Apr 2 (TM) The tourism industry in SL stands at a critical juncture. Following years of volatility, the sector is grappling with a paradox. While passenger footfall has shown signs of a robust recovery, actual financial earnings and individual tourist spending are experiencing a noticeable decline. This complex situation is heavily influenced by global geopolitical tensions and conflicts, rising worldwide inflation, and shifting travel more..

Apr 2 (DM) At the outset, the writer wishes to allude to the following recent statements in the press. 1. Mixed Member Voting (MMV) system (understandably acknowledged by political parties despite its deficiencies) should be adopted at the next PC Election which is due to be held this year. 2. Govt has appointed a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to study the electoral system under which the Provincial Council (PC) elections are to be conducted and submit proposals more..

Apr 2 (CT) Observed globally as International Workers’ Day and rooted in the historic struggles symbolized by the Haymarket Affair, May Day is usually seen as a celebration of workers’ rights and labour solidarity. However, the idea of the worker has never been completely neutral or universal. In practice, it has often been based on a male, industrial, and formally employed worker. This has meant that one type of male work was treated as the standard, while many other forms of work more..

Apr 2 (CT) A noticeable rise in foreign nationals implicated in criminal activities has triggered growing concern among SL’s law enforcement authorities, particularly amid a wave of cybercrime incidents. Last week, the Finance Ministry’s cyber breach, in which its systems were reportedly hacked, was followed by the unauthorised transfer of approximately USD 2.5 million. In an earlier case, a bank reportedly incurred a loss of Rs 13.2b more..

Apr 2 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has now completed 18 months of his term. He has another 42 months ahead. He stands as both the centre of gravity and the symbol of the NPP govt. When he visits Jaffna he is often photographed walking alone on an empty road early in the morning wearing a short and a T‑shirt, stopping to chat casually with local residents. On another day he is seen travelling in ordinary clothes, smiling and conversing with tea pluckers, more..

Apr 2 (DM) The first of May, more commonly referred to as May Day -- is set apart worldwide to celebrate the contribution workers of the world play in keeping the cogs of this world’s economies turning smoothly. More importantly, it commemorates the struggles of workers all over the world to obtain a just share of the profits of their production, and demand conditions to enable their families with the means in which they can grow and develop. May Day has been observed in our country as a holiday more..

May 1 (NW) Supreme Court has ruled that the fundamental human rights of a Police Sub-Inspector (SI) were violated in when he was brutally assaulted during an incident that took place in 2022. The case was heard based on a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by a Sub-Inspector who had been attached to the Gampaha Police Station, and the judgment was delivered with the concurrence of the judge bench. more..

May 1 (DN) Speaker Dr.Jagath Wickramaratne said the Leader of the House had agreed to schedule the debate requested by the Opposition regarding the transfer of US$ 2.5 million from the General Treasury to another account for the next parliamentary week, owing to an issue with time allocation. He noted that this week was very busy for Parliament, adding that the Vietnamese President is scheduled to address the House on May 8, along with the passage of several Bills. more..

May 1 (Island) Police announced the implementation of a special traffic plan and enhanced security arrangements in view of May Day rallies and processions to be held across the country on World Labour Day, marked today. Police have said the measures are aimed at ensuring peaceful commemorations, public safety, and minimal disruption to vehicular movement as political parties and trade unions prepare to hold events in Colombo and several major cities, including more..

May 1 (AD) Assistant Director of External Resources Dept of the Ministry of Finance, Ranga Rajapaksa, who had been interdicted over the alleged USD 2.5 million cyber heist, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in Kuliyapitiya this evening (30). Kuliyapitiya Police said they received information this afternoon that Rajapaksa had been found dead. Rajapaksa’s daughter noticed him lying in more..

May 1 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called on the working people of SL to unite and continue driving the nation forward, in his message marking May Day. Prez said this year’s May Day comes at a key moment, as SL records strong economic progress despite global challenges such as conflicts, rising tariffs, and natural disasters like Cyclone Ditwah. He highlighted that the country achieved its lowest budget deficit since 1977 and highest govt revenue since 2007, while more..

May 1 (NW) SL-born population in Australia has continued its steady growth, reaching an estimated 184,800 by mid-2025. The new figure marks a notable increase from 172,800 recorded in June 2024 and 158,300 in June 2023, reflecting sustained post-pandemic migration trends. Sri Lanka now ranks among the top 10 overseas-born populations in Australia, remaining just ahead Malaysia-born residents and ahead of several other migrant communities. more..

May 1 (AD) Supreme Court has ruled that the fundamental human rights of a Police Sub-Inspector (SI) were violated in when he was brutally assaulted during an incident that took place in 2022. The case was heard based on a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by a Sub-Inspector who had been attached to the Gampaha Police Station, and the judgment was delivered with the concurrence of the judge bench. Accordingly, the court ordered three Police Inspectors who were found more..

May 1 (ST) The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided to file a fresh indictment against former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal in the Colombo High Court. The decision to file a fresh indictment against Mr Cabraal was taken after he did not meet the conditions that led him to be conditionally discharged from the case, in which he was accused of causing a loss of more than Rs 1.84 billion to the state by investing in Greek bonds. more..

May 1 (TM) Although the Presidential Secretariat has directed that Clean Sri Lanka programme coordinators be facilitated at the Provincial, District, and Divisional levels, Divisional Secretaries (DSs) have not acted on these instructions, maintaining that such arrangements could harm the independence of the State administrative structure. This has come to light in a letter sent by the SL Association of DSs and Assistant DSs to more..

May 1 (Island) In a powerful demonstration of how responsible business, public healthcare and civic leadership can work together for national good, SL this week renewed its commitment to eliminating cervical cancer through an expanded screening programme backed by corporate funding, Rotary leadership and the Ministry of Health. The initiative, supported by Dilmah, Rotary Club of Colombo, Family Health Bureau and SL Cancer Society, aims to strengthen nationwide HPV DNA more..

May 1 (TM) In the wake of the CIABOC launching an investigation into overtime (OT) payments in the Posts Dept following allegations of irregular claims, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara said that fingerprint machines have now been installed in all post offices to regulate attendance and OT payments. The system has been implemented across the network, with the exception of sub post offices. “We have installed fingerprint machines in all main post offices, except for sub post offices,” more..

May 1 (ST) The annual flower show organised by the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, one of the main highlights of the spring festival, was once again a treat for the eyes. Nuwara Eliya spring festival has become a regular event on the annual calendar of local tourists in SL, and this was evident from the large crowds that attended, District Secretary Thushari Thennakoon said at the opening ceremony. "We all admire flowers, but not everyone has the ability to create beautiful floral arrangements. more..

May 1 (ST) Fighting hunger and serving communities according to local needs being the primary focus of Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF), a funding commitment of US$2 million was approved by the foundation for a project exceeding $4 million in total to tackle school hunger through local food production, says Fabrício Oliveira, Chairperson, LCIF. Mr. Oliveira made these remarks during a media briefing held at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo on Thursday. more..

May 1 (EN) SL’s rupee closed at 319.75/320.00 to the US dollar in the spot next market, after trades at 319.50/320, market participants said, shortly after macro-economists celebrated the return of inflation to the central bank’s target. There intervention was around 319.50 to the US dollar. On April 30 inflation reached the mid-point of the central bank’s target of 5%. Agency can create more inflation and depreciate the rupee even more, more..

May 1 (DN) SL women’s national cricket team produced a strong all-round performance to defeat Bangladesh women’s national cricket team by 21 runs in the second T20I, sealing the series 2–0 with one game to spare. The match was played in Sylhet yesterday. Off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari delivered a superb spell, finishing with 2 for 15 in her four overs, as Bangladesh were restricted to 133 for 5 while chasing 155. Although wicketless, skipper Chamari Athapaththu and leg-spinner Sugandika more..

May 1 (DN) St. Joseph’s College Colombo emerged champions of the Under-19 Division One Tier ‘A’ Inter-Schools Two-Day Cricket Tournament, conducted by the SL Schools Cricket Association. They secured the title by winning on first innings against defending joint champions Royal College Colombo in the final played at P. Sara Oval yesterday. At the close of Day Two, Royal College were 84 for 1 in their second innings. After winning the toss, St. Joseph’s elected to bat first and more..

May 1 (ST) Political parties and trade unions have come out with mixed plans for May Day celebrations, as the international workers’ day coincides with Vesak Poya Day. Some political parties and unions have curtailed events, but other opposition parties are eager to use the opportunity to expose govt shortcomings, failed promises and corruption. The ruling NPP govt will mark May Day with 21 rallies across the country, instead of more..

May 1 (DN) Bilateral trade between France and SL stood at 556 million Euros in 2025,with French exports to SL amounting to 85 million Euros, while French imports from SL reached 470 million Euros. This resulted in a bilateral trade deficit of 385 million Euros, Remi Lambert, Ambassador of France to SL told the National Chamber of Commerce of SL organized Meet the Ambassador program held in Colombo on Tuesday. For the first two months of 2026, French exports to SL stood at more..

May 1 (TM) For many people, the most suitable economic policy programmes for the country come closer to the economic philosophy and policy programme of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Premadasa often took decisions from the point of the poor and wanted to direct have and able people to use their luxuries and fortunes to help create situations that generate direct and tangible benefits to the poor and the vulnerable. He never wanted to discourage the capitalists, more..

May 1 (DM) While Indian youngsters like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre and Yashasvi Jaiswal continue to make headlines for their incredible performances, unprecedented talent and fearless approach to the game, two U-19 youngsters from the SL squad have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The two players were arrested over allegations of secretly filming female guests in the privacy of their rooms inside a hotel in Narahenpita, raising further questions over the discipline, more..

May 1 (TM) The Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry has raised concerns about the growing difficulty of regulating books and other publications available on digital platforms, noting that existing controls mainly apply to printed material entering the country through ports and airports. Deputy subject Minister Muneer Mulaffer said that SL has, from time to time, introduced mechanisms to review publications, particularly in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks. more..

May 1 (TM) Sprinter Nishendra Fernando who excels in the 400m event has been imposed with a temporary suspension from all competitions both locally and overseas by the SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLDA) after testing positive for the banned substance anabolic steroids. This was confirmed by the SLADA Director General (DG) Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya. She stated that the SLADA had slapped the temporary suspension on more..

May 1 (DM) Writing about a historical figure is no easy task. Readers could tire of reading about the same feats year after year. However, every year there are readers who could gain knowledge of history created by our own men and women. Today is 1st May, Labour Day (May Day), the day the workers celebrate their rights, their dignity and the appreciation of the work they do for man and country. Labour Day was first held in Ceylon in 1927 under leadership of Alexander Ekanayake more..

May 1 (DM) The incident involving Sugeeshwara Bandara and the so-called “shit attack” that followed his protest outside the Finance Ministry Secretary’s residence is a worrisome trend in SL politics. Sri Lanka was notorious for political violence at one point. However, the country’s image has improved since, and violence was almost absent at recent elections. What makes it worse this time is that both sides involved in this incident have serious responsibilities for what happened. more..

May 1 (TM) May Day in Sri Lanka has long been a day of noise and colour. For decades, it belonged to the streets. Trade unions marched, parties rallied, and the working class was assured that power, when it came, would be used in its favour. Among the most consistent voices in that tradition was the JVP, now at the core of the NPP Govt. This May Day is different. It is no longer about demanding change from the outside. It is now about accounting for it from within. more..

May 1 (DN) There was a time when the LSSP marched in May Day parades chanting, Arise now, ye starvers. Back then, Leftist political parties held their May Day parades through the streets of Colombo within a tradition of attacking rivals and exchanging blows. May Day was a restless day for the club-and-baton squads of the SL Police. On certain May Days, there were even instances where anti-imperialist sentiments were expressed by smashing the glass windows of corporate more..