May 9 (Island) Chairman of the Election (EC) Commission R. M. A. L. Ratnayake said yesterday that the EC would direct the political parties and independent groups that have secured absolute majorities in local govt bodies to name the heads of those institutions. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties are vying for control of the hung local councils including the Colombo MC. Both the NPP and the SJB have offered to coalesce with independent groups to muster majorities. more..

May 9 (SCMP) A Brazilian influencer and Formula One fan who declared her love for Japan and told her mother she felt completely safe in the country was found dead in suspicious circumstances – just hours before she was due to fly home. Amanda da Silva, 30, died from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in a rented flat in Narita, near Tokyo’s main international airport, on May 1. Her death has triggered a criminal investigation and the arrest of an unemployed SL man who allegedly fled more..

May 9 (TM) Election Commission (EC) has informed the Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya to investigate the recent statement made by PM Harini Amarasuriya regarding the silent period related to the LG Elections, and take appropriate action. A statement made by the Premier was being widely shared on social media platforms, in which she said: “We will be silent in another four hours. But, you don’t have to be, right? more..

May 9 (ST) Elections to local councils draw less enthusiasm from voters, politicians or the media unlike national level elections but an exception was the LG elections held on May 11, 1991 when events of the day not only made news in SL but around the world, and ended with the expulsion from the country of then British High Commissioner to SL David Gladstone. SL in 1991 was a very different place from what it is today with the conduct of a free and fair election where voters could exercise more..

May 9 (FT) Reaffirming their commitment to bolstering SL’s digital economy, Mastercard and LankaPay, the national payment network of SL, have announced a strategic collaboration to enhance cards issuance, and digital payments acceptance and security. The announcement was made during an event featuring senior executives from the two entities, along with key representatives of leading banks and fintechs in the country. This collaboration will enable three key solutions—a co-branded more..

May 9 (CNS) Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first North American to be elected pope and, before the conclave, was the U.S. cardinal most mentioned as a potential successor of St. Peter. The white smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 6:07 p.m. Rome time more..

May 9 (DM) SriLankan Cargo, the air freight arm of SriLankan Airlines, has become South Asia’s first airline cargo division to secure the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) CEIV Lithium Batteries Certification (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators – Lithium Batteries), paving the way for it to consolidate on the opportunities available in global e-commerce. The certification reinforces SriLankan Cargo’s credibility with shippers and logistics partners by assuring more..

May 9 (FT) Channel 17 (CH17), SL’s pioneering loyalty and rewards management company has announced its strategic tie-up with Singapore-based One World Duty Free (ODF)—a premier retail destination at The Mall, Port City Colombo. This partnership brings an array of exclusive privileges to both CH17 Loyalty and Port City Colombo Privilege cardholders, redefining the downtown duty-free shopping experience in South Asia’s most prestigious Special Economic Zone. more..

May 9 (FT) The SL – Korea Business Council (SLKBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted a discussion on Sri Lanka’s Export Prospect? Challenges. Opportunities. Reforms on 24 April at the Hilton Colombo Residences. The event was graced by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka Miyon Lee along with the Deputy Ambassador and Research Officer from the Embassy. Also in attendance were representatives from prominent Korean organisations, more..

May 9 (FT) Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), SL’s pioneering chamber for women in business, launched its 40th anniversary celebrations on 28 Feb with a poignant and proud felicitation ceremony honouring the Founder Members and Past Chairpersons whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for the Chamber’s remarkable journey. Established in 1985 by a dynamic group of women leaders, WCIC has grown over the past four decades to become a key more..

May 9 (FT) Despite grand promises of launching a game-changing global tourism campaign by post-Avurudu, one that would boldly rebrand Sri Lanka beyond the usual sea-sun-and-sand pitch and unite tourism, tea, apparel and cricket under a glittering national identity—there’s been little more than hot air. Back in Nov 2024, Sri Lanka Tourism’s new administration announced the plan to be implemented from Jan 2025, more..

May 9 (Island) Ragging at Sabaragamuwa university has resulted in the loss of another student’s life and there is another incident of barbaric attack on an anti-rag student of J’pura uni by some students from the same university. Whether the bullies are backed by political parties or not, they show their undeveloped and conformist minds that need urgent refinement; if they are connected to political parties and student unions, the latter show only their vulgarity and duplicity when more..

May 9 (DM) Sri Lankans have a geographical location which invites foreign invasion or occupation by outside forces. Centuries ago, there were a large number of invasions into this land. But today’s little Sri Lankans are basically given lessons in history at school in a way that they remember mostly the occupations of this island by the Portuguese, Dutch & English. They were forced occupations. Now our teachings are focused on geopolitics. We often talk about the interests of India and China in SL. more..

May 9 (Island) The battle’s lost and won, but the hurly-burly is not yet done, one might say about the post-election blues in SL—with apologies to the Bard. When the clouds of uncertainty will clear and the newly-elected local councils will begin functioning in earnest is anybody’s guess. Since the conclusion of Tuesday’s LG elections, govt politicians and their propagandists have been vigorously peddling an argument that the people have endorsed the way the JVP-led NPP more..

May 9 (TM) Every society protects their young. It is a habitual and instinctive practice, which has been ingrained in our mind through millennia of evolution. However, throughout history, predators who walk amongst us have used positions of power and authority to mask their actions, preying on our children and often getting away with it due to cultural beliefs of shame, the stigma linked to such abuse and the weakness of law and inequality of power. The situation in Sri Lanka mirrors more..

May 9 (TM) Sri Lankans above the age of 15 are considered its working age population. As per the 2023 Labour Force Survey of the DCS and the 2024 census, this is about 79.5% out of the total population of the country. However, only 48.6% out of the working age population is currently employed or actively seeking jobs, qualifying as Sri Lanka’s labour force. In other words, 51.4% remains economically inactive. more..

May 9 (DM) The world cannot remain silent when two nuclear powers—India and Pakistan—are gearing up for war. Such a conflict is in the interest of neither the two countries nor the rest of the world. A nuclear war, in which there are no winners but only losers, will precipitate a disaster of apocalyptic proportions with devastating consequences for decades to come, not only for the two countries but for the surrounding region and even the entire world. The atomic bombs the US dropped on more..

May 9 (CT) After the establishment of the AKD/NPP govt about six months ago, it faced a minor crisis regarding shortages of rice and coconut. However, a significant challenge arose from the Trump administration’s increase in tariffs on exports to the USA from 10% to 44%, which constituted an external shock. Its impact on various aspects, including (i) foreign exchange earnings, (ii) employment, (iii) debt repayment, and (iv) overall growth and development, remains paramount among many. more..

May 9 (SO) The model of export-led growth has long been promoted as the ideal development strategy for nations such as Sri Lanka. However, this approach is now exposed as deeply unstable. Rising global protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and weaponised trade policies signal that SL must urgently pivot towards economic self-sufficiency, academic and political economist Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar said recently. more..

May 9 (ST) It was an innocuous-looking news item on an Indian news website that drew my attention to the plight facing Sri Lanka’s tea industry. The headline read: India surpasses SL to become the second largest tea exporter. What has happened to Sri Lanka tea known the world over as a reputed brand and labelled as Ceylon Tea? According to historical records, Sri Lanka became the world’s largest tea exporter in 1965, with production exceeding 200,000 metric tons annually. more..

May 9 (CT) Following the results of the much-awaited LG Elections, the parties are now exploring new ways to twist and turn, interpret, and manipulate the results in their favour, all in an effort to appear as winners before the public. While determining clear-cut winners and the parties planning their future political endeavours, based on the recent election results, would surely be an interesting discourse, which is guaranteed to attract much public attention, it seems as if more..

May 8 (AM) IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon has been officially summoned to appear before the Committee of Inquiry on 19 May 2025. Committee, tasked with investigating allegations of gross abuse of power against the IGP, has convened several times at the Parliament premises in recent weeks. This marks the first time that Tennakoon has been formally requested to be present for the proceedings. The Committee was established to inquire into and report its findings on alleged misconduct by the IGP. more..

May 8 (AM) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara informed Parliament that he has sought the intervention of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following the death of a man who was remanded for two weeks after his mobile phone rang inside a courtroom. Responding to a question raised in Parliament, the Minister said he had taken steps to bring the matter to the attention of the JSC, the body responsible for overseeing judicial conduct. He stated that he had already spoken with JSC more..

May 8 (TM) Sri Lanka’s approach to meeting IMF-backed electricity pricing reforms risks clashing with its own regulatory framework due to differing interpretations of what constitutes cost-reflective pricing, warns Verite Research Executive Director Dr. Nishan de Mel. He warned that the govt may now face a dilemma between honouring its IMF commitments and protecting the independence of the regulator. more..

May 8 (AD) Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced an extension of the deadline for senior citizens to submit applications for quarterly income tax refunds for the assessment year 2023/2024. According to a statement issued by Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, decision was made in response to the significant number of requests received from elderly taxpayers. Deadline, previously set under Circular dated Sept 25, 2023, has now been extended to June 30, 2025. more..

May 8 (AD) Between 2,000 and 2,500 children in SL are suffering from Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that impairs the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells, according to the Ministry of Health. The Director of the Non-communicable Diseases Unit at the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon stated that 40 to 50 newborns in SL are diagnosed with Thalassemia annually. At a press conference held in connection with World Thalassemia Day commutations, more..

May 8 (Island) Patriotic National Movement, Global Sri Lanka Forum, Swadeshika Jathika Viyaparaya and Thunhela Jathika Viyaparaya have filed a petition, requesting the Supreme Court to prevent the implementation the 7 MoUs signed by India and Sri Lanka during Indian PM Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Colombo. Challenging constitutionality of the seven MoUs finalised on April 7, 2025, in terms of Article 126 read with more..

May 8 (TM) Former SL cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has issued a public warning regarding bogus advertisements circulating on certain social media platforms that falsely feature him endorsing well-known brands. In a statement posted online, the former batter clarified that he has no affiliation with either firm and denounced the videos as AI-generated fakes aimed at duping the public. “Please disregard any adverts, you may have seen of me in collaboration with Daraz/Samsung. more..

May 8 (EN) SriLankan Airlines has suspended Thursday’s flight to Karachchi after Pakistan authorities closed the airport, an industry official said as tensions with India continued. On Wednesday SriLankan suspended the flight to Lahore after the airport was closed. Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot airport operations were suspended again on Thursday, Pakistan’s Express Tribune newspaper said. India struck against several targets in Pakistan Punjab and Kashmir after a massacre of tourists. more..

May 8 (TM) SL’s pepper exports to India have hit the Indian domestic prices affecting the Indian pepper farmers as SL pepper exports to India surge by 71%. Rising imports of SL pepper have hit the prices of the commodity in the domestic market, witnessing a 25 Indian rupee (Rs. 88) per kilogramme drop in the last fortnight. Traders told Business Line that prices in the Kochi terminal market are ruling at 695 Indian rupees (Rs. 2,460) for ungarbled and 715 Indian rupees (Rs. 2,530) for garbled varieties more..

May 8 (NW) The NPP has the right to form the administration of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), as the party has obtained the highest number of seats, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. Responding to SJB, claims on appointing a Mayor, Minister Jayatissa revealed that the mayoral candidate of the SJB had lost the Local Govt Election. “We will take the necessary measures to form a council at the CMC,” Minister added, addressing the post-Cabinet media more..