Aug 3 (SO) A series of activities to raise awareness and boost the digital economy will be held across the country throughout the Digital Month in September, said Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne. Ministry of Digital Economy has declared next month as the Digital Month. Weeraratne was addressing the gathering at the Uber Springboard, an initiative to drive tech startups forward by Uber in Colombo last week. He said programs will be held from the North toSouth more..

Aug 3 (ST) Days after a bill seeking to scrap presidential privileges was published this week, two former presidents—Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena—met in Colombo to discuss the possibility of challenging the bill in the Supreme Court. A bill was published on Thursday by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration seeking to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, under which all former presidents are eligible for official residence, payment for more..

Aug 3 (ST) NPP govt claimed a major victory this week as the Trump administration made a further reduction in the reciprocal tariff rate it had imposed on SL goods exported to the US. Announcement, which reached SL early Friday, was welcomed by representative bodies of the business community and politicians. A sense of relief was reflected at the CSE, which hit a historic high at the close of trading on Friday, with ASPI surging more..

Aug 4 (DM) Indeed, fish, rice and milk, so central to our nutrition, are ubiquitous. Nevertheless, the small scale producers are left at the mercy of the traders with little value addition in the region; and these producers of our staple foods have seen little progress in their social and economic lives. This difficult situation of the farmers and fisher-folk are marked by different political, historical and economic factors of the region. The long history of conflict and polarising politics could be one reason more..

Aug 4 (CT) Over the past few weeks, a growing debate has emerged surrounding the local education system, as the Govt signals its intention to implement new educational reforms. Anyone with a degree of common sense would recognise and accept that Sri Lanka is in urgent need of strong and effective reform in this area. While we often complain about the shortcomings and failures of our society—and sadly continue to witness them firsthand—we remain, paradoxically, resistant to change. more..

Aug 4 (CT) When international DJ Tom Monagle posted a video from Arugam Bay claiming, I thought Arugam Bay was in SL, but it looks like it’s in Tel Aviv, it wasn’t just a flippant comment from a passing foreigner. It was a candid, even uncomfortable, reflection on how certain communities — empowered by privilege, money, and sometimes political backing — can inadvertently (or otherwise) overstep the boundaries of more..

Aug 4 (DM) In April 2022, our govt announced that it was defaulting, making it the first sovereign default. Our external debt for 2023 was 61.71 billion US dollars. The country was facing shortages of all basics from food and fuel to power. Blackouts were the order of the day. However after throwing out a corrupt regime, with the help of a 4 billion dollar credit line from India and IMF EFF, by end 2024 the country had steadied its economy and was taking its first steps out of its indebted situation. more..

Aug 4 (CT) Sri Lanka’s education system, once a beacon of progress in South Asia with its high literacy rate, now faces pressing challenges. Disparities in quality of education —particularly between urban and rural areas—are widening due to outdated curricula, insufficient resources, and a shortage of qualified teachers. Socio-economic barriers contribute to higher dropout rates and unequal access to quality education, threatening upward social mobility. more..

Aug 4 (TM) The number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in SL has risen significantly following the recent reopening of the vehicle import market. While this shift marks a positive step towards cleaner, low-emission transport and aligns with global climate goals, it also raises a crucial question: is SL’s energy infrastructure prepared to meet the growing demand for EV charging, especially as SL grapples with challenges in electricity sector? more..

Aug 4 (Island) Several tributes have already appeared in the media regarding Bradman. This subtitle is taken from an upcoming book by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Vikram (Vik) Malhotra and Kurt Strovink. Besides being the Secretary to no less than nine Prezs and PMs, he also came to play the role more of a de facto CEO of the nation advising them on trouble shooting and steering the ship in muddy and rough waters. My piece reflects on a different aspect of his life and times, more..

Aug 4 (TM) Over the last five years, there has been a visible awakening of the citizenry in SL, with more people now interested in how governance works. There has been a clear uptick in the consumption of content on political literacy and economic literacy amongst SL’s both young and old. This trend is a positive sign for a functional democracy. SL’s decline over the last 50 or so years has partially been a result of the lack of participatory democracy which we see is increasingly gaining traction, today. more..

Aug 4 (Island) The NPP govt is on cloud nine, following a further reduction in the US tariff rate for SL from 30% to 20%. Prez Donald Trump initially fixed it at a staggering 44%! Obviously, the Trump administration did not act out of altruism when it agreed to tariff reductions for SL as well as other countries. What are the specific conditions that the US laid down for a downward revision of its reciprocal tariff for SL? Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma more..

Aug 4 (ST) When Pulitzer prize winning journalist Wesley Lowery cleverly punned the election of US Prez Donald Trump in his first term (2017-2021) succeeding to the liberal Black (almost) law professor Barack Obama as a whitelash (American Whitelash and the Changing Cost of Progress; 2023), that was only half the story. Essentially Lowery was referring to a cyclical pattern of violence that he said, had marred every moment of racial progress in the US where Obama’s more..

Aug 4 (DN) Javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga and quarter-miler Nadeesha Ramanayaka were adjudged the best male and female athletes at the 103rd National Athletics Championship, concluded at Diyagama yesterday. Tharanga was also awarded the Challenge Trophy for the Overall Best Performance of this meet. Rumesh Tharanga of SL Air Force finished men’s Javelin Throw with a impressive performance of 82.36 m while more..

Aug 4 (FT) Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho on Saturday praised Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural richness, along with its authenticity as a powerful differentiator in the global leisure and gaming industry, positioning the country as more than just a conventional casino destination. Speaking at a press conference at the newly opened City of Dreams, South Asia’s first fully integrated luxury resort, he said that unlike more narrowly focused gaming destinations, more..

Aug 4 (FT) Diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings has delivered a resilient start to FY26, reporting strong top and bottom line growth. Group recorded a consolidated revenue of Rs. 15.9 billion during the first quarter of the current financial year (1QFY26), up by 11.6% YoY, with Profit after tax (PAT) up by 20.6% YoY to Rs. 1.7 billion. The Group sustained this positive momentum across its core sectors—Healthcare, Consumer and Agribusiness, supported by improving economic conditions more..

Aug 4 (FT) The Teejay Group, a leading South Asian multinational textile manufacturer, has reported a resilient performance for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, demonstrating its operational strength and strategic agility in the face of continued global market headwinds. The Group recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 0.21 billion for the quarter ended 30 June 2025, reflecting a notable 31% year-on-year growth. This achievement, amid subdued global demand and more..

Aug 4 (FT) John Keells Holdings (JKH) Chairperson Krishan Balendra on Saturday expressed confidence that the long-anticipated launch of City of Dreams Colombo will catalyse a new era for SL’s tourism and hospitality sectors, positioning Colombo as a premier regional destination. Speaking at a press conference, Balendra noted that the project had been over a decade in the making, first conceptualised in 2010-2011 as Sri Lanka emerged from its decades-long civil conflict. more..

Aug 4 (EN) SL’s current foreign exchange earning in June 2025 was US$ 2.28 billion made up of goods, exports, remittances, service exports including tourism, which was 604 million dollars above goods imports. Goods exports were US$ 1.14 billion, up 6%, remittances were US$ 635 million up 22%, and other services were US$ 508 million. In services tourism earnings were US$ 169.5 million, IT/BPO services were US$ 508 m, up 16.6%. more..

Aug 4 (CT) The Kattankudy town observed a complete shutdown yesterday (3) to mark the 35th anniversary of one of the deadliest massacres carried out by the LTTE, in which 103 Muslim worshippers were killed during evening prayers. All shops, markets, banks, and private establishments in Kattankudy remained closed, with white flags flown across the town in a collective act of remembrance & grief. Town fell silent as residents observed the day as one of mourning. more..

Aug 4 (ST) Mixed reactions were received from SL’s apparel and plantations sectors after the US Govt enforced a 20% tariff on Sri Lanka goods to the US, announcing the new, reduced tax on Friday (1). The tax would be effective from Aug 7. The tariff is a sharp reduction from the first announced 44%, some months back, which came down to 30% and then following extensive video/zoom discussions between SL and US trade officials and also a video discussion between Prez Anura Kumara more..

Aug 4 (FT) Sri Lanka welcomed 200,244 tourists in July, registering a 7% year-on-year (YoY) growth and marking the highest monthly arrivals since 2018. The strong performance, driven by end-of-month momentum, reflects renewed interest buoyed by SL recently being ranked no. 1 on the 2025 list of The 50 Best Islands in the World by international travel platform Big 7 Travel—an accolade that offers valuable visibility amid more..

Aug 4 (FT) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on Friday officially launched a Central Counterparty (CCP) framework for equity transactions, significantly enhancing the safety, efficiency, and global appeal of the domestic financial system. The launch was celebrated with a special market opening ceremony, marking the culmination of years of regulatory and infrastructure reform aimed at modernising the country’s post-trade environment and aligning with international standards. more..

Aug 4 (NW) The govt is responsible for protecting citizens whose rights are affected by media content, according to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa. Speaking at a certificate awarding ceremony for graduates of the 10th Diploma in Media Studies and Journalism program conducted by the Sri Lanka Press Council, Jayathissa said new laws are being drafted to safeguard citizens from the impact of content spread through social and other digital media. more..

Aug 4 (NW) A new meditation hall at the historic Seetha Amman Temple in Nuwara Eliya was officially inaugurated on Saturday, in a ceremony attended by Minister Vijitha Herath and Indian High Commissioner Santhosh Jha. Named the Ashok Vatika Anushree Meditation Centre, the facility was funded through private donations by devotees from New Delhi, India. Indian HC Jha, addressing the gathering, said the initiative reflects the deep spiritual and people-to-people ties between more..

Aug 4 (NW) Minister Vasantha Samarasinghe says the govt will proceed with the proposed abolition of pensions for MPs, reaffirming that reducing privileges granted to politicians remains a key objective of the current administration. Responding to recent remarks made by former JVP MP Nandana Gunathilaka, Samarasinghe said the move is part of a broader effort to reduce the financial burden on the public. Gunathilaka, in a Facebook post on Friday, expressed concern over the proposal, more..

Aug 4 (TM) SL’s ambitious drive to electrify its transport sector could come at a steep cost, with the CEB revealing that the transition may add $ 1 billion in operational expenses to the country’s power system by 2044, as revealed in the CEB’s Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP) 2025-2044. This projection is linked to the anticipated rise in electricity demand driven by aggressive Electric Vehicle (EV) penetration, more..

Aug 4 (FT) The SL Export Development Board (EDB) welcomed the US Govt’s decision to further reduce reciprocal tariffs on Sri Lankan exports to 20%, calling it a monumental achievement for the nation’s economic recovery and future prosperity. This decisive action, a reduction from the previously announced 30% and an initial proposed 44%, provides critical relief and a level playing field for SL exporters in their most important market. “This is not merely a tariff reduction; more..

Aug 4 (FT) CIABOC has announced that legal action will be taken against any Executive Grade State officials who fail to submit their assets and liabilities declarations by 31 Aug 2025. Issuing a statement in this regard, the Commission noted that officials who were required to submit their declarations by 31 March should have submitted their assets and liabilities declarations to the respective heads of their institutions by 30 June, in order for them to be forwarded to the CIABOC. more..

Aug 4 (Island) US Ambassador to SL Julie Chung, addressing the AGM of the SL–USA Business Council in Colombo, on Thursday, advocated for the prioritisation of structural reforms, market diversification, and institutional strength for SL’s long-term economic success. Praising the resilience and innovation of Lankan businesses, amid recent challenges, Ambassador Chung highlighted the growing commercial ties between the two nations, called for deeper engagement in trade and more..

Aug 4 (DM) The crucial first package of the Central Expressway’s Section 3, connecting Pothuhera to Rambukkana, is on schedule to open to the public in 2026, with Access Engineering set to complete its foundational work by September of this year. Access Engineering Executive Vice Chairman Christopher Joshua confirmed that the company’s extensive work on the project is nearing completion. “The rock blasting and the development of the roadway, without the final pavement, more..

Aug 4 (TM) In the midst of around 100 skeletal remains being discovered at the Chemmani mass grave, TMTK urged the Govt to seek an international oversight mechanism, claiming that public trust in domestic authorities investigating the matter has collapsed. TMTK Leader and former MP, C.V. Vigneswaran, said that almost all the govts since the alleged massacre have failed to deliver justice to the victims of the incident. more..

Aug 4 (ST) As many as 25 people arrested by the Dehiwala and Kohuwala police on charges of possessing drugs such as heroin and ice, and subsequently remanded, have been released by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court after reports by the Govt Analyst revealed the drugs they were accused of possessing were not drugs at all. Tragically, one of them committed suicide after returning home and becoming depressed by the problems his family had undergone following his arrest. more..

Aug 4 (Island) The Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has accused a section of Health Ministry officials of straining its relations with the govt. Secretary to the GMOA Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa has, in a media statement, claimed these officials act in contravention of the govt policy. Dr. Sugathadasa issued the statement following a meeting between the members of the new GMOA Executive Committee and Health and Mass media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa on Friday (01). more..

Aug 4 (DM) Foreign tourists arriving in SL can obtain temporary driving licenses directly at the BIA. The on-arrival service counter, launched today aims to enhance convenience for travellers, particularly those who rent vehicles near the airport and prefer to drive during their stay. Previously, tourists could only obtain temporary driving permits from the Dept of Motor Traffic in Werahera. Most tourists use motorcycles, three-wheelers and more..

Aug 4 (FT) Environment consists of all endowments which nature has bequeathed to organisms so that they could arise, co-exist and, eventually as Nature has dictated, decay into oblivion. These endowments cover a wide range of natural phenomena such as different organisms themselves, atmosphere, hydrosphere, earth including its minerals, sunlight, etc. Man, like other organisms, has been liberally using the environment for his living, ever since he came into existence on the earth. more..