June 4 (Island) The govt yesterday launched the National Credit Guarantee Institution (NCGI) to enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to obtain collateral-free loans. The new outfit will offer a 67% guarantee to banks that issue loans without collaterals, ranging from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 25 million. It is likely to be a viable venture, given the state underwriting and the involvement of some banks therein, with the ADB providing technical support and an initial capital of US$ 50 mil. more..

June 4 (DM) Govt has abruptly terminated the admission of local students to undergraduate medical degree programmes at the KDU. The decision came out of the blue, just in an announcement by Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara to Parliament. So much for a degree of certainty in the state policies this country badly needs in its economic recovery phase. This is not the first time that the JVP-affiliated student activists and the GMOA, have successfully shut down more..

June 4 (SO) Once a quiet staple in the SL dairy scene, Milco has now become the centre of a compelling turnaround story. Founded as a State-owned enterprise with the mission of supporting local dairy farmers and providing affordable dairy products to the nation, Milco had, for years, struggled under the weight of operational losses. Faced with mounting debts and inefficiencies, previous administrations considered selling more..

June 4 (CT) In a significant leap forward, Sri Lanka is poised to roll out Starlink satellite Internet services across the island, following the conclusion of regulatory formalities. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, speaking from the Asia Tech x Summit 2025 in Singapore, announced that only the final dashboard data from Starlink remains before the service becomes operational. The news has been met with applause, and understandably so. It signals not just technological progress, but more..

June 4 (TM) Next week, the world will gather in Nice, France for a global dialogue on the future of our oceans. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) will be held under the theme Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. The conference aims to discuss good ocean governance, strengthening the protection and sustainable use of the ocean, seas and their resources, particularly by advancing more..

June 4 (TM) To support its digital transformation strategies this year, the Govt has allocated Rs. 3 billion, central to its aim of reaching $ 15 billion in digital economy revenue by 2030. Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption is a critical component in this. However, with rapid AI evolution, SL’s readiness and a comprehensive regulatory landscape emerge as key requirements. In light of this, SL has established an AI Advisory Committee, more..

June 4 (GV) Contemporary artist and picture book illustrator Pathum Sameera will hold an exhibition titled Mother, Junglefowl and Scarecrow at the Barefoot Gallery from June 6 to June 28. Through his captivating cartoon-like illustrations, Sameera considers the lives of women in the South’s rural agricultural landscape, playfully drawing attention to their dual roles as caretakers and providers. Born in 1984, from the southern village Elpitiya, Pathum Sameera has built a career around more..

June 4 (CT) The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) survived the demise of Rohana Wijeweera, its charismatic leader. Despite the failure of two explosive uprisings engineered by Wijeweera himself and his murderous politburos, aimed mainly, one against a center-left and the next at a right-wing govt respectively, the JVP managed to come to the top of the people’s choice after renaming the political forces that the JVP originally created. The new identity is National people’s Power (NPP). more..

June 3 (NW) The Cabinet has granted approval in principle to establish a new public-private partnership (PPP) unit, following a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The move aligns with a commitment made during the 2025 Budget speech to introduce new legislation supporting investment promotion through PPPs. The planned unit will operate under a formal legal framework and be headed by the Senior Additional Secretary to the President more..

June 3 (AD) The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the appointment of a task force to revive the swine industry in the country which has collapsed due to African swine fever (ASF). The African swine fever, a highly pathogenic epidemic disease reported in October 2024, first started in the Western Province in Sri Lanka and has now spread to all the provinces. There is a possibility of the mortality rate increasing up to 100% in a farm infected with this disease. more..

June 3 (AD) A settlement was reached today before the Court of Appeal regarding the petition filed by national cricketers against a decision made by the Inland Revenue Department to impose withholding tax on them by treating them as employees of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The writ petition was filed by Charith Asalanka and Dhanajaya De Silva as respective captains of the ODI and Twenty20 cricket teams more..

June 3 (AD) Professor Udayanga Hemapala has been appointed as the new Chairman of the CEB following the resignation of Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya. Prof. Hemapala served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Energy in SL. Prior to that appointment, he served as Professor of the Dept of Electrical Engineering and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Moratuwa Uni. This appointment has been officially communicated in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on June 3. more..

June 3 (Island) The BASL has urged the Constitutional Council to recommend a suitable person to the post of Chairperson, Right to Information Commission. The text of the BASL’s letter dated May 28: “We write to bring to your attention a matter of national importance in relation to the Right to Information Commission. As you are aware, the former Chairperson, retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, resigned from his post on or about 9th March 2025, and more..

June 3 (Island) Former Secretary to the Prez Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), Lacille De Silva, said that Yahapalana President Maithripala Sirisena owed an explanation as to why the case involving ex-Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was not heard during his time. more..

June 3 (EN) Cabinet has approved calling expressions of interest to develop the Bogambara Prison site in Kandy for tourism, spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The UDA has identified the site as having potential for tourism, entertainment and cultural activities, he said. “The Bogambara Prison premises and prison buildings have been identified under the World Heritage Conservation Act, and there is potential for cultural and tourism promotion activities in those premises. more..

June 3 (AD) Four students of the Kuliyapitiya Technical College have been taken into custody in connection with an attempted suicide by a fellow student allegedly over a ragging incident. It has been reported that last afternoon, a female student had jumped into a lake located near the technical college. The first-year student was rescued by the area residents and admitted to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital. Police investigations have revealed that she attempted to take her own life more..

June 3 (NW) Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara today apologized for his earlier claim that a BMW belonging to the North Central Provincial Council was sold for under Rs. 5 million, admitting the information he relied on was incorrect. Speaking to the media, Jayasekara said he was misled by inaccurate reports published in newspapers and that, as a responsible politician, he is committed to correcting the record. “I accept the mistake and am taking steps to correct it,” he stated, more..

June 3 (CT) Maldives High Commissioner to SL, Masood Imad, stated that up to 100,000 employment opportunities are available in the Maldives for Sri Lankans. Currently, around 30,000 Sri Lankans are employed in various sectors across the Maldives. He made these remarks during a meeting held yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with SL’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. High Commissioner Masood Imad assured Minister Herath that more..

June 3 (Island) Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyakontha has directed relevant authorities to collect information regarding ex-military personnel involved in Russia-Ukraine conflict. The following is the text of statement issued by the Defence Ministry: “A special discussion to resolve issues related to the pensions of retired war veterans and the payment of Widows and Orphans Pension (W&OP) to families of fallen war more..

June 3 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake held a discussion this morning with senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, focusing on the revitalization of the local dairy industry. The meeting centred on the need to transform MILCO and the National Livestock Development Board into efficient and productive enterprises that can meet the country’s domestic dairy demand. Prez Disanayake emphasized the importance of minimizing production costs and maximizing the use of existing more..

June 3 (BSS) Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today called upon Sri Lanka to increase its import of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh, highlighting the strength, global standards, and competitiveness of the country's pharmaceutical sector. He made the remarks when SL High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of more..

June 3 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake held discussions with the Deputy PM and Minister for Defence of Australia Richard Marles at the Prez Secretariat this morning. The meeting focused on further strengthening the historic ties between SL and Australia, with a particular emphasis on enhancing bilateral cooperation. Prez Disanayake highlighted SL’s progress towards economic stability and briefed Deputy PM more..

June 3 (NW) A surprise inspection conducted by the Chief Motor Vehicle Examiner of Nuwara Eliya District at the Hatton bus stand has led to the temporary removal of 34 short-distance buses found unfit for service. The inspection, led by Chief Examiner Jaliya Bandara targeted both SLTB and private buses operating short-distance routes. Of the 45 buses inspected, 15 SLTB and 19 private buses were deemed unroadworthy. Officials instructed operators to temporarily suspend these buses more..

June 3 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Navarathne Marasinghe yesterday (2) ordered the closure of legal proceedings against Nanda Kumar Shivanandan, a remand prisoner at Boossa Prison, following his death while in custody. Shivanandan had been accused of possessing narcotics shortly after appearing before the High Court in connection with another case. According to prison officials, he died after collapsing inside the prison, and a report was submitted to the court confirming this. more..

June 3 (AD) A man has allegedly murdered and beheaded his pregnant wife before later surrendering to the police with the served head and murder weapon this morning in the Puliyankulama area of Vavuniya. The suspect surrendered to the Puliyankulama Police Station, carrying both the murder weapon, a knife, and the severed head of his wife. Accordingly, the police arrested the suspect immediately and later found the woman’s body in a nearby wooded area. more..

June 3 (Island) SL’s Test squad is set for a shake-up as the national selectors prepare to plug the gaps left by the recent exits of two stalwarts — Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews. Into the spotlight step Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Tharindu Ratnayake, both named in a Test squad for the first time ahead of the two-match series against Bangladesh starting later this month in Galle. Karunaratne called time on his illustrious career following the Australia series in February, more..

June 3 (FT) Tourist arrivals in off-season May recorded the highest-ever arrivals for the month, though performance was the lowest monthly footfall for 2025 so far. As per the latest data, 132,919 tourists arrived in May, reflecting a 19% year-on-year (YoY) growth. However, this fell short of the month’s target of 165,118 by 20% or 32,199 visitors. The previous highest was in 2018 May, which saw 129,466 arrivals. more..

June 3 (AD) No discussion has taken place to replace Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya from the position, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated. Minister Dr. Jayatissa also dismissed reports pertaining to a purported move to reshuffle the current Cabinet. The Minister said no decision or discussion has taken place regarding a Cabinet reshuffle as claimed by certain factions. He said such claims are being circulated by factions with vested interests. more..

June 3 (NF) Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuwida today ordered that further hearings in the corruption case against former Minister of Trade Johnston Fernando and two others be postponed to Oct 1. The case, filed by the CIABOC, alleges that during his tenure as Trade Minister in 2014, Fernando misused employees of the state-owned Sathosa (CWE) by deploying them for political activities, thereby causing financial losses to the govt. When the case was called today, more..

June 3 (EN) Maintaining good health practices is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in SL, a public official said, adding that seasonal increases in respiratory illnesses have been observed. “It is important to maintain good respiratory etiquette and general health practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections, such as influenza,” Ministry of Health Secy Dr Anil Jasinghe said. more..

June 3 (FT) I am writing in response to Group interests that overrode a child’s safety: Case of Amshika suicide by Dr. Sujata Gamage, published in the Daily FT. Dr. Gamage raises important points, and I agree that what happened to Amshika must prompt not just outrage, but a reckoning with the systems that allow such tragedies, because her case is not an isolated tragedy. Across the island there are countless instances of violence against children in homes, institutions, and schools. more..

June 3 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval for the establishment of a Metro Bus Unit for urban transportation. It has been proposed in the national budget to introduce a fleet of comfortable and high-tech buses as a pilot project for the modernisation of public transport services. Under this project, it is planned to deploy 100 comfortable, low-entry buses for passenger transport along several major road corridors, including Colombo, Makumbura (Kottawa), Kaduwela, Kadawatha, and Moratuwa. more..