June 24 (NW) The govt has decided to upgrade the Colombo Central Bus Stand within the next year, in line with its Clean Sri Lanka national programme. In line with the same initiative, 50 major bus stands nationwide are scheduled for renovation, with assistance from the SL Air Force. The renovation of the Colombo Central Bus Stand will include the refurbishment of key facilities such as the canteen, rest area, ticket counters, administrative unit, operations room and driver quarters. more..

June 24 (DM) Nearly 1,500 tons of solid waste, four tons of plastic PET bottles, and 50 kilograms of plastic garlands were collected at the end of last year’s Kataragama Esala Perahera season, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said. The amount of plastic waste collected last year marked a significant reduction compared to previous years a positive outcome of ongoing awareness campaigns and waste management programs. Each year, nearly 1.5 million devotees visit Kataragama more..

June 24 (DM) The Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of Chairpersons of four State Institutions including the Employees' Trust Fund Board (ETF). The approval was granted during the Committee’s meeting held recently, chaired by the PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Accordingly, the appointments of Somasiri Ekanayake as the Chairman of the Employees' Trust Fund Board (ETF), B.A.P.K.R. Bamunu Arachchi as the Chairman of the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation, more..

June 24 (AD) The NPP has so far succeeded in securing power in 200 local govt bodies across the country. NPP secured outright victories in 151 local govt bodies based on the results of the 2025 LG election. Meanwhile, today, the NPP secured power in the Balangoda Urban Council and the Thanamalwila Pradeshiya Sabha which has increased the number of LG bodies secured through votes to 49. Furthermore, with the addition of the Gampola Urban Council and the Bentota Pradeshiya Sabha, more..

June 24 (DM) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an update on the current status of SL nationals in Iran, Israel, and several neighbouring countries, as evacuation and repatriation efforts continue amid ongoing regional tensions. In Iran, SL Embassy in Tehran reported that 41 Sri Lankans have been accounted for, including nine who have already departed. On 24 June, three individuals—two students and another national—departed from Mashhad Airport to New Delhi more..

June 24 (AP) NATO leaders were gathering in the Netherlands on Tuesday for the start of a historic two-day summit that could unite the world’s biggest security organization around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions among the 32 allies. The allies are likely to endorse a goal of spending 5% of their gross domestic product on their security, to be able to fulfil the alliance’s plans for defending against outside attack. Still, Spain has said it cannot, and that the target is unreasonable. more..

June 24 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has left for Canada early this morning (24). Prime Minister Amarasuriya who is the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education departed for Canada to participate in the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors as the representative of the South Asian region, the Office of the Prime Minister said. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors will be held from June 24 to 26 in Vancouver, Canada. more..

June 25 (CT) DCS has recently announced that a Sri Lankan requires Rs 16,342 per month to meet basic living standards as of April 2025. In Colombo, the figure stands at Rs 17,625, the highest in the country, while Moneragala records the lowest at Rs 15,626. These numbers, while methodically calculated, raise more questions than they answer. The issue is not with their arithmetic precision, but with the assumptions they quietly carry and the complacency they risk encouraging. more..

June 25 (DM) After bombing the deep underground nuclear facilities of Fordow and then loudly musing over the regime change of Iran, America’s Prez Donald Trump on Tuesday mediated a pre-dawn ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The ceasefire seemed to save the Ayatollahs of Iran what they most valued: A tyrannical clerical regime of which offensive capabilities have seriously degraded, but not its suffocating hold over the Iranian people. However, Trump also helped avert more..

June 25 (CT) When the Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed in SL in 2016, it was widely hailed as a transformative legal milestone. Designed to empower citizens, enhance transparency, and provide oversight over Govt actions, it was viewed as a potent democratic tool in a country long plagued by secrecy, corruption, and unaccountable governance. Nearly a decade on, the RTI framework finds itself in a precarious more..

June 25 (DM) A few days ago, on the 22nd of this month, Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya addressed a discussion held with the Task Force appointed by the Cabinet to oversee Digital Education Transformation, emphasising that digital education systems should be introduced nationwide, ensuring fair distribution of human and physical resources across all schools. The premier’s goal is applaudable, and everyone in this country will wish her well. more..

June 25 (Island) The world must have heaved a huge sigh of relief on hearing that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. An uneasy truce between two belligerent nations, after nearly two weeks of intense fighting, resembles the clinch of two exhausted boxers—noses blooded, teeth broken and jaws shifted. Explosions were ringing out in Iran at the time of writing, despite the ceasefire, with US Prez Donald Trump asking Israel to stop attacks. One can only hope that such incidents more..

June 25 (CT) The spotlight this week has been firmly fixed on former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his family. Generating major headlines, several family members were seen in and out of remand prison in connection with a series of legal battles. Here is a summary of the high-profile cases the Rambukwella family is currently facing. A govt-procured shipment of life-saving human immunoglobulin, purchased with State funds, more..

June 25 (FT) A nationwide blackout in February this year sent shockwaves across SL. While the initial outage itself was infamously attributed to wildlife coming into contact with critical systems, CEB also attributed the subsequent difficulties in restoring power to the island in part, to the rapid growth of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. In response, Power and Energy Ministry formed a committee to explore solutions, including curtailing solar generation and reducing the feed-in more..

June 25 (ST) With the nuclear sword overhead arrayed, the world watches helpless as the ongoing war between Israel and Iran rapidly escalates to fever pitch. Israel’s deadly attack on Teheran came on Friday the 13th night. The opening hours of the theatre of war saw a series of targeted assassinations. The attacks were focused on crippling Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which Israelis claimed stood on the threshold of reaching fruition. Apart from killing some of Iran’s top military more..

June 25 (GV) SL’s fisheries industry sustains the livelihoods of over two million people and provides a substantial contribution to the country’s GDP. Fifty percent of Sri Lankans consider fish to be their main or sole source of protein given its affordability and accessibility. Despite these significant statistics, livelihoods of fishing communities are under imminent threat owing to a longstanding series of issues. The Vanishing Catch is a documentary about the plight of the fishermen more..

June 25 (Island) A military funeral was held on the evening of June 15, 2025, at the new crematorium of the General Cemetery, Borella, to bid farewell to the late General Hamilton Wanasinghe (retd.) VSV USP ndc. Wanasinghe passed away at the Military Hospital, Narahenpita, on June 13. The eleventh commander of Sri Lanka Army (SLA), Wanasinghe was 91 at the time of his demise. Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne did a piece on the late General, titled A legendary military leader of our time more..

June 25 (FT) Three leading global donors have expressed concerns over some of the amendments to the Electricity Act urging the Govt reconsider the move to ensure alignment with good governance, competitive procurement, regulatory independence, and financial sustainability. In a strong stand the World Bank and IFC Country Manager Gevorg Sargsyan, ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono and JICA Chief more..

June 25 (FT) In conjunction with Sri Lanka’s participation at the Middle East Rubber & Tyre Expo 2025, the Sri Lanka Business Council UAE (SLBC) hosted a high-profile Networking Dinner at the Pullman Hotel, Deira City Centre, Dubai, to welcome and support the visiting delegation of Sri Lankan rubber product exporters. The event was designed to provide exhibitors with a platform to connect with potential business partners, distributors, and regional stakeholders. It was well attended by more..

June 25 (FT) SL food and beverages exporters took part in THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2025, the leading food and beverage trade show in Asia, which was successfully held in May in Bangkok. SL EDB in collaboration with the Embassy of SL in Thailand organised the SL Country Pavilion at THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2025 to showcase the food and beverage products of four SL manufacturers, including three SMEs, aiming at potential buyers and distributors in Southeast Asia. more..

June 25 (Island) Vicknaraj Vakshan, Rusiru Chathuranga and Nimali Liyanarachchi increased SL’s medal count to six golds as they won their respective disciplines at the Thailand Open Athletics Championship on Tuesday. SL’s campaign ended yesterday with six golds, four silvers and a bronze. Vakshan finished the men’s 5,000 metres in a time of 15:04.56 seconds to win gold nearly 15 seconds ahead of Anucha Pada who clinched silver. It was Vakshan’s second medal following the silver more..

June 25 (TM) A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition was filed last week in the Supreme Court (SC) by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) ex-Vice President K. Mathivanan, against SLC President Shammi Silva and its Executive Committee. The petition has challenged the election of office bearers to the game’s domestic governing body held in late March this year. He stated that the FR petition filed on his behalf by former head of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) Saliya Peiris is to be heard tomorrow. more..

June 25 (Island) SL have handed the Test cap to Sonal Dinusha, a 24-year-old left-hander with a golden arm, as they scramble to fill the sizeable void left by the retired Angelo Mathews. 2nd Test against Bangladesh starts today at the SSC. Selectors had their task cut out, weighing the credentials of domestic run-machines Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pawan Rathnayake. But Dinusha’s dual skill set – solid middle-order more..

June 25 (DN) Sri Lanka proudly showed its strength not only on the court but also as an excellent host nation by successfully organising the Billie Jean King Cup – Asia/Oceania Group III, Event A, at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts in Colombo last week. The well-planned and smoothly run tournament ended in glory for the home team, as Sri Lanka’s women’s tennis team earned promotion to Group II with a brilliant performance. The 7-nation int'l event began on Monday, June 17, 2025, more..

June 25 (FT) Renewable energy firm Resus Energy PLC is set to make history with the launch of SL’s first-ever Green Bond issued by a local energy company. The Rs. 1 billion issue, scheduled to open today is aimed at financing new solar projects and refinancing existing debt-underscoring a strategic push toward a greener and more resilient energy future. This also marks the first Green Bond issuance by a non-banking and finance company in Sri Lanka, creating a new precedent for more..

June 25 (FT) SL's tea exports in volumes and values have increased in May, resulting in a solid growth during the first five months, despite the ongoing geopolitical volatility and economic uncertainty. As the global tea trade continues to navigate in ambiguity, SL’s tea industry appears to be holding steady with total export volumes in May reaching 21.87 million kilos, marking a YoY increase of 2.42 million kilos compared to more..

June 25 (DM) All SriLankan Airlines aircraft that were earlier diverted to alternate airports have now returned to the BIA and resumed flight operations, Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) Chairman Sunil Jayaratne said. He confirmed that both arriving and departing flights at BIA had returned to normal by 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the BIA Operations Committee, Mrs. Roshani Masakorala, said that about 80% of flight operations at BIA are now functioning as usual. more..

June 25 (CI) Sri Lanka might be facing an 11-month Test hiatus after the second match against Bangladesh, but that won't stop Dhananjaya de Silva from putting his mark on this team. This is the first World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for which Dhananjaya has the reins from the outset, and he's doubling down on some of his strategies. Through the last two years, he's been insistent that Sri Lanka have to blood seamers at home, so they are prepared for overseas assignments. more..

June 25 (DN) Actor Megha Sooriyaarachchi and actress Dinakshie Priyasad were adjudged the most popular actor and actress at the 36th edition of the Calin Sarasaviya Film Awards 2025 held with pomp and pageantry at the BMICH yesterday evening under the patronage of Ministers Nalinda Jayathissa, Sunil Senevi and Harshana Nanayakkara. They received their awards from Dinamina Editor Pradeep Dassanayake and Calin Brand Manager Anushi Jayasekera. National Film Corporation more..

June 25 (TM) The long-running impact of the Israel-Iran conflict may be seen in the Sri Lankan economy in a month’s time, Deputy Minister R. M. Jayawardena said. “The way things are going, we can see the impact of this conflict affecting us in a month’s time. We do not know how significant the impact might be on Sri Lanka as of yet - but we have identified this as cause for concern,” Jayawardena said, referring to the continued exchange of air strikes in the two Middle-East nations. more..

June 25 (TM) Around 2,000 to 3,000 investigations have been launched into Police officers since the NPP Govt came to power, over alleged misconduct including links to the drug trade and organised crime, according to the Minister Ananda Wijepala. He said that the Govt has taken all necessary steps to act against officers involved in various forms of misconduct. “We take action against any Police officer who engages in drug- or more..

June 25 (CI) After a draw in the first Test in Galle, the action moves to Colombo with more World Test Championship (WTC) points on the line for a Test arguably more important for SL than Bangladesh. As their remaining two home series in this cycle are against India and South Africa, two Tests without a win against a lower-ranked Bangladesh might leave the hosts feeling like they left points on the table. As for the visitors, they were the closer of the two sides to getting a positive result in Galle, more..

June 25 (DN) Lack of consistent policy framework and frequent changes in energy policies especially in the field of renewable energy sector in the country, discourage long-term investments in the country’s renewable energy sector, a spokesman of Renewable Energy Developers Association (REDA) said. Besides, the lengthy approval processes for renewable energy projects is also a great hindrance for new investments. Also inefficient implementation of policies such as Soorya Bala Sangramaya more..

June 25 (FT) The Govt is set to consolidate its fragmented tourism governance structure through the creation of a powerful National Tourism Council, with policy paper already submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers approval last week. “The proposal has been forwarded to the Cabinet office. With approval, we can start and until such time, the new Presidential Unit will carry out the Council’s functions,” Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe told the Daily FT. more..

June 25 (DM) Rising global oil prices, a stronger US dollar, and widening geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are fuelling inflationary pressure and currency depreciation in SL, First Capital Research said in a fresh analysis this week. “Israel–Iran conflict is pushing up global oil prices and strengthening the U.S. dollar, which directly raises SL’s fuel import bill and weakens the rupee,” the report said. It noted that local fuel, transport and food costs are rising as a result, more..