May 12 (FT) Vietnam’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing apparel export hubs offers important lessons for Sri Lanka as it seeks to strengthen export competitiveness and secure long-term growth in its garment industry. Over the past 15 years, Vietnam has used trade policy as a central pillar of industrial development, aggressively pursuing free trade agreements, attracting export-oriented investments and integrating into global supply chains. more..

May 12 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Belarus from today to 15 May 2026, on the invitation of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Maxim Ryzhenkov. This visit will mark a milestone in the bilateral partnership, as the two countries commemorated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year. During his visit to Minsk, Minister Herath is scheduled to call on Belarus Prez Alexander Lukashenko and more..

May 12 (FT) Amid rising inflation, recent tax policy changes to widen the net and increase rates, and the electricity tariff hike this week, CB Deputy Governor Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara has warned against reversing Sri Lanka’s post-crisis fiscal and pricing reforms. He argued that politically driven subsidies and delayed adjustments would recreate the macroeconomic imbalances that led to 2022 economic collapse. more..

May 12 (FT) Nüwa at City of Dreams SL, the luxury flagship hotel within South Asia’s first fully integrated luxury resort, on Friday marked a significant milestone with a special press conference and celebration honouring its prestigious 5-Star recognition, further reinforcing its position as one of the leading luxury hospitality destinations in the region. Held at the elegant Crystal Lounge at Nüwa, the exclusive evening brought together key figures from SL’s tourism and hospitality sectors, more..

May 12 (NW) Work has commenced to implement the recently signed MoU for the construction of a four‑storied Medical Ward Complex at the District General Hospital, Mullaitivu, with grant assistance of Rs. 600 million from the Govt of India. The MoU was signed and exchanged by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Health W.K. Wickremasinghe, during the visit of India’s Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan to SL from April 19–20, 2026. more..

May 12 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that both the political authority and public officials have a responsibility to ensure that the LKR. 500 billion allocated by the Govt in response to Cyclone Ditwah is utilised effectively and efficiently for the recovery and development of the affected communities and areas. The Prez further stressed the need to complete all related projects before the end of this year. more..

May 12 (AD) The group of 22 Buddhist monks recently arrested at BIA over the smuggling of Kush cannabis and Hashish from Thailand have been further remanded until May 26 by the Negombo Magistrate’s Court. The order was issued when the suspects were produced before Negombo Magistrate Subhani Abeysekera today. The suspects were taken into custody at the BIA on April 25 after arriving from Thailand with a total of 112 kg of Kush cannabis and Hashish, more..

May 12 (NW) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has thanked SL President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for congratulating him on being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. In a message posted on X, Vijay said he was deeply honored by the wishes extended by the SL President and thanked him for the gracious gesture. Prez Dissanayake, in his congratulatory message, highlighted the long-standing historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between SL & TN. more..

May 12 (FT) When SL was staring the 2021-22 economic crisis in the face, several informed groups proposed remedial measures. Based on seven such documents, I and two young economists drafted a Common Minimum Program (CMP). Our draft was changed based on comments from economists and from business leaders (listed in the document). It was handed over to the then PM on 4 June 2022, and to multiple other decision makers subsequently. Its elements made their way into many more..

May 12 (FT) Aristotle’s political philosophy reminds us that governance is not merely about authority, but about cultivating civic virtue and public trust. The state, in his conception, exists to help citizens achieve eudaimonia—a flourishing and dignified life rooted in wisdom, justice, and participation. That classical insight offers a useful lens through which to examine Sri Lanka’s contemporary political climate. When Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the NPP rose to power, more..

May 12 (FT) Power Minister Anura Karunathilaka acknowledged that the Govt’s decision to increase electricity tariffs by 18% will have an indirect impact on consumers across the economy, whilst insisting that the direct effect on the majority of electricity users remains limited. He said while most households will not see an immediate increase in their electricity bills, higher tariffs imposed on industrial and commercial users are likely to more..

May 12 (AD) A total of 198 foreign nationals, including 173 Indians and 25 Nepalese nationals, have been arrested in separate raids conducted in the Galle, Hikkaduwa and Midigama areas for allegedly engaging in cybercrime activities, Sri Lanka Police said. This includes 110 Indian nationals arrested while staying at two lodges in the Galwadugoda and Sri Sumedha Mawatha areas in Galle, on suspicion of committing offences under the Computer Crimes Act. more..

May 12 (FT) In a major push to strengthen grid stability and accelerate renewable energy integration, Govt announced plans to add 250 to 300 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to the national grid by the end of this year. Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas said the Govt has already facilitated the addition of between 700 and 1,000 MW of renewable energy projects to the grid since taking office in 2025, rejecting claims that authorities are discouraging clean energy investments. more..

May 12 (FT) Opposition MPs last week intensified pressure on President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the $ 2.5 million Treasury phishing scandal, accusing the Govt of politicising key State institutions and weakening institutional safeguards within the Finance Ministry through inexperienced political appointments and partisan placements. The attacks came during the Second Reading debate more..

May 12 (NW) Court of Appeal has ruled that examinees are entitled to access their own answer scripts and marks under the RTI Act, dismissing an application filed by the Open Uni of SL seeking to block the release of such information. The judgment was delivered by Court of Appeal Judges R. Gurusinghe and Sumudu Premachandra on 08 May. The case arose after R.A. Janaka Roshan Ranasinghe sought access to his daughter’s answer scripts and marks from the Open Uni LLB more..

May 12 (FT) Deputy Power Minister Arkam Ilyas said Govt has withheld over $ 37 million from coal suppliers, including fines and performance guarantees, as authorities assess losses linked to disputed coal shipments used for power generation. Ilyas said the Govt has so far received 18 coal shipments, of which 16 consignments were supplied by the first supplier, while the remaining two shipments came from a second supplier. “As of today (11), we have withheld $22 mil as fines. more..

May 12 (DM) Hand hygiene is the most critical preventive measure, health experts warned as authorities keep a close eye to contain an enteroviral meningitis outbreak reported among schoolchildren in the Deniyaya Education Zone. Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena, Consultant Paediatrician said enteroviruses are highly stable RNA viruses capable of surviving for long periods on contaminated surfaces. “Viral meningitis is considered the most common neurological complication more..

May 12 (Island) Sri Lanka should mainly focus on upgrading its trade and investment facilitation system while identifying the paramount importance of the issue, South Korean Ambassador to SL Miyon Lee said. The bureaucratic matters—from Customs clearance to tariff lines, licensing, and registration—should be streamlined, she said at a round table forum recently held at the Colombo Club of the Taj Samudra, Colombo. The forum was organized and conducted by the Pathfinder Foundation more..

May 12 (ST) A shareholder of NDB this week filed a derivative action in the Commercial High Court of the Western Province against the leadership of the bank and its external auditors, Ernst & Young, following the internal fraud that resulted in a loss of approximately Rs 13.2 billion. M Thiyagarajah alleges that the bank’s board of directors and auditors were grossly negligent in failing to respond to early warning signs or more..

May 12 (DN) Govt has launched a project worth Rs. 450 million to encourage school children across the island to engage in sports. The inaugural event, chaired by Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage was held last Friday at the Dept of Sports Development, where the official distribution of sports equipment to several schools commenced. Out of the total Rs. 450 million allocated for the project, funds will be utilised for the development of school playgrounds and the provision of sports gear. more..

May 12 (DN) All-rounder Sathya Sandeepani will lead the SL women’s A team for the ODI and T-20 match series against New Zealand Women’s A team which will commence with first ODI today at Rangiri Dambulla Int'l Cricket Stadium. The selectors have named a 15 member ODI squad including more young players who played for the National under 19 team in recent series. The under 19 women’s team skipper Chamudi Probodha, Vimokasha Balasooriya, Sanjana Kavindi, Limansa Thillekaratne more..

May 12 (DM) After months of intense competition, emotional moments, and exceptional culinary performances, Sanjula Manoj has emerged as the winner of the inaugural season of MasterChef Sri Lanka, earning the title of Sri Lanka’s first-ever MasterChef. The highly anticipated grand finale brought together the season’s top contestants in one final culinary showdown, where creativity, precision, and composure under pressure were put to the ultimate test. Manoj impressed the judges more..

May 12 (AD) More than 35,000 kilograms of fish were harvested from the Udawalawa Reservoir over just two days — May 9 and 10. The total value of the catch amounted to Rs. 10.9 million. Officials attributed the record-breaking harvest to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the reservoir, including Balangoda, which caused water levels in the Walawe River to rise significantly. The catch consisted of 27,030 kilograms of Catla, 7,430 kg of Mrigal, and 1,009 kg of Tilapia. more..

May 12 (TM) Treasury is to bear 100% of the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) compensation for employees attached to two newly established successor companies following the restructuring of the CEB. In addition, 50% of the compensation for employees attached to two other post-CEB restructuring companies will also be borne by the Treasury. The total amount needed to compensate 1,896 employees is Rs. 8.5 billion. more..

May 12 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will lead a senior corporate delegation to Mumbai for the India–SL Business Forum tomorrow, held in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The delegation brings together the leadership of some of SL’s most prominent companies, representing a broad cross-section of the economy. Participants include Chairpersons, CEOs, and Managing Directors from leading firms in banking, manufacturing, energy, logistics, tourism, more..

May 12 (DM) The Court of Appeal has held that where a Marriage Certificate is produced for the purpose of establishing a marital status in an administrative matter, such certificate constitutes prima facie proof of the existence of the marriage, and accordingly, no administrative authority or officer has the power to determine the validity or invalidity of such marriage in the absence of a decree or declaration issued by a competent court. The ruling was delivered by more..

May 12 (Island) Over 7 years after making an initial complaint of sexual harassment against her research supervisor, Dr. Udari Abeyasinghe, then a temporary lecturer and now a senior lecturer at the Uni of Peradeniya, has been finally served justice. On May 8, Supreme Court made the following directions regarding Udari’s fundamental rights case: 1st Respondent (her research supervisor) is prohibited from accepting more..

May 12 (FT) World’s bestselling author and Founder of Directive Communication Psychology Arthur Carmazzi is set to conduct a full-day workshop titled Reset the Brain on 19 June at the Monarch Imperial. The highly interactive and energetic workshop is an opportunity for companies to empower their employees to grow themselves and the organisations. For individuals, Carmazzi will help them become successful people-centric professionals in their work life. more..

May 12 (DN) National men’s cricket team is in the process of appointing a new captain for both the ODI format and Twenty20 format. After considering five names proposed for the same, experienced Kusal Mendis has been proposed as the new captain for the white ball format (ODI and T-20 formats). New men’s team head coach Gary Kirsten is working hard with the players in preparation for the forthcoming West Indies tour and he is keen to have one captain for the white ball format. more..

May 12 (FT) DFCC Bank delivered a strong financial performance for the period ended 31 March 2026, underscoring the robustness of its strategy, disciplined execution, and the resilience of its balance sheet. Loan and deposit portfolios recorded sustained growth of 5% and 7%, respectively, compared to 31 Dec 2025, reflecting calibrated credit expansion and funding optimisation. As a result, total assets increased by 3% to Rs. 884 bil and total liabilities grew by 4% to Rs. 777 bil. more..

May 12 (FT) Famed media industry figure Rayynor Silva yesterday further strengthened his foothold in the financial services industry, upping his stake in Seylan to 10% from 6% with an investment of Rs. 1.2 billion. The market yesterday saw 26.7 million voting shares of Seylan Bank exchanging hands at a price of Rs. 103 per share for Rs. 2.77 billion. It closed the day at Rs. 106.25, up by Rs. 0.25. The seller was National Development Bank (NDB), which, as at 31 March 2026, more..