Aug 25 (AD) Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to call off their island-wide token strike, which was scheduled to commence at 8 a.m. today (25) in all govt hospitals. The decision to call off the strike follows discussions and a written assurance from the Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Meanwhile, on Aug 24, GMOA noted that the strike is being launched considering the risk of hospitals in remote areas closing down, direct influence exerted by the govt on patients to purchase more..

Aug 25 (DM) Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed his party and some key opposition members that they must remain united at this moment and fight to ensure that democracy is upheld. When senior politicians had visited him at the Colombo National Hospital last morning, Wickremesinghe had stressed for unity within all opposition parties and requested all to leave aside their political differences. A senior party source said that Wickremesinghe continued more..

Aug 25 (FT) A coalition of Opposition party leaders yesterday held a press briefing in Colombo to denounce the arrest of ex-Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Gathering under the banner Let’s Defeat the Constitutional Dictatorship, the speakers accused the administration of weaponising the legal system against political rivals. Party leaders argued that Wickremesinghe’s detention was part of a wider attempt to erode democratic institutions and more..

Nov 25 (CT) Sri Lanka Police are set to launch a dedicated investigative unit to probe assets acquired through criminal activities, Western Province Northern DIG Nishantha Soyza announced. DIG Soyza said the unit is being established under the provisions of the law on assets derived from criminal activities, which was passed by Parliament. The new unit, named the Police Crime Investigation Division (PCID), will focus exclusively on tracing and investigating such assets. more..

Aug 25 (FT) Published below are extracts of a presentation titled Three questions on conflict resolution by Sir Adam Roberts, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at Balliol College, Uni of Oxford, to commemorate the 20th death anniversary of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. Three questions are: 1. Are ceasefire agreements necessarily the right approach? Quoting from the extract: “Calls for ceasefire agreements (CFA) have become an almost standard response more..

Aug 25 (FT) Recently, I had the opportunity to witness the formalisation of a new think-tank in Colombo by some interested young people to undertake economic policy analysis. Think-tank, formally known as Ceylon Foundation for Economic Policy-analysis or CFEP (pronounced as SEE-FEP), has been created by young economist Pasan Wijayawardhana, an economics Don at the Colombo Uni. All men and women in CFEP were young people between the ages of 20 and 25 more..

Nov 25 (NF) Supreme Court has scheduled Nov 6 to hear the appeal filed by the convicted individuals in the high-profile rape and murder case of 18-year-old schoolgirl Sivagloganathan Vidya from Jaffna. Decision was made before a 3-judge bench comprising Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Justices Achala Wengappuli, and Sampath Abeykoon. Bench convened to consider the appeal petitions submitted by the defense counsel representing the seven individuals more..

Nov 25 (AD) Supreme Court today announced that it will submit its confidential determination on the constitutionality of the bill presented by the govt to remove privileges of retired presidents to the Speaker of House. After an extensive hearing, a 3-judge bench comprising CJ Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli, and Sampath Abeykoon issued the order concluding the hearing of petitions filed against more..

Nov 25 (NW) PM’s Office has rejected a news report aired by Hiru News, claiming that PM Harini Amarasuriya had visited former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe in the hospital. Issuing a clarification, officials from the PM’s Office stated that the report, which claims that the PM had visited the hospital along with the former First Lady Maithri Wickremesinghe, was inaccurate. PM’s Office further expressed regret that such a false news report has been published. more..

Nov 25 (DM) Former State Minister Diana Gamage, on whom an arrest warrant was issued for failing to appear before court, was today released on a surety bail of Rs. 10 million by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama. Magistrate observed that the bail order was made as the accused surrendered before the court following the issuing of a warrant for her immediate arrest and production over her absence. On Aug 21, court issued a warrant on Diana Gamage for failing to appear before more..

Nov 25 (EN) The arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is one of the most consequential developments in Sri Lanka’s post-independence political history. For decades, Wickremesinghe symbolized continuity in the country’s politics, navigating crises, shaping economic policy, and representing SL on the global stage. His sudden arrest not only raises questions about the direction of SL’s politics, but more..

Nov 25 (AD) Appointments to the Chairman and members of the Law Commission of Sri Lanka, which functions under the Ministry of Justice and National Unity, were presented today (25) at the Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harsha Nanayakkara. Retired Justice E.A.G.R. Amarasekara has been appointed as the new Chairman of the SL Law Commission. The other appointed members of the commission are: more..

Nov 25 (Island) PM Harini Amarasuriya participated at a ceremony held on Sunday (24) to offer the newly constructed Relic Chamber at the historic Sri J'pura Kotte Raja Maha Vihara premises to the Buddha Sasana. Following the unveiling of the commemorative plaque by the Chief Incumbent of the historic Kotte Raja Maha Vihara, Most Venerable Dr. Aluthnuwara Anuruddha Nayaka Thero, PM made a floral offering to the relic chamber, after which the PM also joined the opening more..

Aug 25 (CT) The Sabaragamuwa Provincial Programme, organised by the President’s Fund to honour students achieving outstanding results at the district level in the 2023/2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, was held on Saturday morning at the Ratnapura District Secretariat Auditorium under the patronage of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. A total of 360 students – ten from each of the six subject streams in Ratnapura and Kegalle districts – were recognised for their top performance. more..

Aug 25 (NW) Ukrainian Prez Volodymyr Zelenskyy has extended his gratitude to SL Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the latter’s greetings on Ukraine’s Independence Day. In a statement on ‘X’, Prez Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine values the friendly relations and cooperation with SL, based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace and prosperity. “We are confident that our relations hold potential for further development, bringing benefits to both nations,” he added. more..

Aug 25 (EN) Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports rose 15.37% to US$ 1,304.00 million in July 2025 from a year ago, helped by tea, coconut and apparel exports, data from the export promotion office showed. Merchandise exports for January to June 2025 rose 7.22%, compared to the same period in 2024, to US$ 7,799.82 million. Earnings from tea which made up 12.8% of merchandise exports, increased 13.09% more..

Aug 25 (Island) Election Commission (EC) is contemplating legal action against 3,067 candidates who failed to submit their campaign expenditure reports for past elections. Among them are 3 candidates who contested the 2023 prez election: Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera, Sarath Keerthisena, and Packiyaselvam Ariyanethran. Police have completed investigations into complaints filed by the Election Commission against 13 individuals, including the parties & nominees more..

Aug 25 (AD) DIG of the Colombo Range, Uditha Liyanage, who was arrested by the CID in connection with allegations of aiding and abetting illegal treasure hunting, has been remanded, Ada Derana reporter said. He was remanded by the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court until Sept 1. The CID arrested DIG Uditha Liyanage earlier today in connection with the allegations of treasure hunting levelled against his wife, police said. The A'pura Police recently arrested 8 people, more..

Aug 25 (TM) A revision of pharmaceutical prices is currently underway, with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) working on re-registering and determining the prices of previously registered products. According to NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, gazette for the revision of prices for individual pharmaceutical products is being issued with the necessary legal framework. more..

Aug 25 (NW) Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested Friday on corruption charges following an investigation into his travel to the UK in Sept 2023, Police officials confirmed, revealing what they said was limited information in an ongoing investigation. DIG Kalinga Jayasinghe said investigators found that Wickremesinghe’s two-day trip to London, on Sept. 22 and 23, 2023, was initially recorded as a private visit despite being financed with state funds. more..

Aug 25 (CT) A total of 61 journalists were awarded Asidisi Media Scholarships for 2025 at a ceremony held last Friday at the Ministry of Mass Media in Narahenpita, under the patronage of Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. The scheme provides financial assistance to full-time, part-time, freelance, regional, web journalists, and media technicians with at least 3 years of service in recognised media institutions. Each recipient will receive up to Rs 200,000 for degree and postgraduate studies, more..

Aug 25 (AD) Rapper Madhawa Prasad, popularly known by his stage name Maduwa, has been arrested by the Kahathuduwa Police for possession of a fake firearm and narcotics. The arrest followed an investigation into a video circulating on Facebook, showing a group of six individuals in possession of narcotics and a firearm, allegedly consuming drugs. Based on these investigations, police arrested the rapper at a housing complex in Homagama, where he had been residing. more..

Aug 25 (EN) India’s CEAT group said it has inked a deal with SL’s Board of Investment to spend 171 million dollars to expand off-highway-tyre (OHT) and track plants in Sri Lanka, which were acquired from Michelin. CEAT bought a tyre plant in Midigama plant and a casting product plant in Kotugoda as part of the deal. “With CEAT’s vision of expanding our global off-highway tyre business, we have great plans for this country,” Amit Tolani, CEO, CEAT Specialty, said in the statement. more..

Aug 25 (TM) National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed significant delays and financial irregularities in the Rs. 135 million project to improve the Correctional Centre for Youthful Offenders in Pallansena, Negombo – a project initiated to address severe prison overcrowding. The project, proposed by the National Planning Dept in 2019, was scheduled to begin on 28 Sept 2020 and be completed by 31 Dec 2020. more..

Aug 25 (NW) Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra has drawn a sharp distinction between official and personal foreign travel by public officials, stressing that state funds must never be used for private purposes. Hemachandra said there are only two categories of travel for those holding office: official visits undertaken in service of the country, and personal trips that must be fully self-financed. “There is no such thing as semi-official or partial official. more..

Aug 25 (AD) A group of prominent opposition politicians met today (25) to discuss the situation surrounding former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently in remand custody. The meeting was held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, where the attendees also deliberate on future political activities. The meeting was attended by former Prez Maithripala Sirisena, MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Kabir Hashim, Kavinda more..

Aug 25 (IANS) Chinese involvement in SL’s gemstone industry is causing significant revenue losses to the island nation's crisis-ridden economy and impacting local businesses, according to an article in The Financial Post. Chinese nationals have allegedly exported gems worth approximately 30 billion rupees from SL, as part of smuggling operations that deprive the country of precious tax revenue and pose a serious threat to more..

Aug 25 (CT) Last year (2024) alone, over 4,000 women and children received support through Japan grant-funded Model Children and Women’s Bureaus (MCWBs) located countrywide, Japan’s Embassy in SL said. This was in the context that yesterday alone, Kenji Ohashi, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, and Dr. Dayanath Ranatunga, Assistant Representative of UNFPA SL, handed over another newly constructed Japan-funded MCWB more..

Aug 25 (GT) The skies above Sri Lanka’s capital came alive in a dazzling display of colour as the Colombo International Kite Festival took flight over the weekend. Held at the iconic Galle Face Green park, the event drew thousands of spectators who marvelled at the artistry and creativity of kites soaring high above the Indian Ocean. More than 55 international kite flyers from 25 countries joined local enthusiasts, transforming the skyline into a moving canvas of shapes and shades. more..

Aug 26 (DM) The arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremasinghe over alleged misuse of public funds - literally a legal issue -- has inevitably become a huge political issue mainly as it has signalled what is in store for many other leaders of Opposition political parties who have rallied behind the jailed leader, apparently because of the very threat. Wickremasinghe has been arrested over an incident during a foreign tour. While on his way back from a G77 summit in Cuba, he attended more..

Aug 26 (GV) There is a picture of Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena seated side by side inside the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court, waiting for the verdict on Mr. Wickremesinghe’s bail application. In Nov 2014, the two men united to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa’s third presidential bid and to end Rajapaksa familial rule. The popularity of the Rajapaksa regime was waning and its defeat at the next national election was a statistical possibility. more..

Aug 26 (DM) The health sector comes under a lot of fire. In the recent past, several patients have died due to alleged mistakes made by nurses, who are often accused of being short-tempered and rude in govt hospitals. But there is another side to this story. Medical workers, from doctors to nurses, physiotherapists and attendants, are the most overworked sections of SL’s workforce. They have always worked under pressure, more..

Aug 26 (DM) Around the world, about 12 million child marriages (or marriages of girls less than 18 years of age) occur every year. Child marriage is considered a hallmark of backward societies, but it is also prevalent in the world’s most advanced country, the US, among ultra conservative whites. In 2025, the US is still grappling with child marriage, a practice many assume had long gone. While 16 States and Washington, D.C., have banned marriage under age 18 with no exceptions, more..

Aug 26 (ST) As former SL President, the 76-year-old Ranil Wickremesinghe was led to Welikada jail to spend the next four nights on its remand floors or until freed on bail, a shocked nation, bewildered at the dramatic happenings of the day, could only wonder whether the Govt had politically bitten off more than it could chew. Earlier on Friday morning, Ranil Wickremesinghe had arrived at the office of the FCID to give a statement regarding his visit to London to attend a ceremony more..

Aug 26 (TM) The Central Expressway Project (CEP) has long been promoted as a game-changing infrastructure project that would connect Colombo with the central provinces and ease crippling road congestion. Yet nearly a decade after its launch, the project remains mired in delays, cost overruns, and uncertainty. Now, the incumbent Govt is seeking Cabinet approval to borrow the equivalent of $ 500 million in renminbi (RMB) more..

Aug 26 (TM) Vulnerable SL youth continue to be exploited by human traffickers, with many forced into occupations that they did not sign up for or pressed into criminal activity by crime groups overseas. While Sri Lanka has made strides in combatting human trafficking, gaps in awareness and desperation to find employment overseas continues to make Sri Lankans vulnerable to exploitation, it is learnt. The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF), in coordination with more..