May 21 (EN) An audit at SL’s National Art Gallery found that 42 invaluable ancient paintings are missing from its collection, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs told parliament. A physical verification and survey committee was initially appointed in 2015 under the instructions of the then Director of Cultural Affairs to inspect paintings & sculptures at the institution, Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said. more..

May 21 (EN) Sri Lanka has expressed deep concern and profound distress over footage posted by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which showed the dehumanizing treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla members detained by Israel illegally in international waters. “Govt of Sri Lanka expresses deep concern and profound distress over footage posted by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which appears to depict the dehumanizing treatment of detainees of Global Sumud Flotilla. more..

May 21 (NW) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has warned of a deepening breakdown in SL’s foreign exchange market, saying a collapse in confidence is driving a vicious cycle of volatility and uncertainty. In a recent address, de Silva pointed to the rapid depreciation of the SL rupee, noting that the Bank of Ceylon selling rate had recently reached 354, as evidence of mounting pressure on the currency market. He said the core issue is not only economic but also structural, arguing that more..

May 21 (Island) In a country where environmental destruction, political interference and weak enforcement have often overshadowed conservation efforts, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has emerged as one of SL’s most formidable legal defenders of nature. From the catastrophic MV X-Press Pearl Disaster to the destruction of the Wilpattu National Park ecosystem, CEJ has consistently used the courts to challenge environmental crimes, state negligence more..

May 21 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today called on the govt to immediately begin negotiations for a successor programme with the IMF, warning that SL is not on track to meet reserve targets under the current arrangement. “I am calling on the govt today to begin negotiations for a successor IMF programme. Not to renegotiate the existing arrangement, which is proceeding. A successor programme, the arrangement that takes effect when this one ends,” Premadasa said. more..

May 21 (FT) SL’s tourism sector surpassed the 950,000-visitor mark year-to-date (YTD) despite signs of moderating growth in May, as weaker global travel sentiment and slowing arrival momentum weighed on performance. SL welcomed 951,742 tourists from January through 17 May, reflecting a marginal 1% YoY decline compared to the same period last year. Figures indicate a gradual softening in monthly arrival momentum after more..

May 21 (AD) A special island-wide security program will be implemented during the Vesak week to ensure devotees can observe religious activities in a peaceful and secure environment, the Police headquarters has announced. Police noted that Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, regarded as the most sacred occasion for Buddhists worldwide, falls on May 30, 2026. Police stated that large crowds are expected to gather at Buddhist temples and sacred sites across SL during the Vesak season, more..

May 21 (DM) An anti-drug youth summit will be held on June 26 under the A Nation United national programme aimed at eradicating the drug menace in SL. A discussion on the initial organisational arrangements for the summit was held this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the Prez Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. Summit has been jointly organised by the National Youth Services Council and Ministry of Public Security & Parliamentary Affairs more..

May 21 (FT) The research, conducted by digital financial services provider Remitly for the second year running, compared 82 popular migration destinations on 34 important factors to consider when moving to a new country, including healthcare quality, cost of living, employment opportunities, and suitability for families. SL ranks 4th as the best country for families to move to behind only Spain, China & US. more..

May 21 (NW) Sarvajana Balaya National Organizer Dilum Amunugama says his controversial remarks that triggered a social media backlash were not directed at the 15-year-old child linked to the case, while also expressing regret and apologising over the misunderstanding. Amunugama came under criticism after stating at a media briefing that, according to information received by his party, the arrest and detention of an Atamasthanadhipathi Thera had been based on a statement made more..

May 21 (Island) PM Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday (20). PM was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission. more..

May 21 (AD) The govt will not request an increase in electricity tariffs from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) until September, according to the Minister of Energy, Anura Karunathilaka. Addressing concerns over the recent increase in the US dollar and the impact of the Middle East crisis on energy costs, Minister Karunathilaka said the direct impact of the latest electricity tariff revision would mainly affect consumers using more than 180 electricity units. more..

May 21 (NW) Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) announced today that it has filed a case before the Court of Appeal seeking to block the govt from recovering losses caused by importing substandard coal through electricity tariffs or tax revenue. FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said the party is demanding accountability from those responsible for the losses, rather than burdening the public. “Because of importing substandard coal, electricity generation fell below the expected more..

May 21 (DM) On 15 May 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as Sri Lanka’s finance minister, issued an order under the Customs Ordinance imposing a 50% surcharge on imports classified under HS Code 87.02 (vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons including the driver), HS Code 87.03 (passenger motor vehicles), and HS Code 87.04 (vehicles for the transport of goods). more..

May 21 (DM) A controversy has arisen in SL following claims questioning whether gender-change procedures are being carried out on children in the country’s hospitals. The issue was originally raised by Elle Gunawansa Thero during a television programme, where he alleged that gender reassignment procedures were taking place in govt hospitals. He further claimed that such procedures had been carried out in govt hospitals a few years ago and were now taking place in some more..

May 21 (AD) One in every three people in SL is suffering from high blood pressure, Ministry of Health has stated. Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit Dr. Shreeni Alahapperuma said illnesses caused by hypertension account for nearly 34% of deaths reported in the country. She stated that high blood pressure often does not present noticeable symptoms, making regular medical check-ups important, particularly for individuals over the age of 35. more..

May 21 (NW) UNP has raised concerns over what it described as the Govt’s handling of the SL Rupee’s depreciation, warning that the impact of the weakening currency will ultimately be felt by the general public through higher living costs and economic pressure. UNP said the country is facing a very serious issue due to the uncontrolled depreciation of the rupee, claiming that during the 20 months since the current administration more..

May 21 (NF) Y. N. Jayarathna, former Chief Hydrographer of SL, has stressed the urgent need for Sri Lanka to deepen its understanding of both India and China in order to effectively navigate an increasingly complex global geopolitical environment. Reflecting on his own perspective, Jayarathna noted that as early as 2010, he believed Sri Lankans needed a strong understanding of India. However, by 2013, he realised that equal attention must be given to China, more..

May 21 (FT) SL stands today at a defining strategic crossroads. An island nation in South Asia alongside the Maldives, it possesses a civilisational heritage spanning over 2,500 years. Yet its modern political economy and institutional framework remain deeply shaped by nearly 450 years of colonial rule under the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. While these influences introduced systems of law, administration, and global trade linkages, they also fostered a cautious & inward-looking national outlook. more..

May 21 (FT) The tea in your cup this morning began its journey in someone else’s hands. Hands whose work most of us never think about. Almost certainly, those hands belonged to a smallholder farmer tending a small plot of land, plucking leaves by hand beneath long mornings of mist and rain. Two leaves and a bud. Two leaves and a bud. Thousands of times. Smallholders account for about 60% of global tea supply. The industry built on their labour is worth $19.5 billion a year and more..

May 21 (AD) SL Rupee continues to weaken against the US Dollar amidst multiple factors including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The selling rate of the US dollar exceeded Rs. 350 today, according to the latest daily exchange rates issued by the Central Bank. The buying rate of the US dollar was recorded at Rs. 342.63, while the selling rate stood at Rs. 354.03. Yesterday, the buying rate of the US dollar was recorded at Rs. 332.23, while the selling rate was recorded at Rs. 342.70. more..

May 21 (TM) Food Processing Association (FPA) warned that the retail prices of processed foods will soon reach unbearable levels for consumers, and that the room for any discounts for the consumer market will grow less, if the Govt is unable to grant the concessions that the industry has requested from the Industry Ministry. President of the Association, Aruna Senanayaka said the industry is experiencing a shortage of materials, more..

May 21 (DN) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando told Parliament yesterday that the Opposition’s claim that two prominent businessmen or companies opened Letters of Credit (LCs) for 4,000 motor vehicles before the 50% Customs import duty surcharge was imposed is false and it is confirmed that a total of 1,782 LCs were opened on or before the May 15 cutoff date. Refusing these allegations and rumours, he said the official figure of LCs opened by the deadline was only 1,782. more..

May 21 (AD) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, has responded to accusations related to the Easter Sunday attacks’ probe stating that it is no secret that he visited S. Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, while the latter was in prison during the 2018/2019 period. Rajapaksa made this statement in a post on his ‘X’ account, after his name was mentioned during today’s court proceedings when the progress of investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks was reported to the court by the AG’s Dept. more..

May 21 (DN) Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris told Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, and Namal Rajapaksa had visited Pillaiyan at the Batticaloa Prison following the Easter Sunday terror attacks. During the visit, they had promised to release him within a week of Gotabaya Rajapaksa becoming Prez, with Peiris noting that Suresh Sallay more..

May 21 (Island) Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday ordered NDF Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake to leave the Chamber following a heated argument over the latter’s attempt to raise a matter relating to a court-imposed travel ban that prevented him from participating in a China-sponsored economic programme for MPs on 5 and 6 May. Tensions flared after Dassanayake sought to raise what he described as a privilege issue concerning more..

May 21 (TM) Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the annual maintenance cost for the entire expressway network, spanning 312.57 km, amounts to Rs 5,180.90 m. Maintenance costs for each expressway are as follows: E01 Southern Expressway (Kottawa to Mattala), covering 200.45 km - Rs 2,024.5 m; the E02 Outer Circular Highway (Kottawa to Kerawalapitiya), spanning 28.86 km - Rs 767.6 m; the E03 Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (Peliyagoda to Seeduwa), covering 25.8 km more..

May 21 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tea exports declined during the first four months of 2026, as disruptions to global shipping routes following the escalation of the US-Iran conflict weighed on access to key export markets across the Middle East and North Africa. According to an analysis of Sri Lanka Customs data by Siyaka Research, tea exports fell by 1.6% year-on-year (YoY) to 17.9 million kilograms (Mn/Kg) in April, compared with 18.2 Mn/Kg recorded in the same month last year. more..

May 21 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath held productive discussions with the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. The meeting took place with the Secretary General during his official visit to SL. This visit, which is the first visit by a Secretary General of the SCO to SL, will contribute towards elevating SL’s engagement with the SCO. The discussions focused on further more..

May 21 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured that the Govt would take measures to prevent a repeat of the economic collapse experienced in 2022, as SL faces renewed pressure on the rupee and foreign exchange reserves amid a strengthening US dollar and the economic fallout from the Middle East crisis. Addressing public events in Batticaloa, Prez made his first public remarks since the recent depreciation of the rupee more..

May 21 (FT) Prime Melwa Port City Ltd, has formally commenced its highly anticipated world-class marina living experience at Port City Colombo, marking a significant milestone in the development of one of the region’s most prestigious waterfront residential destinations. Positioned as Asia’s Global Marina Front Masterpiece, the landmark project is poised to redefine luxury waterfront living in South Asia while elevating Sri Lanka’s position on the global real estate stage. more..

May 21 (DM) Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya called on the tourism industry not to overlook the domestic market as a vital buffer against ongoing global shocks, urging stakeholders to prioritise high-quality, sustainable experiences over sheer visitor volume. Speaking at the 13th Sancharaka Udawa exhibition in Colombo, she stressed the need for an inclusive and resilient tourism policy capable of withstanding an era where international crises have become the norm. more..