June 4 (FT) Cabinet approved an increase in the financial grants provided by the Govt for the ongoing housing reconstruction program in the N&E Provinces. This move aims to improve along with the rising costs of construction materials and ensure continued support for families affected by the decades-long civil conflict. “Govt will offer an increased grant of Rs. 1.5 million for the construction of a 550 square foot house more..

June 4 (FT) Cabinet approved proceeding with a wide-ranging development initiative to provide underutilised State-owned lands and properties to suitable investors for optimal usage. The project is designed to attract private investment, particularly from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with an initial funding allocation of Rs. 250 million from the 2025 Budget. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the initiative targets the identification and repurposing of State-owned lands more..

June 4 (AD) The newly elected Colombo Municipal Council, following the conduct of the Local Govt (LG) election on May 6, is scheduled to convene for its inaugural sitting on June 16, 2025. The gazette extraordinary in this regard has been issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Local Government of the Western Province, Sarangika Jayasundara. According to the gazette issued by the Commissioner, the inaugural sitting will commence at 9:30 a.m. on June 16. more..

June 4 (TM) Govt will take legal action against parties that have spread misleading news regarding a stock of Human intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), which recently caused public unrest, said Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. He said that such false news could damage public trust in the country’s free healthcare system. He further noted that the said stock has no connection to the substandard IVIG vials manufactured and more..

June 4 (FT) Fathima Rashla’s family was expelled from Jaffna by the LTTE in 1990. She was born in a Puttalam refugee settlement five years later and returned to Jaffna in 2004. Last month, the ITAK made the momentous decision to award a bonus seat in the Jaffna Municipal Council to Rashla, a primary school teacher. She is the first Muslim woman to become a member of a local govt authority in Jaffna. Rashla’s history-making appointment wasn’t the only sign indicating more..

June 4 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuwida, yesterday (3), ordered the trial against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others to be postponed until 1 October for the continuation of the hearing of evidence. The case, filed by the CIABOC, was taken up in Court yesterday (3). Evidence from the complainant was recorded during the proceedings. Following this, the Judge ordered that further examination of the evidence be postponed to the new date. more..

June 4 (FT) The performance of the NPP Govt has been a mixed bag. While there have been successes in adopting a thrifty style in Govt spending, taking a hard stance against bribery and corruption, adhering to the rule of law, allowing democracy to flourish unhindered and in promoting meritocracy, there are areas where the fulfilment of election promises such as the dismantling of the rice mafia, reduction of electricity charges, elimination of VAT on medicines and selected school and more..

June 4 (AM) A tense situation erupted between SL Navy personnel and a group of fishermen during a special operation on 3 June (Tuesday) targeting illegal poaching activities in the seas off Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee. According to reports, 11 fishing vessels were involved in the confrontation. During the operation, one group allegedly surrounded a Navy vessel and attempted to flee the area, leading to a scuffle with Navy personnel. The Navy stated that it tried to defuse the situation, more..

June 4 (DM) A deliberate attempt is reportedly underway to derail SL’s renewable energy progress, as powerful interests move to protect the dominance of thermal power, sources within the Ministry of Energy have revealed. According to ministry officials, certain factions with vested interests in thermal energy are attempting to sabotage renewable energy initiatives, particularly as the growing adoption of low-cost green more..

June 4 (NF) Gammadda continues to strengthen its partnership with international universities, marking the fourth consecutive year of collaboration with Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League university of the US. Gammadda welcomed Claire Lopez, a student from Brown University who is the latest to intern with Gammadda in SL. Claire will spend two months in Sri Lanka as part of a residential internship with Gammadda. During this time, she will engage in hands-on work across more..

June 4 (DM) Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the legality of the demolition of Soul Beach (Pvt) Ltd, a beachside hotel in Dehiwala, as part of the former govt’s Yukthiya anti-narcotics operation. The hotel, which reportedly came under scrutiny over alleged links to narcotics trafficking, was demolished by authorities earlier last year, drawing controversy and public attention. When the matter was taken up for leave to proceed, more..

June 4 (CT) Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has stated that Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, must justify his decision to continue the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) under the Public Health Veterinary Services of his Ministry and be held accountable for this decision, given the longstanding failure of successive Health Ministries to deliver lasting results over several decades. In an open letter addressed to more..

June 4 (AD) Sri Lanka received USD 650 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the first quarter of this year, according to Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti. The minister stated that this investment supports 64 projects and that these figures are a significant increase compared to previous years. Speaking further in this regard, Minister Handunnetti said, “In this quarter alone, USD 650 million in foreign direct investment has come in. more..

June 4 (AD) The suspected gunman in the shooting and killing of notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Samararathne, also known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa, was produced before an identification parade held at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today. The suspect, Samindu Piyumanga, who is being held at Boossa Prison, was escorted to court amid tight security arrangements. Two witnesses were brought in to identify the suspected gunman during more..

June 4 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Navarathne Marasinghe, yesterday (3), ordered the case against former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne and two others to be taken up again on 29 August. The case was taken up in Court yesterday (3), during which the lawyer representing the CIABOC requested a new date to amend the indictment filed against the accused. Granting this request, the Judge fixed the case for 29 August for the amended indictment to be presented. more..

June 4 (CT) The Supreme Court, yesterday (3), announced that it will take up two petitions filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for consideration. The petitions filed seeking an order stating that the issuance of new liquor licences, in violation of the Excise Ordinance, by Wickremesinghe—while functioning as Minister of Finance following the announcement of the 2024 Presidential Election—amounted to a violation of the Fundamental Rights of the people. more..

June 4 (DM) Sri Lanka recently became the 109th signatory to the agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) in Feb 2025. This decision will enhance SL’s potential to receive assistance for capacity-building projects, transfer of technology, and knowledge sharing more..

June 4 (AD) Colombo High Court today ordered that a case filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others be taken up on July 07 for further hearing of evidence. The case has been filed by the CIABOC, alleging that the trio incurred financial losses to the govt by unlawfully engaging the employees of Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE/Lanka Sathosa) in political activities during Fernando’s tenure as the Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade. more..

June 4 (DM) The land adjoining the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte belongs to a former Minister who had purchased it under his driver's name, Minister Sunil Handunetti revealed in Parliament today. "We once saw this driver fighting with the Minister's wife near the land. The fight erupted as the driver refused to handover the land," he added. "Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa once advised me to probe drivers, girlfriends and relatives of former Ministers as more..

June 4 (TM) Govt has stated that the recent decision to limit admissions to the MBBS programme at the Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU) only to cadet officers and foreign students has been taken as a temporary measure, due to an ongoing issue in the provision of internship training for medical graduates. Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Govt is responsible for providing internship opportunities to more..

June 4 (CT) The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the long-anticipated Sign Language Bill, marking a significant step towards recognising sign language as an official means of communication in Sri Lanka. The proposed legislation aims to provide the hearing-impaired community with improved access to information and enable their full participation in all aspects of public life—ensuring equal rights and opportunities without discrimination or hindrance. more..

June 4 (PMD) With the decentralisation of the activities of the President’s Fund to District Secretariat offices, there has been a notable increase in the number of medical assistance applications received. Consequently, it has become essential to familiarise relevant staff at these offices with the newly introduced computerised online system and to provide them with the necessary training. As part of this initiative, a training programme has been organised for 21 June more..

June 4 (AD) Joint Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) has announced that it will commence a strike tomorrow, citing several unresolved demands, including issues related to the healthcare sector. JCPSM Chairman Ravi Kumudesh stated that Minister of Health has continuously avoided engaging in discussions aimed at resolving these matters. He further noted that no concrete action has been taken to fulfill the promises made regarding the promotion of paramedical service personnel. more..

June 4 (DM) The circular issued by Western Province Deputy Chief Secretary B.N. Damminda Kumara advising heads of all govt institutions to advise their employees to wear face masks, has been withdrawn. The Western Province Chief Secretary's office said the decision to withdraw the circular was taken as wrong a interpretaion of the letter has been circulated on socila media. Western Province Chief Secretary said the circular was issued only for the employees of the more..

June 4 (Island) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has come under intense scrutiny after the COPE revealed that more than Rs. 1 billion had been spent on two unplanned programmes in 2024, which were not included in the Bureau’s annual action plan. At a recent COPE meeting, it was disclosed that over Rs. 1.3 billion had been allocated to the Glocal Fair and Vigamanika Harasara initiatives—both more..

June 4 (DM) In a welcome move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, the Route 187 Luxury Air-Conditioned Bus Service is now officially operational between BIA and Colombo Fort via the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway. Passengers can board the service from the Departure Terminal Outer Porch at BIA. The luxury bus service operates 24 hours a day, providing a fast, comfortable, and affordable transport option for both arriving and departing travelers. more..

June 4 (AD) Three male senior students and one female student, who were arrested in connection with the attempted suicide of a first-year student at the Kuliyapitiya Technical College, have been remanded until June 16. The remand order was issued after they were produced before the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court today (4). On June 2, a female student pursuing a Higher National Diploma in Agricultural Production Technology at the college jumped into a lake near the campus. more..

June 4 (Island) Public Admin, PCs & LG Minister Prof. Chandana Abeyratne said that the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance had to be amended to end political chaos in local councils. Minister pointed out that the failure of 178 Local Govt authorities to commence operations on 2 June underscored the urgent need to take remedial measures. Of the 339 local govt bodies to which elections were held on May 6, more..

June 4 (DM) The skeletal remains of seven human bodies have been recovered as of yesterday morning during ongoing excavations at Sittupatthu in Chemmani, Jaffna. Excavations commenced on May 15 following a court order, after workers from the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha discovered fragmented human skeletal remains while clearing a site for a construction project on Feb 20. Acting on a report submitted by the Jaffna Police, Jaffna Magistrate A. Ananda Rajah ordered an official excavation more..

June 4 (AD) The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League came to a dramatic close yesterday with Royal Challengers Bangalore clinching their first-ever title. Following the completion of the tournament, organisers also recognized the individual brilliance of players. Although SL players did not make a major impact during IPL 2025, the spectacular boundary-line stunner by Kamindu Mendis during the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) versus Chennai Super Kings (CSK) match more..

June 5 (DM) Not every child has the same mental capacity to face the exam as expected by their parents. At this point, children are in a dilemma as they need to perform their best to please their parents who are often very demanding. If there was one decision that successive govts failed to implement, it was the scrapping of the Grade 5 scholarship exam. Introduced in 1947 by C.W.W. Kannangara to provide opportunities for students from underprivileged backgrounds to more..

June 5 (DM) The tempo is set for the election of a new Mayor for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). Vraie Cally Balthazaar (NPP), Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa and Riza Zarook (both SJB) are some of the prominent names in the fray, but no party has a clear cut majority in Colombo with regard to the election of the new mayor. This is why the election for the Colombo Mayor’s position is a hot topic and a much looked forward to event in the SL political calendar. Colombo is the business hub of Sri Lanka. more..

June 5 (TM) Although the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has urged the Govt to provide the UN Refugee Agency – the UNHCR – with access to a group of Rohingya asylum seekers, Govt maintains that it does not see a need to do so presently as it considers the group as illegal migrants. A total of 116 individuals belonging to the Rohingya ethnic community, a group of people who are unjustly persecuted in Myanmar, more..

June 5 (CT) The recent statement by the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) highlights a long-festering issue that successive Health Ministries in Sri Lanka have failed to confront with the seriousness it deserves: the effective elimination of rabies. As the world moves towards higher standards of public health and humane animal control, Sri Lanka continues to stumble along a path marked by inefficiency, opacity, and squandered public funds. At the heart of the matter is the decision by more..

June 5 (TM) According to the Govt, SL received US$ 650 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the first quarter of this year. Minister of Industry Sunil Handunnetti delivered the good news in Parliament with much gusto. The statement is a feather in the cap of the NPP Govt and the progress it indicates is commendable. Minister stated that this investment supports 64 projects and that these figures are a significant increase compared to previous years. more..

June 5 (CT) 50% of Colombo’s population belongs to the working class. Within the city’s economy and its diverse cultural landscape, they occupy a central position. Yet, it is evident that for a long time, they have been relegated to the margins within the city’s development policies. Although attention towards them has increased, this has primarily occurred only in the post-war period. According to classifications by the Urban Regeneration more..