May 14 (DM) In response to the recent surge in road accidents involving buses, police have stepped up night-time inspections of long-distance passenger buses in an effort to reduce such incidents. Police said the Acting IGP has instructed officers to be deployed at key points along major roads to conduct checks on vehicles, particularly long-distance buses operating at night. The inspections aim to identify drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as well as those engaging in reckless or more..

May 14 (NW) Gold prices declined significantly, both globally and in SL, following a temporary easing in trade tensions between the US and China. On May 12, global gold prices dropped more than 3%, marking the largest single-day decline of 2025. The fall was driven by a 90-day agreement between the US and China to reduce tariffs—U.S. duties were lowered from 145% to 30%, while China reduced its tariffs from 125% to 10%. The easing of trade tensions reduced demand for gold as a more..

May 14 (Island) SJB is in turmoil over naming of members to Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded LG elections. Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa. more..

May 14 (NW) Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has denied links to the educational programmes offered by the SL National Youth Services Co-operative Society (NYSCO). Issuing a statement, the ministry said its name and official govt logo had been utilised by the institution without approval for the promotion of its educational programmes. Based on the instructions of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), the ministry has appointed a committee to probe the matter. more..

May 14 (CT) The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has called on the President to take direct action to implement advanced technologies to control dengue, ensuring such measures follow proper procurement procedures and involve consultation with relevant international experts. The MCPA criticised Sri Lanka’s health system for its continued failure to contain the annual dengue outbreaks, which often reach epidemic levels. more..

May 14 (PMD) In a landmark move to promote public hygiene and accessibility, the Govt today launched a national-level initiative to install modern sanitation facilities at fuel stations across the country under Clean SL programme. Official launch was held at the Prez Secretariat, with the participation of top govt officials and key industry stakeholders. The initiative aims to transform fuel stations into clean, safe and inclusive spaces more..

May 14 (CT) The EPDP will not extend its support to the Govt in any local govt body in the North, General Secretary of the Party, Douglas Devananda said, adding that it is the Party’s final decision. He made this statement while meeting with EPDP’s local govt candidates, regional representatives, and key Party figures at the Party’s Headquarters in Jaffna. He also clarified that the EPDP has no intention of joining any ruling administration. Specifically, he criticised the National People’s Power (NPP), more..

May 14 (AD) SL-born Gary Anandasangaree has been sworn in as Canada’s new Minister of Public Safety in PM Mark Carney’s recently unveiled cabinet. As Minister of Public Safety, Anandasangaree will lead the Dept of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness — the federal body responsible for internal security, border protection, and emergency management. The dept also administers the Emergency Management Act and oversees key security agencies including more..

May 14 (AD) Colombo High Court today ordered the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of Tangalle, or a medical officer appointed by him, to examine the health condition of Nandun Wickramaratne, also known as Harak Kata, a high-profile drug trafficking suspect currently detained at the Tangalle Old Prison. The directive was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Sujeewa Nissanka after the defendant informed the court that he was suffering from multiple ailments, including haemorrhoids, more..

May 14 (TM) The public has been alerted to fraudulent social media messages offering free mobile data in celebration of Vesak, known as Data Dansal. According to the SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), scammers are circulating fake links that claim to provide free data but are actually designed to steal personal information. Senior Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola warned that while legitimate data donations do exist, many links shared more..

May 14 (TM) SL’s adventure tourism market which offers commercially operated outdoor activities such as hiking and trekking, is estimated to reach $ 780 million by 2025, and is further projected to expand to $ 2.1 billion by 2035, according to Future Market Insights. “This represents a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% over the ten-year period, underscoring the island’s rising appeal as a premier destination for more..

May 14 (NW) Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, seeking to prevent his arrest over a payment made in 2021 to a Chinese firm for a consignment of alleged substandard organic fertiliser. Filing his anticipatory bail, the former minister informed the court that the Bribery Commission intends to arrest him in connection with allowing a ship carrying the alleged substandard organic fertiliser to enter more..

May 14 (Island) The Indian High Commission in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo and Bihar Museum, Patna, India organised a special exhibition titled Dhamma Rupa at Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple on Monday (12) as part of the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival in Colombo. PM Harini Amarasuriya, accompanied by High Commissioner of India to SL Santosh Jha inaugurated the exhibition during the opening of Vesak Festival at Gangaramaya, more..

May 14 (NW) Twenty-six (26) vehicles, including luxury and decommissioned models, are scheduled to be auctioned tomorrow (15), as part of the second phase of the luxury vehicle auction conducted by the Presidential Secretariat. All vehicles set to be auctioned were manufactured within the last ten years, while the deadline for submitting bids for these vehicles concluded today. Among the vehicles to be auctioned are more..

May 14 (DM) A two-day vehicle tuning dansala will be held tomorrow (15) and the day after (16) in front of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) head office in Narahenpita, to mark Vesak Poya day. The event was inaugurated by DMT Commissioner General. Free tuning services for motorcycles and three-wheelers will be provided at the dansala. These vehicles, which make up the majority of SL’s vehicle population, often lack systematic maintenance due to economic constraints, more..

May 14 (AD) At least 17 persons have been injured and hospitalised after a van veered off the road and toppled down a precipice at the Ramboda Ella-R.B. Watta area, along the Nuwara Eliya - Gampola main road. The wounded persons, who are from Rajanganaya, have been admitted to the Kotmale Hospital, however, they have only sustained minor injuries.The incidentally, today’s accident had occurred just one and a half kilometres away from the site of the recent fatal bus crash that more..

May 14 (Island) SL Red Cross Society (SLRCS) recently organised commemorative events across SL, together with the Int'l Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Int'l Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), volunteers and local communities World Red Cross Red and Crescent Day. At the national level, the SLRCS in Colombo hosted a special ceremony to appreciate outstanding volunteers from each of the 25 district-level branches, honouring their commitment more..

May 14 (CT) A total of eight Dansel that failed to adhere to proper health and safety guidelines were suspended by the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) during their inspections on Monday (12) evening. The Public Health Inspectors’ Union of SL (PHIUSL) said that permission had also been granted to another 17 to provide alms after their organisers were given the required health and safety guidelines. Over 8,800 Dansel were organised island-wide in view of the Vesak Poya. more..

May 14 (AD) Govt of SL maintains that the allegation of genocide during the final phase of the conflict in SL is unsubstantiated by any credible authority, either nationally or internationally, and is based on misleading information, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ministry emphasized that SL firmly rejects this false narrative and believes it has been propagated primarily for electoral gains within Canada. more..

May 14 (DM) Absconding primary tutor Hayeshika Fernando also known as Teacher Amma surrendered before the Negombo Court this afternoon through her attorney and was granted bail. Fernando, who was in the centre of controversy for evading arrest after allegedly kicking a young man in his groin leading to his hospitalisation, was wanted by three police teams last week. President's Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appearing for the suspect informed the Magistrate’s Court that more..

May 14 (DM) Three youths drowned while a group of six young men who were enjoying a bath in the sea off Wellamakare in Wennappuwa got into difficulties when they were carried away by the waves. Two out of the six youths were saved by the fishermen and the bodies of two of those drowned had washed ashore this morning. The other body was recovered by the police. The group of young men from Bagawanthalawa had been employed as masons and carpenters in the Wennappuwa area. more..

May 14 (NW) Notorious underworld figure Nadun Chithaka Wickremeratne, alias Harak Kata, has alleged that he continues to be detained in Tangalle because he refused to pay Rs. 300 million demanded by former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. Harak Kata made the claim while being escorted by police from the Colombo Court Complex after a hearing today. more..

May 14 (EN) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is set to conduct the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2025 on the theme Gateway to Growth – Asia’s Emerging Opportunity, from Dec 2-3 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. “As SL moves from stabilisation to forward-looking reform, the summit will serve as a platform to chart a bold new trajectory for growth,” the chamber said. The event is set to feature international economists, policymakers, investment experts, private sector leaders, and more..

May 14 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the release of compensation from the President’s Fund for the families of those who lost their lives in the recent tragic bus accident in the Gerandi Ella area of Kotmale. The funds have been disbursed to the respective Divisional Secretariats for distribution. Each victim’s family will receive Rs. 1 million as compensation accordingly. Funds have been allocated to the Divisional Secretariats in the areas where the victims resided, more..

May 14 (FT) The quotation Missing the wood for the trees means being unable to see the whole picture or larger context because one is fixated on minor details or individual components. It suggests a lack of perspective and an inability to understand the bigger picture due to being too focused on the small parts. This catchy phrase originated as part of the works of John Heywood, an English writer known for his plays, poems, and collection of proverbs, circa 1546. It is an idiom used of someone more..

May 14 (FT) The death by suicide of an undergraduate of the Sabaragamuwa Uni, alleged to have been caused by severe mental trauma inflicted on him by some senior students through ragging, has made Sri Lanka’s civil society to rise against this unwholesome practice at universities. Even Sri Lanka’s Bar Association or BASL had issued a statement condemning this incident calling for authorities to take action against the culprits to prevent such incidents in universities. more..

May 14 (Island) PNM has called upon the NPP govt to reveal its position on foreign research vessels visiting SL ports. Top PNM spokesman Dr. Wasantha Bandara said that the recent visit by FS BEAUTEMPS-BEAUPRE A 758 of the French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service went almost unnoticed though the govt was yet to disclose the status of ban on foreign research vessels imposed by former Prez more..

May 14 (CT) Govt has pledged full intervention and long-term support for the children who lost their parents in the tragic Gerandi Ella bus accident, which claimed 23 lives and left dozens injured. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, made the assurance during a visit to the wounded victims receiving treatment at Kotmale Hospital. Minister expressed deep condolences to the grieving families and emphasised the Govt’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the children left behind. more..

May 14 (DM) A delay in implementing the Cabinet’s decision to import salt has led to the current nationwide shortage, SL Salt Producers Association alleged. “Cabinet approved a proposal to import 30,000 metric tonnes on March 26 this year. However, the stocks have yet to arrive in Sri Lanka to date. The shortage that is prevailing at the moment will end as and when this consignment arrives in SL,” SL Salt Producers Association President Ganaka Amarasinghe said. more..

May 14 (TM) Ministry of Public Security has instructed the Police to investigate and take action against individuals representing various Opposition political parties who are alleged to have links with organised crime, as recently revealed by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala. Minister said that investigations had uncovered connections between several organised criminal groups and candidates who contested the LG elections. more..

May 14 (Island) 2025 Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone, jointly organized by Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Prez Secretariat & PM’s Office, was ceremonially inaugurated on May 12 by PM Harini Amarasuriya. During the opening ceremony, PM shared the following thoughts: “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival, held with the collective effort of all communities residing in the city of Colombo, is truly special. Religious harmony that exists within Colombo plays a significant role in making more..

May 14 (Island) A 70-year-old retired Police Inspector has been arrested over an alleged attempt to kill a young female Algerian tourist near Rawana Ella. Police apprehended the suspect in Nuwara Eliya yesterday. The suspect had stolen the victim’s valuables, worth over Rs 800,000, after drugging her, and then pushed her off a precipice near Rawana Ella. The 26-year-old tourist arrived in SL on May 7 and visited Kandy and then travelled to Nuwara Eliya, where she booked a van, more..