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As the current Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Sri Lanka successfully convened the 24th Meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers and the 27th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials from May 19 to 21, 2025.

The high-level sessions were held virtually under the theme “Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generations.”

Delivering Sri Lanka’s opening statement, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, underscored the critical importance of lasting peace in the Indian Ocean region as a foundation for sustainable development, regional security, and economic resilience.

Minister Herath reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to fostering a cohesive, inclusive, and forward-looking Indian Ocean community.

He emphasized the need for collaborative regional action to ensure the long-term sustainability, security, and prosperity of the Indian Ocean — a region that is home to over 2.7 billion people and serves as a vital artery for global trade and biodiversity.

“No one must bow to tyranny. We must only bow to truth, to humanity, to compassion.” With these stirring words, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered a bold and emotionally charged address, urging Sri Lankans to transform the painful lessons of history into a future of peace, justice, and national dignity.

Speaking at the 16th National War Heroes Commemoration Day, the President reflected on the blood-soaked chapters of Sri Lanka’s past, where rivers ran red and tears flowed in torrents. He called on the nation to rise from the ashes of war and division, and to reject the politics of fear, ethnic hatred, and authoritarianism.

“We are a people who have shed enough blood to soak this earth. A nation whose rivers have run with blood, whose families have wept oceans of tears. We have lived through the worst horrors of war. If these are truly our experiences, then we must ensure such a tragedy never happens again.”

President Dissanayake emphasized that true victory lies not in military conquest, but in building a peaceful, inclusive society where every citizen—regardless of ethnicity or faith—can live without fear.

“We can only become true victors by creating peace in this land. That is why we must not fear tyrants. We must be ready to take every step necessary for peace.”

He issued a heartfelt appeal to every soldier and officer in the armed forces, urging them to become guardians of peace, not just warriors of war.

“I ask every soldier, every officer—be a force for peace. Be the ones who will build a future where our children no longer fear war.”

The President also warned against the resurgence of ethnic nationalism and political opportunism, which he said are being reignited in both the North and South—not for justice, but for power.

“Let us be clear: these flames are being fanned not for justice, but for power. True freedom for our motherland was not achieved merely by ending war. We must now achieve economic sovereignty, social justice, and national dignity.”

He painted a sobering picture of the country’s current vulnerabilities—from economic instability to climate threats—and called for a transformation that would make Sri Lanka a proud, independent state on the global stage.

“Are we truly free when a small conflict anywhere in the world threatens our economy? When we lack the strength to make our own economic decisions? We must build a nation admired by the world—not one crippled by crime, corruption, and mistrust.”

President Dissanayake stressed on with a vision of a Sri Lanka governed by the rule of law, free from violence and fear, where sovereignty is not just a word on paper, but a lived reality.

“Let us not allow sovereignty to remain a phrase on parchment. Let us make it the truth of our land.”

Ramith Rambukwella, the son of former health minister Keheliya Rambukwella, has been remanded until 03 June in connection with a bribery case in which his father is also an accused.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court remanded Ramith Rambukwella after he was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after recording a statement today.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday granted permission to the Bribery Commission to name Ramith Rambukwella as a suspect in a corruption case linked to his father.

The court yesterday also further remanded former minister Keheliya Rambukwella until 03 June 2025, after he was arrested by the Bribery Commission in connection with 03 complaints related to corruption.

Former Minister Mervyn Silva, former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera and three others arrested and remanded for allegedly selling a plot of state-owned land in Kiribathgoda to a private party by forging documents, have been further remanded.

Former Minister Silva and four other defendants in the case have been further remanded till May 26 by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Former Minister Mervyn Silva was arrested by the CID on March 05 for allegedly selling a plot of state-owned land to a private party after forging documents.

Meanwhile, former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera who was evading arrest for several weeks surrendered to court on May 7 and was subsequently remanded.

A total of five vehicles that were required by rehabilitation centers maintained for differently-abled war heroes have been handed over to the Ranaviru Seva Authority, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

The documents related to the donated vehicles—provided under the directive of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake—were officially handed over to the Ranaviru Seva Authority by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumaranayake, according to the PMD.

Major Eranga Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters accepted the documents on behalf of the Ranaviru Seva Authority at the Presidential Secretariat.

These vehicles are intended to support the activities of differently-abled war heroes receiving residential treatment at the Abhimansala wellness centers in Anuradhapura, Kamburupitiya, and Pangolla, as well as at the Mihindu Seth Medura in Aththidiya and the Ranaviru Sevana in Ragama.

The donated vehicles include two Mitsubishi Montero jeeps, one Nissan Petrol jeep, one Toyota Carina car, and one Toyota Hilux vehicle, the PMD added.

In a powerful tribute to the unwavering dedication and sacrifice of the nation’s armed forces, the Government of Sri Lanka has announced the promotion of 12,434 personnel across the tri-forces.

This gesture coincides with the 16th National War Heroes Commemoration Day, a solemn occasion that honors those who served and sacrificed for the country.

With the approval of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the promotions recognize the valor, commitment, and professionalism of the tri-forces.

Breakdown of Promotions:

Sri Lanka Army:  

- 186 Officers

 - 10,093 Other Ranks 

Sri Lanka Navy:  

 - 22 Officers

- 1,256 Other Ranks

The National War Heroes Commemoration Day, observed annually, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the country’s most challenging times.

Source: President's Media Division

The Cabinet of Ministers has greenlit a proposal to amend the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017, introducing sweeping changes to Sri Lanka's tax administration framework. Chief among the reforms is the mandatory requirement for all individuals to provide a Tax Identification Number (TIN) when opening any type of bank account.

The move, presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic Development, is part of a broader initiative to enhance tax compliance and improve revenue collection.

The amendments follow the enactment of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2025, which came into effect on April 1.

Under the new law, the withholding tax rate on interest income was raised from 5% to 10%.

However, the change sparked concern among low-income earners, as the advance income tax was being applied even to those earning below the annual tax-free threshold of Rs. 1.8 million.

In response to these concerns, the government has proposed a solution aimed at easing the burden on small depositors.

The Cabinet has approved the introduction of a self-declaration mechanism for individuals whose annual income falls below Rs. 1.8 million. Through this declaration, qualifying depositors can seek exemption from the 10% withholding tax on interest income.

Former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been remanded over the importation of an allegedly substandard consignment of organic fertilizer from a Chinese company in 2021.

Rejecting his anticipatory application, the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today remanded Aluthgamage until 26 May 2025.

On 16 May, Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued an arrest warrant against Aluthgamage following a request made by the Bribery Commission.

The Commission alleged that the former minister was involved in facilitating the entry of a ship carrying substandard fertilizer in 2021, despite quality concerns.

At the time, in response, Aluthgamage had filed an anticipatory bail application, seeking to prevent his arrest by the Bribery Commission over the matter.

Two jailors and a prison driver attached to Angunakolapelessa Prison have been suspended pending an investigation regarding an incident where a bus belonging to the prison was parked at a location outside the Weligama town with an inmate and his family members inside on May 16.

The Prisons Media Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake said it was reported that the prison bus in question was parked near the Weligama railway station with an inmate. The prison officers who were guarding the bus then left the inmate in the bus and went to a shop in Weligama town to buy supplies for their personal requirements.

The bus had then left the location a short while later, Dissanayake added, noting that it was reported that a woman and a small child were seen inside the prison bus at that time.

During the investigations carried out, it has been revealed that this bus belonged to the Angunakolapelessa Prison and that the bus had been stopped at a place outside Weligama town while returning from taking an inmate from the prison to a clinic at the Karapitiya Hospital.

It has further been revealed that the child and the woman who were inside the bus in question are family members of the inmate.

The Prisons Media Spokesman stated that further investigations are being conducted with the help of CCTV footage and intelligence officers to determine whether the prison officers had left after the family members boarded the bus.

One person has been injured and admitted to hospital following a shooting incident reported on Bloemendhal Road in Colombo today (18), police said.

Further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those involved.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Thanuja Murugesan as the new Chief Secretary of the Northern Province.

The official appointment letter was handed over to her this afternoon (20) at the Presidential Secretariat by Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandini Sanath Kumara.

The Railway Control Room announced that trains will operate according to the normal schedule today.

This follows the conclusion of the one-day token strike launched by the Railway Station Masters' Association, which ended at midnight yesterday.

Chairman of the Association, Sumedha Somaratne, said that station masters and train drivers have now resumed duties.

He added that further discussions on trade union issues will take place tomorrow, and a decision will be made regarding any future trade union action.

The strike was launched to demand solutions to several concerns related to the recruitment and promotion process.

Despite the strike, around 90 train services were operated yesterday.