Samantha Ranasinghe has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament for Kalutara District before the Speaker of House – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

He is to fill the Parliamentary seat that fell vacant due to the demise of National People’s Power (NPP) Kegalle District MP Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera last month.

Ranasinghe, who served as the NPP organizer of the Rambukkana electorate during the 2024 parliamentary election, was next on the NPP list based on the preference votes obtained.

At least 12 people were injured when a van collided with a parked container truck on the Matara-Akuressa main road, near the Palatuwa entrance to the Southern Expressway.
The injured were admitted to the Matara General Hospital for treatment.

According to the police, the van was carrying a group of residents from Matara who were returning from Katunayake Airport.Malimbada Police are conducting further investigations.

A delegation from Sri Lanka comprising of professionals from the fields of music, filmmaking, acting, film production & distribution, animation and gaming participated in the inaugural edition of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, India, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

WAVES 2025, a flagship initiative envisioned by the Hon. Prime Minister of India, brought together leading voices from across the globe – industry veterans, policymakers, and creative professionals – fostering cross-border dialogue, creativity, and commercial collaboration. The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister of India on May 1, 2025.

At WAVES 2025, the Global Media Dialogue culminated in the adoption of the WAVES Declaration, emphasizing the need for cross-cultural collaboration and responsible storytelling in a rapidly evolving global media environment. Participating nations recognized the power of films and individual stories in bridging divides and promoting peace. The dialogue underscored the importance of using technology responsibly, enhancing youth skill development, and fostering global co-productions, with India leading initiatives like the Create in India challenges to promote multilingual creative talent worldwide.

The Sri Lankan delegation actively participated in discussions, exhibitions, and networking events that spanned the full spectrum of the industry, including cinema, digital entertainment, animation, and gaming. The experience was highly enriching for all participants, who gained valuable insights and exposure to cutting-edge trends and collaborative opportunities in the global media landscape.

WAVES 2025 marked a significant step toward deepening regional ties in media and entertainment, offering a dynamic platform for talent exchange, co-productions, and sustainable industry growth globally.