Aug 26 (CT) SL has a lot to be proud of, from its rich cultural heritage and its natural beauty to the warmth and hospitality of its people. But it’s also among these people that we see over 4,000 women and children in the past year alone, reaching out for help and security for protection against the hands of aggressors, most often from people they once trusted the most, or share a bond of family, or matrimony. More than 4,000 victims were supported in fourteen facilities located across the island, more..

Aug 26 (Island) The arrest and remand of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was unexpected. It seems that the former Prez did not believe that he would suffer the fate of countless others when he went to the police to be questioned on a Friday. He ended the day in handcuffs and was taken away in the Black Maria used for the transport of criminals to jail. He is currently in the intensive care unit of the National Hospital, Colombo. This episode has caused much controversy and heartburn. more..

Aug 26 (Island) Minister Bimal Rathnayake has said Ranil Wickremesinghe should have been arrested about four decades ago over the Batalanda torture chamber, the 1983 racial violence, etc. The former has also flayed the latter for the Treasury bond scams (2015). It is now up to the judiciary to scrutinise charges against Wickremesinghe, arrested and remanded for alleged misuse of state funds, and determine whether he is guilty or not. Those who are keen to have corruption more..

Aug 26 (TM) Sri Lanka is looking to increase its coconut export revenues from last year’s $ 864.3 million to $ 2.2 billion by 2030, a 154% increase in earnings, Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industry (CCCI) Chairperson Jayantha Samarakoon said, speaking on the govt’s initiative to establish a Northern province-based coconut cultivation triangle. “We are looking to increase export earnings to $ 2.2 billion by 2030, to achieve this we would more..

Aug 26 (FT) Lanka IOC (LIOC) announced the appointment of Anuj Jain as Chairman of the Board. The company also appointed Saumitra Srivastava and Rajesh Singh as Non-Executive Directors. In a stock exchange filing LIOC said Jain is presently on the Board of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, a Fortune 500 Indian oil and gas major, as the Director (Finance), and is the CFO of the company. He is a Chartered Accountant and also holds master’s in Business Finance from more..

Aug 26 (FT) Exporters’ Association of SL (EASL) held its 28th Annual General Meeting with European Union to SL Ambassador Carmen Moreno as Chief Guest. EU Ambassador emphasised the vital importance of compliance, sustainability, and regional integration, highlighting how these factors offer small and medium-sized enterprises a competitive edge, support sustainable sourcing, and strengthen connectivity in Asia and Africa. She also underscored EU efforts to support more..

Aug 26 (FT) A fingerprint-based attendance system, is the reason behind at least one of the ongoing strikes in the country. Although fingerprint machines have been installed in most govt institutions to monitor attendance, they are unused in a majority of state offices, including within the health sector. Dy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said that using fingerprint machines to track attendance is not unique to a single govt sector. more..

Aug 26 (FT) The National Chamber of Exporters of SL (NCE) has said it has entered into a partnership with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral trade and expanding export opportunities for SL businesses. Recognising the importance of closer regional collaboration, the NCE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIEO, opening doors for enhanced cooperation between Sri Lankan and Indian exporters. more..

Aug 26 (DN) Venuli Jayasinghe of Maliyadeva Girls’ College, Kurunegala, captured her first-ever singles title by winning the Girls’ Under-16 Singles crown, before partnering Sandithi Usgodaarachchi of Musaeus College to secure the Under-16 Doubles championship at the 111th National Tennis Championship, organised by the SL Tennis Association (SLTA), at the SLTA Courts yesterday. Jayasinghe, who had already collected doubles titles in previous editions of the Nationals, more..

Aug 26 (FT) In a significant step towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as a regional maritime hub, Maersk Line has signed a three-year Terminal Service Agreement (TSA) with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The agreement is expected to foster business growth, enhance operational efficiency, and pave the way for stronger collaboration between the global shipping leader and Sri Lanka’s premier port operator, the SLPA said in a statement. more..

Aug 26 (DN) Aashinsa Herath and Panchali Adhikari emerged men’s and women’s champions at the North Central Province Badminton Association (NCPBA) All Island Open Badminton Championship concluded on Sunday at the Sports Department Indoor Stadium, Anuradhapura. The top seed Aashinsa Herath came back from Thailand after taking part at Thailand International Challenge series won in two straight sets over bottom seed Thilina Rajakaruna 21-15, 21-18 in the men’s final. more..

Aug 26 (FT) Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday launched BOI Gateway, its in-house developed Online Investment Approval System and centralised digital platform created to streamline the investment application process. It allows investors to submit project and site applications online. System is structured around three main areas: investor management, investor experience, and staff operations. more..

Aug 26 (DN) Two SL youth weight lifters, Yashini Sathsarani and Himash Tharusha won a silver and a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Weight Weightlifting Championship which commenced yesterday in Hyderabad India. Yashini Sathsarani competed at Youth 44kg girls’ category lifted 104 kg (44kg snatch, clean & jerk 60kg) to win the bronze medal which was the first SL medal yesterday. Indian Preetismita Bhoi won the gold medal with 150kg while Canadian Lexi Fung won silver more..

Aug 26 (FT) Minister Bimal Rathnayake said yesterday that the Govt would begin a series of large-scale development projects in September, with the first phase scheduled to commence in Jaffna. Development work in the Northern Province will start on 2 Sept, with a focus on creating a new Coconut Triangle centred around the Mullaitivu area in the Vanni region. “From 1 Sept, the Govt will implement major development projects for the benefit of the people. more..

Aug 26 (DM) SL’s Board of Investment (BOI) expects foreign direct investment (FDI) to surpass US $ 1 billion this year, supported by the rising inflows, new approvals and ongoing reforms, officials said on Monday. BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath said the country realised FDI of US $ 607 million in the first seven months of 2025, more than double the level in the same period last year and nearly eclipsing the full-year 2024 total of US $ 614 million. “We are on a sustained effort to realise FDI more..

Aug 26 (DN) With the aim of providing high-quality and efficient healthcare services to the people, 20 advanced technology ambulances were handed over to govt hospitals today (25) under the patronage of the Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Each ambulance, valued at over Rs. 25.7 million, was distributed to hospitals under both the Central Govt and Provincial Councils with the support of the Health Systems Improvement Project and the financial contribution of the Asian Development Bank. more..

Aug 26 (EN) SL’s main airport is planning to stretch a peak in aircraft landings in the late night to reduce congestion, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe said. Earlier this month the AASL, which manages the BIA stopped visitors coming to the departure section between the hours of 2200 and 2400 to reduce congestion inside the terminal. Airports have so-called hub peaks where aircraft converge within a short time. more..

Aug 26 (EN) Sri Lanka’s demand for loans is expected to expand further in the third quarter of 2025, on top of high growth in the second quarter, a survey conducted by the central bank has found. “During 2025 Q3, loan demand is expected to increase across all sectors, driven by the increase in vehicle imports, low interest rates, rising consumer confidence, and favourable business and economic outlook,” the central bank said. “Due to the expected further reduction in interest rates, more..

Aug 26 (DM) Janabalaya Movement said that although there are serious grounds on which former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe could have been arrested, the incumbent govt lacks the courage to investigate into his alleged major crimes, let alone charge him over a minor offense such as misappropriation of public funds. At an emergency media briefing to discuss the political tensions following Wickremesinghe’s arrest and the future alignment of the Govt and Opposition, more..

Aug 26 (DM) Bar Association of SL (BASL) issued a statement drawing attention to Constitutional provisions that set out penal measures relating to interference with the judiciary. Referring specifically to Article 111(C)(1) and (2) of the Constitution, BASL called on all stakeholders, including law enforcement authorities, to uphold the rule of law, ensure due process and safeguard the rights and liberties of citizens at all times. The statement was issued in response to a spate of comments more..

Aug 26 (TM) Inter Uni Bhikkhus’ Federation (IUBF) handed over a letter to the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (25) requesting that all MoUs signed between SL and India during the recent visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi be made public. IUBF Convenor Ven. Medirigiriye Issaradhamma Thera said that during Modi’s visit to Colombo in April of this year, several MoUs were signed between the Govt representatives of Sri Lanka and India. Although some media outlets reported that more..

Aug 26 (FT) SL’s export sector continues to show strong resilience, recording $ 9.99 billion in total exports during the first seven months of 2025, a 7.79% year-on-year (YoY) growth, alongside the strongest performance recorded for the month of July. The latest figures, underscore a steady upward trajectory in both merchandise and services exports, despite growing competitiveness and uncertainties in the global markets. more..

Aug 26 (TM) Sri Lanka is looking to increase its tea exports to India and build new partnerships with local companies as US tariffs hinder the competitive edge the island nation had for the US. Under the existing free trade agreement (FTA), Sri Lanka is allowed to export 15 million kilogrammes of tea annually to India on a concessional tariff. However, the island country has been unable to realise its potential. At a trade meeting organised by the World Trade Centre in Mumbai on Wednesday (20), more..

Aug 26 (EN) According to Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital of SL, Dr. Rukshan Bellana Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe will remain under intensive care until today morning. Wickremesinghe, who has been in remand custody since last Friday over allegations of misusing over Rs. 16.6 million in public funds for a private overseas visit, is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. Dr. Bellana stated that a panel of specialist doctors more..

Aug 26 (TM) Leaders of opposition political parties have jointly issued a statement regarding the arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe by the CID. Statement declares that the move to arrest Wickremesinghe and to remand him over a non-bailable offence constitutes a form of State conduct that is moving towards dictatorship, and is in opposition to a multi-party democratic system. According to the statement, more..

Aug 26 (FT) The arrest and remand of a former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe on allegations that public funds were misused to pay for a stop in London connected to a uni event involving his spouse has sparked fierce public debate. At the time of compiling this report the issue has gone far beyond Colombo. This is evident from the statements coming from many individuals outside of SL. At stake is a universal question: what does private really mean when it comes to the travel of national more..

Aug 26 (NW) US multinational technology company, Meta Platforms, Inc., has launched a Digital Govt Day program to upskill media secretaries and representatives of state media institutions. Digital Govt Day program has been launched in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and the ICTA. This is the first workshop that provided the necessary skills in using digital media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads effectively to communicate the digital more..

Aug 26 (AD) Former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the CIABOC has been further remanded until Aug 29. The order was issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Rajapaksa was arrested on August 6 by Bribery Commission officers at his residence in Nugegoda. He was taken into custody in connection with an incident where compensation was allegedly obtained through another individual for a damaged building on a plot of govt land in the Sevanagala- more..

Aug 26 (FT) The arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe is arguably one of the most seismic disruptions to Sri Lankan politics in recent history. It has placed the Govt, the opposition, and the broader political system under the spotlight, testing the credibility of the NPP administration’s anti-corruption drive while simultaneously challenging norms that have enjoyed a high threshold of tolerance within our society. The heated public debate generated by the incident reflects the sharp divides more..

Aug 26 (AD) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested and remanded on Friday, has been granted bail. Order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura. Former Prez Wickremesinghe has been released on three surety bails amounting to Rs. 5 million each. The hearing of the case filed against former Prez commenced at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, at around 1:40 p.m. more..

Aug 26 (EN) COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical gaps in how policies are made and who they serve. Women face distinct challenges that are too often ignored in national responses. To build resilient and equitable public health systems, we must start by listening to women, valuing their experiences, and including them meaningfully in policymaking. True gender-responsive policymaking is not just about fairness, it’s about designing smarter, more inclusive policies that work for everyone. more..

Aug 26 (NW) Bribery Commission submitted a motion before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to confiscate the assets of former minister Rajitha Senaratne, who is currently evading arrest. Filing the motion before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama today, Bribery Commission sought to confiscate assets worth Rs. 30 million in Colombo registered under Rajitha Senaratne’s name. The motion filed by the Bribery Commission is set to be taken up for more..

Aug 26 (DM) Appearing for the Attorney General’s Department, Additional Solicitor General Deelipa Peeris raised serious concerns before court regarding the recent conduct surrounding the proceedings. He pointed out that during Friday’s hearing, a video of the court order had been recorded and circulated on social media. He further noted that while the suspect, Ranil Wickremesinghe was inside the dock, more..

Aug 26 (EN) Sri Lanka’s export development board has conducted awareness sessions on smart solutions for agricultural and aquaculture exporters in the island’s north western and central provinces. The seminar focused on “adopting advanced solutions and provided insights into a diverse range of devices and products designed to enhance productivity and sustainability” of the sectors, EDB said. Over 50 exporters, suppliers, manufacturers attended the seminar more..

Aug 26 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya challenged a media network which aired a news story claiming that she secretly visited former president Ranil Wickremesinghe in hospital. PM urged the network to present evidence of her alleged visit. “If I went to the hospital, there should be some evidence which this news story was based on. News stories can’t be created from the sky,” she said. PM was referring to a report published by Hiru News, which claimed that Amarasuriya had visited the hospital more..