Sri Lanka has been ranked 139 out of 180 countries in the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025, ranking among countries where the conditions for practising journalism is “very serious”.
According to the Index, however, Sri Lanka has improved from last year’s ranking of 150. 

Norway and Estonia are in the lead while China, North Korea, and Eritrea are the countries that have reported the worst decline in press freedom.

The Index indicates that although physical attacks against journalists are the most visible violations of press freedom, economic pressure is also a major, more insidious problem. 

Full index

https://rsf.org/en/rsf-world-press-freedom-index-2025-economic-fragility-leading-threat-press-freedom?mc_cid=d3f6ca49df&mc_eid=def9d7e685

Gold and Silver belonging to civilians, which had been recovered by the Army while in the possession of the LTTE during the war, have been officially handed over to Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya.
The stock of gold and silver was handed over to the Acting IGP at the Army Headquarters in Battaramulla today (May 02).

According to the Sri Lanka Army, the Gold and Silver are to be transferred to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka via the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for valuation.

The Army further said that the items will be returned to their rightful owners upon proof of identity and ownership.

(Video : News1st)

The Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, stated that Parliament is scheduled to convene on May 8th and 9th. She further stated that the Parliamentary Business pertaining to the said days were decided during the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held today (02) under the Chairmanship of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

Accordingly, on Thursday, May 8, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6). The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers, while the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., time has been allotted to debate the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235) Schedule “A” relating to Import Duties, presented on 09.04.2025, pertaining to the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/05 dated 27.01.2025.

Subsequently, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time has been allotted to take up the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition.

On Friday, May 9, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6). The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers, and the time from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. has been allocated for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament. Thereafter, from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., time has been allotted to debate six Private Members’ Motions.

Accordingly, the motion to appropriately curtail the privileges enjoyed by people’s representatives representing the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and former heads of state and their widows, presented by Hon. Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage, the motion for the formulating of a programme to enhance the state sector involvement in the importation and distribution of essential items of food, presented by Hon. Member of Parliament Rohana Bandara, the motion for the Preparation of a course of action for the implementation of the recommendations given by the audit reports, presented by Member of Parliament Chaminda Wijesiri are scheduled to be debated.

Furthermore, the motion to provide a house for every family in Sri Lanka to live in, presented by Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, the motion to formulate laws to import only buses that comply with public transport standards, presented by Member of Parliament Ravindra Bandara and the motion to take actions to use all the buildings that have been constructed in Sri Lanka so far under the name of “development proposals”, but have not been put to any use, for public usage, presented by Member of Parliament Lal Premanath are also scheduled to be debated.

Subsequently, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., time has been allocated to take up Questions at the Adjournment Time.