May 4 (ST) Dept of Motor Traffic has begun the process of making the place bribe free by putting up signs saying, Offering and accepting a bribe is a punishable offence. The dept is one of the govt institutions which is notorious for solicitation of bribes to expedite the licence-issuing process. Commenting on the move, Minister Bimal Ratnayake saying, “It’s launched. CCTVs will also be installed within weeks! Zero tolerance. more..

May 4 (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 LG Poll in seven years, a period during which more..

May 4 (CT) As of midnight on 3 May, when this Newspaper reaches you, campaigning for the LG Elections will officially come to a close. With that, the nation enters the final 48 hours before another island-wide Vote. This Election stands out for its remarkable array of unique features and the many significant events that have unfolded across society during the pre-election period. As this is expected to be the final Election of the year, we take this opportunity to first and foremost more..

May 4 (TM) Sri Lanka last week marked the first May Day celebrated under a President and Govt from the Leftist movement. For the JVP-led NPP, it was yet another case of showing strength to thousands of party cadres and supporters filling the Galle Face Green and the adjacent Galle Road. In the run-up to the Local Govt Elections on Tuesday (6), the May Day rallies last week could be a precursor to the final outcome of the polls. more..

May 4 (CT) On May 6, SL will hold local govt elections for 339 councils, engaging over 17 million voters. Elections come at a pivotal moment for the NPP, which has seen a surge in support but now faces growing scrutiny over its governance and internal coherence. A key issue for voters is whether to prioritise party allegiance or the personal integrity of candidates. While the NPP campaigns on an anti-corruption, anti-waste platform, critics point to its internal contradictions, alleged compromises, more..

May 4 (SO) The much postponed LG Elections will finally be held on Tuesday, May 6. Although nominations were submitted in 2023 to hold the LG elections, the Election Commission (EC) was forced to postpone the polls due to the failure, deliberate or otherwise, of the previous Govt to provide the requisite funds to hold the elections. Some of its key leaders even mocked the very process of elections. Govt should conduct a probe as to why the LG elections were postponed repeatedly, more..

May 3 (DM) The death of a student at Sabaragamuwa Uni by suicide over reasons allegedly linked to ragging sparks concerns over the lack of awareness of anti-ragging legislation and its enforcement, according to officials. Despite ragging being a criminal offence in terms of the Prohibition of Ragging and Other Forms of Violence in Educational Institutions Act, freshers continue to be subjected to physical and mental harassment, even more..

May 3 (CT) ITAK Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran criticised the NPP Govt during the May Day rally yesterday (1), urging them to return to Leninist ideology, implement wage increases, and warning that failure to do so would soon result in losing the support of the people. “From the past to the present, the only party that has consistently worked for the workers in this country is the ITAK. We are the main party that has earned the trust and confidence of the Tamil people,” said Sumanthiran. more..

May 3 (AD) Suspect believed to be the gunman involved in the murder of political activist Dan Priyasad has been arrested in the Cinnamon Gardens area of Colombo. Convenor of the Nawa Sinhale National Movement and political activist, Dan Priyasad, was shot at the Laksanda Sevana Housing Complex in Wellampitiya on Tuesday (22). He was initially admitted to Colombo National Hospital with gunshot wounds, but passed away shortly after due to the severity of his injuries. more..

May 3 (DM) A businessman who owns a vehicle sales showroom in Wariyapola was ordered to be remanded till 9 May by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali for allegedly causing a loss of over Rs. 50 million in unpaid taxes to the govt. Businessman was arrested over a major fraud involving the registration of luxury vehicles imported illegally through the Customs Dept. He is accused of submitting fraudulent data more..

May 3 (CT) A segment of land previously under the control of the SL military in the Jaffna District was officially released to civilians yesterday (1). At an official ceremony held at the Jaffna District Secretariat at 11:30 a.m., Jaffna Security Forces Commander, Major General Y.A.M.B. Yahampath, handed over the land release permits to Jaffna District Secretary, M. Piratheepan. Speaking at the event, District Secretary stated that approximately 40.7 acres of land were released more..

May 3 (FT) Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on Wednesday endorsed the certificate on the Proceeds of Crime Bill in Parliament. The Bill was presented to Parliament for the First Reading on 1 March. The debate on the Second Reading of the Proceeds of Crime Bill was held on 8 April, and following the Second Reading debate, the Bill was considered at the Committee Stage. Thereafter, the Bill was passed in Parliament without a division and without amendments, following 3rd Reading. more..

May 3 (NW) 16 years after the end of SL’s war, landmines continue to pose a threat to communities in the Northern and Eastern provinces, with around 23 square kilometers of land still contaminated and inaccessible. PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, addressing a Donor Coordination and Appreciation Ceremony in Colombo today (2), stressed that the removal of landmines is a national imperative, not just a humanitarian task. She said the process is essential to restoring dignity, livelihoods, more..

May 3 (Island) In line with a broader, more inclusive approach and in alignment with evolving global standards, CSE announces the launch of the GSS+ Bonds Regulatory Framework, effective March 2025. This marks the first comprehensive regulatory framework in SL dedicated to thematic bonds. Under this initiative, the term Sustainability Bonds in the CSE Listing Rules has been replaced with GSS+ Bonds, which now encompasses Green, Blue, Social, Sustainability, and other related more..

May 3 (IJ) Sri Lanka has experienced significant political change in recent times. The election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sept 2024 and a parliamentary vote that followed in November emphasized people's desire for improved governance and better economic management. Yet the lasting impacts of the NPP’s rise to power remain unclear and the road to deeper reform is far from assured. more..

May 3 (FT) Tariff turmoil shatters business confidence, business magazine LMD reports, in its soon to be released May edition. The magazine notes that business sentiment has nosedived, leaving the record-equalling highs of recent months in the rear-view mirror. The LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) fell substantially in April – following its record-equalling high of 204 in Feb – shedding 25 basis points to settle at 172, from 197 in March, LMD observes. more..

May 3 (DN) Paceman Isitha Wijesundara had a match bag of 10 wickets (6 for 35 and 4 for 75) as Sri Lanka A registered a 308-run win over Afghanistan A in their 4-day unofficial Test match played in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Chasing a daunting target of 615 runs for victory, Afghanistan A were bowled out for 306 runs with 18 overs to spare on the final day, sealing a significant win for SL A in this solitary unofficial 4-day Test. SL A paceman Isitha Wijesundara, who took 6 for 35, more..

May 3 (FT) Sri Lanka’s export engine is gearing up for a major revamp as a high-level delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met with officials of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) kicked off plans to initiate the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2025-2029. The high-stakes meeting on 25 April marked the start of a bold new strategy to catapult local industries onto the world stage and unlock untapped trade potential. more..

May 3 (FT) Renowned American R&B superstar and three-time Grammy award winner Ne-Yo is set to electrify Sri Lanka with his first-ever live performance in Colombo in Dec 2025, in a spectacular event organised by Brown Boy Presents. Cinnamon Grand Colombo joins as the official hospitality partner, ensuring an unparalleled experience for the event. Ne-Yo, celebrated globally for his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, is recognised for chart-topping hits such as So Sick, Miss Independent, more..

May 3 (ST) The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) is facing a crisis owing to a multitude of issues that have placed a severe strain on its day-to-day functioning. Problems include a crippling shortage of staff, delays in filling two vacancies of Commission members and the lack of an Independent Fund for the Commission. IMF hailed the RTIC as a governance role model in its 2023 Governance Diagnostic Report and more..

May 3 (GV) I have titled my first novel Aversion. The definition of this word is a strong dislike or disinclination and an opposition or a repulsion towards a thing, a place or a person. I feel it is an appropriate title because the world today, and especially the world of social media, which this book describes in some detail, is defined by continual conflict and combat between people. In fact, conflict and contention shape our contemporary society. The main character is more..

May 3 (Island) The JVP-led NPP govt is quite upbeat about its massive May Day rally, which was intended to give a mega boost to its local govt election campaign. Govts in power usually hold mammoth rallies to demonstrate their power. They are capable of doing so as they have the entire state machinery at their disposal and are never short of funds, which flow from various sources. They hire thousands of buses and bring their supporters from all parts of the country to their rallies, more..

May 3 (CT) After a prolonged delay, SL is finally heading to the polls for LG Elections on 6 May. It is an event that may not command the same headlines or political fanfare as a presidential or parliamentary contest—but it is no less important. In fact, this election, grounded in the daily realities of citizens’ lives, may prove to be the most consequential of all. Local govt is the smallest, yet arguably most vital, unit of democratic governance. While national leaders chart broad policies and more..

May 3 (ST) Last week we talked about the timely need for SL to be a country with no import controls in the context of US reciprocal tariffs. I thought our discussion would be incomplete if we ignore the issue of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Why does SL need FTAs? Can they make a difference to our export basket? Today, I take these questions to find answers. However, at the outset I must stress the fact that FTAs should not be our cup of tea unless we have a fairly open free trade regime; why? more..