May 8 (CT) Gehenu Lamai, directed by the late Dr. Sumitra Peries, will be screened next week in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival, which will be held from May 13 to May 24 in Cannes, France, under the Cannes Classics category. Released in 1978, Gehenu Lamai is a Sri Lankan Sinhala teenage drama film directed by Sumitra Peries and produced by her husband, Lester James Peries, for Lester Films. more..

Apr 8 (FT) SL-France Business Council (SLFBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual Members’ Day, graciously hosted by the newly appointed French Ambassador to SL, Rémi Lambert, at his official residence. In his remarks, Ambassador Lambert reaffirmed the strong and diverse ties between France and SL. He highlighted key areas of ongoing and potential collaboration, including debt restructuring, educational and cultural programs through Alliance Française, and more..

May 8 (ST) Construction work of the fly over above the railway track near the Justice Akbar Mawatha in Kompanna Veediya initiated in 2020 has been hanging fire compelling the govt to pay delayed charges amounting to over Rs. 400 million to contractors. Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake, during a recent site visit, said the government has had to pay over Rs. 400 million to the construction company due to the suspension of this construction project planned in the area. more..

Apr 8 (ST) While SL’s economy is showing signs of equilibrium and moderate progress with tourism experiencing a period of recovery and growth, globally renowned brands are eyeing SL to establish franchises. Last Sunday, the Global Franchise Forum (GFF) 2025 was held for the first time in SL at the Sheraton Hotel in Colombo. Franchise India Group Chairman, Gaurav Marya on the sidelines of the forum said, “Global brands are now looking at SL, especially from Asian countries. more..

May 8 (CT) Buddhists in Panadura, who set a Guinness World Record by creating the world’s largest Vesak Pandal in 2024, are preparing to break their own record once again, according to Mahesh Fernando, Chairman of the Panadura United Trade Buddhist Society. The Panadura United Trade Buddhist Society, which constructed the Vesak Pandal with the support of the Buddhist community in Panadura last year, is building the new Pandal 92 feet wide and 82 feet high. more..

May 8 (DN) Musaeus College’s swimming starlet Rushalee Dissanayake made an unforgettable start to the HNB 49th National Age Group Swimming Championship by breaking the Girls U-15 400m Freestyle Junior National Record and the meet record on the opening day of the 5-day event at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex in Colombo yesterday. Dissanayake, just 14-years-old, completed the race in 4 m 48 s, more..

Apr 8 (TM) As I scan the strategic horizon of the Indo-Pacific region, I see both unprecedented challenges and extraordinary opportunities. Maritime threats multiply while space technology advances at breathtaking speed. Standing at this intersection of security concerns and technological possibility, I believe policy makers have a unique window to reshape regional dynamics through a bold partnership between the US and SL – one centred on space capabilities and maritime domain more..

May 8 (TM) Hundreds of innocent dreams have been shattered by the brutal, inhuman, and degrading practice of ragging that continues to plague SL universities. What began historically as informal and relatively harmless initiation rituals has, in the SL context, evolved into systematic, abusive, and often violent behaviour, particularly within higher education institutions, mainly universities. A study conducted by the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality of the UGC, more..

Apr 8 (Island) Sri Lankans have spoken, and what they have said is being interpreted in different ways. That the ruling NPP would be the overall winner in Tuesday’s LG polls was a foregone conclusion. Its stunning win in last year’s general election, where it obtained 159 out of 225 seats in Parliament, was still fresh when the country went to the polls again. A decline in its vote share was also expected. The Opposition managed to recover lost ground to some extent, but it has a long way to go before more..

May 8 (FT) The outcome of the recently concluded LG elections—where the NPP emerged as the leading force with 43.26% of the vote and 3,926 seats—reflects a decisive shift in the political landscape of SL. The people have spoken with clarity, demonstrating a preference for accountability, transparency, and credible leadership. The fragmented performance of traditional parties, including SJB (21.69%), SLPP (9.17%), UNP (4.69%), and ITAK (2.96%), underscores more..

May 8 (TM) The govt is looking to enhance the economy through digitisation, as well as to create new job opportunities through an economic boom, notes Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, addressing concerns of potential job losses post digital transformation. He also asserted that no State employee would be discharged from services prematurely because of their roles becoming obsolete owing to digitisation. more..

May 8 (ST) What’s so secret about the defence pact—and six others—signed with India’s Narendra Modi that it has to be kept so secret by the govt, like a schoolgirl hiding her love letters from suspicious parents? Does it contain something so sinister, something so damaging to the nation’s sovereignty that it has to be kept locked up, unseen, lest its revelation unleashes mass revolt? But in the absence of any response to public demand for chapter and verse to be disclosed, more..

May 8 (DM) The National People’s Power (NPP) emerged clear victor at the recently concluded Local Govt polls, which was conducted after a hiatus of seven years. The party secured 4,503,930 votes (43.26%) and 3,927 seats across Sri Lanka, leading 266 local councils. These include 23 Municipal Councils, 26 Urban Councils, and 217 Pradeshiya Sabhas. During the 2018 local govt elections, it was the SLPP spearheaded by former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa that secured 225 local councils. more..

May 8 (TM) There are allegations that the current NPP Govt is not doing enough to support Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector despite years of promises and public backing for a greener future. One recent move that raised concerns was the CEB's directive to shut down solar power generation systems during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays – right when solar power generation would have been at its peak. more..

May 8 (DM) At the time of writing, NPP is leading the count after the LG Polls and there is a prominent advertisement carried on television about the perishing of crows. The news about both are pleasant to the ear. The NPP, as expected, is cruising towards a comfortable victory. But the popular television channel that carries a propaganda campaign using the crow makes us understand that the voter is supreme and has significant potential to usher in change at an election. more..

May 8 (TM) The juggernaut that was JVP-led NPP, has lost some steam. The massive mandate that the NPP movement gained, causing a turning point in SL’s political landscape, has visibly eroded a little, going by the results of the LG Elections held this week. This in no way suggests that the NPP and their anti-corruption agenda is becoming unpopular. However, it does reflect the dynamic nature of SL politics. While the NPP has secured a win the public has indicated a red flag for the NPP more..

May 7 (TM) Due to the ongoing shortage of pharmaceutical drugs in the country, hospital directors have had to purchase drugs from local pharmacies, where the prices of some medicines are several times higher than their usual rates, Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors claimed. SL is currently facing a shortage of several types of drugs, and the Ministry of Health has instructed the hospital authorities to purchase drugs which are in short supply from pharmacies. more..

May 7 (ABC) The papal conclave, the secretive election process to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church, commences on Wednesday, bringing cardinals from all over the world to select the 267th pope. Since the death of Pope Francis on April 21, a total of 220 cardinals -- the church's highest-ranking clergy -- have gathered in Rome to mourn the loss of the former pontiff and begin the secret conclave. Overall, 133 cardinals will be voting during the conclave, more..

May 7 (EN) Washington-based World Bank had announced a billion US dollars in financing to help SL’s recovery after a visit by its chief Ajay Banga to the island, which is recovering from a currency crisis which ended in external default. The package targets sectors with high potential for employment and investment in energy, agriculture, tourism, and regional development, over three years. “This is a moment of opportunity for Sri Lanka,” more..

May 7 (TM) Fisheries authorities expressed concerns about around 16,000-17,000 fishermen not being able to cast their vote in the LG Elections held yesterday. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Dept Director General Susantha Kahawatte noted that those engaged in multi-day fishing activities have faced this issue. Adding that multi-day fishing vessels engage in fishing activities for nearly two consecutive months once they leave the shore, he said that some such vessels that set off more..

May 7 (Island) Olympian Yupun Abeykoon will compete in a relay for SL after a lapse of five years when he is joined by national champion Chamod Yodasinghe and other top sprinters in the 4x100m at the Dubai Grand Prix. Sri Lanka Athletics announced a list of five athletes inclusive of the Italy based sprinter for the Dubai event yesterday. According to SL Athletics the relay team is set to leave for Dubai today. SL athletes will compete in six overseas events during the next four weeks more..

May 7 (EN) Sri Lanka told an EU-SL Joint Commission that its committed to repealing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which has been a sticking point in ensuring continued access for the island’s export goods to the European market through GSP+ trade preferences scheme. “SL confirmed the commitment to repeal the PTA, and briefed the Working Group on the timeline to replace it with new counter-terrorism legislation in compliance more..

May 7 (MB) Located along SL’s southeastern coast, Kumana National Park is renowned for its large waterbird colonies and its vital role in supporting diverse birdlife. However, the park is also emerging as an important habitat for the SL leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya). A recent study has confirmed the park’s significance as a stronghold for this elusive predator. Conducted by scientists from the Uni of Sri J'pura (USJ) and the Dept of Wildlife Conservation DWC), the study found 41 leopards more..

May 7 (TM) In the ongoing legal dispute between Sri Lanka and Hamilton Reserve Bank (HRB), the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, by its order dated 24 April, has granted Sri Lanka’s request for additional discovery to determine the beneficial owner of the International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) that HRB purportedly claims to hold. HRB on 26 June 2023 filed a motion for summary judgment and the said motion became fully briefed on 31 July 2023. more..

May 7 (FT) Harshitha Samarawickrama has advanced nine places to break into the top 20 of the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings for the first time, following her team’s win over India in the SL Women’s ODI Tri-Series on Sunday. She rose to a personal best 18th place with 583 rating points, thanks to her scores of 53 against India and 77 against South Africa which helped lead her team to back-to-back victories. In their victory over India, her teammate, Nilakshika Silva’s impressive more..

May 7 (TM) SL expects to spend Rs. 330 billion for hiking the state sector salaries in the next 20 months as allowances and other payments will be determined based on the basic salary expected in Jan 2027, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said that govt has forecasted the GDP to increase over Rs. 30 trillion by the end of the year. Therefore, he said based on that projection it was calculated that Rs. 110 billion could be allocated from the govt revenue to fund salary increments of more..

May 7 (AD) Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was arrested by the CIABOC earlier today, has been remanded until May 20 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. He was taken into custody after appearing before the commission to record a statement today and was later produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Accordingly, Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali ordered to more..

May 7 (TM) The world’s wealthiest 10% are responsible for two-thirds of global heating since 1990, driving droughts and heatwaves in the poorest parts of the world, according to a study. While researchers have previously shown that higher income groups emit disproportionately large amounts of greenhouse gases, the latest survey is the first to try to pin down how that inequality translates into responsibility for climate breakdown. It offers a powerful argument for climate more..

May 7 (NF) Court of Appeal issued an order dismissing without examination the writ petition that had been filed requesting a directive to disqualify Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala from holding a parliamentary seat and to nullify his position as a Member of Parliament. This order was delivered by the bench comprising Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Laffar Thahir, and Justice Sarath Dissanayake. This petition was filed by Renuka Perera, more..

May 7 (AD) Supreme Patriarchs (Mahanayaka Theros) of SL’s Malwatta, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Chapters have requested the British govt’s intervention in the preservation of archaeological finds linked to Lord Buddha’s corporeal remains found from Uttar Pradesh in India, which are currently at risk of auction. In a letter addressed to the British High Commissioner in Colombo, Supreme Patriarchs of SL's more..

May 7 (CT) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the public showed little interest in casting their votes at the LG Elections held yesterday to elect representatives to their respective LG bodies. Wickremesinghe also pointed out that, compared to previous elections, voter turnout at polling stations remained low, with only 9 to 10% having cast their votes in the morning. When asked whether the voter turnout in the LG Polls was expected to decrease, UNP Leader said that more..

May 7 (TM) Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds in Colombo – one of the country’s oldest cricketing venues, will host a Test match for the first time in 16-months, during Bangladesh men’s team’s forthcoming all-format tour of SL. SLC releasing the tour itinerary, announced that Dhananjaya de Silva’s men will feature in two-Tests in June against the visitors. Afterwards, the hosts led by Charith Asalanka are scheduled to contest Bangladesh in three ODIs and T20Is throughout July. more..