May 30 (TM) A group of parents of students who applied to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme at Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has lodged a complaint with Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL), challenging the sudden decision announced by Deputy Defence Minister, Aruna Jayasekara that only cadet officers and foreign students would be allowed to KDU’s Medical Faculty. more..

May 30 (CT) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the public is clearly unhappy with the performance of the NPP Government, as reflected in the recent LG Election results. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected UNP members to local govt bodies, held at the party HQ, Wickremesinghe noted a significant drop in voter support for the NPP. “The NPP, which secured 6.8 million votes in the last Parliamentary Election, managed only 4.5 million votes this time. more..

May 30 (DN) SL’s young tennis sensation, Revaan Amarasinghe of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, continued his unstoppable form as he guided SL team to a strong 2-0 win against Nepal at the ATF Under-12 South Asia Tennis Competition held at the SL Tennis Association courts in Colombo yesterday. SL boys’ team, remaining unbeaten in the tournament, showed their authnority once again. In the first singles match, Nuren Wevita comfortably defeated Aryash Pauden of Nepal more..

May 30 (DN) Sri Lanka’s women’s 4x400m relay team produced a commendable performance to clinch the bronze medal at the 36th Asian Athletics Championships, held yesterday in South Korea. Team, comprising Nadeesha Ramanayake, Nishendra Fernando, Jayeshi Uththara, and Sayuri Mendis, clocked a time of 3 minutes 36.67 seconds to secure third place. India took the gold with a time of 3:34.18, while Vietnam claimed silver, finishing in 3:34.77. more..

May 30 (FT) The 20th Build SL Housing and Construction International Expo, which has now become the premier exhibition of the construction industry in Sri Lanka, will be held on 30 and 31 May and 1 June at the BMICH. This exhibition is held at a time when the construction industry is beginning to rise after continuous contractions from March 2020 to December 2023 due to COVID-19 pandemic and economic debacle resulting in the suspension of capital works of the Govt. more..

May 30 (DN) SL Customs is planning to introduce several IT based solutions in the coming week to make operations easy for importers and exporters, Additional Director General of Customs, Seevali Arukgoda said at a press conference on the coming National Tax Week, from June 2 to June 8. First such is the Asia Hub initiative, which allows an importer to complete customs procedures before the shipment arrives in SL. more..

May 30 (FT) ACE Apparel Ltd, Koggala (subsidiary of Aitken Spence), has become the first and only company in SL to receive the prestigious OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton certification for its products. This significant achievement marks a major milestone in ACE Apparel’s ongoing commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices. The certification was awarded during the Hohenstein Global Sustainability Conference SL, that was recently held. The certification was presented by more..

May 30 (FT) China International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector (CICCPS) recently visited the Board of Investment (BOI) to focus on win-win cooperation and innovation in collaboration with Sri Lanka. The longstanding relationship with China, not only with diplomacy but also a longstanding trade and commerce relationship, was revisited in this high-level business delegation meeting by the BOI officials. Further, the delegations represented diverse commercial cities more..

May 30 (DM) In lieu of the upcoming World No Tobacco day, a study revealed that Sri Lankans spend Rs. 520 million per day on cigarettes and the health and economic costs of smoking were Rs.214 billion in 2019, ADIC said. According to the 2020 Global Adult Tobacco Survey a total of 3.2 million Sri Lankans consume tobacco daily, and 20,000 premature deaths every year in Sri Lanka are caused by tobacco. more..

May 30 (FT) People’s Bank yesterday announced its results for the period ended 31 March 2025, reporting a total consolidated operating income of Rs. 45.1 billion and post-tax profit of Rs. 11 billion, reflecting a growth of 120.8% and 347.2%, respectively. Consolidated net interest income rose to Rs. 38.6 billion during the said period from Rs. 16.1 billion in the comparable period in 2024 – reflecting timely pricing of assets and liabilities in line with changing market interest rates. more..

May 30 (DN) Sri Lanka’s young golfers Reshan Algama and Adithya Weerasinghe put up a determined performance to claim 13th place in the Boys’ Team Competition of the Asia-Pacific Golf Championship, which concluded in Hong Kong yesterday. The tournament, which attracted teams from 15 countries across the region, saw the Sri Lankan pair finish ahead of host nation Hong Kong – China Team III and Myanmar after three tough rounds at the challenging course. more..

May 30 (Island) I wrote recently about the need for govt to radically rethink its approach in the light of the results of the local govt election. But it is not only the approach to governance that needs to be reconsidered. For the confusion that has resulted from the current electoral system, with deals having to be done to secure control of a council, is ample reason to rethink the whole system. For these deals do not have necessarily to be horse deals, with politicians arguing for their own advantage more..

May 30 (CT) On 29 April, Charith Dilshan Dayananda – a 23-year-old second-year student at the University of Sabaragamuwa – died by suicide, and two days later, another student lodged a complaint with the Samanala Wewa Police, alleging that Dilshan’s death was the result of severe ragging. In the last month, following Dilshan’s death, ragging in government universities has once again become the talk of the town, with many expressing disgust, disapproval and anger towards more..

May 30 (ST) The health sector is grappling with non-availability of certain medicines and equipment in state-run hospitals. This is despite the existence of a so-called comprehensive medical supplies information management system SWSTHA which provides information on availability, quantity, and also pinpoints shortages. A Sunday Times investigation reveals that the unavailability of medicine at hospitals stems from an array of more..

May 30 (FT) Janashakthi Life, the fastest growing life insurer in the country recorded 49% year-on-year increase in Gross Written Premiums (GWP) for the first quarter of 2025, totalling Rs. 1,830 million — up from Rs. 1,231 million in Q1 2024. The company’s strong top-line growth reflects its strategic focus on customer acquisition, market expansion, and product innovation. Regular First Year Premium (FYP) grew by a mammoth 86% over last year demonstrating its ability to attract a broader customer base. more..

May 30 (Island) The wheels of justice, though frustratingly slow, have finally caught up with two politicians who misused public funds for political purposes, while in power. Former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years and 25 years, respectively, for causing a loss of Rs. 53 million to the state coffers by purchasing carrom boards and checkerboards for distribution among sports clubs in run-up to more..

May 30 (ST) Unlocking Sri Lanka’s growth potential necessitates allowing growth to be urban bias, as I highlighted in last week’s discussion. That conversation underscored a crucial reality—the country has yet to fully harness its growth potential to drive recovery, alleviate poverty, and achieve meaningful progress. While I don’t intend to revisit last week’s discussion, it is essential to unpack the concept of urban bias growth. How does it shape the nation’s economic trajectory? more..

May 30 (TM) Eight months into governance by the NPP which swept into power in September last year with the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the post of Executive President, the slow-moving wheels of justice in Sri Lanka have delivered a ruling which has plucked two low-hanging fruits in relation to corruption. Yesterday, in a landmark ruling, the Colombo High Court (HC) has sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years, and former Sathosa Chairperson more..

May 30 (TM) Media Ministry’s decision to provide web-based journalists with a form to obtain personal information such as their children’s details was taken to expedite the Defence Ministry clearance given to web-based media organisations, according to an official at the ministry. In the past, web-based media organisations were required to register with the Media Ministry – a process which involved obtaining a Min. of Def. clearance more..

May 30 (SO) Sri Lanka, with ample natural resources, can achieve the renewable energy target of meeting 70% of the country’s energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2030, said a top official of Access Solar (Pvt) Ltd. “We are amply blessed with sun, rain and wind which should be harnessed for generating energy,” said Access Solar General Manager Upul Dissanayake on the sidelines of the celebration to mark Access Solar’s 25 years in the industry and the launch of more..

May 30 (DM) I was energised to pen this piece after having read with interest several articles in the press. One of them was an article by veteran journalist Kusal Perera which exposed the manoeuvers by power hungry political party leaders abusing the very objectives of the LG machinery, to achieve their selfish and ulterior political motives, underscoring the need for System Change. Furthermore, political parties delaying the submission of names of their selected more..

May 30 (SO) The arrest of the 21-year-old British national, Charlotte May Lee at the BIA last Monday (12) for her alleged attempt to smuggle in 46 kg of synthetic cannabis from Bangkok, Thailand to SL has raised concerns about a much larger drug trafficking network operating from Thailand. Drugs found in the former TUI flight attendant’s possession, were in more than 90 vacuum sealed plastic bags and more..

May 30 (CT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted the need for a new value system in the country while addressing the 75th birth felicitation ceremony for Rev. Omalpe Sobhita. This is a point that he has been reiterating since he assumed duties and even earlier. Another point he mentioned was that the society and its institutions have deteriorated to such an extent that it is not possible to move forward as a nation and country without reforming these. more..

May 30 (DM) From all the days that we celebrate, World No Tobacco Day takes great importance for many reasons. One reason could be that we must protect the fathers who indulge in smoking products made of tobacco. There are many who say that World No Tobacco Day is more important than World Mothers’ Day because the former can be used to save the lives of those addicted to tobacco and also millions of rupees. World No Tobacco Day falls on May 31 (Saturday). more..

May 29 (CT) PM Harini Amarasuriya has issued a strong condemnation of the way SL’s school system handles incidents of violence against children, warning that institutional priorities often overshadow the well-being and safety of students. Addressing school principals in Colombo District at an event organised by the Human Rights Commission of SL in Colombo, Dr. Amarasuriya questioned whether schools are more invested in protecting their reputation than in ensuring justice for children more..

May 29 (Island) National Shoora Council (NSC) has urged Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to honour his election pledge and repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) without replacing it with a new Anti -Terrorism law, as no such mandate was sought from the people in the ruling party’s manifesto. The NSC has also pointed out in its letter to Prz Dissanayake that over a dozen new laws had been enacted during the last 25 years with wider powers being vested in the executive and the police. more..

May 29 (AD) The experts’ committee appointed to investigate the cause of fatal bus crash in Gerandi Ella, Kotmale, has identified driver fatigue as the primary cause of the accident, citing a violation of mandatory rest regulations under the Motor Traffic Act. According to Sections 169/1 and 169/2 of the Act, drivers are required to take a minimum break of 30 minutes after every four and a half hours of driving, final report compiled by more..

May 29 (DM) In conjunction with World Environment Day, the Vehicle Emissions Trust Fund will organise a free motorcycle and three-wheeler tuning camp, along with an awareness programme on fuel efficiency and air pollution, on May 31, DMT said. They said the event will take place at Nidahas Mawatha, Kegalle from 10 am onwards. This year, the Day to Reduce Air Pollution and Its Adverse Effects will also be observed on May 31, 2025, ahead of World Environment Day on June 5. more..

May 29 (NW) Considering the need of providing a qualitative and quantitative solution to the prevailing drinking water issues faced by the Ruwanwella, Bulathkohupitiya, and Yatiyantota Divisional Secretariat areas in the Kegalle District, the first phase of the Ruwanwella Water Supply Project was officially handed over to the public today (29), under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. A total of USD 25.5 million has been spent on this project, which includes more..

May 29 (MB) In the soft first light of dawn, wildlife photographer Priyanath Kotalawela observed a golden silhouette gliding across the wet grasslands in the Thalangama Wetland, not far from the heart of SL’s administrative capital of Sri J'pura Kotte. It was the size of a midsize stray dog, but despite having somewhat similar features, the silhouette turned out to be a golden jackal (Canis aureus), a species not often associated with more..

May 29 (FT) A delegation from the National Shoora Council (NSC) held a constructive meeting with the Muslim MPs representing the ruling party last week in Colombo. The ruling party MPs included Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of National Integration Sh. Muneer Mulaffer, and all the ruling party Muslim MPs. The delegation, led by NSC President M.M. Zuhair PC, included 10 executive committee members of the NSC who expressed sincere appreciation for the opportunity to more..

May 29 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday (26) granted approval to the proposal furnished by Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake and Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath to instruct the Legal Draftsmen to draft a law to act against foreign terrorist militants based on the United Nations Defence Council Resolution 2178 (2014). Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said Sri Lanka, as a member of Asia-Pacific region on money laundering, is dedicated to productively execute and more..