Oct 16 (Island) The Police Narcotics Bureau, the Navy, and the Coast Guard have conducted several successful drug busts at sea during recent months. There have also been several chance detections of drug hauls, the latest fortuitous discovery being the one reported yesterday. Fifty-one packages, found floating in the southern seas and brought ashore by the Navy, contained 839 kg of narcotics—670 kg of crystal methamphetamine or ICE, 156 heroin, and 12 kg of hashish. more..

Oct 16 (Island) My ongoing fieldwork on agrarian politics in Sri Lanka is teaching me many things that are not directly related to, but heavily condition what happens in agriculture. I’m learning how the dynamics of everyday domestic life impact agrarian decisions: whether or not the credit taken for agriculture purposes is always actually spent on it; how intimate relationships impact farming activities (who is entering into or refusing labour exchange relations with whom, for instance); more..

Oct 16 (ST) New legislation will be drafted to coincide with the national policy on elderly people of SL, a segment that is increasing. Minister Dr Upali Pannilage said that amendments had been proposed to the Protection of the Rights of Elderly Persons Act No. 9 of 2000, but the Legal Draftsman has suggested a new act. He said the National Council for Elders had also recommended a new law, as the existing legislation did not cover more..

Oct 16 (FT) Virtusa Corporation has announced the expansion of its SL Delivery Centre with over 200 new career opportunities across high-growth technology domains. The initiative marks a renewed phase of investment in the country as Virtusa accelerates its journey toward becoming a $ 5 billion enterprise by 2030. The expansion follows the strategic vision outlined by Virtusa CEO Nitesh Banga, who has committed to positioning the company as world’s leading domain-driven more..

Oct 16 (FT) Home Lands Group successfully concluded the Home Lands EXPO 2025 – Property Investment Forum & Exhibition, the first-ever property investment expo organised by a single developer in SL, held on Saturday (11), at Hilton Colombo. The one-day event drew over 1,500 attendees, including aspiring homeowners and investors seeking high-return property opportunities. The expo showcased Home Lands’ exclusive portfolio of properties from city apartments to more..

Oct 16 (FT) Asian Development Bank (ADB) urged SL to treat cybersecurity and data protection as central pillars of its digital transformation agenda, warning that national competitiveness and public trust in digital services will depend on how well the country safeguards its information infrastructure. ADB Director General Cleo Kawawaki said cybersecurity is not only a policy or institutional concern but a shared responsibility that must extend across govt, business, and individuals. more..

Oct 16 (ST) SL’s next generation of golfers is ready to tee off at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, from October 20 to 31, with four promising youngsters hoping to put the island on the Asian map. The national squad will feature Reshan Algama, Kaya Daluwatte, Jevahn Sathasivam, and Adithya Weerasinghe — four names that have already made an impact on the junior circuit. The team will be guided by veteran coach Mithun Perera, one of SL’s most decorated professional more..

Oct 16 (Island) Maris Stella College Negombo and Lyceum Int'l Wattala retained the boys’ and girls’ overall titles respectively as the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship concluded at Diyagama on Tuesday. ‎While Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa MMV and Jithma Wijetunga of Lyceum Int'l bagged the best athlete titles respectively in the boys’ and girls’ categories, there were many outstanding performances as 38 new meet records were more..

Oct 16 (Island) Korea Int'l Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with the Alumni Association of KOICA Fellows in SL (AKOFE), successfully conducted a Knowledge Dissemination Programme for School Media Society Teachers on 9th Oct at the Main Auditorium of the Department of Govt Information. The event was attended by retired Director of Media from NIE, Bandula P Dayarathna, Media Expert Kamal Welegoda, President of AKOFE, Roshan Serasinghe, more..

Oct 16 (FT) The country’s manufacturing and services sectors in September have expanded, as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), its compiler the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) said. The Manufacturing PMI registered an index value of 55.4 in September, indicating an expansion in manufacturing activities at a faster rate compared to 55.2 in August 2025. The CBSL said this expansion has remained above the neutral threshold during the month from all sub-indices. more..

Oct 16 (TM) The exact contents of the 51 packages found floating adrift on the seas off the Southern coast, which were recovered by the Navy and brought to the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour on Tuesday evening (14), have been revealed by the Navy yesterday. Accordingly, the packages contain a total of 670 kg and 676 g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), 156 kg and 542 g of heroin and 12 kg and 36 g of hashish, more..

Oct 16 (EN) State-owned National Paper Company Ltd (NPCL) has turned the losses into operational profit and has started to repay most of its dues from 2020 though the biggest overdue is for the electricity bills, its chairman Upali Rathnayake said. “We are now making an operational profit and have started to repay most loans the company borrowed after 2020,” he said. “We borrowed 140 million rupees to resume the operation in 2020. Now we have started to repay 5 million past arrears of this as well.” more..

Oct 16 (NW) Applications have been called to recruit 25 qualified doctors to the Sri Lanka Police Medical Services Division. According to the Police Media Division, vacancies exist for Consultant Surgeons, Physicians, Radiologists, Clinical Nutritionists, Anaesthesiologists, Medical Officers, and Dentists. The detailed notification has been published in the Government Gazette No. 2456 dated Sept 26, 2025, and the closing date for applications is Oct 27, 2025. Specialist doctors will be appointed as more..

Oct 16 (FT) Govt is preparing to introduce four new bills as part of its broad labour law reform agenda aimed at modernising SL’s employment framework and aligning it with evolving economic and social realities, the Parliament Secretariat said yesterday. Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour Affairs this week hear submissions from the Labour Ministry on the proposed reforms focus on simplifying and consolidating existing laws while strengthening worker protection and employer flexibility. more..

Oct 16 (FT) Uniting around the goal of promoting healthy ageing, Health Ministers of member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) South East Asia Region adopted the Colombo Declaration on Tuesday. The Colombo Declaration on Healthy ageing through strengthened primary health care was endorsed by the 78th Session of the WHO Regional Committee held in SL. It is aimed at the health and wellbeing of the ageing population of the region, and this approach and focus will be more..

Oct 16 (FT) The annual cost of cybercrime to SL could range between $ 450 million and $ 1 billion, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Digital Sector Office Director Antonio Zaballos said yesterday, calling for stronger cybersecurity measures and a shift in national awareness as the country expands its digital economy. Speaking at the ADB’s Serendipity Knowledge Program (SKOP) on Digital Transformation: Cybersecurity and more..

Oct 16 (NW) Watawala Tea has removed its recently released short film titled Him, Her and Them following public criticism that it promoted LGBTQI themes. In a statement, the company said the film was intended to portray the everyday emotions of family life and the balance between strength and sensitivity, but acknowledged that it has been interpreted in ways we never intended. The brand said it regretted any discomfort or concern caused to consumers and announced that more..

Oct 16 (AD) The Kopai Police Station has been temporarily removed from its current location, police sources confirmed. The station had been operating from eight houses belonging to private civilians. The Jaffna District Court, has ordered that seven of these houses be returned to their rightful owners. The fiscal officer has returned the relevant properties to their owners today (15). The Jaffna Police Station will continue to accept complaints from residents in the affected area. more..

Oct 16 (FT) Sri Lanka must now convert its cyclical post-crisis rebound into a structurally driven growth process, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) said, warning that the country’s recovery will hinge on deeper productivity and efficiency gains as external uncertainties persist. Releasing its annual Sri Lanka: State of the Economy 2025 report, the IPS said GDP growth of 4.9% in the first half of 2025 reflected the outcomes of a steady and predictable policy environment. more..

Oct 16 (TM) Health authorities cautioned the public about the importance of verifying the qualifications and fields of expertise of those providing beauty-enhancement services, including medical professionals. SL College of Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine Chairperson Dr. Nayani Madarasingha noted that in a context where these services range from dyeing one’s hair to complex plastic surgeries, the public needs to be aware of the qualifications of their service providers more..

Oct 16 (TM) The BMICH stated that the Police had abruptly and irresponsibly withdrawn its security presence from the BMICH premises, despite the frequent visits of VIPs and the critical importance of maintaining a Police presence at the venue. BMICH Chairperson, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that the sudden withdrawal occurred without any prior discussion, proper notice, or alternative arrangements, more..

Oct 16 (ST) Independent experts to the MV X-Press Pearl Compensation Commission have been named, the Supreme Court was informed this week. Accordingly, experts from the field of marine environment, coastal environment, marine biology, environmental law and fisheries have been named to the commission which is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Gamini Amarasekara. The members are Dr H B Jayasiri (marine environment), H N R Perera (coastal environment), more..

Oct 16 (TM) Pallai Police has recovered a stock of 40 mortar shells from a plot of land in the Potthar Kudiyirippu area of Muhamalai, Kilinochchi. The discovery was made on Tuesday after the landowner noticed the shells while preparing the land for cultivation and promptly informed the Police. Accordingly, the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Police Special Task Force inspected the relevant site and recovered the mortar shells upon obtaining an order from the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court. more..

Oct 16 (NF) Ishara Sewwandi, the fugitive female suspect wanted in connection with the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa, who was arrested in Nepal yesterday (14), has arrived in Sri Lanka. The aircraft carrying ‘Ishara Sewwandi’ and five other arrested suspects landed at the BIA at 6.54 p.m. The group is scheduled to be handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). more..

Oct 16 (FT) This timeless quote encapsulates the essence of tax morale—the belief that paying taxes is not merely a legal obligation, but a civic duty that upholds the social contract between citizens and the state. In SL, where economic recovery and institutional trust are at a critical juncture, enhancing tax morale is not just desirable—it is imperative. Tax morale refers to the intrinsic motivation of individuals and businesses to comply with tax laws, beyond the deterrent effect of audits or penalties. more..

Oct 16 (FT) For decades, financial analysts have relied on a core set of tools and models to assess risk, predict market trends, and guide investment strategies. While these traditional methods have provided a valuable foundation, they often fall short in today’s increasingly complex and data-rich environment. The limitations of these traditional approaches are becoming ever more apparent. Traditional financial analysis often oversimplifies complex financial realities. more..

Oct 16 (NW) Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) said no data loss or security breach has occurred following the disruption of several services hosted on the Lanka Govt Cloud (LGC). ICTA said the integrity of all data remains intact and critical systems are secure. A joint team of ICTA engineers and the cloud service provider is working around the clock to resolve the issue. Manual alternatives for affected services, such as obtaining certificates from Div. Secretariats, more..

Oct 16 (NF) US Department of State has reaffirmed its existing travel advisory for SL, maintaining the country at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The update, issued on Oct 9, was clarified by U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, who emphasized that there has been no change in the advisory level. In a statement, Ambassador Chung noted that the State Department regularly reviews and updates travel advisories to help U.S. citizens make informed decisions about international travel. more..

Oct 16 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya has met India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi today. During the meeting, both factions discussed India’s continued support to SL and strengthening cooperation in education and capacity building. PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya landed in New Delhi earlier today for her maiden visit to India after assuming office. During her stay, she is scheduled to meet Indian political leaders to more..

Oct 16 (AD) The Court of Appeal has fixed for consideration the writ petition filed by Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake, seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with an alleged incident at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises, for 10 November 2025. The petition was called today before a bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, and Justice Priyantha Fernando, Ada Derana reporter said. more..

Oct 16 (MK) Former SL cricketer Jayananda Warnaweera passed away today, at the age of 64. Warnaweera was a right-arm off-spinner who represented Sri Lanka in 10 Test matches and six ODIs between 1986 and 1994.He made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1986 and played key roles in several series, including performances against India, New Zealand, and England. Known for his accuracy and ability to extract turn on subcontinental pitches, Warnaweera was a respected figure more..

Oct 16 (TM) SL’s debt restructuring is nearing completion, according to the 5th Co-Chairs Progress Report of the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR). The report notes that while debt levels in low-income and emerging economies have stabilized, they remain above pre-pandemic levels, with countries like SL still facing debt-servicing challenges. Following the successful completion of the IMF’s 4th review in July 2025, more..

Oct 16 (AD) A special awareness session on breast cancer prevention and related programs was held in Parliament for the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. Every year, October is considered as the Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month or Pink Month and in line with this a meeting was held under the patronage of MP Samanmali Gunasingha, who was temporarily appointed as Chairperson of the Caucus due to the overseas engagement of the Caucus Chair, Minister Saroja Paulraj. more..

Oct 16 (NW) Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has declared an emergency disaster response from Oct 16 to 18, following forecasts of heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms across Colombo and surrounding areas. CMC announced that its disaster management and emergency response units are on full standby to assist residents affected by the adverse weather. According to the Dept of Meteorology, several areas are expected to experience heavy showers, with a risk of more..

Oct 16 (CT) The Colombo High Court, yesterday, ordered that the case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt, Daisy Forrest, be recalled on 27 November. The order was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga. The case pertains to allegations of committing offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by unlawfully earning nearly Rs 73 million. The Court also granted permission for the defence more..