May 15 (ST) Shangri-La Asia’s hotels in Colombo and Hambantota have recorded the highest rate of revenue growth in 2024 for the group in its 50th anniversary year, while investment properties such as the seven-storey shopping mall One Galle Face, and apartments have delivered profit. Though not profitable, consolidated revenues of the Sri Lanka hotels for 2024 increased by 22% to US$40.5 million (Rs 12.102 billion) from US$33.2m in 2023, annual financial filings show. more..

May 15 (FT) National Development Bank (NDB) announced its financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2025, reflecting solid growth in line with the revival of economic activity and rising private sector credit demand. CEO Kelum Edirisinghe said: “We made a strong start to the year, following the highest-ever profit recorded in the bank’s history in 2024. Guided by our priorities, we have devised bold, actionable plans to unlock greater potential and accelerate our strategic more..

May 15 (FT) In a major boost to bilateral ties, China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will visit SL in a fortnight, leading a delegation of 115 business representatives from 77 companies. He will attend a high-level SL-China Trade and Investment Forum on 30 May in Colombo, hosted by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Dept of Commerce of SL, together with SL – China Business Council of Ceylon Chamber, & China Chamber more..

May 15 (FT) Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group said it has made a characteristically strong start to 2025, recording healthy profit and balance sheet growth in the first quarter of the year. Comprising of SL’s largest private sector bank, its subsidiaries, and an associate, the Group reported in a filing with CSE that assets reached Rs. 2.999 trillion as at 31 March 2025. Gross income for the quarter grew by 9.85% to Rs. 88.10 billion, while interest income improved by 3.14% more..

May 15 (ST) Sometime back in around 1990 in Mumbai, I was sharing a lift with a journalist colleague when he inquired about the use of mobile phones in SL, then introduced in 1989. He was amazed that SL was ahead of India in launching this useful product. While SL introduced sweeping economic reforms in 1978, India’s reforms came much later in 1991 with the architect of these reforms being Finance Minister Manmohan Singh. India’s GDP in 1987 was US$ 275,460 mil more..

May 15 (FT) Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in SL (AHK SL) successfully organised a visitor delegation to Intersolar Europe 2025, held from 7-9 May in Munich, Germany. Recognised globally as one of the most significant and comprehensive trade fairs dedicated to the solar industry, Intersolar serves as a premier platform for showcasing the latest innovations in renewable energy and sustainable technologies. SL delegation comprised senior representatives from more..

May 15 (CT) Recent bus accident somewhere between Nuwara Eliya and Gampola yet again highlight the importance of scrutinising the reasons for such horrific accidents on SL’s roads. Not long ago there was a similar accident with an overturned bus in the hill country. I am sure there are many more examples of such accidents from other parts of the island as well. During my recent visit to the Island, I witnessed that the private buses do not have any limits placed on the number of more..

May 15 (TM) When SL introduced a mandatory 25% quota for women’s representation in local govt through the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act of 2016, it was hailed as a significant step towards inclusive governance. But nearly a decade later, the ambitious reform is faltering, not due to a lack of political will on paper, but because of loopholes and exceptions embedded in the very legislation that was more..

May 15 (DM) Health authorities have expedited actions to contain the soaring dengue and chikungunya cases. According to National Dengue Control Programme Director Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, the same mosquito is responsible for both illnesses. As a preventive measure, a mosquito prevention week had been declared from 19-24 May. But such ad hoc interventions alone may not help to curb the spread of vector-borne illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya. more..

May 15 (CT) For over a century, SL Railways has stood as a symbol of national connectivity and progress. Yet today, it stands as a tragic reflection of decades of mismanagement, neglect, and missed opportunities. The recent Vesak holiday train cancellations—where 57 services were suspended due to driver shortages—have once again laid bare the systemic failings that continue to derail this once-proud institution. At the heart of the crisis lies a chronic shortage of train drivers. more..

May 15 (CT) The island nation continues its struggle against mosquito-borne diseases—particularly dengue. While the country has witnessed an alarming annual rise in dengue cases from the beginning of the year to date, the onset of the monsoon rains and certain public behaviours have now reintroduced yet another viral infection, also transmitted by the same female mosquitoes responsible for dengue fever: Aedes aegypti more..

May 15 (DM) Donald Trump’s economic policies shave met with stupefaction and withering scorn on the part of journalists and economists worldwide. However, among the criticisms of his liberation rhetoric, I have not yet come across any reference to the role AI plays in the new global economy and in his ambitions. Given the impact tariffs will have on American consumer spending, it is unlikely that Trump’s policy will survive for very long. Nevertheless, we need to remember that more..

May 15 (TM) The Vesak celebration in Sri Lanka is a national affair, with almost every city, village and community getting involved. Despite many fault lines and rips in the fabric of being Sri Lankan, the New Year celebrations in April and the subsequent Vesak week in May, brought Sri Lankans out in numbers. This year, it was observed that many of the urban poor were on the streets with their families to see the colourful sights of Vesak pandols and visit the numerous dansal. more..

May 14 (DM) In response to the recent surge in road accidents involving buses, police have stepped up night-time inspections of long-distance passenger buses in an effort to reduce such incidents. Police said the Acting IGP has instructed officers to be deployed at key points along major roads to conduct checks on vehicles, particularly long-distance buses operating at night. The inspections aim to identify drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as well as those engaging in reckless or more..

May 14 (NW) Gold prices declined significantly, both globally and in SL, following a temporary easing in trade tensions between the US and China. On May 12, global gold prices dropped more than 3%, marking the largest single-day decline of 2025. The fall was driven by a 90-day agreement between the US and China to reduce tariffs—U.S. duties were lowered from 145% to 30%, while China reduced its tariffs from 125% to 10%. The easing of trade tensions reduced demand for gold as a more..

May 14 (Island) SJB is in turmoil over naming of members to Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded LG elections. Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa. more..

May 14 (NW) Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has denied links to the educational programmes offered by the SL National Youth Services Co-operative Society (NYSCO). Issuing a statement, the ministry said its name and official govt logo had been utilised by the institution without approval for the promotion of its educational programmes. Based on the instructions of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), the ministry has appointed a committee to probe the matter. more..

May 14 (CT) The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has called on the President to take direct action to implement advanced technologies to control dengue, ensuring such measures follow proper procurement procedures and involve consultation with relevant international experts. The MCPA criticised Sri Lanka’s health system for its continued failure to contain the annual dengue outbreaks, which often reach epidemic levels. more..

May 14 (PMD) In a landmark move to promote public hygiene and accessibility, the Govt today launched a national-level initiative to install modern sanitation facilities at fuel stations across the country under Clean SL programme. Official launch was held at the Prez Secretariat, with the participation of top govt officials and key industry stakeholders. The initiative aims to transform fuel stations into clean, safe and inclusive spaces more..

May 14 (CT) The EPDP will not extend its support to the Govt in any local govt body in the North, General Secretary of the Party, Douglas Devananda said, adding that it is the Party’s final decision. He made this statement while meeting with EPDP’s local govt candidates, regional representatives, and key Party figures at the Party’s Headquarters in Jaffna. He also clarified that the EPDP has no intention of joining any ruling administration. Specifically, he criticised the National People’s Power (NPP), more..

May 14 (AD) SL-born Gary Anandasangaree has been sworn in as Canada’s new Minister of Public Safety in PM Mark Carney’s recently unveiled cabinet. As Minister of Public Safety, Anandasangaree will lead the Dept of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness — the federal body responsible for internal security, border protection, and emergency management. The dept also administers the Emergency Management Act and oversees key security agencies including more..

May 14 (AD) Colombo High Court today ordered the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of Tangalle, or a medical officer appointed by him, to examine the health condition of Nandun Wickramaratne, also known as Harak Kata, a high-profile drug trafficking suspect currently detained at the Tangalle Old Prison. The directive was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Sujeewa Nissanka after the defendant informed the court that he was suffering from multiple ailments, including haemorrhoids, more..

May 14 (TM) The public has been alerted to fraudulent social media messages offering free mobile data in celebration of Vesak, known as Data Dansal. According to the SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), scammers are circulating fake links that claim to provide free data but are actually designed to steal personal information. Senior Information Security Engineer Charuka Damunupola warned that while legitimate data donations do exist, many links shared more..

May 14 (TM) SL’s adventure tourism market which offers commercially operated outdoor activities such as hiking and trekking, is estimated to reach $ 780 million by 2025, and is further projected to expand to $ 2.1 billion by 2035, according to Future Market Insights. “This represents a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% over the ten-year period, underscoring the island’s rising appeal as a premier destination for more..

May 14 (NW) Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, seeking to prevent his arrest over a payment made in 2021 to a Chinese firm for a consignment of alleged substandard organic fertiliser. Filing his anticipatory bail, the former minister informed the court that the Bribery Commission intends to arrest him in connection with allowing a ship carrying the alleged substandard organic fertiliser to enter more..

May 14 (Island) The Indian High Commission in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo and Bihar Museum, Patna, India organised a special exhibition titled Dhamma Rupa at Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple on Monday (12) as part of the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival in Colombo. PM Harini Amarasuriya, accompanied by High Commissioner of India to SL Santosh Jha inaugurated the exhibition during the opening of Vesak Festival at Gangaramaya, more..

May 14 (NW) Twenty-six (26) vehicles, including luxury and decommissioned models, are scheduled to be auctioned tomorrow (15), as part of the second phase of the luxury vehicle auction conducted by the Presidential Secretariat. All vehicles set to be auctioned were manufactured within the last ten years, while the deadline for submitting bids for these vehicles concluded today. Among the vehicles to be auctioned are more..

May 14 (DM) A two-day vehicle tuning dansala will be held tomorrow (15) and the day after (16) in front of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) head office in Narahenpita, to mark Vesak Poya day. The event was inaugurated by DMT Commissioner General. Free tuning services for motorcycles and three-wheelers will be provided at the dansala. These vehicles, which make up the majority of SL’s vehicle population, often lack systematic maintenance due to economic constraints, more..

May 14 (AD) At least 17 persons have been injured and hospitalised after a van veered off the road and toppled down a precipice at the Ramboda Ella-R.B. Watta area, along the Nuwara Eliya - Gampola main road. The wounded persons, who are from Rajanganaya, have been admitted to the Kotmale Hospital, however, they have only sustained minor injuries.The incidentally, today’s accident had occurred just one and a half kilometres away from the site of the recent fatal bus crash that more..

May 14 (Island) SL Red Cross Society (SLRCS) recently organised commemorative events across SL, together with the Int'l Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Int'l Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), volunteers and local communities World Red Cross Red and Crescent Day. At the national level, the SLRCS in Colombo hosted a special ceremony to appreciate outstanding volunteers from each of the 25 district-level branches, honouring their commitment more..

May 14 (CT) A total of eight Dansel that failed to adhere to proper health and safety guidelines were suspended by the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) during their inspections on Monday (12) evening. The Public Health Inspectors’ Union of SL (PHIUSL) said that permission had also been granted to another 17 to provide alms after their organisers were given the required health and safety guidelines. Over 8,800 Dansel were organised island-wide in view of the Vesak Poya. more..