May 30 (TM) Eight months into governance by the NPP which swept into power in September last year with the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the post of Executive President, the slow-moving wheels of justice in Sri Lanka have delivered a ruling which has plucked two low-hanging fruits in relation to corruption. Yesterday, in a landmark ruling, the Colombo High Court (HC) has sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years, and former Sathosa Chairperson more..

May 30 (ST) Unlocking Sri Lanka’s growth potential necessitates allowing growth to be urban bias, as I highlighted in last week’s discussion. That conversation underscored a crucial reality—the country has yet to fully harness its growth potential to drive recovery, alleviate poverty, and achieve meaningful progress. While I don’t intend to revisit last week’s discussion, it is essential to unpack the concept of urban bias growth. How does it shape the nation’s economic trajectory? more..

May 30 (Island) The wheels of justice, though frustratingly slow, have finally caught up with two politicians who misused public funds for political purposes, while in power. Former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years and 25 years, respectively, for causing a loss of Rs. 53 million to the state coffers by purchasing carrom boards and checkerboards for distribution among sports clubs in run-up to more..

May 30 (FT) Janashakthi Life, the fastest growing life insurer in the country recorded 49% year-on-year increase in Gross Written Premiums (GWP) for the first quarter of 2025, totalling Rs. 1,830 million — up from Rs. 1,231 million in Q1 2024. The company’s strong top-line growth reflects its strategic focus on customer acquisition, market expansion, and product innovation. Regular First Year Premium (FYP) grew by a mammoth 86% over last year demonstrating its ability to attract a broader customer base. more..

May 30 (ST) The health sector is grappling with non-availability of certain medicines and equipment in state-run hospitals. This is despite the existence of a so-called comprehensive medical supplies information management system SWSTHA which provides information on availability, quantity, and also pinpoints shortages. A Sunday Times investigation reveals that the unavailability of medicine at hospitals stems from an array of more..

May 30 (CT) On 29 April, Charith Dilshan Dayananda – a 23-year-old second-year student at the University of Sabaragamuwa – died by suicide, and two days later, another student lodged a complaint with the Samanala Wewa Police, alleging that Dilshan’s death was the result of severe ragging. In the last month, following Dilshan’s death, ragging in government universities has once again become the talk of the town, with many expressing disgust, disapproval and anger towards more..

May 30 (Island) I wrote recently about the need for govt to radically rethink its approach in the light of the results of the local govt election. But it is not only the approach to governance that needs to be reconsidered. For the confusion that has resulted from the current electoral system, with deals having to be done to secure control of a council, is ample reason to rethink the whole system. For these deals do not have necessarily to be horse deals, with politicians arguing for their own advantage more..

May 30 (DN) Sri Lanka’s young golfers Reshan Algama and Adithya Weerasinghe put up a determined performance to claim 13th place in the Boys’ Team Competition of the Asia-Pacific Golf Championship, which concluded in Hong Kong yesterday. The tournament, which attracted teams from 15 countries across the region, saw the Sri Lankan pair finish ahead of host nation Hong Kong – China Team III and Myanmar after three tough rounds at the challenging course. more..

May 30 (FT) People’s Bank yesterday announced its results for the period ended 31 March 2025, reporting a total consolidated operating income of Rs. 45.1 billion and post-tax profit of Rs. 11 billion, reflecting a growth of 120.8% and 347.2%, respectively. Consolidated net interest income rose to Rs. 38.6 billion during the said period from Rs. 16.1 billion in the comparable period in 2024 – reflecting timely pricing of assets and liabilities in line with changing market interest rates. more..

May 30 (DM) In lieu of the upcoming World No Tobacco day, a study revealed that Sri Lankans spend Rs. 520 million per day on cigarettes and the health and economic costs of smoking were Rs.214 billion in 2019, ADIC said. According to the 2020 Global Adult Tobacco Survey a total of 3.2 million Sri Lankans consume tobacco daily, and 20,000 premature deaths every year in Sri Lanka are caused by tobacco. more..

May 30 (FT) China International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector (CICCPS) recently visited the Board of Investment (BOI) to focus on win-win cooperation and innovation in collaboration with Sri Lanka. The longstanding relationship with China, not only with diplomacy but also a longstanding trade and commerce relationship, was revisited in this high-level business delegation meeting by the BOI officials. Further, the delegations represented diverse commercial cities more..

May 30 (FT) ACE Apparel Ltd, Koggala (subsidiary of Aitken Spence), has become the first and only company in SL to receive the prestigious OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton certification for its products. This significant achievement marks a major milestone in ACE Apparel’s ongoing commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices. The certification was awarded during the Hohenstein Global Sustainability Conference SL, that was recently held. The certification was presented by more..

May 30 (DN) SL Customs is planning to introduce several IT based solutions in the coming week to make operations easy for importers and exporters, Additional Director General of Customs, Seevali Arukgoda said at a press conference on the coming National Tax Week, from June 2 to June 8. First such is the Asia Hub initiative, which allows an importer to complete customs procedures before the shipment arrives in SL. more..

May 30 (FT) The 20th Build SL Housing and Construction International Expo, which has now become the premier exhibition of the construction industry in Sri Lanka, will be held on 30 and 31 May and 1 June at the BMICH. This exhibition is held at a time when the construction industry is beginning to rise after continuous contractions from March 2020 to December 2023 due to COVID-19 pandemic and economic debacle resulting in the suspension of capital works of the Govt. more..

May 30 (DN) Sri Lanka’s women’s 4x400m relay team produced a commendable performance to clinch the bronze medal at the 36th Asian Athletics Championships, held yesterday in South Korea. Team, comprising Nadeesha Ramanayake, Nishendra Fernando, Jayeshi Uththara, and Sayuri Mendis, clocked a time of 3 minutes 36.67 seconds to secure third place. India took the gold with a time of 3:34.18, while Vietnam claimed silver, finishing in 3:34.77. more..

May 30 (DN) SL’s young tennis sensation, Revaan Amarasinghe of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, continued his unstoppable form as he guided SL team to a strong 2-0 win against Nepal at the ATF Under-12 South Asia Tennis Competition held at the SL Tennis Association courts in Colombo yesterday. SL boys’ team, remaining unbeaten in the tournament, showed their authnority once again. In the first singles match, Nuren Wevita comfortably defeated Aryash Pauden of Nepal more..

May 30 (CT) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the public is clearly unhappy with the performance of the NPP Government, as reflected in the recent LG Election results. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected UNP members to local govt bodies, held at the party HQ, Wickremesinghe noted a significant drop in voter support for the NPP. “The NPP, which secured 6.8 million votes in the last Parliamentary Election, managed only 4.5 million votes this time. more..

May 30 (TM) A group of parents of students who applied to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme at Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has lodged a complaint with Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL), challenging the sudden decision announced by Deputy Defence Minister, Aruna Jayasekara that only cadet officers and foreign students would be allowed to KDU’s Medical Faculty. more..

May 30 (CT) The Peliyagoda Police have uncovered a torture chamber linked to a drug trafficking ring during a raid carried out in Gonawala, Galedanda, Kelaniya. According to the Police, the torture chamber was used to brutally punish small-scale drug distributors who failed to pay back money owed to the traffickers. The trafficking network is believed to be operated from Dubai, with drugs distributed across the Gampaha District through young dealers based in the Kelaniya area. more..

May 30 (DN) SL’s largest private investment in wind power, a 50MW farm in Mannar, will be developed by HayWind, wind energy arm of Hayleys Fentons, following a competitive bid awarded by CEB. Official Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed on May 28. This agreement reaffirms the awarding of a 50MW wind power plant development in Mannar to HayWind One Ltd, following the tender bidding process. The project was secured at the most competitive rate of 4.65 US cents per kwh more..

May 30 (NW) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has launched the 2025 phase of the Kreeda Shakthi scholarship programme, aimed at supporting promising young athletes across Sri Lanka. At a ceremony held yesterday (28), over 300 athletes aged 18 to 20 were awarded scholarships under the first phase of the initiative. The programme targets a total of 900 athletes from 21 selected sports who have demonstrated exceptional performance at national junior-level competitions. more..

May 30 (NW) Since the formation of the new govt, 64 projects worth USD 650 million have been approved by the Board of Investment (BOI), with investment proposals valued at USD 3.7 billion currently under feasibility review, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said. Deputy Minister said the govt is focused on accelerating industrial investment by streamlining approvals, improving infrastructure, and promoting Sri Lanka’s strategic location to global investors. more..

May 30 (TM) Health Ministry noted that while the spread of a new variant of Covid-19 has not posed a threat to SL as of yet, the authorities have paid attention to taking precautions regarding the same. Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe made this statement during a press briefing. He added that the health units that handle Covid-19-related matters including the ministry’s Epidemiology Unit were convened, more..

May 30 (PMD) Minister of Commerce of China, Wang Wentao, who is currently on an official visit to SL, met with Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (29) at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions. Minister Wang noted that, considering the current political and economic stability in SL, along with the clear policy direction being pursued by Prez Disanayake’s administration, there has been a notable rise in interest from Chinese investors looking to invest in the country. more..

May 30 (AD) Large trees were reported to have fallen along the Colombo–Galle Road, particularly between Kollupitiya and Wellawatte. Similar incidents were also reported in other parts of the city, including Grandpass. In one of the most severe incidents, a massive tree collapsed on St. Joseph’s Road in Grandpass, causing damage to at least six nearby houses. No casualties were reported, and residents were able to escape unharmed, according to Ada Derana correspondent. more..

May 30 (DM) A surprise ruling by a US trade court blocking most of the steep tariffs announced by Prez Donald Trump may give SL a much-needed breather, however, the country must not squander this window of opportunity. With bulk of SL’s exports heading to the US, the proposed 44% reciprocal tariff poses a serious threat to the island’s export earnings. Trade court’s decision, delivered while a senior SL delegation is in Washington more..

May 30 (FT) SL’s rise from the ashes following the economic collapse of 2022 owes largely to the competence of the Central Bank, especially its Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. It is easy to forget, however, that the country’s economic collapse too, was precipitated largely by the CB. This owed in large measure to the questionable competence of Dr. Weerasinghe’s predecessors, the Modern Monetary Theorists Professor W.D. Lakshman and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, more..

May 30 (FT) CEB is a regulated monopoly where the consumer tariff is determined by the regulator, PUCSL as per the country’s law. Tariffs are based on a cost-reflective principle inclusive of return-on-assets, governed by a tariff methodology revised every 5 years. This mechanism is designed to avoid the utility from leveraging their monopoly position to overcharge consumers in search of profits. It also requires them to operate in an efficient manner, which has never happened. more..

May 30 (NW) Former National Lotteries Board Director, Thusitha Halloluwa, has been remanded until 02 June over the alleged misuse of state property. He was remanded by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today over investigations into a case filed in this regard at the court. Halloluwa was previously arrested and released on bail on May 02 over the alleged misuse of a computer and a mobile phone valued at over Rs. 470,000 during his tenure as the Acting Director of National Lotteries Board. more..

May 30 (DM) The writ petition challenging the Puttalam High Court Judge’s decision to remand a lady lawyer was terminated today before the Court of Appeal after the parties agreed to settle the matter. On March 31, the Court of Appeal issued an interim order suspending the High Court Judge’s decision to remand the lady lawyer, following a writ petition filed by Rajeev Amarasuriya, the newly elected President of the Bar Association of SL (BASL). Court was informed that Attorney-at-Law Priyanka more..

May 30 (GN) Sri Lanka is getting ready to hit the much-needed refresh button on its gambling laws with a new bill meant to establish a new Gambling Regulatory Authority. The draft legislation, that has received support from Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his role as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, is expected to bring more structure and oversight to the country’s gaming sector. more..

May 30 (NW) A group of SL migrant workers who were deported from Kuwait due to a lack of valid visas have arrived in SL, it was reported. The group, consisting of 30 migrant workers, arrived at BIA early yesterday. It is reported that the individuals were arrested by Kuwaiti Police and held in prisons and detention centres prior to being deported to SL. The SL Embassy had intervened and secured their release, while the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) had covered their travel expenses. more..

May 30 (DM) A battle to claim credit for the prosecution of former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernanndo seems to be under way with a member of the SJB claiming that it was he who lodged complaints against the Minister before any others. “It is us who went on bicycles with files and lodged complaints against the two,” former Western Provincial Councillor and SJB Moratuwa Organiser Niroshan Padukka said. “Neither Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake nor the NPP govt more..

May 30 (BBC) A British woman accused of attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cannabis into SL has appeared in court in the country. Charlotte May Lee, 21, from south London, was arrested earlier this month after authorities allegedly found 46kg of the drug in her suitcases when she arrived on a flight from Thailand. She has not yet been charged, but has previously denied knowing the alleged drugs were in her luggage. more..

May 30 (AM) Former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando have been placed in a common ward at Welikada Prison following their sentencing to rigorous imprisonment over the misuse of state funds. The Colombo High Court on Wednesday convicted the two former officials of distributing 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards to sports associations ahead of the 2015 presidential election. The items, imported through state-run Lanka Sathosa, more..