May 2 (FT) Prez and NPP party Leader Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday delivered a fiery and heartfelt speech, not just to celebrate workers, but to declare the beginning of a new political chapter in SL—pledging rebuild the nation on the principles of justice, unity, and clean governance. Standing before a sea of supporters at Galle Face Green at the NPP May Day rally, his words marked a clear departure from more..

May 2 (DM) NPP govt came to power by telling endless lies, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said. Addressing the May Day rally at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Theatre in Nugegoda yesterday, MP Rajapaksa said the current govt is maintaining excessive tax policies that people can no longer bear. "The current govt blames us, saying the Rajapaksa govt reduced taxes. But we never imposed unfair taxes on people when they were facing tough times. more..

May 2 (DN) Nearly 40 acres of land located within the High-Security Zone in Jaffna were officially released to civilian authorities yesterday . The land was handed over by Jaffna District Security Forces Commander, Major General Manatha Yahampath to Jaffna District Secretary M. Piiratheepan during an official event held at the Jaffna District Secretariat. The released lands include 20 acres from the Vasavilan area, 15 acres from the Mangkollai region, and five acres from the Thikkam locality. more..

May 2 (FT) SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa launched a scathing critique of NPP-led govt of resorting to deception and propaganda, in a desperate bid to sway public opinion ahead of the upcoming LG Elections on 6 May. Speaking at the SJB’s May Day rally held in Talawakelle under the theme Workers’ Power in the Battle to Win the Village, he described it as a call for working-class empowerment and rural revitalisation. more..

May 2 (CT) Chief Security Officer of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has been transferred with immediate effect. Chief Inspector Ashoka Ariyawansa, who served as Wickremesinghe’s principal personal security officer, has been reassigned to the Kankesanthurai Police Station. Transfer has reportedly been approved by the National Police Commission. Ariyawansa has been part of RW’s security detail for 23 years, including 15 years as his chief personal security officer. more..

May 2 (TM) Sri Lanka’s current account recorded a surplus for the third consecutive month in March, driven by the record inflows of workers’ remittances. Current account recorded a surplus of $ 459.5 million in March, reporting an increase of 76.8% year-on-year (y-o-y), while the current account surplus for the first three months stood at $ 949 million. Meanwhile, the merchandise trade deficit expanded in March to $ 395.6, showing a modest improvement compared to February. more..

May 2 (Island) Party leaders are scheduled to meet today in the Parliamentary complex to fix a date for the resumption of the debate on the Batalanda Commission report. The Committee on Parliamentary Business is scheduled to meet today from 9.30 am. A decision on parliamentary business for the next sitting week will be taken at the meeting. During the meeting a decision is expected to be taken on the date for the second day of the debate on the report of the Commission of Inquiry more..

May 2 (Island) Sri Lanka’s agricultural backbone, Monaragala District, is buckling under the weight of climate change, according to the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ). Executive Director, Dilena Pathragoda said that their study outlines a stark warning that the district’s economic survival is in grave danger unless urgent action is taken. “The impacts of climate change are no longer distant predictions. They are happening here and now; devastating crops, livelihoods and more..

May 2 (TM) Following reports that Police officers had visited suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon’s residence and informed him of an alleged assassination plot, Ministry of Public Security stated that the Police would take necessary steps if there is a credible threat. It was reported on Wednesday (30) that Police officers including the OIC of the Athurugiriya Police Station had visited Tennakoon's residence, & informed the latter more..

May 2 (AD) A total of five persons were swept away by strong currents while bathing in the Deduru Oya today (1). However, three of them have been rescued while two others are still missing, according to Police. The missing, aged 20 and 22, are employees of a supermarket in Kandy. Three females who were rescued are also employed at the same establishment. The owner and employees had gone on an excursion since the supermarket was closed today in view of it being Labor Day. more..

May 2 (NW) Police have issued a statement addressing media reports that a minor was arrested and held overnight at the Welioya Police Station. According to the statement, officers visited the home of a woman in Helabawewa, Welioya, who was wanted on an arrest warrant. After presenting the warrant and explaining the charges, officers requested the woman to prepare for transport to the Police station. However, Police said the woman fled through the back door into a wooded area, more..

May 2 (FT) The gem and jewellery industry has urged the Government to resolve the crisis arising from the proposed high reciprocal tariff by US President Donald Trump via dialogue. “The proposed imposition of a reciprocal tariff by the US stands to significantly disrupt Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector—one of the most historically significant and economically vital industries in the country. We are seriously concerned about the impact,” industry sources said. more..

May 2 (DM) SL’s construction sector showed signs of continued expansion in March, with PMI for Construction reaching 54.3. While this marks a slight dip from February’s 55.6, it indicates the industry is still on an upward trajectory, remaining above the neutral 50.0 threshold for the third consecutive month. The modest expansion is largely attributed to a stable environment (steady input prices and favourable weather conditions), that has allowed construction work to continue. more..

May 2 (NW) Police have launched an investigation into the death of a student of the Sabaragamuwa University, who reportedly died by suicide following an incident of ragging. The investigation began following a complaint to the Samanalawewa Police by a fellow student, alleging the death was linked to ragging. Inquiries are underway to determine whether the student had been subjected to ragging and to identify more..

May 2 (DN) Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, will look to bounce back when they face South Africa Women in a crucial Tri-Nation ODI today at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The match is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. This fixture is vital for the SL side after their defeat to India in the opening game at the same venue. India currently sit atop the points table with two back-to-back wins. South Africa, who put up a strong performance, narrowly lost to India by 15 runs. more..

May 2 (AD) A stash of jewellery suspected to be gold has been found in a safe linked to organized criminal Janith Madushanka, also known as Podi Lassie, and his close family members. Accordingly, the Illegal Assets Investigations Division has taken custody of jewellery weighing approximately 1 kg and 112 grams in total suspected to be gold items deposited in a safety deposit box at a bank located in Ambalangoda, belonging to the mother-in-law of Podi Lassie, Police said. more..

May 2 (EN) Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has urged the Chinese Ambassador in SL to help with investment in the pharmaceutical sector and assist with essential drugs that are facing shortage in the island nation. The request came at a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Minister Jayatissa early this week. The meeting comes three months after Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to Beijing more..

May 2 (DM) Brandix confirmed that US tariffs imposed on imports have not yet triggered order cancellations through September. However, the company warned of potential pressures on export volumes and margins in the final quarter of 2025. Brandix Managing Director Hasitha Premaratne emphasised that while immediate disruptions are limited, negotiations with U.S. brands over cost-sharing and inflationary risks to consumer demand could impact holiday-season shipments. more..

May 2 (FT) Lanka India Business Association (LIBA) announced that it will launch the first-ever online business advisory service that will connect business advisors in India directly to businesses in SL (members of LIBA). One of the most pressing challenges in today’s business landscape is gaining access to the right network. Many business leaders and entrepreneurs struggle to connect with the right individuals at the right time, resulting in lost opportunities for growth and success. more..

May 2 (ST) Bodyline (Pvt.) Ltd, a division of MAS Holdings, officially handed over the 2025 Sri Lanka athletic kits to the national contingent, as part of Bodyline’s ongoing partnership with Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA). The handover ceremony marks the continued partnership between Bodyline and SLA, which extends through to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Bodyline Chief Executive Officer, Sahan Rajapakse, presented the newly designed athletic kits to SLA President, Palitha Fernando, more..

May 2 (DN) SL Rugby picked a 25-member squad to face the visiting New Zealand Under-85kg rugby team in two test matches set to take place on May 4 in Nittawala and May 10 in Colombo at the Racecourse Stadium under floodlights. The matches, which will serve as practice ahead for the Tuskers in their upcoming crucial games in the Asian Rugby Emirates Championship. The squad, which is subject to the approval of the Minister Sunil Gamage, has been carefully selected to more..

May 2 (EN) Minister Vijitha Herath, explaining the reason for the disagreement with India over land connectivity, said economic and political disparity led to the decision amid concerns over possible division in the country. SL govt declined the land connectivity decision the previous SL govt had agreed with India in the past. The plan was to have a bridge between TN Rameshwaram and SL’s North Western Mannar, more..

May 2 (Island) Death and dying were in the forefront this last week because of Pope Francis’ end to life. Even while dying he seemed to think of others and with compassion be considerate. He knew of the masses that would gather at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City with concern for him. He was surely weak and ill but wanted to be wheel chaired to the balcony to be seen by those gathered below on East Sunday. He lived through the Easter days and then died on Monday, more..

May 2 (Island) Another May Day is over. SL workers were treated to a mega political circus yesterday. They may have been thoroughly entertained, but serious issues affecting them remain unresolved. Their trade unions are all at sea. These outfits are anything but modern; they are only adept at making demands, staging protests, and doing political work either for the govt or for the Opposition. They have failed to keep pace with a fast-paced, futuristic world, where work is caught in a whirlpool of more..

May 2 (ST) Hurrah or Aiyo? The European Union (EU) comes calling for its pound of flesh in return for tax concessions, often zero taxes for more than 7,000 items imported by Europe. Wrong! That is an unkind or unfair assessment of these concessions; after all, Sri Lanka’s exporters and the huge mass of local workers immensely benefit from these concessions. An EU delegation is due to arrive at the weekend to review the GSP+ arrangement, which technically ends only in 2027. more..

May 2 (CT) A grain of salt may seem rather common and insignificant, but a scarcity of this often taken-for-granted condiment has the potential to cause a domino effect that affects individuals, households, communities, industries and even govts. It was revealed towards the end of last year that the country’s salt reserves were depleting and a shortage was imminent if no action was taken. Accordingly, Govt decided to import 30,000 MT of non-iodised salt from India to ensure more..

May 2 (SO) As the country heads towards its Local Govt. elections on May 6, political tensions are rising, and familiar patterns are beginning to emerge. Chief among them is the Opposition’s eagerness to attribute any instance of violence or unrest to the ruling NPP Govt — a well-worn tactic in the country’s electoral playbook. Such claims, whether substantiated or speculative, serve multiple purposes. more..

May 2 (CT) Justice DN Samarakoon, Rtd Justice of the Court of Appeal has been appointed last week as the fourth Commissioner of Right to Information Commission (RTI Commission) by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Colombo Telegraph (CT) learns. Justice Samarakoon was nominated by the SL Press Institute to fill the seat of the nominee of editors and media organisations on the five-member RTI Commission left vacant after Justice R. Walgama resigned on January 1st 2025. more..

May 2 (DM) There is much debate taking place about the presence of corporal punishment and the laws being amended to stop children from being physically abused in the name of instilling discipline. Even a few months ago (last August), a female student in Grade 10 died under tragic circumstances due to being physically abused by her teacher. The reason for being punished was due to being late for school. Now these incidents are being reported despite a SC ruling given in 2021, more..

May 2 (TM) An outdated consumer protection law in the country is affecting consumer rights, with stakeholders highlighting the need to bring in amendments that can respond to the current market climate. NCF Leader Asela Sampath criticised the current CAA Act No.9 of 2003 as being an expired law that failed to address the needs of the new world and the future. “For example, doctors warn that certain chemicals are harmful but more..

May 2 (DN) More than twenty years ago, when I worked for the Sunday edition of The Island, I would step into the editorial office of our sister paper, Divaina, just to chit-chat with fellow journalists. I enjoyed conversations with almost all the journalists working there, young and old. On one such occasion, I noticed Dr Nalin De Silva standing near a table, looking a bit out of place. I had met him a few times before that. He recognised me when I greeted him. This was a time when he wrote more..

May 2 (TM) Ragging, a degrading and cruel practice of abuse, torture and indoctrination, championed in the higher education system of SL by mainly leftist political student movements, has once again come under the spotlight, with claims that a freshman student who was abused by student union thugs, had later taken his life due to the trauma faced. What is different this time is that it is those who perfected those tactics of abuse and indoctrination, who are today in the driving seat of power, more..