May 27 (Island) A functional democracy is a fragile ecosystem with a delicate balance, which is best left undisturbed. History is replete with instances where disruptions to democratic systems yielded disastrous consequences and plunged some countries into crises of unimaginable magnitude. Interim head of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, is reported to have threatened to quit, claiming that he cannot function properly in view of the ongoing political stalemate and pressure from various factions. more..

May 27 (SO) Malini Fonseka, a name etched in the hearts and minds of all Sri Lankans passed away yesterday at the age of 78 while receiving treatment for an illness at a private hospital. Born on April 30, 1947, Malini was often called the Queen of SL cinema. With her debut in Punchi Baba (1968), Malini Fonseka quickly established herself as a force in the industry. Her performances were marked by emotional authenticity, poise, grace and intelligence. She brought depth to female characters, more..

May 27 (CT) Dr. Priyantha Mudalige, Director of SL Institute of Local Governance (SLILG), discusses the vital role of empowering local govts in SL’s decentralised system. He emphasises that citizens have a right to actively audit Provincial Councils beyond just casting their votes and firmly refutes claims that the Central Govt neglects funding these local bodies. He shares his expert perspective on strengthening more..

May 27 (DM) Earlier this month, many in our country were unpleasantly surprised when we learned that Canada—a country built on genocide and the violent dispossession of its indigenous people—had declared open a monument commemorating Tamil Genocide in Lanka. Mayor Brown of Brampton, himself the progeny of white settlers who violently dispossessed the indigenous people of Canada, declared open the monument, claiming the memorial would serve to honour the lives lost in the more..

May 27 (DM) It is an irony that Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister, K.D. Lal Kantha, calling the public sector in this country a den of thieves, after the NPP govt gave the employees of the public sector a thumping salary increment last month. It is similarly ironic that Minister Lal Kantha is lashing out at the public sector within less than a month after the majority of the employees of the state sector voted for the NPP candidates at the May 6 local govt elections. more..

May 27 (SO) Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture in its path to economic recovery, as delays in implementing a cost-reflective energy pricing policy threaten the disbursement of the next tranche of its IMF bailout package. Since the NPP Govt came into power, there has been growing tension between the administration’s commitments and the harsh fiscal realities inherited from years of economic mismanagement. more..

May 27 (TM) The much anticipated and delayed LG Elections were held, and constituents await the local govt bodies to get going and respond to their needs. People have been waiting for years to get issues close at hand in their neighborhoods addressed, But, with no clear majority for any single party in 149 local govt bodies, the question of stability now looms. It seems that the Election Commission may have to rule on several such bodies to get work going, in the absence of a clear winner. more..

May 27 (CT) May 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of the ending of the long Eelam War. PM Dinesh Gunawardana presided over the annual ‘war-heroes’ commemoration. Former prez Mahinda Rajapaksa was among the attendees. Not President Ranil Wickremesinghe though. He wasn’t present. His absence created not even a ripple. One year later, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake seemed to have decided to follow his predecessor’s example and stay away from an event which is National more..

May 26 (Xinhua) 15-year-old Yoshika Gunarathna was named the national winner of the 18th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students (SL Region) on Sunday in Colombo. Yoshika will represent Sri Lanka at the global finals of the competition in China later this year. This year's Chinese Bridge competition brought together 182 students from 43 schools in 13 cities across six provinces. Students from grades 6 to 13 participated in several rounds, more..

May 26 (Island) Rear Admiral (rtd) D.K.P. Dassanayake alleged that the war-winning armed forces were being subjected to an unprecedented psychological operation. The wartime Navy Spokesman said that the NPP govt owed an explanation as to why the state-run media had stopped using the word Ranaviruvo (war heroes) to describe the fallen military personnel and replaced that term with soldaduwo (soldiers). Having served as Director, Maritime Special Forces, more..

May 26 (DM) The seat vacated by Dr. Malini Fonseka, Queen of Sinhala cinema is one that will remain forever empty, a permanent void in SL’s cinematic heritage, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said issuing a Condolence Message that in a country without even a formal school of cinema, Malini Fonseka ends her life’s journey as a university of cinema in her own right. "Some losses can be replaced. more..

May 26 (TM) An officer attached to the Consulate General of India in Jaffna died following a tragic road accident in Omanthai, Vavuniya this morning (26). The accident occurred when the car in which they were travelling in, en route to Jaffna from Colombo, collided with a tipper truck that was heading to Omanthai from Jaffna. The deceased was identified as a 52-year-old employee of the Indian Consulate. His wife, son, and father-in-law, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, more..

May 26 (TM) This summer, Shangri-La Hotels in Sri Lanka unveil a bold and evocative invitation to travellers around the world: Eat, Play, Love — an immersive campaign that redefines what it means to travel well. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, uncovering hidden culinary secrets, or simply indulging in slow moments of serenity, the campaign is a heartfelt ode to meaningful travel, set against the magnetic rhythm of Sri Lanka. From the heart of the capital at Shangri-La Colombo to more..

May 26 (AD) Visiting Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters has welcomed SL’s application to accede to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. Deputy PM Winston Peters and Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath have also held discussions in relation to investment opportunities for New Zealand companies in the country. A number of areas of mutual interests more..

May 26 (AD) Certain groups are attempting to undermine the tourism industry by spreading false information via social media, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Chaminda Ranasingha said while clarifying reports of a purported bikini ban in Arugam Bay. He stated that certain groups are attempting to disrupt activities of the govt following the LG election. Deputy Minister said various elements are attempting to sabotage the effort of the NPP to establish power in local govt bodies more..

May 26 (AD) Former Minister Mervyn Silva, former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera and three others arrested and remanded for allegedly selling a plot of state-owned land in Kiribathgoda to a private party by forging documents, have been further remanded. Former Minister Silva and four other defendants in the case have been further remanded till May 26 by Mahara Magistrate Kanchana Silva. Meanwhile, a bail application filed by former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera was also more..

May 26 (CT) Legal action will be taken against candidates who fail to submit their campaign income and expenditure reports related to the recently concluded Local Govt Election, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake stated. He noted that details of those who fail to submit their reports will be forwarded to the Police, and legal proceedings may be initiated based on the advice of the Attorney General. According to the provisions of the Election Expenditure Regulation Act, more..

May 26 (NW) The GMOA demands that the corrected circular pertaining to the reduction of doctors’ additional duty and leave allowances be issued within a week, warning of trade union action if not addressed. GMOA Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that the association’s executive committee reached the decision during a meeting held earlier in the day. He said that following trade union action, the President had agreed to reinstate the allowances to their previous values, more..

May 26 (EN) Director General SL’s anti-graft body, CIABOC, has given a strong message to all govt officials and the general public on the anti-corruption move under the new govt. CIABOC Director General Ranga Dissanayake’s statement came after the anti-graft body raided the country’s main Department of Motor Traffic office in Colombo on Friday and arrested three govt officials including a deputy commissioner with over Rs. 4.1 million more..

May 26 (AM) A 23-year-old second-year student at the Wayamba National College of Education in Bingiriya tragically died by suicide on the afternoon of 23 September. The student was found by a fellow hostel roommate, who promptly informed the Bingiriya Police Station. Police Media Unit stated that the cause of the incident has not yet been determined. However, students at the institution allege that inhumane behaviour by certain lecturers contributed to the tragedy. more..

May 26 (AD) The case filed by the CIABOC against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others was taken up for hearing once again before the Colombo High Court today. The case has been filed by the Bribery Commission, alleging that the trio caused financial losses to the govt by unlawfully engaging the employees of the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE/Lanka Sathosa) in political activities during Fernando’s tenure as the Minister of Cooperatives & Internal Trade. more..

May 26 (NW) Members of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) undertook a field investigation visit to the Ratmalana Railway Maintenance Yard recently (22), under the directives of the Committee Chair, MP Aravinda Senarath. State Minister Sugath Thilakaratne and MPs Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Oshani Umanga, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Thushari Jayasinghe, T.K. Jayasundara, Susantha Nawarathna, and more..

May 26 (TM) rliamentary House Committee has approved revised monthly meal rates for Executive and Non-Executive staff members of Parliament, effective 01 June. Executive Grade Officers will be charged Rs. 4,000 per month for meals, while Non-Executive Staff Members will pay Rs. 2,500. The change follows a request by parliamentary staff and is based on recommendations from the Ministry of Finance regarding current meal costs. The decision was made during a recent committee meeting more..

May 26 (DN) With the arrival of the southwest monsoon, health authorities have warned of a potential rise in dengue cases. In response, Ministry of Health, under the direction of Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, launched a week-long nationwide mosquito control campaign from May 19 to 24. The program, carried out in collaboration with the National Dengue Control Unit and initiated by the Ministry Secretary, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, targeted 95 Health Medical more..

May 26 (FT) President Donald Trump, after trying to undo some of the disastrous mistakes he made in his new tariff policy by softening his earlier hard stance on China by reducing tariff from 145% to 30% for three months, has now diverted his attention to a local enemy. That enemy is education in general and Harvard University in particular. Regarding education in general, immediately after he was sworn in as President, he disbanded the Federal Department of Education. more..

May 26 (NW) Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, will undertake an official visit to SL from May 28 to 31, in the context of Poland’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Minister Sikorski is visiting on behalf of Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. During his visit, he is expected to meet Prez, PM, and Foreign Ministerto discuss ways to enhance cooperation more..

May 26 (AJ) On a beach in northeastern SL, Krishnan Anjan Jeevarani laid out some of her family’s favourite food items on a banana leaf. She placed a samosa, lollipops and a large bottle of Pepsi next to flowers and incense sticks in front of a framed photo. Jeevarani was one of thousands of Tamils who gathered on May 18 to mark 16 years since the end of SL’s brutal civil war in Mullivaikkal, the site of the final battle more..

May 26 (EN) SMI Point Ltd, a luxury developer, has signed an agreement with the state-owned Board of Investment (BOI) for a $22.4 million worth 102-apartment luxury residential complex in the heart of the commercial capital Colombo. “The new residential development “Pointe” will be constructed at Alfred House Avenue and will feature a 34-story (ground + 33 floors) luxury residential apartment complex that elevates everyday family living into a unique lifestyle experience,” more..

May 26 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Disanayake met with Mr. Fabrício Oliveira, International President of Lions Clubs International, at the Presidential Secretariat today (26) to discuss strengthening collaboration on youth mental health and social welfare initiatives in Sri Lanka. The discussions centred on expanding joint efforts to enhance mental health support systems and improve social welfare programmes targeting children and youth across the country. more..

May 26 (DM) Police denied reports that a new law has been introduced in Arugam Bay banning locals and foreigners from wearing bikinis in public places. The matter sparked controversy after a post claiming to be from the People of the Local Community in Arugam Bay which stated that there was a ban on wearing bikinis in the area. "Welcome to Arugam Bay! We are delighted to have you here and truly value your visit. more..

May 26 (DM) A tense atmosphere prevailed at the Education Ministry in Battaramulla today as a group of teachers staged a protest inside the ministry premises demanding that authorities address a series of unresolved grievances. The demonstrators were seen seated on the floor within the ministry building voicing their demands in a non-violent manner. The protest prompted security personnel to block access to the main office, but the teachers continued their sit-in, refusing to leave more..

May 26 (NW) A Police Sergeant attached to the Gokarella Police Station has been suspended from duty over an incident of assaulting a motorcyclist, video footage of which was widely circulated on social media recently. Issuing a statement, the Police said the incident had occurred on the Ibbagamuwa- Madagalla Road in Gokarella on Saturday night. The Police said the motorcyclist, travelling with a female pillion rider, had been stopped and inspected due to over speeding. more..