🇱🇰 Lankadeepa
Sri Lanka · SI · https://www.lankadeepa.lk
About Lankadeepa
Lankadeepa is a daily Sinhala-language newspaper owned by Wijeya Newspapers Limited, a private media group founded in 1979 by Ranjith Wijewardene. The Wijewardene family holds a significant majority ownership, collectively owning 99.98 percent of the company. The family has historical connections to Sri Lanka's United National Party.
Lankadeepa is an established Sinhala-language daily newspaper in Sri Lanka. While Wikipedia classifies its political alignment as centrist, other sources indicate that the Wijewardene family's historical ties to the United National Party may influence its editorial stance, and it has faced criticisms for instances of inaccurate reporting and alignment with opposition politics. The broader Sri Lankan media environment is characterized as 'partly-free' by Freedom House, with Reporters Without Borders noting concerns about harassment, intimidation, and self-censorship, which can impact editorial independence.
Reading context
Media systems vary by law, ownership, and editorial custom. We preserve each outlet's framing and add context so readers can compare coverage without treating one country as the default.
France's Parliament Approves Bill Allowing Assisted Death
- France's parliament has approved a bill allowing citizens to end their lives under certain conditions. - The controversial bill passed after years of debate, with 291 votes in favor and 241 against.…
Are You Truly Aware of Dengue?
- Dengue fever has reached epidemic levels in Sri Lanka this year, prompting a public awareness initiative. - A short quiz is being offered to test people's knowledge of dengue symptoms, warning signs…
Parliamentary boundary wall collapses in Sri Lanka
- A section of a protective boundary wall near the parliamentary complex in Sri Lanka has collapsed. - The incident occurred on the side facing Diyawanna Lake, near the Members' Entrance. - Authoritie…
Government honors medical team for successfully separating conjoined twins
- A team of specialist doctors at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Special (Teaching) Children's Hospital in Peradeniya successfully separated conjoined twins. - The conjoined twins, born joined at the pelvi…
Tamil exam paper in Sri Lanka's Central Province under scrutiny for alleged 2019 duplication
- An investigation has begun into a Tamil language exam paper used for Grade 11 students in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. - The paper allegedly contains questions identical to one used for studen…
Warden Transferred After Alleged Prison Gate Shooting in Sri Lanka
- A prison warden in Negombo, Sri Lanka, has been transferred to another prison after allegedly firing a shot through a main gate. - The transfer was made for the warden's safety, and he will be assig…
Sri Lanka to Host BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting | Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved the nation's bid to host the fourth Ministerial Meeting and Senior Officials Meeting of BIMSTEC, reinforcing its role in regional cooperation. | Lankadeepa (LK) | si | 01KXG6ANMB95D5T5E3M0HM10YM | neutral | news | official-statement | approved | null
- Sri Lanka has received cabinet approval to host the fourth BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting and Senior Officials Meeting. - The BIMSTEC organization focuses on regional cooperation among countries in the…
Sri Lanka to Launch Special Rehabilitation Program for Drug-Involved Youth in Care
- Sri Lanka plans a special rehabilitation program for children in correctional facilities involved with drug-related offenses. - The program aims to address issues stemming from drug use, addiction, …
Sri Lanka coal commission questions top officials including Ministry of Power secretary
- Sri Lanka's Presidential Commission of Inquiry into coal transactions has recorded statements from top officials. - Those questioned include the Secretary and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of…
Six Tamil Parties Urge Government to Hold Provincial Elections
- Six Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka are demanding the government hold provincial council elections as soon as possible. - This marks the first time multiple Tamil parties have jointly called fo…
Sri Lanka President Pledges Quality Public Transport System
- Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake aims to build a quality and accessible public transportation system. - The initiative seeks to reduce the financial burden of private transportation on …
New Procedures to Stop Paddy Purchase Irregularities in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Agriculture is implementing new measures to prevent irregularities in paddy purchasing. - Discussions focused on ensuring efficient purchasing at government-set prices and pr…
Russia's 'Doomsday' aircraft lands in Tehran amid Middle East tensions
- Russia's "Doomsday" aircraft, a TU-214PU, landed at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, raising questions about the escalating Middle East crisis. - The aircraft is designed for command an…
New Kidney Stone Treatment Center Opens in Sri Lanka
- A new kidney stone treatment center has opened in Mirigama, Sri Lanka, to address the high demand for such procedures. - The center aims to reduce the waiting list, which exceeds 5,000 patients, by …
Qatar's Founding Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Dies
- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the founder of Qatar, has died. He ruled the nation from 1995 to 2013, leading it to prosperity. - His reign saw significant economic, social, and cultural develop…
Iraqi Prime Minister Begins Official Visit to Washington
- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Sidi has begun an official visit to the United States, marking his first foreign trip since taking office. - He is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at t…
Eight Arrested for Selling Donated Fertilizer in Sri Lanka
- Eight people, including a development officer, were arrested for allegedly selling 348 bags of fertilizer meant for free distribution to farmers. - The fertilizer, imported with foreign aid, is valu…
Strait of Hormuz completely closed again
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed until further notice. - The closure follows an incident where Iranian forces fired warning shots at vesse…
Scattered showers expected across Sri Lanka on July 12
- The Department of Meteorology forecasts scattered showers in the Sabaragamuwa Province and Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts on July 12. - Light rain is possible in the Western and Northwestern provi…
Sri Lankan MP Advocates Rewarding Parents for Having More Children
- A Sri Lankan MP suggests that having more children should be encouraged and rewarded. - The MP cited a significant drop in birth rates over the past decade, attributing it to factors like delayed ma…
Disabled university students receive scholarships
- Sri Lanka's President's Fund launched the "Sarawiya Diriyo Abhiman" scholarship program for disabled university students. - The program provides a one-time scholarship of 100,000 Sri Lankan rupees t…
Sri Lanka's A-Level Cut-Off Marks for University Admissions Due Next Month
- Sri Lanka's University Grants Commission will announce cut-off marks for university admissions next month. - Over 92,000 applications have been submitted for university enrollment based on the recen…
Sri Lanka anti-graft body probes assets of over 500, including politicians and officials
- Sri Lanka's Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has launched investigations into the assets of over 500 individuals from various sectors. - The probe includes nea…
Turkish Airlines flight returns to Colombo after bird strike
- A Turkish Airlines flight from Colombo to Istanbul was forced to return to Bandaranaike International Airport due to a bird strike shortly after takeoff. - The Airbus A330 aircraft, carrying 246 pas…
Nearly 200 inmates charged with murder over killing of 8 prison officers
- Nearly 200 inmates at the Meeghamuwa prison will face murder charges for allegedly killing eight officers. - Police investigations, using video evidence, have identified 13 key suspects, including S…
Presidential pardon process for inmates being developed
- A report on a systematic, fair, and transparent process for granting presidential pardons to convicted prisoners was submitted. - The committee, chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, studied exi…
President Promises Farmers Better Lives, Launches Water Project
- The President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, promised farmers better lives and social value. - He announced measures including doubling fertilizer subsidies, providing record compensation f…
Sri Lanka: Election funds not diverted for disaster relief, says PM
- Sri Lankan Prime Minister asserts that funds allocated for provincial council elections have not been diverted to disaster relief. - Financial aid from donors for disaster relief and infrastructure …
Israel Prepares to Join U.S. in Potential Strike Against Iran
- Israel is preparing to join U.S. forces in a potential strike against Iran. - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi have …
Sri Lankan doctors perform world-first surgery to separate conjoined twins
- Doctors successfully separated conjoined twins, Linuli and Lithuli, who were joined at the pelvis. - The complex surgery involved transplanting one of the twins' two kidneys to the other, a procedur…
Prison Officers Died from Blunt Force Trauma to Chest and Head
- A post-mortem examination report indicates that seven prison officers died at the Welikada Prison due to severe internal injuries caused by blunt force trauma to the head and chest. - The victims we…
Eight public health inspectors in Colombo contract dengue amid worsening outbreak
- Eight public health inspectors in the Colombo district have contracted dengue fever. - The situation in the Colombo district is worsening, with over 1,100 individuals fined for neglecting dengue pre…
Communication Devices Seized in Sri Lanka's 'Krish Transaction' Fraud Probe
- Sri Lankan police have seized 41 communication devices, including laptops and mobile phones, as part of an investigation into a large-scale financial fraud related to the "Krish transaction." - The …
President: Districts to get separate funds for urgent repairs
- Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake plans to allocate separate funds for each district in the upcoming budget. - This initiative aims to expedite urgent repairs for bridges, roads, and bui…
Judicial Services Association faces controversial situation
- A dispute has arisen within the Judicial Services Association over a senior official's alleged instruction to junior members. - Junior members were reportedly told not to attend the association's up…
Sri Lanka Prepares to Purchase Yala Season Paddy Starting July 15
- The Paddy Marketing Board is preparing to purchase paddy from the Yala season starting July 15th. - Officials instructed to expedite the process by clearing existing warehouse stocks to make space f…
Sri Lanka discusses revenue system modernization with IMF
- Sri Lanka's State Revenue Administration Reform and Modernization Bureau met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss revenue system reforms. - The meeting reviewed reforms implemented …
Commissioner General of Prisons Post Vacant for a Year, MP Cites Crisis
- The position of Commissioner General of Prisons has been vacant for a year, according to MP Ajith. P. Perera. - Perera highlighted severe overcrowding at the Welikada Prison, with over 2,400 inmates…
Negombo prison faces major overcrowding
- The Negombo prison in Sri Lanka is severely overcrowded, holding nearly 2,600 inmates against a capacity of 650. - The head of the Prison's and Prisoner's Rights Protection Committee, attorney Senak…
Negombo Prison Inmates Wreak Havoc, Nearly 700 Transferred After Clash
- Nearly 700 inmates were transferred from the Negombo prison to other facilities following a clash between two inmate groups. - The transfer aimed to control potential unrest and ensure inmate safety…
Attorney General Requests Supreme Court Review of Rajapaksa's Writ Petitions
- The Attorney General has requested that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's writ petitions be sent to the Supreme Court. - Rajapaksa filed the petitions seeking to prevent his arrest and detention under the Preve…
Colonel apologizes to lawyers in fundamental rights case
- Two lawyers who filed a fundamental rights petition against a Colonel for obstructing a protest have received an unconditional apology. - The Colonel, formerly commanding officer of the Galle Fort m…
Immigration Deputy Controller Arrested for Issuing Passport to Crime Figure
- A deputy controller at the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested for issuing a passport to an organized crime figure. - The suspect allegedly used another person's data with the…
Prison Clash in Negombo Kills Eight, Including Four Guards
- A clash at the Negombo prison in Sri Lanka has resulted in eight deaths, including four prison guards. - Over 60 injured individuals, including police and prison officials, were admitted to Negombo …
Hundreds of Thousands Gather in Tehran for Iranian Leader's Funeral
- Hundreds of thousands gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. - Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike on February 28, but his burial was delayed due…
America Celebrates 250th Anniversary Amidst Heatwave
- The United States celebrated its 250th anniversary with large-scale festivities across all 50 states, despite intense heat. - Major celebrations in Washington D.C. were led by President Donald Trump…
Over 100,000 Liters of Kerosene Seized from Bus Owners in Sri Lanka
- Authorities seized approximately 107,000 liters of kerosene illegally stored at the homes of two bus owners in the Waduruwa area. - The bus owners are suspected of using kerosene instead of diesel i…
Sri Lankan women MPs, diplomats meet to advance women's leadership
- Sri Lankan female parliamentarians and heads of diplomatic missions met to celebrate women's contributions to global peace and development. The meeting aimed to promote equal representation of women…
Sri Lankan cabinet approves bus fare revision
- The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a revision of bus fares, as mandated by the National Transport Commission. - The fare revision considers factors like fluctuating fuel prices due to Middle East c…
Carrom board case: Pre-trial date set for Mahindananda and Nalin
- Two former ministers, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, face charges for allegedly causing a loss of nearly 40 million rupees to the state by importing carrom and dam boards. - The case a…
King Charles to Vacate Buckingham Palace
- King Charles III will not reside at Buckingham Palace after its 10-year renovation. - The decision aims to allow public access to the historic building. - The King and Queen will continue official d…
National communication program to boost child health
- Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a national communication program to promote child health. - The program, part of the 'Clean Sri Lanka' initiative, addresses poor health behaviors among children und…
Dengue surge threatens to overwhelm Sri Lanka's hospitals
- Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Health warns that the country's hospital system may be unable to manage dengue patients if cases continue to rise. - Dengue cases have significantly increased this yea…
Mosquito Control Staff Denied for Poson Festival Amid Dengue Surge
- Health officials requested additional staff to control mosquito populations in Anuradhapura for the Poson festival, but the request was denied. - The denial came from a Deputy Director General, desp…
Sri Lankan Rupee Decline Forces Medicine Price Hike
- The Sri Lankan rupee's depreciation has led to a revision of maximum prices for 60 types of medicine. - The National Medicines Regulatory Authority announced the price adjustment due to the dollar's…
Wasp attack during dengue drive sends seven children to hospital
- Seven schoolchildren and two mothers were hospitalized after being attacked by wasps during a dengue prevention program at a school in Kotmale, Sri Lanka. - The incident occurred when a wasp nest, t…
Sri Lanka Launches National Export Development Plan for 2026-2030
- Sri Lanka has officially launched its National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2026-2030, aiming to strengthen the export sector and achieve sustainable, export-led economic growth. - The plan al…
New App Launched for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers to Report Grievances
- Sri Lanka has launched a new mobile app called LankaKonect for migrant workers to easily submit complaints and report workplace issues. - The app allows users to report problems directly to the Sri …
China-Sri Lanka Friendship Showcased in Photography Exhibition
- A photography exhibition titled “Heart to Heart, Side by Side” opened at the new outpatient department of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, funded by China Aid. - The exhibition showcases over 350…
India donates $5 million in defense and medical equipment to Sri Lankan Army
- The Indian government donated defense and medical equipment worth US$5 million to the Sri Lankan Army. - The donation strengthens the long-standing friendship and defense cooperation between the two…
Sri Lanka opposition threatens no-confidence vote over judicial delays
- A Sri Lankan opposition MP threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against the government if judicial vacancies are not filled. - Ajith P. Perera stated that while a no-confidence motion against …
AUDIO: 'If the state collects more and more, why isn't it paying the bills?', SMEs question
- Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Paraguay are questioning the government's fiscal policies. - They ask why increased state revenue isn't translating into better public services or suppor…
Two helicopters collide over Rio de Janeiro, killing six
- Two helicopters collided in the sky over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, killing six people. - Among the deceased were American pop singer Oliver Tree and popular Argentine YouTuber Gappy. - Brazilian autho…
Prime Minister Meets UNICEF on Post-Disaster Education Recovery
- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya met with UNICEF representatives to discuss post-disaster educational recovery. - The meeting focused on implementing recommendations from a report on upd…
Sri Lanka opposition leader calls for El Niño task force
- Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa called for the establishment of an urgent task force to address the El Niño phenomenon. - He highlighted that he had previously raised concerns about climate chang…
2000 Billion for Next Year's Capital Expenditure
- The Sri Lankan government plans to allocate 2000 billion rupees for capital expenditure next year. - This is an increase from the approximately 1350 billion rupees spent on capital expenditure this …
US-Iran Understanding Agreement Expected Today?
- U.S. President Donald Trump stated an understanding agreement to end the military conflict with Iran would be signed today. - Iran has not yet responded to this statement. - Foreign media anticipate…
Burglar breaks into Sri Lankan office, eats yogurt and drinks coffee before fleeing
- A burglar broke into the Bandarawela Divisional Secretariat office by entering through the roof. - The intruder ransacked files, ate yogurt, and drank coffee before fleeing. - Police suspect a drug …
Three houses set ablaze after dispute
- A suspect has been arrested for setting fire to three houses belonging to the same family following a personal dispute. - The fires caused nearly 20 million rupees in damages, and the suspect also a…
Sri Lanka Resumes License Plate Printing After Year-Long Suspension
- Vehicle license plate printing in Sri Lanka will resume on June 8 after a year-long suspension due to tender issues. - The Department of Motor Traffic has scheduled an official relaunch ceremony at …
Divisional Secretaries to Boycott Monday Meetings Starting Saturday
- Divisional secretaries and assistant divisional secretaries will not attend Monday meetings starting this Saturday. - The decision was made by the Sri Lanka Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divi…
One dead, 12 injured in Sri Lanka lorry accident; twins miraculously unharmed
- A fatal road accident occurred in Anamaduwa, Sri Lanka, when a lorry veered out of control. - The crash resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to 12 others. - Miraculously, a pair of infant…
More Details Emerge About Assistant Manager at Horana State Bank
- Police are investigating two women in Nalluruwa-Modarawila who had dealings with a bank assistant manager arrested for a missing 35 million rupees. - The assistant manager allegedly borrowed 25 mill…
Warning over rupee pressure due to loss of confidence in government's economic management
- A Sri Lankan MP warned that pressure on the rupee could increase due to declining confidence in the government's economic management. - He stated that market confidence in the government's ability t…
320 elderly homes operating illegally
- A report by the National Audit Office revealed that only 136 out of 456 elderly care homes are registered with the relevant office. - This means a significant majority of elderly care homes are oper…
Counterfeit document center busted in Borella, Sri Lanka
- Police in Borella, Sri Lanka, raided a house and arrested three people for operating a counterfeit document and national ID production center. - Authorities seized a large cache of fake official sea…
Former Minister's Media Secretary Arrested in Sri Lanka Over Misuse of Funds
- A former media secretary for Sri Lankan Minister Wimal Weerawansa has been arrested. - The individual is accused of misusing ministry vehicles and causing a financial loss of over 1.7 million rupees…
Government promises quality assurance for early childhood education
- The Sri Lankan government has pledged to take responsibility for ensuring the quality of early childhood education. - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated the government's commitment to this…
Over $800 million reportedly left the country
- A former minister claims over $800 million has left Sri Lanka through the Central Bank. - The politician stated that such a massive outflow of funds would represent a significant problem for the cou…
Johnston Fernando to chair SLPP candidate selection committee
- Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna appointed former minister Johnston Fernando as the head of its provincial council candidate selection committee. - The party's General Secretary announced the decision fo…
Rain expected in several provinces today
- The Department of Meteorology forecasts intermittent rain or thunderstorms for several provinces on June 5. - Heavy rain, potentially reaching 100 millimeters, is expected in the Western, Sabaragamu…
Sri Lanka Overhauls Advanced Level Vocational Stream
- Sri Lanka's Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, announced reforms to the Advanced Level (A-Level) vocational stream. - The reforms aim to align the curriculum with new …
Speaker Certifies Inland Revenue Amendment Bill
- The Speaker of Parliament has certified the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, which aims to modernize tax administration and enhance tax compliance. - The amendment updates the 2017 Inland Revenue Ac…
Speaker certifies Sri Lanka's Inland Revenue Amendment Bill
- Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker has certified the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill. - The bill modernizes tax administration, clarifies provisions, and strengthens tax compliance and enforcement. - …
Sri Lanka now depends on IMF, contrary to past statements: Party leader
- Sri Lanka has become dependent on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to Sarath Manamendra. - Manamendra, leader of the New Sihala Heritage party, criticized the current government's ec…
AI-generated videos of President, PM used in financial fraud scam
- Sri Lanka CERT warns of a scam using AI-generated videos of the President and Prime Minister for financial fraud. - These deepfake videos falsely depict leaders soliciting investments with promises …
Tree falls on tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, killing student and two women
- A eucalyptus tree fell on a three-wheeled taxi in Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka, killing a student and two women. - The driver of the vehicle survived the incident. - Local residents claim the tree was ol…
Corrupt individuals fill top cooperative positions | Lankadeepa (LK) | Sri Lanka News in English | Sri Lanka Daily News - Sri Lanka News in English
- Information revealed at a consultative committee meeting indicated widespread corruption in cooperative societies. - Several individuals involved in various corrupt practices remain in their positio…
Indian Deputy High Commissioner concludes term in Sri Lanka, meets Speaker
- The Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, concluded his service and met with Speaker Jagath Wickremaratne. - During the meeting, Pandey expressed gratitude for Sri Lank…
Sri Lanka identifies 250 suspected meningitis cases islandwide
- Health authorities in Sri Lanka have identified 250 suspected cases of meningitis across several regions. - The Ministry of Health confirmed the cases, indicating a rise in the number of individuals…
25 towns to be developed under 'Mithuru Purawara' program
- The Sri Lankan cabinet approved a plan to develop 25 towns under the 'Mithuru Purawara' program. - The initiative aims to improve the convenience and well-being of the public and local communities b…
Kalutara gunman arrested
- Police arrested the main suspect and another individual in connection with the murder of a businessman in Kalutara. - The victim was shot and killed while riding his motorcycle, allegedly due to pro…
Cabinet Approves Tender for Lubricant Oil Supply to Sapugaskanda Power Plants
- The Sri Lankan cabinet approved a tender for supplying lubricant oil to the Sapugaskanda power plants for the 2026/27 period. - Lanka IOC PLC secured the contract for the A power plant, and Chevron …
Sri Lanka Approves National Plan to Protect Waters from Oil and Hazardous Spills
- Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a national plan and digital platform to manage oil and hazardous substance spills in its waters. - The initiative addresses increased maritime traffic and the potent…
Sri Lanka approves regulations to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals
- Sri Lanka's cabinet approved new import and export regulations to phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). - The regulations align with the Montreal Protocol's goal to protect the ozone layer and…
Low-quality coal forces Sri Lanka fuel price hike, says MP Rajapaksa
- Sri Lanka's government has been forced to increase fuel prices primarily due to the use of low-quality coal for power generation, according to MP Namal Rajapaksa. - Rajapaksa stated that the previou…
Financial Scam Targets Drivers Using Fake Traffic Fines
- Sri Lankan authorities are warning of a financial scam targeting drivers through fake traffic violation fines. - Scammers use foreign phone numbers to send SMS or WhatsApp messages claiming CCTV foo…
Rainfall expected in several Sri Lankan provinces on June 2 evening
- The Department of Meteorology forecasts an increase in rainfall in the southwestern parts of Sri Lanka on the evening of June 2, 2026. - Showers are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North …
Australian and European Investors Visit Sri Lanka for Energy Sector Talks
- Two foreign investors from Australia and Europe have arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss energy sector investments. - Their visit aims to establish Sri Lanka as a sustainable energy hub in South Asia. -…
Sri Lanka's UNP: Government Lacks Power to Establish Religious Court
- The United National Party (UNP) stated the government lacks the authority to establish a "Dharmadhikarana" (religious court). - The UNP argued that the constitution does not grant the executive, leg…
