May 2 (NW) Gold and Silver belonging to civilians, which had been with the LTTE during SL’s civil war and were subsequently recovered by the Army, were officially handed over to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya. The stock of gold and silver was handed over to the Acting IGP at the Army Headquarters in Battaramulla today. According to the SL Army, the Gold and Silva are to be transferred to the Central Bank by more..

May 2 (AD) Ministry of Finance has issued a new gazette notification easing several more restrictions on vehicle imports, with effect from April 29, 2025. The directive paves the way for the clearance of several types of vehicles that had been stranded at ports due to previous restrictions. Commenting on the development, Chairman of the SL Vehicle Importers’ Association Prasad Manage said: “We’ve been unable to clear these vehicles for the past one and a half to two months. more..

May 2 (AD) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa claims that SL’s debt repayment in 2028 is at risk, given the current state of the country’s economy. He alleged that the previous govt, led by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, agreed to initiate the debt repayment process in 2028—despite the possibility of obtaining an extension until 2033—in order to use it as a campaign point for the 2024 Prez Election. “But it brought no benefit to the country or its people,” he added. more..

May 2 (DM) A young man who was arrested with drugs yesterday, died while in the custody of the Kosgoda police this afternoon. Victim Tharindu De Soysa (27) was a resident of Hataramanhandiya in Kosgoda. His parents told the media that he had been arrested on the previous day on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs. Police said the suspect who was taken ill suddenly yesterday afternoon died on admission to hospital. His father Nimal De Soysa said the police had severely manhandled more..

May 2 (DM) China is among the countries which are ready to help Sri Lanka join the BRICS coalition in the future, a bloc with economies which account for an estimated 37.3% of global gross domestic product based on purchasing power parity. Sri Lanka, at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October, last year, placed on record its request to join the bloc. However, Sri Lanka’s application will be considered later since BRICS has no plan for expansion at the moment. more..

May 2 (AD) The Election Commission has issued guidelines on the proper procedure of marking ballots during the upcoming Local Govt (LG) Elections, scheduled to be held on May 06, 2025. Explaining the procedure to all voters eligible to cast ballots in the Local Authorities Election, Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L. Ratnayake stated that each elector is entitled to one vote, meaning each elector more..

May 2 (NW) Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, stated that Parliament is scheduled to convene on May 8th and 9th. She further stated that the Parliamentary Business pertaining to the said days were decided during the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held today under the Chairmanship of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne Accordingly, on Thursday, May 8, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Business of more..

May 2 (DM) IUSF called for an impartial investigation into the death of a student at Sabaragamuwa Uni, who reportedly committed suicide following an alleged incident of ragging. Police have launched an investigation based on a complaint lodged with the Samanalawewa Police by a fellow student, who claimed the death was linked to ragging. Authorities are currently working to determine whether the deceased had been subjected to ragging and to identify any individuals responsible. more..

May 2 (DM) Legal action will be taken against buses which were parked along the Southern Expressway service area at Welipenna, the Express Highway Patrol Division announced. They said that parking vehicles on any side of the expressway or on any section of the road is prohibited under the Road Traffic Law. Parking in the emergency lane is permitted only in case of an emergency. more..

May 2 (FT) The SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) outlined the country’s strategic tourism focus on community-based experiences, wellness and nature travel, and premium hospitality at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. At a press conference on the sidelines of the ATM, the SLTPB reaffirmed its commitment to expanding tourism partnerships and boosting arrivals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the broader Middle East, and international markets. more..

May 2 (CT) General Secretary of Ceylon Workers’ Congress, MP Jeevan Thondaman, addressing the May Day rally yesterday, stated that the ruling NPP’s upcountry ministers are not qualified to address the issues of the Malayaga people with Indian PM Narendra Modi. Speaking to a large gathering in Bogawantalawa, he said, “When the Indian PM recently visited SL, no discussions were held about the issues of the Hill Country people, and that was not the fault of the Indian PM.” more..

May 2 (NW) SL has been ranked 139 out of 180 countries in the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025, ranking among countries where the conditions for practising journalism are difficult or very serious. According to the Index, however, SL has improved from last year’s ranking of 150. Norway and Estonia lead the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025 with good conditions, while China, North Korea, and Eritrea are the countries that have reported the worst decline in press freedom. more..

May 2 (AD) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today granted bail to Thusitha Halloluwa, who is charged with the alleged misuse of a computer and a mobile phone valued at over Rs. 470,000, which were issued to him during his tenure as Acting Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB). Accordingly, Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura ordered the suspect to be released on two surety bails of Rs. 200,000 each and imposed an overseas travel ban preventing him from leaving the country. more..

May 2 (CI) Sri Lanka completed their fourth highest run chase in women's ODIs and subjected South Africa to a second successive defeat in the tri-series in Colombo. A record fourth-wicket stand of 128 between Kavisha Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama, both of whom scored half-centuries, ensured SL controlled proceedings against a South African side that struggled with the slowness of the pitch and problems with more..

May 2 (AD) The Vice-Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University, Prof. Sunil Shantha states that a three-member committee has been appointed to investigate the controversial death of 23-year-old Charith Dilshan, a second-year student at the university’s Faculty of Engineering Technology. The committee will be chaired by Senior Prof. A.A.Y. Amarasinghe, with Prof. Kapila Rathnayaka and Attorney-at-Law Y.S. Chandrasekara serving as its other members. more..

May 2 (CT) Round-trip fare for the Kankesanthurai–Nagapattinam passenger ferry service has been reduced once again, and the luggage allowance for passengers has been increased, according to S. Sundarraj, the Chairman of the Subham ferry company. He stated that the two-way fare, which was initially set at Rs 36,000 when the service was launched in August last year, was later reduced to Rs 30,000. It has now been further reduced to Rs 28,000. Additionally, the baggage allowance more..

May 2 (CT) Despite attempts by parties with vested interests to suggest that the traditionally combative spirit of the GMOA has diminished in recent times, informed sources within the union have dismissed such claims as deliberate efforts to destabilise the organisation. Sources stated yesterday that the union’s membership remains firmly supportive of the organisation. “We have been able to uphold internal democracy, and therefore, if any members more..

May 2 (AD) The Election Commission has called upon heads of government and private sector institutions to facilitate leave for employees to cast their votes, in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Act. Speaking at a press conference held today (2), Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake emphasized the importance of granting leave not only to public and private sector employees but also to students of universities, tuition classes, and workers in garment factories. more..

May 2 (AD) CID has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that an investigation has been launched into alleged death threats against suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from underworld elements. Accordingly, the CID has also obtained permission from Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura to record statements from two suspects detained in the Boossa High Security Prison. Earlier, it was reported that Tennakoon has formally requested police protection, citing credible more..

May 3 (FT) As city, town and village prepare to go to the polls again, a sense of vague unease seems to lie like a pall over the land (in my mind’s-eye at least). It is, like the weather these days, a disconcerting non-event – or not quite event. There are distant flashes on unseen horizons, almost inaudible rumblings rolling over the hinterland or out at sea, and premonitions of a deluge to come. All of this, if the electorate had a more fine-tuned feeling for forecasting, more..

May 3 (CT) It is anybody’s guess why the Govt of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is so very apologetic about not wanting to disclose the details of the seven MoUs signed with India recently, especially the first-ever defence MoU between the two countries. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has said that bilateral consent was needed to make them public. It is not about transparency in all such matters, which ruling JVP-NPP had propagated for successive govts when it was in Opposition. more..

May 3 (DM) Island-wide local authority elections are scheduled for 6th May 2025. At the national level, the local authority polls will provide JVP led NPP govt an opportunity to prove if it is still as popular as it was at the time of the Parliamentary elections in Nov 2024. It will also be a test to gauge whether the Anura Rella or wave has receded or not. On another level, the local polls results will demonstrate clearly the standing of more..

May 3 (DM) Thank God Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Vladmir Lenin have passed on to a what we hope is a better place. Had they witnessed the May Day rallies in Lanka, especially that of the NPP rally at Galle Face Green the trio would be turning somersaults in their graves. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake - progeny of the JVP founded by the late Rohana Wijeweera- called on the workers of the country NOT TO FIGHT for their right to provide their children two square meals a day. more..

May 3 (DM) The professed moral high ground of the NPP is being seriously questioned in respect of some of its actions such as the using the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against suspects and the MOUs with India signed last month. PTA has been used twice by the authorities against suspects during the first six months of the NPP administration - first against the suspects who allegedly acted in a manner inimical to the security of the Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay in the Eastern Province more..

May 3 (CT) On 1 May, political parties and trade unions across SL commemorated Int'l Labour Day with rallies, parades, and speeches held nationwide, highlighting themes of labour rights, political cohesion, and national development. The ruling NPP held its main rally at Galle Face Green on the theme May Day Rally of the People’s Power – Building the Country. A large turnout of supporters and workers gathered to hear addresses from key figures, more..

May 3 (ST) Last week we talked about the timely need for SL to be a country with no import controls in the context of US reciprocal tariffs. I thought our discussion would be incomplete if we ignore the issue of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Why does SL need FTAs? Can they make a difference to our export basket? Today, I take these questions to find answers. However, at the outset I must stress the fact that FTAs should not be our cup of tea unless we have a fairly open free trade regime; why? more..

May 3 (CT) After a prolonged delay, SL is finally heading to the polls for LG Elections on 6 May. It is an event that may not command the same headlines or political fanfare as a presidential or parliamentary contest—but it is no less important. In fact, this election, grounded in the daily realities of citizens’ lives, may prove to be the most consequential of all. Local govt is the smallest, yet arguably most vital, unit of democratic governance. While national leaders chart broad policies and more..

May 3 (Island) The JVP-led NPP govt is quite upbeat about its massive May Day rally, which was intended to give a mega boost to its local govt election campaign. Govts in power usually hold mammoth rallies to demonstrate their power. They are capable of doing so as they have the entire state machinery at their disposal and are never short of funds, which flow from various sources. They hire thousands of buses and bring their supporters from all parts of the country to their rallies, more..

May 3 (GV) I have titled my first novel Aversion. The definition of this word is a strong dislike or disinclination and an opposition or a repulsion towards a thing, a place or a person. I feel it is an appropriate title because the world today, and especially the world of social media, which this book describes in some detail, is defined by continual conflict and combat between people. In fact, conflict and contention shape our contemporary society. The main character is more..

May 3 (ST) The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) is facing a crisis owing to a multitude of issues that have placed a severe strain on its day-to-day functioning. Problems include a crippling shortage of staff, delays in filling two vacancies of Commission members and the lack of an Independent Fund for the Commission. IMF hailed the RTIC as a governance role model in its 2023 Governance Diagnostic Report and more..

May 3 (FT) Renowned American R&B superstar and three-time Grammy award winner Ne-Yo is set to electrify Sri Lanka with his first-ever live performance in Colombo in Dec 2025, in a spectacular event organised by Brown Boy Presents. Cinnamon Grand Colombo joins as the official hospitality partner, ensuring an unparalleled experience for the event. Ne-Yo, celebrated globally for his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, is recognised for chart-topping hits such as So Sick, Miss Independent, more..

May 3 (FT) Sri Lanka’s export engine is gearing up for a major revamp as a high-level delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met with officials of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) kicked off plans to initiate the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2025-2029. The high-stakes meeting on 25 April marked the start of a bold new strategy to catapult local industries onto the world stage and unlock untapped trade potential. more..

May 3 (FT) Gratiaen Trust this week announced the shortlist for the 32nd Gratiaen Prize at the British Council, Colombo continuing its long-standing tradition of honouring excellence in English creative writing in Sri Lanka. From an impressive longlist of nine titles, five standout works have now advanced to the finale. The longlist for the 32nd Gratiaen Prize were: He Was God’s Child Too by Upali Mahaliyana – An exploration of faith, identity and the human experience through the eyes of a young boy more..

May 3 (FT) A brilliant creation exploring morality in the face of mortality, Hello from the Other Side, an int'l award-winning film from SL, has been making its mark on a global scale, spotlighting the talent and creative culture of SL. Hello from the Other Side, released in SL on 6 March this year, has already earned multiple accolades at global film festivals. The film won Best International Feature Film at the Indian Independent Film Festival (IIFF) (Dec-Jan 2024-2025 Edition) more..

May 3 (CT) On 29 April 2025, the peaceful village of Ihalagama in Gampola was plunged into grief. The body of 23-year-old Charith Dilshan, a second-year engineering student at the Faculty of Technology, Sabaragamuwa Uni, was discovered hanging at the back of his home. Just two days earlier, he had returned home after attending the university’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival. What led a bright, promising student to more..