Jun 4 (NW) The new 5‑storey maternity and surgical ward complex of the Monaragala District General Hospital was vested in the public today under the patronage of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, marking a major step in strengthening healthcare services for the people of Uva Wellassa. Built at a cost of over Rs. 857 million, the complex includes maternity wards on the ground and first floors, women’s surgical wards on the second and third floors, and plans for four modern operating theatres more..

Jun 4 (EN) Sri Lanka is faced with threats in the maritime security landscape evolving faster than the capacity of its institutions tasked with responding to them, researcher at a Colombo-based think tank has said. Shayan Peris, Research/Programme Officer of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) has drawn attention to the widening capability-action gap confronting SL. While SL is responsible for securing an EEZ of approx 517,000 km² besides ensuring maritime domain awareness, more..

Jun 4 (DN) The govt will begin a phased programme to electrify and modernise SL’s suburban railway network from 2027, Deputy Minister Dr Prasanna Gunasena has said. The plan follows instructions given by the President and is focused on two main areas: restoring existing railway infrastructure and developing an electrified commuter rail system. Ministry said the first priority will be to repair damaged railway tracks more..

Jun 4 (DM) In dealing with the fallout of the Middle East crisis, the govt urgently needs to reduce diesel consumption by another 500 tonnes a day, but no specific measure has been agreed upon yet, a Minister said yesterday. Sri Lanka, like many other countries, is grappling with the rising fuel prices. Energy Minister Aruna Karunatilake told Daily Mirror that daily diesel consumption had averaged at around 4200 tonnes after the distribution was rationalized under a QR code system. more..

Jun 4 (FT) SL is set to commission battery energy storage capacity across 16 substation sites nationwide, marking the country’s largest energy storage program to date. The initiative represents a significant step in strengthening the national grid and supporting the country’s transition toward a cleaner and more resilient energy system. Each Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is designed to store 40MWh of energy during daytime hours and discharge up to 10MW to the national grid more..

Jun 4 (DM) During submissions before court, President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing for former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay, contended that based on the findings contained in the reports of the five consultant psychiatrists who examined the suspect, the court should consider granting appropriate relief under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Counsel submitted that, more..

Jun 4 (DM) Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said that 31 canals have been renovated and maintained under a joint government programme aimed at flood control and improving irrigation, with the project scheduled to be completed before October this year. He made these remarks during a field inspection on June 3 to assess the progress of maintenance work on several tanks and drainage canals in the Kolonnawa constituency in the Colombo District and the Kelaniya PS area more..

Jun 4 (DM) A 24-year-old resident of Udayanagar in Kilinochchi has been arrested for allegedly uploading videos containing songs that glorify the banned LTTE, Police said. According to investigations carried out by the Jaffna Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, the suspect had performed several songs during a musical event held in Navakkuli, Chavakachcheri on May 31. Police alleged that the suspect later edited four of the songs and uploaded them to his TikTok more..

Jun 4 (TM) National Agrarian Unity (NAU) accused the Govt of continuing to import rice from foreign countries instead of utilising local paddy stocks stored with the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), a move that, they allege, has brought paddy purchases from farmers to a standstill. NAU’s Prez Anuradha Tennakoon said that pvt buyers are no longer purchasing from small-scale farmers, and that paddy is being sold at extremely low prices while govt has also stopped buying. more..

Jun 4 (TM) The organisers of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) Season Six in official partnership with the IPG Group, who serve as the event rights holder for the tournament presented a cheque for Rs 1.3 million to the SL Netball Federation (SLNF) recently. The cheque to this effect was handed over to the Chairperson of the SLNF Vajira Netticumara by Chief Organiser of the LPL Anil Mohan who is also the CEO of the IPG Group during the LPL Player Draft held at Cinnamon Life on Monday. more..

Jun 4 (TM) Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage says that currently no time frame has been given to the Transformation Committee controlling SLC for the amendment of its Constitution, while paving the way for new elections. “At the moment, I am having a constant dialogue with the Transformation Committee officials,” he said. It was held to apprise the press of the 50th National Sports Festival to be held later more..

Jun 4 (NW) SL’s javelin star Rumesh Tharanga has climbed into the top five of the Men’s Javelin Throw World Rankings, marking a historic achievement for the country. Recent outstanding performances in international competitions have propelled him two places higher, securing 5th place with an Average Performance Score of 1,287. On Monday, Tharanga won silver at the Rabat Diamond League in Morocco with a throw of 85.97 metres, a feat that contributed significantly to his rise in the rankings. more..

Jun 4 (NW) Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association has raised concern over the govt’s reported proposal to extend the retirement age of judges of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, warning that such a move would undermine constitutional guarantees, stall judicial careers, and erode public trust in the independence of the judiciary. In a letter addressed to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the lawyers stressed that the Constitution clearly fixes retirement ages at more..

Jun 4 (DM) Around one in every five SL children under the age of five is affected by malnutrition, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. He cited data released for National Nutrition Month 2025, which showed that 10.1% of children under five are stunted, 8.6% are wasted, 16.1% are underweight and 0.57% are overweight. He said Sri Lanka has not made sufficient progress in improving nutrition levels since independence and more..

Jun 4 (SLN) In an effort to safeguard the nation’s marine resources, the SL Navy conducted a series of coordinated operations across island waters from 16 to 31 May 26. These operations resulted in the apprehension of 44 individuals and seizure of 8 dinghies, 2 canoes and 4 tractors utilized for illegal fishing activities. The operations spanned the beach stretches and sea areas of Pachchankerni, Sober Island, Polmalkuda, Kinniya, Sudaikuda, Ottamawadi, Alampil, Puduwakattu more..

Jun 4 (NW) Four warehouses belonging to a leading food importer in Nugegoda were sealed by the CAA on Wednesday, following a sudden raid that uncovered serious violations of consumer protection laws. The warehouses, located on Pagoda Road, were supplying bulk food products to hotels and markets across the island. Investigations revealed that the stock included dairy items such as cheese and butter, chocolate and cocoa powder, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, meat products, more..

Jun 4 (AD) Authorities have initiated key steps under a national programme aimed at transforming the country into a digital economy by fully digitising the state service and enhancing the technological skills of govt officials. A special discussion on the initiative was held under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne and Deputy Minister of PCs and LG Ruwan Senarath. The programme identifies several core objectives, including improving efficiency more..

Jun 4 (AD) Following the 3-day visit to SL, the Executive Board delegation of the UNICEF has met with the PM Harini Amarasuriya today at the Temple Trees premises. Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed her appreciation for UNICEF's continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in advancing the rights and well-being of children. She has also commended UNICEF's timely assistance and recovery efforts extended in response to Cyclone Ditwah, more..

Jun 4 (AD) The death toll from the massive fire that broke out yesterday at the Senehase Kedella Elders’ Home in Anguruwatota has now risen to 12 people, police stated. Another six individuals sustained serious injuries in the incident have been admitted to hospital A magistrate's inquiry into the incident was conducted this morning when Horana Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage visited the site. The burned bodies were removed more..

Jun 4 (DM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has raised concerns over what he described as the selective use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), following reports that a young artist from Kilinochchi had been arrested and remanded over the alleged use of LTTE-related material in a rap song. In a statement, Namal questioned whether the government was applying the law equally, noting that music and artistic expression were now allegedly being treated as terrorism-related offences. more..

Jun 4 (NW) Colombo High Court has ordered the postponement of the case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, until July 9. The case was taken up before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga today. Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed the court that a revision petition filed by the respondent was called before the Court of Appeal yesterday, which fixed the matter for hearing on June 16. more..

Jun 4 (DM) While many people affected by the Ditawah cyclone are still languishing in safe centres or in temporary locations waiting to be relocated, it was revealed yesterday that the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund established aiming to rebuild the country following the severe devastation has not been utilised. AG’s Dept informed the CoPF that no funds received by the Rebuilding SL Fund have been utilised and that monies more..

Jun 4 (DM) SJB MP and chairman of the COPF Harsha de Silva predicted more trouble when it comes to the SL economy. “Demand for US dollars will increase soon when the Letters of credit issued for vehicles reach the market. I rushed to Parliament just after my recent foreign visit and stressed the need for building market confidence. There is no confidence in the market currently. This is why importers want dollars for their rupees soon while exporters prefer to keep their dollar earnings more..

Jun 4 (NW) SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has warned the public of fake AI‑generated videos circulating online featuring Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Harini Amarasuriya, and several other prominent figures. In a statement, the agency said these deepfake videos are being used as part of financial scams, falsely depicting leaders and celebrities encouraging people to invest money for promised returns. According to complaints received, the deceptive content more..

Jun 4 (DM) SL’s children are increasingly becoming vulnerable to various forms of violence, abuse and harassment. From infants being abandoned by the roadside to parents attempting to sell off their children due to abject poverty, children and youth continue to be at the receiving end of various societal pressures. Today, it has come to a point where children have in fact become a burden to families in underserved settlements. Children are being forced to work at a young age more..

Jun 4 (FT) SL’s post-default recovery is entering a more complex and uncertain phase. Just as macroeconomic stability appeared to be taking hold after the 2022 sovereign debt crisis, a new wave of external pressures is exposing the fragility beneath the surface. Despite continued support from the IMF, rising import costs and renewed pressure on the rupee are raising serious questions about the durability of recovery. At the centre of the challenge is a renewed strain on external sector. more..

Jun 4 (TM) Govt is unable to allocate additional funds for welfare and social security programmes due to restrictions linked to the IMF reform programme, even as the World Bank warns that one in four Sri Lankans remains trapped below the poverty line. Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry acknowledged that growing economic pressures have increased the need for support among vulnerable groups more..

Jun 4 (TM) Water tariffs will be increased by a marginal amount in response to the recent rise in electricity charges, Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Susil Ranasinghe said. Ranasinghe said the adjustment would be made in proportion to the impact of higher electricity costs on water supply operations. He explained that electricity expenses account for approximately 12% of the water tariff structure and that the increase in electricity tariffs has affected that component. more..

Jun 4 (DM) Claiming that the CPC had to spend USD 520 million for fuel imports in May as more shipments were procured in April, CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said today the fuel bill will be reduced to USD 198 million in July. He said eleven fuel shipments were procured in April, whereas only five shipments including two crude oil shipments are normally procured in a month. Chairman said more shipments had to be procured in April due to non-availability of crude oil required for refinery more..

Jun 4 (AD) The 4-member committee of Judicial Medical Consultants unanimously ruled that the death of Ranga Rajapaksa, who served as an Assistant Director of the Finance Ministry’s External Resources Department, was caused due to self-inflicted cuts, said the chair of the panel JMO Dr. Ilangaratne Banda. He said this while giving evidence before Kuliyapitiya Magistrate Mihil Chiranthana Satharasinghe today (3). more..

Jun 4 (DM) National Taxi App Three-Wheelers’ Professional Collective President Jasmine Lanka says many in the industry had expected the current govt and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to follow the example of the legendary folk hero Utuwankande Sura Saradiel after coming to power. “We thought the President would take from those who have and give to those who do not. What has happened now is that those who have little have been reduced to nothing,” he said. more..

Jun 4 (Island) Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa said that the powers that be should promptly initiate action to introduce necessary amendments to the Penal Code to deal with Meegoda-type incidents. Law academic Mahanamahewa said that the Penal Code, in its existing form, was not sufficient to deal with the increasingly reckless driving. He urged the Parliament to consider necessary amendments to the relevant law to impose strict liability in respect of horrendous hit-and-run acts and accidents more..