June 13 (SO) The Dept of Excise is on course to meet its revenue target of Rs. 242 billion for 2025. Collections have reached Rs. 90.6 billion by May 26. Dept wants to collect Rs. 240 billion from liquor tax and Rs. 2 billion from beedi tax. Between January and May, revenue collection has kept pace with the Dept’s monthly targets, with only minor fluctuations. In January, the cash target was set at Rs. 17.5 billion, against which more..

June 13 (TM) Earlier this month (June), a potentially catastrophic incident was narrowly avoided when two trains were found running close to each other on the same track along SL’s coastal railway line. The root cause was a fault in the signalling system – a technical failure that could have ended in tragedy. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. In fact, railway-related problems have become almost routine in the country, ranging from derailments and mechanical failures to collisions with wildlife, more..

June 13 (CT) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) recently approved a 15% hike in electricity tariffs, following lengthy discussions with the CEB. It was revealed that the initial suggestion was to increase tariffs by 18.3%, but the slightly lower and round figure of 15% was agreed upon following public consultations and review of tariff calculation methods. As a nation that suffered the brunt of an economic crisis and lived to tell the tale, public has now gotten used to all things considered more..

June 12 (IGB) Melco Resorts & Entertainment will open the casino at City of Dreams Sri Lanka this summer. As the new industry plans to launch, lawmakers have compiled a draft regulatory bill that is noticably free of regulations covering VIP junkets. 48-page SL Gambling Authority Act, published on 23 May, refers to the licensing, taxation and oversight of junkets, but it does not specify any regulations. In a hearing last week, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance questioned the omission. more..

June 12 (CT) Acknowledging visionary developments and market-leading innovations, Prime Lands Residencies PLC was selected as Developer of the Year – SL at the glamorous Real Estate Asia Awards 2025 gala held on 5 June 2025 at the prestigious Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore recently. The exclusive ceremony united Asia’s most influential real estate titans, industry pioneers, and investment leaders in an evening that celebrated more..

June 12 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today ordered a senior officer of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) to appear before court in connection with the ongoing investigations into the CB bond scam, due to the failure to submit bank records as previously ordered. Case is relating to the controversial bond issuance of Feb 27, 2015, which allegedly caused a loss of over more..

June 12 (Island) Health Professionals’ Trade Union Alliance has condemned the suspension of one of their prominent union leaders, Ravi Kumudesh, calling it a deliberate attempt to suppress the voices of healthcare workers advocating for their rights. Kumudesh, a long-standing advocate for the rights of health sector professionals, was suspended allegedly because he contested an election. However, union leaders argue the action is politically motivated and violative of due process. more..

June 12 (Island) Police have deployed round-the-clock security at Chabad Houses in view of emerging security concerns and recent public demonstrations. Police Media Division has said the decision was taken after assessing the security needs of Chabad Centres, which offer accommodation, religious services, and support to Israeli nationals visiting or residing in SL. The heightened security measures have been adopted in the wake of a silent protest held outside more..

June 12 (DM) Sri Lanka is currently facing a grave public health crisis as the country has been witnessing a surge in the number of Chikungunya and Dengue cases during recent months, particularly in Colombo and Gampaha districts. Medical experts have stated that dengue has now reached epidemic proportions, with over 23,000 cases reported nationwide so far this year. This surge is largely attributed to adverse weather conditions, more..

June 12 (DM) Sri Lanka has pledged its full support to ensure the successful hosting of the Global Dawoodi Bohra Community's Spiritual Assembly and Convention, scheduled to take place later this month in Colombo, the President's Media Division said. Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, instructed relevant officials to provide the maximum assistance necessary for the event’s smooth organisation. These directives were issued during a special discussion more..

June 12 (AD) Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe has been appointed the Media Spokesperson of the Department of Prisons. The appointment has been confirmed by the Ministry of Justice. Earlier today it was reported that Prison Media Spokesman Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake had tendered his resignation from the position of Prison Media Spokesperson to the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons. It was reported that the resignation letter was submitted more..

June 12 (Island) In a spirited move to blend business with national duty, SL’s liquor license holders are set to raise a glass; not to revelry, but to fiscal responsibility. SL Liquor Licensees Association (SLLLA) is hosting a first-of-its-kind workshop, turning the spotlight on taxation in an industry often steeped in controversy yet vital to state revenue. Like conducting a crash course in compliance, the event will bring together licensees from across the island for a day of dialogue with more..

June 12 (DM) Four Opposition parties, namely the SJB, SLPP, UNP and People's Alliance (PA) today announced that they have reached an agreement to jointly form administrations of local bodies where the ruling NPP does not command a majority. Announcement was made at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala today. more..

June 12 (TM) SL’s small and medium enterprises with defaulted loans have given more options to settle loans, and liquidate assets at better prices, Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma said. There were about 160 billion rupees of defaulted SME loans according to the industry, and borrowers with loans of 70 billion rupees had contacted banks to restructure loans by the deadline, he said. Following discussions with the govt a new more..

June 12 (TM) SL is expected to outperform its fiscal target for the third consecutive year in 2025, as more vehicle import duties enter the coffers, Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) said. London-based think tank said that after SL reached its primary surplus well ahead of target in 2024, and the latest fiscal data for 2025 show that overperformance is continuing into its third consecutive year. “Govt has generated a primary surplus in the first quarter equivalent to almost half its absolute rupee target for more..

June 12 (EN) Colombo Dockyard, a ship building and heavy engineering firm, said it was seeking more underwater restaurant building projects in the Maldives after the recent delivery of two. The firm said it was continuing to promote heavy engineering business internationally and is “actively seeking involvement in several potential projects for the construction of underwater restaurants in the Maldives.” Colombo Dockyard had completed a 12-passenger underwater restaurant for more..

June 12 (NW) Ministry of Agriculture says the report of the islandwide animal census has helped identify the areas with the highest number of crop-destroying animals. Ministry officials said the report reveals there are 5.17 million Toque monkeys (Rilawa), 1.74 million Grey Langurs (Wandura), 2.66 million Giant Squirrels, and 4.74 million peacocks in SL. The highest number of Toque monkeys has been reported in the Kandy, Kegalle, A'pura, more..

June 12 (NW) The NPP has formed the Haldummulla Pradeshiya Sabha after securing a majority of votes. It is reported that NPP’s Jagath Kumara Rajapaksa was elected the Chairman after receiving 11 votes. The position of Vice-Chairman has been secured by R. Murgesan, who represents an independent group. Following the 2025 Local Government Elections, the NPP had secured 09 seats and the SJB 06 seats. The UNP and SLPP had secured 01 seat each. more..

June 12 (NW) The SJB has taken control of the Akurana Pradeshiya Sabha with a majority of three votes. It is reported that the SJB and SLPP had joined forces to secure a majority in the election held this morning Central Local Govt Commissioner Chamila Atapattu announced that Istihar Imadudeen of the SJB was elected as the Chairman of the Akurana PS with a majority of three votes. Meanwhile, Chaminda Thilakaratne of the UPFA was elected to the post of Vice Chairman more..

June 12 (DM) A mistaken phone call that led to an illicit affair has ended in a conviction, as Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today sentenced the Chief Incumbent of Sandagala Viharaya in Rajanganaya to six months of simple imprisonment for circulating nude photographs and videos of a married woman with whom he had developed a romantic relationship. The Magistrate also imposed a fine of Rs. 2,500 and ordered the monk to pay Rs. 100,000 as compensation to the victim. more..

June 12 (DM) TPA is to take disciplinary action against two of its members in the Haldumulla PS for voting in favour of the person who was nominated by the ruling NPP as the chairman, party leader Mano Ganesan said today. Ganesan alleged that the two members have been offered monetary rewards for joining the NPP. "We curse the NPP for what it has done. NPP came to power promising to bring about a system change. However, it seems to be following its predecessors," more..

June 12 (Island) TNPF leader and Jaffna MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has urged the government to officially designate the Chemmani site in Jaffna as a mass grave and to provide immediate funding and protection for the ongoing excavation process. Speaking in Parliament last week, Ponnambalam warned that the lack of official recognition and proper funding was jeopardising the investigation and risking more..

June 12 (DM) Civil Intelligence Front today accused the incumbent govt of approving a European tour for two Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) chiefs, who are alleged to have caused a loss of Rs. 220 million to the govt. The loss reportedly occurred when a modern, high-tech pilot vessel, received as Japanese assistance for the Trincomalee Port, was damaged during a private excursion. The convenor of the Front, Sanjaya Mahawatte, made this statement at a media briefing in Colombo. more..

June 12 (AD) Prison Media Spokesman, Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake, has reportedly tendered his resignation from the position of Prison Media Spokesperson to the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons. It is reported that the resignation letter was submitted in relation to the current situation regarding the unlawful release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison under the Prez Pardon granted for Vesak Poya. Meanwhile, the govt has focused its attention towards more..

June 12 (BBC) An Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick airport with 242 passengers onboard crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. ‘Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest,’ Air India said. According to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, more..

June 12 (FT) SL’s electricity tariffs have never made much economic sense as they’re full of distortions, cross-subsidies and based on outdated assumptions. This is why the Advocata Institute recently made a formal submission to the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL), proposing a complete overhaul of the way electricity is priced. The goal isn’t just to balance the books. It’s to improve transparency and efficiency of the system. At the heart of this effort lies one central truth: more..

June 12 (AD) Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has recommended that an audit be conducted on the daily financial loss incurred due to train cancellations. This recommendation was given by COPA chair Member of Parliament Aravinda Senarath during the Committee’s meeting held at Parliament to discuss the Auditor General’s Report for the year 2023 and the current performance of the Sri Lanka Railways Department. The Sri Lanka Railways Department was summoned more..

June 12 (FT) Digital transformation of a country or an organisation should necessarily be considered as a journey and not a destination. Evolving technologies, ever changing customer needs and new legislations demand changes even in best-in-class systems. We have been discussing about digitalisation for decades with poor results compared to many other countries in the region. The new Government is showing a keen interest in transforming the economy to a digital more..

June 12 (DM) SriLankan Airlines today expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in the unfortunate incident involving Air India flight AI171. In a message shared on X, SriLankan Airlines conveyed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending thoughts and prayers to all those affected. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this immense tragedy. In this time of sorrow, we stand in solidarity with more..

June 12 (NW) Former Colombo Crime Division (CCD) OIC Chief Inspector Anselm de Silva testified Wednesday before a parliamentary inquiry that he and his team were instructed to carry out a shooting operation at the W15 Hotel in Weligama on orders from then-Acting Director of CCD ASP Neville de Silva. The committee is investigating allegations against interdicted IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. more..

June 12 (NW) President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Prez Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. President also participated in the inspection of the military parade. more..

June 12 (NW) The committee report on the fatal road accident in the Garadi Ella area of the Kotmale PD on May 11 was officially handed over today. Senior DIG Ajith Rohana presented the report to the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. Committee was tasked with investigating the circumstances of the incident and recommending preventive measures. Rohana said that the investigation found that 84 passengers, along with the driver and conductor, more..