May 12 (DM) Ministry of Energy has rejected reports circulating in the media regarding the resignation of CEB Chairman Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya. A senior official from the Ministry said that the Chairman had submitted a letter to the Prez informing him of his leave, as he plans to travel abroad for personal reasons. "There is no truth in the media reports suggesting the resignation of the CEB Chairman," official added. Dr. Siyambalapitiya was appointed as the CEB Chairman on Sept 26 last year more..

May 12 (DN) Actress Semini Iddamalgoda was granted bail yesterday by Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe, following her arrest by Welikada Police on Saturday (10). She was taken into custody in connection with seven outstanding warrants related to the non-payment of employee benefit contributions, allegedly linked to a private security company she had operated. The warrants had been issued by the Magistrate’s Courts in Tangalle, Matara and Colombo. more..

May 12 (DM) Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata said that Japan was a victim of corruption in SL, and expressed optimism that the govt would tackle the issue. Ambassador made these remarks in response to a query raised during a round table discussion last week. Earlier, there were reports about some Japanese companies facing issues in SL in securing investments. Japanese companies are strictly observe compliance more..

May 12 (TM) SL Ports saw a high demand for bunker fuel in April, with volumes surpassing 74,000 MT due to the narrowing price spread with India, ongoing cargo imports, and a steady demand from container vessels, S&P Global Commodity Insights said. In April, major SL ports saw a slight increase in volumes as total bunker fuel volumes reached 74,250 MT. "During the first two weeks of April, price differential between India and Colombo was low, leading to increased inquiries in the market," more..

May 12 (EN) Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange revenue from tourism rose to $256.7 million in April, rising 13.7% compared to the same month last year, the central bank said. The revenue in April last year was $225.7 million. Sri Lanka’s new govt has aimed ambitious $5 billion revenue from tourism this year. The country has received $1.38 billion earnings from tourism in the first four months of the year with a 10.2% rise compared to $1.25 billion in the same period last year. more..

May 12 (NW) A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident. Prez has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale. Arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund. more..

May 12 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his condolences to families of those who died in the bus accident that occurred in Gerandi Ella, Kotmale this morning (11). Prez Dissanayake has issued instructions to security forces and health workers to prepare all relevant hospitals to treat those who are injured in the accident. Prez has stated that the govt is deeply concerned about the increasing number of road accidents occurring daily in the country, more..

May 12 (EN) Departures for foreign employment in 2024 hit a new record of 314,828, up 5.8% from a year ago and topping the 310,953 seen in 2022, after a severe currency collapse. Official worker remittances grew by 10.1% to US$ 6.6 billion, with most the money coming from currency board like regimes in the Middle East. SL saw low number of departures during Coronavirus crises but remittances; officially & unofficially continued more..

May 12 (AD) Investigations are underway to determine whether the cause of the bus accident that occurred at Gerandi Ella in Kotmale this morning (11) was due to the driver’s negligence or due a technical defect in the bus, Police Media Spokesman, SSP Buddhika Manatunga, said. The Kotmale Police is conducting further investigations into the accident. It has been reported that the death toll from the accident has increased to 21. A total of 16 men & 5 women are among the dead, more..

May 12 (PMD) Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, which marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Lord Buddha, is a day of profound significance for Buddhists worldwide. It was on such a sacred Vesak Day that the Buddha, having fulfilled the Perfections (Pāramitās), vanquished the forces of Māra, cultivated wisdom through the Middle Path, realised the Four Noble Truths and eradicated all defilements to attain Supreme Enlightenment (Sammā Sambuddha). more..

May 12 (CI) India posted the highest women's ODI score in Sri Lanka, and their fourth-highest total in the format, which set them up for a statement win in the tri-series final in Colombo. After piling on the runs, they dismissed SL for 245 to underline their dominance over a side they have only lost to three times in 34 completed ODIs. Smriti Mandhana scored her 11th ODI century, and first against SL, and was the senior partner in the 2 stands more..

May 12 (AD) Millennium Project, a leading global think tank on future studies and foresight, has appointed Asanga Abeyagoonasekera to its Board of Directors as an Ex-officio member—marking the first time a Sri Lankan has joined the board. The appointment recognizes his outstanding contributions to the South Asia network of the institute. Abeyagoonasekera, joined the Millennium Project in 2022 as a Senior Fellow. He currently serves as Executive Director of SAFN, more..

May 12 (PMD) I warmly welcome the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. An immediate ceasefire is not just an urgent need to spare innocent lives on both sides; it is also a necessary first step in achieving lasting peace and regional stability. Leaders of India and Pakistan must be commended for replacing guns with words before a conflagration broke out. This willingness to compromise demonstrates their wisdom and statesmanship. As a neighbour and friend of India & Pakistan, more..

May 12 (EN) SL’s potential in poultry exports is blocked due to maize import restrictions, Ceylon Grain Elevators, a feed miller and poultry company said amid import duties and licensing. “…[E]xport market opportunities present significant growth potential for the poultry industry with the expectation of positive support from the govt,” Ceylon Grain Elevator told shareholders in the annual report. “It is anticipated that the authorities will grant the permits to import maize in a timely manner more..

May 12 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Wednesday approved publishing a draft bill amending the Samurdhi Act No. 1 of 2013 in the Govt Gazette, as revised by the Divinaguma (Amd) Act No. 2 of 2017 and to subsequently submit the same to Parliament for its approval. “The proposed amendments aim to bring Samurdhi community-based banks and banking societies under the purview of Govt audit,” Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said at post-Cabinet meeting media briefing. more..

May 12 (CT) In recent months, SL has witnessed an alarming resurgence of pyramid scheme-related controversies, drawing thousands into financial ruin while those allegedly responsible remain untouched by law. Despite repeated warnings from the Central Bank and growing public outrage, the issue has turned into a national scandal, marked by accusations of political complicity, lack of law enforcement, and more..

May 12 (ST) Hearing Sri Lanka’s opposition parties in the South jubilantly crowing about a win in Thursday’s local govt elections, one would think that a magnificent feat had been accomplished on its part in reducing votes cast for the ruling NPP. That is far from the case. An appeal was made directly to the people by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to vote sweepingly for his candidates as this was essential to fully carry out the party’s popular mandate. more..

May 12 (Island) A tragic road accident near Kotmale claimed 21 lives yesterday and left 35 others seriously injured. Disaster struck when a state-owned bus plying from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya, veered off a winding road and plunged down a precipice. Yesterday’s tragedy has jolted politicians and officials alike into action, but it is bound to be forgotten soon. SL lacks a proper national strategy to prevent road fatalities. Hardly a day passes without a fatal traffic accident more..

May 12 (TM) Just as Sri Lankans were collectively drawing a sigh of relief with signs that a ceasefire would come into effect between our Indian ocean neighbours; India and Pakistan, two events at home shook Lankans back to the bitter realities we face as a nation. On Friday, an Air Force helicopter crashed into Maduru Oya reservoir claiming the lives of 6 armed forces personnel. Yesterday, a calm long weekend Sunday ahead of Vesak week was shattered with news of a SLTB bus veering off more..

May 12 (Island) Of all women down the ages, including present times, I most admire Yashodara of 2,600 years ago. I revere her too and strongly empathize with her. If the latter part of my statement implies hubris in me or in plain language makes me a presumptions upstart, none of those accusations are justified. She was a human being and so I can equalize myself to the extent of stating I empathize with her. Yashodara, in the Buddhist stories we absorbed and sermons we listened to, more..

May 12 (TM) In a decision already drawing sharp criticism, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has confirmed it will grant Waivers of Registration (WORs) for unregistered pharmaceutical products to be imported under Govt’s proposed Govt-to-Govt (G2G) procurement agreements. Announcement has sparked fresh controversy within the pharmaceutical industry, rekindling concerns over regulatory bypasses more..

May 12 (CT) In my last column on the recent history of Ceylon, specifically since the beginning of the twentieth century up to now, I related the storied flow of events which could be eventually the product of the then prevalent sociopolitical circumstances, both objective and subjective. However, that particular historical context was partly a creation of the then leaders of our national life. The leading Tamils were the two Ponnambalam brothers, Ramanathan and Arunachalam, followed by GG Ponnambalam, more..

May 12 (CT) Vesak or Vaishakha, also known as Buddha Poornima, is the most important and sacred religious celebration in the Theravāda Buddhist world. Mahāyāna Buddhists too usually celebrate the Buddha’s birthday on the same day as Theravāda Vesak. For Theravādins, Vesak marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha, the enlightenment of ascetic Siddhartha, and the Parinibbāna of the Buddha. This day is celebrated with decorations, offerings, rituals, and spiritual practices across the globe. more..

May 12 (DN) The full moon day in May holds profound significance in Buddhism. It commemorates three pivotal events in the life of Prince Siddhartha Gautama: his birth, enlightenment, and passing, all of which occurred on the same day. Buddhism is a deeply spiritual tradition grounded in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, born in 653 B.C. in Lumbini, Nepal. Throughout its 2,600-year history, Buddhism has transformed into more..

May 12 (DM) Each year, Vesak arrives with its familiar rhythm—lanterns lighting up homes and temples, children dressed in white visiting Dansal stalls, families tuning into televised sermons. It is a cherished moment of cultural unity, a rare occasion when the island’s often fractured psyche seems to settle into quiet reverence. But beneath the surface, there is an uncomfortable question we seem determined not to ask: Have we reduced the Buddha to an icon, while forgetting his message? more..

May 12 (DM) One of the most attention-grabbing elements of Trump’s presidency has been his aggressive stance on trade, particularly the so-called Tariff War — a mantra repeated loudly from the day of his inauguration. The global response was immediate and intense: stock markets wobbled, world leaders panicked, and business communities from CEOs to small entrepreneurs braced for impact. Trump made it clear from the outset: countries with a positive trade balance more..

May 11 (ST) LG elections delivered a brutal reckoning for the NPP–JVP govt, as the public’s simmering frustration boiled over into the ballot box. Six months on, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration has suffered a staggering drop in support—one that can no longer be dismissed as midterm jitters. With just 4,503,930, or 43%, of the votes cast at the local council elections, the number speaks for itself: more..

May 11 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed the Police to carry out a formal and swift investigation into the incident involving the schoolgirl who took her own life in Kotahena recently, allegedly after being sexually assaulted by a school teacher. Instructions were given during a meeting held today (10) at the Office of the Prime Minister, chaired by PM Amarasuriya. The parents of the child and the police teams investigating the incident also attended the meeting. more..

May 11 (ST) Govt would have to revise electricity tariffs in a way that covers a Rs 25 billion loss before obtaining clearance from the IMF for the implementation of the new tariffs, a senior Treasury official said. He said the next review of the IMF is due in July, but the proposals should be sent by next month. The staff-level agreement with the IMF is contingent on two conditions, and one of them is the implementation of prior actions relating to restoring electricity cost-recovery pricing and more..

May 11 (TM) CEB is unlikely to receive an immediate 10% increase in electricity tariffs in June, despite Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent announcement, as Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) clarified that any revision required a formal tariff submission from the CEB. “We cannot act without a formal submission,” PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe said, referring to CEB’s failure to submit a more..

May 11 (SO) State Vesak Festival commenced yesterday in Nuwara Eliya. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended several events in this connection in Nuwara Eliya yesterday. A special commemorative stamp was also issued. This marked the beginning of Vesak Week, which will continue till May 16. Religious, cultural, and social programs will take place across SL during the Vesak Week. All wine stores, nightclubs, slaughterhouses, meat stalls in supermarkets, more..

May 11 (CT) National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said that by midnight on Thursday (8), the total number of reported dengue cases in the country had risen to a startling 19,039. The highest number of cases was recorded in April (5,175) and January (4,936), while the first two weeks of May alone accounted for 1,493 cases. The only small comfort is that there have been just seven dengue-related deaths reported so far. Western Province accounted for 8,676 cases —approx. 45.5% of the total. more..