May 30 (TM) Over 240 activists, trade unions (TUs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and movements, attorneys-at-law (AALs), the clergy, academics and detainees under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, No. 48 of 1979 as amended (PTA) have written to the Justice Ministry Secretary calling for the immediate repeal sans replacement of the PTA without further delay, and criticised the alleged problematic more..

May 30 (FT) Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT) has issued a notice clarifying the procedures for foreign nationals wishing to drive three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) in the country, asserting that a temporary licence must be obtained through the proper channels. Commissioner of Motor Transport (Control) D.P.C. Udaya Kumara stated that foreigners are required to undergo both a written test and practical training in SL before being eligible for a temporary driving licence that permits them to drive tuk-tuks. more..

May 30 (EN) China is ready to support SL’s development, the Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, who led a trade delegation to SL, told a forum that looked at investments in the automotive value chain, tea plantation and enterprise development among other things. “Minister Wentao emphasized that China stands ready to support SL’s development journey, recommending that the two countries expand trade and economic cooperation to boost development, and explore more more..

May 30 (CT) Supreme Court, yesterday, issued an order directing the Govt to present immediate and concrete measures to prevent the rising number of elephant deaths caused by train collisions, following a Fundamental Rights petition filed by environmental activists. The case filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), was taken up yesterday before Justices Arjuna Obeysekera and Sobhitha Rajakaruna. more..

May 30 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya stated that today’s young professionals must play a more active role in matters related to the national significance. The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Organization of Professional Associations of SL (OPASL), held at the BMICH. During the event, senior members of the OPASL were appreciated, and a commemorative stamp marking the 50th anniversary was issued under the patronage more..

May 30 (EN) John Keells Holdings is expanding its retail store network as consumer demand continues to recover, Charitha Subasinghe the President of the group’s retail sector said. Last year six new outlets were opened and two were closed, taking the total to 138, JKH told shareholders in the annual report. Among new cities that Keells Super expanded to was in Jaffna. Keells will add 15 stores to its network this year, Subasinghe said, with monthly sales growth now starting to grow 15% against last more..

May 30 (DM) The FCID has named Dematagoda Chaminda, also known as Chaminda Ravi Jayanath, as a suspect in the ongoing investigations into the allegations that he used a bank account under another person’s name to handle funds amounting to Rs. 27 million believed to be proceeds from heroin and crystal meth trafficking. The investigations were initiated following a tip-off provided by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of SL to the Financial Crimes Division. more..

May 30 (DN) SL officially launched National Environment Week today, designating the first day as Plastic Waste Management Day. The Central Environmental Authority organized the main event, held at the Ministry of Environment, under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Hansaka Wijemuni, and Environment Ministry Secretary R. Uduwawala. A key highlight was a stakeholder session on the National Plastic more..

May 30 (NF) A gold-colored T56 assault rifle discovered in a luxury apartment complex in Havelock, Wellawatte led to the remand of former Minister Duminda Dissanayake until June 5, as ordered by Mount Lavinia Magistrate Chathurika de Silva. The weapon, found during a police operation, triggered a high-profile investigation involving Dissanayake and a Kazakhstani woman, both of whom were taken into custody. more..

May 30 (FT) Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s leading consumer companies, yesterday reported a strong financial performance for the financial year ending 31 March 2025, supported by volume-led growth across its key business segments—Retail, FMCG, and Restaurants. Group revenue rose 8.2% year-on-year, with Profit After Tax (PAT) growing by 22.5%, reflecting improved consumer demand and the Group’s ongoing focus on efficiency, affordability, and innovation. more..

May 30 (EN) Obtaining fairtrade certification will provide SL’s producers and exporters greater market reach, the country’s Export Development Board has said. “Fairtrade products enjoy a strong and a dedicated global customer base, and obtaining certification opens new avenues for local producers and exporters to enhance their market reach while ensuring compliance with international ethical standards,” EDB said. Together with Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers (NAPP) more..

May 30 (AM) The first shipment of imported coconut milk, intended to provide raw materials for industries reliant on coconut-based production and to help reduce domestic coconut prices, has been sent for customs clearance and laboratory testing, according to Ministry of Plantation Industries and Rural Infrastructure Development. This import was carried out under the approval of the Cabinet, following a joint proposal by Ministry of more..

May 30 (NF) Colombo High Court scheduled the next hearing in the high-profile money laundering case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grandmother Daisy Forrest, for July 11. The case, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleges that the two unlawfully acquired assets and property valued at approximately Rs. 73 million. High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi issued the order after Senior State Counsel Udara Karunathilake, more..

May 30 (NF) A group of fishermen stranded at sea off the coast of Balapitiya were rescued today following the deployment of a Bell 412 helicopter under the directive of the Secretary of Defence. The fishermen were aboard a vessel that encountered distress in rough sea conditions. Upon receiving the alert, SL Air Force launched the helicopter to assist in the emergency rescue operation. Met Dept has issued a Red Alert warning for strong winds and rough seas around Sri Lanka, more..

May 30 (NW) Sri Lanka’s first Mobile American Space, the “USBus”, was officially launched at the Uni of Kelaniya by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, in partnership with Sarvodaya-Fusion. Commenting on the launch, US Ambassador Julie Chung said the project will connect students with American innovation, leadership, and learning across Sri Lanka for the next 18 months. “The USBus will deliver three days of immersive programming here at Kelaniya. And throughout the next 18 months, 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..

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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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..