Sri Lanka’s economy expands 4.8% in 1Q25 on robust industrial activities

Sri Lanka’s economy expanded by 4.8 percent in the first quarter ended in March 2025, extending the recovery, which set off in the third quarter of 2023, the data released from the Census and Statistics Department showed.

SL will lay groundwork for a self-reliant economy by 2028: Prez

Sri Lanka would lay the groundwork for a self-reliant economy by 2028, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday, as the island nation works to break from cycles of economic fragility and external debt dependency.

Industrial activities pick up momentum despite slowing in April due to holidays

The industrial heft of the country, measured by the Index of Industrial Production, slipped in April from March, due to factory closures during the traditional new year holidays but the index was up from the same period a year ago, signalling that the activities are regaining strength.

Maithri leaves SLFP in CBK’s hands

Former President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have requested Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to take charge of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and rebuild it.

De Silva rues misses, confident about next WTC cycle

Taking inspiration from South Africa’s triumph at Lord’s, the Sri Lanka skipper is eyeing a similar victory for his side in the new World Test Championship cycle.

17th suspect remanded over Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder

Sugath Abeysinghe, the 17th suspect in the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, was ordered to be remanded till June 20 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali.

Current programme undertaken with IMF will be final: President

Sri Lanka aims to make the ongoing Extended Fund Facility of the International Fund Facility (IMF) the final programme undertaken with the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

CSE decline continues as geopolitical tensions intensify

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended the day on a negative note, marking its second consecutive session of decline, as investor sentiment remained weighed down by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Sajith slams CMC over irregular leadership appointment

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over how the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) recently appointed its leadership, saying it was done by ignoring proper rules and guidelines.

Govt suspends Israel employment amid tensions

The government has temporarily suspended the deployment of Sri Lankans for employment in Israel due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said.

50mm rainfall forecast over next 36 hours: Meteorology Department

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory forecasting intermittent showers in several parts of the country over the next 36 hours, with the possibility of heavy rainfall in certain areas.

Attorney General to raise objections against FR petitions challenging legality of Sri Lanka-India MoUs

The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that it expects to file objections to two Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of the recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and India.

Chemical leak reported at Jayewardenepura Medical Faculty

A chemical leak was reported this morning at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, prompting swift action from emergency services.

Sri Lankans can enter Israel via Jordan, Egypt: Ambassador

Sri Lankans wishing to travel to Israel or return from Israel to Sri Lanka can obtain short-term visas at border crossings near the city of Eilat and enter Israel via neighboring countries, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel Nimal Bandara said.

Investigators find cockpit voice recorder from crashed Air India flight

Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the crashed Air India flight, a key step in uncovering what caused last week’s deadly accident.

WhatsApp hotline to report abuse of elders

The Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry has introduced a dedicated WhatsApp number to report cases of abuse against adults, particularly elderly individuals neglected by their children.

Batticaloa medical doctor arrested for selling psychoactive drugs to youth

A medical doctor who was running a dispensary in the Kiran area of Batticaloa was arrested for allegedly selling psychoactive drugs to youths.

Dr. Gita Gopinath meets President Dissanayake and CBSL Governor

First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dr. Gita Gopinath met with President Anura Dissanayake and Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe in Colombo today for high-level discussions on the country’s economic reform efforts.

New domestic airline gains AOC for Colombo–Jaffna passenger operations

David Peiris Aviation (Pvt) Ltd, a newly established domestic airline and a subsidiary of the David Peiris Group, has officially received its Aircraft Operator Certificate (AOC) and operations specifications (Ops-Specs) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) to operate scheduled domestic passenger flights after obtaining the Airline License.

Air India Dreamliner returns to Hong Kong after technical issue mid-air

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane bound for New Delhi returned to its origin of Hong Kong as a precautionary measure on Monday after a technical issue was suspected mid-air, the latest incident affecting the airline in recent days.

Colombo mayoral vote unfair, alleges SJB’s Riza Zarook

Defeated Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) mayoral candidate Riza Zarook has accused the Commissioner of the Department of Local Government for the Western Province of acting unfairly during the election to appoint the new Mayor of Colombo held this morning.

SJB suspends six of its members in Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjit Madumma Bandara announced today that the party membership of six members in Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha have been suspended for going against the party decision in electing the chairman.

Trump administration weighs adding 36 countries to travel ban, memo says

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is considering significantly expanding its travel restrictions by potentially banning citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the United States, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.

Hemantha Kumara elected Deputy Mayor of CMC

Hemantha Kumara of the National People’s Power (NPP) was proposed as the Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council and was elected unopposed.

Vraie Cally Balthazaar elected Colombo Mayor

Vraie Cally Balthazaar of the National People’s Power (NPP) has been elected as the new Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council following a secret ballot held this morning.

Secret vote underway to elect Colombo Mayor

A secret vote is currently underway to elect the Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Lufthansa flight makes u-turn mid-air over bomb threat, denied Hyderabad landing

A Lufthansa flight bound for Hyderabad was forced to make a U-turn and landed back at Frankfurt Airport on Sunday evening after passengers were informed that it had not received “permission to land” in India.

Tensions flare at Colombo Municipal Council’s first sitting

The newly elected Colombo Municipal Council convened for its inaugural session this morning (June 16) at the Town Hall following the Local Government (LG) elections held on May 6.

Assets of 88 crime and fraud suspects seized

The Sri Lanka Police have frozen the assets of 88 individuals linked to organized crime and financial fraud.

Trump told Israel not to kill Iran’s supreme leader - report

US President Donald Trump rejected a plan by Israel to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, three US officials have told BBC’s US partner CBS News.