Aug 6 (Island) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila has alleged that the CID is using rehabilitated LTTE cadres to implicate senior Navy officers in abductions and killings. Gammanpila explained two occasions on which the CID had resorted to what he described as such dirty tactics. The former Minister identified two ex-LTTE cadres who had been involved in the CID projects as Vijayakanthan and Selvathambi Mahendran, alias Bharathi. Gammanpila also disclosed the identities of more..

Aug 6 (TM) While SL tea benefits from a 5% advantage over Indian tea with the US tariffs to be levelled on 7 Aug, African teas from Kenya and Malawi will compete at lower rates with Kenya adhering to a 10% baseline tariff and Malawi a 15% tariff. “Although we will have a 5% advantage over India, we have a 5% disadvantage with Malawi. 10% tariff gap (with Kenya) could affect our tea bags export to the US as most Kenyan CTC teas more..

Aug 6 (TM) Chief Prelates of the Amarapura and the Ramanna Buddhist Sects stressed the importance of providing greater opportunities to teach second languages in schools through the new educational reforms. They have emphasised to the PM and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya that contributing to the new education reforms is not merely a change confined to the education sector, but one that can bring about a constructive transformation for the entire nation, more..

Aug 6 (FT) Cabinet on Monday approved a plan to call for investment proposals to lease the Charmers Granary property in Colombo Fort for a period of 99-years, based on the current valuation provided by the Govt Chief Assessor. The 3.92-hectare site, equivalent to 9 acres, 2 roods and 31.75 perches is owned by the UDA and occupies a prime location along Olcott Mawatha, within the Integrated Mixed Development Zone outlined in the CMC Area’s Development Plan for 2022–2031. more..

Aug 6 (DM) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today brushed off concerns over the govt’s move to slash privileges granted to former Presidents, saying the real privilege lies with the people. Responding to reporters in Colombo, Rajapaksa said he was not concerned about the govt’s attempts to remove certain benefits, suggesting it was being done out of political vengeance. He also remarked, “Medamulana is much better than Wijerama Mawatha,” referring to his private residence more..

Aug 6 (DM) The govt plans to allocate Rs. 110 million for public service salary increases in 2027, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. He said the same amount will be allocated for salary increases in 2026 as well, continuing the proposal outlined in the previous budget to enhance the status and performance of public service officers. Prez made these remarks while addressing the 41st Annual Convention of the SL Administrative Service Association (SASA), held at Temple Trees. more..

Aug 6 (PMD) Sith Roo – 2025 concert, organised by the Department of Social Services with the aim of elevating the aesthetic talents of differently abled persons to a national platform, was held at Nelum Pokuna Theatre, under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The event is conducted as part of the Dept of Social Services’ efforts to implement the govt’s national policy Leaving No One Behind, more..

Aug 6 (DM) Ven. Badulugammana Sumanasara Thera has been removed from the post of Chief Incumbent of Nagala Rajamaha Vihara in Bibila and expelled from the Malwatta Chapter for distorting the doctrine and violating the norms of the Sangha Sasana. The press communique issued by the Chief Lekakadhikari of the Malwatta Chapter Ven. Dr. Pahamune Sumangala Thera said the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Malwatta Chapter that met on May 04, 2024 had decided to remove more..

Aug 6 (DM) The Western North Crimes Investigation Division informed court that death threats had been made via WhatsApp on Chief Inspector Linton de Silva of the Western North Crimes Division by three notorious underworld figures and drug traffickers. Appearing before court, an officer of the Crimes Division North stated that investigations have revealed the threatening calls had originated from a underworld gang member, drug trafficker, Padmasiri Perera, alias Kehelbaddara Padme, more..

Aug 6 (DN) President’s Fund has been misused by former Ministers and MPs to provide funds for their children, relatives and friends for their higher studies abroad, Minister Anura Karunathilake informed Parliament. He said that from 2005 to 2014, many former Ministers and MPs have used President’s Fund money to provide personal benefits to their children, relatives and friends for completing a PhD or other more..

Aug 6 (FT) It took almost four decades and tens of thousands of deaths for Sri Lanka to adopt a language policy matching national and int'l realities. Sinhala and Tamil are official languages, English the link language. There’s political and societal consensus that the Sinhala Only policy of 1956, which relegated Tamil to secondary status and turned English into the preserve of a privileged few, was a pivotal error. Only a miniscule minority on the Sinhala-Buddhist extremist fringe more..

Aug 6 (DM) In what seemed to be a hint of the future of the govt, Opposition MP Chaminda Wijesiri claimed in Parliament that it was Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya who was the leader of the NPP, while asking an oral question into alleged corruption that has taken place during the tenure of the present govt. MP Wijesiri asked what the PM was going to do to address allegations of the corruption surrounding the sale of salt and garlic at exorbitant prices, "as the leader of the NPP." more..

Aug 6 (FT) The amendments to the Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024 will be debated in Parliament today (6) and will likely pass with a majority of votes, due to the NPP voting block. During the run-up to the parliamentary debate, the amendments, and its custodian, Pubudu Niroshan, the Director General of the Power Sector Reform Secretariat (PSRS), has managed to unify almost all the sector participants in opposition. These include the development finance institutions (DFIs – WB, JICA and ADB), more..

Aug 6 (NF) Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (6). She was received by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. This marks the first official visit to Sri Lanka by an Australian Governor-General, symbolizing a new chapter in the enduring partnership between the two nations. The visit celebrates over 75 years of diplomatic relations, built on shared values and strengthened by a vibrant community of more than 180,000 Australians of SL descent. more..

Aug 6 (AD) Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa has been remanded until August 19 after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Rajapaksa was arrested by Bribery Commission officers at his residence in Nugegoda this morning. It was reported that he was taken into custody in connection with an incident where compensation was allegedly obtained through another individual for a damaged building on more..

Aug 6 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has approved the letter removing Deshabandu Tennakoon from the post of IGP. The letter was submitted by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne per the resolution passed in Parliament yesterday on Deshabandu Tennakoon’s removal from Office. Following the President’s nomination of a candidate to the Constitutional Council for the position of IGP, a new Inspector General will be appointed based on majority approval. more..

Aug 6 (DM) Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has directed officials to expedite the appointment of new dental surgeons and to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Finance to resolve related salary issues. The decision was made during a discussion at the Ministry with representatives from Govt Dental Surgeons' Association (GDSA). Minister also instructed officials to address the challenges faced by dental surgeons currently serving in remote or difficult areas due to delays in appointments. more..

Aug 6 (AD) The Third Reading of the SL Electricity (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament with amendments by a majority of 96 votes this evening. Second Reading of the bill was also passed with the same majority earlier today. During the Second Reading of the Bill, a total of 121 MPs voted in favour, while 25 voted against it. Bill, which was presented in Parliament earlier this year by the govt, was also challenged in the SC more..

Aug 6 (DM) The water levels of the Castlereagh and Maussakelle reservoirs are nearing critical levels due to ongoing heavy rainfall in the western slopes of the Central Highlands, engineers in charge of the reservoirs reported today. As of this morning, the Castlereagh reservoir was recorded at 3.5 feet above its overflow level, while the Maussakelle reservoir had reached 5.3 feet above its overflow point, according to engineers monitoring the situation. more..

Aug 6 (TM) Vogue Jewellers, Sri Lanka’s premier jeweller since 1962, proudly announces the historic opening of its first international store at Westfield Fountain Gate, Melbourne, Australia. Vogue Jewellers, long celebrated as Sri Lanka's premier jeweller and a groundbreaker in redefining industry standards since its earliest days, proudly announces the expansion of its superior quality craft and pristine range with the opening of a full-fledged branch in Melbourne, Australia. more..

Aug 6 (FT) The SL Export Development Board (EDB) last week (1 August) hosted a high-level meeting with a delegation from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to discuss the progress of audit of poultry slaughterhouses and further discussions on enabling Sri Lankan poultry exports to Singapore. The discussions built on two recent SFA inspection missions to Sri Lanka. The first visit, conducted in March 2024, covered New Anthony’s Farm, NELNA Farm, and Ceylon Grain Elevators. more..

Aug 6 (CT) Bribery Commission yesterday informed Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne that a report had been requested from the Govt Analyst regarding nearly 1,000 signatures on documents linked to Keheliya Rambukwella’s bank accounts and related records relevant to money laundering case against him and family. The case, filed by the CIABOC, accuses the former minister and others of unlawfully earning approximately Rs 98 million, in violation of prevention of money laundering more..

Aug 6 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya provided a detailed account in Parliament on the Supreme SAT satellite project, following a question raised by Opposition MP D.V. Chanaka. She said that on May 23, 2012, Supreme SAT Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement with the BOI to establish a satellite system and provide telecommunication services. The project began commercial operations on July 28, 2015, she said. more..

Aug 6 (EN) Sri Lanka Cricket said it is seeking expressions of interest from sports brand licensing agents to start a merchandise program through officially licensed products. The selected Licensing Agents will be responsible for identifying recognized companies to design, develop, distribute, and sell a wide range of SLC branded or co-branded products, covering apparel, accessories, collectibles or suitable products and services. The selected partner appointed through a competitive tender more..

Aug 6 (AD) The case filed against 24 defendants, including Naufer Maulavi, on charges of conspiring to commit and aiding and abetting the Easter Sunday terror attacks, was taken up today before a three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court. The case was heard before Justices Navaratne Marasinghe, Pradeep Abeyratne, and Sujeewa Nissanka. The defendants were produced in court under tight security, said Ada Derana reporter. However, as one of the defendants more..

Aug 6 (DM) Parliament went into an uproar when Opposition MP Harshana Rajakaruna responded to the allegation on him seeking assistance from the President's Fund. "We applied for assistance from the Present's Fund for my post-graduate studies. There was nothing illegal about it. I was selected as a recipient after subjecting me to an interview," Rajakaruna said. "Even JVP founder Rohana Wijeweera was awarded a more..

Aug 6 (DM) An individual who allowed his friend to rape his wife and filmed the scenes was arrested by Ethimale Police yesterday. The 42-year-old suspect was a resident of Wattegama in Ethimale. Police said the suspect had taken his wife to a hut in a Chena in the area and compelled her at dagger point to allow his friend to rape her. When she was being raped, he had filmed the scene. Police who initiated investigations of her complaint on the incident arrested the suspect. more..

Aug 6 (NW) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) has collected Rs. 6.5 million in fines from three financial institutions from Jan to June 2025. According to the CBSL, the fines were imposed on National Savings Bank, Bally’s Limited, and Bellagio Limited to enforce compliance on the institutions. Issuing a statement, the CBSL said that by virtue of the powers vested under Section 19 (1) read together with Section 19 (2) of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, more..

Aug 6 (DM) The Women and Child Affairs Ministry has decided to fast-track ongoing judicial proceedings related to crimes committed against children, Ministry Secretary K.D.R. Olga said. She made these remarks while addressing the Multi-sectoral Standing National Committee established to reduce incidents of child abuse. During the meeting, the committee also reviewed the shortcomings of the national data system maintained by the National Child Protection Authority and more..

Aug 6 (DM) Amidst growing concern of foreigners illegally engaged in businesses in SL, majority of businesses involving Israelis are owned by Sri Lankans, authorities revealed. According to acting director of the Police Tourist Division, ASP Prabath Vidanagama, while some of these ventures are solely run by foreigners, many are fronted by locals. “In certain cases, the businesses are registered under Sri Lankans, but in reality, the operations are handled by foreigners. more..

Aug 6 (Island) Chairman of the CoPF Dr. Harsha de Silva y emphasised the responsibility on the part of the NPP govt to enact a comprehensive law to regulate casinos. Underscoring the pivotal importance of adhering to the due process, SJB MP said that a dedicated gaming authority should be introduced without further delay. Speaking to The Island, in the wake of the opening of what was dubbed as the country’s first more..

Aug 6 (EN) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) at the Central Bank of SL has taken fined three institutions including two involved with casinos for failing to follow the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws. Between January and June 2025, the FIU imposed a total of Rs. 6.5 million in penalties under the powers given to it by the Financial Transactions Reporting Act (FTRA), the Central Bank said in a statement. “….financial penalties are imposed on institutions more..

Aug 6 (ETV) Four fishermen from the erstwhile East Godavari district have been detained by the SL Navy after their boat inadvertently strayed into SL territorial waters. The incident occurred on August 2, but came to light two days later. The detained fishermen are currently lodged in Jaffna jail, having been remanded for 14 days for entering the country without authorization. According to officials, the arrested fishermen are Pantadi Brahmanandam from Katrenikona, Karri Nookaraju from Pamarru, more..

Aug 6 (DM) In the wake of the recent killing linked to gang rivalry and drug trafficking, the police found that murder contracts had been undertaken for financial charges merely ranging from Rs. 400,000-500,000, indicating how low organized criminals have stooped when caring for the value of human lives. Police investigations into recent killings in broad daylight have uncovered that there are persons used as brokers to execute financial transactions more..

Aug 6 (DM) A complaint has been lodged by an Inspector of Police attached to the CID, claiming that he was verbally abused and threatened by Nadun Chinthaka, also known as Harak Kata—a well-known organized criminal and large-scale drug trafficker over a missing carbon pen. The incident occurred yesterday (4) when the suspect was temporarily escorted out of his cell for a scheduled bathing session around 8 a.m. During a routine inspection of the prison premises, more..

Aug 6 (AD) The Colombo High Court today ordered the Director of the CID to produce documents related to the case filed by the Attorney General against former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who are currently serving prison sentences. The case has been filed alleging that two Ministers and another individual caused a substantial loss to the govt by importing 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers boards through Lanka Sathosa and districting more..