Sri Lanka President pledges highest tribute to war heroes

The Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha, at the Ministry of Defence yesterday (May 19).

In commemoration of National War Heroes Day, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara visited Mihindu Seth Medura in Attidiya yesterday (May 19), spending time with veterans who suffered critical injuries and became differently abled during the decades-long armed conflict.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the “Ranaviru Sevana” wellness and rehabilitation centre in Ragama this morning (May 19) and inquired about the wellbeing of military personnel receiving residential treatment there.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has launched a revamped official website and a new Common Website Platform aimed at bringing all Sri Lankan Missions abroad under one unified digital system.

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) traded weaker against the US Dollar (USD) today (May 19), according to the latest exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Ministry has announced compensation of up to Rs. 100,000 per hectare for crops damaged by the recent heavy rains, following assessments based on the extent of the damage.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has warned that certain groups are once again trying to create instability in Sri Lanka and called on the public to remain vigilant.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met senior Urban Development Authority (UDA) officials in Colombo yesterday (May 18) to review new UDA development projects and stress that this year’s budget allocations must be fully and effectively used within the same financial year.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) says Sri Lanka’s economy recorded 5% growth in 2025, and that agriculture, industry, and services all expanded during the year.

A total of 5,289 Tri Service personnel have been granted promotions to their next respective ranks in line with the 17th National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day, which falls on May 19, 2026.

Sri Lanka is set to introduce new amendments to the Inland Revenue Act on May 19, 2026 making several tax-related violations criminal offences punishable by fines of up to Rs. 400,000 and prison terms of up to six months.

Sri Lankan authorities have announced a fuel subsidy of Rs. 100 per litre for diesel and Rs. 20 per litre for petrol for the next three months amid rising global oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict.

Seventeen years have passed as of today (May 18) since the Government of Sri Lanka defeated the LTTE terrorists after a 30-year war.

Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof said today (May 17) that he had earlier informed Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of his wish to resign.