Try GOLD - Free

The Island - June 24, 2025

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Read The Island along with 9,500+ other magzines & newspapers with just one subscription

View Catalog

1 Month

$14.99

1 Year $149.99

$149.99

$12/month

(OR)

Subscribe only to The Island

Gift The Island

Cancel Anytime.

(No Commitments) ⓘ

If you are not happy with the subscription, you can email us at help@magzter.com within 7 days of subscription start date for a full refund. No questions asked - Promise! (Note: Not applicable for single issue purchases)

Digital Subscription

Instant Access ⓘ

Subscribe now to instantly start reading on the Magzter website, iOS, Android, and Amazon apps.

Verified Secure

payment ⓘ

Magzter is a verified Stripe merchant.

In this issue

June 24, 2025

Justice Minister warns prisons officers: End sordid operations or be prepared to face consequences

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday (23) asked senior officers of the Prisons Department to rid their institution of malpractices or be prepared to face the consequences.

1 mins

Iran-Israel conflict: Congress asks govt. to show moral courage, slams it for not condemning US bombing

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to unleash American air power on Iran makes a \"mockery\" of his own calls for the continuation of talks with Iran, the Congress said on Monday (June 23, 2025) and slammed the Modi government for neither criticising nor condemning the U.S. bombing and Israel's aggression.

2 mins

Tax evasion amounting to Rs 36.9 mn: Arrest warrant issued on ex-MP Sajin

The Colombo Magistrate's Court yesterday (23) issued a warrant for the arrest of former UPFA lawmaker Sajin Vass Gunawardena over his failure to appear before the Court in connection with a case filed by the Inland Revenue Commissioner regarding alleged income tax evasion, amounting to nearly Rs. 36.9 million. The order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeevani Pathiraja.

1 mins

Imthiaz to launch 'Harda Sakshiya'

Former Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar (UNP) will launch 'Harda Sakshiya’, containing 54 of his parliamentary speeches, on Wednesday (25th) at 4.15 pm, at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo 07.

1 mins

Annual Indonesian festival on 28 June

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka-Indonesia Friendship Association (SLIFA), will host the Indonesian Festival & Bazaar 2025 on Saturday, 28th June, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Indonesian Embassy premises, located at 400/50, Sarana Road, Colombo 07.

1 mins

Human rights groups urge UN High Commissioner to visit Mullivaikkal

Five leading international human rights organisations have called on United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Tiirk, who arrived in Colombo yesterday (23) on a four-day visit, to reinforce international scrutiny and demand accountability for human rights violations, as well as meet with Tamil families of the disappeared and visit the site (Mullivaikkal) of the 2009 genocide, Tamil Guardian reported.

1 mins

NJC warns Prez over Indo-Lanka MoUs

The National Joint Committee (NJC) has expressed serious concerns over recently concluded agreements between Sri Lanka and India.

4 mins

Middle East air travel hit hard as airlines avoid region after US strikes on Iran

Air travel across the Middle East continues to face major disruptions after the United States launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday.

1 mins

SLMC discusses Israel-Iran conflict, PTA, etc., with UN Resident Coordinator

The Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Rauff Hakeem MP, and Party Secretary, Nizam Kariapper PC, met United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche, at the UN Office, Colombo, recently, for a constructive discussion on pressing international and national issues

1 mins

Real challenge before Türk

United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk is here on an official visit, with a packed agenda.

2 mins

Disenfranchisement, landlessness and education in the Hill Country

In a recent discussion with Hill Country Tamil teachers in Nuwara Eliya, a trade unionist said the claim that all have equal access to education in Sri Lanka, does not work for the Hill Country, because they, as a community, were denied free education for three decades after independence.

6 mins

An open letter to UNHRC: Take corrective action

To: The President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)• The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)• The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG)• Member States of the United Nations Dear Respected Officials,We, the undersigned concerned citizens, legal scholars, and members of civil society in Sri Lanka and abroad, write to express our strongest objection to the continued reference to and reliance upon the so-called Darusman Report a document that lacks legal standing, was produced without proper authorization, and has since been used to undermine Sri Lanka's sovereignty, distort its history, and weaponize the United Nations' human rights mechanisms for political ends.

3 mins

Build Consensus for Sustainable Change

The government is being judicious in reading the signs of the time. The country continues to be in the throes of the economic crisis that it inherited. It faces formidable challenges in confronting a combined opposition that governed Sri Lanka for the past 76 years. In addition, the world is in crisis with international law being openly disregarded in the joint US-Israel bombardment of Iran’s nuclear sites. Faced with such turbulence, there is a need to tread carefully in this context and not get out of depth in experimenting with change based on ideological conviction. Governments of small and less developed countries especially need to balance their ideological visions with the structural constraints imposed by global power politics.

4 mins

Justin Bieber ... exhausted!

Singer Justin Bieber says he's \"exhausted\" by thinking about himself all the time.

1 mins

INNERVISION to revive musical memories of the Fab Four

The Beatles were known as the Fab Four but we will have to classify the group Inner Vision as the Fab Six as they will be recreating The Beatles era at The Hut, Mount Lavinia Hotel, this Friday, 27th June, from 7.00 pm onwards.

2 mins

Imthiaz’s Parliamentary speeches - a reflection of the man, his politics, and his principles

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar’s latest publication Hardha Sakshiya is a collection of his speeches made in Parliament over the years on diverse topics ranging from democracy, media, governance and so on.

6 mins

Uncovering forgotten histories: Dr. Jesmil's lifelong journey into Muslim Heritage and Archaeology

For Dr. Abdul Raheem Jesmil, archaeologist and lecturer at the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, the pursuit of heritage has always been about more than discovery — it is about restoring memory, asserting identity, and giving voice to communities that have long been left out of Sri Lanka's national narrative.

4 mins

AMARON competing on 'performance, reliability and vision'

AMARON, seen as one of South Asia's powerhouse battery manufacturers, is quietly redefining Sri Lanka's automotive battery market.

2 mins

AAC puts the record straight on allegations

The following is the text of a letter addressed to the membership of the Automobile Association of Ceylon by its Secretary Devapriya Hettiarachchi:

1 mins

Dialog wins dual honours as Sri Lanka's Most Loved Service and Telco Brand in 2025

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka's #1 connectivity provider, has once again been crowned by LMD as the Most Loved Service Brand and the Most Loved Telecommunication Brand in Sri Lanka for 2025, reaffirming its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and building enduring emotional connections through innovation and reliability.

1 mins

Sarvodaya Development Finance records LKR 1,139 mn profit

Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF), Sri Lanka's fastest-growing licensed finance company, has announced a record-breaking financial performance for the fiscal year 2024/25, under-scoring its commitment to sustainable growth, rural development, inclusive finance, and agri-business empowerment.

1 mins

Siyapatha Finance debenture issue oversubscribed

Siyapatha Finance PLC, a subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC and a prominent leader in Sri Lanka's non-banking financial sector, announces the resounding success of its recent debenture issuance, which received an overwhelming response from investors, meeting and surpassing all expectations.

1 mins

Brown & Company marks 150th year with landmark Rs. 25.89 bn Profit Before Tax in FY 2025

Marking its 150th year of operations, Brown & Company PLC Group closed the financial year ended 31st March 2025 with a strong performance marked by significant revenue expansion and ambitious acquisitions across core sectors.

2 mins

"Bed Rotting": Hidden Dangers

In an era of burnout, mental fatigue, and round-the-clock connectivity, a new social media-driven trend has taken root—“bed rotting.”

2 mins

The Battle of Dreams ends in a draw – but brotherhood wins the day

In a stirring celebration of unity and true sportsmanship, the long-awaited Battle of Dreams between St. Aloysius’ College, Galle, and Holy Cross College, Kalutara unfolded with grace and grandeur at the iconic Galle International Cricket Stadium on the 30th and 31st of May 2025.

2 mins

Why Bumrah is most complete fast bowler ever - Finn

It is getting harder and harder to reject the claim that India's Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete fast bowler of all time.

4 mins

Why Alcaraz is 'red-hot favourite' for third Wimbledon title

Carlos Alcaraz arrived in London with \"no expectations\" but with Wimbledon only a week away he has sent an ominous message to his rivals as he seeks a third successive title.

4 mins

'Big boots to fill' — Jayasuriya says replacing Mathews will take time

Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya has admitted it will take time for Sri Lanka to fill the void left by Angelo Mathews, who called time on his glittering Test career last week after 119 caps.

2 mins

Madushani bags triple jump gold with personal best

Madushani Herath bagged the triple jump gold with Sri Lanka's second furthest jump in history at the Thailand Open Athletics Championship on Monday.

1 mins

Mathews was the best finisher we had since Arjuna – Marvan

Former Test captain Marvan Atapattu has heaped praise on Angelo Mathews, who drew the curtain on his illustrious Test career last week, calling him \"the best finisher Sri Lanka had since the great Arjuna Ranatunga.