Jun 21 (ST) When the NPP govt came into office just over 18 months ago, the initial assumption was that the new administration’s foreign policy would pivot more towards China given the longstanding ties that the NPP’s main party, the JVP, had with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). While SL-China ties have remained strong under the NPP, it is with India that the administration of Prez Anura Dissanayake has built a stronger rapport. more..

Jun 21 (ST) SL’s figures tell a horrific tale of the havoc being wreaked by dengue, spread by a tiny mosquito – whereas the number of cases in 2024 and 2025 are seen snaking along at a low level, those for 2026 are up, high on a steep hill and climbing. Usually, dengue rises in July, but now it is still June, and the hospitals, both state and private, are flooded with dengue patients. “Rarely will dengue patients need to be rushed into the ICU if they have come into hospital early. more..

Jun 21 (ST) FCID is preparing a report to ascertain whether the staggering Rs. 13 billion linked to the NDB Bank fraud was transferred abroad, contributing to a severe depletion of foreign exchange reserves. Minister Ananda Wijepala said that he had recently indicated in Parliament that the investigations, which began after the recovery of Rs. 30 million in a three-wheeler in Peliyagoda, have uncovered a broader network of scams, potentially extending back before 2023 including NDB. more..

Jun 21 (SO) The CPC would reduce retail prices of fuel when global fuel prices fall closer to the levels that prevailed before the escalation of US–Iran tensions in the Middle East, CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage said. He was responding to our inquiry yesterday why falling global crude oil prices had not been passed yet on to local consumers, following reports of easing tensions between the United States and Iran, more..

Jun 21 (ST) There will be no immediate reduction in fuel prices in the local market despite world oil prices falling to a three-month low after the United States and Iran signed a MOU for a 60-day period to end hostilities, Energy Minister Anura Karunatillake said. He said new price adjustments in the world market will only impact countries such as Sri Lanka around August when new purchases are made. The quota system (QR) for the issuing of fuel will remain for now, he said. more..

Jun 21 (Island) It is a crucial week for SL cricket. The men’s team has been in the doldrums for more than a decade. Since winning the T20 World Cup in 2014, SL have struggled to make an impact on the global stage. Reaching the semi-finals of an ICC event has proved elusive, while there have been occasions when the team was forced to play qualifying rounds alongside Associate nations. Last year, they even failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy, underlining how far standards had slipped. more..

Jun 21 (NW) Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has warned that the government’s proposed duty on coconut oil imports could undermine Sri Lanka’s coconut export industry, reduce foreign exchange earnings and negatively impact farmers and workers. In a post on ‘X’, de Silva said Sri Lanka’s coconut export sector has significant potential to generate foreign exchange, but industry stakeholders have raised concerns over the impact of the proposed tax measure. more..

Jun 21 (AD) MP and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem has asserted that the sovereignty of Katchatheevu is a settled matter under international law and bilateral agreements, saying raising the issue to resolve the ongoing fishermen conflict is not a “prudent approach”. “Prioritising the Katchatheevu issue as an immediate fix the moment a conflict arises is not a wise strategy,” Hakeem, who is on a goodwill visit to Tamil Nadu, said on Friday. more..

Jun 21 (TM) Ministry of Energy has confirmed the rejection of the fifth emergency coal shipment from the Taranjot contract after it failed its load port evaluation. Despite this setback, the ministry is confident that it has secured its minimum required coal stockpile to sustain national power generation through the current season, eliminating the need for any emergency power purchases before September. more..

Jun 21 (AD) The body of a 23-year-old married woman has been discovered in her bedroom in the Warapitiya area in Kundasale, Kandy. The body was reportedly discovered at around 2 a.m. today (20) in a bedroom of her husband’s residence. Relatives of the deceased woman have alleged that she was assaulted and killed by her husband and his family members. However, her husband has stated that he returned home early this morning after attending a musical show, found her hanging by the neck. more..

Jun 21 (AD) An IMF delegation led by IMF Mission Chief for SL, Evan Papageorgiou, is scheduled to visit SL from June 24 to 30 for a staff-level mission aimed at reviewing the country’s ongoing economic reform programme. IMF team will hold discussions with govt authorities and a wide range of stakeholders to assess recent economic developments and evaluate the progress of SL’s reform program. IMF Mission Chief stated that the delegation looks forward to constructive more..

Jun 21 (TM) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could face disciplinary action for his involvement in a physical altercation during the one-day tri-series match against SL A. The match referee has reportedly recommended fines, but the BCCI is yet to decide on the matter. The altercation happened after SL A sealed a thrilling super over win against India A in Dambulla on 15 June. The SL A players were seen sledging Sooryavanshi and Suryansh Shedge, who were heading back to the dressing room. more..

Jun 21 (NW) National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) has announced that the mandatory seat belt regulations for motorists and passengers travelling on expressways in SL comes into full effect from today (20). According to the NCRS, the mandatory seat belt regulations come into force following the expiry of grace period granted for implementation. Under the regulations, all occupants travelling in vehicles on expressways must wear seat belts, including passengers seated in the rear. more..

Jun 21 (AD) SLC is yet to formally agree with the BCCI on any white-ball fixtures during India’s upcoming two-match Test tour of SL, according to SLC Cricket Transformation Committee Secretary Prakash Schaffter. Shubman Gill’s men are slated to arrive in the island nation for their first red-ball tour in nine years, having whitewashed their South Asian neighbours 3-0 under now-retired Virat Kohli during their encounter during the previous series. more..

Jun 21 (CT) Passenger train Podi Menike, operating between Nanu Oya and Badulla on the Upcountry Railway Line, resumed service yesterday (20) after being temporarily suspended for seven months due to extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Train operations had previously been restricted following a landslide that damaged the railway track in the Parakumpura area between Ambewela and Nanu Oya. During the disruption, train services operated only between Ambewela & Badulla. more..

Jun 21 (EN) SL budget airline FitsAir has started direct flights between Colombo and Ahmedabad, becoming the only airline to offer non-stop flights between the two cities. The thrice a week service strengthens connectivity between SL and Western India while offering greater convenience for both leisure and business travellers, the company said. Ahmedabad, one of India’s leading commercial centres and the gateway to Gujarat, is a key market for tourism, trade and investment. more..

Jun 21 (ST) SL’s capital market regulator has entered a historic settlement with an investor for Rs. 188.1 million on market manipulation, representing the largest settlement sum in the commission’s history which was enabled under SEC Act, No. 19 of 2021. Industry sources said this penalty was imposed under Market Misconduct Part 5 offences of the Act. Under the settlement reached, the authorities are not more..

Jun 21 (Island) CEAT Kelani Holdings has been adjudged the Best Tyre Manufacturer in the Component Manufacturer Category at the country’s inaugural Automobile Industry Awards presented by the Automobile Industry Council (AIC) of SL, in a significant endorsement of the company’s leadership in the country’s fast-evolving vehicle assembly sector. The awards were presented at Temple Trees at a ceremony attended by govt ministers, senior public officials, industry leaders and more..

Jun 21 (TM) Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has staged a strong recovery from a disruption-hit start to the year, with May tourist arrivals outpacing global and regional peers, according to the SLTDA. SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam revealed that tourist arrivals in May had increased by around 10% Year-over-Year (YoY), amounting to over 10,000 more tourist arrivals compared to May 2025. He further stated that when considering the improvement in tourist arrivals to the country more..

Jun 21 (SO) The World Bank Group has committed up to US$1 billion in concessional financing over the next three years to support SL’s development goals, according to the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2026-2030. Its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), also plans to provide and mobilise over US$1 billion in investments over the next five years. The framework highlights that Sri Lanka faces a critical employment challenge over the coming more..

Jun 21 (TM) Concerns raised by the US over forced labour in supply chains are beyond SL’s control, according to Govt officials who cite the country’s heavy dependence on imported raw materials as the principal reason for the issue. EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe revealed that a decision on the exact steps SL would take to address the concerns raised by US Trade Representative (USTR) over the country’s alleged failure to adequately prohibit imports produced using forced labour had not more..

Jun 21 (Island) As SL struggles between its own loyalties between the three superpowers under question, it would be pertinent that it reaches the ground realities as the world polity has reached following the Middle Eastern crisis and play its cards accordingly. As the US-Iran MoU takes effect this week, US official lifting of the naval blockade meant that, by Friday, ships had begun moving freely through the controversial Strait, signalling more..

Jun 21 (Island) Due to the Marxist heritage of the NPP, the two expectations that swept them into power, with the votes of the poor, was that corruption will be eliminated, and that urgent plans will be executed to make the poor less poor. Whilst there has been commendable progress in attacking corruption, still no signs of longer term strategies to make the poor less poor. The problem that creates this scenario ,is the well entrenched economic model that governs the economy . more..

Jun 21 (Island) Global oil prices are falling thanks to the US-Iran peace deal. No sooner had US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian signed a framework for peace than some Opposition politicians in Sri Lanka began demanding fuel price reductions. The JVP-NPP government, which allegedly increased the prices of fuel stocks procured before the eruption of the West Asia conflict, has ignored the demand for fuel price decreases. more..

Jul 21 (ST) My dear Gota maama, I am writing to you now because suddenly, people have begun talking about you again, although not for the best of reasons. This is despite you effectively retiring from politics nearly four years ago, when you were forced to flee through the backdoor of President’s House while a mob was at its gates. In fact, it seems to be a bad time, as they say in astrology, for anyone connected to you. Yo baby was arrested and released on bail with someone querying more..

Jul 21 (TM) One of the most powerful promises that carried the NPP to office was its pledge to fundamentally change the culture of governance in Sri Lanka. At the heart of that promise was a commitment to accountability, transparency, and an uncompromising crackdown on corruption. However, a series of developments over the past week has raised disturbing questions about whether the NPP Government remains committed to the principles that brought it to power. more..

Jul 21 (TM) Despite facing a series of domestic and international challenges, President AKD and his JVP-NPP administration have overseen a notable improvement in economic performance during the first quarter of 2026. The country’s economy expanded by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 4.8% recorded during the same period in 2025, according to official figures. This represents the strongest first-quarter more..

Jul 21 (CT) Despite India’s strength in the geopolitical spectre, its engagement with Washington on the sidelines of the recently concluded G7 Summit earlier this week proved New Delhi troubled. With neither a much anticipated trade deal between and a possible statement of a visit to the upcoming Quad Summit that India is hosting; by the US in the offing, the relationship between the two strategic partners was left much in the hanging. It was also obvious that the Modi Premiership more..

Jul 21 (CT) During the final phase of the Yahapalana govt (govt for good governance), the Ranil–Mangala duo proposed that SL’s economy should be placed under long-term management according to the formula prescribed by the IMF. However, not only did this economic policy fail to reverse the downturn that had emerged around 2016, it also created a disastrous situation for the majority of the population. The net result of implementing the package of economic policies jointly designed by more..

Jul 21 (ST) TForeign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Ministry has launched a new app to assist Sri Lankans employed overseas to lodge complaints directly to the ministry. All they would need is to enter their name, passport number and location to log in and make a complaint. Minister Vijitha Herath said that most Lankan workers complain that the SL missions do not act promptly to assist them when they are in need, more..

Jul 21 (ST) A severe dengue outbreak has placed SL’s health sector under strain. The busier public hospitals, such as the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila, are overflowing, with even urgent patients suffering on benches until elusive ward beds free up. Nurses, in particular, are stretching themselves thinly to cater to patient needs. Over 42,800 dengue cases and 27 related deaths have been recorded so far in 2026. Infections have surged by approximately 30% more..

Jul 21 (SO) The world breathed a collective sigh of relief as the US and Iran signed a historic MoU to end their conflict which began on Feb 28 this year. Right now, though, Israel seems to be the biggest obstacle to the nascent peace process, as it has continued attacks on Lebanon even after agreeing to their own (Israel-Lebanon) ceasefire. Iran had in any case linked Lebanon to the Iran-US ceasefire and any further escalation of Israeli Defence Forces action in Lebanon could derail peace process. more..