May 31 (Island) IMF has told SL some home truths, the most disconcerting one being that economic recovery is beginning to lose momentum. It has attributed this situation to post-disaster disruptions, the West Asia conflict and rising global oil prices. These three factors are causing high inflationary risks, the IMF has said, warning that economic growth in 2026 could drop to 3% from 5% in 2025. Not that these facts were unknown to the govt, the Opposition and the public, but dispassionate more..

May 31 (Island) Time was when SL used to produce captains who were admired across the world; leaders who were ahead of their time and commanded respect wherever the game was played. In the early years of the IPL, several Sri Lankans were entrusted with franchise captaincy roles and they handled those responsibilities with distinction. In recent years, however, captains in this part of the world have often been appointed more on seniority than exceptional leadership more..

May 31 (ST) An Indian vlogger’s comments that India is the dirtiest country in the world while on a tour of SL have led to a heated exchange of views on social media platforms, some agreeing with her while others berating her for her views. Shenaz Treasury, the Indian vlogger, shared her views from the Ella railway station in SL. “Look at the dustbins they have at the station. Look at the number of foreigners travelling. India is losing its more..

May 31 (Island) As Sri Lanka celebrates the birth, Enlightenment and the Parinibbana of the Buddha, almost a month after the rest of the Buddhist-world did so, there is widespread discussion about threats to Buddha Sasana provoked by some recent incidents. Regarding the views expressed about postponing Vesak celebrations in my article May Day and postponement Vesak 2026 (The Island, 25 May), my very good friend Dr Upali Abeysiri has sent me the following comments: more..

May 31 (SO) SL’s ace javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga will open a new chapter in his career when he makes his debut at the Rabat Diamond League Tournament in Morocco today. Rumesh becomes only the second SL athlete to compete in a Diamond League Meet and the first to participate in a field event following the appearance of ace sprinter Yupun Abeykoon. Men’s javelin features a global podium rematch as SL’s world leader Rumesh takes on the three medallists from last year’s more..

May 31 (ST) This month of May had two full moon days and many were in two minds trying to figure out which Poya was Vesak, the day observed by 350 million Buddhists around the world to commemorate the life and teachings of Gautama the Buddha. As it turned out, the entire month was devoted to the blessed occasion in many countries and at the UN as well. While the Buddhist public spared no pains in celebrating Vesak, having given a tumultuous reception to foreign monks walking for peace more..

May 31 (ST) Mahanayake Hamuduruwaney, I beg your pardon for writing to you in this manner, but I feel I must do so. These are difficult times even as you commemorate Vesak, the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar. That is because everyone is now talking about the fate of Buddhism in Paradise. The recent conduct of some who wear the saffron robe has seriously affected the reputation of the Buddhist clergy. That has left many questioning the integrity of those who wear that sacred more..

May 31 (CT) Govt moved into the new week denying growing concerns that the country’s economy was crashing and attempting to thwart concerns affecting investor confidence, insisting that the situation was indeed under its control, with the Deputy Finance Minister himself declaring that there was definitely no economic crisis in SL, stressing instead that the country was moving forward with its more..

May 31 (SO) For the past year, the narrative echoing through the corridors of Colombo’s financial institutions was one of hard-won, textbook economic stabilisation. Following the catastrophic default of 2022, the island nation appeared to be rigidly adhering to its recovery blueprints. Inflation had been pulled down from its historic hyper-inflationary peaks; Gross Official Reserves were slowly rebuilt toward a psychological cushion of US$ 7 billion; and the SL Rupee, fiercely guarded by more..

May 31 (CT) 2024 victories of AKD as SL’s new Prez and NPP/JVP coalition’s landslide sweep at the general election were events of great significance in the political history of the island nation. These victories creditably belonged to a new generation of Sri Lankans who were getting tired of witnessing a handful of families governing in succession in the name of democracy. The 2023 aragalaya with the twin demand Gota Go Home and No 225 was in fact represented the new generation’s cry for more..

May 31 (TM) SL’s ongoing economic adjustment under Prez AKD and his JVP-led NPP Govt continues to move along the tightrope between IMF-backed stabilisation and mounting domestic political pressure. The IMF has projected economic growth to slow sharply to 3% in 2026 from 5% in 2025, while warning that higher oil prices and weaker tourism earnings are expected to worsen inflation and pressure the external sector. more..

May 31 (SO) The IMF last Wednesday approved US$ 695 million in funding to Sri Lanka under its US$ 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, giving the island some breathing space as it grapples with multiple challenges. Just as Sri Lanka emerged from the disastrous effects of Covid lockdowns and the 2022 economic meltdown, it was hit by Cyclone Ditwah, which led to around US$ 4 billion in terms of damage to houses, public infrastructure and other facilities. more..

May 31 (TM) The announcement by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva that Sri Lanka’s long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections will not be held this year has triggered far more than a routine political controversy. It has reopened serious questions about democracy, accountability, constitutional governance, and whether the NPP administration is fast becoming impossible to distinguish from the past political culture the people of this nation chose to end. more..

May 30 (Island) IMF Mission Chief for SL, Evan Papageorgiou, yesterday said SL’s current monetary policy stance remains broadly appropriate, despite the CB's recent 100-basis point policy rate hike. Addressing the media, virtually, from Washington, he said the country’s macroeconomic recovery remained on track, supported by stabilising prices, improving foreign reserves, and continued economic momentum. more..

May 30 (NF) In a message issued to mark the Vesak festival, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed the importance of inner spiritual peace as the foundation for achieving peace in the wider world. On a Post on X, he said Buddhism teaches that, in order to establish peace in the external world, inner spiritual peace within the individual must first be secured. President also mentioned that we must recognise that this inward and peaceful approach, as advocated by Buddhism in guiding more..

May 30 (NW) Former Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Professor Kapila Perera, has denied reports that his resignation was linked to a recent Supreme Court ruling against him. Addressing his farewell event, Perera said he had repeatedly requested permission to leave his post since October last year, as he needed to return to his university position, with the upcoming academic year being his final year before retirement. He stated that he had informed more..

May 30 (OCCPR) Nearly 300 SL monks have been accused of abusing children in the last three years, leading to charges against nearly 30 of them, the country’s child protection agency has disclosed. The revelation by SL’s National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), which was made in response to a freedom of information request by OCCRP, comes as the Buddhist-majority country grapples with the recent arrest of more..

May 30 (NW) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Managing Director Rumi Jauffer, and several others over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million from the Tourism Promotion Authority during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign. Magistrate Pasan Amarasena directed the CID to arrest and produce the suspects in court, following submissions that more..

May 30 (NW) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has defended former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa following questions over his continued stay in the US despite facing scrutiny over several legal and corruption-related matters in Sri Lanka. Namal Rajapaksa rejected claims that Basil Rajapaksa was avoiding the law, stating that he does not believe any member of the Rajapaksa family is evading legal proceedings. “People in the Govt speak to my uncle more often than I do. more..

May 30 (DN) Minister Bimal Ratnayake instructed the relevant officials to immediately seek the necessary legal advice regarding over 450 drivers who have been suspended due to various disciplinary issues and to reconsider the procedures related to further course of disciplinary actions. He said this during a discussion on the drivers who were suspended with salaries at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development held in Parliament. more..

May 30 (DM) A series of policy decisions have been taken to establish a new network of Model Cities across Sri Lanka under the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka initiative, with a focus on digital services, environmental sustainability and strong social values. The decisions were made during a meeting of the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force held yesterday (28) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. more..

May 30 (MB) Each year, the arrival of greater flamingos transforms the lagoons of northern SL into a mesmerizing spectacle of pale pink and white. Their synchronized movements across the shallow waters of Mannar attract birdwatchers, photographers, tourists and nature lovers from around the country and abroad. But behind this beauty lies a growing crisis. Recently, three flamingos were killed in Mannar after more..

May 30 (EN) Maharaja Media Network, part of the Capital Maharaja Group, has signed an agreement with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, broadening SL’s media industry engagement with the wider Indo-Pacific region. “This is an arrangement that will cover co-production, it will cover sharing of content, and it will cover greater cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region in producing stories that will speak to both of our countries,” said Matthew Duckworth of more..

May 30 (DN) Veteran professional golfer N. Thangaraja produced a superb final-round performance to win the Sri Lanka Open Championship 2026 in commanding fashion at the Royal Colombo Golf Club yesterday, finishing eight shots clear of his nearest rival on the par-71 course. Thangaraja, one of SL’s most experienced golfers, sealed the prestigious title with a brilliant final-round score of 64, the lowest round of the tournament, to finish with an aggregate of 266 over 4 rounds. more..

May 30 (EN) Sri Lanka’s construction sector activity declined in April 2026 amidst rising raw material costs and labour shortages, registering an index value of 45.7, according to a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank. “Many survey respondents cited input shortages, particularly of petrochemical-based raw materials, and rising costs stemming from the conflict in the Middle East as challenges to the timely execution of planned work,” the central bank said. more..

May 30 (DM) Sri Lanka has reiterated the importance of maintaining the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, cooperation and shared prosperity amid evolving global security challenges. Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) made the remarks while addressing the 14th International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters held in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday. During his address, the Defence Secretary highlighted the growing geopolitical more..

May 30 (EN) SL’s external current account recorded a deficit in April 2026 compared to the surplus recorded during January through March 2026, central bank said. “This was mainly driven by the widened trade deficit, a moderation in the services surplus, and higher primary income account deficit, despite an increase in workers’ remittances compared to a year earlier.” The merchandise trade deficit widened in Apr more..

May 30 (ST) National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala are being improved with better animal enclosures, beautification, and landscaping. Zoo Director General Dr Chandana Rajapaksa said that improvements have begun. Dehiwala Zoo is over 90 years old, and Rs 300m will be spent for the revamp. Annual projects for 2026 and 2027 have already been initiated. He explained that the overall revamp also includes restoring the roads and pathways to enclosures, cleaning, rearranging enclosures, more..

May 30 (DN) Former SL fullback Lakala Perera has been appointed as the backs coach of the SL national 15-a-side rugby team, bringing his valuable playing and coaching experience to the national setup. Perera, a former St. Peter’s College star who also represented Havelocks Sports Club, CH and FC, and the SL national team, earned a reputation as one of the country’s finest fullbacks during his playing career. Experienced rugby coach has been serving as a coach of St. Joseph’s College more..

May 30 (Island) Iranian Ambassador in Colombo Dr. Alireza Delkhosh says the Islamic Republic of Iran remains fully prepared to face US-Israeli aggression. In an interview with The Island at the Iranian Embassy, in Colombo, Dr. Delkhosh emphasised that in case of a fresh outbreak of hostilities, the aggressors, as well as those who provided bases for unprovoked military campaign, should be prepared to face consequences. more..

May 30 (FT) VietJet Air officially marked the opening of its Colombo office at a special ceremony inaugurated by Vietnam Ambassador to SL Trinh Thi Tam. The airline’s operations in Sri Lanka will be represented by its General Sales Agent (GSA) Andrew The Aviation Company Ltd., under the leadership of its Chairman Mahen Kariyawasan. Colombo office will serve as a key point for passenger services, trade partnerships, travel agent support and operational coordination in SL. more..

May 30 (TM) SL’s economic stability could face a significant long-term impact if oil prices are not adjusted effectively in line with the country’s economic conditions, said Advocata Institute CEO Dhananath Fernando. He stressed that failing to adjust prices could trigger a cycle of rupee depreciation, rising inflation, and economic instability. “Oil prices have a significant impact on inflation in the country, and if oil prices aren’t managed effectively, the long-term impact is more..