News

The World Bank Group announced a $1 billion financing package aimed at creating jobs and unlocking private sector growth over the next three years, for Sri Lanka.

The initiative targets high-potential sectors including energy, agriculture, tourism, and regional development.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Colombo between Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga—marking the first visit by a World Bank President to the country in two decades.

“This support from the World Bank Group is an investment in the people of Sri Lanka,” said President Dissanayake, according to a statement from the World Bank. “It will help create jobs, support small businesses, and open up new opportunities across the country. We are committed to ensuring this partnership delivers real change for our communities.”

President Banga emphasized the urgency of leveraging this moment to accelerate reforms and attract private capital.

“This is a moment of opportunity for Sri Lanka,” Banga said. “With progress underway to stabilize the economy and restart growth, core elements for job creation are in place. Now is the time to create the conditions for private enterprise to thrive—particularly in sectors that can create jobs at scale.”

The World Bank estimates that nearly one million young people will enter Sri Lanka’s workforce over the next decade, yet only 300,000 jobs are projected to be created under current trends. The new initiative aims to close this gap by mobilizing both public and private investment.

Key components of the package include:

Energy ($185 million): Supporting 1 GW of new solar and wind capacity to reduce electricity costs and attract over $800 million in private investment. Includes $40 million in guarantees.

Agriculture ($100 million): Enabling 380,000+ farmers and agribusinesses to adopt modern technologies and access markets, with $17 million in expected private financing.

Tourism ($200 million): Enhancing natural and cultural assets to boost tourism and create community-based jobs.

Regional Development ($200 million): Investing in infrastructure and industries in underserved areas, including the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

This integrated approach combines financing, technical expertise, and private sector tools to drive inclusive growth and resilience.

The World Bank Group has been a development partner to Sri Lanka for over 70 years, with current investments exceeding $2.2 billion.

This new initiative deepens that partnership, focusing on job creation, private sector expansion, and inclusive economic transformation.

The 2025 Local Government Election will be held tomorrow, May 6. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. across the country at 13,759 polling centres.

How to vote:

Each voter receives one ballot paper showing:

• Political party or independent group names along with their symbols
• Voters must mark an X in the box next to their chosen party or independent group. While you may have a preferred candidate, votes are cast only for parties or groups—not for individual candidates. The local government election does not allow voting directly for candidates.
• No other marks are allowed; incorrectly marked ballots will be rejected.

The National People’s Power (NPP) has secured victory in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) by winning a total of 48 seats after polling over 81,000 votes (36.92%).

National People’s Power (NPP) – 81,814 (48 seats)

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) – 58,375 (29 seats)

United National Party (UNP) – 26,297 (13 seats)

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) – 9,341 (5 seats)

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) – 8,630 (4 seats)

Independent Group 03 – 5,934 (3 seats)

Independent Group 05 – 4,659 (2 seats)

United Peace Alliance – 4,473 (2 seats)

Sarvajana Balaya (SB) – 3,911 (2 seats)

Independent Group 04 – 3,640 (2 seats)

Organized criminal Lanthuwa Handi Sujeewa Ruwan Kumara de Silva, alias Loku Patty, has been extradited to Sri Lanka by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He was arrested recently by Belarusian security forces following an Interpol Red Notice issued against him.

A CID team traveled to Belarus to facilitate his return to the island.

According to police, Loku Patty was previously associated with infamous underworld figures Kosgoda Sujee and Makandure Madush, before breaking away to lead his own criminal network.

He is currently facing multiple legal proceedings in connection with drug trafficking and murder cases in several courts across the country.

Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was arrested earlier today by the Bribery Commission, has been remanded until May 20 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

He was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, where the magistrate ordered that he be remanded pending further inquiries.

Campaigning for the local government elections will conclude at midnight tonight, in accordance with the Election Commission’s directive that all campaigning must end 48 hours before the polls.

The elections are scheduled to be held on May 6.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ petition that was filed requesting to revoke the Parliamentary seat of Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala.

A judge-bench, consisting of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Thahir Laffar, and Justice Sarath Dissanayake, announced the decision today.

The petition was filed by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Administrative Secretary Renuka Perera over Wijepala’s appointment as the Chief of Staff of the President.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake departed for Vietnam a short while ago, commencing his official state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

At the invitation of the President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is undertaking a state visit to Vietnam from May 4 to 6.

This visit marks the celebration of 55 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam and is expected to further strengthen the long-standing bilateral ties between the two nations.

During the visit, President Dissanayake will hold official discussions with the President and Prime Minister of Vietnam. He is also scheduled to meet with senior dignitaries, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party.

President Dissanayake will also participate as the chief guest at the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations, scheduled to commence on May 6 in Ho Chi Minh City, where he will deliver the keynote address.

Several Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements are expected to be signed during the visit and discussions will be held with the Vietnamese business community to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, are accompanying President Dissanayake on this official visit.

The National People's Power (NPP) has secured a historic and commanding victory in Sri Lanka’s 2025 Local Government Elections, winning 3,927 local government seats with a total of 4,503,930 votes, according to final results released on Wednesday (7). The National People's Power won a total of 265 Local Government Institutions, compared to the 12 won by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya.

The SLPP and the UNP, once-dominant forces in Sri Lankan politics, failed to secure even one local government body.

This outcome marks a dramatic shift in the country’s political dynamics, with the NPP—led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake—cementing its position as the dominant political force at the grassroots level.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Sajith Premadasa, came in a distant second with 2,258,480 votes and 1,767 seats, while the once-dominant Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP continued its decline, securing only 742 seats with 954,517 votes.

The United National Party (UNP), which once held significant urban influence, managed just 381 seats with 488,406 votes, further reflecting its diminishing national presence.

Other notable results include:

• People’s Alliance (PA): 300 seats (387,098 votes)

• Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK): 377 seats (307,657 votes)

• Sarvajana Balaya (SB): 226 seats (294,681 votes)

• Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC): 116 seats (139,858 votes)

• Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA): 106 seats (89,177 votes)

• All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC): 60 seats (75,268 votes)

Gold and silver belonging to civilians, which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) possessed during the war and were subsequently recovered by the military, have been officially handed over to the Inspector General of Police at the Army Headquarters in Battaramulla.

These items will then be transferred to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka via the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for valuation.

The army has also said that steps are underway to return these items to their rightful owners upon verification of their identities.

Four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and one Agreement were signed today (05 May) between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong.

According to Sri Lanka’s Presidential Media Division (PMD), the signing took place following bilateral discussions held at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi earlier this morning.

Among the agreements signed was a bilateral pact on enhancing cooperation and mutual support in customs affairs between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Additionally, an MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka on cooperation in machinery and equipment manufacturing, an MoU between the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka on cooperation in agriculture, an MoU between the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) of Sri Lanka and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and an MoU between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board on trade promotion cooperation were also signed.

These agreements aim to facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of diplomats, experts, officials, scholars and researchers, while also encouraging the organization and participation in academic and research programmes, training initiatives and conferences related to diplomacy.

They also provide a platform for a broad range of trade promotion activities, including the exchange of trade and market intelligence, joint participation in trade fairs and exhibitions in both countries, and the organization of business networking events for private sector representatives.

According to the PMD, it is expected that this enhanced cooperation will unlock significant market opportunities for both countries, particularly in the sectors of value-added agriculture, fisheries, apparel and Processed food.

Chief Inspector of Police Ashoka Ariyawansa, who served as the Chief Security Officer to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been transferred with immediate effect.

According to police sources, CI Ariyawansa has been reassigned to the Kankesanthurai Police, effective from today (01). The transfer has been approved by the National Police Commission.

Chief Inspector Ariyawansa has had a long-standing association with former President Wickremesinghe’s security detail, having served in his security unit for 23 years. He held the position of Chief Personal Security Officer to the former President for 15 years, playing a key role in ensuring his safety through multiple administrations and political transitions. No official reason has been provided for the transfer at this time.