Jun 1 (TM) The latest fuel price increase, which came into effect yesterday is expected to have a significant impact on several sectors, particularly transport and agriculture, with industry representatives warning of rising operating costs and potential price increases. LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said that private bus operators had decided to seek an increase in fares by five per cent following the diesel price hike. more..

Jun 1 (TM) The events that unfolded across the country on Saturday, Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, exposed a profound irony at the heart of our national energy strategy. On a day meant to celebrate enlightenment, the National System Operator switched off power to certain sections of the country. In a spectacular display of operational failure, the State grid operator first requested residential rooftop solar producers to manually deactivate their systems during the peak afternoon sun, and more..

Jun 1 (DM) The Scalloped Hammerhead is not simply a strange-looking shark. It is a test of how well Sri Lanka can see what moves through its seas, fisheries, markets and public records. At a fish harbour, morning does not wait for perfect identification. Boats come in. Boxes move. Fish are sorted, weighed, recorded, priced and sent onward before the heat settles properly into the day. A shark, if it appears, is not always a headline. Sometimes it is just another shape among many: more..

Jun 1 (Island) The latest round of fuel price hikes in Sri Lanka came on Saturday night as global oil trading closed, with the price of crude posting its biggest one-month decline (20%) in six years and with international media reporting that the oil price drop had delivered some relief to consumers at the pump in many countries, such as Pakistan, Malaysia, Spain and Portugal. At this rate, Sri Lanka’s fuel prices may continue to soar even if US President Donald Trump behaves and more..

Jun 1 (DN) Sri Lanka has more than 10,000 state schools now. Schools, teachers, teaching, and schoolchildren have long been the subject of public discussion in the country. Over the past several decades, successive governments have introduced various changes to the education system. What truly matters, however, is what is actually happening inside state schools and the impact these institutions have on society at large. This is an area worthy of close examination. more..

Jun 1 (TM) SL’s global reputation is built almost entirely on the back of its premium export: tea. Yet, behind the branding and the aromatic blends that stock international shelves lies a multi-generational human tragedy. In the Southern Province, far removed from the heavily unionised, highly scrutinised hill-country plantations, a vulnerable population of Malaiyaha workers has been enduring systemic, structural abuses more..

Jun 1 (DM) For many Sri Lankans, the idea of travelling overseas carries with it a quiet anxiety that often overshadows the excitement. It is not just about packing bags or planning itineraries. It is about doing mental calculations at every step, converting every dollar, every dirham, every pound back into rupees, and feeling the weight of how far our currency falls short. The weakness of the Sri Lankan rupee is not something new. It has been part of our reality for decades. more..

Jun 1 (CT) An eighteen month old child. Working mom. A pond with no fence. This is how the tragic incident in Medamulana, Hambantota entered the national news in March 2026, briefly painfully, and then like many other stories headlines quietly disappeared. Daycare center manager taken into custody. Yet for the mother, the loss remains beyond the reach of any judicial outcome. Across the nation, similar childcare settings persist, thousands of families continue to rely on these facilities more..

Jun 1 (SO) As SL marks World Environment Day on June 5, Ministry of Environment has outlined a series of policy measures, conservation initiatives, and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening environmental protection and addressing long-standing ecological challenges. Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi detailed the Govt’s progress over the past year, including the expansion of protected areas, legal reforms, and steps more..

Jun 1 (DM) The arrival of Vesak brings with it an atmosphere of devotion, reflection, and serenity. Across Buddhist communities worldwide, homes and streets are illuminated with lanterns, temples overflow with worshippers, and acts of generosity become expressions of faith. Yet, Vesak is far more than a cultural or religious celebration. It is a sacred occasion that invites humanity to reflect on the life, teachings, and timeless wisdom of Gautama Buddha. more..

Jun 1 (ST) Siddartha is perturbed. Seated beneath a grove of sal trees at Lumbini Park in his father’s kingdom to let the tempestuous storm raging in his mind break out in a downpour of doubts, he can clearly see that life lies perpetually under sorrow’s siege. The three sights he had seen that morning had left him deeply disturbed. Not that they were strangers to him. He had met them before in his father’s stately palace and found them in a villager’s ramshackle hut. more..

May 31 (ST) In many ways, NPP is the polar opposite of political parties and alliances that have ruled SL since Independence. Much of that difference is down to its main party, the JVP. A party that tried, unsuccessfully, to topple democratically elected govts through armed insurrections on two occasions, the JVP was built around a culture of rigid secrecy and unquestioned loyalty. Within this party structure, where key decisions are taken by more..

May 31 (CT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated in Matara on 27 May that the Govt will reinstate the Dharma Court to safeguard discipline within the Buddhist Sangha, following a request made by the Mahanayaka Theras. The move comes amid public debate following protests over the alleged sexual abuse of a minor involving Pallegama Hemarathana Thera. President said, the decision was taken after discussions involving the Attorney General and Govt officials. more..

May 31 (AD) Ceypetco has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (30). Accordingly, the price of Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 15 to Rs.407 per litre, and the price of Super Diesel has been increased by Rs. 20 to Rs. 478 per litre. Meanwhile, the price of Petrol 92 Octane has also been increased by Rs. 24 to Rs. 434 per litre and Petrol 95 Octane up by Rs. 25 to Rs. 495 per litre, the CPC said. Meanwhile, the price of kerosene has been hiked by Rs. 20 more..

May 31 (ST) Cabinet directed Dept of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) to terminate with immediate effect the ongoing procurement process for the personalisation of e-passports. Tender included an issuance system and relevant public key infrastructure (PKI) components for e-passport personalisation. PKI is the cryptographic security framework that protects the data stored on the microchip of a modern e-passport. more..

May 31 (ST) The govt has set out stringent rules for coal imports next year, with new specifications included in the fresh tender to prevent substandard products from entering the country, Energy Minister Anura Karunathillake said. Tender has been floated for 25 shiploads, each carrying 60,000 metric tonnes, for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya coal power plant, he said. Henceforth, the load-port report verifying the condition, quality, and loading process of coal will be obtained directly by SL, more..

May 31 (NW) Minister Anura Karunathilaka says electricity supply has been disconnected in nearly 100 areas, including parts of Colombo, due to an imbalance in the national power grid. Minister said the measure was taken to maintain the stability of the system, after electricity supply exceeded demand due to higher-than-expected solar power generation. He said recent rainy weather had led authorities to expect lower solar generation today, but strong sunlight resulted in a large amount more..

May 31 (ST) The report on the US$2.5 million Business Email Compromise (BEC) or Treasury heist is expected to be handed over to Parliament by the Treasury soon, Finance Ministry officials said. They said that cybercriminals employed tactics like creating look-alike domains and compromising the internal e-mail system to intercept communications related to the repayment, which allows them to replace legitimate recipient bank details with their own. What ensued was a total of $2.5 million, more..

May 31 (CI) Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar and Muthiah Muralidaran have been named the greatest men's int'l cricketers of the 21st century by an all-star ESPNcricinfo jury of players and former players. Tendulkar was voted the greatest batter, Muralidaran the greatest bowler, and Kallis the greatest all-round cricketer, for their performances in the 2000-2025 period across int'l formats. Ellyse Perry was voted greatest women's int'l cricketer of the century in a separate exercise. more..

May 31 (TM) TGovt is preparing a restructuring plan for SL’s National Carrier, which is expected to be finalised within the coming weeks before being submitted for Cabinet approval. A formal timeline for the process will be established following the submission of the plan, according to Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku. The remarks come against the backdrop of a request by SriLankan Airlines for an additional Rs. 10 b more..

May 31 (ST) SLC has finalised its annual player contract list for the 2026-27 season, awarding contracts to 46 players across six categories, with fast bowler Nuwan Thushara’s inclusion emerging as one of the biggest talking points. Thushara’s place on the list comes as a surprise given his earlier request to be excluded from future national contracts. The paceman had previously informed SLC that he did not wish to be considered for central contracts, making his return to more..

May 31 (NW) SL’s National System Operator (NSO) says several electricity feeders have been temporarily disconnected across the country to maintain the stability of the national power grid amid unusually low electricity demand and high solar power generation. NSO said electricity demand had dropped significantly due to the Vesak Poya holiday and the long weekend, while solar power generation from rooftop systems had exceeded expectations because of favourable weather conditions. more..

May 31 (SO) Major General Nilantha Premaratne has been appointed as the 69th Chief of Staff of the SL Army, from May 29. Major General Premaratne, who currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, is a veteran artillery officer with over three decades of service. Born in Kandy on Sept 25, 1971, he is an alumnus of St. Servatius College, Matara. He joined the SL Army in 1990 as an Officer Cadet and completed his basic military training at the SL Military Academy in 1992, more..

May 31 (NF) National System Operator (pvt) Limited (NSO) has requested rooftop solar panel owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their solar power systems until 3 pm today (30) to help ensure the reliable and stable operation of the national electricity grid during the Vesak festival period. The request has been made due to the significantly low electricity demand currently observed in the system, which requires careful management to maintain grid stability. more..

May 31 (NF) Malwathu Maha Viharaya Sangha Sabha has decided to suspend the post of Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwarakalaviya, held by the Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero. According to a statement issued by the Malwathu Maha Viharaya under the signature of its Registrar, Dr. Pahamune Sumangala Thero, Atamasthana Committee on the directives of the Sangha Sabha has decided to appoint more..

May 31 (NW) A 14-year-old boy has been arrested by Eravur Police in connection with the death of his 11-year-old sister. The victim, identified as 11-year-old Sathyananthan Sadeesha, was found inside a water tank in the bathroom of her home on May 28. Police investigations have revealed that an argument had reportedly broken out between the siblings over a mobile phone before the incident. Children’s mother is employed overseas, while their father had been away for work on the day of more..

May 31 (NW) SL has received the second shipment of its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen grid stability and expand the use of renewable energy. Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas said a 60MW battery storage system was unloaded at the Port of Colombo on Friday night. Combined with a previously delivered 20MW system, a total of 80MW of the planned 160MW capacity has now arrived in the country. more..

May 31 (ST) A new era begins for SL cricket in Kingston on Wednesday when Kusal Mendis leads the national side into the opening ODI against the West Indies, backed by the influence of new Head Coach Gary Kirsten and a coaching team he believes can transform the fortunes of the side. Reinstalled as captain of SL’s white-ball teams, Mendis embarks on his first assignment since being handed the leadership role, with Caribbean more..

May 31 (TM) SL will launch their campaign to regain the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title on the road, when they fly out on Monday to face Bhutan in a FIFA Men’s Int'l Friendly in Bangkok, according to Football Federation of SL (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar. He said that the team had carried out extensive preparation ahead of the 8 June fixture in neutral venue Thailand, and sounded confident that the players were ready to hit the ground running next week. more..

May 31 (Island) Even before the public could fully grasp the reasons behind his removal as Chairman of Selectors, Pramodya Wickramasinghe was back in the headlines, armed with yet another batch of conspiracy theories, this time over SL’s squad for the West Indies tour. Conspiracy theories, of course, are not exactly unfamiliar territory for the former medium pacer. And make no mistake, there will be plenty more down the road. But what Pramodya says these days needs to be taken not merely with more..

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..