May 12 (EN) Departures for foreign employment in 2024 hit a new record of 314,828, up 5.8% from a year ago and topping the 310,953 seen in 2022, after a severe currency collapse. Official worker remittances grew by 10.1% to US$ 6.6 billion, with most the money coming from currency board like regimes in the Middle East. SL saw low number of departures during Coronavirus crises but remittances; officially & unofficially continued more..

May 12 (AD) Investigations are underway to determine whether the cause of the bus accident that occurred at Gerandi Ella in Kotmale this morning (11) was due to the driver’s negligence or due a technical defect in the bus, Police Media Spokesman, SSP Buddhika Manatunga, said. The Kotmale Police is conducting further investigations into the accident. It has been reported that the death toll from the accident has increased to 21. A total of 16 men & 5 women are among the dead, more..

May 12 (PMD) Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, which marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Lord Buddha, is a day of profound significance for Buddhists worldwide. It was on such a sacred Vesak Day that the Buddha, having fulfilled the Perfections (Pāramitās), vanquished the forces of Māra, cultivated wisdom through the Middle Path, realised the Four Noble Truths and eradicated all defilements to attain Supreme Enlightenment (Sammā Sambuddha). more..

May 12 (CI) India posted the highest women's ODI score in Sri Lanka, and their fourth-highest total in the format, which set them up for a statement win in the tri-series final in Colombo. After piling on the runs, they dismissed SL for 245 to underline their dominance over a side they have only lost to three times in 34 completed ODIs. Smriti Mandhana scored her 11th ODI century, and first against SL, and was the senior partner in the 2 stands more..

May 12 (AD) Millennium Project, a leading global think tank on future studies and foresight, has appointed Asanga Abeyagoonasekera to its Board of Directors as an Ex-officio member—marking the first time a Sri Lankan has joined the board. The appointment recognizes his outstanding contributions to the South Asia network of the institute. Abeyagoonasekera, joined the Millennium Project in 2022 as a Senior Fellow. He currently serves as Executive Director of SAFN, more..

May 12 (PMD) I warmly welcome the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. An immediate ceasefire is not just an urgent need to spare innocent lives on both sides; it is also a necessary first step in achieving lasting peace and regional stability. Leaders of India and Pakistan must be commended for replacing guns with words before a conflagration broke out. This willingness to compromise demonstrates their wisdom and statesmanship. As a neighbour and friend of India & Pakistan, more..

May 12 (EN) SL’s potential in poultry exports is blocked due to maize import restrictions, Ceylon Grain Elevators, a feed miller and poultry company said amid import duties and licensing. “…[E]xport market opportunities present significant growth potential for the poultry industry with the expectation of positive support from the govt,” Ceylon Grain Elevator told shareholders in the annual report. “It is anticipated that the authorities will grant the permits to import maize in a timely manner more..

May 12 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Wednesday approved publishing a draft bill amending the Samurdhi Act No. 1 of 2013 in the Govt Gazette, as revised by the Divinaguma (Amd) Act No. 2 of 2017 and to subsequently submit the same to Parliament for its approval. “The proposed amendments aim to bring Samurdhi community-based banks and banking societies under the purview of Govt audit,” Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said at post-Cabinet meeting media briefing. more..

May 12 (CT) In recent months, SL has witnessed an alarming resurgence of pyramid scheme-related controversies, drawing thousands into financial ruin while those allegedly responsible remain untouched by law. Despite repeated warnings from the Central Bank and growing public outrage, the issue has turned into a national scandal, marked by accusations of political complicity, lack of law enforcement, and more..

May 12 (ST) Hearing Sri Lanka’s opposition parties in the South jubilantly crowing about a win in Thursday’s local govt elections, one would think that a magnificent feat had been accomplished on its part in reducing votes cast for the ruling NPP. That is far from the case. An appeal was made directly to the people by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to vote sweepingly for his candidates as this was essential to fully carry out the party’s popular mandate. more..

May 12 (Island) A tragic road accident near Kotmale claimed 21 lives yesterday and left 35 others seriously injured. Disaster struck when a state-owned bus plying from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya, veered off a winding road and plunged down a precipice. Yesterday’s tragedy has jolted politicians and officials alike into action, but it is bound to be forgotten soon. SL lacks a proper national strategy to prevent road fatalities. Hardly a day passes without a fatal traffic accident more..

May 12 (TM) Just as Sri Lankans were collectively drawing a sigh of relief with signs that a ceasefire would come into effect between our Indian ocean neighbours; India and Pakistan, two events at home shook Lankans back to the bitter realities we face as a nation. On Friday, an Air Force helicopter crashed into Maduru Oya reservoir claiming the lives of 6 armed forces personnel. Yesterday, a calm long weekend Sunday ahead of Vesak week was shattered with news of a SLTB bus veering off more..

May 12 (Island) Of all women down the ages, including present times, I most admire Yashodara of 2,600 years ago. I revere her too and strongly empathize with her. If the latter part of my statement implies hubris in me or in plain language makes me a presumptions upstart, none of those accusations are justified. She was a human being and so I can equalize myself to the extent of stating I empathize with her. Yashodara, in the Buddhist stories we absorbed and sermons we listened to, more..

May 12 (TM) In a decision already drawing sharp criticism, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has confirmed it will grant Waivers of Registration (WORs) for unregistered pharmaceutical products to be imported under Govt’s proposed Govt-to-Govt (G2G) procurement agreements. Announcement has sparked fresh controversy within the pharmaceutical industry, rekindling concerns over regulatory bypasses more..

May 12 (CT) In my last column on the recent history of Ceylon, specifically since the beginning of the twentieth century up to now, I related the storied flow of events which could be eventually the product of the then prevalent sociopolitical circumstances, both objective and subjective. However, that particular historical context was partly a creation of the then leaders of our national life. The leading Tamils were the two Ponnambalam brothers, Ramanathan and Arunachalam, followed by GG Ponnambalam, more..

May 12 (CT) Vesak or Vaishakha, also known as Buddha Poornima, is the most important and sacred religious celebration in the Theravāda Buddhist world. Mahāyāna Buddhists too usually celebrate the Buddha’s birthday on the same day as Theravāda Vesak. For Theravādins, Vesak marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha, the enlightenment of ascetic Siddhartha, and the Parinibbāna of the Buddha. This day is celebrated with decorations, offerings, rituals, and spiritual practices across the globe. more..

May 12 (DN) The full moon day in May holds profound significance in Buddhism. It commemorates three pivotal events in the life of Prince Siddhartha Gautama: his birth, enlightenment, and passing, all of which occurred on the same day. Buddhism is a deeply spiritual tradition grounded in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, born in 653 B.C. in Lumbini, Nepal. Throughout its 2,600-year history, Buddhism has transformed into more..

May 12 (DM) Each year, Vesak arrives with its familiar rhythm—lanterns lighting up homes and temples, children dressed in white visiting Dansal stalls, families tuning into televised sermons. It is a cherished moment of cultural unity, a rare occasion when the island’s often fractured psyche seems to settle into quiet reverence. But beneath the surface, there is an uncomfortable question we seem determined not to ask: Have we reduced the Buddha to an icon, while forgetting his message? more..

May 12 (DM) One of the most attention-grabbing elements of Trump’s presidency has been his aggressive stance on trade, particularly the so-called Tariff War — a mantra repeated loudly from the day of his inauguration. The global response was immediate and intense: stock markets wobbled, world leaders panicked, and business communities from CEOs to small entrepreneurs braced for impact. Trump made it clear from the outset: countries with a positive trade balance more..

May 11 (ST) LG elections delivered a brutal reckoning for the NPP–JVP govt, as the public’s simmering frustration boiled over into the ballot box. Six months on, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration has suffered a staggering drop in support—one that can no longer be dismissed as midterm jitters. With just 4,503,930, or 43%, of the votes cast at the local council elections, the number speaks for itself: more..

May 11 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed the Police to carry out a formal and swift investigation into the incident involving the schoolgirl who took her own life in Kotahena recently, allegedly after being sexually assaulted by a school teacher. Instructions were given during a meeting held today (10) at the Office of the Prime Minister, chaired by PM Amarasuriya. The parents of the child and the police teams investigating the incident also attended the meeting. more..

May 11 (ST) Govt would have to revise electricity tariffs in a way that covers a Rs 25 billion loss before obtaining clearance from the IMF for the implementation of the new tariffs, a senior Treasury official said. He said the next review of the IMF is due in July, but the proposals should be sent by next month. The staff-level agreement with the IMF is contingent on two conditions, and one of them is the implementation of prior actions relating to restoring electricity cost-recovery pricing and more..

May 11 (TM) CEB is unlikely to receive an immediate 10% increase in electricity tariffs in June, despite Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent announcement, as Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) clarified that any revision required a formal tariff submission from the CEB. “We cannot act without a formal submission,” PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe said, referring to CEB’s failure to submit a more..

May 11 (SO) State Vesak Festival commenced yesterday in Nuwara Eliya. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended several events in this connection in Nuwara Eliya yesterday. A special commemorative stamp was also issued. This marked the beginning of Vesak Week, which will continue till May 16. Religious, cultural, and social programs will take place across SL during the Vesak Week. All wine stores, nightclubs, slaughterhouses, meat stalls in supermarkets, more..

May 11 (CT) National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said that by midnight on Thursday (8), the total number of reported dengue cases in the country had risen to a startling 19,039. The highest number of cases was recorded in April (5,175) and January (4,936), while the first two weeks of May alone accounted for 1,493 cases. The only small comfort is that there have been just seven dengue-related deaths reported so far. Western Province accounted for 8,676 cases —approx. 45.5% of the total. more..

May 11 (DM) Police have launched an investigation to arrest Hayeshika Fernando, also known as Teacher Amma, a well-known tutor who conducts tuition classes for Grade 5 students, for allegedly assaulting a young man. Fernando is accused of kicking the victim in the testicles, leading to his admission to the Negombo Hospital for treatment. Following the incident, Fernando has fled the area. Her husband and her manager were arrested by the Katana Police in connection with the case. more..

May 11 (SO) Sri Lanka will meet India in the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series final at the R. Premadasa Int'l Cricket Stadium in Colombo today, commencing at 10 a.m. Entry to the final is free for the public with the gates opened from 9 a.m. SL will hope star batter Harshitha Samarawickrama continues to fire against India in key clashes as her 61-ball 53 played a pivotal role in the hosts’ win in a league match. Samarawickrama will also draw confidence from her match-winning knock more..

May 11 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has raised the alarm over a staggering Rs. 52 per unit discrepancy in the projected cost of electricity generation from the second 300 MW Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Combined Cycle Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy on 3 April, the commission has accused the ministry of presenting misleading figures to more..

May 11 (ST) The growing threat of the diversion of transshipment business to India has come closer to becoming a reality as the Vizhinjam Port in Kerala is set to ensure vessels reroute with no stops in Colombo. SL will be a feeder port as mother vessels will in time to come call in India, Global Shippers’ Forum Chairman Sean Van Dort said. The Colombo Port’s main business comes from transshipment operations to India and Bangladesh. He noted that SL needs to improve on its efficiency levels more..

May 11 (BBC) India and Pakistan have accused each other of violations hours after the two nations said they had agreed to a ceasefire following days of cross-border military strikes. After sounds of explosions were heard in Indian-administered Kashmir, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said there had been repeated violations of the understanding we arrived at. A short while later, Pakistan's foreign ministry said it remained "committed to faithful implementation of a more..

May 11 (Island) In view of the upcoming Vesak festival, all liquor outlets, bars, taverns, meat stalls, butcheries, horse race betting centres, casinos, and clubs will be closed for three days from tomorrow (May 12), Ministry of Public Administration announced. The closures, effective on May 12, 13, and 14, are part of the official Vesak Week (May 10–16), declared by Cabinet decision. A circular has been issued to relevant authorities, confirming the nationwide observance, Secretary to more..

May 11 (EN) Dialog Finance, a unit of Dialog Axiata said it had been hit by external financial fraud for which 29.9 million rupees had been provided. “The Company has identified a case of external financial fraud in June 2024 and steps were taken to immediately recover a portion of funds,” Dialog Finance said. “The Company has initiated legal action as per the advice of external legal counsel and currently working with law enforcement authorities to recover the remaining funds. more..