June 20 (Island) SL will field seven cueists including champions Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju when the country hosts the Asian 6 Red and Team Snooker Championship 2025 at the Moors Sports Club billiards table in Colombo from June 22. The seven-day championship is hosted by Billiard and Snooker Association of SL (BSASL) under the auspices of the Asian Confederations of Billiard Sports (ACBS). Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju are joined by Mohamed Rikaz, more..

June 20 (FT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) this week outlined a renewed vision for financial sector compliance, urging institutions to move beyond checkbox regulation and embrace compliance as a cornerstone of ethical leadership, institutional resilience, and public trust. Speaking at the Compliance Forum of the Finance Houses Association of SL (FHA), CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe highlighted the growing complexity of financial operations. more..

June 20 (FT) Govt is reviewing the possible reintroduction of minimum wage policy for SL migrant workers, particularly in light of growing concerns over worker protection and wage disparities in Middle Eastern countries. Minister Vijitha Herath recently addressed critical issues surrounding the welfare and wages of SL migrant workers in the Middle East, where over 1.3 million Sri Lankans are currently employed. more..

June 20 (Island) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) paid a glowing tribute to the outgoing Secretary to the Finance Ministry, Mahinda Siriwardena, on Wednesday. He ensured that Siriwardena would end his crucial innings in the Treasury on a high note, and commended the latter for having helped steer the country’s battered economy to safety. Siriwardena praised President Dissanayake for having provided political leadership for the ongoing economic recovery efforts. more..

June 20 (DN) “I always get a good wicket in Galle,” said Bangladesh’s experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim after his superb 163 which laid a solid foundation for a strong first innings. He also shared a record fourth-wicket partnership of 264 with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto — Bangladesh’s highest against SL. The 38-year-old right-hander has now crossed the 150-run mark on four occasions in his Test career. It was Mushfiqur’s 12th Test century and his first in 14 innings since Aug last year. more..

June 20 (CI) Roughly 70 overs into a scorching third day against Bangladesh in Galle, Pathum Nissanka smokes Bangladesh's fastest bowler through the covers, flicks him past the keeper next ball, and soon speeds from the 150s into the 160s. He had faced a little over 200 deliveries by this stage, but even this far into a long day, Bangladesh's bowlers are finding there is still so little room for error with this guy. more..

June 20 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the SL Consulate General in United Arab Emirates (UAE) organised a country pavilion at Middle East Rubber and Tyre Expo 2025 in Sharjah, UAE with the participation of 10 SME companies in the Rubber Product sector under the National Export Brand Your Vital Island to promote SL Rubber Products in the Middle Eastern Region. The exhibition was held from 17-19 June, at Sharjah Expo Centre in Sharjah, UAE. more..

June 20 (FT) Sunshine Consumer Lanka, the market leader in SL’s branded tea category and a growing player in confectionery, was honoured by the SL Institute of Marketing (SLIM) as Best Marketing Company of the Year – SL, earning the opportunity to represent the nation at the prestigious Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) Awards 2025, held in China in May 2025. This national-level recognition was granted following a competitive evaluation by SLIM, reflecting Sunshine Consumer’s more..

June 20 (ST) The annual RCYC-Trinco Blu Sailing Regatta, conducted by the Royal Colombo Yacht Club, at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, concluded during the weekend with fierce gusts, tense moments and world class sailing off the eastern coast. Held under brilliant blue skies and sunshine, the island’s flagship sailing event saw 43 boats and almost 60 sailors battle steady winds between 15 to 17 knots, with gusts reaching up to 20 knots, in an exhausting day of intense combat. more..

June 20 (FT) EY successfully hosted the 10th EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women (EWW) Asia-Pacific Conference. The event took place from 20 to 22 May, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Held annually, the program identifies and supports high-potential women entrepreneurs across the region – empowering them to scale and expand globally and become the inspiration for future generations. This year’s cohort of 24 exceptional women-leaders collectively generated over $ 1.2 b in revenue more..

June 20 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya yesterday called for a culture of innovation that is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable to transform SL to achieve higher socio-economic growth amidst global challenges. Noting that SL hitherto hadn’t prioritised innovation – hence the country’s laggardness vis-à-vis some of the Asian peers, PM said that the new Govt was committed to setting policy direction, partnering effectively with more..

June 20 (Island) The military funeral of General Hamilton Wanasinghe was held at Borella last Saturday. A legendary military leader of our time, he served Sri Lanka for more than 41 years (1954-1995) in various capacities such as the Commander of the Army, Commander Joint Operations Command (presently known as Chief of Defence Staff) and Secretary of Defence. More than 1,700 troops lined up at Bauddhaloka Mawatha by 1630 hrs, representing the Army, Navy & Air Force, more..

June 20 (DN) Sri Lanka’s women’s tennis team powered their way into the final of the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup by Gainbridge Asia-Oceania Group III ‘A’, brushing aside Nepal 3-0 in their Group match played on the clay courts of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association in Colombo yesterday. The home team was in fine form, with Akeesha Silva leading the charge in the opening singles. The 19-year-old fought off a spirited challenge from Nepal’s Shivali Gurung, winning a tight contest 7-6, 7-6. more..

June 20 (ST) Nihal’s jeep was stopped by the traffic police for crossing the single line in the middle of the main road, while driving to Badulla from Colombo. He was transporting a group of foreign guests for an event in Badulla. As they navigated the winding mountain roads, he attempted to overtake a public bus that was struggling to climb the steep incline. The bus was moving slowly, releasing thick black smoke that engulfed Nihal’s jeep, making the journey uncomfortable for his passengers. more..

June 20 (CT) The LG Election might be done, but it certainly isn’t dusted, as the war of securing the majority in the Local Govt office is evidently ongoing, although the ruling NPP has managed to secure the most number of seats. If there is a positive to it, it is how the power struggle continues to create political drama for those who crave it and for those who thrive in it. The controversial secret ballot in Colombo Municipal Council, Kolonnawa Urban Council going the NPP’s way, more..

June 20 (SO) As Sri Lanka deals with a dengue epidemic, expert public health officials must approach the battle against infectious diseases. Prof. Neelika Malavige said that the rapid rise of obesity, diabetes, and related metabolic disorders is intimately connected to the growing toll of dengue and other viral diseases such as Chikungunya. The fight against NCDs is no longer just about preventing heart attacks or strokes. more..

June 20 (TM) In a country starved for education the innocent dreams of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands have been shattered by the brutal, inhuman, and degrading practice of ragging that continues to plague Sri Lankan universities. The act of torture and indoctrination, championed in the higher education system by mainly leftist political student movements long affiliated with the incumbent Govt, once again come under the spotlight and a possible watershed moment, more..

June 20 (CT) In a country where the Constitution is supreme, all conduct that is inconsistent with it is invalid. This includes parliamentary legislation, which may be reviewed by the judiciary, potentially resulting in inconsistent provisions being declared invalid. Ideally, other actions of Parliament, such as the conduct of its proceedings and the adoption of resolutions, should also be subject to constitutionality review. Conversely, in countries where parliamentary sovereignty prevails, more..

June 20 (TM) On a warm afternoon in Dambana, a member of the Sri Lankan Indigenous Veddah community, Dorana Aththo sits on a wooden bench outside his home, watching a group of children chase each other through the dust. Nearby, an elder from the village leans on a walking stick, looking toward the thinning forest line. “This land raised us. But now, we’re just living in it. We aren't part of the decisions that shape it,” more..

June 20 (DM) Will the United States join Israel’s war on Iran? This is the biggest question today, as Iran and Israel continue their war of attrition. On the eighth consecutive day of escalating hostilities—with missiles and drones striking each other’s cities—the US president’s decision could alter the course of the conflict. It could either de-escalate tensions or add fuel to the confrontation that risks engulfing the entire region for months to come. Which way, Donald Trump? more..

June 20 (DM) Many moons ago, this writer was part of a conversation in which the discussion was on how to mint money. The person who was in control of the conversation was a self-made man who was running a chain of hotels. In all his hotels, wellness centres and yoga retreats were a big part of the culture. He went on to mention that wellness, weapons and drugs (as in narcotics) were the three businesses people can engage in and make money fast. Fortunately or unfortunately, more..

June 19 (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 19 (AD) The Sri Dalada Esala Perahera of the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy is scheduled to commence on July 25, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela has confirmed. The annual Kandy Perahera will commence with the ‘Kap planting’ ritual at the four main devalayas which will be followed by the five-day process of Ethul Perahera. Following five days of internal processions within the devalayas, this year’s first Kumbal Perahera will take to the streets on July 30. more..

June 19 (DM) Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Lakmini Girihagamage appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the Maligakanda Magistrate today that laboratory tests conducted in a German chemical laboratory had revealed that the immunoglobulin drug contained only saline and lethal, harmful bacteria and not any medicinal substances. This statement was made during the hearing of the case filed against more..

June 19 (NW) Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill in Parliament on Wednesday. According to a Parliament statement, this Bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 was presented to Parliament for its first reading on 08 April 2025. The second reading debate was held on 23 May 2025, after which the Bill was passed in Parliament following its third reading on 04 June 2025. more..

June 19 (CT) SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns in Parliament over the Govt’s management of prison administration, criticising what he described as a chaotic approach to circulars and the misuse of Presidential Pardons. Jayasekara asserted that his Party has “never lost respect for the SL Judiciary,” noting that even International Court rulings are respected and acknowledged. He emphasised that the SJB has consistently spoken out against injustices faced by members of the Judiciary. more..

June 19 (AM) Parliamentary Committee on Public Security and Order (SCOPC) continued its investigation yesterday (18) into the W15 Hotel shooting incident, which has been linked to the suspended IGP, Deshabandu Tennakoon. Meeting for the seventh time, the committee summoned nine witnesses, during which significant new details were revealed. Among those who testified was Police Sergeant Alwis Wijewickrama more..

June 19 (DM) A hotel with luxury facilities built inside two railway compartments has been completed at the Ratmalana Main Railway Yard by its own workers, General Manager of Railways Dhammika Jayasundara announced. The unique hotel, named Odyssey Camper, is set to open in a few days. The luxury hotel on wheels has now been relocated to Nanuoya, offering guests stunning views of waterfalls and the scenic hill country landscape. According to the General Manager, more..

June 19 (DM) Following the recent relaxation of vehicle imports, the DMT announced today that a total of 73,489 new vehicle and electric car registrations have been recorded so far this year, increasing the country’s total vehicle population to 8,528,002. A7,542 cars have been registered up to May, along with 58,943 motorcycles and 1,666 three-wheelers. Additionally, 293 buses, 156 special purpose vehicles, 1,817 land vehicles, and 1,123 dual-purpose vehicles more..

June 19 (CT) High Commissioner of India to SL, Santosh Jha, hosted a special reception for members of the Women’s Caucus of the Parliament of SL at India House earlier today. The event was graced by the Honourable PM of SL, Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and several other Honourable Members of Parliament representing the Women’s Caucus. In his address, High Commissioner Jha highlighted the pioneering more..

June 19 (NW) A Singaporean company that had invested in a foam mattress manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka is considering shutting down operations, accusing the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) of obstructing its operations. Addressing the media, representatives of Honour Global Industries said that the company had requested permission from the BOI in 2023 to set up the foam mattress manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka with an investment of US$ 08 million. more..

June 19 (CI) Partnerships were the name of the game for SL as every top-order batter chipped in to whittle away at Bangladesh's healthy first-innings total of 495. By stumps, SL's deficit had been trimmed to just 127. A majority of it was cut down courtesy Pathum Nissanka, who struck a career-best 187 off 256 balls. It was his first ton on home soil, and a knock that had seen him dominate from the first new ball to the second. more..