Sri Lanka News Papers – News Headlines from Colombo

The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) celebrated the best in global cinema at a star-studded Golden Goblet Awards ceremony held at the iconic Shanghai Grand Theatre.

The Coconut Cultivation Board has announced the launch of a special program titled “Coconut Fortnight” (‘Pol Desathiya’) as an immediate measure to combat pests, particularly whiteflies, which pose a significant threat to coconut cultivation.

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka has successfully increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by US$96 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.

A total of 85 Chinese nationals convicted for various crimes, including cyber-related offences, were deported from Sri Lanka in the early hours of today, following legal proceedings and imprisonment, officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) confirmed.

The Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) has urged the public to carefully consider their options when purchasing electric vehicles (EVs), warning that the market value of many such vehicles drops by several million rupees within just a few months.

Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, P. Harrison, Wijith Wijithamuni de Soysa, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Lakshman Wasantha Perera have been found to be involved in a USD 110 million cattle import scam

Two more daughters of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Chamithri Jayanika Rambukwella and Amali Nayanika Rambukwella—as well as Amali’s husband, were arrested a short while ago by the Bribery Commission in connection with an ongoing investigation into money laundering allegations.

A recent study reveals that 11.6 percent of youngsters aged 15 to 21 in Sri Lanka are actively smoking and 18 percent actively drink alcohol.