June 14 (DM) The NPP has secured the post of Chairman of the Medawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabha, while the SLPP claimed the Deputy Chairman position following a vote held today. Although the NPP emerged as the leading party at the recent LG election for the Medawachchiya PS, it fell short of securing an outright majority. NPP won 10 seats, while SJB obtained 6 seats. Both the UPFA and Sarvajanabala Party secured 2 seats each, with one seat going to an independent group. more..

June 14 (Island) A petition has been filed calling for immediate action against former Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, for his failure to take preventive measures, despite receiving intelligence information regarding the Easter Sunday attacks. The petition, filed on Thursday by Attorney-at-Law Ermiza Tegal, requested that the case be expedited. The petition seeks legal steps to be taken against Jayawardena, who has been sent on mandatory leave. The legal counsel argues that there is no obstacle to more..

June 14 (DN) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said on Wednesday (11) that Sri Lanka is committed to enhance multifaceted cooperation with Russia at bilateral, regional and multilaterals levels with an objective of exploring new avenues for cooperation. “Sri Lanka deeply cherishes its longstanding friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Russia, defined by strong ties at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels”, he added. The Minister was speaking at a reception hosted by more..

June 14 (PMD) Business Forum organised by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) was held this afternoon (13) at the DIHK headquarters in Berlin, under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake. Delivering the keynote address, Prez Disanayake outlined SL’s ongoing economic transformation, highlighted investment opportunities and discussed the country’s development potential. He also emphasised the prospects for strengthening more..

June 14 (FT) Communist Party of S l(CPLS) in a statement yesterday condemned in the strongest terms the Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. On 13 June, the Zionist entity began a series of attacks targeting areas in the capital Tehran and other cities. Residential buildings were among the targets and women and children were among the victims. Among those martyred were leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps like Major General Hossein Salami, and more..

June 14 (CT) The recent 15 per cent increase in electricity tariffs will lead to a sharp rise in food prices across the country, warned National Consumer Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath during a media briefing held in Colombo yesterday (12). Sampath explained that the higher cost of electricity would directly affect both food production and distribution chains, resulting in increased prices of essential goods and placing additional strain on already struggling households. more..

June 14 (CT) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has ruled out that the fundamental rights of Mohamed Liyaudeen Mohamed Rusdi have been violated by his detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for pasting a sticker against Israel. HRCSL has also recommended the Public Security Ministry to pay Rusdi Rs. 200,000 for what he suffered with respect to his freedom to engage in a lawful occupation and collective responsibility of SL Police with regard to his detention. more..

June 15 (SO) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to Germany, the first to Europe since assuming office marks a turning point in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy narrative. This visit carries weighty political symbolism and tangible potential for economic, technological, and strategic transformation. It signals not just a deepening of Sri Lanka-Germany ties, but also a recalibration of how the country engages with Western powers under a Left-leaning administration. more..

June 15 (TM) A week from last Sunday, and planet Earth seems to be a very different place. Such is the fragility of the current world order, where war and disruption seem to be never too far away, while peace, which everyone including the warmongers pontificate about, is never guaranteed or assured. The morbid odour of death and destruction pervades large chunks of the planet and it is only a matter of time before those of us who have no inclination to be pawns in global power games more..

June 15 (TM) JVP-led NPP Govt of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is undoubtedly witnessing the intricacies – or in some instances, the difficulties – in governance, given the delays, stumbling blocks, and irregularities that continue to come to light. The delay in implementing an electricity tariff pegged to a pricing formula, which is part of the IMF programme, and the controversy over presidential pardons to prisoners are but more..

June 15 (CT) The past few days have marked a significant moment in SL’s international diplomacy and its relationship with the SL diaspora in Europe. With an invitation extended by the German President, SL’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath undertook a three-day official state visit to Germany that may well be remembered as a turning point in Sri Lanka’s foreign relations. This historic state visit included a series of high-level diplomatic more..

June 15 (ST) The health sector has come into public focus in recent weeks, not least due to the outbreak of chikungunya, an increased number of dengue and related mosquito-borne viral illnesses, a new variant of the dreaded COVID lurking around, hospitals partially non-functional, a shortage of doctors and a pharmaceutical issue bordering on a crisis. The Health Ministry seems immunised, if not anaesthetised, to all that’s happening. In the case of chikungunya, it’s an attempt at shutting more..

June 15 (ST) Friday (13) marked six months since Gampaha district MP Asoka Ranwala was forced to step down as Speaker of Parliament less than a month into his tenure amid questions over his educational qualifications, particularly his claim of having obtained a PhD from a Japanese university. When he resigned from the exalted seat on Dec 13 last year, Mr Ranwala said he was stepping down not to cause further inconvenience to the govt more..

June 15 (ST) My dear Anura sahodaraya, I thought of writing to you while you rub shoulders with the high and mighty in Germany. Reading newspaper headlines one day this week, I was amused. “Anura meets German President”, one said. “Ranil at CID”, said another headline. A few months ago, it could have been the other way around! The reason I am writing to you is all this hullabaloo about a presidential pardon. Opposition parties are saying that on Vesak day, you granted a pardon to more..

June 15 (CT) The case of the name of a wrong man getting included in the annual Vesak List for Presidential Pardon is getting more curious by the day. While the Opposition, especially SLPP’s Namal Rajapaksa, is painting the faux pas, if it was only as much, as borne out of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s inexperience, the Government seems keen on fixing the responsibility elsewhere. There is a broad hint that the said name was not on the Presidential notification, but more..

June 15 (Island) Glorious uncertainties define both cricket and power politics—where nothing is more certain than the unexpected. Explosive starts therein do not necessarily guarantee smooth sailing or easy victories; unforeseen trouble comes from unexpected quarters. Whoever would have thought that the people would ever rise against the SLPP govt elected by them with a two-thirds majority in 2020, and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former military officer, would head for the hills more..

June 15 (Island) On a wonderful morning in May in the year 1975, a group of around 140 young men and women entered the engineering faculty at the Katubedda Campus of the Uni of SL. Only around 12% of them were women, a statistic that has improved slightly to around 20% over the past 50 years! There appeared little to differentiate us from previous entrants to this campus. However, Dr L.H. Sumanadasa, who had previously been instrumental in setting up both the Institute of more..

June 15 (CT) In SL’s mist-veiled Central Highlands, the rhythmic rustle of nimble fingers plucking the famed two leaves and a bud is fading into the background —replaced by the mechanical buzz of harvesting machines. Once the proud domain of thousands of skilled women pluckers, the tea plantations are now undergoing a profound transformation. As SL’s tea estates grapple with an unprecedented labour crisis—caused by more..

June 15 (Island) Third edition of the World Test Championship kicks off in the sweltering south with Galle set to host the curtain-raiser as SL lock horns with Bangladesh on Tuesday. This time around, the Sri Lankans have the luxury of playing India and South Africa at home in addition to Bangladesh, while away tours to WI, NZ and Pakistan lie ahead. Its not a bad schedule at all. In the last cycle which came to a climax at Lords this week with Australia squaring off against South Africa in the final. more..

June 15 (TM) The Govt has no plans to reduce the current taxation on imported vehicles as it hopes to control the annual outflow of foreign exchange for the purpose of importing vehicles at $ 1,200 million for 2025 in order to ensure exchange stability, according to the Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways. Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena stated that the Govt had no plans of reducing the current taxation on vehicles. more..

June 15 (CI) At 12.45pm on a sunny Saturday at Lord's, South Africa secured the most significant moment in their cricket history with the World Test Championship title. It was not without nerves - how could it be? - but this time there was no agony at the end. Aiden Markram took them to the brink with an epic 136, an innings that will go down as the country's most important in Tests, before the winning runs were driven through the covers by Kyle Verreynne to spark the celebrations. more..

June 15 (Island) With a week to go for the Thailand Open Athletics Championship, Ambagamuwa Central athlete Ayomal Akalanka flexed his muscles with a new SL National Junior record time in the 400 metres hurdles at the Junior National Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Friday. One of the brightest prospects to emerge from the schools set up in recent years, Akalanka clocked 50.20 seconds to win the Under 20 400 metres hurdles. The athlete trained by veteran coach Anura Bandara more..

June 15 (TM) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday (14) ruled out any immediate impact of rising global fuel prices on local fuel prices. Oil prices had surged sharply on Friday (13) following escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, marking the largest single-day increase in over two years. US crude oil (WTI) jumped 7.26%, settling at $ 72.98 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 7% to $ 74.23 per barrel. more..

June 15 (EN) India will subsidize a ferry service from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka for another year to strengthen regional connectivity and people to people links. “It is aimed at ensuring the affordability and operational sustainability of the service by covering key logistical and operational costs, on terms similar to the previous year,” India’s HC in Colombo said. “It stands as a key milestone in revitalizing maritime connectivity between India and Sri Lanka.” more..

June 15 (AD) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment has announced that the Govt of SL is closely monitoring the evolving military situation between Israel and Iran. In a statement issued by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, it was emphasized that under the current circumstances, all Sri Lankans residing in or visiting the affected regions are strongly advised to maintain regular contact with nearest SL diplomatic mission. more..

June 15 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake said the NPP govt was formed with the united will of all the nation’s people, transcending ethnic and religious divides, with the paramount objective of making Sri Lanka a better state. He firmly stated that he would not allow the expectations placed upon the govt by the SL people to be shattered in any way. Prez made these remarks yesterday (13) afternoon during a meeting more..

June 15 (IANS) In a significant step towards enhancing military cooperation between India and SL, Lt General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the SL Army, is on a two-day official visit to the Sapta Shakti Command headquartered in Jaipur from June 12 to 13. Upon his arrival, Lt Gen Rodrigo was accorded a warm and ceremonial welcome by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Army Commander of the South Western Command. Visit underlined deep-rooted defence ties more..

June 15 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayaka’s first official visit to Germany, which took place from 11 to 13 June, successfully concluded with bilateral political meetings, a business roundtable, and an engagement with the German tourism industry. Prez Disanayaka undertook the visit at the invitation of the Prez of Germany, Frank- Walter Steinmeier, who welcomed him at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on 11 June, with a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. more..

June 15 (DM) SL peacebuilder Pushpi Weerakoon has made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to receive the prestigious Rotary Alumni Global Service Award, the highest honour bestowed by Rotary International upon an outstanding alumnus. In recognition of her decades-long work in conflict resolution, legal reform, and humanitarian service across SL and beyond, Pushpi has also been invited to address the Rotary Int'l Convention 2025, to be held from June 21–25 in Calgary, Canada. more..

June 15 (ST) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has set fit and proper criteria for all major stakeholders of the capital market industry, after suspending three stockbrokers over alleged violations of securities law, while bringing in a high-powered NASDAQ surveillance system, which will go live within a month. SC Securities CEO – Roshantha Fernando, First Capital CEO – Jaliya Wijeratne and Capital Alliance – Milanka Induruwage, Executive Vice President at more..

June 15 (EN) SL is planning to overhaul the country’s electricity pricing methodology, regulatory officials said after a clawback clause had undermined cost-reflective tariff and made it impossible to project prices within a reasonable range for businesses. SL’s regulator cut electricity prices by 20% in January, falling foul of an IMF requirement to match costs with prices as part of efforts to prevent a 2nd sovereign default. more..

June 15 (CT) Large quantities of plastic nurdles — the raw materials used in the production of plastic and polythene — have washed ashore along the southern coastal belt of Pungudutivu, Kurikattuwan, Nainativu, and Neduntivu in the Jaffna District, sparking concern among environmental experts and local authorities. While speculation suggests that the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has collected some of the materials for laboratory testing, marine specialists remain uncertain more..

June 15 (AD) A charred body, identified as that of a police officer, was discovered inside a three-wheeler on the Kochchikade Kammal Thotupola seashore in Negombo this morning (14), police said. The deceased has been identified as 56-year-old Police Sergeant Driver Jayantha Pushpakumara of the Negombo Divisional CIU. He was a resident of the Dalupatha area in Negombo. According to police, the incident was witnessed by local residents earlier this morning, who promptly alerted Kochchikade more..

June 15 (Island) IPD Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. has partnered with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) to launch the first-ever IPD Power Systems Laboratory at the SLIIT Malabe campus. The facility, inaugurated following the signing of a MoU officially opened recently providing cutting-edge training and hands-on experience in switchgear and power systems to hundreds of Electrical Engineering undergraduates. Registered under Colombo Port City project, more..

June 15 (DM) SL’s economic growth is forecast to decelerate to 3.5% this year, reflecting the scarring effects of the crisis, structural impediments to growth, and heightened global economic uncertainties, according to the World Bank. Economic growth is expected to drop further in 2026 and 2027 to 3.1%. World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report states that, after unexpectedly weak growth of 6% in 2024, activity in South Asia is decelerating amid rising global more..