May 13 (Island) The title of today’s comment was inspired by the name of an award-winning 1990 film, Dances with Wolves, which is the sobriquet given to the protagonist, Lt. John Dunbar, by a Native American tribe because of his close interactions with a wolf he befriends. We were reminded of that epithet on seeing the JVP-led NPP waltzing with those it condemned as thieves before last week’s local govt (LG) polls. The NPP govt deserves the moniker, Dances with Thieves. more..

May 13 (Island) The local government elections that took place last week saw a consolidation of the democratic system in the country. The govt followed the rules of elections to a greater extent than its recent predecessors some of whom continue to be active on the political stage. Particularly noteworthy was the absence of the large-scale abuse of state resources, both media and financial, which had become normalised under successive governments in the past four decades. more..

May 13 (TM) 23-year-old Charith Dilshan, a Sabaragamuwa Uni undergraduate, took his own life on 29 April. Several students are in remand prison in connection with the physical and psychological abuse the youth underwent before making the decision to end his own life. In 1975, in order to avoid abuse, Rupa Rathnaseeli of Uni of Peradeniya leapt off 2nd floor of uni’s Ramanathan Hall, a move that left her paralysed until more..

May 13 (DM) On Saturday (10), the Yunus govt banned all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of the party and its leaders is completed. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser to the Interim govt, Asif Nazrul, made the announcement after an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council at around 10:55 pm on Saturday. All cyberspace activities of the League, too, would come under this ban. The meeting also approved an amendment of more..

May 13 (CT) SL’s local govt elections on May 6 have thrown up interesting results. The governing NPP achieved a decisive victory by winning 266 out of 339 local councils, with the opposition parties performing poorly; SJB emerging the runner-up, having won control of 13 local govts, while ITAK and the SLMC won 37 and 5 councils respectively. Both UNP and SLPP did not capture power in any council. Nationally however, NPP’s vote bank declined from 6.8 mil in Nov 2024 parliamentary elections more..

May 13 (CT) Voting is a democratic right. Everyone holds equal value in this regard. As elections approach, there tends to be increased attention on the rights of persons with disabilities. But have these individuals truly been neglected during elections? Or are they unaware of their rights? Various social groups and organisations often voice concerns about the lack of facilities available to them. Using the Right to Information Act, more..

May 13 (TM) Govt of Sri Lanka finally moved to hold crisis management talks with relevant stakeholders on managing the impact of India-Pakistan conflict on Sri Lankan ports and shipping, with the Minister Bimal Ratnayake recently chairing high-level discussions on the matter. The meeting, held with the participation of key stakeholders from the sector, focused on strategies to manage the expected increase in ship arrivals at local ports due to regional disruptions. more..

May 13 (DM) The NPP, subsequent to the May 6 LG elections, has encountered the same problem the SLPP faced following the 2018 local council elections. Both parties obtained the highest number of seats in a majority of councils but failed to claim absolute power in a large number of them, as the collective strength of all other parties in those councils exceeded their strength. For instance, the NPP has got the highest number of seats in 267 councils, including in the Elpitiya PS election more..

May 12 (TM) Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) has called for an investigation into several decisions made by Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, who recently resigned from his post as Chairperson of the CEB, citing that his actions had a significantly detrimental impact on the national energy sector. Dr. Siyambalapitiya officially stepped down from his position on 9 May, concluding a tenure that began on 26 Sept 2024. more..

May 12 (AD) SL Police has announced the implementation of a special traffic plan in Colombo from tomorrow (12) in line with the 2025 Vesak Festival. The Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone, organized by All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, will be held from May 12 to 14. Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone, organized jointly by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple and the PM’s Office, will take place from May 12 to 16 while another Vesak Zone is scheduled to be held in Braybrooke Place on May 12-13. more..

May 12 (TM) Ministry of Defence issued a statement expressing its gratitude to the people in Maduru Oya, first responders and medical staff at hospitals for their prompt response to rescue and treat 12 personnel who were onboard the SL Air Force Bell 212 helicopter which crashed last Friday. “Ministry of Defence extends its profound appreciation to the local community of Maduru Oya, the medical professionals and personnel of the Aralaganwila Divisional Hospital & Polonnaruwa Hospital, more..

May 12 (TM) The Ministry of Transport and Highways stated that the Govt is focusing on providing necessary support to those injured, while relevant agencies are conducting investigations into the tragic bus accident in Garandiella, Ramboda, which has claimed 21 lives as of going to the print. The tragedy is the latest in a long line of public transport accidents which has been an recurrent issue in SL. more..

May 12 (Island) Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin has called for an investigation into a complaint that a group of teachers at a girls’ school in Colombo have been collecting signatures from parents for a petition in defence of a teacher accused of having sexually abused a 16-year-old student, who committed suicide subsequently. Stalin said the teachers’ actions appear to have been an attempt to protect the accused, who had been released on bail. more..

May 12 (DM) Senior Gynecologist Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen and his family had to face immense hardships to regain the lost honour and their place in society due to the racially motivated political witch hunt, Faisz Musthapha PC said. He said the embarrassment and agony Dr. Shafi’s daughter Zinab had to experience even at school was unspeakable and finally justice had prevailed to them when the latter was acquitted on all accounts. Prez's Counsel who is also the Chancellor of more..

May 12 (DM) Ministry of Energy has rejected reports circulating in the media regarding the resignation of CEB Chairman Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya. A senior official from the Ministry said that the Chairman had submitted a letter to the Prez informing him of his leave, as he plans to travel abroad for personal reasons. "There is no truth in the media reports suggesting the resignation of the CEB Chairman," official added. Dr. Siyambalapitiya was appointed as the CEB Chairman on Sept 26 last year more..

May 12 (DN) Actress Semini Iddamalgoda was granted bail yesterday by Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe, following her arrest by Welikada Police on Saturday (10). She was taken into custody in connection with seven outstanding warrants related to the non-payment of employee benefit contributions, allegedly linked to a private security company she had operated. The warrants had been issued by the Magistrate’s Courts in Tangalle, Matara and Colombo. more..

May 12 (DM) Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata said that Japan was a victim of corruption in SL, and expressed optimism that the govt would tackle the issue. Ambassador made these remarks in response to a query raised during a round table discussion last week. Earlier, there were reports about some Japanese companies facing issues in SL in securing investments. Japanese companies are strictly observe compliance more..

May 12 (TM) SL Ports saw a high demand for bunker fuel in April, with volumes surpassing 74,000 MT due to the narrowing price spread with India, ongoing cargo imports, and a steady demand from container vessels, S&P Global Commodity Insights said. In April, major SL ports saw a slight increase in volumes as total bunker fuel volumes reached 74,250 MT. "During the first two weeks of April, price differential between India and Colombo was low, leading to increased inquiries in the market," more..

May 12 (EN) Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange revenue from tourism rose to $256.7 million in April, rising 13.7% compared to the same month last year, the central bank said. The revenue in April last year was $225.7 million. Sri Lanka’s new govt has aimed ambitious $5 billion revenue from tourism this year. The country has received $1.38 billion earnings from tourism in the first four months of the year with a 10.2% rise compared to $1.25 billion in the same period last year. more..

May 12 (NW) A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident. Prez has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale. Arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund. more..

May 12 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his condolences to families of those who died in the bus accident that occurred in Gerandi Ella, Kotmale this morning (11). Prez Dissanayake has issued instructions to security forces and health workers to prepare all relevant hospitals to treat those who are injured in the accident. Prez has stated that the govt is deeply concerned about the increasing number of road accidents occurring daily in the country, more..

May 12 (EN) Departures for foreign employment in 2024 hit a new record of 314,828, up 5.8% from a year ago and topping the 310,953 seen in 2022, after a severe currency collapse. Official worker remittances grew by 10.1% to US$ 6.6 billion, with most the money coming from currency board like regimes in the Middle East. SL saw low number of departures during Coronavirus crises but remittances; officially & unofficially continued more..

May 12 (AD) Investigations are underway to determine whether the cause of the bus accident that occurred at Gerandi Ella in Kotmale this morning (11) was due to the driver’s negligence or due a technical defect in the bus, Police Media Spokesman, SSP Buddhika Manatunga, said. The Kotmale Police is conducting further investigations into the accident. It has been reported that the death toll from the accident has increased to 21. A total of 16 men & 5 women are among the dead, more..

May 12 (PMD) Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, which marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Lord Buddha, is a day of profound significance for Buddhists worldwide. It was on such a sacred Vesak Day that the Buddha, having fulfilled the Perfections (Pāramitās), vanquished the forces of Māra, cultivated wisdom through the Middle Path, realised the Four Noble Truths and eradicated all defilements to attain Supreme Enlightenment (Sammā Sambuddha). more..

May 12 (CI) India posted the highest women's ODI score in Sri Lanka, and their fourth-highest total in the format, which set them up for a statement win in the tri-series final in Colombo. After piling on the runs, they dismissed SL for 245 to underline their dominance over a side they have only lost to three times in 34 completed ODIs. Smriti Mandhana scored her 11th ODI century, and first against SL, and was the senior partner in the 2 stands more..

May 12 (AD) Millennium Project, a leading global think tank on future studies and foresight, has appointed Asanga Abeyagoonasekera to its Board of Directors as an Ex-officio member—marking the first time a Sri Lankan has joined the board. The appointment recognizes his outstanding contributions to the South Asia network of the institute. Abeyagoonasekera, joined the Millennium Project in 2022 as a Senior Fellow. He currently serves as Executive Director of SAFN, more..

May 12 (PMD) I warmly welcome the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. An immediate ceasefire is not just an urgent need to spare innocent lives on both sides; it is also a necessary first step in achieving lasting peace and regional stability. Leaders of India and Pakistan must be commended for replacing guns with words before a conflagration broke out. This willingness to compromise demonstrates their wisdom and statesmanship. As a neighbour and friend of India & Pakistan, more..

May 12 (EN) SL’s potential in poultry exports is blocked due to maize import restrictions, Ceylon Grain Elevators, a feed miller and poultry company said amid import duties and licensing. “…[E]xport market opportunities present significant growth potential for the poultry industry with the expectation of positive support from the govt,” Ceylon Grain Elevator told shareholders in the annual report. “It is anticipated that the authorities will grant the permits to import maize in a timely manner more..

May 12 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Wednesday approved publishing a draft bill amending the Samurdhi Act No. 1 of 2013 in the Govt Gazette, as revised by the Divinaguma (Amd) Act No. 2 of 2017 and to subsequently submit the same to Parliament for its approval. “The proposed amendments aim to bring Samurdhi community-based banks and banking societies under the purview of Govt audit,” Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said at post-Cabinet meeting media briefing. more..

May 12 (CT) In recent months, SL has witnessed an alarming resurgence of pyramid scheme-related controversies, drawing thousands into financial ruin while those allegedly responsible remain untouched by law. Despite repeated warnings from the Central Bank and growing public outrage, the issue has turned into a national scandal, marked by accusations of political complicity, lack of law enforcement, and more..

May 12 (ST) Hearing Sri Lanka’s opposition parties in the South jubilantly crowing about a win in Thursday’s local govt elections, one would think that a magnificent feat had been accomplished on its part in reducing votes cast for the ruling NPP. That is far from the case. An appeal was made directly to the people by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to vote sweepingly for his candidates as this was essential to fully carry out the party’s popular mandate. more..

May 12 (Island) A tragic road accident near Kotmale claimed 21 lives yesterday and left 35 others seriously injured. Disaster struck when a state-owned bus plying from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya, veered off a winding road and plunged down a precipice. Yesterday’s tragedy has jolted politicians and officials alike into action, but it is bound to be forgotten soon. SL lacks a proper national strategy to prevent road fatalities. Hardly a day passes without a fatal traffic accident more..