June 20 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya says the support of the Maha Sangha is essential to establish Pirivena education as a model for all. PM made these remarks while addressing the 2025 National Pirivena Day celebration held at Temple Trees yesterday, in conjunction with the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late Most Venerable Welivita Pindapathika Asarana Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Thero, who pioneered the revitalization of Pirivena education as a central more..

June 20 (AD) Deputy Minister Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, has confirmed that the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will not be suspended immediately. Speaking in Parliament today, He stated that the govt has decided to conduct the scholarship examination for the year 2029 without any changes. He further noted that a committee will be appointed in 2028 to evaluate the future of the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam and determine whether it should continue beyond 2029. more..

June 20 (CT) NPP MP Nihal Galappaththi, accused a coalition of senior political figures—including former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Ranil Wickremesinghe, as well as former Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, P. Harrison, Wijith Wijithamuni de Soysa, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, and Lakshman Wasantha Perera—of orchestrating a massive financial scam involving USD 110 million in public funds. “None of them will be shown any mercy,” Galappaththi asserted. more..

June 20 (DM) The CID announced that it has received more than 30 complaints related to ragging incidents within the first six months of this year. The highest number of complaints, over 10, were reported from the Sabaragamuwa Uni. Additional complaints of new ragging incidents have also been received from the Eastern University and the Oluvil Uni. An investigating officer said that comprehensive investigations are currently underway regarding these cases and emphasised that more..

June 20 (AFP) Sri Lanka deported 85 Chinese nationals on Friday, months after they were detained on suspicion of carrying out cybercrimes against banks. The suspects were expelled for violating the terms of their tourist visas and fined around $250 each. "They were arrested by police in October over allegations that they were carrying out online scams targeting international banks," a senior immigration official who asked for anonymity more..

June 20 (AD) Nimal Karunathilaka, representing the NPP, has been elected as the Chairman of the Ukuwela PS in Rattota, Matale. Ukuwela PS comprises 16 opposition members and 11 members from the NPP. However, Karunathilaka secured 14 votes to win the chairmanship. Meera Saibu Mohamed Rafi, representing the United National Alliance, was elected as Vice Chairman with 12 votes. The election for the chairmanship of the Ukuwela PS was conducted amidst more..

June 20 (PMD) A group of students from Thambuttegama Central College, Anuradhapura, visited the Presidential Secretariat and President’s House this afternoon during their annual educational tour. The students had the opportunity to participate in the Vision programme, an initiative for schoolchildren jointly organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. more..

June 20 (CI) After a day-long tug of war, where Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ran each other neck and neck, the first Test will go into day five in Galle no closer to knowing which of these sides has the edge necessary to convert a likely draw into an improbable win. At stumps, Bangladesh lead by 187 runs with seven wickets in hand, and Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim - both first innings centurions - are at the crease. more..

June 20 (AD) NPP has established power in the Galle Municipal Council following the inaugural council meeting held today, under the patronage of the Commissioner of Local Government. A vote was conducted to decide whether the election of the Mayor of the Galle MC should proceed via secret ballot or open vote. 19 members voted in favor of a secret ballot, while 17 supported an open vote. The decision to proceed with a secret ballot led to a tense situation within the council. more..

June 20 (CT) US State Department has announced that all applicants for student and exchange visitor visas under the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories must set their social media profiles to public as part of a more comprehensive vetting process. “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” State Department said, emphasising that a US visa is a privilege, not a right. The Department noted that it will use all available information —including online presence — to screen applicants more..

June 20 (AD) SL Customs has announced that it has earned a revenue of around Rs. 165 billion from vehicle imports alone so far this year, following the government’s decision to lift the ban on automobile imports. Additional Director General of Customs, Seevali Arukgoda, stated that Customs is on track to surpass its revenue target for 2025. “The revenue target allocated to SL Customs for 2025 is Rs. 2,115 billion. In 2024, our target was Rs. 1,533 bil, which we exceeded by generating Rs. 1,535 bil. more..

June 20 (EN) The World Bank Group will be partnering with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to provide technical assistance on designing a strategic action plan for the national policy on child day care centers to support the national efforts on child care, the multilateral lender said. The move will be supported by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services (FIAS) program. more..

June 20 (AD) The Secretary General of Parliament has informed the Chairman of the Election Commission in writing that a vacancy has arisen in Parliament due to the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. Dr. Suriyapperuma, a National List MP representing the NPP and the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, has submitted his letter of resignation to Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Rohanadeera. more..

June 20 (AD) Chamithri Jayanika Rambukwella, daughter of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was previously remanded after failing to meet bail conditions, was released on bail today (June 20) after fulfilling the stipulated requirements. She had earlier been granted bail following her arrest under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. However, had been placed in remand custody owing to failure to fulfil the bail conditions. more..

June 20 (DM) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has criticised the NPP for allegedly assisting the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) to gain control of the Vakarai Pradeshiya Sabha. The TMVP, led by former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, is a controversial political group, with its leader currently in remand custody over the 2006 abduction and disappearance of a university vice chancellor in the Eastern Province. more..

June 20 (PMD) Board of Investment (BOI) of SL has successfully increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by US$96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024. This was disclosed today during a progress review meeting of the BOI, chaired by Prez. BOI officials also noted that, relative to the first quarter of 2024, domestic investment rose by US$21 million, while export income increased by US$176 m more..

June 20 (DM) SL Police announced that a programme to remove unauthorized equipment and illegal modifications from vehicles will be reintroduced starting July 1. According to DIG of Traffic Control and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda, the operation would target modifications such as high-intensity headlights, loudspeakers, and metal poles, which are often added without proper authorization. DIG noted that these alterations pose serious dangers to road users, more..

June 20 (EN) Sri Lanka has engaged a head hunting firm to find independent directors for state-owned banks, the Finance Ministry said, following a cabinet decision. “This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of the Boards and increase the representation of independent directors, thereby enhancing governance and oversight within these institutions,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement. KPMG Executive Search has been hired to find the directors. more..

June 20 (FT) SL’s natural heritage continues to reflect the importance of responsible environmental stewardship, and one such treasure, the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, is now the focus of a significant national initiative. Recognising both the ecological and recreational value of this remarkable site, the Institute of Environmental Professionals SL (IEPSL) is launching a comprehensive biodiversity and recreational value assessment, in collaboration with more..

June 20 (FT) Shanmuganathan Sivashankar alias Pottu Ammaan, the former intelligence chief of the LTTE is a keen topic of discussion these days within a Europe based segment of the SL Tamil diaspora. Although the much feared head of the Tiger intelligence division died during the final phase of the war in May 2009, there is a clique of ex-LTTE members based in Europe spreading fake news that Pottu Ammaan is yet alive and that he would emerge soon and revive the LTTE more..

June 20 (DM) Sri Lankans consume medicines at above-normal levels, with the health sector procuring pharmaceuticals under 863 generic categories - two-thirds imported and the rest locally manufactured - a volume that could be nearly halved through proper therapeutic guidelines, resulting in significant cost savings, Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said. Health Ministry had given mind to develop guidelines to be followed by more..

June 20 (DM) New Zealand has added Sri Lanka and eight other countries to its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), making it easier for skilled Sri Lankans to apply for work and residence visas, according to the NZ Immigration. The revised list, effective from June 23, 2025, eliminates the need for an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for eligible qualifications, streamlining key visa pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category and Green List roles. more..

June 20 (FT) Chamithri Rambukwella, one of the daughters of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was granted bail earlier yesterday, was remanded after failing to meet the Court imposed bail conditions. The CIABOC arrested two daughters of Keheliya—Chamithri and Amali, and her husband, Isuru Polgasdeniya, in connection with an investigation into allegations of money laundering. They are implicated in the investigation into undeclared assets worth over Rs. 134 m more..

June 20 (DM) Listed companies posted 57.4% year-on-year increase in earnings for the March 2025 quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth. This is as banking and consumer-led sectors outperformed on the back of lower finance costs and improved operating conditions. Sharp recovery in corporate profitability was driven by a boost in net interest income within the banking sector, alongside reduced more..

June 20 (CT) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, yesterday, criticised the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), describing it as a mere reality show that lacks the authority to take meaningful decisions. Rajapaksa stated that most media coverage of parliamentary proceedings revolves around COPE sessions, not because of their effectiveness, but due to their theatrics. He emphasised that this was not unique to the current Govt, but has been the nature of COPE more..

June 20 (DN) Since the procurement process has been completed and the agreements have been signed until December and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) maintains sufficient oil stocks for the next two and a half months, there will be no shortage of petroleum oil. Energy Kumara Jayakody said that the supply of crude oil required for the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has been confirmed until December. Therefore, there is no possibility of an oil crisis or shortage in the near future. more..

June 20 (FT) In a continued effort to enhance passenger service levels and foster a culture of collaboration, the Chairman, along with the senior management team of Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd., (AASL) recently convened a strategic meeting with the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR). The session was attended by the country managers of leading airlines operating in SL, and during the discussion, airline country managers shared their network growth plans, outlining more..

June 20 (DN) Rushalee Dissanayake of Musaeus College delivered a stunning performance on the third day of the 50th SL Schools All Island Age Group Aquatic C'ship, breaking a 44-year-old record in the Girls Under-16 400m Freestyle heats at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool in Colombo yesterday. Dissanayake, who clocked 4:55.68 with a lead of 22 seconds over the second place swimmer, erased the long-standing mark of 4 minutes 58.10 seconds, set by Udeshika Biyanwila of Bishop’s in 1981. more..

June 20 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is to hold a special public consultation next month (July) to discuss several decisions made by the Ministry of Energy and the CEB concerning the renewable energy sector, including the controversial directive issued by the CEB to disconnect solar power systems during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period. PUCSL Director Jayanat Herat said: more..

June 20 (TM) The establishment of the new Beruwala UC, which was scheduled to commence yesterday, has been temporarily halted, according to a group of Councilors of the SJB. Although arrangements had been made to hold the inaugural meeting of the Council yesterday under the supervision of the Western Provincial Commissioner of LG, four out of the six Councilors elected to the Beruwala UC from the SJB had not received the official letter notifying them of the meeting. more..

June 20 (Island) SL explorer, photographer, and author Senaka Kotagama unveils his debut book, The World of the Black Leopard, at its highly anticipated launch in Colombo. This self-published masterpiece, born from over five decades of global exploration—from SL’s misty tea highlands to Kenya’s rugged Laikipia plateau—chronicles Senaka’s groundbreaking discovery of Giza (Black Beauty in Swahili), a rare melanistic leopard. In 2023, Senaka became the first Sri Lankan more..