News Room : President AKD Considering Extension for Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana: Sources
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is reportedly planning to extend the tenure of Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, despite his nomination for a senior position at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) following retirement. Siriwardana, who was appointed in April 2022 during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, has been credited for his key role in securing the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility and leading the...
News Room : Sri Lanka’s Wild Cookbook Star Charith N. Silva Shines on Forbes 30 Under 30 List
Charith N. Silva, the creator behind Sri Lanka’s most popular YouTube channel Wild Cookbook, has earned a prestigious spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list under the Art category, shining a global spotlight on Sri Lankan creativity and resilience. Known for his captivating videos showcasing traditional and modern dishes prepared in breathtaking outdoor locations, Silva launched Wild Cookbook...
News Room : Presidential Secretariat Holds Second Vehicle Auction Today
A total of 26 vehicles, including luxury and decommissioned models, will be auctioned today (15) in the second phase of the Presidential Secretariat’s vehicle auction. All vehicles, manufactured within the last ten years, had their bidding deadline closed yesterday (14), according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). The lineup includes a BMW, Porsche Cayenne, Ford Everest, Land Rover, Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan...
News Room : Govt Vows Full Support for Children Orphaned in Gerandi Ella Tragedy
The Government has pledged full, long-term support for children who lost their parents in the Gerandi Ella bus accident, which killed 23 and injured over 40. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, said the affected children—including a six-month-old infant—will receive sustained care through the Department of Probation and Child Care Services. This includes legal guardianship, emotional support,...
News Room : Inside Job: Rs 4.5 Million in Jewellery Stolen from Swiss Ambassador’s Residence
Two security officers assigned to the official residence of the Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka—including the Chief of the Security Post—have been arrested by Kollupitiya Police in connection with the theft of valuable jewellery from a safe inside the residence, Mawbima newspaper reported. Among the stolen items were the Ambassador’s wedding ring and a ring that had belonged to...
News Room : Special Police Inspections Ordered on Long-Distance Buses
Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya has instructed all Officers-in-Charge (OICs) and senior police officers to conduct special inspections on long-distance passenger buses, especially during night hours. The Police Media Division stated that this decision was taken in response to a noticeable increase in accidents involving long-distance buses in recent weeks. According to the instructions issued, police officers are expected...
News Room : Trump pledges to lift Syria sanctions as he seals $142bn arms deal on Saudi visit
President Donald Trump has said the US has “no stronger partner” than Saudi Arabia during his first major foreign trip – a whirlwind visit of Gulf countries mainly focused on shoring up investment. Speaking in Riyadh, the US president also pledged to lift all sanctions against Syria, saying it was now time for the country to move forward with “a...
News Room : Trial-at-Bar Appointed to Hear Keheliya’s Case Over Substandard Medicine Procurement
A Trial-at-Bar has been appointed in connection with the case filed against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella over the controversial procurement of human immunoglobulin drugs. This appointment has been made following a request by the Attorney General to the Chief Justice. The three-judge bench appointed to hear the case comprises Justices Mahen Weeraman, Amali Ranawira, and Pradeep Abeyratne. However, Justice Mahen Weeraman is...
News Room : Mercantile Investments opens 74th & 75th branches in Kilinochchi and Puthukkudiyiripu – The Island
The SLT Group has reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2,001 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, a surge from Rs. 156 million in Q1 2024, reflecting effective financial management and improved operational efficiency. SLT Group demonstrated strong performance for the first quarter of 2025, with revenue increasing 3.4% to Rs. 27,851 million. The growth...
News Room : Sri Lanka’s Adventure Tourism to Hit USD 2.1 Billion by 2035: Report
Sri Lanka’s hiking and trekking tourism industry is set to grow rapidly, with the market projected to reach USD 2.1 billion by 2035, up from USD 780 million in 2025. This growth, driven by a strong annual rate of 10.5%, highlights the island’s rising popularity as a top adventure and eco-tourism destination in South Asia. Trails like Adam’s Peak, Knuckles,...