The Cabinet has approved long-term contracts for the supply of petrol, Murban crude oil and diesel to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), following an evaluation of bids submitted under a limited international competitive procurement process.

The procurement was conducted among suppliers registered with the CPC. The approved contracts cover three petroleum products to be supplied between September 2026 and February 2027.

Aditya Birla Global Trading (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. was selected to supply 1.2 million barrels, with a margin of 5%, of 92 Unl petrol from Sept. 1, 2026, to Feb. 28, 2027. Four bids were received for the contract.

The same company was also selected to supply 2.8 million barrels, with a margin of 5%, of Murban crude oil from Nov. 1, 2026, to Feb. 28, 2027. Four bids were received for this procurement.

Vitol Asia Pte. Ltd., Singapore, was selected to supply 1.12 million barrels, with a margin of 5%, of diesel with 0.05% M.S. from Sept. 1, 2026, to Feb. 28, 2027. Six bids were received.

The Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Energy based on recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee, which identified the selected companies as the lowest substantially responsive bidders. (Newswire)

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British trip-hop band Massive Attack has been barred from performing in Singapore after an investigation found two members unfurled a Palestinian flag during a concert, police said.

Singapore, known for its tough laws on public speech and assembly, bans the open display of all foreign flags, national emblems or banners without a permit.

Two band members who held the flag on stage during a concert on Wednesday were also banned from re-entering Singapore and issued with warnings, police said in a statement late on Friday, without naming the pair.

The concert promoter had not responded to an AFP request for comment at time of publication. The band had not issued a public comment.

A video circulating online showed two Massive Attack members on stage unfurling a Palestinian flag to loud, prolonged cheers from the audience.

After concluding their investigation and in consultation with state prosecutors, police said they “administered stern warnings to both men” and barred them from coming back to the city-state.

The media regulator was also probing possible breaches of licensing conditions.

“Notwithstanding the event organiser’s prior acknowledgment of the licence conditions, during the performance, two band members held a foreign flag on stage, and one of them also shouted ‘Free Palestine’,” police said.

The media regulator “will also not grant any future application for performances by the band in Singapore in view of the entry ban”, police said.

The band is known for its criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and has used its popularity to support the Palestinian cause.

In April, frontman Robert Del Naja was among more than 200 people arrested at a protest in London’s Trafalgar Square in support of Palestine Action, an activist group banned by British authorities.

Singapore is a major concert hub for south-east Asia, having hosted multi-night performances by Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars.

The police urged the public, including foreigners, “to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law”. (The Guardian)

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A teenager who posted a video of himself licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine was fined S$600 (US$465) for public nuisance on Thursday (Jul 30).

The clip had gone viral after someone in his Instagram circle recorded it and forwarded the footage to a media outlet, the defence said.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a 19-year-old French national, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, with a second charge of mischief taken into consideration.

On Mar 12 this year, Maximilien attended a boxing session at Goldhill Centre.

After this, he went to an iJooz vending machine there and bought a drink.

He took a straw from the machine, licked about half of it and placed the contaminated straw back on the straw dispenser, filming the process.

He then collected the drink, took the contaminated straw and left.

Maximilien later edited the footage and uploaded it to Instagram.

The act caused iJooz to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser, worth S$5 in total, the charge states.

BOTH SIDES CALL FOR FINE

The prosecution was in agreement with the defence that a fine was suitable.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Maximilian Chew, who took over the case from a state prosecuting officer, said a fine would suffice because of Maximilien’s youth and the circumstances of the case.

He left the quantum to the court’s discretion.

The previous hearing had been adjourned for the prosecution to check the status of Maximilien’s student pass on conviction.

“I understand that ICA will make that decision having regard to all relevant considerations including circumstances of the case and the outcome of today’s proceedings,” said Mr Chew.

He added that the prosecution’s sentencing position is therefore independent of the outcome of Maximilien’s student pass. 

Defence lawyer Kalidass Murugaiyan said the defence had considered pushing for probation or a community-based sentence.

However, the family has trouble getting someone to be a guardian for him in Singapore, as his father is working in France, so there will be logistical difficulties for him to be on probation.

“The contaminated straw was not used by anyone,” said the lawyer. 

“Unfortunately, he made the decision to share it within his Instagram circle … someone in his circle, within his Instagram circle of contacts, had taken a screen video of it and forwarded it to a media outlet and that’s how it went viral.”

He said this was to explain how it became something that “may have caused public disquiet”.

“He’s truly sorry for having caused all this trouble and he realises that what appeared to him at that time as something perhaps playful has turned out to be something very consequential and his family has also counselled him on the importance of taking responsibility for his actions,” said Mr Murugaiyan.

He said the teenager’s parents have “every intention” of ensuring he pays the fine.

District Judge Kelly Ho said probation or other community-based sentences should ordinarily be the port of call given Maximilien’s age and the nature and circumstances of the case.

However, given the practical and logistical difficulties, she agreed a fine was suitable and agreed with the figure submitted by the defence.

The prosecution did not seek a compensation order.

For public nuisance, he could have been jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both. (CNA)

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Social media platforms that fail to meet child safety standards could be blocked for users under 18, while those that do could continue offering access to young users, Singapore’s Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo said on Friday (Jul 17).

Speaking at a forum on child online safety organised by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Institute of Policy Studies, Mrs Teo said discussions pointed towards a “differentiated landscape” where access hinges on whether platforms can provide a safe environment for children.

“It is potentially a differentiated landscape where some services, some platforms have made it possible for child-safe access, and they continue to offer access to those under 18,” she said in her closing remarks.

“But there may be some other services that either have not been willing or able to do it, then as a society, we think that it is probably better to block access for under-18s to these kinds of services.” 

Restricting access is “not the starting point” and “not the preferred outcome”, she stressed. The government’s priority remains working with platforms to strengthen safety features so children can keep accessing digital services more safely.

Her remarks build on an earlier proposal for tiered or age-based access, under which younger children could be barred from certain platforms while older teenagers gain access gradually as they develop the maturity to navigate online spaces.

Singapore already has several age-related safeguards in place. These include Codes of Practice for Online Safety, age assurance requirements for apps and annual reporting obligations for social media platforms. 

“The idea that we can kick them off (social media) completely is not a very realistic one,” Teo said, noting that children today grow up without a clear separation between online and offline life. 

Protecting children from harm is “only part of it”, she added. Preparing them to navigate digital spaces responsibly matters just as much, if not more, in the long run.

TIERED ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Summing up the discussions at the forum, Mrs Teo said there was broad support for tiered access and stronger expectations that tech companies take responsibility for designing safer platforms. 

She said safety should extend beyond moderating harmful content to features that shape user behaviour, such as recommendation algorithms, design elements that encourage constant use and the ability to interact with strangers.

“If we really want to create a child-safe environment, making sure it doesn’t stop at the border called content but instead goes into considerations that define the features, the design of these services, is something that has also come across very loudly and clearly.”

Beyond regulation, she said ensuring children’s online safety requires a whole-of-society effort spanning government, industry, educators, parents and young people. 

Many parents, she acknowledged, face growing uncertainty guiding their children online as the digital landscape evolves rapidly.

“We need to journey along with each other, help each other, support each other, learn new tools of the trade … and also acquire new skills in terms of helping them to foster healthy digital habits,” she said.

Mrs Teo also welcomed what she described as growing agency among young people, saying many of whom are becoming more discerning about the platforms they use. 

Citing feedback from youth participants at the forum, she said: “They may well say if a platform isn’t going to take care of my safety, if a platform isn’t willing to look after my well-being, then maybe I will sign off and go somewhere else.”

Around 150 people attended the forum, including global regulators, community and industry partners, academics and experts. 

The Ministry of Digital Development and Information said separately on Friday that it is engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including parents and youths, to gather views on building a safer digital environment for young users. (CNA)

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A Singapore court has awarded Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng damages of S$230,000 (US$177,874) each for defamation by news organisation Bloomberg and its reporter, Mr Low De Wei.

In a judgment released on Tuesday (Jul 14), Justice Audrey Lim found that the December 2024 article about Good Class Bungalow (GCB) transactions had defamed the ministers.

She rejected Bloomberg’s argument that the article merely examined a broader trend of non-caveated GCB transactions and that the ministers were cited only as examples.

Instead, she said the article, when read as a whole, linked the ministers’ transactions with claims about secrecy, opacity and money laundering, creating a defamatory impression.

Justice Lim also rejected Bloomberg’s reliance on a public interest defence known as the Reynolds defence in UK law, saying it is not part of Singapore law.

Even if it were available, the judge found that Bloomberg would not have satisfied the standard of responsible journalism and that the ministers were not given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations ultimately published.

Justice Lim said internal correspondence from Bloomberg demonstrates that the dominant purpose behind the article was to publish a story about the ministers, in particular about their GCB transactions.

“The broader narrative of how wealthy individuals in Singapore use non-caveated transactions and trust structures to keep their dealings secret or ‘off-radar’ was the cover devised to carry that story,” said Justice Lim.

The Article

The Bloomberg article opened with a line that “Singapore’s ultra-rich are increasingly cloaking their purchases of mansions in the city-state in secrecy”.

After mentioning a S$3 billion money laundering scandal and how criminals linked to this case were convicted, jailed and deported, the article said buyers of high-end homes would rather keep their purchases under the radar.

The article then named Dr Tan and Mr Shanmugam and their respective GCB transactions.

Bloomberg and Mr Low had contested the claims, saying the article was about broader trends in Singapore’s GCB market rather than about the ministers personally, or any wrongdoing on their part.

In a 71-page judgment, Justice Lim said the test for determining the natural and ordinary meaning of offending words in a defamation action is well-settled.

The court decides what meaning the words would convey to an ordinary reasonable person or reader using their general knowledge and common sense. 

It is irrelevant what meaning was intended by the maker or understood by the claimant.

The ministers’ case was that the article had defamed them in two ways. First, it made it to seem that the ministers had taken advantage of the absence of checks and balances or disclosure requirements to conduct their property transactions in a non-transparent manner.

Second, they sought to hide their transactions and avoid scrutiny, including scrutiny that might extend to the possibility of money laundering.

Justice Lim found that the first element was made out, as an ordinary reader would understand the article to mean that Singapore’s current system for non-caveated GCB or mansion transactions lacked checks, balances or disclosure requirements, allowing such transactions to be kept secret or non-transparent.

She pointed to the article’s headline, “Singapore Mansion Deals are Increasingly Shrouded in Secrecy”, as well as the first bullet point under the headline stating “More people buy homes with trusts, hiding owners’ identities” and the article’s opening line “Singapore’s ultra-rich are increasingly cloaking their purchases of mansions in secrecy”.

She listed several other paragraphs from the article in the same vein.

Justice Lim said the headline, bullet point and first paragraph immediately conveyed to a reader that GCB deals are being kept secret or hidden to avoid drawing attention to the purchaser’s wealth, social status and identity.

She also found that the article conveys to the reader that a buyer would pay a premium to a seller for a deal to be kept “quiet” or “off-radar”.

The editorial placement of Dr Tan’s transaction under the heading “Non-Caveated Deals”, read in context, would lead a reader to draw the inference that his purchase was conducted without the usual transparency that a caveat affords, and that he had taken advantage of the capacity that the absence of a caveat permits, said Justice Lim.

She found that readers would understand Mr Shanmugam’s transaction as an example of the trust mechanism described in the article as a way to maintain privacy from scrutiny.

Justice Lim disagreed with Bloomberg’s position that the article was concerned with trends and contained nothing defamatory.

She said the defamatory character of the second element claimed by the ministers lies not in any explicit accusation but in the inference it invites – that the ministers sought to hide their transactions and avoid scrutiny that might extend to money laundering.

She found that the second element was also made out, and that the article defamed both ministers.

Since all people who procure or participate in publishing libel, including the journalist, editor and publisher, are jointly and severally liable for the whole of the claimant’s damage, she found the publisher in this case and the author of the article jointly and severally liable for the damage suffered by the ministers as a result of the defamatory article.

This means Bloomberg and Mr Low are collectively responsible for paying the total amount of damages and it is possible for the claimants to pursue either one of them for the full amount of S$460,000. (CNA)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the Government to adopt Singapore‑style punishments against drug traffickers, stressing that those engaged in narcotics and crime must be punished without discrimination.

Speaking in Parliament today (25) in response to the President’s remarks, Premadasa said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya stands firmly on the policy of eradicating narcotics, drugs, and poisonous substances from the country, and that no individual connected to such crimes has any place within the party.

He rejected the President’s claim that the Opposition acts against anti‑drug measures, insisting that justice and the rule of law must be enforced to destroy drugs.

Premadasa pointed out that even the school system and younger generation have been attacked by narcotics, warning that traffickers must be arrested and imprisoned with taxpayers’ money, without being allowed to continue their operations from prison.

He reiterated that Sri Lanka must now implement Singapore’s strict punishment system to deter drug trafficking.

The Opposition Leader further underscored that any crime committed within the State is wrong and must be opposed, adding that the eradication of narcotics remains both the people’s expectation and the Opposition’s demand. (Newswire)

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Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species to be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

“To see three healthy cubs thriving and developing their own personalities is incredibly rewarding,” he said.

Mr Anand added that the cubs have started showing distinct personalities, with the two males having a tendency to be more laid-back, while the female is observed to be feistier.

“We can already tell them apart by their demeanour and the spot patterns on their forehead, like fingerprints,” he said.

The cubs were found to be healthy during their first veterinary checks in February, said the Mandai Wildlife Group. They have also received vaccinations against common feline diseases and deworming treatment as part of preventive care.

Mandai Wildlife Group has welcomed a number of newborns in the first four months of 2026. On March 23, the Singapore Zoo welcomed a Bornean orang utan baby. The orang utan is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

On March 1, a baby pangolin, also a critically endangered species, was born.

The wildlife reserve had also announced in January that Singapore’s wildlife parks welcomed close to 1,000 newborns in 2025.

Among the new additions are the criticially endangered red-shanked douc langur and Huulien leopard gecko.

Other first-time milestones include the L’Hoest’s monkey, wattled crane and Chinese fire belly newt. (The Straits Times)

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Former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo visited former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is recovering after surgery in Singapore. 

Sharing a photograph on social media, Yeo wrote, ‘Calling on former Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe.’ 

Wickremesinghe is currently recuperating following his recent surgery. (Newswire)

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stripped Pritam Singh of his title as leader of the opposition following Singh’s conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee.

The decision on Thursday came after a three-hour debate on Wednesday in parliament, where lawmakers approved a motion stating that the 49-year-old Workers’ Party secretary-general was “unsuitable” for the role. Eleven Workers’ Party lawmakers — including Singh — dissented.

“Having considered the matter carefully, I have decided that Mr. Singh’s criminal convictions, taken together with parliament’s considered view of his unsuitability, make it no longer tenable for him to continue” as opposition leader, Wong said. 

Singh’s designation “will therefore cease with immediate effect,” the prime minister continued, and invited the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected member of parliament to the position instead. “This decision is necessary to uphold the rule of law, as well as the dignity and integrity of parliament.” Singh remains a member of parliament.

The Workers’ Party confirmed it received a letter from Wong, without specifying its contents. “We will deliberate on its contents carefully through our internal processes and respond in due course,” it said.

Singapore has had more than six decades of uninterrupted rule by the People’s Action Party, with an election system critics say favors incumbents. Thursday’s move threatens to sideline a figure widely considered Singapore’s strongest opposition figure in years. The Workers’ Party will now have to weigh whether to elevate another lawmaker among its ranks, who hasn’t been implicated by the lying scandal.

“The ball is in WP’s court,” said Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University. “I suspect they will take up the offer.”

Singh was convicted and fined last year in a matter stemming from a 2021 testimony about advice he gave to a former party lawmaker who had made false statements in parliament about a sexual assault case.

Singh has denied wrongdoing and unsuccessfully appealed his conviction. The fine fell below the threshold that would have barred him from parliament for five years, allowing him to retain his seat in the 2025 election, where his party won nearly 60% of the vote in his constituency.

He was named Leader of the Opposition after the Workers’ Party made unprecedented gains in the 2020 vote, winning 10 seats. 

“My conscience remains clear as it will forever,” Singh said during the debate Wednesday. “To that end, the law has run its course, and I accept and respect that.”

The Workers’ Party is reviewing whether Singh breached its constitution, party chair Sylvia Lim earlier told parliament. “We have our processes and the processes will take their course,” she added.

The approved motion also noted that the courts’ judgment and a parliamentary committee’s findings in Singh’s case could have “implications” for two other Workers’ Party members, Lim and vice chair Faisal Manap.

Singh and Manap were referred to the public prosecutor, but only Singh was charged. “That is something that should be dealt with separately,” said Indranee in the closing moments of the debate. “We will not take too long.” (BLOOMBERG)

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A Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, engaged in a discussion with the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, Christopher de Souza, focused on expanding cooperation between Sri Lanka and Singapore in the field of tourism.

Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj and the Sri Lankan delegation held a bilateral meeting with Christopher de Souza, focused on expanding cooperation between Sri Lanka and Singapore in the field of tourism, with particular emphasis on developing the homestay tourism sector in Sri Lanka. 

Both parties agreed on the importance of enhancing parliamentary and people-to-people engagement between the two countries to support tourism promotion and sustainable economic development.

The discussion took place on the sidelines of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) held from 5th to 12th October 2025 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

A Parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka, led by Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, participated in the Conference held under the theme “The Commonwealth – A Global Partner.”

The Conference, organized by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), brought together over 500 parliamentarians and parliamentary officials from across the Commonwealth to exchange views on strengthening democratic governance, promoting inclusivity and transparency, and fostering international cooperation among member legislatures.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Asia Regional Champion Sugath Wasantha de Silva, MPs Sagarika Athauda, Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy, Mujibur Rahman, and the Secretary-General of Parliament and Regional Secretary to the CPA Asia Region Kushani Rohanadeera.

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj made a significant contribution to the Conference through her active participation in the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) programme. She served as a lead speaker at the workshop on “Debate Not Hate: Not Accepting Abuse as an Outcome of Free Speech” and took part in the CWP Steering Committee, representing the CPA Asia Region as an Alternate Member. 

Minister Paulraj also addressed the CWP and CPwD Joint Workshop on “Overcoming the Barriers to the Involvement of Women with Disabilities in Politics,” where she shared insights on empowering women with disabilities to actively engage in political life. 

Most importantly, Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj delivered an address at the General Assembly debate, representing Sri Lanka and reaffirming the nation’s steadfast commitment to democracy, inclusivity, and gender-responsive governance. Furthermore, she chaired the Regional Executive Committee Meeting of the CPA Asia Region, alongside Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of Parliament and Regional Secretary to the CPA Asia Region, which focused on strengthening regional cooperation among member parliaments.

MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva, in his capacity as CPwD Asia Regional Champion, represented Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) sessions, contributing to discussions on promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in political life.

Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera attended the Conference in her official capacity as the Regional Secretary of the CPA Asia Region. She participated in the CPA Regional Secretaries Meeting and other administrative sessions aimed at enhancing inter-regional collaboration and institutional development within member parliaments.

The Sri Lankan delegation actively participated in the workshops and conference sessions, engaging in constructive dialogue and knowledge sharing on governance, inclusion, and sustainable development, with the objective of applying these insights for the benefit of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary and national advancement.

The 68th CPC also featured a series of high-level plenary workshops and side events on global themes such as strengthening democratic institutions, leveraging digital transformation for governance, promoting financial transparency in parliaments and elections, and addressing climate change as a global health challenge.

The participation of the Sri Lanka delegation underscores the nation’s continued commitment to the principles and values of the Commonwealth and its proactive engagement in promoting democracy, good governance, gender equality, and inclusivity across the global parliamentary community. (Newswire)

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Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman held significant discussions with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, focusing on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

In a post on X on Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance stated that the discussion centred on enhancing cooperation in critical areas, including trade and investment, fintech, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, and connectivity.

Both sides also expressed a firm commitment to deepen collaboration, marking a pivotal moment as India and Singapore celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The meeting was also attended by Singapore’s acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, Jeffrey Siow, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, Gan Siow Huang.

“Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman met H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore, in New Delhi, today. The Union Finance Minister welcomed H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong on his first Official Visit to India as the Prime Minister. Mr. Lawrence Wong’s visit, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore diplomatic relations, reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the partnership,” the Ministry of Finance said in the post.

“From the Singapore side, Mr. Jeffrey Siow, acting Minister for Transport & Senior Minister of State for Finance, and Ms. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs & Trade and Industry, also joined the meeting. Discussions focused on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across key areas of trade & investment, fintech, skilldevelopment, sustainability, healthcare, and connectivity. Both sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in these domains,” it added.

The Singaporean Prime Minister also took to X and highlighted the meeting with the Union Finance Minister.

He also stated that discussions took place on the outcomes of the recently concluded third round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held last month.

“Glad to reconnect with India Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. We discussed the outcomes of the recently held 3rd India-SG Ministerial Roundtable, and our interest to collaborate on cross-border data flows and capital markets,” Wong stated in the post on X.

The Singaporean Prime Minister is currently on a three-day official visit to the country, during which he will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier in the day, Wong arrived at the Delhi airport and was received by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary.

This is PM Wong’s first visit to India in his capacity as Singapore’s Prime Minister. He will be accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation, including Cabinet Ministers and senior officials.

PM Modi and his Singaporean counterpart are scheduled to hold bilateral discussions on September 4. Prime Minister Wong will also call on President Droupadi Murmu.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other dignitaries are also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Wong during the course of the visit. (ANI)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with distinguished Singaporean diplomat, academic, and author Kishore Mahbubani at the Asian Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, where they held discussions on policymaking, governance, and peace.

During the meeting, MP Premadasa highlighted that Singapore’s economic transformation is the result of a strong policy process both in formulation and implementation. He expressed keen interest in drawing from Singapore’s experience and requested Mahbubani’s support in sharing his expertise with Sri Lankan public policy leaders, particularly members of parliament, to enhance their capacity in shaping effective and people-centred policies.

He also extended an invitation to Mahbubani to visit Sri Lanka and engage directly with policymakers, stressing the importance of applying practical lessons from Singapore’s success story.

In addition, the two leaders discussed the importance of peace, equity, and social justice. MP Premadasa underlined that stability should go hand in hand with fairness, inclusivity, and shared prosperity, ensuring that economic growth benefits all citizens.

Kishore Mahbubani is a veteran Singaporean diplomat, academic, and author. He served as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and twice as President of the UN Security Council. He was the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute. (Newswire)

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SriLankan Airlines and the Government of Sri Lanka have announced the unsuccessful conclusion of initial debt restructuring talks with a group representing over 50% of the airline’s US$175 million guaranteed bonds due in June 2024.

The restricted discussions, held between July 28 and August 1, included the company, the government, and six members of the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders. Despite what both sides described as “constructive” talks, no agreement was reached on restructuring terms.

SriLankan Airlines presented a proposal offering bondholders a combination of cash—up to US$60 million via a tender offer—and an exchange into government bonds maturing in 2028. In return, holders would accept a haircut, receiving 80 cents on the dollar for voluntarily restructured bonds or 70 cents under mandatory terms triggered by collective action clauses.

The bondholder group countered with a proposal seeking full principal recovery via an exchange into 2028 sovereign bonds, payment of all accrued and unpaid interest in cash, and an early bird consent fee of 3% of the principal.

After reviewing the counterproposal, the airline and the government said the terms were “far from what is expected” and not viable within Sri Lanka’s IMF-backed debt sustainability framework. Consequently, the parties agreed to terminate the discussions.

The government noted that over 98% of eligible public debt has already been addressed through prior agreements, of which 92% has been implemented. It reiterated its commitment to equal treatment among all creditors and emphasized that SriLankan Airlines’ bonds are part of the broader restructuring perimeter. 

The details of the discussion were released in a filing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (https://www.sgx.com). (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AI Singapore, a national program run by the National University of Singapore, to support Sri Lanka’s strategic goals in artificial intelligence.

The partnership aims to facilitate joint AI research, educational programs, and collaborative efforts to tackle both local and global challenges, the government said.

The initiative will be formalized through the Ministry of Digital Economy, under a proposal presented by the President in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy.

AI Singapore is a programme supported by the National Research Foundation and hosted by the National University of Singapore. Launched in May 2017, it brings together Singapore’s research institutions and a dynamic ecosystem of AI startups and companies to conduct applied research, develop tools, advance knowledge, and build talent to drive the country’s AI initiatives.(Newswire)

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Minister Bimal Rathnayake has expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor collaboration, focusing on decarbonization and digitalization in the maritime sector. 

Minister Rathnayake expressed these views during a discussion with Jeffrey Siow, the Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance of Singapore, recently.

Minister Rathnayake also invited Singaporean companies to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s logistics sector and requested capacity-building support for Sri Lankan officials. He proposed that Sri Lanka be considered as a source country for the recruitment of bus drivers.

Acting Minister Siow conveyed Singapore’s readiness to engage constructively on the proposed MoU and undertook to relay the investment and recruitment proposals to the relevant Ministers.

The discussion was held on the sidelines of the Global Aviation and Maritime Symposium and High-Level Bilateral Engagements in Singapore, which was attended by a Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister Bimal Rathnayake. 

The Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation undertook the official visit to Singapore from 13 to 15 July 2025 to attend the Global Aviation and Maritime Symposium and a series of high-level engagements. This visit underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the aviation, maritime, and logistics sectors while advancing the country’s position as a regional transport and trade hub.

Furthermore, Minister Rathnayake participated as a speaker at the Ministerial and Industry Roundtable on 14 July 2025, themed “Shaping Tomorrow’s Transport: People, Technology, and Policy.” He joined a distinguished panel that included Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria; Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services of Saudi Arabia; Simon Kofe, Minister of Transport, Energy, Communications and Innovation of Tuvalu; Helena Sjöström Falk, President and CEO of IFATCA; Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir Ltd; and Mary Liew, General Secretary of the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union.

During the Roundtable, Minister Rathnayake highlighted the need for closer collaboration between the aviation and maritime sectors to enhance resilience across global transport networks. He also stressed the importance of regional cooperation and joint crisis response mechanisms. The minister noted Sri Lanka’s unique position as a regional air-sea gateway and outlined national efforts to integrate transport, highways, ports, and aviation under one ministry for the first time since independence, in order to harness synergies and drive strategic infrastructure development.

On 15 July, the Minister addressed the High-Level Panel on “Strategies to Support Safe Aviation Growth” at the opening of the 3rd Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), which included transport leaders and civil aviation regulators. The minister emphasized that aviation safety remains one of the top national priorities in Sri Lanka, guided by a Master Plan aligned with ICAO standards and supported by strong political leadership. He also underscored that the integrated approach to managing land, sea, and air transport, with civil aviation playing a pivotal role in supporting tourism, trade, and global connectivity.

During a meeting with Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development, and Leader of the House of Singapore, Minister Rathnayake suggested the establishment of a Sri Lanka–Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group to promote dialogue between the two legislatures and invited Minister Indranee Rajah to visit Sri Lanka with a parliamentary delegation. He also requested study visit opportunities for Sri Lankan parliamentary staff. Minister Indranee Rajah welcomed the proposal and offered to facilitate connections between Sri Lanka and Infrastructure Asia to explore partnerships with relevant agencies and investors for infrastructure projects, particularly for transport priorities.

On the sidelines of the symposium, Minister Rathnayake held meetings with Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). With Dominguez, the Minister requested specialized IMO training programs, guidance on updating national legislation in line with IMO conventions, and support for SLPA officers and Sri Lankan maritime professionals to participate in IMO-endorsed training courses. During his meeting with Salazar, Minister Rathnayake sought ICAO’s continued support to enhance Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Master Plan, including technical cooperation for audit readiness, digital transformation, and expanded training opportunities.

As part of his visit, Minister Rathnayake undertook a familiarization tour of Tuas Port, where he was briefed by officials of the PSA Group. These engagements provided valuable insights into port automation, integrated logistics management, and workforce development, which are areas Sri Lanka is keen to develop in its maritime modernization agenda. Further, the High Commission facilitated a briefing by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) Academy of Singapore, during which Minister Rathnayake explored opportunities for collaboration in maritime education and training. The Dean of the Academy offered slots for Sri Lankans to attend the Maritime Transformation and Innovation Programme scheduled for April 2026 and conveyed that the upcoming training calendar would be shared with Sri Lanka to facilitate greater participation by Sri Lankan professionals.

Taking the opportunity during the visit, the Minister experienced Singapore’s public transport system (Bus and MRT) firsthand, providing insights into its efficiency and user-centred design. He was briefed by Singaporean officials on the overall functioning of the network, including system integration, service standards, operational management and non-fare revenue models.

Minister Rathnayake was accompanied by High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore, Senarath Dissanayake, Additional Secretary (Development), Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Tharani Anoja Gamage, Minister/Head of Chancery at the High Commission, Ahamed Razee and Minister Counsellor (Commercial) Bhagya Abeykoon, during the above engagements. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Education and the National University of Singapore for higher education cooperation. 

According to the government, it has been proposed to enter into an agreement with the National University of Singapore, which holds a leading position in the global university ranking.

Through signing this agreement, Sri Lankan students will have the opportunity to receive scholarships, pursue postgraduate degrees, including PhDs, at the National University of Singapore, participate in capacity development programs, and conduct joint research. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Higher Education and Vocational Education, to sign the agreement between the two parties. (Newswire)

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Cabinet of Ministers has approved a contract to procure five shipments of 92-octane petrol from Vitol Asia Pte. Ltd. of Singapore, following a competitive bidding process conducted by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

The procurement covers the delivery of approximately 300,000 + /-5% petrol barrels per shipment over a six-month period from April 15 to October 14, 2025. Seven registered suppliers submitted bids for the contract.

Based on the recommendations of the Standing Procurement Committee and the Special Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet, Vitol Asia was selected as the lowest substantially responsive bidder. (Newswire)

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India and Singapore on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) collaboration at the ongoing Singapore Maritime Week (SMW). India and Netherlands also discussed the possibility of utilizing Dutch global expertise to enable cargo movement in low draft rivers of Brahmaputra and Barak. 

“Under the LOI, both sides will collaborate on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, including identifying relevant stakeholders who could contribute to the effort, and work towards formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding on a Singapore-India GDSC,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Singapore-India GDSC, when established, will enhance collaboration from both countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions, the Ministry said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister, of Ports, Shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the Corridor will drive innovation, accelerate the adoption of low-emission technologies, and strengthen digital integration in the sector. “With India’s strength in Information Technology and green fuel production, along with Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub, this partnership will set new benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency in the maritime sector. We look forward to work closely to build a resilient, future-ready maritime ecosystem that benefits both nations and the global maritime industry.”

During the day, Mr. Sonowal also visited Singapore Cruise Centre to understand the infrastructure and facilities that has helped Singapore to become a thriving cruise tourism destination, the Ministry said India aims to replicate such terminals in key locations like Goa, Mumbai, and Chennai to provide a fillip to the cruise tourism. He also met with key officials of Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) as well as top industry captains from maritime sector of the Netherlands. (The Hindu)

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Singapore’s Jetstar Asia commenced scheduled flight operations between Sri Lanka and Singapore today (21 Nov) with five return flights each week, operated by their fleet of Airbus A320s. 

According to the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), the inaugural Jet Star flight arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake at 10.30 am with 179 passengers.

The inaugural flight was ceremonially welcomed with a water salute by the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited. 

Further, passengers were warmly welcomed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and presented with tea gift packs sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. 

Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrema, Chairman of AASL, stated: “The launch of Jetstar Asia’s scheduled flights between Singapore and Sri Lanka is a significant boost for our tourism sector’s ongoing growth. This new connection promises an enhanced travel experience for both local and international passengers. We are delighted to see Jetstar Asia contributing to Sri Lanka’s aviation and tourism landscape by commencing flights to Bandaranaike International Airport. As we thank Jetstar Asia for choosing us and congratulate Jetstar Asia on this new venture, AASL remains committed to supporting our partnership and ensuring an exceptional travel experience for our valued passengers.” (Newswire)

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A Singapore court has sentenced a former minister to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and receiving more than $300,000 worth of gifts in the Asian city-state’s first political corruption trial for nearly half a century.

S Iswaran, who was a cabinet member for 13 years and has held the trade, communications and transport portfolios, pleaded guilty last week to four counts of improperly receiving gifts and one of obstructing justice.

The sentence handed down on Thursday was more severe than the six to seven months sought by the prosecution, which presiding judge Vincent Hoong said was “manifestly inadequate” given the gravity of Iswaran’s offences and their impact on public trust.

“Trust and confidence in public institutions were the bedrock of effective governance, which could all too easily be undermined by the appearance that an individual public servant had fallen below the standards of integrity and accountability,” he said in sentencing Iswaran.

The case has shocked Singapore, which prides itself on having a well-paid and efficient bureaucracy as well as strong and squeaky-clean governance. It was among the world’s top five least corrupt countries last year, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

The last cabinet minister charged with corruption was Wee Toon Boon, who was found guilty in 1975 and jailed for accepting gifts in exchange for helping a businessperson. Another cabinet minister was investigated for bribery in 1986 but died before charges were filed.

The investigation of Iswaran, 62, caused a stir in the Asian financial hub and centred on allegations that, while transport minister, he accepted expensive gifts from businessmen that included tickets to English Premier League football matches, the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, London musicals and a ride on a private jet.

The value of those totalled more than $400,000 Singapore dollars ($308,880), according to the prosecution.

Iswaran faced a huge media scrum as he arrived in court on Thursday and declined to answer questions. He showed no emotion during the court session.

The judge allowed him to remain on bail for the next few days and begin his jail term on Monday.

Iswaran had initially said he was innocent and would fight to clear his name but pleaded guilty last week to the five charges put before the court.

The former minister faced a total of 35 charges, two of which were corruption-related but were later amended to charges of receiving gifts while a public servant.

The attorney general’s chambers last week said they made amendments because of litigation risks involved in proving the corruption charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Iswaran was arrested in July last year and was accused of taking kickbacks from businessmen including property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. Iswaran was an adviser to the Singapore Grand Prix’s steering committee, while Ong owns the rights to the race.

Ong has not been charged with any offence and has issued no public comment on the allegations. The attorney general’s chambers last week said it would decide whether to take action against Ong soon.

Judge Hoong in his ruling said there was a higher level of culpability when a public servant holds high office that wields greater influence over business transactions.

His trial comes just over four months after Singapore installed new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after Lee Hsien Loong stepped down after 20 years.

It also risks damaging the reputation of the ruling People’s Action Party before general elections expected to be held by November next year. (Al Jazeera)

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