Jun 22 (MB) The lagoons of Mannar in northern SL attract large flocks of pink and white greater flamingos every year, which drive a vital tourism industry in the region. However, recent fatalities of the migratory birds from collisions with power cables there have sparked urgent concerns regarding the impact of power infrastructure in the wetlands. Three flamingos recently died in Mannar after colliding with overhead power lines. more..

Jun 22 (DM) In a bid to improve competitiveness in fuel purchasing from the global market, CPC has registered two Russian state owned companies allowing them to participate in the tender process. Rosneft is one such company which is now able to participate in the competitive bidding process for the supply of fuel to the SL market in the future as long as U.S. sanctions on Russia remain lifted. According to CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Nettikumara, registration was done last week. more..

Jun 22 (NW) The Supreme Court has granted permission to proceed with an appeal challenging the eligibility of Minister Ananda Wijepala to hold a parliamentary seat. The order was issued after considering a petition filed by former General Secretary of the SLPP, Renuka Perera. The petition argues that Wijepala, though elected as a MP, continues to function as Chief of Staff to the President, a role that disqualifies him from serving as an MP under constitutional provisions. more..

Jun 22 (TM) Rubber Development Dept and EU-funded Green Recovery Facility recently organised a 80-stakeholders rubber industry gathering in Colombo to map out a capacity-building drive on meeting emerging international requirements on sustainability rules. Participants at the Stakeholder Consultation Workshop included govt institutions, plantation companies, smallholder farmer organisations, processors, exporters, manufacturers, industry associations & dev. partners. more..

Jun 22 (TM) Sri Lankan javelin throw champion Rumesh Tharanga arrived at the BIA in Katunayake on Saturday evening, following an exceptional international campaign in Europe and the Middle East. There he secured three gold medals and a silver medal in four major athletic competitions. Tharanga underlined his phenomenal talent at prestigious athletic meets in Morocco, Italy, Czech Republic, and Doha in Qatar competing against some of the world’s leading athletes. more..

Jun 22 (DM) Residents of Nainativu (Nagadeepa), Analaitivu and Delft islands will soon benefit from a 24-hour uninterrupted electricity supply through a new hybrid renewable energy system currently under construction, Minister Anura Karunatilaka said during an inspection tour of the project. The islands have long depended on diesel-powered electricity generation, which is both costly and difficult to maintain due to logistical more..

Jun 22 (NW) Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has raised concerns over the continued extension of SL’s State of Emergency, calling on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to refrain from further renewals and urging Parliament to reject any additional extensions. CPA stressed that governance should be grounded in ordinary law to safeguard democratic principles and fundamental rights. Prez Dissanayake, by extraordinary gazette 2490/06, extended the emergency for another month more..

Jun 22 (TM) The S&P Dow Jones Indices has added ACL Cables, CIC Holdings, and Commercial Bank to the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index, while dropping LB Finance and People's Leasing and Finance, in the benchmark's mid-year rebalance effective 22 June, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has announced. The S&P SL 20 index includes the 20 largest companies, by total market capitalisation, listed on the CSE that meet minimum size, liquidity and financial viability thresholds. more..

Jun 22 (NW) The Govt has rejected a newspaper report claiming that the International Cricket Council (ICC) warned Sri Lanka to hold Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) elections before July 31 or risk being blacklisted. In a statement issued today, PMD described the report as false and misleading, stating that it had no factual basis and misrepresented the recent meeting between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and ICC Chairman Jay Shah more..

Jun 22 (NW) SL-American gymnast Tiana Sumanasekera has officially changed her sporting nationality from the United States to Sri Lanka, opening the door to represent the island nation in future international competitions. UCLA gymnast announced the decision on Sunday, saying she was proud to embrace the opportunity to compete for SL, the country of her family’s heritage. “I have decided to represent SL. I could not be more proud and excited for this special opportunity,” more..

Jun 22 (DM) Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath has reaffirmed SL's commitment to maintaining neutrality and adhering strictly to international law during discussions with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur. The meeting, held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on bilateral relations and areas of cooperation between the two countries. Minister Herath expressed appreciation for the continued support extended by the US to SL, more..

Jun 22 (NW) Sri Lanka has recorded 1,069 dengue patients within the past 24 hours, Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Kapila Kannangara said. He said that the detection has raised the total number of cases this year to 47,179. 28 deaths have been recorded as of yesterday. He noted that while daily patient numbers in non‑epidemic periods average between 150 and 200, the current outbreak has pushed daily figures to 600–650, with numbers continuing to rise. more..

Jun 22 (DM) University of West London (UWL) formally opened the University of West London Sri Lanka Branch Campus, the country’s first full UK university branch campus, marking a landmark development in SL’s higher education sector. The University of West London Sri Lanka Branch Campus is designed to bring a UK university learning experience closer to the students in Sri Lanka. The campus is operated by ANC Campus, a pioneer in the higher education sector in SL, more..

Jun 22 (Island) SL exporters selling into Europe may soon face one of the most significant regulatory shifts in recent years as the European Union prepares to enforce sweeping new rules aimed at eliminating misleading environmental and sustainability claims. The regulation, known as the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo) – Directive (EU) 2024/825, will become fully enforceable across all EU more..

Jun 22 (EN) Sri Lanka has urged investors from Belgium and Luxembourg to seize opportunities in the island nation, citing economic reforms, affordable real estate and cheap labour. Speaking at a panel discussion during the BELGOLUX -SL Business Forum with a number of Belgian and Luxembourg delegates at Colombo Port City, deputy minister of Industries Chaturanga Abeysinghe called on investors to capitalize on early-stage opportunities to maximize returns. more..

Jun 22 (TM) SL Govt’s attempt to broaden its tax base by lowered the annual VAT registration threshold from Rs 60 million to Rs 36 million, and quarterly payable threshold from Rs 15 million to Rs 9 million will have a sizeable impact on compliancy of SL’s small and medium enterprises, EY Partner and Head of Tax Sulaiman Nishtar said on a recent livestream hosted by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (CMA) of SL. Speaking of SL’s bill to amend the VAT Act 2026, more..

Jun 22 (ICC) SL captain Chamari Athapaththu believes she has let her side down and missed what could be her final chance to guide them to the knockout stages of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. SL missed a major opportunity to stay in contention for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup when they fell to the West Indies by five wickets in Bristol on Sunday and now must win their remaining two fixtures at the tournament and rely on more..

Jun 22 (NW) Private Bus Owners Association has raised concerns over the govt’s introduction of new Metro buses under the SLTB, alleging that the project will place an additional burden on taxpayers. Association Chairman Gamunu Wijeratne claimed that the buses are being operated illegally and questioned the govt’s decision to import and deploy them. Wijeratne argued that the new buses would not attract motorists who currently use private vehicles and alleged that the project more..

Jun 22 (AD) Leader of the PHU, former Minister Udaya Gammanpila today (22) presented a set of 10 questions addressed to the Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando. Gammanpila also called on journalists to repeatedly raise these questions at future press conferences if Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando declines to respond. Former Minister Gammanpila made a series of allegations and posed questions relating to Easter Sunday attacks more..

Jun 22 (AD) The corruption case filed by the CIABOC against former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and another accused was taken up today (22) before the Colombo High Court. The matter was heard before Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela. During today’s proceedings, evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, Ada Derana reporter said. Following the hearing, the High Court Judge ordered that the case be called again for further proceedings on July 30. more..

Jun 22 (NF) Colombo Magistrate’s Court has fixed October 17 as the date to deliver the final verdict in the case involving the alleged forcible removal of the crown from Pushpika De Silva during the Mrs. World pageant held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. The order was issued today by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, following the conclusion of all evidentiary proceedings related to the incident. Two individuals have been named as accused in the case, Caroline Jurie, more..

Jun 22 (FT) SL’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism declined in May despite recording its highest-ever monthly increase in visitor arrivals, highlighting persistent pressure to convert rising tourist numbers into stronger revenue growth. Tourism earnings fell 5.13% year-on-year (YoY) to $ 155.7 million in May 2026 from $ 164.1 million a year earlier. Revenue also declined marginally from $ 157.1 million recorded in April. more..

Jun 22 (Island) The NPP govt has not taken a final decision regarding filling of the vacancies in the judiciary. A group of Opposition MPs, led by SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, on 12 June, requested Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremeratne to take up the issue of judicial vacancies with President Dissanayake. Opposition sources said that there were four vacancies, each in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and the inordinate delay had adversely affected the judiciary. more..

Jun 22 (NW) Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ application filed by Daya Group Ltd and Daya Apparel Export (Pvt) Ltd challenging People’s Bank’s move to auction mortgaged properties under its parate execution powers. In a judgment delivered on 19 June, Court ruled that People’s Bank was legally entitled to proceed with the recovery process after the companies failed to settle outstanding loan obligations secured by mortgage bonds. Case centred on an outstanding debt of US$1.42 m more..

Jun 22 (NW) The govt has launched a major programme to strengthen diagnostic services in the country’s hospital system with the provision of 11 advanced CT scanner machines at a cost of Rs 1,950 million, aimed at improving diagnosis of stroke, cancer, heart disease and other critical conditions. Ministry of Health is currently implementing a broad initiative to modernise and expand diagnostic services as part of more..

Jun 22 (FT) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe has defended the Govt’s tax and economic reform agenda, pushing back against criticism from Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva and arguing that efforts to formalise the economy are critical to improving SL’s fiscal position. In a statement, Abeysinghe accused Dr. de Silva of taking a political stance against measures introduced by the Finance Ministry to expand the tax base and reduce the economy’s dependence more..

Jun 22 (DM) Train guards operating on the resumed Nanu Oya–Badulla railway service have allegedly collected money from tourists in exchange for access to train compartments, railway sources said. According to a senior Railway Department official, train guards are alleged to have collected nearly Rs. 100,000 on the first day of the service's resumption yesterday (20). Train services between Nanu Oya and Badulla resumed yesterday following the completion of restoration work on more..

Jun 22 (NW) SL Police have issued a public warning over a rise in incidents involving women being targeted through social media and other communication platforms by individuals who deceive victims for financial gain, sexual exploitation and other criminal activities. Reports have been received from various parts of the country regarding cases where women were befriended online, manipulated and subsequently subjected to sexual abuse or cheated out of money and valuables. more..

Jun 22 (NW) Ministry of Health has issued a new circular banning the sale of high-sugar, high-fat and processed food items, including hot dogs, burgers, pizzas, biscuits, cakes, carbonated drinks, extruded snacks and packaged beverages, in school canteens. Nutrition Division Specialist Dr Monika Wijerathne said a guideline handbook has also been introduced to regulate and monitor school canteens. Health authorities said the move comes amid rising rates of overweight and obesity more..

Jun 22 (DM) The FCID has arrested the alleged mastermind behind a large-scale money laundering operation accused of illegally transferring more than Rs. 21 billion (over US$700 million) out of SL under the guise of importing goods. The operation had been active since 2023 and involved the unlawful remittance of foreign currency through a company identified as A.Y. Investments, based in Colombo Fort. more..

Jun 22 (DN) Dept of Import and Export Control has issued a gazette notification to prevent the illegal outflow of foreign exchange from the country. Accordingly, the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Monetary Planning and Economic Development, issued a gazette notification containing new regulatory measures effective from last Friday to effectively monitor foreign currency payments related to import activities. The imposition of these regulations will prevent illegal outflow more..

Jun 22 (EN) Central Bank has invited the general public to share their views on the inflation target and related parameters as part of the inflation target review process ahead of the decision in October this year. Central Bank was given an inflation target of 5% in October 2023 under the previous govt and that agreement will elapse later this year with the completion of three years as per the new Central Bank Act. The CB was unable to maintain its inflation target range between 3-7% mainly due to more..