May 28 (DN) Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) officially launched the SheTrades SL Hub web page under the framework of the UK Govt-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to empower women-led businesses and integrate them into global trade. The launch event, held at the EDB premises, was graced by the presence of Lord Hannett of Everton, UK’s trade envoy to SL, more..

May 28 (DN) Private sector credit extended by licensed commercial banks rebounded in 2024 after a contraction at the end of 2023. Credit to the private sector by LCBs rose by Rs. 789.6 billion, recording a year-on-year growth of 10.7% by Dec 2024 according to the Annual Economic Review of the CB. This shift followed monetary policy adjustments and shifts in market liquidity that lowered borrowing costs. Credit to the private sector marked a reversal of 1% contraction recorded at the end-2023 more..

May 28 (TM) While trade unions and many stakeholder parties criticise the Govt's decision to nominate an individual from outside the Auditor General's (AG) Department for the top post, Govt defended the move, stating that the Prez is empowered by the Constitution to appoint an experienced individual from the sector as the AG, even if not from within the department. These remarks were made by minister Nalinda more..

May 28 (DN) Sri Lanka will play against Bangladesh in the first Test at Galle from June 17 to 21 and the second Test at SSC from June 25-29. This will be SL’s first series of the World Test Championship (2025-27). In the meantime National selection committee headed by Upul Tharanga is hoping to give a chance to one or two new players during this two test series. Eventhough selectors are not hoping to do big changes in the squad, this Test series will be a good test for new players. more..

May 28 (DM) In an effort to unlock the economic potential of homegrown innovation, Cabinet nod was granted this week to establish a multi-disciplinary technical appraisal committee to fast-track research and development (R&D) projects for investment. The committee, comprising specialists in technology, education, science, health, environment, sustainability, and social development, will evaluate proposals submitted to the National Access for Research & Development Commercialization more..

May 28 (FT) The nation is gearing up to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its young leaders at the Youth Top40 Awards 2025, organised by New Generation SL and ignited by Soorya. The prestigious ceremony will take place on 12 June, at Shangri-La Colombo, spotlighting 40 exceptional young Sri Lankans who have made significant contributions across a wide range of fields. The annual Youth Top40 Awards have grown into a national symbol of youth excellence, more..

May 28 (DN) The Govt has decided to take several key measures to address the low number of formal complaints being received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), including regulating the actions of media institutions and social media communicators to prevent the exposure or damage to the identities of child victims, Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. “NCPA provides 24-hour facilities for receiving complaints regarding abuse and all forms of violence against children. more..

May 28 (TM) Sri Lanka is faced with delays in launching the much anticipated Starlink internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX due to technical issues in the agreement with the company, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. He said that technical issues in the agreement made with Starlink have delayed the launch of the internet service in SL. “We thought we could resolve it by April, but we were unable to do so,” more..

May 28 (EN) SL customers have ordered over 5,000 BYD electric vehicles and hybrids which being delivered as shipments arrive from China, JKCG Auto, a unit of John Keells Holdings has the agency in the island said. “The momentum has been very good, more than we expected,” Krishan Balendra, Chairman of John Keells Holdings said. “And we have reservations for over 5,000 vehicles right now.” JKCG Auto will progressively increase the models available in Sri Lanka, he said. more..

May 28 (EN) Sri Lanka was able to preserve financial system stability amidst a severe economic and sovereign debt crisis, its central bank governor told an international forum in Colombo. The country was able to preserve financial system stability amidst a severe economic and sovereign debt crisis,. Nandalal Weerasinghe told the Financial Stability Conference. This was achieved without a single financial institution failure, he said, attributing “this success to timely policy actions, more..

May 28 (DM) A number of phenomena have led to the current rainy weather conditions with enhanced Southwest monsoon conditions making the greatest contribution, Dept of Meteorology said yesterday. The enhancement of the Southwest Monsoon is the main reason for the rainy weather conditions. “There is a low pressure condition as well in the vicinity of SL but that is only having an indirect effect on the wind flow. However, we don’t expect this condition to create a big impact,” more..

May 28 (TM) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Govt is closely monitoring the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant that is spreading in several countries worldwide, including in neighbouring India. He assured that while there is currently no critical situation in SL, precautionary measures have already been initiated, particularly at airports. “There have been some reports in Singapore and India. We are paying close attention to that. There has been no indication so far of a crisis like what more..

May 28 (DM) Many popular Indian film producers and leading directors are selecting SL and its various tourist hotspots for film shooting and have inquired with the government regarding popular and scenic locations. SL has been a sought-after destination for international film producers, but some industry experts said that the destination had failed to be marketed for the potential it holds, resulting in leading more..

May 28 (DN) Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met visiting Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Speaker Dr Rizvie Salilh in New Delhi for a capacity-building programme at India’s Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE). Minister Jaishankar in a post on X appreciated the SL delegation’s condemnation of terrorism and expressions of sympathy on the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. “Discussed our Neighbourhood First policy, more..

May 28 (CT) CIABOC has initiated an investigation concerning the renting out of a room within the Colombo North Teaching Hospital premises in Ragama for commercial use. According to internal sources at the hospital, a complaint was received alleging that the Ragama branch of the GMOA rented out a room inside the hospital complex to an external party, generating an income. The complaint states that, under an agreement, the GMOA’s Ragama branch leased the premises to more..

May 28 (DM) The govt mulls termination of the current project for the construction of the Kadawatha - Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway with a payment of over US $ 40 million as compensation to the project company, and renegotiate a new deal under fresh terms for execution, an official said. The loan agreement for this stretch of the Central Expressway has been signed between China EXIM Bank and SL: more..

May 28 (FT) A professional managerial and societal costing framework should be implemented to accurately determine the cost price of electricity and provide competitive pricing to serve all stakeholders. IMF cost recovery electricity pricing should be done efficiently and effectively to achieve cost reduction and not cost increases in electricity pricing. When we consider the application of the IMF cost recovery pricing to the three highest lossmaking SOEs which are a burden on the economy more..

May 28 (FT) The right to health occupies an ambiguous place in SL’s constitutional and legal framework. Whilst the Constitution recognises a range of fundamental rights, it does not explicitly codify the right to health. Nevertheless, the State delivers a range of health services and exercises substantial, centralised control over the medical sector – from training and appointing doctors to regulating drug imports, pricing, and distribution. This article explores the question of whether more..

May 28 (NW) Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has dismissed speculation of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle or a change in PM, stating such claims are baseless and those spreading them should have their heads examined. He said the opposition continues to spread false information, insisting there are no internal conflicts within the government. “The expansion of the NPP is complete. We have secured control of the Colombo Municipal Council. Our nominee, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, more..

May 28 (EN) Sri Lanka has failed to maintain a consistent and strategic tourism marketing campaign to boost the industry, an industry professional has said. “We have been having few, you know, taglines for Sri Lanka for the past 10 years. So I think consistency is also something that we need to put in place with our strategy,” President of the SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the managing director of Aitken Spence Travels, Nalin Jayasundera told a forum. more..

May 28 (SLN) Acting on credible information, SL Navy launched a special operation on the high seas off the southern coast, apprehending 11 suspects along with 02 local multi-day fishing trawlers, involved in smuggling of narcotics. The operation was mounted in collaboration with the State Intelligence Service, the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and the Regional Coordination Operation Centres. more..

May 28 (NW) A 53-year-old man has been arrested in Negombo for allegedly attempting to shoot a former schoolmate following an argument in a WhatsApp group, police said. The suspect had arrived with a firearm to confront his friend, with whom he had a dispute in a school batch group chat. He reportedly fired a shot into the air during the altercation. A video of the incident, which shows the two men scuffling, has surfaced online and is being used as evidence in the investigation. more..

May 28 (AD) Sri Lanka secured a bronze medal in the 4x400m Mixed Relay event at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships currently being held in South Korea. The Lankan quartet of Sadew Rajakaruna, Lakshima Mendis, Kalinga Kumarage and Harshani Fernando finished the final in third place after clocking a time of 3 minutes 21.95 seconds. India won the gold medal in the event while China secured the silver. Although it was announced that China and SL were disqualified for more..

May 28 (Island) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday demanded that Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake be arrested for ordering the release of 323 containers without Customs checks from the Colombo port on 18 Jan 2025. Attorney-at-law Gammanpila said that Minister Rathnayake had no authority whatsoever to issue instructions to the Director General of more..

May 28 (AD) Colombo Magistrate’s Court today granted permission to detain and question the three individuals arrested yesterday over the shooting incident targeting the vehicle of former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), Thusitha Halloluwa, for 24 hours. The suspects were presented before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena. During today’s proceedings, Police informed court that the investigations regarding the suspects have not been more..

May 28 (CT) Former SL fast bowler Shehan Madushanka has been remanded until June 1 after being arrested with 2 grams and 350 milligrams of heroin, following a tip-off received by Pannala Police. Madushanka was taken into custody on May 25, with officers reportedly discovering him hiding under a chair during a search of his Alabodagama, Pannala residence, where the narcotics were later found hidden inside a cricket trophy. This is not his first run-in with the law—police informed the court more..

May 28 (PMD) A discussion on the challenges facing SL’s export industry was held today at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake. The meeting brought together heads of institutions under the Ministry of Industry & Entrepreneurship Development, as well as officials from the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The discussion centred on the govt’s strategic approach to strengthening domestic production and transitioning towards more..

May 28 (FT) In a landmark moment for SL’s industrial and construction landscape, Ceylon Energy officially launched the country’s first-ever helical anchor manufacturing facility on 8 May in collaboration with the globally renowned Hubbell Power Systems Inc. (HPS). The inaugural event was graced by MP Asoka Ranwala, along with high-ranking delegates from Hubbell Power Systems, CEB, and other distinguished guests from SL’s business, engineering, construction fraternity. more..

May 28 (AD) A special discussion regarding the sudden closure of the NEXT apparel factory located within the FTZ in Katunayake was held, with the intervention of Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe. The management of the factory, trade union representatives, and officials from the BoI of SL participated in the discussion, which was held at the Labour Ministry premises. Although the management and more..

May 28 (EN) CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe has warned against unregulated investments into land plots for cultivations with attractive returns. In recent years, SL has witnessed a surge in unregulated investment schemes targeting agricultural lands, often luring investors with promises of land ownership and assured monthly incomes. These ventures typically market themselves as opportunities to invest in commercial farming or eco-friendly projects, offering more..

May 28 (NW) MP Rohini Kaviratne has strongly defended the late actress and former MP Malini Fonseka, denying claims that she misused funds from the President’s Fund and releasing official documents to support her claim. Kaviratne said Fonseka was deeply distressed after her name was mentioned in Parliament as someone who had allegedly misused public funds. She said the allegations were baseless and had caused significant emotional pain to veteran actress more..

May 28 (Island) Canada is planning to build a second Tamil genocide monument. Recently, the City of Toronto approved a motion to build a Tamil genocide monument. The first one was constructed at Brampton in Ontario. Toronto City Council unanimously passed a motion on May 22 for the city to work with the Tamil community to build a Tamil Genocide Monument in Scarborough. The motion was moved by Parthi Kandavel, more..

May 28 (AD) Muslims in Sri Lanka will celebrate the Hajj festival (Eid al-Adha) on 7 June, the Colombo Grand Mosque has announced. The Colombo Grand Mosque and the Moon Sighting Committee have stated that the crescent moon for the month of Dhul Hijjah —the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar- has been sighted in Sri Lanka today and therefore tomorrow will mark the first day of the new month. Accordingly, the Hajj festival will be observed on Saturday, 7 June, more..

May 28 (DM) The govt is planning to create doctors required not only for the state hospitals but also to send them to foreign countries as medical professions, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Speaking at a function to hand over letters of appointment to medical professionals, the Minister said he has held discussions with the Education Minister and the Deans of medical faculties on how to create doctors required for state hospitals and also to send them foreign countries. more..

May 28 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the government to reverse its decision to halt the medical degree programme at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), calling the move a grave mistake that deprives both local and foreign students of educational opportunities. Premadasa noted that the KDU medical programme, recognised by the SL Medical Council, had offered annual admission for 150 students — including 100 local and 50 international cadets more..