Jun 18 (DN) SL Emerging Team cruised to an innings and 216-run victory over the West Indies Emerging Team with a day to spare in the second and final 4-day match played at Hambantota yesterday. With this emphatic victory, SL Emerging secured the two-match series 1-0 after the first game ended in a draw. SL Emerging dominated the match with a powerful batting display, posting a massive first-innings total of 553 for 5 declared at lunch on the third day in reply to the visitors’ more..

Jun 18 (FT) Simplified visa procedures, predictable tax rules, smoother capital flows and measures against brain drain are key priorities identified by members of the Sweden-SL Business Council. The findings come from a dialogue study initiated by the Board after its appointment in March 2026. Sweden-SL Business Council Secretary General Anndala Ehrstedt said: “Our membership has grown from 75 to nearly 100 members over the past 3 years. This is a clear sign of the increasing interest more..

Jun 18 (FT) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said the Govt will decide whether to extend its fuel subsidy and relief measures after assessing economic conditions at the end of the current 3-month period, while early indications show that the recently imposed 50% surcharge on vehicle imports has successfully reduced import demand. He said the Rs. 10 billion relief package introduced by the Govt was more..

Jun 18 (FT) Court of Appeal (CA) has set aside a Right to Information (RTI) Commission order directing the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) to disclose detailed Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Govt securities transaction data, ruling that disclosure of the information would harm the Fund’s competitive position and falls within an exemption under the RTI Act. In a judgement delivered on 26 March, the Court allowed an appeal by the CBSL and overturned Nov 2018 RTI Commission order more..

Jun 18 (FT) SL has secured the resumption of ammonium nitrate imports from India after the neighbouring country approved a monthly export quota of 220 metric tonnes (MT) in response to a request from the SL Govt. India had imposed a ban on the export of ammonium nitrate on 18 March 2026, citing ongoing global supply chain challenges. Following representations by the SL Govt highlighting the urgent requirements of local industry, Govt of India has now granted permission for more..

Jun 18 (FT) The Govt remains confident of achieving its 5% economic growth target this year and is working towards a medium-term objective of 7% inclusive and sustainable growth, despite concerns over rising interest rates and the pace of capital expenditure, Deputy Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said. He said the first-quarter economic growth of 5.1% was a positive indicator that the country more..

Jun 18 (DM) A petition seeking urgent action to prevent the electrocution and illegal killing of elephants was taken up before the Court of Appeal today, with the court fixing a date for the hearing and directing the respondent state institutions to file their objections. The petition was filed by the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and its directors, Hemantha Withanage and Dilena Pathragoda, seeking a writ of mandamus compelling the relevant authorities to strictly enforce more..

Jun 18 (DM) Wickramarachchi Opticians and Hearing Care celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, marking five decades of trusted service, innovation and unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for generations of Sri Lankans. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Mihira Wickramarachchi with a vision to make quality optical care more accessible, Wickramarachchi Opticians and Hearing Care has grown into a nationally recognised healthcare institution, more..

Jun 18 (FT) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) intensified efforts in 2025 to bring State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to the capital market, arguing that listings could help address longstanding governance, financing, and accountability challenges while reducing reliance on Treasury support. In his review accompanying the SEC’s 2025 Annual Report, SEC Chairman Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara said the capital market has a central role to play in mobilising long-term financing more..

Jul 18 (CT) SL is at a defining crossroads in its energy transition. After decades of over-reliance on expensive oil-based thermal generation, highly-polluting low-cost coal and hydropower, as the country pursues ambitious Renewable Energy (Solar and wind) targets and seeks to achieve long-term energy security, affordability, and sustainability, the debate surrounding the future energy mix has intensified. While solar and wind power are increasingly viewed as more..

Jun 18 (TM) Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has squarely placed the blame on officials of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) over its failure to finalise visa applications and requisite travel cum ticket arrangements for the national fifteens rugby team last week. The unprecedented faux pas prevented the Tuskers, from fulfilling their Asian Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship clash against hosts South Korea in Incheon on 13 June, more..

Jun 18 (FT) Business tycoon turned philanthropist and old boy Nahil Wijesuriya has donated Rs. 3 billion to Trinity College, Kandy. Trinity College Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara described the donation as an extraordinary gift and a powerful affirmation of confidence in the College and the mission to shape the future generation of Trinitians. Trinity College will establish a dedicated fund to ensure prudent stewardship and sustainable deployment of the Rs. 3 billion by Wijesuriya. more..

Jun 18 (Island) At a time when Sri Lanka is enjoying a resurgence in wildlife tourism, with elephants remaining the undisputed stars of the country’s national parks and one of its most marketable natural assets, elephant conservationist Supun Lahiru Prakash has sounded a stark warning: the nation is in danger of losing the very species that helps attract millions of tourism dollars while sustaining some of the island’s most important ecosystems. more..

Jun 18 (Island) Social media debates on issues connected to the Easter Sunday terror attacks have got down and dirty, with religious and political leaders becoming targets of scurrilous attacks. The situation is likely to take a turn for the worse. The victims of vilification are without any defence as social media activists are guided by Rafferty’s rules. Spokesman for the Archdiocese of Colombo Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando yesterday countered some allegations against more..

Jul 18 (DN) The detention of the former head of the SIS, Major General (Rtd) Suresh Sallay continues to attract controversy, being a focal issue for the opposition. This is while the govt grapples with tasks such as reforming Education and restructuring SriLankan Airlines. Sallay is being detained in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks on April 21, 2019, where simultaneous bomb attacks were staged in several churches and hotels in Colombo and elsewhere, claiming the lives of more..

Jul 18 (TM) Sexual abuse remains a deeply entrenched issue in SL, fuelled by a culture of keeping silent and victim blaming, systemic gaps in the justice system, and a lack of proper education and awareness. It is a critical concern in society, with the country seeing thousands of cases reported annually. The issue is often the elephant in the room in many households and institutions, with parents, families, educators, and administrators more..

Jul 18 (SO) The rise of the Prajashakthi program could be viewed as the emergence of the implementation phase of the Govt’s election pledge that carried the slogan, . Among the global society, SL occupies a leading position in endeavours towards introducing strategies for poverty alleviation. However, the question have they produced the expected outcomes? poses a problematic proposition. All Govts since Independence that introduced strategies more..

Jul 18 (DM) Ignorance is strength. However, when the theatre of the absurd becomes a legal argument and is pursued ever more judiciously, solely based on a statement by a dubious asylum seeker, it leaves more questions than answers about the integrity and competence of everyone involved. The detention of former head of military intelligence Major General Suresh Sallay, now past 100 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stems from this perverted logic. more..

Jul 18 (SO) As SL grapples with a rapidly escalating Dengue crisis, one institution stands at the centre of both the country’s greatest public health achievements and its most pressing challenges. National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), long known to generations of Sri Lankans as the IDH, is marking its centenary year with a historic international honour even as it confronts one of the most serious Dengue surges in recent times. more..

Jul 18 (TM) Flagship Govt programmes have historically suffered from a recurring, tragic affliction: they are launched with immense rhetorical fanfare, only to slowly asphyxiate in the corridors of bureaucratic inertia. The latest victim of this familiar malaise appears to be the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. Launched on New Year’s Day in 2025 by Prez AKD, this ambitious nationwide campaign was marketed as a foundational pillar for environmental sustainability and social transformation. more..

Jul 18 (DM) It appears the US-Israeli war against Iran is finally coming to a close. But we need be aware there’s many a slip tween cup and the lip. Since US Prez Trump went to war with Iran on Feb 28 this year, he has told the world at least 39 times the US was on the brink of declaring peace –only to change his mind within a day or two. However, this time around, it appears an agreement has finally been reached and details of a draft MoU were released by Iranian state media. more..

Jun 17 (CB) Matheesha Pathirana underwent surgery for his injured left hamstring in France, the cricketer's manager revealed in an Instagram post on Tuesday (16). "This journey was made possible with the outstanding support of SLC and Kolkata Knight Riders and we are truly grateful for their commitment to his wellbeing," the post read. Pathirana arrived late to IPL 2026 following an earlier calf strain sustained during the preceding T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. more..

Jun 17 (Island) Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on Monday (15) outlined the recent policy measures undertaken to strengthen the financial framework supporting INR-LKR transactions and emphasized the need to strengthen trade and investment linkages between both countries. Dr. Weerasinghe said so in his keynote opening remarks at a roundtable on Rupee to Rupee Strengthening the India-Sri Lanka Commercial Corridor held in Colombo. more..

Jun 17 (DM) Health authorities have raised concerns that SL’s healthcare system could come under severe pressure if the current rise in dengue admissions continues. Commenting on the situation, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said several hospitals, particularly in Colombo, are overcrowded due to the increasing number of dengue patients. “If patient numbers increase further, hospital system may not be able to cope. more..

Jun 17 (NW) SL Police is set to introduce a new mobile application designed to enhance public access to police services, under the directives of IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya. Project, currently underway, will deliver a mobile app compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, alongside a newly developed official police website. The initiative aims to make police services more accessible through modern digital technology. Through the app, users will be able to receive updates, news, more..

Jun 17 (DM) Vehicle Importers Association of SL (VIASL) has warned that the prices of imported used vehicles could increase significantly following the removal of the 15% valuation reduction previously applied when determining the Customs value of used vehicles. According to the VIASL spokesman, Arosha Rodrigo, impact will be felt across the market, with popular vehicle models expected to record notable price increases. A fast-moving vehicle such as the Honda Vezel Z Play SUV more..

Jun 17 (TM) The Govt is preparing to introduce new laws that would allow the State to take over properties transferred by elderly parents to their children in cases where the parents are later neglected, with the assets to be subsequently used for the elders’ welfare. Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa said that many parents transfer their property to their children with the expectation that they would be looked after in their old age. more..

Jun 17 (DM) Former MP Rosy Senanayake has issued an open letter calling for urgent action to address what she describes as a deepening child protection crisis in SL, urging both domestic and international authorities to intervene. The letter in its entirety is as follows; To: Domestic and International Child Protection Authorities, the Govt of SL and the Public. “A nation incapable of ensuring even a modicum of safety for its children and vulnerable populations—irrespective of its more..

Jun 17 (NW) The Colombo High Court today commenced the trial against former Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, who faces corruption charges filed by the Bribery Commission. The case was taken up before High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela. During proceedings, the charges against Jayakody were read out in open court, to which the accused pleaded not guilty. Trial then formally began. The allegations stem from Jayakody’s tenure in 2016 as Procurement Manager of more..

Jun 17 (AD) A survey conducted by the Ministry of Health has found that 12% of schoolchildren are overweight, while 3% are obese, primarily due to unhealthy dietary habits. Director of Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Monika Wijeratne said the findings are concerning, particularly given the country’s declining population growth rate. She made the remarks while presenting data from the 2024 Global School-Based Health Survey, which focused on children aged between 13-17 yrs. more..

Jun 17 (AD) Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, has endorsed the certificate on the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill today. Bill was first read in Parliament on 17 March 2026 and was subsequently passed by Parliament following a debate held on 6 May 2026. Act provides for the amendment of the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Act, the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, more..