May 23 (TM) Illicit substance abuse among Sri Lankan teenagers is strongly associated with peer influence (both use and the encouragement of use), family disruption (parental separation), school neglect and disengagement, social vulnerabilities such as social media addiction (problematic use), gang (anti-social peer groups) association, and the perception of substance use as a means of gaining social popularity. more..

May 23 (Island) SJB MP Mujibur Rahman has alleged in Parliament that on the eve of the announcement of a 50% customs duty surcharge on vehicle imports, LCs for 1,782 vehicles had been opened by three close associates of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Previously, the Opposition claimed that the number of LCs opened on that day exceeded 4,000. Rahman said the number of LCs opened during the week prior to the announcement of the surcharge mounted to 4,000. more..

May 23 (FT) SL’s recent, unexpected currency depreciation—which pushed the SL Rupee (SLR) toward the 345–354 per US Dollar range—has triggered widespread economic anxiety, evoking dark memories of the 2022 collapse. While mainstream commentators routinely blame generic global shocks or resort to circular political rhetoric, they consistently overlook the structural reality. The crisis stems from a profound policy asymmetry: SL aggressively stabilised and strengthened more..

May 23 (SO) Would you believe that centuries ago in Europe, your ancestors were displayed alongside exotic animals in human zoos? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a disturbing form of entertainment known as the Völkerschau, or people’s show, captivated Western audiences. These human zoos were designed to exhibit indigenous people from colonised lands in simulated natural environments. more..

May 23 (TM) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena made a sensational revelation in 2025 that everybody knew who was the mastermind of the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb blasts spearheaded by Muslim extremist suicide bombers. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Asian Geopolitics, Sustainability and Peace Council last November, Sixth President of SL hinted the mastermind was an Indian intelligence officer, who later provided intelligence information to SL sleuths hours more..

May 23 (FT) The social media was and is still ablaze because of the harrowing case of a thirteen-year-old girl in Anuradhapura who was allegedly sold by her own mother to one of the country’s most powerful religious figures, Pallegama Hemarathana. Despite the gravity of the child abuse allegation, the state mechinery delayed action, allowing the senior monk to be shielded under the guise of medical care in a luxury private hospital rather than facing immediate detention. more..

May 22 (DM) Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release on bail of Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, who is accused of sexual abuse of a minor girl. He was released on two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each and a cash bail of Rs. 100,000. The Magistrate further cautioned that the bail order would be revoked if conditions are violated or if any attempt is made to influence witnesses. The court also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspect. more..

May 22 (DM) A group of Hajj operators has lodged a formal complaint with the CIABOC against the Department of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs and the Hajj Committee, alleging that more than Rs. 110 million owed to operators has been withheld for over a year without valid justification. According to the complaint, around 3,500 pilgrims participated in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, with each pilgrim charged an additional 362 Saudi Riyals as a surcharge for special tent facilities. more..

May 22 (TM) In the wake of allegations that two companies had opened about 4,000 LCs shortly before the Govt imposed a 50 per cent surcharge on vehicle imports, Vehicle Importers’ Association (VIA) called on the authorities including the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank to investigate the matter and take appropriate action. Association's Vice President Arosha Rodrigo said that reports circulating in the media claimed more..

May 22 (TM) National Construction Association warned the Govt that unless fluctuating material prices and other costs are incorporated into the formula used for construction contracts, many projects across the country would come to a halt as contractors stand to lose their profit margins. Chairperson of the Association, Darinton Paul said that with the current unforeseen situation of the rapidly depreciating Rupee, contractors are struggling to finalise projects with clients more..

May 22 (FT) Sri Lanka is preparing to make history in the global tourism and events landscape as the internationally anticipated ONE LOVE Reggae Festival 2026 receives the endorsement and support of the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). Scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 August along the breathtaking southern coastline of Bentota, followed by an exclusive after-party on 10 August at the iconic Port City Colombo, more..

May 22 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka will never be allowed to fall into an economic crisis similar to that experienced in 2022, despite concerns expressed by some that such a situation could recur in the country. Prez made these remarks this morning while attending a ceremony to mark the resumption of construction of the Nintavur Cultural Centre in Ampara. more..

May 22 (AM) A 79-year-old woman was found brutally murdered in Seeduwa, with her body allegedly concealed inside a suitcase at her residence, police said. The deceased has been identified as Gerly Chanidrani, a resident in Mukkalangamuwa, Seeduwa. Officers attached to the SL Police launched an investigation following a tip-off received by the Seeduwa Police. During a search carried out at the house on Tuesday, officers discovered woman’s body inside a suitcase more..

May 22 (NF) Presidential Commission appointed to investigate coal procurement transactions is set to close the acceptance of complaints today, marking the end of the submission period for stakeholders to raise concerns related to the process. Commission stated that, as of now, a total of 23 complaints have already been submitted by various parties regarding the procurement of coal. Complainants have been able to submit their grievances either in person or by post to the Commission office more..

May 22 (NW) The number of people claiming asylum in the UK fell by 12% in the year to March 2026, according to new Home Office data, though levels remain more than double those recorded just before the pandemic. A total of 93,525 asylum applications were lodged over the 12‑month period, down from the previous year. Figures also show the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels dropped sharply to 20,885, compared with 30,657 in Dec 2025 and a peak of 56,000 in Sept 2023 under more..

May 22 (EN) John Keells CG Auto, the distributor for BYD passenger vehicles in SL, has rejected claims that the company had prior knowledge of a surcharge on vehicle imports and that it opened Letters of Credit on the day before the announcement. “JKCG categorically rejects this claim and states that the company had no prior knowledge of the surcharge. No LCs were established for BYD vehicles a day immediately prior to the relevant Gazette notification, and more..

May 22 (EN) More than 9,400 letters of credit (LCs) were opened to import new personal vehicles on the first day due to speculation despite SL’s 50% surcharge on Customs Import Duty (CID) becoming effective, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha said. The govt imposed a temporary 50% surcharge on CID on new personal vehicles for 3 months effective from May 16, aiming to restrict imports and reduce the depreciation of the rupee currency. more..

May 22 (Island) President’s Fund has expressed its attention towards providing a monthly scholarship allowance for school-going children of low-income lottery sellers, as a means of supporting their educational needs. This was revealed during a discussion held om Wednesday at the Presidential Secretariat between the Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the Prez, Roshan Gamage and officials of National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board more..

May 22 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya met with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at Marlborough House in London on Thursday. According to the PM’s Office, the meeting took place during the official visit of PM Amarasuriya to London, for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026. PM met with the Secretary-General to discuss areas of mutual cooperation and shared priorities within the Commonwealth framework. more..

May 22 (FT) An early architect behind the global growth of Booking.com, Jeff Hoffman last week called on smaller nations such as SL to seize emerging technologies and shifting consumer behaviour to leapfrog larger competitors in the global travel economy. Delivering the keynote at Hatch Works in Colombo during a session titled Why Small Nations Can Leapfrog, Hoffman, who is now Staynex Chairman and Priceline Co-Founder, more..

May 22 (MoD) US delegation led by Deputy Commanding General Strategy and Plans for US Army Pacific (USARPAC), Major General Giles J.S. Cornelia met with senior officials of the Ministry of Defence on 21 May for a discussion on ongoing bilateral defence cooperation projects. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest related to defence collaboration and security cooperation. The SL side expressed appreciation for the continued support and more..

May 22 (PMD) A discussion with the Catholic Council was held yesterday (21) afternoon at the Prez Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Govt, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, need to recruit Catholic more..

May 22 (AD) It is reported that, due to prevailing heavy rainfall, three wards at the Chilaw General Hospital have been inundated. The Deputy Director of the hospital stated that arrangements were made to transfer patients from the affected wards to other wards within the hospital. Furthermore, it is reported that, following the torrential rainfall experienced since last night, numerous roads in the Puttalam area have been flooded and trees have fallen onto several roadways. more..

May 22 (FT) Something has been done right in infrastructure. Eleven billion rupees over and above maintenance costs is not bad. One could quibble about the poor maintenance of the Outer Circular Expressway (E2) and inadequate illumination on all of them, but still, this is so much better than the rest of SL’s dysfunctional transport system. Planes, trains and buses are eating up taxpayer resources and providing extremely poor service. Tolling of expressways was not a done deal until more..

May 22 (DM) In a major shift within SL’s diplomatic postings, Daily Mirror learns that SL’s current Ambassador to the US Mahinda Samarasinghe will return back to the country in July after ending his term. It is learnt that Samarasinghe will likely be replaced by Prez’s Secretary, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake as the new Ambassador to Washington DC. However, while this is yet to be finalized by the Foreign Ministry or even the Prez’s office, more..

May 22 (AD) The Ampara District Special Coordinating Committee meeting will be held this afternoon at the auditorium of the Ampara District Secretariat under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This will be held with the objective of reviewing the progress of development projects being implemented for the people of the Ampara District, relief measures provided to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah, and programmes being carried out for infrastructure development, more..

May 22 (NW) The middle value in SL’s inter‑bank foreign exchange market has dropped to Rs. 330, down from Rs. 350 yesterday, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando announced today. He said the bidding rate now stands at Rs. 327, with the expected selling rate around Rs. 332, describing the development as good news for the public. Fernando noted that while the rupee’s appreciation offers relief to consumers, it may unsettle certain groups who had anticipated further more..

May 22 (AD) Matara Magistrate’s Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Matara Chief Magistrate Chaturanga Eranga Dissanayake ordered the issuance of the warrant after the former minister failed to appear before court in connection with an ongoing case. Warrant was issued due to Basil Rajapaksa’s absence from the Matara Magistrate’s Court today in relation to a case filed by the FCID more..

May 22 (AD) Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Selection Committee, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, has reportedly directed a letter to the Minister of Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage. In his letter, the ex-cricketer states that he has not yet received any official written communication regarding the decision taken by the Sports Ministry and SLC to remove him from his position before the completion of his official term and to restructure the selection committee. more..

May 22 (DM) SL’s rupee has once again come under severe pressure, sliding rapidly to around Rs. 354 against the US dollar this morning, raising fresh concerns about the country’s fragile external sector and declining foreign reserve position. Market sentiment remains extremely weak, and now that the rupee could depreciate even further into the Rs. 380-plus range in the coming days if urgent corrective measures are not taken. Such a rapid slide would be deeply alarming for an economy still more..

May 22 (FT) SL today stands at a critical constitutional and political crossroads. Amid economic instability, institutional distrust, and widespread discontent, the debate surrounding the Executive Presidency has once again emerged at the centre of national discourse. 2024 election manifesto of the NPP Govt, titled A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life, was constructed around the rhetoric of system change, with constitutional reform presented as its defining political mission. more..

May 22 (AD) Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT) has issued a special notice urging vehicle owners to collect their printed but unclaimed vehicle number plates issued during the years 2023 and 2024 before June 30. On May 21, nearly 100,000 vehicle number plates printed in 2023 and 2024 remain uncollected and are currently stored at departmental premises. A significant number of these number plates have accumulated at the DMT Head Office in Narahenpita for the Colombo District, more..