Aug 31 (EN) Sri Lanka inflation in the capital Colombo rose 2% over the 35 months since Sept 2022, when the central bank’s deflationary policy started to show up in the balance of payments. In the 12-months to August 2025, consumer prices were up 1.2%, data from the Department of Census and Statistics showed. Colombo Consumer Price Index fell 0.4% absolutely in the month of August to 193.3 points after falling 0.2% in July. The CCPI Index is now at levels seen in Nov 2023. more..

Aug 31 (ST) Countries like India and Bangladesh are looking at opportunities available in Sri Lanka to export their products to the US following the recently imposed high tariffs on imports to the US and political stability. With Sri Lanka enjoying a 20% tariffs on exports to the US there is growing attraction with Indian and Bangladeshi companies looking to give orders to local factories for manufacturing of garments, JAAF Deputy Chairman and Omega Line CEO Felix Fernando said. more..

Aug 31 (ST) Former Prez and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that opposition party leaders have been invited to attend the party’s Sept 6 (annual convention, where they are to discuss the current political situation in the country. Speaking on his return home from a stint in hospital after his arrest, remand and later bail, he said that as a first step in opposition unity, the UNP would remove the suspension order against all its party members who left and joined the breakaway SJB more..

Aug 31 (TM) Sinopec has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, despite the lack of any final agreement on the Hambantota plan, according to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage confirmed that Sinopec had shown interest in Sapugaskanda, noting that the company’s decision to explore both refinery projects simultaneously could explain the hold up on Hambantota. more..

Aug 31 (CT) A special operation carried out recently by a team of Sri Lanka Police officers in a foreign country has now entered the annals of Police history. Indeed, it was a historic crackdown executed by the SL Police. What made it extraordinary was that a ruthless gang of underworld criminals, who while living overseas were continuing to engage in various crimes within Sri Lanka, were all captured by the Police team. more..

Aug 31 (ST) Former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake are to be summoned to the CID to make statements in relation to two separate cases. Mr. Rajapaksa is to be summoned over a statement made by former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon over the failure to control the attack on the Aragalaya protestors at Galle Face Green. Mr. Ekanayake has been directed to report to the CID tomorrow to make a statement regarding former Prez Wickremesinghe’s visit to UK, more..

Aug 31 (AD) The high-profile underworld figures, including Kehelbaddara Padme, who were recently arrested in Indonesia, have been brought back to the island this evening (30). A special police team from SL was dispatched to Indonesia this morning to facilitate their return. Team had then taken the criminal gang members into their custody from the Indonesian authorities and boarded a flight back to the island from Jakarta. According to reports, the special police team accompanying more..

Aug 31 (ST) The arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had the unexpected result of showcasing a rare display of unity by all leading opposition political parties as they campaigned together for his release. Rallying cry of the opposition is against what they call oppression of political opponents driven by feelings of revenge. Mr. Wickremesinghe, who is the leader of the UNP, seems to be adopting a more conciliatory more..