June 3 (FT) St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, a revered national heritage site, is often called a shrine of peace for uniting Sri Lanka’s beloved multiethnic and multireligious communities. Known as a sacred place of prayer and miracles, it draws pilgrims from around the world who come to ‘pray for the lost and the found’ and personal intentions, making it a lasting symbol of healing and devotion. Catholicism in Sri Lanka began with the Portuguese arrival in 1505. more..

June 3 (ST) Motor Traffic Dept (MTD) is facing operational disruptions due to the breakdown of its outdated motor vehicle registration and transfer system. The decades-old software, implemented in 1996 by local IT Company Informatics, has increasingly failed under mounting data loads and frequent data entry errors, causing delays and inefficiencies that are frustrating vehicle buyers and dealers alike. System reportedly crashed again last week, halting MTD operations for over 24 hrs. more..

June 3 (DM) Health authorities in Sri Lanka have ramped up monitoring efforts following the detection of two new Omicron subvariants — LF.7 and XFG — within the country. A reliable source told Daily Mirror that though there is currently no surge in COVID-19 cases, the government is considering stepped-up surveillance at international airports and harbours. This follows the recent detection of the two new Omicron subvariants in the country. more..

June 3 (ST) The 32nd Gratiaen Prize for the best work of creative writing in English by a Sri Lankan was awarded to Savin Edirisinghe for his collection of short stories—Kata Katha: Gossip, Rumours, and Idle Talk. One of the youngest winners ever, Savin, 25, is from Imaduwa, Galle, and in a peppy acceptance speech thanked his parents for encouraging him to learn English. Educated at Sussex College and Mahinda College, Galle, Savin’s collection was commended for being witty, more..

June 3 (FT) SL-China Business Co-operation Council (SLCBCC), the pioneering bilateral business council, has announced the official re-launch of the SLCBCC Business Star Awards 2025. The launch event was held on 30 May at the Galadari Hotel, marking the revival of this prestigious awards ceremony after a lapse since 2018. Themed Forging New Frontiers: Celebrating Excellence in SL-China Partnership, the Business Star Awards 2025 is set to recognise and honour outstanding more..

June 3 (PMD) A seabed clean-up operation was officially launched this morning (2) in the Pigeon Island area off the coast of Trincomalee. Initiative aims to enhance marine safety and promote a healthier ocean environment by removing debris and pollutants from the seabed. The programme focused on removing the invasive Crown-of-Thorns starfish, which poses a significant threat to coral ecosystems, as well as harmful marine debris such as abandoned fishing nets that endanger marine life and more..

June 3 (DM) Homicide and Organised Crime Investigation Division of the CID has released facial images of suspects linked to a serious crime in the Southern Province and is seeking public assistance to arrest them. The images were generated using AI technology, based on visual data of the perpetrators captured during the incident, with support from the Crimes Record Division. CID urges anyone with information about the suspects to contact ASP of Homicide & Organised Crime Investigation Div more..

June 3 (TM) A group of students has filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition before the Supreme Court (SC), challenging the recent decision to exclude local students who sat for their GCE A/L or equivalent exams in Sri Lanka from applying to the MBBS degree programme at the Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU). In the petition, the petitioners — all SL citizens who either applied or were planning to apply for the 2025/2026 MBBS intake — more..

June 3 (DN) Two schoolgirls drowned after falling into a temple pond in Kumulamunai, located in the Mullaitivu District. The incident took place on June 1 near the Kottukkinattu Pillaiyar Temple, within the jurisdiction of the Mullaitivu Police Division. The victims were among three students who visited the pond. All three were Grade 10 students of Mulliavalai Vidyananda College. The three students had visited the temple pond, and while spending time near the water, two of the girls entered the pond more..

June 3 (FT) Australian Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles will travel to South and Southeast Asia from 2 to 5 June for high-level meetings. Deputy PM will meet leaders and counterparts in Maldives, SL, India & Indonesia as part of the Govt’s commitment to deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. During his visit to Maldives & SL, Deputy PM will discuss ongoing Australian support for both nations’ sovereign capability development. more..

June 3 (TM) Both the Government led by the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) and the Opposition led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) continue to stake their claim to the post of the Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The NPP, which has the highest number of councillors in the CMC and the SJB which has the second most number of councillors in the CMC continue to claim that they have the required numbers to establish power and appoint the new Mayor. more..

June 3 (CT) PHU has lodged a formal complaint with the CIABOC against Minister Bimal Rathnayake, alleging that he acted unlawfully by allegedly instructing the release of 323 containers reportedly with red labels from the port without undergoing mandatory customs inspection. Complaint, dated 2 June, was handed over by PHU Cultural Secretary Shirantha Jayalath, accompanied by several Colombo District organisers of the party. Letter was addressed to Director General of CIABOC. more..

June 3 (FT) The Govt yesterday kicked off the National Tax Week, aimed at strengthening compliance and broadening the base, with Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake assuring that a new political culture has been created to ensure taxpayers’ money is not wasted or misused. The launch of Badu Shakthi – National Tax Week is under the theme Your Tax – Your Future. In his address at the launch, Prez assured that more..

June 3 (NW) North Central Provincial Council has firmly denied allegations made by Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara regarding the sale of state vehicles, stating that his claims are false and defamatory. Council officials said the vehicles were disposed of through a proper tender process, not a secretive auction as alleged. They asserted that the BMW in question was sold for Rs. 21.8 million more than its government-assessed value, and that the full tender process brought in Rs. 123 million more..

June 3 (DM) SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera alleged that the govt suffered a loss exceeding Rs. 200 million from the recent sale of vehicles belonging to the North Central Provincial Council (NCP). He said that the govt earned only Rs. 28 million from the sale of 12 vehicles, which included a BMW and several Toyota Prado SUVs. “A BMW alone is valued at Rs. 35 million, while a Prado is worth Rs. 20.5 million on the market. The total value of the fleet could have been around Rs. 310 million more..

June 3 (CT) Deputy Minister of Health Dr Hansaka Wijemuni dismissed recent public concerns surrounding the current stock of human immunoglobulin, stating that the controversy is misleading and that the batch in question has no connection to the substandard immunoglobulin scandal that led to the indictment of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Dr Wijemuni emphasised that the public had been misled into believing more..

June 3 (FT) In the past two months alone, nearly Rs. 600 million worth of illicit cigarettes were detected at entry points, highlighting a surge in cigarettes smuggled into the country. According to media and research reports, over one billion foreign cigarettes are believed to reach Sri Lankan shores annually, and this year that number is touted to grow. The resultant loss to the Govt is estimated to be over Rs. 100 billion. SL is a hotspot for cigarette smuggling due to its high price point, more..

June 3 (EN) SL has reaffirmed the country’s support for Palestinian statehood and expressed its concern about the situation in Gaza at a meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador. Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijita Herath reaffirmed SL’s unwavering support for the right of the Palestinian people to statehood in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions, a ministry statement said. Ambassador of Palestine to SL Ihab Khalil called on Herath at the ministry more..

June 3 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval for the establishment of a Metro Bus Unit for urban transportation. It has been proposed in the national budget to introduce a fleet of comfortable and high-tech buses as a pilot project for the modernisation of public transport services. Under this project, it is planned to deploy 100 comfortable, low-entry buses for passenger transport along several major road corridors, including Colombo, Makumbura (Kottawa), Kaduwela, Kadawatha, and Moratuwa. more..

June 3 (FT) I am writing in response to Group interests that overrode a child’s safety: Case of Amshika suicide by Dr. Sujata Gamage, published in the Daily FT. Dr. Gamage raises important points, and I agree that what happened to Amshika must prompt not just outrage, but a reckoning with the systems that allow such tragedies, because her case is not an isolated tragedy. Across the island there are countless instances of violence against children in homes, institutions, and schools. more..

June 3 (EN) Maintaining good health practices is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in SL, a public official said, adding that seasonal increases in respiratory illnesses have been observed. “It is important to maintain good respiratory etiquette and general health practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections, such as influenza,” Ministry of Health Secy Dr Anil Jasinghe said. more..

June 3 (NF) Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuwida today ordered that further hearings in the corruption case against former Minister of Trade Johnston Fernando and two others be postponed to Oct 1. The case, filed by the CIABOC, alleges that during his tenure as Trade Minister in 2014, Fernando misused employees of the state-owned Sathosa (CWE) by deploying them for political activities, thereby causing financial losses to the govt. When the case was called today, more..

June 3 (AD) No discussion has taken place to replace Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya from the position, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated. Minister Dr. Jayatissa also dismissed reports pertaining to a purported move to reshuffle the current Cabinet. The Minister said no decision or discussion has taken place regarding a Cabinet reshuffle as claimed by certain factions. He said such claims are being circulated by factions with vested interests. more..

June 3 (FT) Tourist arrivals in off-season May recorded the highest-ever arrivals for the month, though performance was the lowest monthly footfall for 2025 so far. As per the latest data, 132,919 tourists arrived in May, reflecting a 19% year-on-year (YoY) growth. However, this fell short of the month’s target of 165,118 by 20% or 32,199 visitors. The previous highest was in 2018 May, which saw 129,466 arrivals. more..

June 3 (Island) SL’s Test squad is set for a shake-up as the national selectors prepare to plug the gaps left by the recent exits of two stalwarts — Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews. Into the spotlight step Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Tharindu Ratnayake, both named in a Test squad for the first time ahead of the two-match series against Bangladesh starting later this month in Galle. Karunaratne called time on his illustrious career following the Australia series in February, more..

June 3 (AD) A man has allegedly murdered and beheaded his pregnant wife before later surrendering to the police with the served head and murder weapon this morning in the Puliyankulama area of Vavuniya. The suspect surrendered to the Puliyankulama Police Station, carrying both the murder weapon, a knife, and the severed head of his wife. Accordingly, the police arrested the suspect immediately and later found the woman’s body in a nearby wooded area. more..

June 3 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Navarathne Marasinghe yesterday (2) ordered the closure of legal proceedings against Nanda Kumar Shivanandan, a remand prisoner at Boossa Prison, following his death while in custody. Shivanandan had been accused of possessing narcotics shortly after appearing before the High Court in connection with another case. According to prison officials, he died after collapsing inside the prison, and a report was submitted to the court confirming this. more..

June 3 (NW) A surprise inspection conducted by the Chief Motor Vehicle Examiner of Nuwara Eliya District at the Hatton bus stand has led to the temporary removal of 34 short-distance buses found unfit for service. The inspection, led by Chief Examiner Jaliya Bandara targeted both SLTB and private buses operating short-distance routes. Of the 45 buses inspected, 15 SLTB and 19 private buses were deemed unroadworthy. Officials instructed operators to temporarily suspend these buses more..

June 3 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake held discussions with the Deputy PM and Minister for Defence of Australia Richard Marles at the Prez Secretariat this morning. The meeting focused on further strengthening the historic ties between SL and Australia, with a particular emphasis on enhancing bilateral cooperation. Prez Disanayake highlighted SL’s progress towards economic stability and briefed Deputy PM more..

June 3 (BSS) Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today called upon Sri Lanka to increase its import of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh, highlighting the strength, global standards, and competitiveness of the country's pharmaceutical sector. He made the remarks when SL High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of more..

June 3 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake held a discussion this morning with senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, focusing on the revitalization of the local dairy industry. The meeting centred on the need to transform MILCO and the National Livestock Development Board into efficient and productive enterprises that can meet the country’s domestic dairy demand. Prez Disanayake emphasized the importance of minimizing production costs and maximizing the use of existing more..

June 3 (Island) Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyakontha has directed relevant authorities to collect information regarding ex-military personnel involved in Russia-Ukraine conflict. The following is the text of statement issued by the Defence Ministry: “A special discussion to resolve issues related to the pensions of retired war veterans and the payment of Widows and Orphans Pension (W&OP) to families of fallen war more..

June 3 (CT) Maldives High Commissioner to SL, Masood Imad, stated that up to 100,000 employment opportunities are available in the Maldives for Sri Lankans. Currently, around 30,000 Sri Lankans are employed in various sectors across the Maldives. He made these remarks during a meeting held yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with SL’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. High Commissioner Masood Imad assured Minister Herath that more..

June 3 (NW) Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara today apologized for his earlier claim that a BMW belonging to the North Central Provincial Council was sold for under Rs. 5 million, admitting the information he relied on was incorrect. Speaking to the media, Jayasekara said he was misled by inaccurate reports published in newspapers and that, as a responsible politician, he is committed to correcting the record. “I accept the mistake and am taking steps to correct it,” he stated, more..

June 3 (AD) Four students of the Kuliyapitiya Technical College have been taken into custody in connection with an attempted suicide by a fellow student allegedly over a ragging incident. It has been reported that last afternoon, a female student had jumped into a lake located near the technical college. The first-year student was rescued by the area residents and admitted to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital. Police investigations have revealed that she attempted to take her own life more..