD Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey, conducted in the first week of May, sees participants’ optimism about the economy improving over the next 12 months, rising to 76% – that’s a 10% increase from April’s 66%,” it explained. Meanwhile, PepperCube Consultants notes a more positive business outlook. more..

June 10 (DM) Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has stressed that the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka (CRIB) must benchmark its practices against leading global and regional peers to stay ahead of the evolving trends in credit risk management and financial system regulation. “It is vital for the CRIB to remain aligned with the best global practices and standards such as the World Bank’s General Principles for Credit Reporting,” Dr. Weerasinghe said. more..

June 10 (TM) Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs is upgrading security at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, by installing facial recognition cameras at all 30 immigration and emigration counters, up from the current eight. Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that the move, supported by the SL Police and monitored 24/7 by the CID, aims to identify organized criminals, suspects, and those with outstanding warrants in real time. more..