Oct 15 (DM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has decided not to increase electricity tariffs, rejecting a proposal by the CEB to raise rates by 6.8% to cover a revenue deficit of Rs. 7.7 billion in the final quarter of 2025. PUCSL Chairman Prof. K.P.L. Chandralal said the CEB had later revised its proposal, seeking an increase of Rs. 20.8 billion. However, following staff analysis and extensive public consultations more..

Oct 15 (FT) One year on, the moral march of Anura Kumara Disanayake (AKD)’s Govt echoes Jonathan Chait’s warning: movements that mistake conviction for wisdom risk becoming moral parades rather than governing forces. “The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah… The little one stops to tie his shoe…” Adapted from an old folk rhyme, the song endures because its rhythm carries a warning: unity preserves survival, but unthinking motion breeds futility. When AKD and NPP took office, more..

Oct 15 (FT) Walk into your living room and pick up your smartphone. Hidden inside are powerful but invisible minerals called rare earth elements. Step outside and look at a passing electric car, or a towering wind turbine on the coast—again, the same minerals are there. From missiles and medical devices to the batteries in our laptops, these resources are everywhere, even though most of us hardly know they exist. This is the global rare earth race. It is a race SL has so far watched more..

Oct 15 (AD) Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake has been granted bail by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court. He has been released on two surety bails amounting to Rs. 500,000 each. Wanninayake appeared before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court earlier today. He was accompanied by the President of the Bar Association of SL, Rajeev Amarasuriya. Earlier today, the legal counsel for Wanninayake informed the Court of Appeal that his client is prepared to appear more..

Oct 15 (DM) Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya today directed the CID to obtain a report from the Government Analyst regarding the quality standards of cosmetic creams distributed islandwide by Loliya Skin Company, owned by popular actress and model Piumi Hansamali. The order was issued after the CID’s Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Organised Crimes Unit submitted a motion to court, seeking permission to produce the creams marketed by Piumi Hansamali in order to more..

Oct 15 (NW) The Bribery Commission says former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has been arrested in connection with the abuse of power pertaining to the agreement signed in November 2023 between Sri Lanka and Israel for supplying workers for the Israeli agricultural sector. According to the Bribery Commission, Manusha Nanayakkara is accused of abusing the power of his position as the Minister of more..

Oct 15 (DM) Turkmenistan secured a 2–1 victory over Sri Lanka in the second leg of the AFC Asia Cup 2027 Qualifying Third Round (Group ‘D’) match held yesterday at the Arkadag Stadium in Turkmenistan. With this win, Turkmenistan have now triumphed in three of their four matches and currently lead the Group ‘D’ points table. Thailand too, with three wins from four games, remain level with Turkmenistan at the top. The first half of the SL–Turkmenistan encounter saw an evenly more..

Oct 15 (NW) The govt has launched several initiatives aimed at improving facilities and services for tourists ahead of the upcoming tourist season. Special Task Force appointed by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take urgent measures for the promotion of the tourism industry met for the second time at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. Accordingly, the meeting focused on facilitating visa issuance and streamlining the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) process for tourists. more..

Oct 15 (DM) Amid the govt’s push to promote electric vehicles (EVs) as a key step toward reducing air pollution and advancing renewable energy, public interest in EVs is reportedly declining, the Electric Vehicle Owners Association (EVOA) has warned. The association blamed recent actions by SL Customs, which has detained over 1,000 BYD vehicles, for creating uncertainty in the market and disrupting consumers who have already more..

Oct 15 (NW) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya will undertake her first official visit to India from Oct 16 to 18, marking a significant diplomatic engagement since assuming office. The visit underscores the deep and multi-faceted ties between the two nations and aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and MAHASAGAR Vision, said Indian Ministry of External Affairs. During her 3-day stay, PM is scheduled to meet Indian political leaders to discuss key bilateral issues of mutual interest. more..

Oct 15 (Island) Uni of Colombo is taking a bold step towards advancing regional collaboration on sustainability through the Indo-Lanka Environmental Law Week, scheduled to begin today. Spearheaded by Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Karunathilake, the week-long initiative underscores the University’s growing leadership in environmental governance, education, and policy innovation across South Asia. The event will bring together 35 Indian law students from Amity Law School and more..

Oct 15 (IPS) In 2024, an estimated 31.9% of the global population struggled to afford a healthy diet, including 28.1% in Asia and a concerning 42.9% in SL. Moreover, unhealthy diets around the world are believed to be behind more than a quarter of all deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with 11 million NCD deaths per year due to poor eating habits. These alarming numbers underscore the urgency of reshaping our food environments and improving access to more..

Oct 15 (NW) The Court of Appeal today dismissed the writ application filed in 2018 concerning the resettlement of Muslims in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. The writ petition had been filed by Public interest litigation activist, Nagananda Kodituwakku and senior journalist Malinda Seneviratne. According to MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s Media Office, the matter, which had been pending for nearly seven years, saw repeated delays in conclusion despite several directives from the court. more..

Oct 15 (EN) SL is witnessing the positive outcomes of a steady and predictable policy environment with a stronger-than-forecast recovery in economic output with GDP growth continuing apace at 4.9% in the first half of 2025. While improved macroeconomic fundamentals are underpinning this cyclical recovery, the momentum on growth and its sustainability will rely increasingly on underlying productivity and efficiency gains in economy. more..

Oct 15 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama ordered the Bribery Commission to submit its findings to Court after concluding the preliminary investigations into the case filed against former SriLankan Airlines Chairman, Nishantha Wickramasinghe. The case involves three charges, including causing a financial loss of USD 4,515 to the Govt by diverting a scheduled flight, and a further loss of USD 19,160 by offloading 75 passengers who were due to travel to more..

Oct 15 (ANI) Persistent rain in Colombo on Tuesday led to the abandonment of Sri Lanka's match against New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, leaving the island nation with just two points from their first four encounters at the tournament, according to the ICC. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu knows her team must win all three of their remaining matches at the World Cup to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages. However, rather than dwelling on more..

Oct 15 (HRW) SL’s tax policies played a driving role in SL’s devastating 2022 economic crisis and have contributed to the chronic underfunding of education and other public services, Human Rights Watch said in a report. The govt of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake should urgently adopt measures to uphold its human rights obligations and enact reforms to a system that presently favors companies and wealthy people more..

Oct 15 (TN) A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), led by its president Sardar Tahir Mehmood along with Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General United Business Group, Tahir Ayub, Senior Vice President ICCI, and Mohammad Irfan Chaudhry, Vice President, met High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan Fred Senevirathne to extend congratulations on his appointment and discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations. more..

Oct 15 (EN) SL’s first tender for battery energy storage system (BESS) on a BOT basis had received strong interest from investors, with a large number of vendors using Chinese batteries, sources with knowledge of he matter said. Bids ranged from slightly below 2 million rupees to 3 million rupees per MegaWatt per month. CEB called expressions of interest for 160MW of battery energy systems at multiple locations as build operate own (BOO) projects to stabilize the grid and absorb more..

Oct 15 (DM) Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has taken Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to task for its failure to take action against an unauthorized funeral parlour on the land allocated for the construction of quarters for the administrator of Borella Kanatte. As per the statement released from COPA, the committee has instructed CMC to conduct a probe and submit a report. COPA has then blamed the representatives who had been present during the recent committee meeting. more..

Oct 15 (NW) Former minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara says a false social media post claiming he had died had been circulating today, prompting several phone calls inquiring about the rumour. “They even included my birth year and the current year. At first, I just laughed,” Nanayakkara said. He said further review suggested the post may have been politically motivated. “When I looked into it, I saw the name National People’s Power above the post. That led me to believe it was created by more..

Oct 15 (DM) Committee of Inquiry appointed in terms of Section 6 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No: 5 of 2002 to investigate and inquire into the allegations levelled against Deshabandu Tennakoon and to remove him from the office of the IGP, has observed that Tennakoon has committed one or more acts of misconduct and gross abuse of power in his capacity as the IGP, bringing SL Police into disrepute. more..

Oct 15 (AD) The Govt of Sri Lanka has announced that, effective today (15), all foreign nationals eligible for a free tourist visa must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival in the country. This requirement applies to visitors entering Sri Lanka for short-stay purposes, including tourism and business. ETAs can be obtained online through the official website: eta.gov.lk. Key details regarding ETA fees are as follows: As per the reciprocal/bilateral arrangements, more..

Oct 15 (AD) The UNP says it is of the view that all political parties must be brought together on to one platform to protect the democratic multi-party system in SL. The UNP noted that in protecting the multi-party system, it is important to protect the integrity and policies of different political parties. Therefore, the UNP urged all opposition parties to support the effort. UNP also has stated that the party is committed to working together to bridge the gap between the UNP and the SJB more..

Oct 15 (Island) CEB’s newly introduced feed-in tariff of Rs. 45.80 per kWh for rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems with battery storage — applicable to electricity exported to the grid between 6 pm and 10 pm — appears financially attractive at first glance. However, practical financing barriers may prevent most households from benefiting, according to an energy expert. Under current conditions, a 5 kW rooftop solar-plus more..

Oct 15 (CT) Court of Appeal, yesterday, ordered that a group of writ petitions filed by vehicle importers be taken up again on 16 October to further examine the possibility of reaching a settlement. The petitions were filed seeking an order directing SL Customs to release vehicles currently being held, which were imported from countries other than the country of manufacture, after opening LCs. The order was issued when around 15 such petitions were taken up before the Court of Appeal Bench more..

Oct 15 (DM) An eyewitness to the recent altercation between Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake and a Police Constable at the Mount Lavinia Court premises has alleged that he is now being harassed by the Police for speaking out. The eyewitness said he had seen the Police officer punch the passenger inside a car, after which the driver exited the vehicle and confronted the officer. The witness claimed that since revealing details of the incident, police officers have repeatedly visited his home, more..

Oct 16 (DM) When the New Vithanakande Tea Factory recently broke the Guinness World Record for their premium Ceylon Black Tea sold at the highest price of 125,000 Yen or USD 835 per kg at a Japanese tea auction, it didn’t come in as a surprise for many. Ceylon Tea has earned global recognition for its distinct flavours and rich aroma and is a beverage celebrated the world over. But whether plantation workers who handpick tea leaves in SL’s tea estates receive the same recognition has remained a question for over 200 years. more..

Oct 16 (DM) Sustainability is increasingly becoming non-negotiable in international trade and supply chains. Companies and countries are integrating sustainable practices into their policies and mandates. For smaller developing countries like Sri Lanka, the shift poses both a challenge and an opportunity. The primary challenge is higher compliance costs, which can restrict market access, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Yet this very challenge can be transformed into an opportunity. more..

Oct 16 (CT) PM Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament of the setting up of the National Women’s Commission (NWC), newest addition to SL’s independent commissions. However, women activists and interested parties expressed their concerns over the functioning of the commission and the true intentions of the Govt. This was due to the absence of dedicated office space, an executive director, and any budget to proceed. more..

Oct 16 (CT) When Singapore refused to extradite former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran in early 2025, the headlines called it a diplomatic failure. But that’s the wrong diagnosis. What we witnessed was not Singapore’s rejection, it was SL’s legal unpreparedness laid bare. For ten years, successive governments have promised to bring Mahendran back to face justice over the 2015 Central Bank bond scandal. Each administration has blamed foreign reluctance or political interference. more..

Oct 16 (CT) Sri Lanka is standing at a demographic crossroads. As highlighted by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, within the next decade, one-fourth of our country’s population will be aged over 60. By 2041, projections show that 24.8% of Sri Lankans will fall into this age group – a figure notably higher than the average across South-East Asia. On one hand, this is a sign of progress. It reflects decades of success in tackling childhood diseases, improving maternal care, and increasing life expectancy. more..

Oct 16 (TM) Amid increasing population numbers and urbanisation, SL continues to grapple with a deepening housing crisis compounded by an outdated policy framework, leaving low- and middle-income families unable to afford housing. The total number of census units reported at the Listing Stage of the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) 2024 was 8,377,895. This figure has more than doubled over more..

Oct 16 (TM) Sri Lanka has been aware of its aging population for some time, yet little has been done to prepare the island for the coming changes. We stand at pivotal crossroads as our population ages at an unprecedented rate. With projections indicating that by 2050, one in four Sri Lankans will be over the age of 60, SL faces both daunting challenges and unique opportunities to redefine the role of elders in society. It must also prepare for the impact such a demographic will have on society more..

Oct 16 (TM) Sri Lanka continues to grapple with a housing crisis that has only deepened in the face of rapid urbanisation, population growth, and poor policies. Despite decades of promises and policy frameworks, the dream of shelter for all remains elusive for many, particularly low- and middle-income families. Other communities who are significantly affected are those in the North and Eastern provinces, and the Malaiyagam community in the hills of Sri Lanka. more..