May 24 (DM) Labour Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe today assured swift action to resolve the salary-related grievances of employees at the Employees' Trust Fund (ETF), following a heated protest and urgent discussions with trade union representatives. The assurance came after a meeting was held this evening between the Deputy Minister and ETF Board trade union members, during which several discrepancies in salary payments were brought to light. more..

May 24 (Island) Sri Lanka celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity with a vibrant national event at the Popam Arboretum in Dambulla, centering on the theme Be part of the Plan. The celebration, attended by students, researchers, community members, and officials, was led by Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabendi, who emphasized the country’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. Delivering the keynote address, more..

May 24 (PMD) A SL delegation is set to participate in discussions in Washington, D.C., focusing on tariff-related matters, following an invitation extended by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR). This is the second in-person meeting aimed at ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two nations. This initiative builds on several prior virtual interactions held between the USTR and SL officials, and underscores a commitment to deepening economic ties. more..

May 24 (EN) An Indian delegation led by Ministry of Mines, comprising representatives from leading Indian public sector mining companies, visited SL’s key mining sites and met the island nation’s top officials as it explored potential collaborations in the mines and minerals sector. The delegation met Minister Sunil Handunnetti. The members of the delegation also held discussions with Chairpersons of key SL mineral sector more..

May 24 (CT) The decision to reverse the plan to recruit medical students from civilians to the medical faculty affiliated with the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was prompted by strong opposition from a group of doctors within the Parliamentary delegation of the NPP. Following the university’s public announcement on 21 May, regarding student admissions to its Medical Faculty, these doctors expressed their objections to the party leadership during a meeting in Parliament on 22 May. more..

May 24 (Island) The presentation of appointment letters to 3,147 people recruited into the nursing service in the country is scheduled to be held today at 9.30 a.m. at the Assembly Hall of Temple Trees premises. This is the first time in the history of the nursing service in this country that appointment letters have been issued to such a large number of people at once. Concurrently with this event, promotions will also be conferred on 79 special grade officers in the nursing service. more..

May 24 (NW) Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa has been ordered to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on Nov 21 after failing to attend a hearing related to the alleged illegal acquisition of land using Rs. 50 million in unlawfully obtained funds. Rajapaksa’s counsel told the court he was undergoing treatment in the United States for spinal and nerve complications sustained from a fall from a chair. A U.S. doctor had advised him to avoid air travel for 6 months, according to the defense. more..

May 24 (NF) The prices of food of parliamentary staff will be revised starting from the 1st of June, following a decision made by the House Committee of Parliament. The revision applies to both executive and non-executive staff members. Executive-grade officers will be charged Rs. 4,000 per month for meals, while non-executive staff will be charged Rs. 2,500. Current prices of food purchased at the Parliament Public Cafeteria by MPs, drivers, police officers, Prez & PM security personnel, more..

May 24 (DM) SL cinema icon and veteran actress Malini Fonseka, widely celebrated as the Queen of SL Cinema, has passed away this morning at the age of 76, while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. Malini Fonseka’s illustrious career spanned over seven decades, marking her as one of the most revered and influential figures in SL arts and cinema. She first rose to prominence after winning more..

May 24 (DM) Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the govt will not hesitate to take legal action against individuals or groups who promote the idea that the Sri Lankan military committed genocide during the civil war. Speaking in a recent interview, Herath strongly rejected growing international claims of a Tamil genocide, including recent remarks by Canadian PM Mark Carney. “We absolutely do not accept that a genocide took place in our country,” the minister said. more..

May 24 (CT) Despite an allocation of Rs 1,508.25 million for 535 projects under the Colombo District Development Programme—part of the 2025 Western Province Development Plan—only Rs 8.20 million had been spent as of 16 May. This is according to the progress report presented at the recent Colombo District Coordinating Committee meeting. Report further reveals that a total of Rs 3,201.30 million has been earmarked by the Govt for development activities across the Western Province more..

May 24 (DM) Germany will ask Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake about steps being taken by his govt for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reconciliation and addressing wartime accountability issues during his upcoming visit there. Germany, along with other Western powers, has been pushing for the repeal of the PTA for a long time. The Prez will travel to Germany on June 11, 4th such official visit more..

May 25 (SO) Kala Keerthi Malini Senehelatha Fonseka, who passed away yesterday at 78, was a legend in her own lifetime. Malini was far more than a stereotypical movie star – she embodied the very qualities that make us human – humility, perseverance, courage, kindness and love. For a generation that grew up with her reign of the silver screen from Punchi Baba (1968) onwards, she was the only female star that mattered. By the time Malini Akka (as most industry veterans fondly called more..

May 25 (TM) Throughout SL’s post-independence history, the election of every single leader to political office has been on the strength of lofty promises, never on what really counts, like credibility of the person making the promises, past track record, capacity to deliver, qualifications, integrity, etc., which in fact are routine requirements for most managerial jobs. The bigger the political office, the lesser the focus on job credentials, and the current state of the nation is a clear indication of more..

May 25 (TM) The ruling JVP-led NPP and Opposition parties led by SJB and UNP are engaged in a race to secure majorities in Local Govt (LG) bodies as the 2 June deadline to form the councils of LG bodies inches closer. The tussle for supremacy in the LG bodies where the ruling party has recorded victory but failed to secure a majority has resulted in foes turning into friends and vice versa. The intensity of the ongoing battle to form LG councils more..

May 25 (CT) The first Parliamentary Election in this country was held on 23 August,1947 (and it was conducted over a period of 19 days). From then until 2015, several main components of voter turnout in this country were observed. If we make any observation only based on what we hear and see, without subjecting it to rigorous scientific examination, it is questionable whether the political awareness and engagement of SL voters was ever as widespread as often assumed during that more..

May 25 (Island) Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha is known for his straight talk—a trait that occasionally gets him into hot water. He has told state workers some home truths. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the launch of 500 Highland franchise outlets, yesterday, he lashed out at the public service, calling it a den of thieves. State employees had been held in high esteem in the past, but the public had a very low opinion of them at present, he said. more..

May 25 (ST) Foreign Affairs Ministry will be kept busy in the coming days with two high-profile visits, one by NZ’s Deputy PM Winston Peters, who is also the country’s Foreign Minister, and Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski. Mr. Peters will begin today his four-day SL visit, during which he will engage in cementing ties, particularly in the agriculture sector. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said SL would discuss exporting fruits more..

May 25 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake made three important public addresses during the last month, and all attracted and generated criticism, some justified, some not so. All have gone viral. With the 100-day honeymoon period since assuming high office now over, he is fair game for public scrutiny. The first were his comments from platforms around the country during the local govt election campaign where he said that the central govt, which was in his charge, would cut off funds for more..

May 25 (TM) You don’t need a headline to know that corruption is a problem in SL. You have seen it at the desk of a grinning official who won’t move your file without a little incentive. You have heard it in whispers at the hospital gate. You have felt it when your child’s future hinged not on merit but on a connection. In this country, corruption has been the system. If corruption were taxed, Sri Lanka might have paid off its debt by now. From inflated tenders to phantom commissions at every turn, more..

May 25 (Island) When Angelo Mathews burst onto the scene, it felt like SL had found their very own Jacques Kallis in the making – a brisk seamer who could bend his back with the ball and a batsman who brought both silk and steel to the crease. He had the technique to weather any storm and the temperament to anchor innings under pressure. But as the years ticked by, it became clear he wouldn’t quite climb into Kallis’ league. Still, Mathews hung up his boots as SL’s third-highest run-getter more..

May 25 (ST) The Sports Minister on Friday removed two of his earlier appointees, including the Chairman of the five-member Working Task Force (WTF) for Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), as these two appointments itselft violates the Sports Law. According to the Sports Law a member appointed to the National Sports Council (NSC), shall cease to hold office in any National Association of Sports or other sports body or organisation in Sri Lanka during the continuance of membership. more..

May 25 (CT) The recent seizure of a gold-plated T56 assault rifle from a luxury apartment complex in Colombo has sparked nationwide fascination — and alarm. At first glance, the story could be mistaken for a scene out of a crime thriller: a 40-year-old Kazakh woman and her 68-year-old Sri Lankan mother-in-law caught transporting a lavishly customised weapon into one of Colombo’s most upscale residential complexes. more..

May 25 (ST) My dear Keheliya and Ramith, I thought of writing to both of you at the same time since both of you are now together at the same location which unfortunately is remand prison. It may not be the ideal place for a family reunion but we must allow the law to take its course. That is what the people have been demanding for years. You must be sad about where you are. We are also sad but in a different way. Keheliya, you entered politics, being described as ugath, buddhimath or more..

May 25 (Island) Questions continue to be speculated about the true intentions of the JVP in orchestrating the NPP govt – whether the JVP is still committed to its old Marxist-Leninist policies and whether it may or may not implement them through its NPP front. Further, will the JVP/NPP allow SL’s multi-party democracy to continue or resort to one party governance like in countries where a Communist Party is in power. The fact that local government elections were held under an NPP govt after more..

May 25 (NW) Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has amended his earlier Gazette notification on Sri Lanka Rugby, just a day after it was issued, in what appears to be a response to legal concerns raised by the media and stakeholders. The original gazette suspended the registration of SL Rugby and appointed a five-member Working Task Force to adopt a new constitution as recommended by World Rugby. That Task Force included Priyantha Ekanayake and Rohan Abayakoon from more..

May 25 (TM) A forensic audit into the misappropriated funds of Olympic House during a 10-year span from 2014 will commence tomorrow , according to National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Suresh Subramaniam. Subramaniam said that a reputed private firm with international standing had been entrusted with the task after being selected by the NOC’s Independent Audit Committee helmed by a Chartered Accountant by profession, who was also the Chairperson of more..

May 25 (ST) In her last appearance a couple of weeks ago, Malini Fonseka, arguably the queen of Sinhala cinema echoed the words of one of her most famous films awa soya adare. “I have come looking for love,” she said. She spoke a few words, faltering at times, but they were emotionally charged that it moved many in the audience to tears. When she passed away early Saturday at the age of 78, more..

May 25 (Island) One of the golden vintages of SL cricket spanned the years between 2009 and 2014. It was an era when the national side punched above its weight and danced with giants on the world stage. With stars like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan in full flow, SL stormed into four World Cup finals, conquered new frontiers – including their first-ever series win in Australia – and stood toe-to-toe with India and England in all formats. more..

May 25 (CT) The National Hospital of SL (NHSL), Colombo—spread across 32 acres and recognised as the largest teaching hospital in the country and the final referral centre in the national healthcare system—has been functioning without a permanent Deputy Director General (DDG) for the past two months. Concerned Consultant Specialists attached to the NHSL said that the Director of Colombo North Teaching Hospital (CNTH) had been instructed to cover the duties of the DDG post at NHSL. more..

May 25 (TM) The Govt has decided to proceed with the controversial tender originally awarded under the previous administration led by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to the consortium of Thales and Just In Time Technologies for the procurement of e-passports, it is learnt. The decision was confirmed yesterday by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, with the Govt preparing for the full rollout of biometric passports later this year. more..

May 25 (AD) A 12-hour water cut will be in effect in several areas of Colombo from 8 am to 8 pm today (25), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced. The water supply will be temporarily suspended to carry out essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant. Accordingly, the NWSDB has urged the general public to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension. more..

May 25 (NW) Two individuals have been arrested in connection with forging foreign passports for an organized crime figure currently residing overseas, identified as Mandinu Padmasiri Perera, also known as Kelehelbaddara Padme. According to the CID’s Unit for Commercial Crimes, Smuggling and Maritime Crimes, the suspects had submitted false information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration in order to obtain three fraudulent passports. more..

May 25 (PMD) The final rites of the late veteran actress and iconic queen of SL cinema, Malani Fonseka, will be held with state honours on Monday, 26th May 2025, at the Independence Square premises. A discussion regarding the arrangements for the state funeral was held this afternoon (24) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the leadership of Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Sunil Senevi and Secretary to the Prez Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. more..

May 25 (EN) In the wake of the controversy over import restrictions and price controls that led to shortages of red rice, SL’s Trade Ministry is now coming under fire over the creation of a new mafia in salt. SL’s so-called rice mafia and maize mafia are crony Mercantilists or rent seekers in economic terms, who are allowed to exploit consumers under cover of 1970s style import licenses. Food being an essential item is one of the easiest ways the businesses close to the elected rulers more..