May 14 (GV) Every year on the second Sunday of May Mother’s Day rolls around complete with soft focus advertisements, heartfelt social media tributes and the ceremonial gifting of flowers and breakfast in bed. At first glance, this celebration of mothers appears innocent, even noble. But if we scratch beneath the surface, we begin to see something more insidious: a powerful mechanism of manufactured consent, reinforcing a hegemonic narrative of motherhood rooted in sacrifice, more..

May 14 (ST) On a Vesak full moon day in the far-off northern plains of India over twenty-five centuries ago, the rising sun sheds its tender early morn light upon the scene of a royal litter emerging from the gates of Kapilavasthu, capital of the ruling Shakya clan. At the centre of this royal convoy, borne aloft on a golden palanquin, sits the queen of the domain. She is accompanied by her sister and guarded by a retinue of royal attendants. With the blessings of her husband, the king, more..

May 14 (CT) A society cannot progress if violence becomes the default response to crime. Justice must be pursued through due process, not vigilantism, and the Govt must prioritise rehabilitating individuals from destructive paths towards becoming contributors to SL’s development. Organised crime was responsible for 56 of the 103 shootings that claimed 45 lives in 2024—a staggering figure. Alarmingly, we may be approaching similar more..

May 14 (CT) It was in the early hours of Sunday morning that tragedy struck once again on one of Sri Lanka’s winding mountain roads. An SLTB bus travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya veered off the Kandy – Gampola – Nuwara Eliya main road and plunged down a steep precipice at Gerandi Ella, Ramboda. With 77 passengers on board, this marks the deadliest road accident since the catastrophic train-bus collision at Yangalmodara in Apr 2005, which claimed 41 more..

May 14 (TM) Another week, another headline. 22 people were killed and more than 30 injured in a devastating bus accident at Gerandi Ella, Ramboda. In the same week, a bus crash in Welimada left one person dead and 20 others injured. These are not isolated incidents, nor are they shocking anymore. They are part of a grim and predictable pattern, one that demands immediate, comprehensive, and honest intervention. SL’s public transport system, particularly its bus network, seems to be in more..

May 14 (SO) On May 14, 1965, a group of revolutionary-minded youth, led by comrade Rohana Wijeweera, founded the Movement which would later become the JVP. Emerging amidst growing disillusionment with the traditional left, the JVP was influenced by global liberation movements, including the Cuban Revolution and Maoist insurgencies in Asia. It represented a new political current in SL – an alternative to the declining credibility of more..

May 14 (DM) During the 11 months up to January this year, SL recorded 2,937 crimes against children, including 1,526 cases of rape and 544 instances of serious sexual abuse. Western Province reported the highest number of incidents (489), with A'pura district leading with 173 cases. Study shows 35% of the children live in a single-parent family or under another guardian, more than 60% of the parents have low education, 74% of the families are in debt and 77% of the fathers use drugs. more..

May 14 (DM) The analysis of electoral trends demands thoughtful consideration of which comparative baselines yield the most meaningful insights. When examining the recently concluded LG election results, compelling evidence suggests that the 2024 presidential election results provide the most appropriate analytical foundation—significantly more so than either parliamentary elections or the previous 2018 LG elections, where SLPP demonstrated convincing dominance. more..

May 13 (Island) The CEB is in one of the strongest hydro storage positions in recent memory, but it has mismanaged key hydropower complexes, causing an increase in oil-powered electricity generation and and costs. Energy expert Dr. Vidura Ralapanawe has raised serious concerns over CEB’s operational decisions, particularly the skewed use of the Mahaweli and Laxapana hydropower complexes. more..

May 13 (DM) Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata raised concerns about high taxation in Sri Lanka on automobile imports from Japan. Delivering his remarks at a roundtable meeting last week, ambassador said there is high taxation on electric vehicles being imported from Japan compared to those coming from another country. In case Sri Lanka considers a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Japan, he said high taxation on vehicles from Japan should be discussed. more..

May 13 (Island) Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran has said the results of the just concluded local govt elections have dispelled the myth of an “Anura wave” and reaffirmed the enduring strength of Tamil nationalism in the North-East. Speaking at a press briefing, Sumanthiran extended his gratitude to the voters across the North and East, who supported ITAK, allowing it to emerge victorious in several of the contested local councils. more..

May 13 (EN) SL’s loans to private businesses surged to 173 billion rupees in March, up from 105.5 billion rupees in February, while govt credit also expanded. In SL private credit usually expands in March ahead of the April New Year. SL’s private credit has expanded by 1,036 million rupees in the 12 months to March. In the 12 months to March 2024, private credit expanded by only 240 billion rupees, allowing foreign debt to be more..

May 13 (AD) Salt Producers’ Association has raised concerns over a shortage of salt in the local market, attributing the situation to a delay in the arrival of imported stocks. Chairman of the Association, Ganaka Amarasinghe, said that although the govt had approved the importation of 30 metric tons of salt, shipment has been delayed. As a result, a shortage has emerged in the market, affecting both availability and pricing. However, Amarasinghe assured that the shortage is expected to be more..

May 13 (TM) NPP government will not deviate from the IMF programme as promised during the election campaign, despite concerns on raising electricity tariffs, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said. He said that the IMF programme requires certain measures to be followed, but as a country, it needs to be understood that the cost recovery measures have to be implemented by institutions that engage in commercial business. more..

May 13 (TM) Ruling NPP stated that while discussions have already begun with individual representatives to form administrations in LG bodies where they (NPP) lack a majority, they would however not enter into coalitions with parties with opposing political views. In the LG Elections, the NPP won the majority in 339 LG bodies, but failed to secure more than 50% of the total representation in many of them, as Opposition political parties and indpt. groups collectively surpassed NPP. more..

May 13 (ST) The Cabinet will next week consider a proposal to reduce the tariffs for all renewable energy-based (RE) electricity supply to the national grid. If approved, Energy Ministry’s memorandum will allow the CEB to significantly lower the prices paid for every unit of electricity generated under all new private rooftop solar, mini-hydro, wind, ground-mounted solar, biomass and municipal solid waste contracts. For the first time, a tariff is also proposed for rooftop solar and more..

May 13 (TM) In the wake of increasing road accidents across the country, Ministry of Transport & Highways stated that an action plan to prevent road accidents, prepared collectively by 16 line institutions, will be implemented within the next two months. A sharp rise in road accidents has been observed, the most recent one being when a SLTB bus veered off the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road and plunged down a precipice on more..

May 13 (AD) A large consignment of Kush cannabis, illegally brought into SL by a British national woman who arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, has been seized by SL Customs. The narcotics were discovered during a special raid conducted by Narcotics Control Unit of SL Customs. Seizure took place this afternoon (12), during a targeted inspection of suspect’s luggage as she attempted to pass through Customs upon arrival in SL. Total weight of the confiscated narcotics is 46 kg, more..

May 13 (ANN) About a million women workers in key export sectors will lose their job and income if the 44% tariffs imposed by US Prez Donald Trump come into force at the end of the 90-day pause. SL's main export industries such as apparel, tea, gems, rubber & cinnamon, which employ mostly women, will be the most affected by the new tariffs since the US market is one of their most lucrative. Apparel workers reproach the govt for its lethargic attitude and failure to consider concerns of workers more..

May 13 (DM) Upon the critical need to ensure a legally mandated 25% quota for women’s representation in local govt bodies, following the recent local authority elections, Mannar Women’s Development Federation sent an urgent letter to the Election Commission (EC). The letter, endorsed by over 30 ground level groups, outlines key concerns about compliance with the quota, highlights areas where gaps persist, and urges the EC to take immediate steps to fulfill its legal obligation more..

May 13 (AD) A total of 388 inmates have been released from prisons across the island today (May 12) under a special state pardon granted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in view of Vesak Poya Day, the Department of Prisons has announced. Prisons Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake stated that accordingly, 384 male inmates and four female inmates serving time for minor offences were granted a state pardon, in accordance with Article 34 of Constitution more..

May 13 (ST) An electricity tariff increase of 25-35% is among the proposals under consideration by CEB, as the IMF awaits the implementation of the revised rates. CEB sources said these tariff proposals would be prepared in accordance with the formula agreed upon by CEB and PUCSL and submitted for PUCSL’s approval. With the discussions on the revised tariffs underway, CEB Chairman Tilak Siyambalapitiya has more..

May 13 (DM) A 4-hour strike by employees at Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port last night has resulted in an estimated loss of at least Rs. 300 million, senior official of the SLPA said. The strike, which began at 8 p.m. yesterday and continued till midnight, was triggered by a controversial decision by SLPA to cut incentive allowances paid to essential employees who worked on April 12 and 13, dates that coincided with the Vesak Poya holidays. more..

May 13 (DN) SL sprinter Chamod Yodhasinghe, who participated in the Final Section 2 event at the Dubai Grand Prix in UAE managed to win the first place in the event with a finishing time of 10.27 seconds. The Dubai Grand Prix 2025 Athletics Championship concluded successfully in the UAE in last Friday. Five athletes from SL also participated in this competition, and it is noteworthy that they managed to enter the very top talent pool. SL sprinter Yupun Abeykoon entered the field representing more..

May 13 (EN) New active credit cards in SL increased by 11,881 in March this year, amid SL’s economic recovery and falling interest rates. The number of active credit cards recorded 2,038,682 by end March, compared to 2,026,871 by end February, showing an increase of 0.6% in March. The active credit cards have risen by 1.5% in the first three months of this year. Active credit cards in SL rose by 4.8% or 91,371 in 2024, more..

May 13 (DN) We need to improve our batting and also need some power hitters, but work needs to be done before the World Cup said SL women’s cricket skipper Chamari Athapaththu after the Tri Nation women’s cricket fixture final which India won by 97 runs at the R.Premadasa stadium on Sunday. India dominated this final with a superb all round performance when they proved their strong batting line up can give good challenge against any team .The left hand opener Smriti Mandana more..

May 13 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers approved proceeding with the partial procurement of Total Knee Replacement (TKR) component sets, following a limited response to a recent international competitive bidding process. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the procurement sought 3,000 patient-specific, high-flexibility TKR component sets, which are used in advanced knee replacement surgeries to restore mobility and function in patients with severely damaged or worn knee joints. more..

May 13 (SO) SL Masters’ hockey team led by former national striker Nadith Kudagama emerged unbeaten champions by defeating Dubai Hockey Club 4-0 in the first-ever Cargills International Masters Hockey Cup at Colombo Astro Turf. The unbeaten SL Maroons team aggressively attacked from the start of the final in the 3-day tournament. Host team scored its first goal through a penalty corner in the second minute of the game through former Army forward Asanka Welagedara. more..

May 13 (DM) Emirates has expressed its openness to increasing direct flight operations between Sri Lanka and various parts of India while emphasising that the respective govts of India and SL need to grant the necessary permissions. Emirates Senior Vice President West Asia and Indian Ocean Essa Sulaiman Ahamed shared these remarks this week. He clarified that it is up to the govts in India and SL to liberalise direct flight operations for third-party carriers such as Emirates. more..

May 13 (SO) Govt has promised a swift investigation into the whole saga of the sexual and mental abuse of a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Kotahena who later took her life. Govt has promised to take stern action against the perpetrators. Investigations have revealed that the girl first reported that a teacher had sexually abused her in the school back in October last year. She has sought counselling over the issue. Later, a tuition master of a more..

May 13 (ST) The national significance of the 2025 local govt elections results was the dominant topic in Parliament this week, with govt and opposition MPs offering up vastly different interpretations of what the results mean. The ruling NPP was keen to hammer home the point that it had won the largest number of local govt bodies at Tuesday’s elections. Minister Samantha Vidyarathna pointed out on Thursday that the NPP had the highest number of members elected in 267 out of 339 LG bodies more..

May 13 (GV) The Asian Literary Society (ALS) facilitated a forum at the National Library in Colombo where the convenors invited a range of academics, scholars, journalists and creative writers to discuss a timely and relevant topic: How far do we adhere to our roots? Exploring literature, language and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. ALS is a platform established in 2017 to celebrate and support Asian literary arts and indigenous languages. It operates in the international digital sphere more..