Australia will prevent most international students from bringing family members into the country under sweeping changes to its migration system announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

Under the new policy, most future international students will no longer automatically be able to bring their partners or dependent family members with them to Australia.

However, exemptions are expected for some categories, including students from Pacific and ASEAN countries and those undertaking PhD studies.

The changes will apply prospectively, meaning international students and their family members already in Australia will not be affected by the new restrictions.

The measures form part of the Australian government’s plan to reduce net overseas migration, with the government targeting a decline to 225,000 by 2027-28.

The government is also moving to restrict so-called “visa hopping,” where temporary visa holders repeatedly switch visa categories to extend their stay in Australia.

According to ABC News, more than 337,000 student visas were granted in the last financial year, including nearly 46,000 secondary applicants classified as dependants or family members.

Under Australia’s existing rules, international students can generally include a spouse or partner and dependent children under 18 in their student visa application, subject to eligibility requirements.

Burke said the broader reforms were intended to give the government greater control over migration while targeting misuse of the visa system.

The changes are particularly significant for prospective international students planning to study in Australia with their spouses or children. (Newswire)

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The Australian government hopes to introduce a new law that could change what audiences see on their social media feeds.

Under the proposed new bill, every Australian would be able to choose whether they want their social media content served up by algorithms or not under a proposal to “empower” people online.

The government will seek support for an opt-in/opt-out system where platforms like TikTok, Instagram or Facebook would be required to send account holders a push notification asking them to decide if they receive recommended content.

The social media algorithm controls come under broader “Digital Duty of Care” draft laws that shift responsibility onto big tech to proactively reduce foreseeable harms or face fines of more than $100 million.

For children, the proposed duty covers issues like bullying, pornography, misogyny and eating disorders, while for adults the focus is on criminality, violence and threats.

The draft laws released for consultation on Tuesday require platforms to give Australians the choice between algorithmically recommended posts and videos, or a feed showing only accounts they follow.

“We have an opportunity to shape technology for the better, rather than let it shape us,” Australia’s prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. (ABC News)

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Australian low‑cost carrier Jetstar Airways will begin direct flights between Melbourne and Colombo tomorrow (25), marking the airline’s first service to Sri Lanka.

The inaugural JQ5 flight is scheduled to depart Melbourne at 12.00 pm and arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 5.50 pm. The return JQ6 service will leave Colombo at 7.50 pm and reach Melbourne at 10.00 am the following day.

The new route will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. 

Jetstar has described the service as Australia’s only low‑cost direct connection to Sri Lanka, offering more than 100,000 seats annually between the two cities.

The airline said the route would provide affordable travel options while supporting tourism and meeting growing demand for travel between Australia and Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, Hayleys Aviation will serve as Jetstar’s General Sales Agent (GSA). (Newswire)

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Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi pledged that Sri Lanka will be transformed into a nation with freedom, equality before the law, and opportunities similar to Australia, addressing overseas Sri Lankans at the Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs’ Night 2026 in Melbourne.

“A majority of those here are Sri Lankans. Despite the language we speak, we are from the same country, living at a 10‑hour distance. You might have left for Australia for education, business, or for a life with freedom and independence. I promise today, alongside you and the 18 million people who voted for us, that within a short period we will transform Sri Lanka into a country like Australia, where future generations can study and live with freedom, with equal laws, and where you would want to reside,” Handunneththi declared.

The Minister further emphasized the role of overseas entrepreneurs and investors in building a strong production‑based economy capable of overcoming Sri Lanka’s current challenges. 

He noted that a new economic environment, free of corruption, investment‑friendly, and transparent, has already been established, and urged Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to spearhead industrial and technological advancement.

The forum, organized by the Australia Sri Lanka Business Forum (ASLBF), was held at The Grandeur in Melbourne. It drew a distinguished audience including Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Melbourne Pradeepa Saram, Australian Federal Parliamentarian Cassandra, Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Export Development Board (EDB), and Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI), along with diplomats and business leaders. (Newswire)

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Australian investors have given their full agreement to a series of new investments aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s production economy, according to Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi.

Minister Sunil Handunneththi stated that a special investment discussion round with leading Australian investors and entrepreneurs was successfully concluded, focusing on uplifting the country’s industrial, agricultural and sustainable energy sectors.

The meeting was held with the participation of the Deputy Director General of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI), the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), and other state representatives. 

According to the minister, discussions covered key areas, such as sustainable energy solutions, environment‑friendly textile technology, commercial dairy farms and livestock development, recycling‑based plastic industries in industrial zones, aquaculture projects, and eco‑friendly tourism projects. 

Minister Handunneththi further stated that Sri Lanka has established a transparent, reliable and investment‑friendly environment, and assured that the government is prepared to provide the necessary support and facilities to implement these projects rapidly. (Newswire)

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Dineth Fernando, a 14‑year‑old boy who moved to Australia less than a year ago, has won the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi this week.

According to a report by ABC News, Dineth, originally from Sri Lanka and now based in Melbourne, triumphed over 140 competitors from across the globe. 

He credited his success to a disciplined routine of practising 200 words a day from the official Scrabble dictionary. “All the hard work paid off,” he said after the victory.

The teenager, for whom English is a second language, explained that Scrabble has helped him settle into life in Australia and make new friends. 

He first discovered the game at age eight through school competitions, later competing in national championships in 2022 and 2024. His win at the Australian Youth Scrabble Championship in July 2026 inspired him to take part in the world event.

Dineth noted that Scrabble is highly popular in Sri Lanka, with schools running competitive clubs and youth players training rigorously to qualify for the national team. Despite his achievements in wordplay, he hopes to pursue a career in medicine, with a strong interest in mathematics and science.

His father, Prasanna Fernando, a medical doctor in Sri Lanka before relocating to Australia in February, said the family was proud of Dineth’s accomplishment, especially given the 25‑hour journey to Kenya, which was complicated by regional tensions. 

“It feels as if it’s a dream. I knew that he would one day win it, but it’s still surreal,” he said. He added that taking the risk to travel at the last moment had paid off.

Mr. Fernando also credited Dineth’s coach, Rashid Sudin, for guiding his son’s development over several years. (Newswire/ ABC News)

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Facebook and Instagram owner Meta said on Thursday (Aug 13) it had taken down more than 750,000 accounts it suspected were held by Australians aged under 16 since a world-first ban on teen accounts, and promised more action in the face of possible regulatory intervention.

The company said it had deactivated 462,000 suspect Instagram accounts and 294,000 suspect Facebook accounts from just before the Australian social media ban went live in December to June, up from 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts it said it had removed by January.

The world’s largest social media company has said it wants to comply with a law it and other platforms have vocally opposed, just as Australia’s internet regulator considers an enforcement lawsuit against platforms, including some that Meta owns, that it says have failed to take sufficient steps to comply with the law.

No other platforms have released compliance data that matches the date range given by Meta, but Australian government figures and multiple independent studies have shown more than eight in 10 under-16s were still on social media in the ban’s first three months.

The Australian government proposed the landmark law, which came into force on Dec 10, on concerns about social media’s impact on the physical and mental health of children and young teens.

With other countries around the world considering similar age-restrictions, Australia has accused the platforms of intentionally setting the ban up to fail, and has introduced a law to double the maximum penalty for non-compliance to A$99 million (US$69.75 million) and give the regulator greater document discovery powers.

PARLIAMENTARY HEARING ON FRIDAY

Representatives of Meta, TikTok, YouTube owner Google and Snap’s Snapchat are scheduled to give evidence in a parliamentary inquiry about the changes on Friday, as are regulatory and government officials.

“Enforcement is ongoing, and these numbers will continue to grow,” Meta said in a statement.

“We share the Australian Government’s goal of ensuring young people have safe, age-appropriate experiences online, and we are meeting our obligations under the law,” the company added.

A 2025 Australian trial of age assurance technology found products on the market could effectively support a ban. 

Most large platforms, including Meta’s, rolled out photo-based age estimation software, although they say they typically first subject users to age inference, or assuming a person’s age based on their online activity.

Meta said it was using AI to analyse user profiles for “contextual clues that an account may belong to someone under 16, such as birthday celebrations or mentions of school grades” and to analyse reports about suspected underage accounts. 

The company added that it had removed the option for a person to make more attempts to set up an account if their previous account was deleted. (CNA/ Reuters)

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Australian police have ended a homicide investigation that began with two ​members of the public on a ‌Sunday drive finding a dumped suitcase on the side of the road in a ​remote town, opening it up and ​finding what appeared to be remains ⁠of a human body.

Instead, forensic examinations ​later determined that “the item located in the ​bag was a lifelike doll, wearing clothing, with hair and a nose piercing,” police said in ​a statement on Monday.

“The item also ​had markings that resembled bruises and grazes,” it ‌said.

Called ⁠to Oallen, a town about 200 km (125 miles) south-west of Sydney, police officers established a crime scene but did not ​examine the ​contents ⁠too closely.

Superintendent Linda Bradbury told reporters that police “don’t like to ​disturb remains too much in situ, ​particularly ⁠when we have faced inclement weather, as we did yesterday and again today.”

The ⁠item ​was “very realistic in terms ​of looking like human remains,” she added. (Reuters)

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A Sri Lankan youth has been jailed for less than three months for smashing a glass bottle over the head of a stranger on a train in Brisbane, Australia. 

Saranees Sivakumar, 22, who was allowed to migrate to Australia as a child, and co-offender Baddeley Mawhinney were caught on CCTV carrying out the vicious attack on a city-bound Cleveland line train on April 25.

Mawhinney was previously sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for his role in the attack, and Sivakumar faced Cleveland Magistrates Court via videolink from custody on Monday after pleading guilty to affray, The Courier Mail reported. 

The court heard Sivakumar and Mawhinney approached the victim, who was travelling alone, and started talking to him, but the encounter soon turned violent.

The pair punched the man several times to the head and face, prevented him from getting off by dragging him through closing train doors, and then moved to another carriage.

But they soon returned and attempted to take the man’s bag before Sivakumar smashed a glass bottle over the man’s head, causing him to start bleeding.

The court heard the victim was so traumatised by the attack he has since left Queensland.

Sivakumar claimed in court he was acting in self-defence, but Magistrate Deborah Vasta rejected his submission.

You’re allowed to defend yourself when you’re required to do that,” she said.

“Hitting someone over the head with a bottle is not [self-defence] … It was a very nasty attack on an innocent man.”

But she sentenced Sivakumar to just eight months’ imprisonment over the attack, resulting in him being released on parole under supervision having already spent 89 days in custody.

Magistrate Vasta noted she was constrained by the affray charge’s maximum penalty of 12 months, and told Sivakumar if it had been higher “I think you’d be looking at more than you got”.

The court heard Sivakumar became an Australian citizen last year, and moved to Brisbane from Melbourne seeking work but had been homeless and unemployed. (The Noticer)

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Former Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques has switched his international allegiance and will represent Portugal in the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifiers in August, as per Code Sports. The experienced cricketer has decided to restart his international career by playing for the country of his birth.

The 39-year-old played 44 international matches for Australia but has not represented the national team since 2021. He will now travel to Finland for the European sub-regional qualifier, the first step in Portugal’s bid to qualify for the 2028 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Moises Henriques Set to Represent Portugal After Australia Stint

Moises Henriques was born in Portugal before moving to Australia as a baby. The New South Wales all-rounder is now eligible to represent Portugal after completing the ICC’s mandatory three-year stand-down period for players switching from a Full Member nation.

Henriques follows the path taken by former Australia opener Joe Burns, who recently switched to Italy through his family heritage. If Portugal qualify, Henriques could represent his birth country at a future T20 World Cup. 

The men’s T20 World Cup now features 20 teams, giving more Associate nations a chance to qualify. The move could also benefit Henriques in franchise cricket, as he can now be signed as an Associate player instead of occupying a Full Member overseas spot.

Speaking to CODE Sports, Moises Henriques said that he wants to help cricket grow in emerging nations. He said that representing Portugal is about more than his heritage and hopes the move will support the game’s global expansion.

“I guess the opportunity for growth in the game around the world, it’s probably not just my Portuguese heritage, but the game, more importantly, and the opportunity for growth worldwide,” Henriques said.

Henriques added that stronger Associate nations would make future ICC tournaments more competitive and help cricket reach a wider global audience.

“We can improve the quality of all the engagement in, say, another 10 or 20 nations around the world, and then you’re looking at cricket World Cups that stop the entire world, as opposed to a couple of Western countries and the subcontinent,” he added.

Henriques said that his family in Portugal were excited about his decision to represent the country. He added that his brothers also support the move, even though they were born in Australia after the family relocated. 

“My family back in Portugal would be all really proud to see me doing it as well. Both my brothers think it’s cool, they were both born here in Australia after we moved here, where I was actually born in Portugal,” he said.

The veteran all-rounder also said his relatives in Portugal are proud to see a family member represent their country on the international stage.

“My family that are still in Portugal, they seem more proud than anyone, so yeah, even though I haven’t really been a huge part of their lives, but I think they see it as ‘oh wow, we’ve got someone in the family that’s representing our country, as opposed to another country’,” Henriques added. (Cricket Addictor)

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In the biggest cocaine seizure in Australian history, police have seized 2.7 tonnes of drugs and arrested eight people.

The Australian Federal Police on Monday released details of a raid last Friday in western Sydney that led to the discovery of the drugs allegedly hidden in containers in a secret bunker.

The cocaine was contained in plastic tubs buried in the underground bunker concealed by false container floors.

Police say the cocaine haul is an estimated street value of about $816 million and was equivalent to about three million street deals.

The AFP believes the huge haul of drugs did not originate in the Solomon Islands.

AFP Commander Stephen Jay said officers were alerted by disturbed earth close to a shipping container when they raided the Londonderry property.

He said this led them to the discovery of a “a complex hide … obviously designed for the purpose of concealment.”

During the raid on the semi-rural property in Londonderry, two western Sydney men, aged 21 and 25, allegedly attempted to run away but were caught by officers.

They were  charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

They are next due to face court in August.

The cocaine bust was part of Operation Minjiang, which was launched in May after 40kg of cocaine was found in the water off a boat ramp at Midge Point in North Queensland. 

Police will allege the cocaine seized at Londonderry was imported into Australia near Midge Point and moved to Sydney at the behest of one of the city’s organised crime groups.  Investigations into this group are continuing.

Last week the AFP announced six people were identified and have been arrested and charged with various drug offences as part of their alleged roles.

A drug carrying mother vessel suspected to be part of the illicit drug importation into Midge Point, remains detained by authorities in the Solomon Islands for further investigation. (Nine.com.au)

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The Australian High Commission in Colombo today hosted a Vesak Dansal, serving iced lattes to the public on Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7.

High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth personally handed out the drinks as part of the Vesak tradition.

Crowds gathered at the mission’s premises to take part in the Dansal, which marked a symbolic gesture of goodwill during the Buddhist festival. (Newswire/ Images- Ranga Srilal)

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Patients of a retired dentist from Sydney, Australia, who practised for more than 25 years, have been urged to get tested for blood-borne viruses.

Blood-borne viruses spread when infected blood or other bodily fluids are passed from one person to another, including through contaminated needles or splashes and spatter of contaminated blood or saliva.

NSW Health issued the extraordinary public health alert on Wednesday, advising all patients of Dr William Tam to see their GP and ask for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV testing.

Tam practised at Albert Road in Strathfield, in Sydney’s inner-west, NSW Health said.

The alert said that while the risk is low, a recent audit of Tam’s premises by the Dental Council of NSW identified concerns about infection control practices at the premises, as well as patient record keeping.

Tam is retired and is no longer a registered dentist.

The clinical director of public health for the Sydney Local Health District, Dr Leena Gupta, said thousands of people may have been seen by Tam while he practised, but there are no records that can be used to contact those patients. 

“The poor infection control practices at Dr Tam’s practice means all former patients may be at low risk of a blood-borne virus infection, which can have serious and long-lasting health impacts,” she said.

“As a precaution, we are asking all of Dr Tam’s previous patients to seek testing for blood-borne viruses.”

Gupta said that people with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may not have any symptoms for decades.

“So it is important that people at risk of these infections are tested, so that they can access treatment as appropriate. There are effective treatments available for all three conditions.”

Dr Zeina Najjar, a staff specialist in public health for the Sydney Local Health District, said an audit conducted in April identified inadequate sterilisation of equipment and poor cleaning.

“For this reason, concerns were raised for blood-borne virus transmission,” she told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

None of the patients have been diagnosed with a blood-borne virus, she said, adding auditors could not confidently identify all potentially affected individuals due to poor record keeping, prompting the public appeal.

The audit was a result of a complaint made to the Dental Council of NSW, Najjar said, but she did not detail the nature of that complaint or say when it was made.

“Patients who underwent invasive dental procedures – so those where instruments may have pierced the skin or the root of the tooth or the gum, or drawn blood – would be at a slightly higher risk,” she said. “But overall the risk, including to those patients, is considered to be low.”

Najjar said she could not comment on why Tam retired.

Former patients of Tam with further questions can speak to their GP or contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. (The Guardian)

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Government of Australia, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have launched a AUD 2 million recovery initiative to restore and transform vegetable production systems in the cyclone-affected districts of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in November 2025, caused widespread devastation across the country, severely disrupting agricultural production systems and livelihoods. The highland districts of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla, key suppliers of vegetables such as beans, carrots, leeks, cabbage, tomato and potato, were among the hardest hit, with thousands of smallholder farmers losing crops, seed stocks, and productive assets.

This 12-month initiative aims to restore and strengthen climate-resilient vegetable production systems, with a strong focus on empowering women farmers and supporting persons with disabilities. 

The project will directly benefit more than 2,400 smallholder farmers through improved seed and seedling production systems, small machinery, training, and market linkages, while indirectly supporting thousands more. 

According to the FAO, the agreement on the AUD 2 million recovery initiative was formalized through the signing of the grant agreement by Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Matthew Duckworth, and FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Vimlendra Sharan, alongside the signing of the project document by Secretary of Agriculture, D. P. Wickramasinghe and Sharan. 

The ceremony took place in the presence of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K. D. Lal Kantha, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation.

“This initiative is an important step not only in restoring what was lost, but in building a more resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector,” said Minister Lal Kantha. “By strengthening local seed systems and supporting smallholder farmers, particularly women and vulnerable groups, we are investing in the long-term sustainability of Sri Lanka’s food systems.”

“Australia stands alongside Sri Lanka in its ongoing recovery from Cyclone Ditwah,” said High Commissioner Duckworth. “Australia is a steadfast partner in the agriculture sector with its importance for food security, rural development and climate resilience. By focusing on climate-smart practices, farmer-led solutions and inclusive economic opportunities, this project will deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to affected communities.”

Building back better with climate resilience and inclusion

The project will prioritize the restoration of farmer-led seed systems for beans and potatoes, support the re-establishment of both open-field and protected cultivation systems, and women-led seedling supply nurseries while empowering all farmers with Climate-Smart Good Agricultural Practices (CSGAP) with small-scale machinery and input support. 

A key feature of the initiative is the establishment of six accessible and inclusive nurseries in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla. These nurseries will serve as sustainable agri-based enterprises, producing high-quality vegetable seedlings while creating new income opportunities and strengthening local input supply chains.

By combining recovery support with long-term resilience measures, the project will help stabilize vegetable production, improve household food security and nutrition, and reduce reliance on imported seeds.

“This project represents an opportunity to build back better,” said Mr. Sharan. “Through climate-smart agriculture, strengthened seed systems and inclusive agri-entrepreneurship, we are supporting communities to recover while enhancing their resilience to future shocks.”

The project is designed as both a recovery and climate adaptation intervention. It addresses structural vulnerabilities in seed supply, production systems, and market linkages, while enhancing the capacity of farmers and extension services to respond to future climate risks.

The initiative aligns with national priorities on food security, climate resilience, and inclusive rural development, and will be implemented in close collaboration with national partners, including the Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Department of Agriculture. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan students are among the most affected by Australia’s tightening student visa policies, with new data showing a sharp rise in rejection rates for higher education visas.

According to figures from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, 38% of student visa applications from Sri Lanka were refused in February 2026, placing the country among the top five with the highest rejection rates.

Nepal recorded the highest refusal rate at 65%, followed by Bangladesh at 51% and India at 40%, while Bhutan stood at 36%.

The data reflects a broader tightening of Australia’s migration policies, particularly targeting international student intake, amid concerns over visa misuse and pressure on housing and infrastructure.

Reports indicate that the overall refusal rate for higher education visas has surged to over 30%, marking one of the highest levels in nearly two decades.

For Sri Lankan students, Australia has long been a preferred destination for higher education, but the rising rejection rates are expected to impact study plans and increase uncertainty for applicants.

Education consultants say the stricter scrutiny means applicants now face tougher requirements, including stronger financial proof, clearer academic pathways, and credible post-study plans.

The development comes as Australia continues to recalibrate its immigration system, with further changes to student visa policies expected in the coming months. (Newswire)

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The Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Harshana Suriyapperuma, says that efforts are being made to recover as much as possible of the USD 2.5 million that cyber criminals obtained from the Ministry of Finance.

He made this statement while participating in a media briefing held today (23) at the auditorium of the Ministry.

Harshana Suriyapperuma further said that these hackers had entered the relevant system through email.

He further said that the Australian High Commissioner and the creditor had been informed regarding this incident.

“In January 2026, we came to know that cyber criminals were trying to enter the External Resources Department’s system. When such information was reported, we coordinated with the relevant foreign countries and ensured that no harm was caused to the country that was to receive the payment. That issue was resolved. We felt the need to prepare the necessary procedures to review past payments, because even before January, similar incidents had occurred. Accordingly, it took some time. During that period, it was revealed that the hackers’ activities had also affected a past payment in January,” he said.

Harshana Suriyapperuma noted that it was confirmed that the cyber criminals had accessed emails and defrauded nearly USD 2.5 million from the Ministry of Finance. 

“Even though Sri Lanka had made the due payments, the cyber criminals had intervened and diverted it to other bank accounts, instead of the intended recipient,” he said. 

He added that following these complaints were filed with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on the incident. 

The Secretary of the Ministry of Finance further said that a committee has been appointed, comprising high-ranking officials of the Finance Ministry and two Deputy Secretaries of the Treasury, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter. 

He added that actions, including disciplinary action against officers, have been taken based on the reports of the committee obtained thus far. (Newswire)

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The Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka has confirmed that both the mission and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance are aware of irregularities in payments owed to the Australian Government.

Sri Lankan authorities have launched an investigation into the matter and are coordinating closely with Australian officials, who are assisting the inquiry, the Australian High Commission said in a statement on ‘X’. 

The High Commission further said that Australia remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s path toward debt sustainability.

The statement comes after Deputy Minister of Finance Dr Anil Jayantha announced that complaints have been filed with law enforcement agencies following a cyber theft incident involving unauthorised access to the computer system of the Department of External Resources under the Ministry of Finance.

He said the incident occurred during communication and fund settlement activities between the Australian Export Finance Agency and the Treasury, where both parties exchanged information via email. 

Hackers allegedly exploited this communication channel to manipulate the information exchange,he said, adding that the fraud came to light after a similar attempt was made to obtain additional funds linked to a payment due to India. 

He further said that suspicion arose when changes were detected in account numbers. Following this, the Treasury immediately alerted the Sri Lanka Police Computer Crimes Investigation Division and the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), after which a lengthy investigation was then carried out tracing communications back to the start of discussions on debt restructuring and repayments.

This established that money intended for the Australian Export Finance Agency had been diverted into accounts controlled by the hackers. A complaint has since been filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and investigations are ongoing, Deputy Minister of Finance Dr Anil Jayantha added. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named a 15-member squad for the Women’s U19 TriSeries tour of Australia, which will also feature England. 

The SLC has announced that during the tour, the team will play a total of six matches, comprising two One Day and four T20 games.

The matches are scheduled for the 7th, 8th, 12th, 13th, 17th, and 18th of April. 

The squad is scheduled to depart for Australia tomorrow, April 03. (Newswire)

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Staff at Australia’s public broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), are striking for the first time in 20 years following an overwhelming vote for protected industrial action beginning on March 25. 

Issuing a statement, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it stands in solidarity with its Australian affiliate, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), in calling on ABC management to ensure fair pay, secure work, and improved conditions that protect quality public-interest journalism.

The 24-hour strike action, beginning at 11 AM on March 25, follows the rejection of ABC management’s latest revision to the proposed enterprise agreement, with 60 per cent of staff voting against the offer that included limited improvements to job security but no increase to pay or key conditions, with a one-off $1,000 payment offered in lieu of a base salary increase. 

The rejected agreement proposed a 10 per cent total salary increase over three years, 3.5 per cent in the first year and 3.25 per cent in the subsequent two years, falling short of Australia’s annual inflation rate, which reached 3.8 per cent in January.

Following the rejection, close to 1,000 staff participated in a protected action ballot with over 90 per cent voting in favour of industrial action, with approved actions including unlimited stoppages of work with exemptions to ensure emergency broadcasting continues uninterrupted. Programming across television, radio, and digital platforms will all be significantly disrupted, with content replaced by the BBC World Service and repeats of previous programs.

The MEAA said that below-inflation pay outcomes and the proliferation of insecure work are forcing experienced journalists out of the industry, particularly in regional Australia. “Experienced journalists and media workers are being asked to do more with less – with fewer opportunities for pay progression, less certainty about their future, and growing workloads,” said MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley.

Union members, from both the MEAA and Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents technology and control systems staff at the ABC, are also seeking increased protections against the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replace journalists, ensuring that automated technologies do not undermine editorial integrity or public trust.

ABC managing director Hugh Marks said the current pay offer was “sustainable and financially responsible,” refuting the unions’ claims of job insecurity. Management is beginning an application to Australia’s Fair Work Commission to mediate the dispute.

MEAA Chief Executive, Erin Madeley, said: “I congratulate our brave members at the ABC for standing up for secure jobs, fair treatment and quality journalism – but they should never have been pushed to this point. Investing in the people behind the ABC is essential to protecting a public broadcaster that belongs to all Australians.”

The IFJ said: “The IFJ stands in full solidarity with the MEAA and our colleagues at the ABC who have shown great courage in their fight for decent wages and job security. Quality journalism cannot be sustained when media workers are forced to shoulder the burden of stagnant pay, increasing workloads, and uncertainty amid the rapid integration of AI technologies. IFJ calls on ABC management to swiftly re-engage with staff to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.” (IFJ)

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SriLankan Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its Colombo–Melbourne route, increasing weekly services to 10 flights starting 2 August 2026. 

The move, driven by rising demand and evolving market dynamics, underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Australia, one of the fastest‑growing inbound tourism markets to Sri Lanka, fueled by leisure travel and family visits.

The newly added flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Colombo at 14:10 hrs and arriving in Melbourne at 04:30 hrs the following day. 

The return services will depart Melbourne at 06:00 hrs and arrive in Colombo at 12:15 hrs, offering convenient onward connections across the airline’s network. 

The schedule is designed to maximise time spent in Sri Lanka for leisure travellers while enhancing connectivity for passengers travelling onwards to India via Colombo.

In addition to the new frequencies, the airline will continue operating its daily service, UL604, departing Colombo at 00:20 hrs and arriving in Melbourne at 14:40 hrs, with the return service UL605 departing Melbourne at 16:10 hrs and arriving in Colombo at 22:25 hrs. These services provide seamless connectivity to key destinations across India and beyond.

According to a Sri Lankan Airlines statement, this addition of flights will provide Sri Lankans with better options when choosing flights between the two countries and enable them to plan their travel more conveniently. The increased frequency will be especially beneficial for the Sri Lankan diaspora living in Australia, providing greater flexibility to visit family and friends while maintaining strong connections with their homeland. 

Additionally, Sri Lankan students studying in Australia will find these enhanced services advantageous, as the expanded schedule accommodates academic calendars and holiday breaks, making it easier to travel home and return to their studies. Overall, improved connectivity supports both the expatriate community and students by offering more convenient and accessible travel options tailored to their needs.

The airline added that the increased frequencies will further strengthen Colombo’s role as a regional hub, enabling Indian travellers to seamlessly connect via Sri Lanka to Melbourne, with convenient schedules and efficient onward connections. (Newswire)

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