May 5 (CT) Another university student has tragically passed away due to ragging at a State university — this time, at the Sabaragamuwa University. The second-year student, according to reports, was severely and brutally ragged, bullied, and assaulted by senior students. Unable to bear the torture and humiliation, the student took his own life after returning home. This heartbreaking incident is not the first of its kind. Sri Lankan State universities have turned into torture chambers. more..

May 5 (TM) With the dust of the May Day rallies settling and the usual post-mortems taking place as to which political party’s rally was the biggest, this annual contest has assumed a new significance this time around, owing to the election that is to take place on Tuesday. Parties, especially the ruling NPP, are pointing to the crowds and forecasting victory – a landslide at the Local Govt Elections too. Tuesday’s election will be the first Local Govt Poll in seven years, a period during which more..

May 5 (TM) The May Day procession is first heard, before it comes into view of the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Polwatte. Drummers and Kandyan dancers lead, followed by nearly 30 priests, a red scarf with the hammer and sickle donning their white robes. In the comfortable neighbourhood of Kollupitiya, workers from all faiths gather under the cross inside the church for a workers’ mass. more..

May 5 (DM) Some ideas simmer in our national imagination for years, if not for decades, before they gain fruition. A development bank for SL has not just been an idea, but was formed, dissolved and re-imagined time and again since Independence. In this context, National Budget for 2025 states that the Govt is working towards setting up a development bank: “As a first step, the function of a development bank through a new administrative structure will be established through the existing state bank more..

May 5 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s 2025 May Day speech, delivered at the NPP rally, marked a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s post-independence political journey. Addressing a large and enthusiastic crowd, the Prez laid out a bold vision for national reform, social equity, and genuine unity across all communities. In a historic first, the speech was simultaneously translated into Tamil, symbolizing a renewed commitment to inclusivity and reconciliation. more..

May 5 (CT) A troubling case of an unjustified payment to a Chinese fertiliser company has resurfaced, revealing that SL — amid its worst financial crisis and severe fuel shortages in 2021 — paid Rs 1.4 billion for a shipment of fertiliser, even though the order had been cancelled after the product was found to be contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella. Despite the fertiliser being deemed unfit for use, Govt was forced to compensate more..

May 5 (DM) Another May Day has come and gone, with the governing party commanding impressive attendance, filling the Galle Face Green for the second time in five years. This robust showing arrives in stark contrast to recent history, when the former Prez wisely prohibited such gatherings under his Clean the Green concept. May Day is an alien concept; hence it cannot be declared as a public holiday. This was the dismissive reply the Ceylon Labour Party, under the leadership of more..

May 5 (DM) Tomorrow (6) Lankans of voting age, will once again wend their way to polling stations for the third time in seven months. This time around, voters will participate in the long delayed local govt elections. Govt has also promised Indian premier Modi to hold Provincial Council elections as per requirements of the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987 early next year. We are seemingly faced with a Hobson’s choice. Our past ruling political parties have been riddled with corruption. more..

May 4 (ST) In a bid to gauge its grassroots mandate, the NPP/JVP govt is facing its first countrywide popularity test. On Tuesday, May 6, 17,156,338 registered voters will head to the polls to choose councillors for 339 local councils—a decisive measure of the administration’s appeal from the village level up. The voter strength, now updated every three months, makes it the biggest election in SL, EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake said. more..

May 4 (Island) CIABOC sources said that plans were afoot to file charges in connection with 15 major fraud and corruption cases in the near future. The Commission sources said that these cases stem from thorough investigations into complaints that had previously gone unexamined, with recent file reviews prompting the decision to proceed with legal action. The forthcoming charges are based on detailed inquiries that uncovered substantial evidence pointing to serious misconduct. more..

May 4 (DM) There is a weakness in the initial agreement we made with Starlink, as it does not grant us access to its data systems in the event of a national security issue, unlike the arrangements we have with existing telecom providers in SL, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He explained that the govt was able to uncover several security threats—such as the Arugam Bay incident and the recent court shooting—because it has access to local telecom systems, under legal permissions more..

May 4 (TM) The CPC is currently assessing the technical feasibility of importing petroleum products from the United States as part of a broader effort to expand supply options in line with emerging trade opportunities between the two countries. CPC Managing Director explained that while Sri Lanka primarily sourced its fuel from the region, the corporation was open to considering US imports if logistical, commercial conditions were viable. more..

May 4 (SO) SL and China have reached an agreement on tax concessions for a proposed $3.7 billion oil refinery in Hambantota, marking a milestone in the long-delayed investment by Chinese energy giant Sinopec. Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said that tax terms were finalised, with only one key issue pending, the volume of fuel that can be released to the domestic market. Minister said that the Sinopec project, which has doubled in scope since its initial announcement, more..

May 4 (DM) SL-born Cassandra Fernando has been re-elected to the Australian Parliament following the federal election. Labor’s Cassandra Fernando has won her second term as the Minister for Holt Fernando celebrated the victory with her team on the election night, with the room erupting in cheers and applause. Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale were also present to witness the victory. Emotions were at their highest among the crowd when the TV projected more..

May 4 (TM) PUCSL has officially requested the CEB to submit updated and accurate financial statistics to assess the status of the Bulk Supply Transaction Bank Account (BSTBA), as discussions continue over a potential electricity tariff revision. PUCSL Corporate Communications Director confirmed that the commission had called for the revised figures to determine whether the BSTBA balance had fallen below the critical Rs. 15 billion threshold – a level which, under regulatory guidelines, more..

May 4 (EN) State-owned SriLankan Airlines said its flight from Chennai went through a mandatory security checks due to an alert regarding a suspect wanted in India who was believed to be on board, the state-run airline said. “Airlines wishes to inform the public that Flight UL 122, operated by aircraft 4R-ALS, which arrived in Colombo from Chennai at 11:59 hrs today (3), was subjected to a comprehensive security search upon arrival,” SriLankan Airline said in a statement. more..

May 4 (ST) Next week (May 7), on the eve of Vesak, Sotheby’s, the well-known British-founded brokers of fine arts, collectibles, and jewellery, will auction a collection of more than 300 sacred Buddhist relics unearthed in 1898 from the ancient Piprahwa stupa in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India, amidst an outcry of dissent and condemnation from Buddhist groups in the UK and elsewhere. These artefacts comprise gemstones originally more..

May 4 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake departed for Vietnam a short while ago, commencing his official state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. At the invitation of the Prez of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is undertaking a state visit to Vietnam from May 4 to 6. This visit marks the celebration of 55 years of diplomatic relations between SL and Vietnam and is expected to further strengthen the long-standing bilateral ties between the two nations. more..

May 4 (DM) A bold anti-corruption initiative has been officially launched at Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT), marking a significant step toward transparency and accountability in one of the country’s most publicly accessed institutions, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said. Under the slogan Zero Tolerance – No Bribing!, the campaign aims to eradicate long-standing corrupt practices that have plagued the DMT for years. In a major move, CCTV cameras are set to be installed within the next few weeks, more..

May 4 (AD) Anudi Gunasekara, a Sri Lankan model and social activist, is set to represent Sri Lanka at the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant, scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, on 31 May 2025. A passionate advocate for social change, Gunasekara’s Beauty with a Purpose project, titled Saheli, focuses on addressing period poverty in Sri Lanka. Her initiative aims to improve menstrual health and hygiene for underprivileged women and girls across the country. more..

May 4 (Island) Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has launched a recruitment initiative aimed at addressing critical shortages in university academic staff across the country. Deputy Minister Dr. Madura Seneviratne said that the recruitment process is being implemented at the university level to ensure that pressing needs are addressed efficiently and in alignment with institutional priorities. The move comes in response to growing concerns more..

May 4 (TM) 3-member committee appointed to investigate the death of a student at the Sabaragamuwa Uni will initiate criminal action under the Anti-Ragging Act if it is determined that the death occurred as a result of ragging, according to Ministry of Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa. “The committee has been established in compliance with the act and it will function with the powers vested in it by the act. more..

May 4 (ST) Bangladesh U-19s delivered a masterclass in batting prowess, securing a comprehensive 146-run victory over SL U-19s in their fourth Youth ODI at the CCC ground yesterday. With this emphatic win, the visitors have established a commanding 3-1 lead in the six-match youth ODI series. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh constructed a formidable innings, amassing an imposing 336 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs before bowling hosts out for paltry 190 more..

May 4 (ST) Women working in Sri Lanka’s key export industries numbering nearly 1 million are likely to face job cuts and loss of incomes if the 44% US tariffs imposed on the country comes into effect at the end of the 90-day pause. Women in SL are employed in some of the main industries that generate the largest revenue to the country. These women produce apparel, tea, gems, rubber & cinnamon that form the key industries exporting to the US market, more..

May 4 (TM) Sri Lanka is on the cusp of securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for Ceylon golden pineapple, with only the final registration process remaining, the Govt reveals. Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Director – Coconut and Minor Crops R.C. Watawala stated that they had completed all preparatory work necessary for securing GI status for Ceylon golden pineapple and that what remained was more..

May 4 (NW) Australia’s SL-born population reached a record 172,800 in June 2024, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The figure represents a 9% increase from 158,300 in June 2023, reflecting strong post-pandemic migration trends. SL-born group now ranks as Australia’s 10th largest overseas-born population, moving up from 11th in 2023. It sits behind Malaysia-born residents (about 183,000) and ahead of several European-born groups. more..

May 4 (Island) Kelaniya Uni undergraduate Rasara Wijesuriya is set to become the first SL female athlete to compete in the two longest track events at the Asian Athletics C'ship outside SL. Athlete trained by veteran coach Sajith Jayalal established a new national record in the 10,000 metres in February this year prompting track and field authorities to shortlist her for the May 27-31 event taking place in Gumi, South Korea. Incidentally, it will be her first competition outside the country more..

May 4 (ST) Dinara de Silva, who bagged the ITF Junior Circuit J30 Week 1 Girl’s Singles title last week, kept up to her reputation when she succeeded to bag her second successive title when she came out victorious in the final of the Week 2 competition played at the SSC tennis courts yesterday. Dinara coasted to an easy 2-0 win over India’s Aleena Farid to gain a back-to-back title win. She coasted to an easy 7/3 win in the first set, and followed with an impressive 6/1 win to seal the deal. more..

May 4 (Island) SL’s First-Class cricket has long cried out for reform, and finally, some bold strokes are being played. The playing field has been trimmed down in recent seasons – deadwood cleared to raise the stakes. But the googly of the season was the axing of SSC, the grand old club with a trophy cabinet full of stars. It raised eyebrows, but the message from the top was loud and clear – no room for reputation alone. The long-term plan? Slim the domestic First-Class circuit to a lean, more..

May 4 (ST) Lanka Premier League (LPL) finds itself in unprecedented territory following the termination of franchise agreements with the Jaffna Kings and Colombo Strikers for violating contractual obligations. With these departures, SL’s premier T20 cricket tournament now faces a startling reality: not a single owner from its original lineup remains in the competition after just five seasons. LPL has seen a staggering more..

May 4 (Island) It is said that in times war laws fall silent. In SL, this much-quoted Ciceronian aphorism seems to hold true even in peacetime when politicians in power, their family members and supporters happen to be on the wrong side of the law. It was widely thought that last year’s regime change would bring about a radical change, and that unlike during past govts, the law would apply equally to everyone, but traffic laws apparently fell silent on the Southern Expressway on Thursday (01). more..

May 4 (Island) JVP-led NPP govt has made a dramatic pivot towards India, even utilizing legislative changes it once vehemently opposed. On Aug 19, 2023, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, then an opposition leader, criticized a MoU that then-Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had signed with India. “We must have the freedom to freely move our hands and legs! But with this agreement, we will be in a situation where we are unable… to take any political or economic decision” independently, he said more..