June 20 (DN) Sri Lanka’s women’s tennis team powered their way into the final of the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup by Gainbridge Asia-Oceania Group III ‘A’, brushing aside Nepal 3-0 in their Group match played on the clay courts of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association in Colombo yesterday. The home team was in fine form, with Akeesha Silva leading the charge in the opening singles. The 19-year-old fought off a spirited challenge from Nepal’s Shivali Gurung, winning a tight contest 7-6, 7-6. more..

June 20 (Island) The military funeral of General Hamilton Wanasinghe was held at Borella last Saturday. A legendary military leader of our time, he served Sri Lanka for more than 41 years (1954-1995) in various capacities such as the Commander of the Army, Commander Joint Operations Command (presently known as Chief of Defence Staff) and Secretary of Defence. More than 1,700 troops lined up at Bauddhaloka Mawatha by 1630 hrs, representing the Army, Navy & Air Force, more..

June 20 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya yesterday called for a culture of innovation that is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable to transform SL to achieve higher socio-economic growth amidst global challenges. Noting that SL hitherto hadn’t prioritised innovation – hence the country’s laggardness vis-à-vis some of the Asian peers, PM said that the new Govt was committed to setting policy direction, partnering effectively with more..

June 20 (FT) EY successfully hosted the 10th EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women (EWW) Asia-Pacific Conference. The event took place from 20 to 22 May, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Held annually, the program identifies and supports high-potential women entrepreneurs across the region – empowering them to scale and expand globally and become the inspiration for future generations. This year’s cohort of 24 exceptional women-leaders collectively generated over $ 1.2 b in revenue more..

June 20 (ST) The annual RCYC-Trinco Blu Sailing Regatta, conducted by the Royal Colombo Yacht Club, at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, concluded during the weekend with fierce gusts, tense moments and world class sailing off the eastern coast. Held under brilliant blue skies and sunshine, the island’s flagship sailing event saw 43 boats and almost 60 sailors battle steady winds between 15 to 17 knots, with gusts reaching up to 20 knots, in an exhausting day of intense combat. more..

June 20 (FT) Sunshine Consumer Lanka, the market leader in SL’s branded tea category and a growing player in confectionery, was honoured by the SL Institute of Marketing (SLIM) as Best Marketing Company of the Year – SL, earning the opportunity to represent the nation at the prestigious Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) Awards 2025, held in China in May 2025. This national-level recognition was granted following a competitive evaluation by SLIM, reflecting Sunshine Consumer’s more..

June 20 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the SL Consulate General in United Arab Emirates (UAE) organised a country pavilion at Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo 2025 in Sharjah, UAE with the participation of 10 SME companies in the Rubber Product sector under the National Export Brand Your Vital Island to promote SL Rubber Products in the Middle Eastern Region. The exhibition was held from 17-19 June, at Sharjah Expo Centre in Sharjah, UAE. more..

June 20 (CI) Roughly 70 overs into a scorching third day against Bangladesh in Galle, Pathum Nissanka smokes Bangladesh's fastest bowler through the covers, flicks him past the keeper next ball, and soon speeds from the 150s into the 160s. He had faced a little over 200 deliveries by this stage, but even this far into a long day, Bangladesh's bowlers are finding there is still so little room for error with this guy. more..

June 20 (DN) “I always get a good wicket in Galle,” said Bangladesh’s experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim after his superb 163 which laid a solid foundation for a strong first innings. He also shared a record fourth-wicket partnership of 264 with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto — Bangladesh’s highest against SL. The 38-year-old right-hander has now crossed the 150-run mark on four occasions in his Test career. It was Mushfiqur’s 12th Test century and his first in 14 innings since Aug last year. more..

June 20 (Island) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) paid a glowing tribute to the outgoing Secretary to the Finance Ministry, Mahinda Siriwardena, on Wednesday. He ensured that Siriwardena would end his crucial innings in the Treasury on a high note, and commended the latter for having helped steer the country’s battered economy to safety. Siriwardena praised President Dissanayake for having provided political leadership for the ongoing economic recovery efforts. more..

June 20 (FT) Govt is reviewing the possible reintroduction of minimum wage policy for SL migrant workers, particularly in light of growing concerns over worker protection and wage disparities in Middle Eastern countries. Minister Vijitha Herath recently addressed critical issues surrounding the welfare and wages of SL migrant workers in the Middle East, where over 1.3 million Sri Lankans are currently employed. more..

June 20 (FT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) this week outlined a renewed vision for financial sector compliance, urging institutions to move beyond checkbox regulation and embrace compliance as a cornerstone of ethical leadership, institutional resilience, and public trust. Speaking at the Compliance Forum of the Finance Houses Association of SL (FHA), CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe highlighted the growing complexity of financial operations. more..

June 20 (Island) SL will field seven cueists including champions Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju when the country hosts the Asian 6 Red and Team Snooker Championship 2025 at the Moors Sports Club billiards table in Colombo from June 22. The seven-day championship is hosted by Billiard and Snooker Association of SL (BSASL) under the auspices of the Asian Confederations of Billiard Sports (ACBS). Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju are joined by Mohamed Rikaz, more..

June 20 (Island) SL explorer, photographer, and author Senaka Kotagama unveils his debut book, The World of the Black Leopard, at its highly anticipated launch in Colombo. This self-published masterpiece, born from over five decades of global exploration—from SL’s misty tea highlands to Kenya’s rugged Laikipia plateau—chronicles Senaka’s groundbreaking discovery of Giza (Black Beauty in Swahili), a rare melanistic leopard. In 2023, Senaka became the first Sri Lankan more..

June 20 (TM) The establishment of the new Beruwala UC, which was scheduled to commence yesterday, has been temporarily halted, according to a group of Councilors of the SJB. Although arrangements had been made to hold the inaugural meeting of the Council yesterday under the supervision of the Western Provincial Commissioner of LG, four out of the six Councilors elected to the Beruwala UC from the SJB had not received the official letter notifying them of the meeting. more..

June 20 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is to hold a special public consultation next month (July) to discuss several decisions made by the Ministry of Energy and the CEB concerning the renewable energy sector, including the controversial directive issued by the CEB to disconnect solar power systems during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. PUCSL Director Jayanat Herat said: more..

June 20 (DN) Rushalee Dissanayake of Musaeus College delivered a stunning performance on the third day of the 50th SL Schools All Island Age Group Aquatic C'ship, breaking a 44-year-old record in the Girls Under-16 400m Freestyle heats at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool in Colombo yesterday. Dissanayake, who clocked 4:55.68 with a lead of 22 seconds over the second place swimmer, erased the long-standing mark of 4 minutes 58.10 seconds, set by Udeshika Biyanwila of Bishop’s in 1981. more..

June 20 (FT) In a continued effort to enhance passenger service levels and foster a culture of collaboration, the Chairman, along with the senior management team of Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd., (AASL) recently convened a strategic meeting with the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR). The session was attended by the country managers of leading airlines operating in SL, and during the discussion, airline country managers shared their network growth plans, outlining more..

June 20 (DN) Since the procurement process has been completed and the agreements have been signed until December and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) maintains sufficient oil stocks for the next two and a half months, there will be no shortage of petroleum oil. Energy Kumara Jayakody said that the supply of crude oil required for the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has been confirmed until December. Therefore, there is no possibility of an oil crisis or shortage in the near future. more..

June 20 (CT) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, yesterday, criticised the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), describing it as a mere reality show that lacks the authority to take meaningful decisions. Rajapaksa stated that most media coverage of parliamentary proceedings revolves around COPE sessions, not because of their effectiveness, but due to their theatrics. He emphasised that this was not unique to the current Govt, but has been the nature of COPE more..

June 20 (DM) Listed companies posted 57.4% year-on-year increase in earnings for the March 2025 quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth. This is as banking and consumer-led sectors outperformed on the back of lower finance costs and improved operating conditions. Sharp recovery in corporate profitability was driven by a boost in net interest income within the banking sector, alongside reduced more..

June 20 (FT) Chamithri Rambukwella, one of the daughters of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was granted bail earlier yesterday, was remanded after failing to meet the Court imposed bail conditions. The CIABOC arrested two daughters of Keheliya—Chamithri and Amali, and her husband, Isuru Polgasdeniya, in connection with an investigation into allegations of money laundering. They are implicated in the investigation into undeclared assets worth over Rs. 134 m more..

June 20 (DM) New Zealand has added Sri Lanka and eight other countries to its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), making it easier for skilled Sri Lankans to apply for work and residence visas, according to the NZ Immigration. The revised list, effective from June 23, 2025, eliminates the need for an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for eligible qualifications, streamlining key visa pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category and Green List roles. more..

June 20 (DM) Sri Lankans consume medicines at above-normal levels, with the health sector procuring pharmaceuticals under 863 generic categories - two-thirds imported and the rest locally manufactured - a volume that could be nearly halved through proper therapeutic guidelines, resulting in significant cost savings, Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said. Health Ministry had given mind to develop guidelines to be followed by more..

June 20 (FT) Shanmuganathan Sivashankar alias Pottu Ammaan, the former intelligence chief of the LTTE is a keen topic of discussion these days within a Europe based segment of the SL Tamil diaspora. Although the much feared head of the Tiger intelligence division died during the final phase of the war in May 2009, there is a clique of ex-LTTE members based in Europe spreading fake news that Pottu Ammaan is yet alive and that he would emerge soon and revive the LTTE more..

June 20 (FT) SL’s natural heritage continues to reflect the importance of responsible environmental stewardship, and one such treasure, the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, is now the focus of a significant national initiative. Recognising both the ecological and recreational value of this remarkable site, the Institute of Environmental Professionals SL (IEPSL) is launching a comprehensive biodiversity and recreational value assessment, in collaboration with more..

June 20 (EN) Sri Lanka has engaged a head hunting firm to find independent directors for state-owned banks, the Finance Ministry said, following a cabinet decision. “This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of the Boards and increase the representation of independent directors, thereby enhancing governance and oversight within these institutions,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement. KPMG Executive Search has been hired to find the directors. more..

June 20 (DM) SL Police announced that a programme to remove unauthorized equipment and illegal modifications from vehicles will be reintroduced starting July 1. According to DIG of Traffic Control and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda, the operation would target modifications such as high-intensity headlights, loudspeakers, and metal poles, which are often added without proper authorization. DIG noted that these alterations pose serious dangers to road users, more..

June 20 (PMD) Board of Investment (BOI) of SL has successfully increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by US$96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024. This was disclosed today during a progress review meeting of the BOI, chaired by Prez. BOI officials also noted that, relative to the first quarter of 2024, domestic investment rose by US$21 million, while export income increased by US$176 m more..

June 20 (DM) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has criticised the NPP for allegedly assisting the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) to gain control of the Vakarai Pradeshiya Sabha. The TMVP, led by former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, is a controversial political group, with its leader currently in remand custody over the 2006 abduction and disappearance of a university vice chancellor in the Eastern Province. more..

June 20 (AD) Chamithri Jayanika Rambukwella, daughter of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was previously remanded after failing to meet bail conditions, was released on bail today (June 20) after fulfilling the stipulated requirements. She had earlier been granted bail following her arrest under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. However, had been placed in remand custody owing to failure to fulfil the bail conditions. more..

June 20 (AD) The Secretary General of Parliament has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission in writing that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament due to the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. Dr. Suriyapperuma, a National List MP representing the NPP and the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, has submitted his letter of resignation to Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Rohanadeera. more..

June 20 (EN) The World Bank Group will be partnering with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to provide technical assistance on designing a strategic action plan for the national policy on child day care centers to support the national efforts on child care, the multilateral lender said. The move will be supported by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services (FIAS) program. more..

June 20 (AD) SL Customs has announced that it has earned a revenue of around Rs. 165 billion from vehicle imports alone so far this year, following the government’s decision to lift the ban on automobile imports. Additional Director General of Customs, Seevali Arukgoda, stated that Customs is on track to surpass its revenue target for 2025. “The revenue target allocated to SL Customs for 2025 is Rs. 2,115 billion. In 2024, our target was Rs. 1,533 bil, which we exceeded by generating Rs. 1,535 bil. more..

June 20 (CT) US State Department has announced that all applicants for student and exchange visitor visas under the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories must set their social media profiles to public as part of a more comprehensive vetting process. “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” State Department said, emphasising that a US visa is a privilege, not a right. The Department noted that it will use all available information —including online presence — to screen applicants more..