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SLCGE invites SME apparel manufacturers to join unified industry platform

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters (SLCGE), established in 1994, has invited small and medium-sized apparel manufacturers from across Sri Lanka to join the Chamber and become part of a unified platform committed to strengthening the country’s apparel

sector.

Having represented and supported Sri Lanka’s apparel industry for more than three decades, SLCGE said its renewed membership drive aims to bring together established exporters and aspiring exporters under one collective industry voice at a time when global apparel markets are becoming increasingly competitive.

The Chamber noted that greater collaboration among SME apparel manufacturers is essential to building a stronger, more resilient and export-oriented industry. By working together, manufacturers can share knowledge, address common challenges and collectively explore new opportunities in international markets.

Through SLCGE membership, apparel manufacturers will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow industry participants, explore new and untapped international business opportunities, and support collective initiatives aimed at improving direct market access.

Members will also be able to gain industry knowledge, market intelligence and exposure to best practices through workshops, seminars, networking events and capacity-building programmes conducted or facilitated by the Chamber.

Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters President Nishantha Bakmeege said: ‘SME apparel manufacturers are an important part of Sri Lanka’s export economy, but many continue to face challenges in accessing markets, finance, technology and timely policy information. By joining SLCGE, manufacturers can become part of a stronger collective platform that enables them to share knowledge, build industry connections and pursue new business opportunities.’

‘Our objective is to bring established and aspiring exporters together under one voice and support them in becoming more competitive, resilient and globally connected,’ he added.

The Chamber will also provide guidance on government policies, regulations and export procedures, while facilitating engagement with financial institutions to help manufacturers better understand available financing solutions and business growth opportunities.

At a time when Sri Lanka is seeking to strengthen export-led economic growth, the SME apparel sector has a vital role to play in expanding the country’s manufacturing base, creating employment, supporting regional enterprise development and improving foreign exchange earnings.

SLCGE said a stronger collective platform would enable SME apparel manufacturers to contribute more effectively to the future growth and international competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry.

Whether an established exporter or an aspiring exporter, SLCGE provides a platform for collaboration, networking, capacity development and industry advancement, helping apparel businesses move towards their next stage of growth.

‘Join Us. Collaborate. Grow. Succeed,’ the Chamber stated, reaffirming its broader message: ‘One Industry. One Voice. One Future.’

BREAKING: 68 passengers escape death as Enugu Air crash lands in Benin

No fewer than 68 passengers escaped death as an Enugu Airlines plane crash-landed at the Benin Airport on Thursday.

Tribune Online gathered that the aircraft with registration number 5N-ENR had 68 passengers on board apart from the crew members.

A source at the Benin Airport who pleaded anonymity said that the aircraft was on an Enugu-Benin-Lagos commercial flight when the incident happened.

The source further volunteered that the aircraft overshot the runway and entered the nearby bush.

‘The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAN) immediately swung into action, and all the passengers were evacuated. No casualty was recorded,’ the source disclosed.

The source could not disclose the actual number of crew members aboard the aircraft at the time of the incident

Credit growth to moderate: CBSL

Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday said the rapid private sector credit expansion has been broad-based across the economy rather than concentrated in a few sectors, while expressing confidence that the monetary tightening introduced in May will gradually moderate lending and demand pressures.

‘A strong credit growth has been recorded in construction, wholesale and retail trade, financial services, and consumer-related lending, reflecting the broader economic recovery,’ he said addressing the post-Monetary Policy Review media briefing.

Based on outstanding credit as of May, he said industry accounted for around 37% of total private sector credit, followed by services at 30.5%, personal loans and advances at 24%, and agriculture and fisheries at around 9%.

He noted that the June sectoral credit data will be released shortly.

Dr. Weerasinghe said the CBSL expects the strong pace of lending to ease over the coming months, as the impact of the 100-basis-point policy rate hike in May, together with other policy measures implemented by the Government and the CBSL, gradually feeds through to the real economy.

‘The monetary policy tightening in May 2026 and its gradual transmission to the real economy are expected to moderate credit growth and the buildup of demand pressures going forward,’ he said.

Private sector credit expanded by 27.8% year-on-year during the first five months of 2026, equivalent to an increase of Rs. 824 billion.

Total outstanding banking sector credit to the private sector rose to a record Rs. 11.04 trillion in May from Rs. 10.8 trillion in April, representing a 2.2% month-on-month increase (https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Private-sector-credit-rebounds-in-May–surpasses-Rs–11-t/44-794580).

AG opposes request to halt Yoshitha’s money laundering case

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday opposed a request made by lawyers for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa seeking an order to prevent the hearing of a money laundering case filed against him in the Colombo High Court.

The objection was raised before the Supreme Court when Rajapaksa’s appeal was taken up for consideration.

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara strongly opposed the request, arguing against halting proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Why women should not marry in their 20s – Toke Makinwa

Media personality and actress, Toke Makinwa has shared her views on marriage, saying she does not believe women should get married in their 20s.

Speaking in a recent episode of her podcast, Toke Moment, with reality TV star Tacha, Makinwa said many women are still discovering themselves during that stage of life and may not yet be ready to make such a lifelong decision.

According to her, many women who got married in their 20s later regret rushing into marriage, even if they remain with their partners.

‘Women have no business getting married in their 20s… You don’t even know yourself yet. Those who did are regretting it now. Even those who are still married if they are being honest, they will tell you that they shouldn’t have rushed it,’ she said.

Tacha also shared her mother’s perspective on marriage during the discussion.

‘My mum says marriage is like an institution. Those inside want to get out, those outside can’t wait to get in.’ She said.

Rotary District 9112 inaugurates third governor

Rotarian Olayioye Abidoye has been installed as the third Governor of Rotary International District 9112 at the Harbour Point Event Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos.

The ceremony, chaired by Prof Toyin Ashiru, was attended by more than 1,000 guests. They included the Olona of Adaland, Oba Oyetunde Ojo, Ogunbodun I, who was the Royal Father of the Day, and Rotary International President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, whose birthday coincided with the occasion.

To mark the event, he joined the new District Governor in cutting a birthday cake.

Others included District Governor-Elect Uyi Sowebi and District Governor-Nominee Ehi Braimah, alongside other top Rotarians from the sister District 9111.

Also present were the Distinguished Royal Personality, Etubom Anthony Ani; Special Guest of Honour, Emeka Ihedioha, doyen of Nigerian District Governors; former Health Minister, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; and guest speaker, Babatunde Ogala.

Installation Committee chairperson, Assistant Governor Adekemi Folorunsho, said the gathering was more than a simple change of leadership. ‘Rotary is not about temporary gestures, but about projects, fellowships, relationships and leadership that outlive our tenure,’ she added.

She said the installation builds upon the strong foundation laid by previous leaders in District 9112, reinforcing Rotary’s enduring commitment to humanitarian service, ethical leadership, and community impact across Nigeria.

Immediate Past District Governor Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin used the occasion to showcase his achievements.

Abidoye outlined an ambitious agenda featuring transformative projects such as a N350 million eye hospital, the renovation of Sea School in Apapa, the donation of five ultrasound machines to a Mother and Child Hospital, and enhanced fire response capabilities supported by N142.825 million.

The event was enlivened by a cultural performance and live music from Adewale Ayuba, whose evergreen tunes had guests on their feet.

UPDATED: Top countries banning social media access for children

The global push to limit children’s access to social media has gathered pace over the past two years, with governments introducing laws and regulations aimed at protecting minors from cyberbullying, harmful content, online predators and excessive screen time.

Australia became the first country to enact a nationwide social media ban for children under 16, setting off a wave of similar policies across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Since then, several countries have either implemented age-based restrictions or passed legislation that is awaiting enforcement.

While supporters argue the measures are necessary to safeguard children’s mental health and online safety, critics, including Telegram founder Pavel Durov, have questioned whether outright bans are effective.

Durov recently warned that prohibiting teenagers from using social media could push them toward VPNs and less-regulated online spaces.

‘Banning social media for teenagers only puts them in greater danger. Teens are forced to switch to VPNs and unlock far worse illegal content.

‘We’ve seen this before. When the Russian government banned Telegram, 95 per cent of Russian teenagers kept using it. They just moved to VPNs.

‘No law can replace good parenting. Parents already have the tools to limit kids’ digital consumption through parental controls, screen-time limits or by delaying smartphone ownership,’ he said.

Below is a chronological list of countries that have officially announced or enacted nationwide restrictions.

1. Australia (December 2025)

Australia became the first country in the world to implement a nationwide social media ban for children under 16 after the law came into force in December 2025.

The legislation bars under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, Reddit and YouTube. It does not allow exemptions through parental consent.

Technology companies are required to verify users’ ages using approved methods such as facial recognition or identity checks, with heavy financial penalties for non-compliance.

2. Indonesia (March 2026)

Indonesia became the first Asian country to enforce a nationwide under-16 social media restriction when its policy took effect in March 2026.

The regulation covers major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Threads, YouTube and Roblox, requiring providers to identify and remove underage accounts as part of a broader child online protection initiative.

3. Brazil (March 2026)

Brazil introduced stricter online safety rules in March 2026, requiring platforms to verify users’ ages and link accounts belonging to children under 16 to their parents or guardians.

The country’s reforms also prohibit minors from accessing certain online gaming features such as loot boxes, expanding child protection beyond traditional social media platforms.

4. Malaysia (June 2026)

Malaysia’s regulations took effect in June 2026, requiring major online platforms with millions of users to deploy electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) systems to prevent children under 16 from opening or operating social media accounts.

The rules form part of the country’s wider Online Safety framework.

5. United Arab Emirates (June 2026)

The UAE became the first Arab country to approve a nationwide social media age restriction after announcing a ban on social media accounts for children under 15 in June 2026.

The policy gives digital platforms one year to implement mandatory age-verification systems. It also introduces additional safeguards for users aged 15 and 16, including stronger privacy protections and screen-time controls.

6. United Kingdom (June 2026)

The United Kingdom announced in June 2026 that it would ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, with implementation targeted for 2027.

The proposed rules cover TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X and YouTube, while also restricting minors’ access to some livestreaming services and AI companion chatbots. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are exempt.

7. France (July 2026)

France became the first European country to pass legislation banning children under 15 from creating social media accounts after lawmakers approved the bill on July 21, 2026.

The law is scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2026. Existing users under 15 will also be required to close or verify their accounts under the new age-verification system.

Countries moving in the same direction

Several other countries have announced plans or are considering similar legislation but have yet to implement nationwide bans.

Turkey has passed legislation restricting social media access for children under 15, but the bill is awaiting presidential approval.

Greece has announced plans to introduce an under-15 social media ban.

Denmark is working on legislation that would establish a minimum age for social media access.

Spain, Norway, Portugal, Canada, New Zealand and several other countries are reviewing similar proposals or raising their digital age of consent as governments tighten online child safety rules.

This story was originally published in June 2026 and is updated regularly with new information.

Alas Pilipinas men swept by Cambodia in SEA V Cup rematch

Alas Pilipinas men got swept by newly crowned Leg 1 champion Cambodia, 20-25, 21-25, 24-26, in the SEA V Cup Leg 2 on Thursday evening in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Filipinos, who pushed Cambodia to five sets in the first leg, tried to put up a fight in the third, looking to extend their rematch anew.

Alas Pilipinas got a much-needed spark from Jian Salarzon, who teamed up with steady middle blocker Joshua Magalaman to help build a 14-9 lead for the Philippines.

However, Veasna Voeurn, the first leg MVP in Candon City, willed the Cambodians back and erased a 21-19 deficit by scoring four of their next five points to reach match point, 24-23.

Jude Garcia saved Alas with a strong crosscourt hit, but Kuon Mom quickly answered to put Cambodia back on the verge of victory before Garcia’s attack sailed wide.

Garcia and Magalaman led Alas with 14 points each, as Salarzon stepped up with eight points.

Alas will try to keep its slim semifinal hopes alive against host Indonesia, last year’s Leg 2 champion, on Friday at 8 p.m.

Cambodia ruled the first leg by beating Indonesia in Candon City but was swept by the Indonesians in its Leg 2 opener on Wednesday, finishing the pool stage with a 1-1 record.

Voeurn erupted with 27 points off 24 kills and three aces. Sarun had 15, while Mom added eight.

The Filipinos also led 14-10 in the second set after Adrian Villados delivered back-to-back aces. Salarzon and Magalaman helped maintain the lead until 16-13 before Voeurn and Pin Sarun sparked Cambodia’s rally for a 23-20 advantage en route to a two-set lead.

Bradby 2nd leg: Trinity eye remarkable triple

In the end, it was a ten-minute hurricane that separated the sublime from the merely determined.

The first leg of the 80th Bradby Shield, played before a capacity crowd at the Royal Sports Complex on 11 July, was a contest that defied pre-match expectations for more than an hour. Royal College, entering the encounter after two comprehensive defeats to Trinity earlier this season, produced a display of resilience and courage that threatened to rewrite the script of the 2026 campaign. Yet, in a devastating 10 minute burst, Trinity College-the Lions of Kandy-shifted through the gears to secure a commanding 33-10 victory, placing one hand firmly on the Bradby Shield ahead of the second leg at Pallekele on 25 July.

The final scoreline, much like Trinity’s earlier victories of 58-26 and 48-15 this season, suggests a one-sided affair. The reality on the field was far more compelling.

Royal, led by the inspirational Disas Pathirana, threw everything at the reigning league champions. Their forwards, who had been overpowered in both the league meeting and the President’s Trophy final, produced one of their finest performances of the season. They matched Trinity physically and repeatedly challenged a defence that has been among the strongest in school rugby.

Trinity were restricted to a slender 7-3 lead at half-time-a scoreline that gave the Royal faithful genuine hope of reversing a season of disappointment.

For much of the second half, the blue-and-gold defensive wall held firm. Trinity’s much-vaunted attack, one of the competition’s most prolific throughout the season, was frustrated by Royal’s disciplined defence and determined tackling. As the minutes ticked away, the home supporters began to believe they might be witnessing one of the great Bradby upsets.

Then the Lions awakened.

With just under twenty minutes remaining, Trinity found another level. The patience that had defined their unbeaten campaign suddenly gave way to relentless intensity. The forwards laid a dominant platform, winning the collisions and quickening the tempo, while the backs finally found the space they had searched for all afternoon.

Breathtaking spell of rugby

What followed was a breathtaking spell of rugby.

In the space of ten minutes, Trinity tore the match away from Royal with a devastating burst of attacking rugby. Clinical execution replaced earlier frustration as wave after wave of pressure overwhelmed the home side. The precision, composure and attacking flair that had made Trinity the benchmark team of the 2026 season finally came to life, turning a fiercely contested encounter into a commanding victory.

By the final whistle, Trinity had transformed a tense contest into a 33-10 triumph, leaving Royal-despite an outstanding performance for much of the afternoon-to reflect on what might have been. The result gives Trinity a commanding 23-point aggregate advantage heading into the second leg.

More than simply a first-leg victory, it was another statement from a side pursuing one of the finest seasons in Trinity rugby history.

Remarkable triple awaiting

The Lions have already secured the President’s Trophy Knockout Championship and completed an unbeaten run to capture the Dialog Schools Rugby League title. Victory in the second leg would complete a remarkable triple and cement the team’s place among the school’s modern greats.

The statistics underline Trinity’s dominance. Throughout the league season they remained unbeaten, combining a potent attack with one of the competition’s most frugal defences. Their success has been built on an outstanding balance between power and precision. Forwards such as Abdeen, Jayah, Kumarasinghe and Achintha Jayasena have provided a formidable platform, while the backline-marshalled by fly-half Abdul Malik, scrum-half Wijekoon, Yaddehige and that great innovative game reader captain Shan Althaf-has consistently dismantled opposing defences with pace, vision and clinical execution.

Yet the Bradby Shield has never been governed by league form or statistics alone.

Royal College has long built its reputation on rising to the occasion when the Bradby is at stake. The rivalry has produced countless dramatic reversals over the decades and Royal will draw inspiration from both history and tradition as they prepare for the return leg.

When the teams meet again at Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele on 25 July, Royal will require something extraordinary to overturn a 23-point deficit. Trinity, meanwhile, needs only to complete the task they have begun and capture what would be another memorable Bradby Shield triumph. The expectations of the fans are overwhelming and a record score is what is aspired by Trinity faithfuls.

Should this exceptional group reproduce the composure, discipline and devastating finish that defined the closing stages of the first leg, they will do far more than lift another trophy. They will secure their place among the great Trinity sides-champions who conquered every major challenge before them and restored the Bradby Shield to Kandy in emphatic fashion.

The world of Trinity rugby now waits with anticipation.

Our candidate will be on ballot for 2027 elections, says Turaki PDP camp

The Tanimu Turaki camp of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) on Thursday allayed the fears of candidates sponsored by it on whether or not they will be able to contest the 2027 general elections, insisting that they will be the ones that will fly the party flag in National and state elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Turaki said emphatically that nobody will be able to kill the PDP, while assuring that the party was on course and will participate in the elections.

He said, ‘I want to say, without fear of contradiction, that PDP, your party is on course. The essence of every political party is to legitimately capture power in a given polity. You cannot capture power unless you are on the ballot. I want to tell you that PDP shall be on the ballot for all rounds of the 2027 elections, from the presidential down to the states houses of assembly election PDP, this PDP shall be on the ballot’.

He commended those who have kept fate with the group for their tenacity, for your loyalty, for your conviction, for your belief in democracy, and for your resoluteness in working towards ensuring that democracy that believes in a multi-party system survives in our country.

Turaki said ‘there comes a time in the life of a human being when challenges, ups and downs become the order of the day. But as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, it’s only the tough that ultimately gets going.

‘For us in PDP, we’ve seen all seasons. We’ve seen the good times. We’ve also seen the bad times. We’ve seen days of prosperity, just as we’ve also seen days of adversity. We’ve seen successes, and we’ve seen challenges. For us, the kind of challenge that the People’s Democratic Party is facing today is not something that is new to us.

‘People may recall a time in the past when attempts were made by some charlatans to take the leadership of our party and then give it in the hands of some impostors, and when the party and the party leadership rose in unison and said, ‘We will not allow anybody to run away with our party’, a caretaker committee was set up under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Ahmed Mohamed Makarfi.

‘Those who were there and those who are conversant with what happened during that period of serious challenge, will appreciate that what we are now witnessing in our party is even a child’s play. By the special grace of God, we shall overcome. We will overcome. Indeed, we are overcoming.

‘Today we are witnessing in Nigeria, a time that is different from what we all are used to seeing. There are a lot of tension. There are a lot of crises. There are a lot of upheavals in the domain of most of the opposition political parties. It’s regrettable, indeed very sad and unfortunate, that when you begin to trace the genesis of those crises, that they will take you back to the footsteps of the party in government.

‘We used to think that more than any other person, that people in government, people who are on the surgeon of leadership, should prefer peace to reign than crisis in their domain. But for us in PDP, while other political parties are having existential threat, while their existence is threatened and their lives is shaking, nobody, and I dare say, nobody can kill the PDP.

‘PDP will continue to live. There may be challenges here and there regarding the leadership of our party. Again, for us in PDP, this is nothing new. We will overcome. We shall overcome. We are overcoming.

He said the party intend to discuss the judgement of the Federal High Court on the suit instituted by its Board of Trustees against the Independent National Electoral Commission on the leadership of the party and ‘agree on where we need to get to, for the purpose of taking our people and our nation out of the woods, and then we will maybe when we get into the private session, discuss exhaustively what our strategies would be’.

Former Niger state Governor, Babandiga Aliyu regretted that the crisis rocking the party came from within the party, regretting that those he called fugitives and nomadic politicians have been using the party for their own selfish.

He said however that those who thought they could kill PDP by running away to another party, are the ones who suffering more, and don’t even know what is there on the ground for them.

He said, ‘It is unfortunate that people are not patient enough. It is unfortunate that some people try to play god by taking decisions that really belongs to God. We have seen many of them jumping from one party to the other, for every election that has been conducted, but they forgot the success is not only in their effort.

‘Success is also in the way your heart functions, because our creator judges you by what is in your heart, not what is in your pocket or what is in your mouth. So, if you have clean heart, He knows it, and He will reward you at the end of the day. Believe me, we will be rewarded, and we will be surprised by our creator on the way and manner He is going to reward those of us who have stayed tenaciously to ensure that there is justice in our country.

‘Whatever is happening now, let us see it as a temporary way of making people understand that we messed up as we were coming along. If I will borrow from our creator, whatever you do, you will reap it, you will get it back. We will get yourselves back. You will get our party back, and we will succeed in the final analysis. We want people to be alive to see when we succeed. We will not laugh at them, but at least they will also learn some lessons as we go along.

‘You might think you are cheating me if you collect bribe to get me down. For you, you think you have made something, but believe me, you will pay both here and in the in the hereafter. So please let us continue patiently, and let us try to continue to at least organize properly.’