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Foreign delegates who were in Sri Lanka to take part in the 80th General Assembly and Congress of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) paid floral tributes yesterday at the National War Memorial on the Parliamentary grounds, as a mark of respect to Sri Lankan colleagues who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of [...]
India eyes dominance in Lanka’s minerals sector
High-level team here to explore cooperation; GSMB and Environment Ministry say they know nothing about MoU By Namini Wijedasa Indian mining companies led by India’s Mines Ministry visited Sri Lanka this week to look at potential collaborations in the mines and minerals sector even as the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB)—the primary government [...]
Chikungunya spread prompts travel warnings from US, Britain
By Kasun Warakapitiya The United States and Britain have issued updated travel advisories, warning their citizens against visiting Sri Lanka due to the rising number of chikungunya cases in the country. Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has included chikungunya as a “health risk” travellers would face in Sri Lanka. The US Centre for Disease Control [...]
CIABOC sleuths’ raid bares bribery network in Motor Traffic Department
By Ranjith Padmasiri A Bribery Commission raid at the Motor Traffic Department on Friday resulted in the detection of Rs. 4.1 million in cash in the office of a deputy commissioner, believed to be bundled for distribution among selected staff later in the day as part of collections from private parties during the week. Investigators [...]
Amendments seek sweeping changes to 2024 Electricity Act
Finance Ministry to play key role in setting tariffs By Namini Wijedasa The government’s new Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill ties the independent regulator to consulting the Ministry of Finance when setting tariffs, whereas existing legislation—passed last year—states that tariffs are required to be set “as prescribed by the regulator in accordance with the national [...]
Police come out in full force for Lankan contestant Anudi at Miss World
the Sri Lanka Police have mobilised support for Anudi Gunasekara, daughter of SSP Hemantha Gunsasekara, as she competes in the 72nd Miss World pageant. A congratulatory message was officially shared this week, recognising her as Sri Lanka’s representative at the international event. A circular issued by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya [...]
Miss England quits; ‘made to parade in front of sponsors’
Miss England 2024, Milla Fenney, has quit the Miss World pageant, accusing organisers of treating contestants like “entertainment” for wealthy male sponsors, and citing alleged exploitation and objectification at the hands of the organisers. Fenney, 23, made history on May 16 by becoming the first Miss England in the pageant’s 74-year history to voluntarily exit [...]
Duminda Dissanayake remanded until May 29 over T-56 weapon issue
By Ranjith Padmasiri Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, who was arrested over the detection of an assembled T-56 weapon without a licence, was remanded until May 29 by the acting magistrate Mt Lavinia Shantha Kumara de Silva. Mr Dissanayake was produced in courts by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). He has been named as the fourth [...]
Criticism mounts over KDU’s medical intake restrictions
By Dilushi Wijesinghe The government’s recent decision to limit admissions to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Medical Faculty exclusively to foreign students and cadet officers for the academic years 2025 and 2026 has sparked criticism from both parliamentarians and the general public. Raising the issue in Parliament this week, Opposition MP Nalin [...]
Sri Lanka upholds its search and rescue duty
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its responsibility for providing aeronautical and maritime search and rescue services within its designated Search and Rescue Region (SRR), in line with international conventions, at the National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Committee (NASC) meeting held this week. The meeting, convened on May 21 at the Maganeguma-Mahamedura Complex in Battaramulla, was co-chaired by [...]
Suspended IGP given time till May 28 to answer charges against him
By Ranjith Padmasiri Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon is to appear before the committee appointed to inquire into allegations of misconduct and gross abuse of power on Wednesday (28) to answer a charge sheet containing 22 charges against him. Mr Tennakoon appeared before the committee last Monday accompanied by his lawyer T [...]
Two ex-ministers indicted on charges of misappropriating Rs. 39 mn Sathosa funds
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Attorney General has indicted three accused including two former ministers on charges of misappropriating over Rs. 39 million in funds belonging to Lanka Sathosa. The funds had been used to purchase carrom and checkers boards, which had then been distributed for the presidential election campaign of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The [...]
On the Side of Humanity: Sri Lanka Red Cross pays tribute to volunteers
Sri Lanka joined the global community in commemorating World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on the theme “On the Side of Humanity,” honouring the legacy of Henry Dunant and the enduring spirit of humanitarian service. At a national event in Colombo, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) paid tribute to outstanding volunteers from [...]
Gov to continue with tax exemptions and incentives for Port City
By Damith Wickremasekera The government will continue with tax exemptions and incentives granted under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act for foreign investors despite requests from the IMF to reduce the time period for such concessions from 25 years to 12 years. The tax concessions and incentives which were granted by way of a [...]
Silent tears for silver screen’s queen
The remains of veteran actress Malini Fonseka were taken to her residence at Madiwela last evening where a large crowd had gathered to pay their last respects to her. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Dangerous commute: Systemic loopholes behind bus accidents
By Tharushi Weerasinghe A majority of bus-related accidents involve private buses — and these tend to be significantly deadlier. Persistent issues such as police corruption, impractical scheduling, and indisciplined driving are steadily turning public transport into a public menace, largely due to systemic mismanagement. In 2023, 1,568 accidents involved private buses, compared to 629 involving [...]
The face that captured hearts on the silver screen
By Chandani Kirinde In her last appearance a couple of weeks ago, Malini Fonseka, arguably the queen of Sinhala cinema echoed the words of one of her most famous films ‘awa soya adare’. “I have come looking for love,” she said. She spoke a few words, faltering at times, but they were emotionally charged that [...]
4,500 global corona deaths a month, Sri Lanka assures low risk
By Kapila Bandara In more than 20 countries 4,500 more people have died from coronavirus in a month, while the infectious virus has resurfaced claiming dozens of lives in some Southeast Asian cities, which are work, business, and holiday destinations for Sri Lankans. Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe has dismissed concerns of [...]
Flights of fancy
Skilled personnel at the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Ratmalana are producing finely detailed aircraft models representing designs from around the world. Crafted from fibre and mahogany, the models replicate real aircraft with remarkable precision. Officials say the replicas are not mass-produced but hand-crafted by Air Force experts trained in model-making. The models are [...]
Dengue and chikungunya on the rise but no official figure on latter
Doctors warn of further increase with prevailing weather conditions By Kasun Warakapitiya Waves of suspected dengue and chikungunya cases have simultaneously increased within the first four months. Medical professionals, taking into account the prevailing monsoonal conditions, have warned of an increase of both viral diseases. Pointing out that both diseases are transmitted by the same [...]
Half-hearted UDA and CMC actions recreate waste dump site
Torrington Avenue’s abandoned Urban Development Authority (UDA) property is reverting to its former self, becoming a dumpsite for non-degradable garbage once again. During a follow up visit by the Sunday Times, it was observed that weeds have re-emerged with the rains, and once more had turned into a dump site as there were discarded tyres, [...]
Blustery days ahead as the Southwest monsoon sets in
By Jayanie Madawala The South-West monsoon is gradually establishing itself across Sri Lanka, bringing anticipated showers and thundershowers to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western, and Central provinces, alongside the Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology stated. Rainfall drenched several parts of the country in Western, Northern and Central Provinces over the week. The minimum [...]
Worker rights violations surface after NEXT factory shutdown
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Workers have been left in limbo following the abrupt closure of a sewing factory within the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, leading to the laying off of some 1,400 workers, some of whom have worked for almost two decades. “I went in expecting to finish my shift at 7 p.m. like I have [...]
Patients disgruntled, hospital medicine supply chain out of joint
By Kasun Warakapitiya The health sector is grappling with non-availability of certain medicines and equipment in state-run hospitals. This is despite the existence of a so-called comprehensive medical supplies information management system “SWSTHA” which provides information on availability, quantity, and also pinpoints shortages. A Sunday Times investigation reveals that the unavailability of medicine at hospitals [...]
Our fallen heroes remembered
The 16th National War Heroes’ Day was held on 19 May 2025 in Battaramulla, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Chief Guest. Organised by the Ranaviru Seva Authority, the event honoured fallen members of the Tri-Forces and the Civil Security Department. The ceremony, held at the National War Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla, included religious observances, [...]
Cogwheels of public admin still struggling for salary revision
By Ishu Bandara More than 50,000 state provincial public management service officers (MSOs) across the country have been struggling to win their demands, repeatedly presenting them to successive governments since 2013. Their demands remain unresolved leaving many officers demoralised and dissatisfied. The Chief Secretary of the State Provincial Public Management Services Officers’ Union, Amila Bandara, [...]
Puttalam’s elephants potter back to worry farmers
Wild elephants who were driven away from villages in the Puttalam district in a month-long operation which ended on April 10 are back again in the villages causing destruction. Some 70 elephants were driven away in the operation conducted by the Wildlife Department and the Army. The elephants went on to destroy cultivations including paddy, [...]
New laws needed to prevent cyber and digital harassment of children: Deputy Minister
The Education Ministry will initiate the process of drafting new laws to strengthen cyber and digital safety to prevent cyber harassment, bullying or abuse as well as prevent sexual harassment and abuse of children, Deputy Minister of Education Madura Seneviratne said. The existing laws that deal with children’s safety are inadequate and more stringent laws [...]