May 3 (Island) Sri Lanka’s new Interim Committee, helmed by Eran Wickramaratne, has walked out to bat amid a swell of cautious optimism, with cricket lovers hoping the ship can finally be steadied after years of choppy waters. Yet even before the ink has dried, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive, peddling the tired line that failure to hold elections within three months will invite an ICC suspension. That, to put it mildly, is a cock and bull story. Interim Committees are not alien to SLC, more..

May 3 (TM) In a sensational turn of events which almost went close to midnight on 25 April, former Sri Lanka rugby star Asanga Seneviratne unexpectedly grabbed the top position at the National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) – one of the nation’s most sought-after posts – for the body’s next four-year term at its AGM. Contest for the coveted post, vacated by the NOCSL’s outgoing President Suresh Subramaniam following a straight 8-year tenure, was initially deemed a five-pronged battle. more..

May 3 (ST) JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva participated in several of the 21 May Day rallies the ruling NPP held throughout the country on Friday. While addressing crowds during the party’s Kalutara rally, he took aim at the opposition and its anti-govt protests. “They get about 10-15 people together and come and shout at some junction or in front of a house, calling on people to come and topple the govt and to wage another Aragalaya (Struggle). more..

May 3 (Island) Up to now MR’s tenure had marked a commendable level of economic growth. Most countries that come out of long wars enter a period of growth since outlays on the military can be curtailed and capital and manpower can be invested in development projects. Lending agencies and investors too are more inclined to cooperate with a govt that had restored peace to the land. Accordingly several highway projects, work on ports and airports, transport and power were undertaken more..

May 3 (Island) Another May Day was drawing to a close, and the moon was waxing at the time of writing. A rare overlap of the International Labour Day and Poya, this year, left the public confused, with the second Poya in the current month being officially declared Vesak. Opinion is however divided on the issue. It is being argued in some quarters that Vesak fell yesterday. The ongoing debate on this issue is not likely to fizzle out. On watching various political circuses that more..

May 3 (ST) My dear Shammi, I thought of writing to you because the whole country is talking about you now. That is after you decided to resign after being in charge of cricket for over seven years. I’m sorry to say this, but most people are very happy to see you go. That must surely mean something. In recent years, there was a popular view that we can even change our country’s leaders and amend its Constitution but we can’t change you being in charge of our cricket. more..

May 3 (CT) The ousting of Shammi Silva and his executive committee isn’t just a change of guard; it is a long-overdue clean-bowled for an administration that spent too long playing for the wrong side. For years, the leadership at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been operating on a sticky wicket, struggling to justify a series of unforced errors that have left the nation’s most prized institution in a state of administrative collapse. While the board frames this exit as a voluntary move, more..

May 3 (CT) The show of power that was Int'l Labour Day clearly proved the sitting NPP Govt the winner. Nearly two years into their governance, the young govt, facing its worst test since taking power, made sure that the people and the naysayers in the Opposition did not enjoy the loss of support they wished upon it. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed a ground filled to capacity on Friday in Nuwara Eliya in a clear bid to assure more..

May 3 (ST) May Day – the day dedicated to the workers of the world, started in America – is now commemorated in that country in September as a public holiday. The significance of the day was to be taken over by the Marxist states of yesteryear, but they have since embraced private enterprise and given up massive political rallies, instead turning the day into one of festivities. Unfortunately, there is no international day dedicated to the unemployed. In SL, May Day became a political more..

May 3 (CT) The apparent suicide of an Assistant Director of the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance, who was among the four officials suspended over the alleged USD 2.5 million cyber fraud, adds personal tragedy to a growing public concern about the overall competence of the NPP govt and its stubborn inability to come clean, without having to be exposed, and explain the not infrequent infringements of govt protocols and procedures. more..

May 3 (TM) There is a certain rhythm now to the life of the Govt led by Prez AKD. It is one that is less about governance and more about endurance amidst multiple crises, some created by the ruling party and Govt members themselves. The cycle so far is one that follows the trend of a crisis that erupts, dominates public attention, is hurriedly contained most often by AKD’s direct intervention, and just as the dust begins to settle, more..

May 3 (TM) Power has a peculiar way of transforming those who wield it. For decades, JVP built its political identity not through governance, but through resistance. From its inception in the 1960s, the party’s central mission was opposition: to challenge, disrupt, and, when necessary, dismantle the authority of successive govts. That opposition has taken many forms – street protests, trade union action, mass mobilisations, and, at its most extreme, armed insurrections that left deep scars more..

May 3 (SO) SL marks World Press Freedom Day today (3), this year with a meaningful improvement. Country has climbed five places in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 134th out of 180 countries. This is an improvement from 2025, when SL ranked 139th. This upward movement, under the NPP Govt, suggests that the climate for journalists is beginning to change. Yet, no democratic society should mistake a better ranking for a settled achievement. A country placed 134th still has more..

May 2 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday said his govt remains firmly backed by the people and pledged sweeping action against corruption, declaring that 2026 would mark a turning point in holding offenders accountable. Addressing the May Day rally in Nuwara Eliya, President said the current administration was built and sustained by public support, describing it as the most trusted govt. He said the NPP-led govt more..

May 2 (AD) The death of the Assistant Director of the External Resources Dept of the Ministry of Finance, who had been interdicted in connection with the alleged misappropriation of USD 2.5 million linked to a cyber heist, has been confirmed as a suicide. SL Police said that a panel of Judicial Medical Consultants, appointed to conduct the post-mortem examination on the body of Assistant Director, concluded that all injuries were self-inflicted and that the death was due to suicide. more..

May 2 (DM) War risk insurance premiums for vessels operating in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf have surged by up to 50% with extreme cases reaching as high as three percent of vessel value per voyage due to recent escalations in the ongoing Middle East conflict, noted Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce SL (WCIC) Chairperson Gayani de Alwis. Moreover, according to de Alwis, geopolitical tensions around the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz are forcing global shipping more..

May 2 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has declared that the SJB and UNP have already united. He made these remarks while addressing the May Day rally held today (01) at the P.D. Sirisena Ground in Maligawatta, Colombo. During his speech, the Opposition Leader expressed his gratitude to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for sending a congratulatory message to the SJB May Day rally. more..

May 2 (AD) Marking the commencement of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage season, the first group of 325 SL pilgrims departed from BIA to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, today (01). A ceremony was held at the airport departure terminal to mark the occasion. The event was attended by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rizvie Salih, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to SL Khalid Hamoud Alkahtani, and senior officials of the SL Hajj Committee. Saudi Arabian Airlines operated a special inaugural flight for the group. more..

May 2 (Island) Coast Guard has rescued 19 individuals from drowning last month, including 14 foreign tourists and five locals. The rescues were carried out through a network of 16 lifeguard posts operated along key coastal areas, highlighting stepped-up beach safety measures amid increased tourist activity. Those rescued ranged in age from five to 62, and included nationals from France, Germany, Russia, India, Switzerland & Australia. Coast Guard has maintained a consistent more..

May 2 (DM) Cargills recently conducted the 10th Regional Sarubima Scholarship Award Ceremony in Thamuttegama for the financial year, with the first event held in Sept 2025. Ceremony was graced by Mahaweli Authority System H Residential Project Manager Thilak Ranasinghe as the chief guest. The event extended educational support to 112 children from farming families across the region, who are the children of Cargills’ valued farming partners. Scholarships were awarded under grade 5, more..

May 2 (DN) Sri Lanka won a gold medal and two silver medals and four bronze for the first time in history at Asian Beach Games concluded in Sanya, China finishing in 10th place in the points table which is a great achievement by Sri Lanka to finish among best ten countries. The sixth Beach Games featured 45 countries while SL for the first time won a total of seven medals, From 45 participating countries 31 nations won medals at this year’s Games, SL, which won only 2 bronze medals more..

Apr 2 (FT) Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma appeared before the CoPF yesterday, reversing an earlier refusal to attend, as lawmakers were told that 10 Govt debt repayment transactions totalling $ 2.5 million had been diverted over four months. What was initially presented as a single $ 2.5 million breach during a vulnerable transition has now been revealed as 10 separate payments over several months, more..

May 2 (FT) Sri Lanka’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell sharply in March, declining by 16 points to 70, marking the lowest level recorded since June 2024 and the steepest month-on-month drop since Jan 2021. The decline reflects mounting pressure on households amid rising living costs, energy-related concerns and heightened uncertainty in global markets linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The latest reading, while above the historic low of 56 recorded in June 2022, more..

May 2 (AD) High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, met with PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Temple Trees premises. Welcoming High Commissioner Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Govt of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to assistance provided following Cyclone Ditwah. more..

May 2 (NW) SL’s leading javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has climbed to 7th in the world rankings, marking a major milestone in his rapidly rising career. The latest ranking follows a string of impressive performances, including a standout showing last month at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, where he secured gold with a massive throw of 89.28 metres, setting a new meet record. He outperformed a strong international field that included Olympic champion Thomas Röhler more..

May 2 (FT) The Colombo stock market ended April in red yesterday with the indices recording overall gains during the month, with the ASPI making its biggest monthly gain since July 2025. During the month, ASPI and S&P SL20 gained 7% and 5.1% respectively, whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs. 3.66 billion, according to NDB Securities. Yesterday the indices closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as John Keells Holdings, Sampath Bank more..

May 2 (FT) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday underscored the transformative role of technology and process innovation in strengthening the performance of SL Customs, noting that ongoing digital initiatives could enhance operational efficiency, curb corruption and support trade facilitation. Addressing the launch of new technology-driven initiatives at SL Customs, Dr. Fernando said that while traditional more..

May 2 (Island) Media personnel covering the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) May Day rally were yesterday prevented from carrying out normal frontline coverage and were moved to the rear of the venue, prompting protests from journalists on the ground. Unlike previous rallies where media were permitted to operate from the front areas, reporters and photographers were, this time, restricted and asked to relocate to designated rear positions, officials and media personnel said. more..

May 2 (FT) Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC said it recorded a group revenue of Rs. 3,292 million and a group Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 1,926 million for the first quarter ending 31 March 2026. The depreciation of the rupee resulted in a net exchange loss of Rs. 68 million on foreign currency loans compared to a loss of Rs. 136 million in the same period of last year. The company-level revenue of Rs. 780 million at the World Trade Center, Colombo, was 11% higher than the corresponding more..

May 2 (SO) The recent and sudden closure of Mila Fashion (Pvt) Ltd, a garment factory in Sampathnuwara, Welioya has left nearly 300 garment workers without jobs, raising serious concerns about labour rights, employer conduct, and the protection of vulnerable workers in SL’s struggling apparel sector. Workers had received a 10-day holiday for the Sinhala & Tamil New Year only to find the gates of their workplace once described by more..

May 2 (ST) An awareness campaign is underway in the area around Uni of Peradeniya regarding the threat posed by leopards in the area and the safety measures that can be taken. Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust is carrying out the programme, Lead Researcher of the NGO Dr Andrew Kittle said. A leopard had taken a calf that belonged to the Uni of Peradeniya veterinary unit, and according to Dr Kittle, the incident had caused a lot of misinformation to be disseminated in social media. more..

May 2 (EN) Cabinet has approved a 225,000 dollar contract to procure 6,000 pre-filled syringes of Adalimumab, a drug used to treat chronic and autoimmune diseases, from India’s Reliance Life Sciences Pvt Ltd. The decision follows an international competitive bidding process where four bidders submitted proposals for the 40mg (0.8ml) syringes. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that the contract was awarded to Reliance Life Sciences as the lowest responsive bidder, more..