Jun 12 (SO) The structural stability achieved under the early years of the IMF EFF is being aggressively undermined by two separate, compounding factors: a widening military conflict in the Middle East and a shift in United States (US) trade policy. Together, these forces have unleashed a localised cost-of-living crisis that is not merely driving low-income families into poverty, but is systematically erasing the savings and lifestyle of the hard-working middle-income population. more..

Jun 12 (NF) No decision has been taken at this stage to arrest or detain former Senior DIG oWaruna Jayasundara under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today. The update was conveyed when a writ petition filed by Jayasundara was taken up before court. The former DIG had sought judicial intervention to prevent his possible arrest and detention in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. more..

Jun 12 (CI) West Indies survived a spirited Sri Lanka defence in chase of a middling target of 148, before they eventually secured a final-over, but ultimately comfortable, seven-wicket victory in the first T20I at Sabina Park. The rain which had been forecast stayed away, as a raucous home crowd finally got something to celebrate following the ODI washouts. A flicked six over deep midwicket by Rovman Powell off the expensive more..

Jun 12 (AD) A three-judge bench of the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar is scheduled to deliver its verdict on July 31 in the case against former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who is accused of failing to act on intelligence warnings ahead of the Easter Sunday attacks. The case has been filed on charges including criminal negligence and failure to perform official duties, on the grounds that action was not taken to prevent the attack despite receiving intelligence information that more..

Jun 12 (DM) Sri Lanka stepped up efforts to attract Gulf investment this week as nearly 200 senior business and diplomatic leaders gathered in Dubai for a high-level forum positioning Port City Colombo as a gateway to South Asia. The invitation-only event, titled Globalisation and the SL Opportunity – From Recovery to Relevance: Sri Lanka’s Moment in the Evolving Global and Regional Economy, was held at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai International Financial Centre and jointly organised by more..

Jun 12 (AD) Sri Lanka's updated National Mineral Policy has officially come into effect after 27 years, introducing a ban on the export of the country's mineral resources in raw form without value addition. Under the new policy, mineral resources can no longer be exported as unprocessed raw materials. Framework will regulate the entire mineral value chain, including exploration, mining, processing & value addition. more..

Jun 12 (NW) The first batch of successfully repaired, modernized, and redesigned medical equipment was officially handed over to the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital in Ragama during a ceremony presided over by Minister Chrishantha Abeysena. According to the Ministry of of Science and Technology, this milestone comes under a wider initiative launched to upgrade the hospital’s medical equipment and technological infrastructure, carried out under the direct guidance and more..

Jun 12 (EN) Sri Lanka is set to launch its strategic export roadmap for the next five years with the primary objective to achieve an export revenue target of 36 billion dollars by 2030, the country’s export development board said. National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 was developed by the SL Export Development Board (EDB) with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “The national plan is structured around two main pillars, more..

Jun 12 (TM) While scrolling through my Meta account recently, I came across a post by a Senior Lecturer at the Open Uni, Dr Edirimuni de Silva. His message was not a grand manifesto; it was a beautifully simple, low-bar request. Addressing the high-profile Clean Sri Lanka programme, he basically said: “Look, no need to do anything heroic. Just arrange to clear the rotting garbage in the Maharagama Urban Council (UC) area”. Almost in the same breath, two Instagram posts by more..

Jun 12 (DM) The SL rupee weakened further against the US dollar today, with several commercial banks recording higher exchange rates compared to Thursday. The dollar’s selling rate exceeded Rs. 340 at some banks, reaching Rs. 340.33 at People’s Bank and Rs. 340.00 at NDB Bank. At NDB Bank, the buying rate of the US dollar increased from Rs. 328.00 to Rs. 331.00, while the selling rate rose from Rs. 337.00 to Rs. 340.00. People’s Bank also reported an increase, with the buying rate more..

Jun 12 (FT) A dispute between the Treasury and the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) over accountability for the $ 2.5 million cyber theft involving public funds has come under scrutiny at the CoPF, with Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva warning that weak systems, outdated technology, and unclear lines of responsibility had created a situation where institutions are now shifting blame onto one another. Committee recently examined a report more..

Jun 12 (DN) Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, told Parliament that no official Cabinet approval has been taken to extend the retirement age of judges in the judicial system, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Minister said this in response to several questions raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Eventhough, various professional groups have requested higher retirement ages due to increased life expectancy and brain drain, more..

Jun 12 (DN) The UDA has planned to transform Kandy into a branded city to elevate its global standing, attract foreign investment, boost tourism, and showcase its unique heritage and culture. The authorities aim to leverage Kandy’s history, heritage, culture, natural beauty and the historic Esala Perahera festival. UDA Project Management Director Uthpala Uyanwatta stated that this programme is being implemented by collaborating with various Govt and religious institutions, as well as more..

Jun 12 (TM) A sustained Police crackdown has left organised criminal networks facing a growing shortage of illegal firearms, forcing some gangs to turn to locally manufactured weapons, according to DIG Chandana Kodituwakku. Head of Police Crime Division said authorities seized 10,804 machine guns and assault-type weapons between 2021 and 2024, while organised crime-related killings have dropped sharply, more..

Jun 12 (DN) A discussion on expediting the implementation of the Galle City Development Project, being carried out under the Major Urban Development Programme, was held at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday. The President reviewed the progress of initiatives being implemented to develop Galle, a World Heritage city, as a leading cultural and tourist destination. Discussions also focused on challenges more..

Jun 12 (Island) Losses incurred by several SLTB depots are largely attributable to their location in rural areas and the limited number of bus services operated daily, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena told Parliament. Responding to a question, Deputy Minister said the Govt had already initiated measures to address the issue through a more systematic operational framework. He noted that the deteriorating condition of the SLTB fleet had resulted in frequent repairs and maintenance, more..

Jun 12 (DM) As Sri Lanka pursues an ambitious target of 2.5-3 million arrivals this year, Jetwing Hotels Chairman Hiran Cooray expressed cautious optimism for the upcoming winter season while warning of a highly challenging summer. Navigating global macroeconomic headwinds, Cooray in latest annual report of Jetwing Symphony noted that while the winter season holds promise provided geopolitical and aviation conditions stabilize, the immediate summer months look bleak. more..

Jun 12 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya as Chairman of the Strategy and Restructuring Committee of SriLankan Airlines. Dr. Wijayasuriya, a prominent corporate leader with extensive experience in telecommunications and digital transformation, will head the Committee tasked with guiding the national carrier’s strategic direction and restructuring efforts. The appointment comes as the Govt continues initiatives aimed at improving more..

Jun 12 (ST) Under the Environment Ministry’s ambitious Vanaspathi programme aimed at preserving the country’s forest cover, more than 81 forests were to be declared as reserves, but since the project’s launch in June last year, only 29 have been gazetted. The shortfall has created challenges in enforcing legal provisions for forest conservation and tackling forest crimes. About 63,000 hectares have been gazetted as more..

Jun 12 (DN) Wicketkeeper-batter Anjala Bandara delivered a remarkable batting performance with centuries in both innings as SL Emerging claimed the honours in the drawn first 4-day match against West Indies Emerging at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Int'l Cricket Stadium yesterday. It was a memorable match for the talented batter, who scored 163 in the first innings before following it up with an unbeaten 189 in the second. When play ended early due to rain yesterday, SL Emerging were 401 for 8. more..

Jun 12 (DN) SL’s Jaeden Sathasivam produced the best performance among the island’s young golfers as he finished sixth after two rounds of the Mandiri Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday. Competing in the Boys Development-C Division, Jaeden returned rounds of 83 and 83 for a two-round total of 166, finishing 22-over-par and holding sixth place in a strong international field featuring players from Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, more..

Jun 12 (Island) Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the SL Navy, has now been summoned to the CIABOC next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the UK outside established procedures. Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on Dec 14, 2006. Investigation focuses on allegations more..

Jun 12 (FT) Marking a new milestone in Sri Lanka’s economic journey, the official launch ceremony of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 the country’s strategic export roadmap for the next five years is scheduled to be held in Colombo on 16 June. Developed in alignment with the Govt’s national vision of A Prosperous Nation – A Beautiful Life, the Plan’s primary objective is to achieve an export revenue target of $ 36 billion by the year 2030. more..

Jun 12 (FT) UN yesterday formally concluded its emergency humanitarian response to Cyclone Ditwah, saying int'l partners had delivered critical assistance to 575,000 of SL’s most vulnerable people while warning that the country’s recovery and reconstruction challenge is only beginning, with estimated needs reaching $ 3.4 billion. Conclusion of the Humanitarian Priorities Plan marks the end of the emergency phase more..

Jun 12 (ST) The capital market regulator is examining brokerage percentages of stockbrokers, after discussions with the industry. Stockbrokers recently raised several concerns with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding both the rationale and implementation of the new brokerage fee structure applicable to transactions exceeding Rs. 1 billion. The original intent behind this initiative was to facilitate large govt and State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) transactions more..

Jun 12 (TM) Road accidents have increased by around 115 during the first six months of the year compared to the corresponding period last year (2025), whereas the number of fatalities has risen by about 119, DIG in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W P G Senadheera said. He said that SL continues to record an average of eight fatal road accidents a day, although it had reached between 10 and 15 on several recent days. He said that of the eight fatal accidents reported on Wednesday more..

Jun 12 (TM) The wife and legal representative of the former SIS Director, Major General (Rtd) Suresh Sallay, have requested permission from the CID to visit him daily while he remains under treatment at the National Hospital of SL (NHSL) in Colombo. Requests were made through separate letters addressed to the CID Director, following a Court ruling that declined to grant such access. Sallay, who is being held under more..

Jun 12 (Island) SL Communist Party has urged the NPP govt to initiate a credible review of the PTA and related practices that enable arbitrary detention and torture. CPSL General Secretary Dr. G. Weerasinghe issued the following statement regarding the arrest of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay: The CPSL expresses its deep concern over the continued detention of former Intelligence Chief Major General (retd) Suresh Sallay, who was arrested on 25 Feb and has now been held more..

Jun 12 (FT) Plantations Minister Samantha Vidyarathna has called for advance planning to mitigate the potential effects of El Niño weather conditions on plantation industry and communities, while safeguarding national production targets. The Minister made the remarks during a special discussion held at the Plantations and Community Infrastructure Ministry on Wednesday to assess the possible impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and identify preparedness measures. more..

Jun 12 (FT) For the first time in the 76-year history of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO), a Sri Lankan has been elected to its Global Board, with business leader Nazri Nizar securing a position on the governing body of one of the world’s most influential leadership organisations. The appointment was confirmed at the YPO AGM held on 21 May. Nizar will serve as a YPO Director from 2026 to 2029, and will concurrently serve as Chair of the YPO Global Forum Committee. more..

Jun 12 (DN) SL’s young women’s tennis team will begin their campaign at the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Asia/Oceania Group II in Kuala Lumpur on June 15, aiming to secure promotion to the higher Group I competition next year. A total of 10 nations will compete in the prestigious team event at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participating countries are Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Pacific Oceania, Philippines, Singapore, SL more..