June 19 (FT) SL’s tea production in May totalled 25.37 million kilos, showing an increase of 3% or 0.72 million kilos from a year ago. All elevations showed an increase in comparison with the corresponding month of 2024. Low Grown crop rose by 0.18% to 14.32 million kilos, High Grown by 3.4% to 5.8 million kilos, and Medium Grown by 10.5% to 4.98 million kilos. Jan-May 2025 cumulative production totalled 113.96 million kilos, recording an increase of 9.16 million kilos more..

June 19 (Island) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is scheduled to visit Colombo later this month. The House on June 5 announced the visit, two days after the UN Resident Coordinator in SL, Marc-André Franche, informed Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, of the impending visit. A press release issued by the Parliament, dated June 5, mistakenly identified Volker Türk as the High Commissioner of the International Commission on Human Rights. more..

June 19 (Island) The govt and the Opposition behaved yesterday––for once. They agreed to have a parliamentary debate on the Middle East conflict and its impact on Sri Lanka yesterday evening itself. If only they had reached consensus on that matter the previous day itself instead of clashing. All Opposition MPs, save a few, staged a walkout, on Tuesday, berating the Speaker. Opposition and NPP should learn to act with restraint and address crucial issues in a conciliatory manner. more..

June 19 (ST) I was woken up on Thursday morning by a call from Human Resource pundit HR Perera, popularly known as HR, who interestingly wanted to discuss conflict of interest. It seems we were on the same page, as I too had decided the previous day to discuss this issue in this Sunday’s column. Why? Our attention was drawn to a report in India’s Hindu newspaper last week and reproduced here by local newspapers, where it was stated that India’s Chief Justice and his colleagues more..

June 19 (TM) Govt is considering introducing a regulatory framework for the private education sector in a move that signals a major shift in national education policy. This development comes amid increasing pressure to stem the outflow of students and finances to foreign institutions, improve the quality of local private education offerings, and address deep-rooted structural flaws in the country’s public education system. more..

June 19 (FT) Sri Lanka is ageing—rapidly and irreversibly. According to demographic projections, by 2045, nearly one in four Sri Lankans will be aged 60 or above. At the same time, our younger population is steadily shrinking due to declining fertility and increasing out-migration. This demographic shift is placing growing pressure on families, communities, and the State. Compounding this challenge is the reality that informal caregiving—whether for young children, elderly parents, more..

June 19 (CT) On 17 June, Ceylon Today featured two distinct but deeply connected stories, each exposing the profound suffering of Sri Lankans who rely on our public hospitals. One detailed the arrest of a prominent consultant neurosurgeon for corruption; the other, a dire warning about life-threatening medicine shortages. Together, these stories unveil a deepening crisis, hollowing out our public health system and leaving our most vulnerable citizens in peril. more..

June 19 (DM) Days after the crash of an Air India flight, former SriLankan Airlines pilot captain Sri Segaram speaks to Daily Mirror on the possible causes that might lead to an air crash. Captain Sri Segaram has 45 years of experience with over 30,000 flying hours. Q: As an experienced pilot, what do you think could have caused the Air India flight crash? A: Whatever I’m saying is based on my experience in aviation—that’s number one. more..

June 19 (TM) Sri Lanka’s political landscape has changed colour to being one of red, and although there were some setbacks during the Local Govt Elections, the tally board today shows that the NPP now has control of the Executive, Legislature and most of the local govt institutions. The change in colour at Colombo Municipality Council (CMC), a hotly contested seat of power, is telling of the overwhelming swing in favour of the political landscape. more..

June 19 (SO) If there is an informal economy in this country, who runs it? Every country has an informal economy, and SL’s is particularly large. Around 5.5 million of the 8.2 million employees in the country function in the informal economy. This statistic should boggle the mind. That’s a whopping 67% of the workforce, according to recent statistics. This is around two-thirds of all the people who work, who are not protected by labour laws, and do not function within the legal framework that more..

June 18 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, yesterday (17), ordered the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) to submit a report, including instructions from the Attorney General, on whether legal action should be taken in connection with a container of tramadol pills that has been held by Customs for nearly five years. Investigating officers informed the Court that the container was detained by Customs in 2018 following information that it contained unlawful drugs. more..

June 18 (EN) Sri Lanka is going ahead with a tender to build a liquefied natural gas terminal which was scuttled by a previous administration, Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said. “The current govt has decided to go ahead with a tender called by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and CEB,” Minister told parliament. “Accordingly, to sign the project with the successful bidder, the cabinet appointed negotiation committee and project committee has been re-established. more..

June 18 (CI) It was just as the freshest cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 was approaching its fourth hour that the freshest Test cricketer on the planet pivoted at the top of his mark, and did something a little bit special. In his first 95 deliveries in Test cricket, Tharindu Rathnayake had been a right-arm offspinner. But like a magician who plunges himself into the hat and pulls out a different version of his own self, more..

June 18 (DM) Oscar and Emmy Award-winning British actor Jeremy Irons arrived in Sri Lanka last night (17) to star in Cage Bird, an internationally-backed film directed by veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam. A spokesperson for the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau confirmed that this marks the first visit by a Hollywood A-list actor of Irons’ calibre for a film production in over 12 years. Irons, globally known for his performances in The Lion King, Reversal of Fortune, and more..

June 18 (DM) Two suspects were arrested by the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau for demanding a ransom of Rs. 10 million and extorting Rs. 2 million from the victim. Investigations were launched following a complaint from a resident of Badalgama, who reported receiving death threats targeting him and his child if the ransom was not paid. Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau conducted a raid in Seeduwa yesterday and more..

June 18 (DM) Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) has conducted its annual trend survey for 2024 to monitor and map the evolving patterns of tobacco use across SL, aiming to support evidence-based policymaking and awareness initiatives. 21.6% of individuals aged 15 and above were identified as current smokers defined as those who had smoked within the past 30 days at the time the survey was administered. more..

June 18 (AD) Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife Kusum Priyadarshini Epa, and their daughter Chandula Rambukwella who were granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, have been remanded due to their failure to fulfil the bail conditions. Trio was produced before the court today, following their arrest by officers of the CIABOC in connection with an investigation conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. more..

June 18 (AD) Efforts will be taken to transform Colombo into one of the most developed cities in the world, newly appointed Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said after assuming duties in the new post this morning. Vraie Balthazaar of NPP took oaths as the 26th Mayor of the CMC, today. She was elected the new Colombo Mayor following a secret ballot on Monday. During the secret ballot, Councilor Balthazaar received 61 votes while Riza Zarook of the SJB obtained 54 votes. more..

June 18 (AM) Attorney Sanjaya Weerawickrama told the special parliament inquiry committee that the period between the issuance of an arrest warrant for his client, suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and his eventual arrest was spent in the company of President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva and others, including himself. Weerawickrama made this statement while giving evidence before the committee more..

June 18 (NW) Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) says the Sri Aviation Unit Bria, operating under the United Nations mandate in the Central African Republic, successfully executed a critical Casualty Evacuation mission last week (14 June) amidst a highly hostile environment. Issuing a statement, the SLAF said that the operation involved an Mi-17 helicopter (UNO 326P) tasked with the urgent onsite casualty pickup of three UN personnel from Zemio who were severely wounded in combat. more..

June 18 (AM) SL’s trusted household brand SOORYA ignited the Youth Top 40 Awards 2025, presented by New Generation SL. The award was won by Uni of Kelaniya alumna Anudi Gunasekera — the current Miss Sri Lanka for Miss World — at a ceremony held last night at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. Anudi Gunasekera is a past pupil of A'pura Central College and holds a BA (Hons) degree in International Relations and Affairs. Anudi is a model, beauty queen and social activist. more..

June 18 (PMD) A range of new projects for the 2025 financial year have been launched under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, a flagship government initiative aimed at fostering A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life. A progress review meeting for these projects, which are being implemented by various ministries and their respective departments, corporations, boards and institutions, was held yesterday, chaired by Dr. Nandika Kumanayake, Secretary to the President. more..

June 18 (Island) Nimal Senadheera officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK on Monday, at the SL High Commission in London. The occasion was marked by a traditional and dignified ceremony. Senadheera succeeded Rohitha Bogollagama who took over the mission in Nov 2023 during Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the President. Senadheera was warmly welcomed by officials and staff of the Mission. In his address, he highlighted the Govt’s vision to strengthen more..

June 18 (CI) Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das scored 401 runs among them, but the complexion of the game changed after a two-hour rain interruption as SL came roaring back late in the day, to leave Bangladesh on 484 for 9 at stumps of day two in Galle. It meant the 20.4 overs bowled in the final session saw five wickets fall for 61 runs, and resulted in a dramatic Bangladesh collapse more..

June 18 (FT) Sampath Bank said yesterday it has set a new milestone as the first bank in Sri Lanka to launch a standardised Application Programming Interface (API) platform. This revolutionary move redefines corporate banking by simplifying and automating intricate financial processes for businesses of all sizes, reflecting the Bank’s steadfast commitment to providing agile, technology-driven solutions for its expanding base of corporate and SME clients. more..

June 18 (AD) Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya is scheduled to conclude his tenure as a member of the Governing Board and the Monetary Policy Board of Central Bank of SL (CBSL) on June 27, 2025. Bar Association of SL (BASL), in an official statement announced that Rajeev Amarasuriya resigned from the board after assuming duties as the President of the BASL. Upon the approval of the Constitutional Council, Rajeev Amarasuriya was appointed as a Member of the Governing Board of the CBSL more..

June 18 (EN) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his party threatened to sack him . But outgoing Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena earned appreciation from the same leader who threatened to oust him after standing for tough reforms. Siriwardana retired from the post of Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury on Wednesday (18). He is expected to take up an alternative director post in ADB. more..

June 18 (DM) A heated debate broke out in Parliament yesterday (17) as UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake criticised the govt’s handling of the country’s renewable energy policy and power sector management. The discussion came in the wake of the nationwide blackout that occurred on Feb 9 this year, which the CEB blamed on excessive solar power destabilising the national grid. MP raising the matter in Parliament, pointed out govt’s inconsistent position on renewable energy. more..

June 18 (EN) Sri Lanka is calling international tenders for renewable large renewable projects to boost competition and bring down electricity costs, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said. “There are only two or three local companies tendering for these projects, and they are also observed to have internal connections,” Minister said, answering a question by opposition legislator Ravi Karunanayake in parliament. SL had a practice of calling international tenders for large plants, he said. more..

June 18 (DM) The NPP has taken control of the Kolonnawa Municipal Council with the backing of a SJB councillor, who had secured the highest number of preferential votes in the last local govt election. A tense situation unfolded during the council meeting held this morning (18) to elect a new chairman. The NPP held nine seats in the 19-member council, while the opposition collectively had 10. With no clear majority, an election was called to select the chairman. more..

June 18 (AD) The Parliament was adjourned until 9.30 am on Thursday morning despite the objections raised by opposition’s parliamentarians who had called for a debate on the Israel-Iran conflict. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Rizvie Salih announced the adjournment of the parliamentary session as SJB MP Ajith P. Perera failed to be present in the House at the scheduled time to start the adjournment debate he had proposed on the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. more..

June 18 (NW) Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, is set to begin operations in SL next week, according to Telecom Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL). TRCSL Director General Bandula Herath announced that 12 initial users have been selected to receive Starlink services, with equipment already distributed to them this week. A total of 112 Starlink equipment kits have been imported into the country. more..