May 26 (ST) CB’s Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) has, for the first time, flagged in its National Risk Assessment (NRA) report a developing threat known as pig butchering involving foreign scammers in SL targeting largely overseas nationals via scam farms. A pig butchering scam is a long-term confidence and investment fraud where criminals build fake romantic or friendly relationships to manipulate victims more..

May 26 (FT) Dialog Axiata yesterday overtook John Keells Holdings (JKH) to become the most valuable listed company in terms of market capitalisation. Dialog’s market cap reached Rs. 367.1 billion, amounting to 4.51% of total market cap, which was Rs. 8.11 trillion yesterday, up 2.04% from Friday. JKH came second with a Rs. 359.4 billion market cap (4.42% of total market cap), followed by Ceylon Tobacco Company with Rs. 341.9 billion (4.2%), Commercial Bank with Rs. 320.9 bil (3.95%) more..

May 26 (FT) Home Lands yesterday revealed the name of its latest twin tower high-rise development project in the Central Park district of Port City Colombo, Central Park Boulevard Port City. The company said it was offering unmatched value for investors and home buyers with the announcement of its attractive pre-launch prices, based on a special per-square-foot rate ranging from $ 300 to $ 400 per square foot. Pre-launch prices start from Rs. 60 million for one-bedroom (1BR), more..

May 26 (DN) SL women’s volleyball team kept their hopes alive with a convincing 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship preliminary round match played in Kathmandu, Nepal yesterday. But the SL spikers still failed to secure a place in the semi-finals after earlier defeats against Kazakhstan and Iran. SL produced an impressive all-round performance in the heated encounter, winning the first set 25-19 before completely dominating the second set 25-6. more..

May 26 (TM) Colombo Stock Exchange began the week higher on Monday, with both benchmark indices gaining nearly 2% as local investors drove a broad-based recovery. ASPI rose 435.13 points, or 1.98%, to close at 22,364.77, while S&P SL 20 Index gained 118.09 points, or 1.95%, to end at 6,179.10. The rally helped trim recent losses, although the ASPI remained down 0.82% month-to-date and 1.15% year-to-date. S&P SL20 was down 0.46% month-to-date but remained marginally more..

May 26 (CI) The new SL Cricket selection panel headed by Kapila Wijegunawardene has handed the white-ball captaincy to Kusal Mendis for the upcoming all-format tour of the West Indies next month. Dhananjaya de Silva will continue to lead the side in the two Tests. Kusal Mendis takes over the ODI captaincy from Charith Asalanka, who had earlier been elbowed out of the T20I job ahead of the T20 World Cup, and has now been replaced more..

May 26 (Island) At a symposium on reconciliation organised by the National Peace Council last week, more than 250 religious clergy, civic activists and political representatives from different communities gathered to discuss the country’s future. Speaking at the event, Minister Bimal Rathnayake explained the govt’s approach to national reconciliation. He said the govt viewed the country’s recovery in terms of a three stage process. First stage was stabilisation, second was development and more..

May 26 (CT) The world of SL journalism will never see another D.B.S. Jeyaraj. Forced into exile by extremists among Tamil nationalists, Jeyaraj braved death threats and persistent danger to keep the world informed about the twists and turns during the long years a horrific separatist war raged in Sri Lanka. There were many journalists at work during those turbulent years, but a few enjoyed the kind of access he had to virtually all the Tamil actors, and fewer still earned the wide credibility more..

May 26 (Island) The Opposition derived perverse pleasure from the rupee’s tumble, which they apparently thought signalled the beginning of the end of the JVP-NPP rule. Its leaders gave ball-by-ball commentaries of the rupee depreciation in Parliament, apparently expecting the US dollar to rally to 370 rupees, the level associated with the peak of the currency crisis that preceded the ouster of Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR). These politicians have been labouring under the misconception more..

May 26 (GV) They moved with grace initially with hands placed in positions that perfectly captured the essence of classical South Indian Bharatanatyam dance. Their movements told stories that couldn’t be portrayed using their facial expressions. They walked in with hope. Then, they dropped down one after another, ending up on their knees and finally curling down onto the ground of Trafalgar Square. They stood for the innocent children who had been murdered and buried. more..

May 26 (TM) SL’s latest population census has delivered what appears to be a demographic shock. According to the 2024 Census, SL’s fertility rate has fallen to just 1.3 children per woman—a level usually associated with some of the world’s lowest-fertility societies. If taken at face value, this would signal a dramatic and rapid shift in how SL families are formed. But is this really a fertility crisis—or are we misreading the numbers? more..

May 26 (TM) We are once again watching fuel prices climb with alarming speed, and with every increase heightens a sense of anxiety. In just the first five months of this year, fuel prices have been revised upward repeatedly, with some categories rising by well over Rs 100 per litre. Petrol 92 now stands at Rs 410, auto diesel at Rs 392, and kerosene at Rs 265. For a country still recovering from the 2022 economic collapse, these numbers pose a direct threat to household survival. more..

May 26 (DM) Sri Lankans are beginning to fear they are heading into a similar nightmarish period along the lines of the economic crisis of April 2022. The era which marked the country’s first ever sovereign debt which led to shortages of basic foodstuffs, medicines, fuel, LP gas, long queues around petrol sheds, rolling power cuts, an outbreak of lawlessness which in turn led to the violent overthrow of the then government. Today once again, the rupee is depreciating. more..

May 26 (ST) Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has ordered the National Police Commission (NPC) to promote CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekara to the rank of DIG, effective from 25 Aug 2020. Mr Abeysekera, who was interdicted from the Police Dept in 2020 by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration, was reinstated in 2024. He appealed to the AAT on the ground he was subjected to political victimisation & denied his promotion. more..

May 26 (ST) Within days of each other, the leaders of the United States and Russia flew to Beijing while still embroiled in major wars of their own making with no end yet in sight and those conflicts having crippling impacts on the world. The optics of the two summits as well as their reported outcomes made clear that China stood at a leading place in the global reset needed to deal with prevailing crises on multiple fronts which need de-escalation and stabilisation. more..

May 26 (ST) My dear Wimal, I am writing to you after seeing footage of you running at first, faltering and then falling flat on your face after trying to place flowers at the memorial for fallen heroes last week. It was a most ungainly sight. It might be unkind to say so, but I daresay it looked quite funny too. You played cricket for Tissa Central in Kalutara but this performance suggests you would never make it to the rugby team. You got close to the memorial, inch by inch. more..

May 25 (TM) SL’s fuel import costs have a likelihood of increasing by a further 40% to 45% in the next 3 months, with the US dollar to LKR exchange rate fluctuations – which average between 2% to 3% – adding further pressure, if the existing conditions of elevated oil pricing and supply disruptions are to persist, Ambeon Securities’ Outlook report said. “Fuel import cost can increase by a further 40% – 45% for the next 3 months. A worsening exchange rate of around 2-3% per month can further more..

May 25 (AD) Surekuma pension scheme remains open for all individuals aged between 18 and 59 who are not entitled to govt pension benefits, SL Social Security Board has announced. Board said applicants are able to select their preferred pension amount based on their financial capacity and contribution ability. Under the scheme, members will be entitled to a range of benefits, including a guaranteed monthly pension of Rs. 50,000 from the age of 60 until the end of life, more..

May 25 (DM) Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has decided to examine the ongoing legal proceedings and matters relating to the protection of the girl involved in the sexual abuse incident reported from the Anuradhapura area. The decision has been taken during the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus meeting chaired by Minister Saroja Paulraj, held in Parliament today. A special discussion has been scheduled for more..

May 25 (AD) It has been reported that a convict sentenced to death and imprisoned in connection with the abduction, gang rape, and murder of 18-year-old schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in the Jaffna District in 2015 has died by suicide. The deceased has been identified as 46-year-old Poobalasingham Jeyakumar. The inmate, who was being held at Jaffna Prison, died by suicide last night. On May 6, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the death sentences imposed by a 3-member more..

May 25 (NW) Health Ministry has issued a special set of guidelines to all health sectors and institutions on controlling and preventing the spread of Enteroviral Meningitis, amid concerns over its spread in schools and community-based settings. The guidelines include information on suspected symptoms, clinical diagnosis and classification, modes of transmission, treatment and laboratory testing, public health practices, school-based precautions, clinical management and more..

May 25 (FT) Govt has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from eligible investors for the development and optimal utilisation of underutilised lands and properties owned by key State plantation entities, as part of broader efforts to modernise and diversify the plantation sector. The initiative covers lands and properties belonging to Janatha Estates Development Board (JEDB), SL State Plantations Corporation (SLSPC) & more..

May 25 (Island) A Sectoral Oversight Committee of Parliament has decided to seek the assistance of the German, Japanese and Chinese Embassies in SL, as well as the Indian High Commission, to secure training opportunities for local officials on new technologies used in power plants in those countries. The decision was announced at a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture & Resource Sustainability, chaired by MP Hector Appuhamy more..

May 25 (AD) All insurance-related documents are expected to be digitized in the future under the ongoing vehicle insurance card digitization initiative, according to Dinusha Thilanka, Chairman of the General Insurance Forum of the Insurance Association of SL. Thilanka stated that physical insurance cards currently issued for vehicles will eventually be discontinued. Instead, insurance companies will issue digital insurance cards. He noted that motorists will be able to access more..

May 25 (AD) The renovated butterfly garden at the Ridiyagama Safari Park in Hambantota will be reopened to the public from June 3. The butterfly garden had remained inactive for a long period due to inadequate maintenance. Authorities have now renovated the facility in line with World Environment Day celebrations. The Director General of the Department of National Zoological Gardens, Dr. Chandana Rajapaksa, revealed the details during a media briefing held today (25). more..

May 25 (Island) Police are conducting investigations to ascertain whether the 21 suspects deported from the UAE have links to Sri Lankan politicians. DIG in charge of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), Nishantha de Zoysa, said five of the deportees had been identified as hardcore criminals and two were wanted under Interpol Red Notices. Among those deported are drug traffickers Wanathe Kudu Duminda and Mahawatte Chamara. Police said the two suspects had been arrested during more..

May 25 (FT) SL’s apparel exports registered a weaker performance in April, with earnings declining 4.72% year-on-year (YoY) to $ 328.15 million from $ 344.4 million a year earlier, reflecting continued pressure in several major export markets. According to the JAAF, the slowdown was mainly driven by weaker demand from traditional markets including the UK, EU & US. Exports to the UK fell by 16.91% YoY to $ 44.82 million during April, more..

May 25 (DM) Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that the Attorney General is expected to file indictments against former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon over his alleged failure to prevent the attacks on protesters at Galle Face on May 9, 2022. Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing for the Attorney General, informed Court that indictments against Deshabandu Tennakoon are expected to be filed within one month. more..

May 25 (NF) SL has granted free tourist visas to nationals of 40 selected countries, effective from today, in a bid to boost visitor arrivals and strengthen the country’s travel sector. Under the new policy, eligible travellers can obtain a 30-day tourist visa through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system without any fee. Scheme applies to individuals holding diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports from the designated countries, which include major global markets more..

May 25 (AD) Sri Lanka’s total exports, comprising both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,380.93 million in April 2026, recording a year-on-year growth of 6 % compared to April 2025, EDB has stated. According to provisional data, together with estimated figures for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products, merchandise exports in April 2026 increased by 9.87% to US$ 1,063.77 million. more..

May 25 (DM) Govt of India today officially handed over a consignment of 134 single cabs donated to the SL Police under the Indo–SL Friendship Programme to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat. The donation, valued at approximately Rs. 300 million, is intended to strengthen policing services in the Northern Province, with the vehicles scheduled to be distributed among police stations in the region. Speaking at the event, Indian HC Santosh more..

May 25 (FT) SL last week unveiled South Asia’s first solar hybrid bakery oven, marking a major milestone in the country’s renewable energy and sustainable development journey. The launch introduced a solar hybrid bakery oven integrating both solar and biogas energy sources, designed to ensure uninterrupted operations despite unpredictable weather conditions. The initiative was spearheaded by Incitare SL and Global Rethinking Finance Collaborative (GRFC), in collaboration with German Tech Kilinochchi. more..