Jun 8 (FT) Senior business leader and Ceylon Biscuits Ltd., Group Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha passed away on Saturday. Over the years, his vision built opportunities for millions of people through CBL and placed Sri Lanka on the global map, but it was his humanity that made him truly remarkable. For the employees of CBL Group, Wickramasingha was not only a leader but a father figure, someone who cared deeply for people, who listened, guided, and inspired with kindness. more..

Jun 8 (FT) UNP has questioned the accuracy of a recent report produced by a local think tank comparing the number of pieces of legislation passed between the Maithripala Sirisena Govt and the Anura Kumara Dissanayake Govt in the first 18 months. In what appears to be an effort to present an image of the current Govt working to a legislative agenda, UNP said the report by Verité Research has focused solely on the quantity rather than the quality of the legislative efforts by the two Govts. more..

Jun 8 (FT) SL’s workers’ remittances climbed to a record high in May, whilst lifting cumulative earnings in the first five months of 2026 to an all-time high, underscoring the resilience of migrant worker earnings despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The inflows rose 36.2% year-on-year (YoY) to $ 847 million in May, marking the fifth consecutive month of robust growth and one of the strongest monthly performances on record. more..

Jun 8 (SO) Micro-credentials will play a key role in creating a more flexible, adaptable and skills-based workforce in Sri Lanka while providing professionals with formal recognition for competencies gained through short-term learning programs, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said. She was speaking on the second day of a two-day workshop on developing a National Micro-Credentials Framework for Sri Lanka, in Colombo recently. more..

Jun 8 (FT) Private sector borrowing from the banking system moderated in April, with total outstanding credit increasing by Rs. 100.6 billion month-on-month (M-o-M) to Rs. 10.8 trillion following the sharp expansion recorded in March. This is the third-lowest monthly expansion in private sector credit during the past 12 months, after Rs. 83 billion in Jan 2026 and Rs. 87 billion in April 2025. The highest was Rs. 263 billion in Nov 2025, followed by Rs. 258 billion in March 2026. more..

Jun 8 (TM) Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara has rejected claims that the Govt is seeking to extend the retirement age of superior court judges in SL. “I have no knowledge of any such matter, and I do not believe there is any active proposal or discussion taking place regarding an extension of the retirement age of judges at this time,” Nanayakkara said. His remarks came amid concerns raised by several parties, more..

Jun 8 (FT) The one-of-a-kind Prime Marina at Port City has already attracted reservations for over 300 units, crossing the halfway mark even before its ground breaking, its promoters revealed on Friday. At the opening of the Prime Marina Sales Suite at Port City Colombo, the media was told that the 550-unit luxury residential development has already drawn reservations for 337 units. The Prime Marina is a $ 57.6 million ultra-luxury waterfront residential project by a joint venture between more..

Jun 8 (FT) Govt’s fiscal position strengthened significantly during the first quarter of 2026, with the Govt recording a sharp increase in revenue and maintaining the Budget in surplus, according to latest data released by the Central Bank. Govt recorded a primary surplus of Rs. 709.6 billion during January-March 2026, up 78.5% from Rs. 397.47 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting continued improvement in revenue collection and fiscal consolidation efforts. more..

Jun 8 (FT) Home Lands Group has appointed globally acclaimed cricket legend Mahela Jayawardene as the company’s Brand Ambassador, ahead of the highly anticipated Grand Launch Weekend of Central Park Boulevard Port City Colombo, the largest real estate launch in SL, taking place from 12 to 14 June at Cinnamon Life Colombo. Widely regarded as one of SL’s greatest sporting icons, Jayawardene has built an extraordinary legacy founded on excellence, leadership, more..

Jun 8 (FT) Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with France and the European Union (EU) in key areas including sustainable development, trade, investment, and climate action, as the French development agency—Agence Française de Développement (AFD) marked 20 years of engagement in the country. Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra attended the 20th anniversary celebration of AFD in SL, alongside French Ambassador to SL Rémi Lambert, more..

Jun 8 (FT) SL’s banking sector recorded strong lending growth and improving asset quality in the year to end-March 2026, although profitability moderated amid higher impairment charges and operating expenses. Total assets increased by 11.3% to Rs. 25.8 trillion at end-March 2026 from Rs. 23.2 trillion a year earlier. Net loans and receivables rose by Rs. 2.81 trillion, or 26.3%, to Rs. 13.5 trillion, significantly outpacing more..

Jun 8 (FT) Brain drain has been an unfortunate reality of our nation. Across every generation, a significant share of Sri Lankans have looked to perceived greener pastures overseas. In the aftermath of the 2022 economic crisis, more than 311,000 Sri Lankans registered to leave for foreign employment, the highest annual outflow on record. The pattern has not stopped. Almost 48,000 Sri Lankans departed for foreign employment in just the first two months of 2026. more..

Jun 8 (FT) As stakeholders of the SL economy, all chambers of commerce, trade associations, industrial sectors, and business leaders should come together at this important stage of economic recovery and engage constructively with the Govt, Cabinet of Ministers, and policymakers. SL has only recently emerged from one of the most difficult foreign exchange and economic crises in its history. Therefore, it is essential that we adopt responsible economic & import management policies until more..

Jun 8 (Island) Preamble to Sri Lanka’s Constitution states: “The People of Sri Lanka having by their Mandate … entrusted and empowered their Representatives … to draft, adopt and operate a new Republican Constitution in order to achieve the goals of a Demoratic Socialist Republic, whilst ratifying the immutable republican principles of Representative Democratic". The intent of this exercise is to ascertain whether the practices as adopted by successive Govts to elect more..

Jun 8 (ST) Oh! Anura, thou shouldst be living at this hour on the opposition benches, giving oratorical voice to the common man’s mounting load of grievances, remorselessly piled one after the other on his back, instead of merely presiding over a govt that has a surfeit of excuses but none of the solutions necessary to successfully meet the nation’s yawning economic woes. With hardly a squeak surging out from the opposition today in Parliament, the turf from which Anura pitched his more..

Jun 8 (CT) The Govt, led by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has announced plans to reintroduce a Dharma Court with authority to make determinations regarding disciplinary issues involving Buddhist monks, based on requests made by the Mahanayake Theras, through amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance No. 19 of 1931. The announcement has triggered significant debate across political, legal, social spheres. more..

Jun 8 (Island) Former Director of the State Intelligence Service Maj. Gen. (retd.) Suresh Sallay, currently being detained at the CID over the Easter Sunday terror attacks, has begun a hunger strike in protest against alleged inhumane treatment by CID officers. His wife has complained to IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya about the conditions of detention. She has told the media that Sallay is determined to continue his hunger strike. The police have denied mistreating Sallay. more..

Jun 8 (DM) Sri Lanka has big plans when it comes to tourism. We often hear about attracting millions of visitors each year and becoming a top destination in the region. But there is one simple question we must ask ourselves. Are we truly ready to welcome the world? The answer, unfortunately, begins at the Bandaranaike International Airport. For years, successive govts have spoken about expanding and upgrading the airport. There have been announcements, proposals and promises. more..

Jun 8 (SO) SL’s efforts to strengthen essential public services are under renewed focus as the authorities outline plans spanning water management, community supply schemes, housing development and disaster recovery. Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe detailed how the Govt is preparing for potential drought linked to El Niño, while also addressing long-standing gaps in more..

Jun 8 (DM) The govt argues that the proposed law is necessary to protect the people’s mandate and eliminate a political culture in which elected representatives switch allegiances for personal benefit. However, critics see a more immediate political calculation behind the move. Despite its overwhelming parliamentary majority of 159 MPs, there is growing speculation in political circles that sections of the govt are concerned about declining public enthusiasm and the possibility that more..

Jun 8 (DM) In recent days, a petition was submitted to the United Nations office in Colombo urging the immediate repeal of Muslim personal laws, citing contradictions with international agreements and Sri Lanka’s Constitution. Led by Venerable Akmeemana Dayaratne Thero of the Sinhala Rawaya National Organisation, the submission highlights concerns over differential treatment in cases involving minors, particularly regarding sexual relations with a 17-year-old. more..

Jun 7 (ST) It was only a month ago that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake set off a firestorm of criticism when he called on supporters during a May Day speech to be prepared to celebrate a judicial verdict due later that month. The ill-advised comments, which some interpreted as a direct interference in the judiciary, drew widespread condemnation from opposition parties and sections of civil society. Just weeks later, more..

Jun 7 (ST) JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has expressed regret to the Special Presidential Commission appointed to probe coal procurements over comments he made during a May Day rally that referenced the commission. In response to a summons issued by the commission, Mr Silva appeared before it along with his lawyers and submitted a sworn affidavit expressing his regret over the comments he had made during his speech. The commission had decided to summon more..

Jun 7 (TM) US Navy has boarded a stateless and sanctioned oil tanker, the MT Davina, in int'l waters off the southern coast of SL on Friday morning, according to reports from the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). A senior Govt official confirmed that the US had boarded the vessel outside SL waters in the south of SL. It is learnt that the MT Davina (IMO 9259367), which had been operating under the name Lenore at the time of boarding, is a stateless crude oil tanker more..

Jun 7 (TM) Following the initial panic buying of imported vehicles in the aftermath of the introduction of the surcharge, vehicle importers have observed a sharp decrease in LCs being opened to fund imports, given the approximate 25% price increase across the board. VIASL Secretary Arosha Rodrigo stated that recent developments in the market, including the imposition of a 50% surcharge on the Customs Import Duty (CID) on more..

Jun 7 (NW) Former MP Udaya Gammanpila alleged that former SIS Director and retired Major General Suresh Sallay has commenced a hunger strike while in police custody, claiming he is being subjected to inhumane treatment. Gammanpila said the briefing was convened at the request of Sallay’s wife and son to convey what they described as an important message to the public. According to Gammanpila, Sallay’s son visited him on Saturday morning and found him in a distressed condition. more..

Jun 7 (NW) SL Police have rejected allegations made by former MP Udaya Gammanpila regarding the treatment of former SIS Director and retired Major General Suresh Sallay while in custody. Earlier on Saturday, Gammanpila told a media briefing that Sallay’s family had informed him the former intelligence chief was being subjected to inhumane treatment while being held under detention orders by the CID. Gammanpila alleged that Sallay had been served a small portion of more..

Jun 7 (Island) Lankan businesses are facing increasing pressure to strengthen climate governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks as climate-related disclosure requirements, investor expectations, and regulatory standards continue to evolve. Against this backdrop, Genesis – Dilmah Centre for a Sustainable Future will host a specialised post-summit technical workshop titled Climate Action: A Strategic Executive Workshop on Climate Resilience and more..

Jun 7 (CT) The USD five billion garment industry, together with the govt, the US Embassy and Sri Lanka’s mission in Washington’s DC, is working together to get the proposed additional 12.5% punitive import tariffs on SL goods imports to the USA on alleged force labour, out, industry sources who didn’t want to be named told Ceylon Finance Today. SL’s appeal in this connection is expected to be ready this week. The U.S. trade representative office (USTRO) in Washington, DC, more..

Jun 7 (ST) SL, which has been having ongoing discussions with the US over worrisome, rising import tariffs, is heading for a tough round of negotiations with the US next week after a proposed new 12.5% tariff increase on exports was announced earlier this week. The US is SL’s biggest buyer of garments. US said a public hearing will be held in this regard on July 7. Ahead of this public hearing, SL is next week sending a high-level more..

Jun 7 (CT) Dept of Agrarian Development distributed 48,000 MT of fertiliser in the first phase to Agrarian Service centres located across the country, obtained from the State Fertiliser Company and the private sector with the mediation of the National Fertiliser Secretariat, among paddy farmers for the ongoing Yala Season paddy cultivation. Dammika Ranatunga, Commissioner General of Agrarian Development, stated that such measures had been taken by the Govt to ensure the uninterrupted more..

Jun 7 (Island) SL javelin national record holder, Rumesh Tharanga, produced a performance for the ages at the Rome Diamond League on Thursday, elevating himself from a promising international contender to one of the world’s elite field athletes. Competing against Olympic champions, world champions and several members of the exclusive 90-metre club, Tharanga unleashed a staggering throw of 92.62 metres to win the men’s javelin competition at the prestigious Golden Gala more..