June 6 (AM) The CIABOC today formally handed over an indictment to former Minister Mervyn Silva, before the Colombo High Court. The charges allege that Silva violated provisions of the Bribery Act by acquiring assets—such as high-value properties, luxury vehicles, and significant bank holdings—worth several millions of rupees, suspected to be disproportionate to his declared lawful income. According to the commission, the alleged offences occurred between Mar 2010 & Mar 2012, more..

June 6 (AD) Sri Lanka has received USD 641.7 million in workers’ remittances in May 2025, according to the latest figures released by the CB. Total remittances from January to May 2025 reached USD 3.10 billion, up 18.2% from the same period last year (USD 2.62 billion). Meanwhile, official figures show that earnings from tourism reached USD 1.54 billion during the first five months of this year. The total tourism earnings in the first 5 months of 2025 is recorded as USD 1.54 billion, more..

June 6 (AM) Govt is facing a backlash following the release of a convicted financial fraudster from Anuradhapura Prison under a presidential pardon granted on Vesak Poya Day. The convict had been released on the religious holiday after being granted a presidential pardon. Taking this official notification into consideration, the High Court judge ordered that the convict be discharged from Case No. HC/69/2018. more..

June 6 (CT) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has issued a stern warning to salt importers, cautioning that the Govt will be compelled to impose a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on salt within the week if profiteering continues. He explained that the decision to permit salt imports was made solely to address a shortage in the domestic market, not to enable importers to make excessive profits. “Govt allowed salt imports because of the shortage. It was not an opportunity for importers to exploit more..

June 6 (AD) Former Minister Chandrani Bandara has been indicted today (June 6) before the Colombo High Court on charges of corruption. She is accused of appointing H.M. Chandrawansa as the Project Director of the Ministry of Dry Zone Development without following proper procedures during the previous Yahapalana (Good Governance) Govt. Additionally, she is alleged to have influenced ministry officials to unlawfully appoint a group of her associates to various positions. more..

June 6 (NW) Minister Bimal Ratnayake revealed in Parliament that CCTV footage linked to a key investigation of a bribery case at the Department of Motor Traffic, had been deleted. CIABOC recently arrested several suspects on charges of soliciting bribes amounting to 4 million rupees. The suspects include key officers, among them a deputy commissioner of the Dept of Motor Traffic. “The CCTV recordings from 2 a.m. onward more..

June 6 (DM) Ambassador Jayantha Jayasuriya officially assumed duties as SL’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by presenting his Letters of Credence to UN Secretary-General António Guterres at a formal ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York. During the ceremony, Ambassador Jayasuriya conveyed warm greetings from the President of Sri Lanka to Secretary-General Guterres and reaffirmed SL’s commitment to working closely with the UN and its agencies. more..

June 6 (AD) The Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union has temporarily suspended its planned withdrawal from operating services on the coastal railway line, which was scheduled to commence at 12 noon today (6). The union had initially planned the withdrawal in protest over unresolved issues related to the malfunctioning signaling system on the coastal railway line. However, following a discussion held this morning (6) with the General Manager of SL Railways, more..

June 6 (NW) SriLankan Airlines flight UL306 from Colombo to Singapore was diverted to Medan Airport, Indonesia, yesterday due to a technical issue. As the aircraft required additional time for repairs, all 93 passengers and eight crew members disembarked at Medan Airport. There was a delay in transferring passengers to hotels due to stringent immigration formalities at the Medan airport. However, airline ensured that all passengers were taken care of until accommodation more..

June 6 (AD) Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release on bail of three suspects, including an Assistant Controller of the Dept of Immigration and Emigration, who were arrested and remanded in connection with the alleged issuance of two forged passports to underworld figure Mandinu Padmasiri, alias Kehelbaddara Padme, who is currently residing abroad. Accordingly, Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali ordered that each suspect be released on two surety bonds more..

June 6 (FT) Former Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Rizly Illyas has fired a salvo alleging criminal conduct, financial mismanagement and lack of accountability in administration of one of the popular games of the country. A range of allegations is contained in his letter sent to 16 persons including Sports and Youth Minister Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakarathne, Secretary Aruna Bandara, officials of NSC. more..

June 6 (PMD) A progress review meeting on the projects initiated by the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation under the 2025 Budget allocations was held today, under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake. During the discussion, officials provided an update on ongoing projects in the highways and transport sectors, highlighting both achievements and challenges faced during implementation. Particular attention was given to the status of initiatives more..

June 6 (Island) Minister Prof Hiniduma Sunil Senevi told parliament that Sri Lanka had four synagogues. He said that there were four Israeli religious centres at Pottuvil, Weligama, Ella, and Thimbirigasyaya. He said that of them two were unregistered, and the other two had obtained the necessary approval. “Those established in Pottuvil and Thimbirigasyaya are unregistered. Those in Weligama and Ella are legally registered. These centres were registered in 2022 under the Companies Act,” he said. more..

June 6 (EN) State-owned SriLankan Airlines’ relief flight to Indonesia’s Medan airport to help 101 stranded passengers who have been stuck in the Southeast Asian country for more than one day. SriLankan Airlines’ Singapore-bound flight with 93 travelers and eight crew members has been rerouted and landed in Medan airport on Thursday morning following a technical error. Though SriLankan arranged hotels for all more..

June 6 (Island) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted Radosaw Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, who was in the country last week on behalf of the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Minister Sikorski was accompanied by a high-level delegation from the European Union. The Ceylon Chamber convened a meeting led by Vice-Chairman Krishan Balendra, with key stakeholders from the private more..

June 6 (FT) The newspapers have been carrying a series of articles connected to the sugar industry, in particular connected to the Sevenagala and Pelwatte industries in 2024; the grouse was over the inability to dispose of alcohol distilled at the distilleries. In 2025, the complaints are connected to the disposal of produced sugar. Each article focused on the pricing structure, in turn requesting the Government to re-price commodities downwards. There may be substance behind these suggestions, more..

June 6 (NE) Tokyo Cement Company has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art combi-mill as a part of the expansion of its Trincomalee plant, built at an investment of USD 25 million. The opening ceremony was held on June 5 with the participation of Industries Minister Sunil Handuneththi as the chief guest. “As SL moves rapidly toward industrial revival, the government prioritizes providing all necessary support to help achieve these national goals. The Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Dev more..

June 6 (FT) Across South Asia, the pandemic exposed not only the fragility of livelihoods, but also the limits of systems designed to protect them. As informal workers scrambled to stay afloat, governments rushed to deploy cash transfers at scale. Yet speed alone was never the whole story. What mattered just as much—if not more—was whether people trusted the system enough to register, to show up, to believe that help would come. In SL, as in much of the region, more..

June 6 (FT) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) came under intense scrutiny after the CoPE revealed it had spent over Rs. 1.3 billion on programs not included in its 2024 annual action plan, raising serious questions about governance, accountability, and financial discipline within the institution. This was revealed at the CoPE meeting held recently. At the meeting, it was disclosed that the SLBFE has spent over more..

June 6 (AD) The strike action launched by Supplementary Medical Professionals earlier today, will continue for the second day today (6), Joint Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) has announced. General Secretary of the JCPSM Chanaka Dharmawickrama stated that the strike commenced at 8 a.m yesterday (5) based on five key demands, including problems that have arisen in the recruitment of allied health degree holders and issues related to promotions. more..

June 6 (DM) Two Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order to invalidate the MoU recently signed between SL and India were today fixed for June 12 by the Supreme Court. 7 MoUs between India and SL, including defence cooperation, sharing successful digital solutions and MoU on Multi-sectoral Grant Assistance for the Eastern Province, were exchanged on April 5 at the Prez Secretariat in the presence of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian PM Narendra Modi. more..

June 6 (Island) Govt was planning to install Artificial Intelligence (AI)-controlled equipment in long-distance buses across the country within 60 days, parliament was told. Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that 40 buses from both the SLTB and the private sector would be equipped with AI technology within the next two months. Minister explained that the new technology aimed to ensure that drivers remain alert during long journeys, more..

June 6 (AD) No decision has been taken to discontinue the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination for now, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated. She made this assertion in response to a question raised in Parliament today (04). Prime Minister Amarasuriya noted that certain changes to the exam methodology will be made when education reforms are introduced. The Premier said they are determined to reduce the strain the scholarship has had on the students over the years. more..

June 6 (FT) Sugar importers have urged Prez and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Disanayake not to increase the existing sugar import tax, warning that it would lead to a steep rise in prices and cause serious disruptions in the market. An importer said that currently, the tax on imported sugar stands at Rs. 50 per kilo — a rate that was originally imposed during the previous Govt. Before that, the tax had been as low as 25 cents per kilo. SL imports about 60,000 metric tons of sugar every month, more..

June 6 (DM) Colombo National Hospital, the largest and most vital medical institution in Sri Lanka, has been operating without a permanent director for over three months. According to reliable sources, no key meetings, including crucial drug evaluation sessions have been held during this period. Former Director of the hospital was promoted and transferred to the Ministry of Health as an Additional Secretary earlier this year. While an Acting Deputy Director General was appointed two months ago, more..

June 6 (NF) A potentially catastrophic train collision was narrowly avoided this morning (5) in the Moratuwa–Modara area, thanks to the swift and courageous actions of a local resident and a vigilant train driver. At approximately 7 AM, Samantha Fernando, a resident of the area, discovered a broken section of railway track along the coastal line. Realizing the imminent danger, he rushed to the tracks and flagged down the approaching Sagarika Express, which was en route from Matara more..

June 6 (TM) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has requested CIABOC and CID to probe into the circumstances under which a batch of human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) that was previously withdrawn from use has now been approved for re-use. The association has also called for an inquiry into the financial loss caused to the Govt if the earlier decision to suspend the medicine was, more..

June 6 (DM) A major duty free liquor selling racket carried out in a luxury residence in Colombo was busted by the Excise Dept yesterday, in line with the govt tax week and seized imported spirits worth over Rs.7.5 million. Officials of the Colombo City Excise office on a tip off raided a residence in Narahenpita area and seized 337 bottles of a range of foreign liquor amounting to 337, 000 milliliters along with a suspect. Racket had been carried out involving several airport duty free liquor shops, more..

June 6 (FT) BOI Director General Renuka Weerakone made a compelling case to Chinese businesses to capitalise on SL’s growing investment and trade opportunities at the recently concluded SL – China Trade and Investment Forum 2025. The high-profile forum was attended by China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Chinese Ambassador to SL Qi Zhenhong, and 115 delegates representing 77 Chinese companies, underscoring the strategic significance of deepening more..

June 6 (NW) Colombo High Court today sentenced a mother to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for attempting to sell her two-day-old infant for Rs. 75,000. High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe ruled that the prosecution had proven the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The Court also imposed a Rs. 20,000 fine, with an additional six months of simple imprisonment if the amount is unpaid. Investigations revealed that the woman and her husband operated an illegal abortion center more..

June 6 (FT) LOLC Holdings announced an after-tax profit of Rs. 41 billion for the financial year 2024/25, reflecting an 89% increase over the previous year, supported by an operating profit of Rs. 48 billion. Profit Before Tax (PBT) from continuing operations grew by 99% to Rs. 52.2 billion. Net profit attributable to equity holders of the company was Rs. 49.7 billion, up by 66%. The Group turnover saw a 3% growth to Rs. 339.7 billion. In a statement, LOLC said the robust performance more..