Senior Superintendent of Police Shani Abeysekara has been appointed as the Director of Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), following approval from the National Police Commission.The appointment, recommended by Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance oversight of major criminal investigations.

Abeysekara previously served as CID Director from 2017 to 2019 and was reinstated to the police service in October 2024 under the newly elected National People’s Power (NPP) government. Prior to this appointment, he served on a contract basis as Director of the Criminal Intelligence Analysis and Prevention Division.

The Women Technopreneurs Forum (WTech) of SLASSCOM has once again taken center stage by successfully concluding two flagship initiatives — Fast Forward 4.0 and Hack Like a Girl 2.0 — aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of female tech innovators in Sri Lanka.

At the grand finale of Fast Forward 4.0, five standout female-led startups were recognized for their disruptive ideas and market readiness. The winning ventures — Meribel, Ivena (Littoral), Ceylon Speechi, Electriquote, and Innosync — impressed the judges with their innovative business models and potential for growth.

These startups will now gain access to critical resources, including targeted funding and expert support in legal, marketing, strategy, and product development. Four ventures will receive one-on-one mentorship from a seasoned venture capitalist, enhancing their investor readiness. Additionally, two founders will benefit from free workspace at GrandSpace, the program’s Serviced Office Partner.

Held annually, Fast Forward is Sri Lanka’s only accelerator program exclusively designed for women in tech. Spanning two months, this year’s program featured intensive sessions on sales, finance, product development, and pitch training. 

The initiative culminated in an inspiring Demo Day in Colombo, highlighted by a keynote from Makers Global CEO Nevindaree Premarathne. 

A distinguished judging panel — Rajive Silva (Azend Technologies), Pulani Ranasinghe (Loons Lab), Samila Maddumage (GrandSpace), and Darshani Kaluarachchi (Seylan Bank) — provided expert insights, recognizing the entrepreneurial drive of Sri Lanka’s women technopreneurs.

Running concurrently from July to November 2024, Hack like a Girl 2.0 showcased the creativity of young female tech talent across the country.

 With the theme “Innovating for a Better Tomorrow,” the hackathon addressed critical issues in health, education, tourism, agriculture, and sustainability. After regional mini-hackathons in the North and East, Central, and Southern and Western provinces, 12 university teams were shortlisted for the Grand Finale.

Winning entries from Sabaragamuwa University, Vavuniya University, and IIT-KDU offered impactful tech solutions such as a mobile app for child health tracking, a smart cane for the visually impaired, and a digital tour guide app with hotel booking features. The judging panel included Shehan Selvanayagam (Loops), Dr. Buddhima Subasinghe (NIBM), Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya (KDU), and Abith Latiff (ICTA Sri Lanka).

The programs were supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, with MAS Holdings sponsoring the hackathon and GrandSpace supporting the accelerator. Since its inception in 2020, the WTech Forum has grown significantly, supporting over 110 women-led startups and contributing to Sri Lanka’s goal of creating 1,000 startups by 2030.

Despite mounting global uncertainties, Sri Lanka’s export sector has displayed strong resilience, posting a 7.14% year-on-year (YoY) growth in the first five months of 2025. Total exports—comprising both goods and services—reached over $6.93 billion between January and May, underscoring the sector’s steady recovery trajectory.

According to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), May alone recorded exports exceeding $1.38 billion, marking a 6.35% YoY rise and a 7.3% increase over April 2025. Merchandise exports in May stood at $1.02 billion, up 1.7% YoY, while services exports reached $358.14 million, registering a notable 22.39% growth.

For the five-month period, merchandise exports totaled $5.34 billion—a 5.46% increase from 2024—while services exports grew by 13.2% to an estimated $1.58 billion. The services sector, including ICT/BPM, logistics, construction, and financial services, has played a vital role in driving earnings and creating high-value employment opportunities.

Apparel and textile exports rose by 9.2% YoY to $2.13 billion, while agricultural exports experienced a robust surge. Tea exports climbed 7.93% to $610.1 million, coconut-based products rose by 26.89% to $427.69 million, and spice and concentrate exports grew a staggering 57.76% to $173.64 million.

Transport and logistics led services exports with a 28.89% YoY increase to $859.01 million, followed by ICT/BPM, which recorded 4.1% growth to $602.59 million.

EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe attributed the sector’s performance to ongoing efforts in market and product diversification. He noted notable export growth in key markets such as India, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, and Africa.

“We’re on track to achieve our export revenue target of $19 billion for 2025, driven by both merchandise and services,” Wijesinghe stated. The country aims to grow merchandise exports from $12.7 billion in 2024 to $14 billion in 2025, and services from $3.5 billion to $4.2 billion. This aligns with a long-term plan to reach $36 billion in exports by 2030.

Among top destinations, the US remained the largest market, accounting for 23% of Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports. Although exports to the US fell by 2.67% in May 2025 to $261.67 million, the cumulative five-month figure rose 5.82% to $1.18 billion. The UK followed a similar pattern, with a 5.77% drop in May but a 3.85% increase over the five-month period.

Trade with FTA partners India and Pakistan showed mixed results. In May, combined exports to the two nations edged up by 0.79% to $80.81 million. While exports to India rose by 4.03%, driven by animal feed and areca nuts, exports to Pakistan fell sharply by 24.47% due to reduced demand for coconut-based items. However, over the five months, exports to India surged 31.41% YoY to $409.74 million, boosting the combined figure for both countries to $438.29 million—a 28.02% increase.

Exports to the European Union, which makes up 24% of Sri Lanka’s exports, also showed solid growth. Cumulative exports from January to May rose by 7.59%, led by strong performances in Germany (up 9.13%), the Netherlands (up 23.66%), and France (up 0.68%).With sustained momentum and strategic interventions, Sri Lanka’s export sector continues to strengthen its global presence and economic impact.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce elected Krishan Balendra as its new Chairperson at the 186th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held yesterday.

Balendra, who is the Chairperson of John Keells Holdings, succeeds Ernst & Young Sri Lanka Country Managing Partner and Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa.

Balendra’s deceased father Ken also served as Chairman of The Ceylon Chamber previously (1998-2000). It is the first time in The Ceylon Chamber’s 186-year history where both father and son assumed the position of Chairmanship.

In his remarks, Balendra thanked Hulangamuwa for his steady leadership and service over the past two years, noting that his steady guidance helped the private sector navigate crisis conditions and laid the groundwork for recovery.

Looking ahead, Balendra stressed the importance of building on Sri Lanka’s recent macroeconomic stability without letting reform momentum stall. “Reform fatigue is a real risk. We have a narrow but vital window to push through long-pending reforms—from SOE restructuring and trade liberalisation to improving the investment climate. The stability we have achieved must now translate into sustained, inclusive growth,” he noted. 

He highlighted several low-hanging reforms that could catalyse the next phase of economic progress. These include rolling out the Digital ID system to enhance financial inclusion, implementing the National Single Window to streamline trade processes, modernising the Customs Ordinance, and executing the National Tourism Destination Marketing Plan. “These are not new ideas – they have been on the agenda for years. What we need now is action,” he said. 

He reaffirmed The Ceylon Chamber’s commitment to advocating for these changes and maintaining its role as an independent, constructive voice for the private sector.

Chief Guest at the event, the Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe addressing the audience emphasised that he is “encouraged, impressed, and confident of the role The Ceylon Chamber has played, and will continue to play, in contributing to the resilience of the private sector and in identifying important reforms in order to ensure sustainability.”

Standard Chartered Bank CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri and Hirdaramani Group Chairman Vinod Hirdaramani were appointed Vice Chairman and Deputy Vice Chairman, respectively, for 2025/26.

The Ceylon Chamber, now in its 186th year, continues to focus on three strategic pillars: policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and expanding market access for Sri Lankan businesses.

Sri Lanka Police have issued a strong public alert over a significant rise in financial scams being carried out through popular social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and WeChat. The warning follows a series of investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which revealed a sharp increase in fraud cases targeting Sri Lankan citizens.

According to the Police Media Division, fraudsters use two primary methods to exploit victims online. The first involves luring individuals with offers of high-earning remote jobs advertised on social media. Victims are then encouraged to make small initial investments, with fake returns provided to build trust. 

As confidence grows, the scammers request larger sums, promising even higher profits. These funds are typically deposited into local bank accounts. However, when victims attempt to withdraw or inquire about their returns, they are told to pay additional charges such as “defence levies” or “customs fees.” Ultimately, the promised benefits are never delivered, and the fraudsters vanish with the funds.

The second tactic involves persuading individuals to share their personal bank account details under the guise of earning money from home. Victims are then instructed to transfer funds credited to their accounts to third-party accounts, receiving a small commission in return. Investigators believe that this method is used to move money acquired through previous scams, effectively involving innocent citizens in money laundering and aiding criminal activity—often without their knowledge.

Police investigations have uncovered that both local and overseas criminals are using advanced technology to carry out these scams, making detection and enforcement challenging. A significant hurdle for investigators is the limited access to real-time data from international social media platforms, allowing scammers to operate with impunity.

In response, authorities stress the urgent need to raise public awareness and prevent further victimization. The Police Media Division urges the public to exercise extreme caution when responding to unsolicited job offers or investment opportunities advertised via social media. Citizens are advised not to join unfamiliar online groups, click on suspicious links, or follow instructions from unverified sources.

Furthermore, individuals should never share their bank account information with strangers or transfer money received from unknown sources. Law enforcement officials emphasize that prevention through education is the most effective strategy against these sophisticated scams.

The public is encouraged to report suspicious online activity to the nearest police station or the CID’s cybercrime division to aid ongoing investigations and protect others from falling victim.

A recent meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus focused on strengthening female political representation and advancing key initiatives within the Sri Lankan Parliament. Discussions included engaging with recognized political parties and party secretaries from Parliament, Provincial Councils (PCs), and Local Government (LG) bodies to advocate for increased nomination of women representatives to PCs and local authorities.

The Caucus also addressed the re-establishment of the Parliamentary Caucus for Children for the Tenth Parliament and reviewed progress on establishing a daycare centre within the Parliament premises to support working parents.

Azusa Kubota, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, participated in the meeting and emphasized UNDP’s readiness to support the implementation of the Parliamentary Development Action Plan 2024–2027. She reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering women in politics and supporting inclusive governance initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Co-Chairpersons Chamindranee Kiriella (Attorney-at-Law) and Samanmali Gunasingha, along with Deputy Committee Chairperson Hemali Weerasekara. Members of Parliament present included Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Nilanthi Kottahachchi (Attorney-at-Law), Chathuri Gangani, Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Thushari Jayasingha (Attorney-at-Law), Anushka Thilakarathne (Attorney-at-Law), and Ambika Samivel.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, announced that the government is actively working to relocate the Sri Lankan Embassy back to Tehran. The move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen diplomatic presence and foreign employment opportunities in the region.

“We are actively working towards the relocation of the Sri Lankan Embassy back to Tehran, alongside the resumption of foreign employment opportunities in Israel. These efforts are being carried out in an organised and well-coordinated manner, in close consultation with our overseas missions and all relevant stakeholders,” Hemachandra stated.

He further noted that Sri Lankan missions in the region, in collaboration with partner agencies and community networks, are engaging with host governments to ensure a smooth and efficient transition.

“The safety, welfare, and dignity of our citizens abroad remain central to every decision we take,” he emphasized.

The office of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has strongly denied recent media reports concerning his visit to the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2023. In a statement issued yesterday, the former President’s office described the reports as “misleading and false.”

“The media have carried reports attributed to the police regarding the visit of the Eighth Executive President Ranil Wickremesinghe to Wolverhampton University in September 2023. These allegations are incorrect and inaccurate,” the statement read.

Dismissing the claims as malicious in intent, the statement further noted that additional clarifications would be provided in due course, based on legal counsel.

This response comes in the wake of reports that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court about an ongoing investigation into Wickremesinghe’s foreign trips during his tenure as President.

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Madura Seneviratne, announced that a new circular will soon be issued to address longstanding flaws in the school admission process. The circular is designed to introduce clear and standardized guidelines, ensuring that only the most eligible students are admitted based on merit and transparency.

Dr. Seneviratne emphasized that the new policy aims to eliminate illegal and unfair admission practices that have undermined the credibility of the education system in recent years. He stressed that this is a critical step toward restoring fairness and public trust in school admissions.

In addition, the Deputy Minister revealed that a separate, updated circular specifically for Grade 1 admissions is expected to be released next week. Together, these initiatives represent a broader effort by the Ministry to streamline and regulate admissions across all grade levels.

Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Jayatissa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the public healthcare system by expanding access to essential medicines, during the opening ceremony of the 65th State Pharmacy branch of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) in Narahenpita, Colombo. The new branch, located at No. 209, Kirula Road, is part of a broader initiative led by the Minister to establish a more accessible and reliable state pharmacy network across the country.

This marks the third new branch launched under the current administration, following recent openings in Mount Lavinia and Kiribathgoda. The expansion aims to ensure uninterrupted access to quality medicines through a state-managed supply chain.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Jayatissa acknowledged previous disruptions in the pharmaceutical supply system caused by irregular procurement practices and the failure to place timely bulk orders. He highlighted that corrective measures have already shown results, with the SPC issuing 268 medicine procurement tenders within the first five months of 2025—compared to just 68 tenders throughout all of 2024.

SPC Chairman Dr. Manuj C. Weerasinghe added that the expansion will continue, with new branches scheduled to open soon in Batticaloa, Kegalle, Trincomalee, and Puttalam districts.

The Narahenpita branch offers high-quality medications overseen by qualified pharmacists and provides a 5% discount to senior citizens, pregnant mothers, children under five, and Ranaviru Virusara card holders. Operating hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

To ensure public safety, all medicines dispensed through the state pharmacy network undergo rigorous four-level quality testing at SPC’s advanced laboratory facilities.