Sri Lanka President says drug traffickers no longer protected

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa says there is nothing secret about his visit to TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan while he was in prison in 2018 and 2019, adding that official prison records of those visits are available.

Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief and retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who is being detained under detention orders issued under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), was produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court again today (May 20).

The All Ceylon Canteen and Restaurant Owners’ Association says it has decided to increase the price of a cup of milk tea by Rs. 5, effective from May 21, 2026.

Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief and retired Major General Suresh Sallay was brought to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (May 20) by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers.

The price of imported milk powder in Sri Lanka has been increased with effect from today (May 20), according to the Milk Powder Importers’ Association.

The Sri Lankan Rupee weakened against the US Dollar today (May 20), with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and several commercial banks reporting higher exchange rates.

Sri Lanka has fuel reserves sufficient until August 2026, while fuel orders have already been placed up to November 2026, according to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO).

More than 950,000 tourists have visited Sri Lanka so far this year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

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 today (May 19) said Sri Lanka will pay its highest tribute to war heroes who gave their lives to end 30 years of separatist terrorism and protect the country’s freedom.

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.