June 4 (Island) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has come under intense scrutiny after the COPE revealed that more than Rs. 1 billion had been spent on two unplanned programmes in 2024, which were not included in the Bureau’s annual action plan. At a recent COPE meeting, it was disclosed that over Rs. 1.3 billion had been allocated to the Glocal Fair and Vigamanika Harasara initiatives—both more..

June 4 (DM) The circular issued by Western Province Deputy Chief Secretary B.N. Damminda Kumara advising heads of all govt institutions to advise their employees to wear face masks, has been withdrawn. The Western Province Chief Secretary's office said the decision to withdraw the circular was taken as wrong a interpretaion of the letter has been circulated on socila media. Western Province Chief Secretary said the circular was issued only for the employees of the more..

June 4 (AD) Joint Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) has announced that it will commence a strike tomorrow, citing several unresolved demands, including issues related to the healthcare sector. JCPSM Chairman Ravi Kumudesh stated that Minister of Health has continuously avoided engaging in discussions aimed at resolving these matters. He further noted that no concrete action has been taken to fulfill the promises made regarding the promotion of paramedical service personnel. more..

June 4 (PMD) With the decentralisation of the activities of the President’s Fund to District Secretariat offices, there has been a notable increase in the number of medical assistance applications received. Consequently, it has become essential to familiarise relevant staff at these offices with the newly introduced computerised online system and to provide them with the necessary training. As part of this initiative, a training programme has been organised for 21 June more..

June 4 (CT) The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the long-anticipated Sign Language Bill, marking a significant step towards recognising sign language as an official means of communication in Sri Lanka. The proposed legislation aims to provide the hearing-impaired community with improved access to information and enable their full participation in all aspects of public life—ensuring equal rights and opportunities without discrimination or hindrance. more..

June 4 (TM) Govt has stated that the recent decision to limit admissions to the MBBS programme at the Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU) only to cadet officers and foreign students has been taken as a temporary measure, due to an ongoing issue in the provision of internship training for medical graduates. Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Govt is responsible for providing internship opportunities to more..

June 4 (DM) The land adjoining the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte belongs to a former Minister who had purchased it under his driver's name, Minister Sunil Handunetti revealed in Parliament today. "We once saw this driver fighting with the Minister's wife near the land. The fight erupted as the driver refused to handover the land," he added. "Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa once advised me to probe drivers, girlfriends and relatives of former Ministers as more..

June 4 (AD) Colombo High Court today ordered that a case filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others be taken up on July 07 for further hearing of evidence. The case has been filed by the CIABOC, alleging that the trio incurred financial losses to the govt by unlawfully engaging the employees of Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE/Lanka Sathosa) in political activities during Fernando’s tenure as the Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade. more..

June 4 (DM) Sri Lanka recently became the 109th signatory to the agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) in Feb 2025. This decision will enhance SL’s potential to receive assistance for capacity-building projects, transfer of technology, and knowledge sharing more..

June 4 (CT) The Supreme Court, yesterday (3), announced that it will take up two petitions filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for consideration. The petitions filed seeking an order stating that the issuance of new liquor licences, in violation of the Excise Ordinance, by Wickremesinghe—while functioning as Minister of Finance following the announcement of the 2024 Presidential Election—amounted to a violation of the Fundamental Rights of the people. more..

June 4 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Navarathne Marasinghe, yesterday (3), ordered the case against former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne and two others to be taken up again on 29 August. The case was taken up in Court yesterday (3), during which the lawyer representing the CIABOC requested a new date to amend the indictment filed against the accused. Granting this request, the Judge fixed the case for 29 August for the amended indictment to be presented. more..

June 4 (AD) The suspected gunman in the shooting and killing of notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Samararathne, also known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa, was produced before an identification parade held at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today. The suspect, Samindu Piyumanga, who is being held at Boossa Prison, was escorted to court amid tight security arrangements. Two witnesses were brought in to identify the suspected gunman during more..

June 4 (AD) Sri Lanka received USD 650 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the first quarter of this year, according to Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti. The minister stated that this investment supports 64 projects and that these figures are a significant increase compared to previous years. Speaking further in this regard, Minister Handunnetti said, “In this quarter alone, USD 650 million in foreign direct investment has come in. more..

June 4 (CT) Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has stated that Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, must justify his decision to continue the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) under the Public Health Veterinary Services of his Ministry and be held accountable for this decision, given the longstanding failure of successive Health Ministries to deliver lasting results over several decades. In an open letter addressed to more..

June 4 (DM) Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the legality of the demolition of Soul Beach (Pvt) Ltd, a beachside hotel in Dehiwala, as part of the former govt’s Yukthiya anti-narcotics operation. The hotel, which reportedly came under scrutiny over alleged links to narcotics trafficking, was demolished by authorities earlier last year, drawing controversy and public attention. When the matter was taken up for leave to proceed, more..

June 4 (NF) Gammadda continues to strengthen its partnership with international universities, marking the fourth consecutive year of collaboration with Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League university of the US. Gammadda welcomed Claire Lopez, a student from Brown University who is the latest to intern with Gammadda in SL. Claire will spend two months in Sri Lanka as part of a residential internship with Gammadda. During this time, she will engage in hands-on work across more..

June 4 (DM) A deliberate attempt is reportedly underway to derail SL’s renewable energy progress, as powerful interests move to protect the dominance of thermal power, sources within the Ministry of Energy have revealed. According to ministry officials, certain factions with vested interests in thermal energy are attempting to sabotage renewable energy initiatives, particularly as the growing adoption of low-cost green more..

June 4 (AM) A tense situation erupted between SL Navy personnel and a group of fishermen during a special operation on 3 June (Tuesday) targeting illegal poaching activities in the seas off Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee. According to reports, 11 fishing vessels were involved in the confrontation. During the operation, one group allegedly surrounded a Navy vessel and attempted to flee the area, leading to a scuffle with Navy personnel. The Navy stated that it tried to defuse the situation, more..

June 4 (FT) The performance of the NPP Govt has been a mixed bag. While there have been successes in adopting a thrifty style in Govt spending, taking a hard stance against bribery and corruption, adhering to the rule of law, allowing democracy to flourish unhindered and in promoting meritocracy, there are areas where the fulfilment of election promises such as the dismantling of the rice mafia, reduction of electricity charges, elimination of VAT on medicines and selected school and more..

June 4 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuwida, yesterday (3), ordered the trial against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others to be postponed until 1 October for the continuation of the hearing of evidence. The case, filed by the CIABOC, was taken up in Court yesterday (3). Evidence from the complainant was recorded during the proceedings. Following this, the Judge ordered that further examination of the evidence be postponed to the new date. more..

June 4 (FT) Fathima Rashla’s family was expelled from Jaffna by the LTTE in 1990. She was born in a Puttalam refugee settlement five years later and returned to Jaffna in 2004. Last month, the ITAK made the momentous decision to award a bonus seat in the Jaffna Municipal Council to Rashla, a primary school teacher. She is the first Muslim woman to become a member of a local govt authority in Jaffna. Rashla’s history-making appointment wasn’t the only sign indicating more..

June 4 (TM) Govt will take legal action against parties that have spread misleading news regarding a stock of Human intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), which recently caused public unrest, said Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. He said that such false news could damage public trust in the country’s free healthcare system. He further noted that the said stock has no connection to the substandard IVIG vials manufactured and more..

June 4 (AD) The newly elected Colombo Municipal Council, following the conduct of the Local Govt (LG) election on May 6, is scheduled to convene for its inaugural sitting on June 16, 2025. The gazette extraordinary in this regard has been issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Local Government of the Western Province, Sarangika Jayasundara. According to the gazette issued by the Commissioner, the inaugural sitting will commence at 9:30 a.m. on June 16. more..

June 4 (FT) Cabinet approved proceeding with a wide-ranging development initiative to provide underutilised State-owned lands and properties to suitable investors for optimal usage. The project is designed to attract private investment, particularly from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with an initial funding allocation of Rs. 250 million from the 2025 Budget. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the initiative targets the identification and repurposing of State-owned lands more..

June 4 (FT) Cabinet approved an increase in the financial grants provided by the Govt for the ongoing housing reconstruction program in the N&E Provinces. This move aims to improve along with the rising costs of construction materials and ensure continued support for families affected by the decades-long civil conflict. “Govt will offer an increased grant of Rs. 1.5 million for the construction of a 550 square foot house more..

June 4 (DN) David Peiris Aviation (DP Aviation) has initiated its first trial flight service from Colombo international airport in Ratmalana to the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly. This move is part of a broader Govt vision to expand local aviation infrastructure and improve regional connectivity. The trial flight, which took place on Monday (2) under the supervision of officials from Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL), successfully landed at the Jaffna International Airport at 1.05 p.m.. more..

June 4 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved issuing an annual import licence for maize with an objective of sustaining the uninterrupted production of Thriposha. The decision follows ongoing challenges in sourcing locally grown maize that meets the required quality standards. Thriposha, the Govt’s key nutritional supplement program is provided free-of-charge to pregnant women, lactating mothers (up to six months postpartum) and malnourished infants between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. more..

June 4 (Island) Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that teaching English as a language should serve as a means to broaden opportunities, not as a tool to create social disparities, and the govt is ready to implement practical English teaching approaches through the upcoming education reforms. PM made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the SL Education Conference 2025, organized by the British Council in Colombo on Tuesday (3). more..

June 4 (Island) SL’s outdated customs clearance system is costing the nation’s businesses billions in lost revenue and escalating costs, according to Mohamed Niyas, former chairman of the Association of Clearing & Forwarding Agents of SL. Niyas warned that SL’s customs risk management model, the ASYCUDA automated platform, is not only outdated but actively sabotaging trade efficiency. “Customs is not just broken—it’s actively working against trade efficiency & national interest" more..

June 4 (AD) Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court today (3) that former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the other accused in the case filed over the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vaccines, will be indicted before a 3-member bench of High Court judges next week. Deputy Solicitor General Nirmalan Wigneswaran, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, more..

June 4 (CT) Former Minister of Media, Health, and Environment Keheliya Rambukwella and his son Ramith Rambukwella, who had been remanded over allegations of corruption, were granted bail yesterday by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali. The case pertains to accusations that, during his ministerial tenure, Keheliya had included individuals in his personal staff list by name only and arranged for them to receive State salaries, thereby causing financial loss to the Govt. more..

June 4 (CI) Eighteen years spent in the belief that ee sala cup namde (this year the cup is ours), 17 of them ending in wretched disappointment for one of the IPL's biggest and most passionate fan bases, three of them ending with defeat at the final hurdle. Eighteen seasons in, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are finally IPL champions. Their victory in their fourth final came at the expense of another trophy-less team that had put together a heartwarming IPL 2025 campaign; more..