Jun 27 (CI) Sri Lanka kept alive their slim hopes of making it to the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a nervy win over Scotland in Manchester Chasing 152, they found themselves needing seven from the final over. Nilakshika Silva and Sugandika Kumari took four off the first three balls of Rachel Slater before the seamer hobbled off with what looked like a knee issue. Priyanaz Chatterji came on to bowl remaining 3 balls. more..

Jun 27 (Island) For thousands of Sri Lankans living with limb loss and physical disabilities, access to quality rehabilitation services remains a significant challenge. Yet, for more than three decades, our organisation has quietly transformed lives through innovation, compassion and community-based care. The Meththa Rehabilitation Foundation Guarantee Limited (MRFGL), supported by the Meththa Foundation-UK and in partnership with the Manitha Neyam Trust, more..

Jun 27 (DM) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will begin restricting transactions on dormant securities accounts from next week, under a new investor protection framework, aimed at reducing fraud risks and strengthening oversight of long-inactive holdings. Central Depository Systems (CDS), the custodian of electronically held securities traded on the CSE, will classify the accounts that have remained inactive for three years or more as Non-Operative Client Accounts, requiring more..

Jun 27 (DN) For a nation recently tethered to bankrupt treasury and fuel lines, the return to economic normalcy has sparked a fierce proxy war over its political future. The opposition warns of an impending disaster. Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, a key voice in the Govt, insists the worst is behind them. Jayasinghe mounts a defense of the administration’s economic strategy and denies allegations of political victimization. He argues that a post-Aragalaya electorate will no longer be more..

Jun 27 (TM) Twenty-five years after the India–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) came into force, bilateral trade relations stand at a paradoxical crossroads. While trade between the two neighbours has expanded dramatically and India remains SL’s largest trading partner, efforts to deepen economic integration through broader agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) continue to more..

Jun 27 (SO) Investing in plantation ventures growing from scotch bonnets, cinnamon, mango, agarwood to various other crops promising monthly returns of 20 to 40% has long caught the attention of Sri Lankans seeking quick profits. However, a recent public warning by the CB, disputing claims made by a plantation company about its regulatory status, has again brought such investment schemes under scrutiny. more..

Jun 27 (FT) There are railways. And then there are railways that carry the spirit and the imagination of a nation. For months after Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka’s hill country, our world-famous upcountry line was not merely out of service. It was out of sight, it was out of reach, and it was perilously close to being out of mind. Last weekend, however, after months of absence – and a silence imposed by a tropical storm’s fury on the clickety-clack, chuff-chuff and more..

Jun 27 (GV) On June 17, delegates filed into the Galle Face hotel for the Mineral Sands Technical Conference. Inside, the Chamber of Commerce was doing what it does best: opening doors for capital and closing them on everyone else as SL’s coastal ecosystems were prepped for extraction. A different kind of gathering was taking shape on the pavement outside. The platinum sponsor of the event was Capital Metals PLC, a UK-incorporated, AIM listed company with exploration licences covering more..

Jun 27 (TM) Improved crop management practices introduced in SL over the past two decades have not led to significant increases in rice productivity in more than 90% of the tested variety-location-season combinations, indicating a widespread stagnation in rice productivity despite advancements in the recommended management practices. Therefore, there is a clear need to identify & develop more effective crop management more..

Jun 27 (CT) Conventional economists and sociopolitical pundits typically oppose any departure from IMF-regulated boundaries. The IMF may have its own prescriptive regulations and farsighted reasons to advise the NPP govt against pursuing certain economic policies. Such advice, of course, is often well-founded in the context of macro-development and the country’s painstaking journey toward economic stability and eventual recovery. But the IMF does not face the everyday demands more..

Jun 27 (DM) Daily commuters in Colombo face overcrowded buses and long queues, while the price of a litre of petrol has soared past Rs. 400. As private bus operators reduce services by 50% due to unsustainable fuel costs, SL’s transportation sector needs a lifeline for the sake of millions of commuters who are experiencing a crisis. Yet, from the ashes of this crisis emerges an opportunity for a long-overdue revolution. SL’s transportation history is a tapestry of ambition, innovation & missed opportunities. more..

Jun 26 (DM) Govt has decided to speed up the release of state and private lands in Jaffna and Palaly that are currently being used by the security forces. The decision was discussed at a progress review meeting held at the Parliament Complex on June 24. Meeting was chaired by Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara and several other ministers. The meeting focused on resolving land ownership issues, speeding up compensation payments and returning identified lands to more..

Jun 26 (AD) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday criticised the Indian National Congress (INC) for the 1974 transfer of Katchatheevu to SL, labelling it another historic dark chapter of the Grand Old Party's rule, alleging it compromised India's national interests. Katchatheevu is an uninhabited island in the island in the Palk Strait that was recognised as SL's sovereign territory by India in 1974. BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said more..

Jun 26 (AD) It was revealed before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that 89 companies registered in Sri Lanka had remitted more than Rs. 190 billion in US dollars out of the country under the guise of importing goods, despite no such goods being imported into the country. This was revealed when a suspect arrested in connection with the alleged racket was produced before the court on Thursday (25). more..

Jun 26 (NW) The govt has underscored the advantages available to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that voluntarily register for VAT, even if their annual turnover is below the Rs. 60 million threshold. Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera said VAT-registered SMEs, particularly manufacturers, can claim input VAT on raw materials and certain services. He noted that such businesses can also expand by attracting customers who prefer dealing with suppliers that issue VAT more..

Jun 26 (DM) A quantity of confiscated narcotics is scheduled to be destroyed tomorrow morning at the incinerator facility located at Lactowatta in Wanathavilluwa, Puttalam. The narcotics include items seized by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) during various raids, for which legal proceedings have been completed at the Negombo Magistrate’s Court. The consignment also includes narcotics held by the Govt Analyst’s Dept, which courts across the country have ordered to be destroyed more..

Jun 26 (DM) In a shocking disclosure, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament yesterday that the country had lost as much as US $ 1 billion because of the transfer of a whopping Rs.300 billion ill-gotten cash in terms of Telegraphic Transfers and Advanced Payments for imports. He said that certain banks had been implicated in the fraudulent transactions. “We have identified certain bank branches. When the manager of more..

Jun 26 (NW) Jana Aragala Sandanaya has lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission over the Bharatanatyam Guinness World Record event held at Galle Face Green on June 14, alleging financial irregularities and misuse of state patronage. Jana Aragala Sandanaya representative and FSP Propaganda Secretary Duminda Nagamuwa alleged that around 5,000 participants, mainly children from the Northern and Hill Country communities, had each been charged Rs. 5,000 to take part more..

Jun 26 (CI) Nuwanindu Fernando's unbeaten 65 kept SL A in the contest on the second day of their first unofficial Test against India A in Galle. At stumps, SL A were 113 for 2, still trailing by 339 runs after India A had declared on 452 for 6, on the back of Dhruv Jurel's 141 not out. Jurel resumed the day unbeaten on 68, in a century partnership with Shaik Rasheed, who was on 53 not out himself. Rasheed fell soon after - bowled by right-arm fast bowler Chamika Gunasekara - on 63, more..

Jun 26 (NW) Minister Anand Wijepala says 96 organised crime suspects who are the subject of international red notices remain in hiding across several countries, with authorities working to bring them back to SL. Speaking today, the minister said 37 of the 96 suspects have already been identified, including 19 in the UAE, 11 in India, and one each in Malaysia, UK, France, Canada, Russia, Italy and Saudi Arabia. SL authorities have repatriated 58 suspects over the past 20 months, more..

Jun 26 (FT) India and Pakistan held a fresh round of unofficial Track 2 talks in Colombo and Bangkok earlier this week, focusing on crisis management and measures to prevent future military escalation, according to a report by Indian broadcaster WION News. Report said delegates from both countries discussed strengthening crisis management mechanisms, alongside issues relating to terrorism and water, while exploring ways to translate the discussions into formal Govt-level dialogue. more..

Jun 26 (NW) A public awareness march was held today in Colombo to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, as part of the ongoing national drug prevention programme Iwathwenu. The programme, launched on 30 Oct 2025, is being implemented islandwide with awareness activities conducted by police stations and relevant govt institutions. As the main event, Ministry of Public Security organised more..

Jun 26 (NW) Bar Association of SL (BASL) has clarified that it did not make any representations on behalf of Attorney-at-Law Rakhitha Rajapaksa during court proceedings following his arrest by the CIABOC. In a statement issued on Friday, the BASL said certain media reports had incorrectly suggested that the Association made submissions during proceedings at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The BASL said its role in matters involving its members is limited to more..

Jun 26 (AD) The Ministry of Environment has introduced a new WhatsApp number to allow the public to report environmental issues, with the service coming into effect from today (26). Accordingly, the public can submit complaints and reports directly via WhatsApp massaging using the telephone number 070 250 9509. The Ministry stated that priority will be given to submissions supported by documents, photographs, and official reports containing factual information and evidence. more..

Jun 26 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake joined the ceremony held this morning (26) at the Sri Lanka Infantry Regimental Centre in Panagoda to extend his best wishes to members of the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force who are set to depart on UN peacekeeping missions. This marks the largest contingent of personnel ever to depart from SL at a single time for UN peacekeeping operations. more..

Jun 26 (TM) Colombo Port City Economic Commission and CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, in collaboration with the Embassy of SL in Oman, concluded a series of high-level engagements in Muscat aimed at deepening investment ties between Oman and Sri Lanka and positioning Port City Colombo as South Asia’s gateway for international business and investment. The delegation, led by Colombo Port City Economic Commission Chairperson Harsha Amarasekera PC, more..

Jun 26 (AD) Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed against 11 defendants, including former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran and former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, in connection with the Central Bank bond scam be called again on July 22. The case was taken up today before Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne. During the trial, the Judge stated in open court that the trial-at-bar, the presiding judge bench, in the case has not been properly constituted. more..

Jun 26 (FT) Top blue chip John Keells Holdings’ (JKH) Chairman Krishan Balendra was yesterday re-elected Chairperson of SL’s premier private sector body, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, at its 187th AGM for 2026/27. British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick attended as Chief Guest. The 2026/27 office-bearers are Chairperson Krishan Balendra (John Keells Holdings Chairperson), Vice Chairperson Bingumal Thewarathanthri (Standard Chartered Bank SL CEO), and more..

Jun 26 (NF) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $57.4 million financing package to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to expand access to affordable clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through an ambitious rooftop solar aggregation and virtual net metering initiative. The financing package includes a $35 million concessional loan, $16.9 million in grants from the European Union, and $5.5 million from the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism. more..

Jun 26 (AD) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando says the govt expects to provide relief to the public in the future in line with the decline in global fuel prices. Minister said the govt has so far provided a fuel subsidy of Rs. 57 billion for fuel, which is scheduled to end this month. He stated that a policy decision will be taken on whether the subsidy can be provided again, stressing that the govt does not intend to place an more..

Jun 26 (NW) Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas told Parliament today that the govt has launched a major project to develop infrastructure for electric vehicles by introducing charging points at key public locations. The initiative, in collaboration with the UNDP, comes as Sri Lanka saw a surge of electric vehicles entering the country in 2025, with plans to add 5% of these to the govt fleet. Pointing out that it was pointless importing such vehicles if they only charge at night, more..

Jun 26 (AD) A further seven units of the Battery Energy Storage System project, initiated by the govt to strengthen grid stability and provide relief to electricity consumers, arrived at the Colombo Port last evening. The systems are scheduled to be installed near power substations in Panadura, Beliatta, Hambantota, Ampara, Vavunathivu, Valachchenai, and Mahiyanganaya. The seven battery storage systems have a combined capacity to store 280MW of electrical energy, more..