May 5 (NW) A recent episode of the BBC documentary series Ambulance has brought to light the harrowing story of a SL student living homeless in London while seeking asylum. The episode, which aired in April, follows emergency medical crew members Hannah and Niall as they respond to a call involving a suicidal individual living in a car park. The patient, identified only as Nadeera, tells the crew he arrived in the UK to study at a Uni but more..

May 5 (AD) Four third-year students of Sabaragamuwa Uni, who were arrested over an alleged ragging incident, have been remanded until May 16 by the Balangoda Magistrate’s Court. The suspects were arrested by the CID yesterday in connection with ongoing investigations into the recent death of a fellow student, allegedly linked to a ragging incident. On April 29, it was reported that a student of the Sabaragamuwa Uni, allegedly distraught over a ragging incident, had taken more..

May 5 (NW) Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has directed the attention of the National Election Commission to PM Harini Amarasuriya’s recent statement directing party supporters on ways to conduct propaganda during the silent period of the Local Government Elections. In a letter to the Election Commission, PAFFREL pointed out that the silent period of the Local Government Elections commenced from midnight on 03 May. more..

May 5 (FT) This week, IMF announced a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka for the fourth review under the EFF potentially unlocking another $ 344 million in financing. Amongst energy pricing and tax reforms, social protection remains a commitment under the IMF’s fourth review. However, the integration of gender-specific considerations, particularly the inclusion of women, within the IMF’s bailout program has been limited and could be the key to missed targets. more..

May 5 (FT) All public opinion surveys in Canada in the last three years indicated one thing. That was, the Liberals who were in power for three consecutive terms had overstayed their welcome and should recede to oblivion. The specific attack was on its leader, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It was typical of any leader who chose to hold on to the reins of power for too long. His youthful charisma, according to BBC’s Jessica Murphy, catapulted him to premiership some 10 years ago, more..

May 5 (ST) Two Chinese projects—the proposed Sinopec oil refinery in Hambantota and a logistics centre at the Colombo Port—are still stuck in the pipeline, largely over benefits such as sweeping tax concessions that the investors are seeking. Sri Lanka has signed an initial agreement with Sinopec, the Chinese state energy giant, to build a US$ 3.7bn refinery in Hambantota. But while the request for proposals (RFP) issued by more..

May 5 (ST) Higher Education Ministry has decided to appoint an additional officer to each state uni vested with fresh powers to penalise students and initiate legal action in a renewed bid to curb ragging. This specially designated officer, responsible for handling ragging complaints, will be a member of the university’s governing council. “While wardens and marshals are there on the premises, they do not have the full administrative authority to take action when complaints are made,” more..

May 5 (CT) Campaigning for the upcoming LG Elections officially concluded at midnight on 3 May, marking the beginning of the mandatory silence period ahead of polling day. Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake confirmed that all political parties and candidates have been duly notified not to engage in any form of electioneering during the silence period, which came into effect yesterday. Commissioner emphasised that any breach of these regulations will be met with more..

May 5 (DM) Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is nearing the 900,000 arrival mark for the year, with 896,884 tourists recorded by the end of April 2025. However, this figure trails the SLTDA forecasted target by a significant 247,253 visitors. This shortfall underscores the considerable challenges Sri Lanka faces in achieving its ambitious goal of three million tourist arrivals for the year, despite a clear post-pandemic recovery trend. more..

May 5 (Kyodo) Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and SL Deputy Defense Minister Aruna Jayasekara agreed Sunday to strengthen cooperation between their countries' defense forces to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Nakatani's visit to SL, the second by a Japanese defense minister, underscores the importance Japan places on ties with the island nation, which sits along key shipping lanes, amid China's growing economic and military influence in the region. more..

May 5 (CT) SL Police confirmed that 46 candidates contesting in the upcoming LG Election have been arrested for violating election laws, as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on electoral misconduct. In an official statement, the Police revealed that the arrests were made between 3 March and 30 April, during which authorities also apprehended 199 supporters affiliated to various political parties for similar offences. Police noted that the violations ranged from unauthorised more..

May 5 (TM) Department of Railways stated that it would look into the water leak reported at the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, on the Upcountry Railway Line, and take appropriate action. Statement was made following reports that a water leak became visible at the Nine Arch Bridge during periods of heavy rainfall. Broadcast media reported yesterday that linesmen on the railway line had noticed the alleged leak. Railways Dept had not received any formal notification about the incident yet. more..

May 5 (NW) A collaborative archaeological project between Sri Lankan and German researchers is shedding new light on an ancient glassmaking industry that once thrived in the heart of the island. Excavations at a site near Giribawa village in the North Western Province have unearthed compelling evidence of a sophisticated glass bead production center believed to have operated between the 7th and 11th centuries. The Giribawa Glass Manufacturing Project, launched in 2022, more..

May 5 (EN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake met, Tô Lâm, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), who led a sweeping anti-corruption drive, and is effectively the most powerful leader in the country. The meeting took place later Sunday at the CPV Central Committee HQ in Hanoi. As Minister of Public Security, General Secretary To Lam led an anti-corruption drive, started by his predecessor more..

May 5 (Island) Six students of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Sri J'pura have been suspended following an incident, where a third-year student was assaulted, Vice Chancellor of the University, Senior Professor Padmalal Manangama, said. Victim has lodged a complaint with the Homagama Police. He was initially admitted to the Homagama Hospital, then transferred to the Matara General Hospital, and later to the Weligama District Hospital. The assault took place on 29 April. more..

May 5 (FT) Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity to tap into a rapidly growing global market in shipping, logistics, and free zones, projected to hit $ 18 trillion by 2030, but its protectionist stance is restricting economic growth, said an expert recently. This discussion took place during an evening of in-depth analysis and networking, organised by the SL-Korea Business Council of the CCC. The discussion was themed Sri Lanka’s Future Export Prospects? Challenges. Opportunities. Reforms. more..

May 5 (DM) The Mount Lavinia Police has launched an investigation after a car was stolen in Ratmalana on Friday while an 81-year-old man had briefly left his vehicle to visit a nearby bank, leaving his 76-year-old wife inside. The incident occurred just 200 metres from the Mount Lavinia Police Station. According to police, the suspect circled the parked vehicle, noticed the woman alone inside, and suddenly entered the car before driving off. He reportedly told the woman not to jump out, more..

May 5 (FT) Sri Lanka finds itself at a critical economic crossroad, with apparel exports—the country’s largest foreign exchange earner—caught in the crossfire due to the imposition of a 44% reciprocal tariff, threatening to tip the precarious post-crisis economy into further policy inconsistency. Economist Rehana Thowfeek, addressing a symposium on US Tariffs, GSP+ Status and Strategic Policy Responses, issued a stark warning that SL’s overdependence on the US market more..

May 5 (NW) The key suspect behind the 8 July 2024 double murder of Club Wasantha and another individual in the Athurugiriya police division—Sujeewa Silva alias Loku Pattie, a well-known organized criminal—was brought to SL yesterday (4) by CID officials via BIA. Due to many organized criminals and suspects being overseas, SL Police, in coordination with INTERPOL, had issued Red Notices to apprehend them. more..

May 5 (DN) St. Peter’s College retained the Rev. Fr. Peter Pillai Memorial Shield, beating St. Joseph’s College by 4 wickets in their 51st annual Limited Overs Cricket Encounter played Saturday at SSC. The win saw St. Peter’s retaining the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Shield for yet another year and in the process also chalked up their 23rd win of the series to the 25 by St. Joseph’s. St. Peter’s College led by Oween Salgado managed to chase down the target of 178 to retain trophy in grand style. more..

May 5 (RP) Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy, hosted the first overseas tour for the New Zealand U85kg team, starting on Sunday evening. The team overcame a physical test from the SL Tuskers. A loud and passionate crowd packed into the stadium for the matchup, after the Tuskers recently won an Asia Rugby Championship Playoff against Malaysia, 59-19. The New Zealand side, captained by Jarred Percival out of the High School Old Boys Light Bears club team in Canterbury, more..

May 5 (CI) A spectacular injection of big-hitting energy from Nilakshika Silva, a steady half-century from Harshitha Samarawickrama, and meaningful contributions from Kavisha Dilhari, and the lower order saw SL pull off one of their most impressive ODI chases. It was their second-highest successful chase, bringing them only their third win over India in the format. At the toss, Chamari Athapaththu said a total of 250 would be par. more..

May 5 (ST) Disturbing traditions adopted at school level by certain individuals, particularly in team sports, are double-edged swords. When someone becomes a victim, the emotional damage can far exceed the physical. Yet when these same victims later participate in these distressing traditions, they perpetuate an almost indestructible cycle. Recent days have been difficult for many Sri Lankans concerned with ethics. First, Kandy was transformed from a hill capital to what some described as more..

May 5 (FT) Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda yesterday called for continuity of reforms to ensure long-term growth and stability among member countries, most of whom are in the region itself. “The regional economy is coming from a position of strength, but there is a lot of uncertainty ahead. This means we cannot be complacent,” Kanda said at the opening day press conference of the four-day ADB’s 58th Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy, attended by over more..

May 5 (FT) Omega Line Ltd, SL’s largest exporter of apparel to the European market, has won the prestigious Merit award in the Large Apparel category at the Presidential Export Awards ceremony for the year 2023/24, organised by SL EDB. Presidential Export Award is the country’s most prestigious award presented to exporters by the President, recognising the outstanding contribution made to the export sector and the economic development of the country. more..

May 5 (FT) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) entered into a strategic partnership to support SL exporters by enhancing their access to capital market opportunities and broadening visibility for their businesses. The partnership agreement was signed by CSE CEO-Designate Vindhya Jayasekera and NCE CEO Shiham Marikar. The signing ceremony was attended by NCE Assistant Director – Member Services/Operations Dilini Gamlathge, more..

May 5 (SO) All arrangements have been finalised to hold the long-awaited LG Elections on May 6, marking a significant return to grassroots democracy after a seven-year hiatus. All campaign-related activities, including public meetings and speeches, came to an end at midnight yesterday (Saturday), in keeping with the election silence period mandated by the Election Commission (EC). more..

May 5 (Island) Pope Francis was everyone’s favourite papal figure, a progressive who differed considerably from his two predecessors. The first Latin American to hold the post, and the first from the Global South, he was the first to break ground on subjects that had polarised the church, including homosexuality, child sexual abuse, and of course Gaza. Reports indicate that until the last he was in touch with church leaders in Palestine. He was more forthright on the issue than Western leaders, more..

May 5 (Island) Election Commission (EC) has said that everything is ready for tomorrow’s LG polls. However, a trade union representing the Grama Niladharis (GNs), who play a crucial role in conducting elections, has complained that funds allocated for hiring generators to ensure an emergency power supply to counting centres, etc, are inadequate, and therefore those places may be left without back-up power systems tomorrow. GNs should not be held responsible if anything more..

May 5 (CT) Another university student has tragically passed away due to ragging at a State university — this time, at the Sabaragamuwa University. The second-year student, according to reports, was severely and brutally ragged, bullied, and assaulted by senior students. Unable to bear the torture and humiliation, the student took his own life after returning home. This heartbreaking incident is not the first of its kind. Sri Lankan State universities have turned into torture chambers. more..

May 5 (TM) With the dust of the May Day rallies settling and the usual post-mortems taking place as to which political party’s rally was the biggest, this annual contest has assumed a new significance this time around, owing to the election that is to take place on Tuesday. Parties, especially the ruling NPP, are pointing to the crowds and forecasting victory – a landslide at the Local Govt Elections too. Tuesday’s election will be the first Local Govt Poll in seven years, a period during which more..