June 26 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Tuesday approved supporting and expanding the export-oriented agricultural sector to meet its crop targets via a new initiative. The program is scheduled to be implemented from this year by the Dept of Export Agriculture. “The initiative aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and market access, particularly in organic segments, with the Govt committing to cover up to 50% of the investment costs borne by more..

June 26 (DN) SL’s batting coach Thilina Kandamby praised the performances of fast bowlers Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando on the unusual SSC pitch after the first day of the Test match yesterday. “Sonal Dinusha is a good player. We have been monitoring his progress for the past couple of years. He is a mature player with all-round abilities—he is a good bowler, batsman, and fielder. That’s why we selected him early for this game, and he has made an impact,” Kandamby said. more..

June 26 (EN) New active credit cards in SL increased by 16,812 in April this year, amid SL’s economic recovery and falling interest rates. The number of active credit cards recorded 2,055,494 by end April, compared to 2,038,682 by end March, showing an increase of 0.8% in April. The active credit cards have risen by 2.3% in the first four months of this year. Active credit cards in SL rose by 4.8% or 91,371 in 2024, more..

June 26 (DM) Colombo High Court sentenced a retired land officer to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs.30,000, after finding him guilty of soliciting a bribe of Rs.100,000 to issue a permit for cutting trees on a land within the Mahaweli Zone in Thambuttegama. Court also ordered that the Rs.100,000 bribe be recovered under Section 26 of the Bribery Act. Furthermore, the court ordered that a compensation of Rs.100,000 be paid to the aggrieved party, more..

June 26 (CI) Pitches at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) tend to come in two varieties. There were the mega run-fest flatbeds of the late aughts. Since then, they have tended to be be big-turning dustbowls. But the track for the second Test between SL and Bangladesh is unusual, as Bangladesh batter Shadman Islam and SL batting coach Thilina Kandamby agree. Shadman is playing his first Test at this venue. Kandamby played domestic cricket here for more than a decade. more..

June 26 (CI) If you are a seam bowler specialising in Tests, and hail from a non Big-Three nation, as Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando do, you are charting one of the most difficult and least-rewarding courses in international cricket. Most difficult, because fast bowlers must put their own bodies on the altar of this sport in far more profound ways than batters, spinners, or even wicketkeepers. more..

June 26 (FT) The High Court of Civil Appeal in a significant judgment delivered last week held that foreign reinsurance brokers who operate from outside the territorial waters of Sri Lanka do not fall within the ambit of the insurance broker under the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act. The judgment by His Lordships Dr. D.F.H. Gunawardhana and Dr. Namal Balalle, was consequent to a case that had been instituted by a local insurance broker, Strategic Insurance Brokers Ltd, more..

June 26 (Island) The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been honoured as the Best Bank among Sri Lanka’s domestic banks for a remarkable 14th year by FinanceAsia, one of the world’s foremost information sources on the Asian financial markets. The Best Bank award was presented to Commercial Bank at the FinanceAsia Country Awards gala at the Conrad in Hong Kong. The Bank’s Chief Financial Officer Prasanna Indrajith accepted the award on behalf of the Bank. more..

June 26 (FT) Minister Sunil Handunneththi represented Sri Lanka at the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions hosted by the World Economic Forum from 24-26 June in Tianjin, China. This year’s forum titled Entrepreneurship for a New Era, has brought together over 1,700 participants from over 90 countries, including leaders from business, govt, civil society, international organisations, media and academia, to share insights and drive action on shared challenges. more..

June 26 (FT) 12th annual CFA Society SL Capital Market Awards, which recognises and rewards excellence in the local capital markets, was held on Tuesday, 24 June, at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Sri Lanka. The event was graced by SEC Chairman Hareendra Dissabandara and CSE Chairman Dimuthu Abeyesekera. It also featured distinguished special invitees from across the industry, regulators, capital market professionals, and industry associations, among others. more..

June 26 (FT) SL has triggered renewed interest from German investors and businesses in tandem with a vastly improved macroeconomic environment and uptick in growth prospects. The resurgence in German interest is also linked to Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake’s recent State visit to Berlin. “There’s a lot of interest from German companies to collaborate. In the past two years, SL has been enormously successful more..

June 26 (Island) For Dr. Abdul Raheem Jesmil, archaeologist and lecturer at the Dept of Archaeology, Uni of Peradeniya, the pursuit of heritage has always been about more than discovery — it is about restoring memory, asserting identity, and giving voice to communities that have long been left out of SL’s national narrative. Dr. Jesmil reflected on how his passion for archaeology and Muslim heritage was born not in a classroom or museum, but in the quiet lanes of his hometown more..

June 26 (CT) Despite lofty pledges made on Int'l Women’s Day by Minister Bimal Rathnayake, the recent Gazette notice calling for 106 new Station Master recruits has barred women from applying — an act that not only undermines the Govt’s own public commitments, but also violates SL’s Constitution and its international obligations. The decision by the Department of Railways to allow only men to apply — citing vague logistical limitations like lack of toilets and accommodation in rural more..

June 26 (Island) COPE has reportedly asked a group of Sri J'pura Uni officials why several undergraduates, involved in a clash at a student hostel, were made to pay three times the value of the uni property they damaged. When they were asked whether it was fair to recover losses in that manner, the officials undertook to look into the matter and take remedial action, if necessary. One finds this line of questioning intriguing. Is it wrong for universities to impose deterrent penalties on more..

June 26 (TM) The NPP Govt has embarked on a strategy of placing its version of an anti-corruption drive as the main governmental focus in the first year of it being in office. While there are many issues which plagues SL, the public appetite and State focus is clearly seen to be geared towards combatting – or at least trying to combat corruption and malpractice. According to some in the Govt, it is the first step in the JVP-led NPP’s long-term plan to effect a cultural change and more..

June 26 (CT) SL is finally charting a new course in aviation safety by separating the critical function of aircraft accident investigation from regulatory oversight. Last Monday (16), the Cabinet of Ministers approved the finalisation of a long-awaited draft bill to establish an independent Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). This overdue but essential step aligns SL with international standards by ensuring investigations more..

June 26 (DM) Military confrontation between Iran, Israel, and US in June 2025 presents yet another external shock to SL’s already battered economy, which is slowly recovering from a historically unprecedented economic crisis. The fragile ceasefire announced on 24th June offers some respite. But the risks of renewed escalation and their economic spillovers remain. SL’s direct trade with Iran has contracted sharply in recent years, largely as a result of intensified sanctions. more..

June 26 (GV) Large quantities of small plastic pellets, known as nurdles, are being washed up on the north western coast of SL after the cargo vessel Elsa 3 sank off the coast of Kerala on May 25. The ship was carrying 643 containers, including more than 60 filled with nurdles. In the aftermath of the maritime disaster that has raised significant environmental concerns, the urgency for cleanup and awareness has intensified. As the southwest monsoon weather & ocean currents more..

June 26 (FT) As SL enters a critical phase of economic recovery and growth to position itself as a destination of choice, Visa—the global payments leader recently announced its deepening engagement through key partnerships and efforts in SL as part of a broader commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth, rooted in trust, advanced technology, innovative solutions and best practices to accelerate progress across sectors. more..

June 26 (CT) In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran—with the growing risk of escalation into a broader regional war and possible involvement of global powers—we must pay serious attention to the implications for our energy security. This is not a time for complacency or temporary pacification meant only to avoid public panic by assuring that fuel supplies are sufficient for the next two months. Such statements are inadequate in the face of a potentially prolonged crisis. more..

June 26 (DM) People mostly remember Sri Lanka for its refreshing Ceylon tea, cinnamon and spices, cuisine or for its pristine beauty. But Sri Lanka is increasingly becoming a go-to destination for something more interesting -- world cinema. Today, many directors directing South Indian films for instance consider Sri Lanka as a potential film destination in the region and already several scenes in upcoming movies have been shot in some of Sri Lanka’s breathtaking locations. more..

June 25 (NW) Oxford English Dictionary has added several uniquely SL words to its June 2025 update, marking a significant recognition of the island’s linguistic and cultural identity on the global stage. Among the new entries is asweddumize, meaning to prepare land for paddy cultivation—a word with roots in Sinhala, long used in SL agriculture and land reform discourse. First documented in 1857, it was re-evaluated and finally added after decades of lobbying by local academics. more..

June 25 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval to the resolution to repeal the previous Cabinet decision taken to transfer the Nuwara Eliya Post Office building and its premises to Urban Development Authority (UDA) and to modify the building and the land to increase tourist attraction and enhance new revenue generation paths. Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers under the previous govt was granted at the meeting held on 29.04.2024 to transfer the Nuwara Eliya Post Office Building to the UDA. more..

June 25 (AD) The Committee of Inquiry to inquire and report its findings on suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, in respect of acts of gross abuse of power, concluded recording witness testimonies from the respondent Tennakoon’s witness list on Tuesday (24). Although Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawikrama, representing the respondent Deshabandu Tennakoon, previously stated that 15 witnesses, including the suspended IGP more..

June 25 (EN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayke is likely to undertake a three-day official visit to the Maldives in the last week of July and the visit will be focusing on the bilateral trade and relationship, sources familiar with the initial preparation said. Prez Dissanayake’s Maldives’ visit will be his sixth official foreign visit after India, China, UAE, Vietnam & Germany. “His visit will be along with the celebration of SL-Maldives diplomatic relations on July 29,” a diplomatic source said. more..

June 25 (FT) A top investor in listed Lankan equities from the UK, Hosking Partners LLP has said its Sri Lankan holdings have more than doubled in price since the start of 2023, yet it remains bullish. “The outlook for our SL holdings remains bright,” Hosking Partners LLP Founder and Portfolio Manager Jeremy Hosking said in a post to its clients dated June 2025. Jeremy in a Feb 2024 interview with the Daily FT said the Fund’s portfolio in Sri Lanka was over $ 60 million. more..

June 25 (DW) When 20-year-old Maya went to what he thought was a meeting with a Facebook acquaintance two months ago, it turned out to be a trap. Maya described how he was met by four men who assaulted him for being gay. "They said 'How can you be like this? This isn't legal in Sri Lanka,' and beat me," Maya told DW. "I didn't go to the police, because there's no law, and they won't take any action." Sri Lanka has not more..

June 25 (CT) The COPE has raised serious concerns over the Uni of Sri J'pura’s decision to impose excessive fines on ten students following a clash that resulted in damage to a university hostel. At the COPE meeting held on 20 June at Parliament, chaired by MP Dr Nishantha Samaraweera, it was revealed that the students were unfairly charged a penalty amounting to three times the actual value of the damaged property—the legal maximum—along with an additional 25% surcharge. more..

June 25 (MB) Nestled in the eastern edge of SL’s Uva province, Nilgala stands out as a landscape of remarkable ecological and cultural importance. Long overlooked in mainstream conservation efforts despite its significance, Nilgala finally received due recognition on June 2 when it was declared a forest reserve covering its full extent of 40,685 hectares (100,543 acres). Located within SL’s intermediate climatic zone, Nilgala is primarily covered by dry mixed evergreen forest. more..

June 25 (CT) In a significant move to strengthen child protection in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, in collaboration with SL Police and National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), has launched a nationwide initiative to identify, rescue, and rehabilitate children exposed to exploitation and hazardous conditions. Ahead of its islandwide rollout, Ministry has submitted a Cabinet Paper seeking urgent approval to fully implement these protective measures from 1 July 2025. more..

June 25 (AD) The Chairman of the Container Transport Owners’ Association (CTOA), Sanath Manjula has raised concerns over the re-emergence of container truck congestion at the Colombo Port, attributing the situation to the failure of relevant officials to implement recommendations made by the Cabinet Sub-Committee. Manjula stated that although a fully equipped portion of land belonging to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority was recently allocated to SL Customs with the aim of more..