June 13 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved SL’s ratification of Stage I of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a key step to reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance, enhancing trade prospects and modernising the local fisheries industry. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa on Tuesday said this decision positions SL to gain access to the WTO’s special Fisheries Fund, a mechanism designed to assist member more..

June 13 (DN) Minister Wasantha Samarasighe said that it has been planned to well utilize the process of accreditation to boost the export sector and increase export income. He made these remarks while addressing an event held to mark the 20th anniversary of the SL Accreditation Board (SLAB) coinciding with the World Accreditation Day 2025 in Colombo on Monday. Minister added that the exporters can enter international markets with total confidence while well utilizing more..

June 13 (TM) SL signed up for a joint high-level appeal calling for an effective global treaty to combat the challenge of plastic pollution, on the sidelines of the third UN Conference Oceans Conference (UNOC3) which is held this week in Nice, France. The appeal termed, Nice Wake-Up Call, was endorsed by SL with the Director General of the Ocean Affairs, Environment and Climate Change Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more..

June 13 (FT) A recent landmark judgement of the Civil Appellate High Court by Justice Dr. D.F.H. Gunawardhana, with Justice Dr. Namal Balalle agreeing, has finally clarified a point of law in the area of winding-up of companies in SL. The issue argued before the High Court was whether a bank is liable to reimburse a company in liquidation, where a bank has allowed outward remittances from a bank account of a company being wound-up during the pendency of winding-up proceedings. more..

June 13 (DM) Eligible exporters with low and medium-risk profiles will be able to receive their VAT refunds within an expedited 15-day period under a new risk-based refund system, which is set to replace the current Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) system from 1 October 2025. Inland Revenue Department (IRD) Commissioner Priyanka Dissanayake outlined the ambitious plan yesterday, which aims to drastically shorten the waiting period for highly compliant businesses. more..

June 13 (FT) In a fresh push to revive the country’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, the Govt and Central Bank of SL (CBSL) have announced a new round of relief measures targeting SMEs already integrated into the formal banking system. The initiative was disclosed during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday at the Finance Ministry, chaired by Finance Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. more..

June 13 (FT) Renewable energy company Vidullanka PLC yesterday announced the launch of the country’s first listed Sukuk, a Shariah-compliant debt instrument, signalling a bold step towards ethical investing and capital market diversification. Vidullanka CEO Riyaz Sangani observed the Sukuk listing as more than just a financing initiative for the company. “This Sukuk, while important for Vidullanka, is a much bigger step for the finance industry and capital markets,” he stated, more..

June 13 (DN) Panadura SC and Moors SC reached the semi-finals of the Major Clubs T20 Cricket Tournament after winning their quarter-final matches yesterday. Despite some rain, both games were completed without interruption. Previous matches had to use the DLS method due to rain. Panadura SC won by 34 runs against Colts CC at CCC Grounds. Moors SC beat the defending runners-up Bloomfield by 41 runs at P. Sara Oval Stadium. In the match between Panadura SC & Colts CC, more..

June 13 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has emphasized the importance of Police educating the general public on laws and regulations before enforcing them. According to PM, parents must set a good example, drivers must be committed to saving lives, children must be given a clear understanding of traffic rules to minimize road accidents. PM noted that preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives while more..

June 13 (AD) A set of recommendations have been issued by the Ministry of Agriculture based on information revealed in the report of the National Animal Census conducted in March. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Palika Fernando stated that the increase in animal populations appears to be linked to the improper management of waste. Accordingly, the recommendations expected to be implemented are as follows: Proper waste management; more..

June 13 (CT) Consultant specialists at the National Hospital in Colombo have raised serious concerns over the lack of crucial meetings that should have taken place between the hospital’s administration and staff, lamenting that no such meetings have been held for several months, leaving them in a state of uncertainty. Sources among the consultants revealed yesterday (11) that key activities—such as disaster management more..

June 13 (CT) A commemorative ceremony was held near the War Heroes Monument in front of the Ampara Superintendent of Police’s office to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the assassination of 600 Police officers by LTTE terrorists in the Ampara District. The commemoration ceremony was held under the patronage of Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara, in charge of the Eastern Province, DIG Nuwan Mendis, DIG Batticaloa-Ampara & Acting SP Hemantha Seneviratne, more..

June 13 (FT) Cabinet has approved constructing a new residential facility at the narcotic drug treatment centre in Handessa, Peradeniya. The expansion, estimated at Rs. 110 million, will be funded under the Clean SL program and aims to address the growing demand for rehabilitation services for children and young people under 21 years of age. The existing treatment centre, operated by the Narcotic Control National Board, currently provides services through both residential and non-residential models. more..

June 13 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has offered heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who were affected by the Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad today. President Dissanayake, who is currently in Germany on an official visit said he is deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 near the Ahmedabad airport today. The President on his official twitter account said, “We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of all those affected onboard.” more..

June 13 (TM) Sri Lanka Customs has released close to 50,000 motor vehicles between December 2024 and June 2025, contributing over Rs. 149 billion in tax revenue to the govt, the Finance Ministry said. In the Final Budget Position Report for 2024, the Finance Ministry said according to the Statistics Division of SL Customs, a total of approximately 49,541 motor vehicles, including 14,047 motor cars, were released from customs during the period from 18 Dec 2024, to 3 June. more..

June 13 (DN) The Lanka Wharf Services Union has dismissed recent allegations regarding the release of certain containers by SL Customs as politically motivated and aimed at discrediting Govt procedures. The union clarified that such releases have occurred in the past and may continue in the future, under standard protocols. Union President Ranjith Liyanarachchi stated that SL Customs follows established procedures to more..

June 13 (DM) Health authorities have confirmed that the COVID-19 situation in the country remains under control despite a noticeable increase in respiratory illnesses being reported in recent weeks. Consultant Community Physician at the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana said that while COVID-19 continues to be considered another respiratory illness within the broader surveillance system, no targeted data collection is currently being conducted for COVID cases specifically. more..

June 13 (CT) The Ministry of Agriculture has officially released the results of a nationwide animal census conducted on 15 March, revealing that Sri Lanka is home to approximately 5.17 million Toque monkeys (Rilawa) and 1.74 million Grey Langurs (Wandura). The census also recorded an estimated 2.66 million giant squirrels and 4.74 million peacocks across the island. This data was disclosed at a media briefing held yesterday by the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture. more..

June 13 (DM) SL always maintains the highest possible standards of aviation safety in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by the Int'l Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which is a specialized United Nations agency which helps 193 countries to cooperate together and share their skies to their mutual benefit, an official said. Director General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Sagara Kotakadeniya said it is a continuous practice more..

June 13 (FT) Leading Tamil film actor Kamal Haasan – who is no stranger to SL film fans – is very much in the news lately, for three reasons. Firstly the actor-politico will be elected in July to the Indian Rajya Sabha or upper house from Tamil Nadu state. Secondly the eagerly awaited film Thug Life directed by ace film maker Mani Ratnam has been released worldwide. Kamal is the lead actor and co-producer and co-script writer for the film. Thirdly the film Thug Life is caught up in a controversy more..

June 13 (FT) Last month (15 May), President Anura Dissanayake met with newly appointed Sri Lankan diplomats to advise them that ‘expanding opportunities to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and identifying new market opportunities for entrepreneurs’ were key duties of the diplomatic service. He was speaking to newly appointed diplomats to our missions in important trade and investment destinations, including India, Pakistan, United Kingdom, UAE, and Japan. more..

June 13 (NW) The NPP today succeeded in establishing power in the Panduwasnuwara and Minipe Pradeshiya Sabhas, in which it did not receive a majority in the LG Elections. NPP was able to form the Panduwasnuwara PS as the Sarvajana Balaya candidate was not given an opportunity to vote. The election to establish power in local govt institutions, where parties and independent groups that contested in this year’s LG elections were unable to obtain 50% of the vote, more..

June 13 (DN) Colombo High Court yesterday ordered the confiscation more than Rs. 201 million in a private bank account of a Chinese businessman who was involved in the gem trade without a licence. In addition, the Colombo High Court sentenced the accused, who was found guilty of money laundering, to a two years’ rigorous imprisonment and it was suspended for 15 years. The verdict was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige. Accused had been involved in the gem trade more..

June 13 (TM) Ministry of Public Security stated that the Police would take action to arrest any individual who has been released from prison without proper legal approval, including the person recently released from the A'pura Prison. In light of the revelation that over 60 inmates have been released from prisons without proper legal approval in the recent past, Presidential Secretariat stated that if any individual who is supposed to be more..

June 13 (AD) The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has secured a majority in the Jaffna Municipal Council, marking a significant political development in the region. ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran announced that Vivekanandaraja Madivadani of ITAK has been elected as the Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council. She received 19 votes in the mayoral election, with support from the EPDP, SJB, and UNP. However, members of the NPP abstained from voting. more..

June 13 (AD) SriLankan Airlines has announced temporary adjustments to its European flight routes due to the closure of certain Middle Eastern airspaces, citing escalating regional tensions. In an official statement issued today (13), SriLankan Airlines confirmed that flights to and from Europe, including London and Paris, will now follow alternative paths to avoid conflict zones. “These route changes have led to increased flight durations on our services to Europe” statement noted. more..

June 13 (NW) Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has raised fresh concerns over the investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, stating that justice remains elusive more than five years after the attacks that killed over 250 people. Addressing a service at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, Archbishop of Colombo said the failure to identify and prosecute the perpetrators is a continuing injustice to the victims. more..

June 13 (Island) Teachers and principals have vehemently criticised the teaching appointments recently given to Bachelor of Education degree holders from private and foreign universities. They have requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in her capacity as Education Minister within this week to discuss the matter. General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Union Joseph Stalin is very critical of B.Ed degrees awarded by pvt & foreign universities in SL. more..

June 13 (NF) Sri Lanka joined 148 other nations in voting in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, as the humanitarian crisis in the region continues to escalate. The resolution was adopted during an emergency session held on Thursday (12) at the UN Headquarters in New York. It comes in the wake of the UN Security Council’s failure to pass a similar measure last week, which was blocked by a veto from the US. more..

June 13 (CT) Chief Professor of the Wayamba University Medical Faculty has revealed that two individuals have died locally due to complications related to a new Covid-19 sub-variant. Professor Medagedara, citing data , stated that between 9% and 13% of patients currently presenting respiratory symptoms are infected with the new sub-variant. Omicron sub-variant NB.1.8.1 has reportedly spread across Mediterranean countries, South Asia (incl. India, SL) & western pacific nations. more..

June 13 (DN) Parliament is scheduled to convene from Tuesday (17) to Friday (20), as announced by the Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. This decision was made at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on 05.06.2025, Chaired by the Speaker, Jagath Wickramaratne. On each sitting day of Parliament, the time from 9.30 am to 10 am has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. more..

June 13 (AD) SL Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued an urgent notice in response to escalating tensions following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iran earlier this morning. The strikes have significantly heightened the risk of a large-scale military conflict in the Middle East. Embassy noted that flight restrictions have been imposed due to the prevailing situation. SL nationals intending to travel to or from Israel are advised to postpone more..

June 13 (DM) In yet another soul-crushing story that left many heartbroken after the London-bound Air India flight crashed with 242 lives onboard, a one-way journey of a beautiful family of 5 ended up in a tragedy. Dr Kaumi Vyas and Dr Pratik Joshi- along with their three kids- Miraya Joshi, Pradyut Joshi, and Nakul Joshi, were onboard the crashed Air India Flight AI171. The family was all set to move to London. However, all 5 lost their lives after the plane crashed near more..

June 13 (AD) Former Commander of the SL Army, General Hamilton Wanasinghe has passed away at the age of 91. General Hamilton Wanasinghe was the 11th Commander of the SL Army. Hamilton Wanasinghe was born in Malwana, a suburb of Colombo. He received his primary and secondary education at Ananda College. A keen sportsman, he was the Sergeant Major in the Cadet Platoon during his school days. He was also an active member of the College rifle shooting team, more..

June 13 (DM) IMF has commended SL for making significant strides in implementing tough but necessary economic reforms, bringing the country closer to receiving the next tranche of IMF financial assistance. Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Dept said that a Staff-Level Agreement was reached on April 25 between IMF staff and SL authorities for the fourth review of SL’s ongoing Economic Reform Programme. more..