June 28 (DM) The $ 3.7 billion investment project by Sinopec in Hambantota - the largest ever Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in SL - is still in limbo even after the lapse of six months because of differences between the govt and the company on the local market share component. The agreement for the project was signed during the state visit of Prez Anura Kumara to Beijing early this year between SL’s Ministry of Energy & Sinopec, more..

June 28 (CT) NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa on Friday, sharply criticised the SL Govt’s handling of UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk’s recent visit to the country. He expressed concerns over the exclusion of key wartime stakeholders and accused the administration of orchestrating a one-sided narrative. Weerawansa alleged that several senior military leaders, who played roles during SL’s war, had formally requested meetings with Commissioner Türk. more..

June 28 (NF) The discovery of a charred body inside a jeep in Katupotha has sparked a suspected homicide investigation, with the Mahawa Magistrate’s Court ordering police to arrest all suspects involved and produce them before the court without delay. The order was issued by Magistrate Narthani Senewiratne during a hearing today, where police presented initial findings related to the incident. The deceased has been identified as Kamal Sampath, a 50-year-old businessman more..

June 28 (CT) A media release issued by SL Police regarding the recent death of an undergraduate of the Uni of Colombo near the artificial beach at Port City has come under heavy public criticism, with accusations of misrepresentation and failure to investigate the incident thoroughly. The controversy centres on the initial Police statement, which described the incident as involving a group of students from the Uni of Colombo and more..

June 28 (CT) As pressure grows for a comprehensive war crimes probe encompassing all communities in SL, concerns are rising that potential funding cuts by the U.S. State Dept to global war crimes investigations could undermine efforts to secure justice and closure for affected communities. UNHRC chief also called for an investigation into war crime allegations during his visit to SL last week and said his office is ready to assist, emphasizing that closure on human rights violations is key more..

June 28 (NF) The inaugural session of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha was abruptly postponed today (27) following a heated dispute and allegations of missing council members, prompting intervention by officials and law enforcement. The session, held under the leadership of Southern Province Local Govt Commissioner Umanga Mendis, was scheduled to begin with the election of a new chairman. SJB member Lasantha Wickramasekara was nominated for the position by more..

June 28 (DM) The final sale for the first half of 2025 that concluded this week (Sale No. 24) comprised of 6.5 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs). Contrary to the expectations, a greater degree of stability in demand/prices was witnessed amidst speculation of an Iran-Israel ceasefire. The Ex-Estate offerings declined marginally to 0.86 M/Kgs. Slightly better demand was there, which followed a select range of the better Westerns (BOP/BOPFs) appreciating by up to Rs.50 per kilogramme, more..

June 28 (FT) Colombo Port congestion linked to delays in clearing imported salt: Customs. SL Customs has clarified that the recent congestion at the Colombo Port was caused by delays in clearing Govt-approved import of salt. The congestion attributing it to an unusually large influx of salt containers arriving over a short period. "Usually we handle about 1,200 containers per day, but last week the number surged to around 2,500 containers daily, mainly with imported salt,” more..

June 28 (ST) In Muhamalai, once one of the world’s densest minefields, decades of clearance are allowing people, once displaced by the war, to finally come back home. Last week, the HALO Trust, a key demining agency in SL, celebrated the complete clearance of northern Muhamalai from landmines. During the war, the Forward Defence Line was a key military demarcation separating the SL Army more..

June 28 (FT) Star Garments Group, a powerhouse in SL’s apparel industry and part of Charles Komar and Sons, officially inaugurated its groundbreaking textile manufacturing facility at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA) in Togo. The ceremony, presided over by Togo Council President Faure Gnassingbé, marks a transformative milestone for both the company and West Africa’s textile industry. This historic inauguration represents Star Garments’ first manufacturing expansion outside of SL, more..

June 28 (DM) Despite decades of celebrating its strategic position, SL has fundamentally failed to capitalise on its prime location, a critical factor that remains the key to unlocking its potential as a developed nation, asserted prominent economist and Verite Research Research Director Subhashini Abeysinghe. Speaking at the CA SL Tax Symposium in Colombo yesterday, Abeysinghe delivered a stark critique of the nation’s economic strategy, arguing that a reliance on outdated industries more..

June 28 (Island) In a landmark move to further strengthen the environmental sustainability in the country, Coca-Cola Beverages SL (CCBSL) has partnered with Neptune Recyclers to launch a new plastic recycling initiative under Give Back Life, a local program for PET collection and recycling in SL. The official launch took place at the CCBSL premises, where a MoU was exchanged between CCBSL Managing Director Pradip Pandey and Abdullah Kassim, Managing Director of more..

June 28 (Island) The ambassador of Sri Lanka to Austria, M.R.K. Lenagala, extended a compelling invitation to Austrian tech founders, startup leaders and innovation stakeholders to explore collaboration opportunities within Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing technology and entrepreneurship landscape. Speaking at a recent networking event titled Beyond Beaches and Tea-Tech Sri Lanka, the ambassador emphasised Sri Lanka’s emergence as a South Asian innovation hub. more..

June 28 (CI) "Most teams sort of become an image of their captain, right?" These were the thoughts of Brendon McCullum, who over a 21-year career in int'l cricket has perhaps shaped the tenor of Test-match cricket more than any other single figure this century. Right now, this SL Test team is being crafted by Dhananjaya de Silva. And his cricketing DNA and his vision for where the team could go are all over the enterprise. more..

June 28 (FT) With reference to the Daily FT story titled Inter national donors raise alarm over changes to Electricity Act published on 25 June 2025, Power Sector Reforms Director- General (DG) has responded to the concerns raised by the article, considering the fact that electricity consumers and investors should be aware of the rationale behind the said Amendments and its implementation if the SL Electricity (Amd) Bill is passed in Parliament. Following is the full clarification more..

June 28 (ST) Sri Lanka is among eight countries expected to receive defence aid from Japan under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme in fiscal year 2025, media reports from Japan said. The aid, aimed at enhancing maritime surveillance and disaster response capabilities, is expected to include Japanese-made drones. Other nations listed as potential beneficiaries include Thailand, Tonga, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea & Philippines. more..

June 28 (ST) The majority of grave crimes committed in SL are economically driven or drug-related, according to 2025 statistics. About 10,000 incidents of crime committed during the first six months of the year are economically motivated, and over 3000 offences came under Poisons, Opium & Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. They highlight that economically driven crimes also have a lower clearance rate compared to drug-related more..

June 28 (SLN) SL Navy on 25 Jul 25 rescued 4 Indian fishermen aboard an Indian fishing boat that had capsized in the SL waters off Talaimannar. Upon receiving the distress alert, a team of the Special Boat Squadron stationed at SLNS Thammanna, under North Central Naval Command swiftly launched a search and rescue operation. During the rescue mission, the naval personnel located the overturned Indian boat, capsized after being caught in rough seas north of Sand Dune VII, and more..

June 28 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday ended an emphatic week with sharp gains and high turnover fuelled by a rebound in investor sentiment. For the week, ASPI was up 4.6% and the active S&P SL20 by 3.6%. Yesterday’s gains were 0.75% and 0.34% respectively. Turnover yesterday was Rs. 5.12 billion, which was also the average for the week. First Capital said continuing the positive momentum from the previous day, the Colombo stock market reached a new all-time high, more..

June 28 (Island) The govt has unveiled a plan to make it mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seatbelts to ensure their safety as well as that of others. The workers of the state-owned bus service will be left with no alternative but to comply with the govt directive. However, the private bus operators are likely to put up resistance. They have become a law unto themselves, and always have the last laugh. Neither governments nor the police have been able to control them. more..

June 28 (DM) MasterChef SL is set to make its television debut as the 71st international adaptation of the globally acclaimed culinary franchise, the producers announced this week, positioning the show as a premium offering in the island’s reality TV space. Produced by Reality TV Productions in association with Nilendra Deshapriya Productions, the local edition will feature a powerhouse panel led by renowned chef and restaurateur Peter Kuruvita. Joining him on the judging table are Savindri more..

June 28 (FT) Indian giant Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, (MDL) yesterday struck the deal to buy a controlling and substantial stake of Colombo Dockyard (CDPLC) for $ 52.96 million (Rs. 15.8 billion), in a development that is highly beneficial for both as well as Sri Lanka. The proposed acquisition is subject to fulfilment of customary closing conditions as well as certain statutory and regulatory approvals. more..

June 28 (FT) Skal International Colombo is geared up to host the 54th Asia Congress in Colombo from 26-28 June, welcoming over 200 delegates from across the Asian region. The event will also see the presence of Skal International World President Denise Scrafton, alongside Govt officials, tourism leaders and industry stakeholders. The congress is supported by the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau and the SL Convention Bureau, further reinforcing the country’s commitment to establishing more..

June 28 (FT) The milestone visit this week of the UN HR chief to our sunny isle brought with it a barrelful of mixed emotions. That it took nine years to have UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Dr. Volker Türk show up personally in our sunny-rainy island, 16 years after our protracted civil war ended, speaks volumes for the priorities and processes of international interventionism in sovereign nations’ internal affairs, and how it is perceived. As well as state resistance from Sri Lanka more..

June 28 (CT) The ceasefire in the West Asia war has not helped nations like SL in their planned economic recovery. Without the ceasefire, it was inevitable that oil prices could have skyrocketed, the Middle East, as West Asia is better known in these past decades, would have become unsafe for Sri Lankans working there – and sleepless for their families back home. Yet, it looks as if the SL State as an institution and individual political parties and leaders are yet to recover from the stupefying shock of more..

June 28 (ST) At the dawn of the 20th Century, Pelawatta – a rural enclave in SL’s Kalutara District – remained largely secluded from the outside world. The island was still under British rule, with Independence nearly half a century away. The rural village of Pelawatta remained largely disconnected from any urban centre, with the nearest town, Mathugama, located approximately 25 km away. Despite numerous unmet needs that could have been addressed through access to a more..

June 28 (CT) The recent revelations regarding the alleged actions of a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Sri J'pura General Hospital send a chilling tremor through the bedrock of public trust in the medical profession. These accusations—spanning large-scale financial fraud, systemic malpractice, and the deeply disturbing claim of conducting surgeries on brain-dead patients for personal gain—demand not only a more..

June 28 (CT) As the world watches with unease the simmering tensions between Iran and Israel, we are once again reminded of how fragile peace remains in the Middle East. The region, long burdened by history, ideology, and geopolitics, stands at a critical juncture. The spectre of a wider war looms ever closer, and the unspoken but ever-present threat of nuclear escalation raises deeply unsettling questions for all humanity. The Middle East has suffered from nearly a century of bloodshed: more..

June 28 (DM) It is no secret that US president Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu are both members of an exclusive mutual admiration society. Posting recently on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Netanyahu lavishly saying there was “no one that I know who could have worked in better harmony” with him. Netanyahu responded: “We will continue to work together to defeat our common enemies, free our hostages, and quickly expand the circle of peace.” more..

June 28 (CT) The battle to claim leadership in LG bodies where no single party holds a majority has taken centre stage this week, shaping political headlines and stirring intense debate. At the heart of the controversy is the ongoing tug-of-war between the ruling NPP and various Opposition parties. By the end of the week, NPP had secured control of more than 200 LG bodies, many of which they had not won with an absolute majority— more..

June 28 (DM) The procedure for the election of the chairman and mayors in local govt bodies where no party has secured an absolute majority is something amusing. The election would be held by secret ballot or open ballot, which is decided by another poll in the councils again by secret ballot or by open ballot. That means you have to take a vote first in the council to decide the mode of ballot that would be used in the vote for the election of the chairman or the mayor, as the case may be. more..

June 28 (CT) An economy is primarily guided by two key policy instruments: monetary policy and fiscal policy. Monetary policy regulates the money supply, interest rates, and inflation, while fiscal policy focuses on govt revenue, public expenditure, and overall budgetary management. SL’s economy began to stabilize in mid-2023 following its most severe post-independence economic crisis. The collapse was driven by years of macroeconomic mismanagement, structural weaknesses, more..