Aug 15 (Island) Newly appointed IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has promised to crack down on the netherworld of crime and drugs. He made this pledge at a media briefing, after assuming duties in his new position, where he had been acting previously. Stressing the need for new laws to combat crime effectively and expressing the hope that NPP govt would make them soon, he identified a nexus between criminals and politicians who had been in power previously as one of the key more..

Aug 15 (TM) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has planned 20 initial public offerings (IPO) this year, which are in various stages of preparation with the respective investment banks, CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike said. He said that the 20 IPOs are not sitting with the CSE at the moment and they are in various stages of preparation with the investment banks. He added that CSE has 3 IPO listing applications more..

Aug 15 (FT) Brown & Company was recently honoured with the Silver Award in the Trading Category at the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2025, organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of SL (NCCSL). Held at the Shangri-La Hotel, annual awards ceremony celebrated organisations that had demonstrated an unwavering commitment to high standards in business performance while contributing to nationwide economic development. more..

Aug 15 (FT) SL Sustainability Awards (SSA)-2025 night, organised by the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) in partnership with the 13th World Construction Symposium, featuring academic participation from the Building Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU) of the Uni of Moratuwa will take place tomorrow, 16 August at 6 p.m. at Hilton Colombo. The event will celebrate sustainable innovation and leadership awards which is endorsed by the Urban Development, more..

Aug 15 (FT) Aitken Spence has recorded strong Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) of Rs. 4.1 billion for the first quarter ended 30 June 2025. EBITDA reflects the Group’s earnings prior to interest expenses, taxation, depreciation, amortisation, and foreign exchange gains or losses, but incorporates the share of profits from equity-accounted investees. This reflects a 7% year-on-year (YoY) increase, underscoring the Group’s strong operational performance more..

Aug 15 (FT) Sri Lanka’s biggest bank, State-controlled Bank of Ceylon (BOC), reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 59.4 billion in the first half of 2025, representing an increase of 165% compared to Rs. 22.4 billion reported a year earlier. This growth was primarily driven by a 79% rise in net interest income (NII), which reached Rs. 102.7 billion, underscoring the bank’s consistent focus on profitability, efficient cost management, and effective execution of strategic priorities, more..

Aug 15 (ST) Just five out of 79 mega-scale development projects that were due to have been completed by end-March have finished on schedule, Project Management and Monitoring Department’s (PMMD) latest report states. Mega-Scale Development Projects First Quarter 2025 has been released on the website of the PMMD, which falls under the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry. more..

Aug 15 (FT) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has become the first private sector bank in SL to surpass Rs. 3 trillion in assets, a milestone achieved in the second quarter of 2025 on the back of solid growth in key indicators at Group and Bank level in the six months ending 30 June 2025. Comprising SL’s largest private sector bank, its subsidiaries, and an associate, Group reported in a filing with the CSE that Group assets totalled Rs. 3.13 trillion, and Commercial Bank’s assets reached Rs. 3.03 t more..

Aug 15 (FT) The National Development Bank (NDB) yesterday announced the results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2025, reporting a total operating income and pre-tax profit of Rs. 22.3 billion and Rs. 8.6 billion, respectively (1H 2024: Rs. 22.9 billion and Rs. 6.5 billion). Net interest income, which accounted for over 75% of the bank’s total operating income, amounted to Rs. 16.9 billion for the semi-annual period; rising 2.7% over Rs. 16.5 billion in 1H 2024. more..

Aug 15 (TM) In the wake of reports that more countries have sought visa-free facility for their nationals visiting Sri Lanka, Ministry of Public Security stated that there is no preparation as of now to consider any other country beyond the list of 40 nations recently approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. Department of Immigration and Emigration is coming under the purview of the Public Security Ministry. Subject Minister Ananda Wijepala more..

Aug 15 (ST) John Keells Holdings says its new energy vehicle business has exceeded expectations, drawing more than 7,100 orders and that 2,307 vehicles have been sold. “A few new models will be launched over the next few months, and that could help to maintain momentum (of sales) or improve it,” John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra told a recent investor webinar after announcing the group financials for the first quarter ended June 30. JKH Group financials were released more..

Aug 15 (Island) The name Jayasuriya still rings loud in SL cricketing circles and now it’s the next generation making headlines. Ranuk Jayasuriya, the youngest child of former SL captain and 1996 World Cup hero Sanath Jayasuriya, struck his maiden century for SSC in the Under-23 tournament this week. Educated at a boarding school in England, the 18-year-old southpaw has already caught the eye of cricket watchers in both London and Colombo. But unlike his swashbuckling father, more..

Aug 15 (FT) The Sampath Group reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 26 billion and a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 15.6 billion, both increasing by 32% from a year ago, while total assets crossed the Rs. 2 trillion mark for the first time in its history. At the bank level, Sampath Bank recorded a PBT of Rs. 24.4 billion and a PAT of Rs. 14.7 billion for the first half of 2025, also marking a YoY (YoY) growth of 32% across both metrics compared to the same period in 2024, the bank announced yesterday. more..

Aug 15 (NW) SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is organizing a special influencer familiarization tour featuring four prominent Australian social media personalities, as part of a renewed effort to position Sri Lanka as a top long-haul destination for Australian travellers. The group will arrive in Sri Lanka on 20 Aug and will explore the island until 31 Aug. This promotional initiative forms part of SLTPB’s ongoing global digital outreach strategy aimed at attracting high-yield tourists more..

Aug 15 (FT) Economic think tank IPS warned that the 20% reciprocal tariff unilaterally imposed by the Trump administration could lead to export losses of $ 634 million and put nearly 16,000 jobs at risk, mostly female workers in the apparel industry. When the US announced the new tariff rate on 31 July, most business chambers in SL welcomed the move because it meant a further reduction from an earlier 44% rate. However, even at 20%, more..

Aug 15 (FT) SL Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) hailed the Govt’s newly introduced reforms for the sector as a transformative step that will boost trade competitiveness and open new growth opportunities. Central to the changes is a Gazette outlining a streamlined procedure for the import of rough gemstones, a move the SLGJA said will address a longstanding industry bottleneck by improving access to raw materials, enhancing transparency, and aligning SL’s practices more..

Aug 15 (NW) An advisory meeting on data requirements for the Global Innovation Index (GII) was held in Colombo today (14), under the guidance of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), which functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The meeting brought together senior officials from both the public and private sectors, representing fields such as science, technology, education and industry. The purpose of the meeting was to engage all stakeholders in elevating more..

Aug 15 (AD) Authorities have recovered another cache of live T-56 ammunition, following a special search operation carried out after the initial discovery of ammunition in an irrigation tank in Getalawa, Galenbindunuwewa. A total of 7,118 live rounds of ammunition used in T-56 assault rifles have now been recovered from the Getalawa lake. The discovery was initiated after an individual who had stepped into the tank had noticed several bullets submerged in the water. more..

Aug 15 (AD) An investigation has been launched by the Nuwara Eliya Police regarding an incident where urea fertilizer was poured into the engine of a bus belonging to the Nuwara Eliya SLTB depot. The fertilizer was found to have been added to a bus that operates daily between Nuwara Eliya and High Forest area. The incident occurred on Tuesday night, while the bus was parked in the High Forest area. An unidentified individual had allegedly poured urea fertilizer into the engine. more..

Aug 15 (NW) National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) says govt apartment complexes in the Colombo District over 40 years old are planned to be redeveloped next year. This was revealed during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development held in Parliament recently, chaired by MP S.M. Marikkar. Officials from the NHDA informed the committee that there are 45 apartment more..

Aug 15 (DM) During the Central Province Schools Sports Competition, U-19 Hockey final between Vidyartha College and St. Thomas' College, held at the Uni of Peradeniya hockey grounds, was halted midway due to the violent and unsportsmanlike behavior of St. Thomas' players, who struck opposing players with hockey sticks in a deliberate and aggressive manner. Two players were injured from the attack and admitted to Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, with one player receiving stitches more..

Aug 15 (TM) Ministry of Public Security downplayed the need for a hartal protest in the Northern and Eastern Provinces today (15), as the suspects linked to the incident in question have already been arrested and remanded in line with court orders. The ITAK announced recently that there would be a hartal in the North and the East today. Minister Ananda Wijepala said that there is no reason for a hartal. “They say that there will be a hartal, but there is no reason to hold it. more..

Aug 15 (TM) Asgiri Chapter of Siam Sect stated that allowing for the commercial cultivation of cannabis is not at all appropriate when the drug menace has already become a serious issue in SL. Secretary to the Supreme Sangha Council – Asgiri Chapter, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda said: “We were against this when the previous Govt tried to do it. We held meetings to oppose it then; our position has not changed. more..

Aug 15 (FT) The JVP led NPP Govt of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake known as AKD, has been in the saddle for close upon a year now. Given the JVP-NPP’s 159 MPs and the victories registered in the local authority polls, the chances of being dislodged from the saddle soon seem remote. Yet many opposition leaders seem to think otherwise. These hopes are hinged around two possibilities. Some are hopeful that the economy will eventually deteriorate, resulting in a crisis situation more..

Aug 15 (FT) Time is ticking off. And it is ticking off on SL’s human rights and accountability front. In Geneva. In less than a month from today, the question of promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in SL will come up for consideration at the UNHRC in Geneva. The 60th session of the Council, that is to convene from 8 Sept to 8 Oct 2025, would discuss the question under Item 2 of its agenda: Reports of the Office of High Comm. for Human Rights (OHCHR). more..

Aug 15 (AD) It was revealed today that the temperature and humidity-controlled agricultural storage complex in Dambulla, which was recently inaugurated by Indian PM Narendra Modi, had received an electricity bill of Rs. 8,409,000 even before the commencement of its operations. This disclosure was made during an inspection visit to the facility by a group of politicians including former MPs. It was also reported that the electricity supply to the facility has been disconnected due to more..

Aug 15 (NW) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son Namal Rajapaksa were seen visiting the private hospital in Colombo, where former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte had passed away this morning. Former State Minister had passed away at the age of 57 while receiving treatment at the hospital. Paying tribute to the late Lohan Ratwatte, former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa said his demise was a significant loss to the nation, especially to the Kandy District. more..

Aug 15 (AD) Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has passed away at the age of 57. He had reportedly passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. Born on 22 June 1968, Lohan Evindra Ratwatte was a prominent SL politician. He had previously served as the State Minister of Gem and Jewellery Related Industries and as State Minister for Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation. more..

Aug 15 (AM) The UNP has lodged a strong protest with the Indian High Commission in Colombo regarding a special 3-page-supplement published in local print media to mark India’s 79th Independence Day. The matter was raised during a high-level meeting of senior UNP officials, which was also attended by several former diplomats. The discussion centred on the content of the supplement, prepared and distributed to local newspapers under the supervision of the Indian HC. more..

Aug 15 (EN) Swap contracts between SL’s central bank and domestic market participants have continued to rise as reserves were shown with derivative contracts. SL’s gross official reserves (some of which also contain fiscal balances from the IMF and other disbursements which are used to repay debt), and monetary reserves built by the central bank from current inflows with deflationary policy. Sri Lanka gross reserves which hit US$ 6,531 million in March fell to US$ 6,144 mil by July more..

Aug 15 (EN) SL’s gross domestic product is projected to grow 4.5% in 2025, central bank said in a monetary policy report, as the agency missed its 5% inflation target. The latest forecast for GDP for the 2nd quarter of 2025 is expected to be robust, continuing the positive momentum observed in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the agency said. “As per the currently available information, economic growth for more..

Aug 15 (DM) The first-ever gem-related website in Sri Lanka was officially launched today in Ratnapura during the inauguration of the Gem and Jewellery Exhibition 2025 by PM Harini Amarasuriya. The official website — www.gemcityratnapura.com, aims to promote SL’s gem and jewellery sector globally, providing a platform for trade, information, and industry networking. Addressing the event, PM said that SL is strengthening links with international gem and jewellery associations more..

Aug 15 (AD) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, claims that certain groups are attempting to artificially create a shortage of Keeri Samba raw rice in the country. Minister said that while there is no general shortage of rice in the market, there is a concern specifically regarding the Keeri Samba variety. “If there is any issue in the rice market at present, it is only the shortage of Keeri Samba. Therefore, if we decide to import, it will be limited to a substitute variety for Keeri Samba. more..

Aug 15 (CT) Young men and women planning to marry are being urged to undergo a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test prior to marriage to determine whether they are carriers of thalassaemia, Deputy Director General of Health (Non-Communicable Diseases), Dr. Champika Wickramasinghe said. He highlighted the importance of public awareness during a national commemoration organised to mark International Thalassaemia Day. The event took place recently at Bluesky Hotel in Kurunegala more..

Aug 15 (DM) Saliya Saman, the former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer, has been banned from all cricket for five years. An ICC anti-corruption tribunal found him guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) anti-corruption code. The ban is backdated to September 13, 2023, when Saman was provisionally suspended, as one of eight people - all associated with the Pune Devils franchise in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament - charged with breaching the code. more..