May 16 (ST) Tiny infectious bugs have gone viral, compelling a large number of men, women and children to take to their beds at home or flood the hospitals. Influenza (flu), dengue and chikungunya are some of these viruses doing the rounds in SL. While influenza is spread through respiratory droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk, dengue and chikungunya get around through the bite of the Aedes mosquitoes. more..

May 16 (Island) On the morning of May 11, 2025, the quiet hills of Ramboda were pierced by the wails of sirens and the cries of survivors. A SLTB bus, en route from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya, veered off the winding road and plunged down a deep precipice in the Garandiella area. At least 23 people lost their lives and more than 35 were injured—some critically. The nation mourned. But this wasn’t merely an isolated accident. It was a brutal reminder of SL’s long-standing and more..

May 16 (FT) Yanika Amarasekera-Siyaguna, the trailblazing founder of Silver Aisle, has been named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2025 under the Retail and E-Commerce category. A UC Berkeley and Imperial College London alumna, Amarasekera-Siyaguna launched Silver Aisle in 2019, introducing SL’s first online wedding registry. The registry, which began as a pioneering solution for modern gifting, has since evolved into a fully-fledged lifestyle and e-commerce platform. more..

May 16 (GV) How do we end ragging at our universities? It is a question that never goes away and one that re-appears every time a student is killed. Charith Dilshan took his own life, a decision preceded by ragging – in this case by torture – at his university. Our outrage is right but our helplessness is learned. Calls for zero tolerance, for universities to detect and punish any student involved in ragging, are common enough. Of course, those who ragged Dilshan & his batchmates should face justice. more..

May 16 (ST) On May Day, we decided to leave Colombo and attend some scheduled work in the south. It was late in the morning, when we entered the Southern Expressway, heading south. As we drove, we noticed a long procession of public buses traveling in the opposite direction—one after another. Many passengers waved red flags from the windows, making it easy to guess their destination: the May Day celebrations in Colombo. By the evening, social media posts reported pictures more..

May 16 (DN) Honouring the fallen friends, family members and comrades of any armed conflict, irrespective of where the common perception with regard to the good and the bad lie, is a right of every victim. However, using this right to spread misinformation, promote separatism, misappropriate the scope of victims, and endorse political propaganda shouldn’t be encouraged. Unfortunately, though, intentions behind more..

May 16 (DM) One of the biggest concerns is how the media reports on child abuse and abductions of teenagers, who are still in school. Often, the media forgets that once the ordeal concludes, these victims have to return to school and continue their education and lives as well. The media is known as the watchdog of the nation. However, when the public is annoyed with how events are reported on, the media is often at the receiving end. As much as the media often does a commendable job in dispensing more..

May 16 (CT) The 2025 local govt elections have sparked widespread political debate—and rightly so. These elections mark a turning point in the country’s grassroots political landscape. But as the dust settles, it is crucial to approach the results with analytical clarity rather than fall into the trap of misleading comparisons with presidential or parliamentary contests. Nevertheless, it is difficult to fault analysts for drawing comparisons between these results and national elections. more..

May 16 (TM) The second crash of a SL Air Force (SLAF) aircraft in less than two months, this time claiming the lives of six who were onboard, has returned the status of its fleet and safety back to the spotlight. In March this year, an SLAF K-8 jet trainer crashed in Wariyapola. Last week, an SLAF Bell 212 helicopter from No. 7 Squadron crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir during a planned demonstration flight, which was to deploy more..

May 16 (TM) SL is currently facing a significant public health challenge, with a surge in cases of yearly flu, viral infections, dengue, and chikungunya. These illnesses, particularly vector-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya, have placed enormous strain on the public healthcare system, while simultaneously sparking widespread concern among the population. College of Medical Laboratory Science and the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors have more..

May 16 (CT) Honouring the fallen friends, family members and comrades of any armed conflict, irrespective of where the common perception with regard to the good and the bad lie, is a right of every victim. However, using this right to spread misinformation, promote separatism, misappropriate the scope of victims, and endorse political propaganda shouldn’t be encouraged. Unfortunately, though, the intentions behind the recent unveiling of the long-awaited Tamil Genocide Memorial more..

May 15 (AD) Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pilleyan, has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court through his legal counsel. The petition seeks an order declaring that his arrest and detention by the CID for the purpose of questioning constitutes a violation of his Fundamental Rights. The petitioner is seeking a ruling that the CID’s decision to arrest and detain him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), in connection with the abduction more..

May 15 (DM) Referring to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake's statement on forming administrations in local councils, former MP M.A. Sumanthiran remarked that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Sumanthiran stated that Prez Dissanayake threatens he has a two-thirds majority in Parliament and also refers to the executive power vested in him. "Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake threatens that he has a two-thirds majority in Parliament—and strangely (or is it?) more..

May 15 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake has approved the establishment of dedicated anti-corruption investigation units within provincial councils and local govt institutions, aiming to combat corruption and administrative inefficiencies. The decision follows a request by provincial governors during a high-level discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today. Prez emphasised that provincial governors bear more..

May 15 (CI) Tim Boon, the former Leicestershire and England Under-19 head coach, has been recruited as a coach and high-performance consultant by SLC, on a one-month contract effective from May 8. Boon, who was also England's team analyst under Duncan Fletcher during the 2005 Ashes win, will work as a batting consultant for the SL Women's senior and A-team squads, as well as the men's emerging team and the SL U-17s. His programme will include "technical and tactical sessions more..

May 15 (CB) Former SL wicketkeeper Pubudu Dassanayake has been appointed as the head coach of USA men's team. The announcement from USA Cricket confirms his second stint as the men's team head coach after being at the helm between 2016 and 2019. Dassanayake, 54, is a familiar face in the associate coaching world having previously coached teams like Canada and Nepal. His latest assignment with Canada saw him take charge of the national team from July 2022 until more..

May 15 (DM) Vehicle sellers in SL are currently grappling with an overwhelming demand for new vehicles, despite the persistently high prices of imported units, the VIASL President Prasad Manage said. Manage said that a total of 5,000 vehicles have been imported into the country over the past three months, and over 3,000 of them have already been sold. “The prices of imported vehicles are currently high, but more..

May 15 (IFJ) The new SL govt led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been criticised for failing to address concerns from civil society about his govt’s willingness to foster more inclusive and accountable governance through citizen participation. International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, SL Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) and Free Media Movement (FMM) in urging the new govt to heed civil society calls to bring the country forward on critical reforms. more..

May 15 (NW) The Cabinet has granted approval to relax restrictions on salt imports, allowing for the temporary importation of both iodized and non-iodized salt. According to a statement from the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, the decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting held today (15). The approval is valid until June 10 and covers iodized salt for food consumption as well as non-iodized salt required for industrial purposes. more..

May 15 (DM) Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has launched an investigation into claims by underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias Harak Kata, who alleged that he is being detained in Tangalle after refusing to pay a Rs. 300 million bribe. Wickremeratne claimed the bribe was allegedly demanded by former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. He made the allegations on Wednesday while being escorted by police more..

May 15 (AD) The recording of evidence related to the suicide of a young girl in Kotahena was held before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today. The evidence was recorded before Acting Colombo Magistrate Sampath Jayawardena. Testimonies were recorded under the supervision of the Kotahena Police. First, a testimony was taken from the President of the association at the apartment complex where the deceased girl had resided. Subsequently, the testimony of the girl’s more..

May 15 (USE) US Embassy in Sri Lanka has provided state-of-the-art radiation and chemical detection equipment valued at $1 million (Rs. 299 mil) to SL Navy, significantly boosting the country’s capacity to detect and respond to nuclear, radiological, and chemical threats in its maritime domain. This advanced equipment, supplied through the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and more..

May 15 (Island) The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo, commemorated the 164th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate, poet, philosopher, and visionary, with a vibrant evening of intellectual and artistic homage on May 8. The Indian HC press release: ” The celebration commenced with a lecture by renowned academic and cultural commentator Prof. Praneeth Abhayasundara more..

May 15 (Island) Former Minister Ali Sabry, PC, has issued a statement criticising Canada for the recent opening of what was called Tamil genocide memorial in Canada. The ex-parliamentarian said: “If ever there was a genocide in Sri Lanka, it was the LTTE’s brutal ethnic cleansing of Muslims and Sinhalese from the Northern Province. In October 1990, Muslims, fellow minorities, were given just 24 hours to pack up and leave their ancestral homes. Over 75,000 people were expelled. more..

May 15 (CT) A large-scale racket involving the sale of fertiliser containing a low percentage of nitrogen as fertiliser with a high percentage, was uncovered in Siripura, Polonnaruwa, yesterday. The large-scale businessman had allegedly sold fertiliser containing 21% nitrogen, as fertiliser containing 46% nitrogen, after repackaging it in new bags. He had sold them to farmers at a high price while purchasing fertiliser with 21% nitrogen at a very low cost. more..

May 15 (PMD) Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to SL presented their credentials to Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake today at the Presidential Secretariat. The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, Argentine Republic, Republic of Zimbabwe, Republic of Philippines, Republic of Tajikistan, Kingdom of Cambodia, and Kingdom of Denmark. Accordingly: Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of Argentine more..

May 15 (AD) The SLPP has decided not to attend today’s special meeting to be held among representatives of the opposition parties to discuss ways to establish power within local govt bodies, where the NPP does not hold a majority. Leaders of opposition political parties yesterday reached an agreement on establishing control over all local govt bodies, including municipal and urban councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas where opposition parties’ collectively have a majority. more..

May 15 (CI) SL wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis will replace Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans squad for the IPL playoffs. Kusal Mendis had been at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Quetta Gladiators until last week, playing as their wicketkeeper-batter. He'd last played for them on May 7. But ESPNcricinfo has learned he will not travel to Pakistan for the remainder of the PSL due to perceived safety concerns, and has now pivoted to playing in the IPL, a league in which he more..

May 15 (NW) Sarvajana Balaya Leader, MP Dilith Jayaweera, says he has requested the UNP to correct their statement mentioning his name, adding that the claim that they had contacted him via telephone during a recent meeting was false. Issuing a statement on social media, MP Jayaweera said the UNP had claimed that he had participated via telephone call in a meeting chaired by UNP Leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with several other opposition parties. more..

May 15 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that it is the responsibility of ambassadors to convey SL’s ongoing political transformation to the international community and to elevate the country’s image on the global stage. Prez made these remarks during a meeting held today with the newly appointed state diplomats assigned to Foreign Service. He invited the newly appointed Diplomats to act as stakeholders of this political more..

May 15 (CI) In the lead-up to the WTC final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's from June 11, ESPNcricinfo, Star Sports and JioHotstar are inviting you to help us pick the greatest Test of the 21st century. There are 32 contenders, with two Tests pitted against each other until we identify the winner. Get voting now! The Perera miracle in Durban, 2019: SL were enduring a tough time heading into this series. They were coming off a 2-0 pummeling in Australia, their captain had been sacked, more..

May 15 (AD) The GovPay facility, introduced to streamline and modernize government service payments, currently covers 16 major state institutions and is accessible to the public via www.govpay.lk. The latest phase of this digital transformation was marked at a ceremony held today at the Supreme Court Complex, under the patronage of Chief Justice Murdu Fernando. Legal professionals and officials from the ICTA and LankaPay also attended the event. more..