Aug 7 (DM) Just days ago the NPP govt in keeping with its pre-election promises set in motion legislation to do away with the pension scheme for MPs. The scheme was the brain-child of our first Executive Prez JR Jayawardene way back in 1977. It was also, according to reports, the first legislative enactment of that regime! The motive was clearly, looking after MPs interests over those of citizens. Though many MPs may have felt heart-burn over the loss of their pension rights, more..

Aug 7 (DM) SL’s agriculture remains beholden to a law from 1958 that compels nearly half of the country’s poorest farmers to plant rice, even though alternative crops could more than double their earnings. What began as a measure to protect tenant cultivators and secure food supply has become a straitjacket, trapping farmers in persistent poverty and denying them the freedom to respond to market signals. This is accountability turned on its head, with govt edicts overruling more..

Aug 7 (DM) R.M. Jayawardhana, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, takes questions on the current crisis in brown sugar manufacturing and the high prices of essential items. Q: The cost of living went through the roof during the economic crisis. Prices of essential items are still high. What are the plans by the govt to bring them down? By the time we got into power, prices remained high. more..

Aug 7 (DM) The recent statement by the Secretary of Defence that underworld activities do not pose a threat to national security is a point of contention that demands a rigorous and fact-based examination. This perspective, which seemingly compartmentalises criminal activity from the broader security framework, is at odds with the modern understanding of national security. The evidence, both anecdotal and statistical, points to a clear and direct link between the proliferation of more..

Aug 7 (TM) With education reforms once again topical, many opinions are being shared as to what should be taught. The fact that we need an overhaul of the education system has been apparent for many decades, yet remained largely unaddressed, often with support from many in the current Govt, who were part of various student movements that saw any change to the status quo as an imperialist conspiracy to weaken the nation. Now in the driving seat of governance, let us hope those old more..

Aug 7 (TM) A startling investigation by the COPE has uncovered what its Chairman Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera describes as a potential criminal offence and a conspiracy within the Land Reform Commission (LRC). The probe has revealed a deeply concerning case where a deceased individual’s signature and fingerprint had allegedly appeared on official land documents years after his death, raising serious questions more..

Aug 7 (CT) The chilling revelation that 19 children died by suicide in the Gampaha District in just the past year should shake us to our very core. These are not faceless statistics. Each number represents a young life cut tragically short, a family plunged into unimaginable grief, and a society that has failed to shield its most vulnerable members. It is a harsh indictment of a system that, rather than nurturing young minds, appears to be grinding them down. At a recent meeting of the Gampaha more..

Aug 7(Island) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament yesterday that 63 individuals, including politicians, their family members and state officials, had been arrested for bribery and corruption during the last six months or so. Her statement coincided with the news that Shasheendra Rajapaksa, had been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). His arrest came as no surprise; it had been in the air for months. more..

Aug 7 (GV) Twenty nine years ago, in September 1996, schoolgirl Krishanthi Kumarasamy was brutally raped and killed by the military. She was my schoolmate at Chundikuli Girls College in Jaffna. As a 16-year old student I was afraid to express myself. I buried memories of my Jaffna school to forget the murder of Krishanthi. My red and black school tie, which was once my pride, became my pain. Each time I saw the old photos of myself in the tie, I was reminded of Krishanthi’s death. more..

Aug 7(Island) The school is a place that is not restricted to formal, classroom learning. It is also a place where students explore, develop and hone their interests in sports, literature and arts. Schools pay special attention to these extra-curricular activities as they are essential for recreational purposes. By participating in extra-curricular activities, students cultivate a long-lasting passion for creativity and a deep interest in collaborating with others. more..

Aug 7 (DN) SL’s reigning short course national champion Minagi Rupesinghe and World Aquatics scholar Ramudi Samarakoon, both representing Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA), broke national records in the 400m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke respectively on the opening day of the 49th SL National and Junior National Aquatic Championship 2025, held at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex yesterday. more..

Aug 7 (FT) INSEE Cement, SL’s number one cement company with flagship brands INSEE Sanstha and Mahaveli Marine Plus representing over 55 years of trust, in a strategic move, has partnered the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), the nation’s premier research institution in advanced technologies, to launch a collaborative research program focused on driving innovation and sustainability in Sri Lanka’s construction sector. The MoU was signed at a ceremony recently with more..

Aug 7 (FT) Hemas Holdings said it sustained a positive trajectory in the first quarter of FY2026 from the previous year, achieving a cumulative revenue of Rs. 28.5 billion, delivering a resilient performance. Operating profit and earnings grew by 6.9% and 26.1%, respectively, reaching Rs. 2.1 billion and Rs. 1.2 billion for the quarter. The year-on-year (YoY) improvement in Group earnings was driven by stronger topline growth, improved gross profit margins, and reduced finance costs. more..

Aug 7 (DN) Dialog Axiata and H Connect International emerged as the big winners at the Grand Finale of the inaugural DEI Champion Awards 2025, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) programme, on Aug 5 at Cinnamon Life City of Dreams. Dialog was crowned the corporate sector champion, while H Connect was adjudged champion in the MSME sector. more..

Aug 7 (TM) NPP MP Aravinda Senarath has announced that he is stepping down as the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA). He made this announcement during yesterday’s Parliamentary proceedings. Senarath said that he decided to step down as the COPA Chair after a decision was taken to grant the post to a Member of the Opposition. Accordingly, he stated that he will continue to function as a member of the Committee and discharge his duties. more..

Aug 7 (TM) Demand and pricing for SL’s spice exports, namely for pepper, cinnamon and karunka have been impacted by the re-export of refuse produce from countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam, Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said. “There’s been a lot of challenges faced in this segment, especially in the re-export segment. It was found that exporters imported pepper from Indonesia and Vietnam, mix them with SL produce and more..

Aug 7 (DN) The Samaposha Provincial School Games 2025 will commence on Aug 11, bringing together 25,000 student-athletes from 3,000 schools across seven provinces in one of the country’s largest sporting events. Now in its ninth year, the Games supported by Samaposha, will feature over 70 events, turning provincial stadiums into proving grounds for SL’s next generation of athletes. Winners will take home trophies, medals, and certificates, rewarding their hard work more..

Aug 7 (DN) Sri Lanka’s Masters Swimming Team, made up of 23 experienced swimmers and one diver, left the island yesterday to represent the country at the World Aquatic Championships 2025, currently taking place in Singapore. The team includes swimmers from different age categories who have continued their love for the sport beyond their competitive youth years. For many, this is more than just a competition — it is a celebration of lifelong dedication to swimming. more..

Aug 7 (FT) The Central Bank of SL (CBSL) has in the first half of 2025 purchased $ 1 billion from the domestic market, in the process boosting reserves, liquidity, and private sector credit. Liquidity in SL’s domestic money market remained in surplus throughout the first half of 2025, continuing a trend that began in April 2024. As of end-June 2025, excess liquidity stood at Rs. 138.1 billion, down from Rs. 168.1 billion at end-2024. more..

Aug 7 (DN) The much-anticipated SLC T20 League gets underway today at the SSC Grounds, with Team Blues taking on Team Greens in the tournament opener at 1.30 p.m. This competition carries major significance as national selectors look to finalise the squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe T20 series and the Asia Cup. With several positions still open—particularly the crucial No. 4 and No. 6 batting slots—the tournament provides an ideal platform for emerging talent and consistent more..

Aug 7 (FT) The Govt’s move to issue on-arrival driving licences to tourists is off to a brisk start, with over 120 permits granted in the first three days, whilst pushing the tourism industry to adapt to changing visitor preferences. Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe on Tuesday said the on-arrival temporary driving licence service at the BIA has issued over 120 permits to international travellers within three days of operation. more..

Aug 7 (ST) The Foreign Ministry has stepped in to provide a Sinhala-French interpretation for tomorrow’s court hearing against a group of Lankan fishermen who have been detained in Madagascar. Eight Lankan fishermen are currently detained in Madagascar on allegations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing within Madagascar’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The ministry, through its Consular Affairs Division and in coordination with SL HC in Seychelles more..

Aug 7 (DN) The SL Germany Forum (SLGF) has provided an opportunity for local manufacturers to reach the German market with their products. Chairman of the Sri Lanka Germany Forum Suneth Wijesinghe said that the basic framework required for Sri Lankan products especially for small and medium-scaled SL manufacturers to enter the German market, has now been prepared. Accordingly, he revealed that there is a very good market for high-quality products in Germany. more..

Aug 7 (DM) The Supreme Court found an attorney guilty of deceit and malpractice and ordered his removal from office as an Attorney-at-Law, following an incident where he had torn two pages from a case record at the record room of the Court of Appeal in 2023. Delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena observed that the actions of the respondent, Attorney-at-Law Dharmasiri Karunaratne, had tarnished more..

Aug 7 (AD) Kandy Magistrate’s Court has ordered retired Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody to be released on bail. Former Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody, who was arrested by the CID for allegedly lodging a false complaint, was previously ordered remanded by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court. This order was issued after the retired police officer, who was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ragama, was examined by the Mahara Magistrate. On July 28, former Senior DIG Priyantha more..

Aug 7 (FT) Hayleys Mobility, newest venture under Hayleys Fentons, yesterday announced its entry into the electric and hybrid vehicle market through an exclusive distribution partnership with OMODA and JAECOO Automobile Co, the premium New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brand of Chery Automobile Co. The agreement grants Hayleys Mobility full franchise rights in Sri Lanka for OMODA and JAECOO. Chery has been the leader in China’s passenger vehicle exports for more than 22 yrs, more..

Aug 7 (CT) Around 200 individuals visited the display of evidence recovered from the Chemmani mass graves, which was open to the public on Tuesday (5) from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibition showcased items linked to individual victims, and officials stated that any further items recovered in the future that are associated with individuals will also be displayed for public viewing. Meanwhile, six new sets of skeletal remains were identified on Tuesday at the Chemmani site. more..

Aug 7 (FT) When Sri Lankan design talent takes the stage at events like London’s Graduate Fashion Week, it signals more than individual success, it proves that creative youth from our island can compete globally and highlights the untapped potential of our creative industries. This year, that promise was brought to life by Nethangi Fernando, an emerging designer from AOD, who presented her final-year collection at the world’s largest platform for new fashion talent. more..

Aug 7 (DM) While highlighting that Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith will send a letter of demand to NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa on the remark he made on the Cardinal skipping the Easter Sunday service in 2019, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said that it will be sent only to get Weerawansa to correct his statement. “Letters of demand are usually sent by more..

Aug 7 (FT) The Cabinet at their meeting on Monday approved a series of international medical procurement contracts valued at over $ 5.6 million to strengthen the supply of essential drugs and surgical equipment in the country’s healthcare system. Among the approvals was the purchase of 900,000 pre-filled syringes/vials (0.4 ml, 4,000 IU) of Enoxaparin Sodium, a critical anticoagulant used in treating heart patients. The contract, valued at $ 1.143 million, was awarded to M/s Gland more..

Aug 7 (TM) When threatening calls are received by Police officers in connection with ongoing criminal investigations, the Police would take legal action after verifying the authenticity of such calls, said the ASP F.U. Wootler. He said: “When certain Police officers receive suspicious calls, a formal entry is made. A detailed investigation is then carried out to verify the identity and authenticity of the caller. Once confirmed, the matter will be reported to the respective courts, and legal action more..

Aug 7 (EN) SL’s parliament passed an amendment to the island’s new electricity law that was expected to break up the sector in line with a plan supported by multilateral lenders which would also attract new private investment. The changes will keep parts of the existing system 100 percent under Govt ownership permanently, Minister Kumara Jayakody said. NPP administration had a plan for the sector before they were elected, more..

Aug 7 (FT) An authentically non-elitist leader who broke the caste-class barrier in 1988, President R. Premadasa, (AKD doesn’t meet the first criterion), together with his elitist minister Ranjan Wijeratne, literally smashed the Colombo empire of casino king Joe Sim. Now, under Anura Dissanayake’s presidency and in his presence, Lawrence Ho, a Hong Kong born Canadian and CEO of Melco, recommends that SL be to India what Macau is to China, indicates that is our goal & trajectory. more..

Aug 7 (FT) Two important pillars are essential for a fair and transparent tax system. They are: a well-informed public and an accountable tax authority. A weakness or strength of either pillar determines the level of the integrity of the entire system. The strength creates a conducive environment where mutual respect among tax payers and officials, increased tax compliance and friendly culture prevail. The weakness leads to mutual mistrust, increased tax evasion and avoidance and more..