May 29 (DN) Minister Dr. Krishantha Abeysena, conducted an inspection tour today at the Technology Incubation Centre located within the Makandura Industrial Estate in Pannala. During the visit, discussions focused on expanding the network of Technology Incubation Centres to all state universities across the country. Currently, four such centres are operational under the Ministry’s guidance — at the Uni of Ruhuna, NERD Institute, Uni of Jaffna (Kilinochchi), and more..

May 29 (AD) Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union says it has decided to withdraw from services in protest against the decision to reduce employee bonuses. The union announced that it would launch a token strike on June 6 if its demands are not met. Commenting further on this matter, a member of the Union said the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) recorded the highest-ever profit by a SL institution in 2024, amounting to Rs. 107 billion and a majority of the profits were transferred to the treasury. more..

May 29 (Island) Former Director General of Administration, Parliament, Lacille de Silva said that NPP govt should reverse its decision to appoint an outsider as the Auditor General. Pointing out that the qualifications, as well as suitability of Pushpitha Chandana Hewa Kondilage, now on the CPC Board of Directors nominated by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, had been questioned as against the Department’s number two more..

May 29 (NW) Prem Thakkar, the Indian owner of the Galle Marvels franchise in the Lanka T10 League, has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 10 years, after pleading guilty to a match-fixing charge under SL’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act. Thakkar was also fined Rs. 6 million and ordered to pay Rs. 1 million in compensation. In addition, the Kandy High Court has granted a request by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to download and examine data from more..

May 29 (DM) Applications have been called to recruit 190 locomotive engineers, including 160 external applicants and 30 from within the dept, Railways General Manager Dhammika Jayasundara said. Jayasundara said the recruitment drive was initiated following a govt directive to appoint new staff in order to address the current shortage of locomotive engineers within the SL Railways Department. According to officials, nearly 600 applications have been received so far. more..

May 29 (DM) In a landmark moment for SL, Anudi Gunasekara etched her name into pageant history by claiming the title of First Runner-Up from Asia in the Miss World Multimedia Challenge at the 72nd Miss World Festival in the vibrant city of Telangana, India. Anudi’s remarkable performance not only earned her a place among the Top 20 global finalists in the prestigious challenge but also made her the first SL contestant ever to reach more..

May 29 (PMD) A discussion was held this morning (29) at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Disanayake, Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance to gather proposals and ideas for the Budget 2026. During the meeting, President Disanayake emphasized the importance of prioritizing the basic and urgent needs of the people at the district level in the preparation of the upcoming budget. more..

May 29 (DN) Ven. Bandarawela Amithananda Thero, a respected and beloved preacher in SL, passed away this afternoon while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital. The Thero had been battling an illness for some time and was undergoing long-term care at the hospital. A highly influential religious figure, Amithananda Thero was the founder of the Delgoda Youth Center for Dhamma, where he dedicated his life to guiding the country’s youth on the path of Buddhism and moral discipline. more..

May 29 (AD) A total of 16 Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of Sri Lanka Police have been transferred and assigned to new positions with immediate effect. Accordingly, transfers orders to five Inspectors of Police (IP) and eleven Chief Inspectors (CI) have been approved by the National Police Commission. The transfers are part of routine administrative changes aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency within the department, the Police Headquarters said. more..

May 29 (Island) Int'l Labour Organisation (ILO), in partnership with the Govt of Australia and the Govt of Norway, recently launched the GROW Project– Generating Resilient Opportunities for Work – a transformative US$2.8 million initiative aimed at strengthening livelihoods, climate resilience, and social empowerment for marginalised communities in SL’s Northern Province. Northern Province — home to over 75,000 women-headed households and more than 21,000 persons with more..

May 29 (TM) A few sporting institutions who have been planning to conclude their annual election of office bearers or AGMs before this Saturday (31), as per the country’s Sports Law, have been thrown into chaos, informed sources disclosed. This situation has emerged thanks to the revamped Sports Law that was published via a Gazette Notification by the Sports Minister last week, which has mandated all sports institutions here to adhere to more..

May 29 (DM) The 24-hour one-day passport issuance service for the public will come to an end tomorrow (30), Acting Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Chaminda Pathiraja said. The 24-hour service, which has been in operation since February 18, will be discontinued as scheduled. Accordingly, from Monday (2), applications for the One-Day Service will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Head Office of Dept of Immigration & Emigration more..

May 29 (NW) An Attorney-at-Law has filed a complaint with the CID seeking a probe into politicians Udaya Gammanpila and Dayasiri Jayasekera’s continuous claims regarding the over 300 containers that were allegedly released by Sri Lanka Customs without proper inspection. Nalin Sampath Kumara said the two politicians have repeatedly claimed, on social media and mainstream media, that a rise in crime has been reported following the release of these containers. more..

May 29 (DM) A 3-judge bench of the High Court today sentenced former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. He was sentenced after finding him guilty of causing a financial loss to the govt exceeding Rs. 53 million. Between Sept and Dec 2014, carrom and checker boards imported by the Sathosa institution in Colombo were allegedly distributed to sports clubs for political more..

May 29 (NW) General Secretary of the UNP Young Professionals Organisation (Colombo Chapter), Attorney Delan De Silva, has publicly condemned the recent govt decision to bar civilian students from entering the Medical Faculty of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). De Silva called the move a betrayal of our youth and a death blow to free education, adding that it was not a policy, but sabotage. “Sri Lanka is short by over 15,000 doctors. more..

May 29 (AD) A total of six individuals arrested over the shooting incident targeting the vehicle of former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), Thusitha Halloluwa, have been remanded until June 12. The order was issued by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena. A total of six individuals including a female were arrested in two separate occasions over the shooting incident. On 17 May, two unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire at a vehicle more..

May 29 (FT) In the high-stakes world of corporate turnarounds, leaders act swiftly to stabilise finances, streamline operations, and reposition brands for growth. Sri Lanka, grappling with economic crisis, could apply these same principles to national policymaking. By embracing fiscal discipline, public sector reform, export-led growth, and strategic FDI attraction, the island nation can chart a path toward sustainable recovery. Here’s how. In corporate turnarounds, more..

May 29 (FT) Across elite schools in Colombo and the quietest corners of rural SL, a hidden emergency is growing. Children are being groomed, manipulated, and extorted online. The only common factor? Access to a smart device — often handed over by a well-meaning adult, unaware of the danger on the other side of the screen. At Child Protection Force (CPF), we’ve worked with children as young as 10 who have fallen victim to online predators. This is not just a city issue. more..

May 29 (CT) Cabinet of Ministers yesterday officially revoked the Gazette Notification issued on 28 March 2025, under Section 4 of the Land Settlement Ordinance, which had triggered widespread fear and resistance across Northern Province. ITAK Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran welcomed the decision, stating, “We extend our sincere thanks to Prez Dissanayake and Cabinet of Ministers for revoking the Gazette, more..

May 29 (DN) Govt has decided to designate five forest areas in SL as protected reserves for this year’s World Environment Day, Minister Dhammika Patabandi. Minister announced that forests located in the Galle, Kegalle and Moneragala districts would be officially declared as reserves through a gazette notification. The forests are Kottawa in Galle, Uduliyadda and Thulhiriya Werahankanda in Kegalle & Nilgala in Moneragala. Official declarations are set to be made on June 5, more..

May 29 (CT) Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayagan has pointed out that although President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has requested support for the rapid development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, certain officials in Colombo-based departments continue to act in ways that obstruct these efforts. He made this remark during a meeting with the World Bank delegation, which included Abid Kali, SL Country Operations Manager, and Project Head Gayathri Singh. more..

May 29 (Island) President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that instead of leading a life focused solely on personal interests, every citizen should commit themselves to a journey dedicated to the collective welfare. Prez further noted that the 75 years of life and 64 years of monastic service of Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero stand as a profound example of such a path. The Prez made these remarks this afternoon (28) more..

May 29 (CT) The number of dengue cases in the country is on the rise with the intermittent rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, according to National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU). As of midnight on Monday (26), total number of reported dengue cases had risen to 22,627, with 5,081 cases recorded between 1 and 26 May 2025. The dengue death toll has increased to 11. According to NDCU’s NaDSys surveillance system, 5,175 dengue cases were reported in April 2025. more..

May 29 (DM) The ongoing investigation into the Weligama incident is primarily based on evidence submitted by supporters of the NPP party, according to Sanjeewa Weerawickrama, legal counsel for IGP Deshabandu Tennekoon. He conveyed this during proceedings before the special commission probing allegations against the IGP. Weerawickrama noted that future developments in the case may similarly rely on evidence from political affiliates. In response, Commission Chairman SC Justice more..

May 29 (TM) The Ministry of Ports and Shipping stated that findings from investigations into various past irregularities at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have been referred to the Presidential Secretariat. It was recently reported that the SLPA, under the current NPP Govt, has begun investigating various irregularities that took place in the past. When questioned about the current status of these investigations, the Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Janith Kodithuwakku said more..

May 29 (DM) In light of the global threat posed by the new COVID-19 variant, the Health Ministry has increased PCR testing in certain hospitals. According to the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, hospitals equipped with PCR testing facilities are now on high alert to detect any COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, the Secretary stated that the Ministry has also advised hospitals to enhance surveillance of patients being admitted or seeking treatment for fever. more..

May 29 (ST) In more than 20 countries 4,500 more people have died from coronavirus in a month, while the infectious virus has resurfaced claiming dozens of lives in some Southeast Asian cities, which are work, business, and holiday destinations for Sri Lankans. Health Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe has dismissed concerns of risks from the coronavirus disease. Preparations have intensified and all precautions taken, more..

May 29 (Island) Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Eric Walsh said that the Govt of Canada paid special attention to the implementation of the official language policy in Sri Lanka and was committed to entering into agreements with the Govt of Sri Lanka with the aim of assisting it whenever necessary. HC Walsh said so when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Govt, Dr. A.H.M.H. Abayaratne. A press release issued by more..

May 29 (FT) Minister K.D. Lalkantha has announced that the NPP has officially secured control of the Colombo Municipal Council. Minister confirmed that the NPP has not only won the highest number of seats—48 in total—but has also secured the backing of 11 additional Council members from United Peace Alliance, Democratic National Alliance, and independent groups. This brings the NPP’s total to 59 seats, the exact number required to form a majority in the 117-member Council. more..

May 29 (CT) A discussion is scheduled for this Friday between ITAK Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran and TNPF Leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam regarding the formation of local govt bodies. Former Northern Provincial Council member M.K. Shivajilingam stated during a media briefing in Jaffna yesterday that this dialogue should go beyond verbal communication and be formalised in writing, aiming for broader Tamil political unity. Although over three weeks have passed since the LG Elections, more..

May 29 (TM) SJB is preparing to lodge a complaint with the CIABOC, calling for an investigation into alleged attempts by the ruling NPP to secure support in Local Govt (LG) bodies – where it lacks a majority – by offering financial provisions to elected councilors and members. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that discussions are ongoing with legal advisors, and that the related complaint will be filed as soon as the legal consultations are complete. "Govt is making moves to win over more..