Sri Lanka tourist arrivals top 1 million

Sri Lanka crossed the 1 million mark in international tourist arrivals for 2025 as of May 23, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed, hitting the milestone nearly a month earlier than in 2024 and returning to pre-pandemic levels last seen in 2018.

Govt. considers pact termination with over US $ 40 million compensation for fresh deal

The government mulls termination of the current project for the construction of the Kadawatha - Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway with a payment of over US $ 40 million as compensation to the project company, and renegotiate a new deal under fresh terms for execution, an official said.

Sri Lanka facing complicated weather conditions?

A number of phenomena have led to the current rainy weather conditions with enhanced Southwest monsoon conditions making the greatest contribution, a spokesman from the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Rs. 55,000 fine for riding on single wheel

A young man who showed his prowess by raising the front wheel and riding the motorcycle on single wheel in a public road was fined Rs, 55,000 and severely reprimanded by Kuliyapitiya magistrate Randika Lakmal Jayalath.

CSE ends on positive note, recording Rs. 18 Bn in turnover

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today, marked by a significant increase in market activity. The highlight of the day was the exceptional turnover, which reached a yearly high of LKR 18.709 billion.

Jaishankar thanks Sri Lankan delegation for condemning Pahalgam terror attack

Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for a visiting Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation following their strong condemnation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir.

Consumer Affairs Authority warns of toxic skin creams

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a stern public warning following laboratory tests that uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metals in several skin creams and lotions currently sold in the Sri Lankan market.

Colombo bourse records highest daily turnover for 2025

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) posted its highest daily turnover for the year today, reaching Rs. 18.7 billion.

Lotus Road closed

Lotus Road in Colombo Fort has been closed to vehicular traffic due to a protest march organized by the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), causing severe traffic congestion in the area.

Parties urged to submit final nominations ahead of deadline

The Election Commission has issued an urgent reminder to all political parties and independent groups to submit the names of their elected representatives to local government bodies including the mandatory female members by midnight on May 30, 2025.

Probe launched after 12-year-old student commits suicide

The Ambalangoda Police launched an investigation after a 12-year-old school student reportedly commited suicide.

Minister evades media attempt to extract apology

During the media briefing to announce Cabinet decisions, Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayastissa evaded answering a question whether he still regrets his criticism of the release of Rs. 5.5 million from the President’s Fund to late cinema icon Malani Fonseka, who once served as a parliamentarian.

Assistant Controller of Immigration remanded

Anura Sampath Bandara, Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, was ordered to be remanded till May 29 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela, over the alleged issuing of three forged forged passports to an organised criminal ’Kehelbaddara Padme.’

Heavy rains wreak havoc in central hills

The inclement weather currently experienced in the western slopes of the central hills has caused havoc today causing a disastrous situation and obstructing civilian life.

Mervin Silva indicted

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has filed indictments against former Minister Mervin Silva, accusing him of accumulating unexplained assets and funds amounting to over Rs. 153 million during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Public Relations.

Poovarasankulam Police OIC remanded over bribery allegations

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Poovarasankulam Police Station in Vavuniya was today ordered to be remanded till June 6 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali over allegations of soliciting a bribe.

State funeral cannot take away insults on Malini while she was alive: MP

The state funeral accorded to the Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema, Malini Fonseka cannot be erased by the insult cast on her while she was living, an Opposition MP said today.

Naval, fishing communities advised not to venture into sea until further notice

Naval and fishing communities have been advised by the Meteorogy Department not to venture into the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankesanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambanthota, until further notice.

Chikungunya not declared as epidemic: Minister

The Chikungunya outbreak in the country has not been declared as an epidemic situation by the Health Ministry, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

CID arrests Immigration Asst. Controller for providing three passports to ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’

An Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration was arrested by the CID this morning for allegedly issuing three fake passports to underworld operative ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, the police said.

Starlink satellite delay due to technical issues on previous agreements: Nalinda

The introduction of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet services are being delayed due to some technical issues on the agreements reached during the tenure of the previous government, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Cabinet nod to recruit over 15,000 to state sector

The Cabinet has approved the recruitment of 15,073 for state sector vacancies on the recommendation of the committee to review the recruitment process and staff management in the public service.

Marine Drive to be developed ’Marine Nights, Awakening Colombo’ theme

The Cabinet has approved the proposal to develop the Marine Drive from the Kollupitiya Railway Station to Dehiwala under the theme ’Marine Nights, Awakening Colombo’, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Government revokes Gazette on land settlement in North

The government has revoked the Gazette issued on March 28, 2025 over the land settlement in the Northern Province.

Three Lankans arrested for attempting to cross Qafë border in Albania

Three Sri Lankan citizens have been arrested by the Police in Korça, Albania after attempting to cross Qafë border close to Albania and North Macedonia border with suspected forged documents.

Man who stole gems from Buddha shrine arrested

A man who broke into the shrine of a vihara in Laggala and had stolen four precious stones, was arrested by police today while in possession of a shotgun and the stolen gems.

EC firm on legal action against LG Polls candidates from tomorrow onwards

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka is firm on taking legal action against the candidates of the recently concluded Local Government polls if their campaign finance details were not submitted before midnight today, a senior official said yesterday.

Coconut prices surge due to auction practices – Coconut Cultivation Board

As per the Coconut Cultivation Board. The main reason for the sustained high coconut prices in the local market has been identified as the pricing practices of intermediaries at government coconut auctions.

Chikungunya, Dengue surge; local authorities fail in clean–up

The political parties and independent groups that won the recent local authorities’ election are scrambling to form administrations. Once back in office, they are going to be entrusted with a key responsibility- the eradication of mosquito breeding places. One wonders whether they will act with the same zest and zeal at a time when the country is witnessing a surge in the number of Chikungunya and Dengue cases.

MP Rohini Kaviratne calls for Amicable solution to the party crisis

While stating that almost all Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) organisers are frustrated because their nominees cannot all be accommodated in local bodies, MP Rohini Kaviratne yesterday said both the party leadership and the organisers should engage in dialogue to reach an amicable solution.