Oct 2 (TM) Two ex-SL, CR and FC and Royal backrow forwards, namely former captain Pavithra Fernando and Lasitha Gunarathne are set to vie for the Presidency of Sri Lanka rugby (SLR) at its AGM which is set to be held on Wednesday (8). But, with the majority of members of Pavithra Fernando’s team being elected uncontested, the former SL skipper may have already stolen the thunder of Lasitha Gunarathne, who is set to battle his junior opponent for the high stakes post next week. more..

Oct 2 (DN) SL’s Women’s World Cup campaign opened with a match against India, which India won by 59 runs through the DLS method in Guwahati on Tuesday. However, Chamari Athapaththu’s team is optimistic about building on the positives from their bowling and batting as they move forward in this tournament. “There were positives in both our bowling and batting, and we executed most of our plans, but we also made a few mistakes, We dropped some catches, especially during more..

Oct 2 (FT) The tourism industry recorded its highest-ever September arrivals this year, driven largely by Indian visitors, boosting optimism for a strong winter season despite concerns over falling short of the ambitious 2025 target. As per the latest data released by the SLTDA, 158,971 tourists arrived in Sept 2025, surpassing the previous record of 149,087 in 2018 and marking a 30.2% year-on-year (YoY) rise in arrivals. more..

Oct 2 (FT) SL this week wooed Japanese investors to be part of the proposed neutral AI Data Centre to be set up for the benefit of South Asian countries. The plans were shared and invitation was extended by Chief Presidential Adviser Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya at a business and investment promotion forum in Tokyo presided by Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake. He said that the neutral AI Data Centre will be a virtual Special Economic Zone offering data sovereignty for countries using it more..

Oct 2 (DM) CMA Sri Lanka SME Development Committee comprises members from Professional Bodies, Commercial Banks, Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Industry Experts who have been meeting since April 2020 to find solutions and support the SME sector. CMA SL’s Budget Proposals made for the development of the MSME sector that would generate employment to around 100,000 unemployed persons are given below. We are very happy to seeing the launch of more..

Oct 2 (TM) The research conducted by the UN Women organisation on gender equality in Sri Lanka, which investigation focused primarily on areas such as women’s economic empowerment, their leadership in governance and decision-making, and peace and security, and the prevention of violence against women and girls, identified that there has been a regression in gender equality in Sri Lanka in the global context. more..

Oct 2 (DM) Sri Lanka Rugby has now entered a phase where it will definitely be banned come October 19 if no election of office bearers takes place and the sport’s affairs not governed under a new Constitution in keeping with World Rugby requirements. World Rugby, which gave SL more than a year’s grace period from time to time to sought out its affairs and internal squabbles, has given SL the final warning in a letter addressed to the National Olympic Committee. more..

Oct 2 (Island) SL’s oceans are eight times larger than its landmass—yet the nation continues to overlook its greatest asset. Graham Marshall, President of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), is urging policymakers and corporates to treat marine conservation with the same seriousness as terrestrial conservation. Speaking to The Island Financial Review recently after an exclusive screening of Ocean with Sir David Attenborough—hosted by Spa Ceylon at more..

Oct 2 (FT) Govt yesterday issued SL’s first residence visa under the Individual Investor Category, introduced through the amended Immigration and Emigration Regulations published in Nov 2023. The visa was awarded to German national Dr. Prey Drechsel by Minister Ananda Wijepala. Scheme allows foreign nationals to qualify for a 5-year visa with an investment of $ 100,000, or a 10-year visa with $ 200,000. Investments must be deposited in a Visa Programme Foreign Currency Account more..

Oct 2 (EN) Fitch Ratings has confirmed Sri Lanka’s CCC+ sovereign rating saying external finances are stable, and growth is resuming despite US tariffs. “We expect full-year growth at 4.4%, with 3.8% in 2026 and 3.6% in 2027,” rating agency said. “US tariffs will be a growth headwind, but the revised reciprocal tariff rate of 20% is now in line with peers, reducing risks to exports. “We see low average inflation, but to rise gradually to 5% in 2027, in line with the CBSL’s inflation target.” more..

Oct 2 (FT) Three private sector chambers filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal on Tuesday challenging the Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) decision to commence collecting VAT from 1 Oct without first operationalising the legally mandated automated refund mechanism. The chambers are the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA), National Chamber of Commerce of SL more..

Oct 2 (DN) The SL Army emerged victorious at the 13th Defence Services Athletic Championship, claiming the overall championship with 37 gold medals at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama on Tuesday. Sri Lanka Army athletes delivered an outstanding performance, triumphing in both the men’s and women’s championships. Army men clinched 21 gold, 14 silver, and 15 bronze medals, while Army women secured 16 gold, 5 silver, and 9 bronze medals. more..

Oct 2 (DN) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said that Germany is one of SL’s most valued economic partners being the 4th largest export market for SL. Minister made these remarks while attending the celebration of the National Day of Germany under then theme German Unity Day on Monday (30). “Germany remains one of Sri Lanka’s most valued economic partners. It is today the 4th largest export market for Sri Lanka, with total exports amounting to USD 628 million last year. more..

Oct 2 (FT) The Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (CLTMC) said that it has increased revenue by 31% since it took over administration. This was disclosed by the CLTMC Chairman Shirantha Peries and CEO Dr. Chamaru de Alwis, at a press briefing on Tuesday evening. “Since we took over the administration exactly a year ago, the CLTMC has demonstrated remarkable financial progress under the new management,” CLTMC Chairman Shirantha Peries said. more..

Oct 2 (EN) Sri Lanka has spent US$ 198.9 million on personal vehicles in August 2025, while commercial vehicles cost another US$ 50.2 million, against current forex earnings of US$ 18.9 billion. Up to August SL has spent US$ 705 million to import personal vehicles. Commercial vehicles cost another US$ 212.5 million, taking the total to US$ 917 million up to August. SL’s gross foreign exchange earnings up to August was US$ 18.97 billion, compared to vehicle imports of US$ 917 million. more..

Oct 2 (DN) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday clarified that the law against corporal punishment should not be seen as a law against discipline, but a law against the violence. PM affirmed the Govt’s full commitment to safeguarding children and clarified that the law against corporal punishment should not be seen as a law against discipline, but as a law against violence. “The expectation behind the amendment to more..

Oct 2 (DN) Kataragama Police have launched an investigation after the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition abandoned in Weheragala Reservoir. Two fertiliser bags containing a cache of weapons, including LMGs, T56s, and T81s, were taken into custody yesterday near the sluice gate of the Weheragala Reservoir. Seized weapons included 74 T56 magazines, 36 T56 LMG magazines, two T81 ammunition boxes, and a quantity of unidentified, rusted ammunition and more..

Oct 2 (AD) Govt has taken measures to appoint an expert committee to establish an Independent Prosecutor’s Office, as a step towards strengthening the process of ensuring justice in the country. According to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, a discussion among the members of the committee was held yesterday under the leadership of the Minister of Justice, Harsha Nanayakkara. The meeting focused on preparing the initial framework and plans required for the establishment of more..

Oct 2 (FT) SL’s current account surplus expanded in the first eight months of 2025, reaching $ 2.04 billion on the back of stronger remittances, services & tourism earnings, and moderate export growth, even as the merchandise trade deficit widened, CBSL said. The current account registered a surplus of $ 2.04 billion during the first eight months of 2025, up 26.1% YoY from $ 1.6 billion in the same period last year. more..

Oct 2 (FT) Two former Navy chiefs whose wartime background was in naval intelligence, are incarcerated. Govt insists that it doesn’t decide to arrest anyone and that any such decisions are not taken by the political authorities but have been and are being taken quite independently by state authorities, i.e., state machinery that has been newly rendered independent by the NPP govt. If so, isn’t it a little odd that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake made the following announcement to more..

Oct 2 (FT) The CMA Sri Lanka SME Development Committee comprises members from professional bodies, commercial banks, chambers of commerce and industry, and industry experts who have been meeting since April 2020 to find solutions and support the SME sector. One of the main recommendations made was to revive the SME Credit Guarantee Institution which was appearing as an approved project in the ADB project proposals since 2019 which was approved by Cabinet more..

Oct 2 (DM) Claiming that SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa's excitement on fresh investigations into the death of Wasim Thajudeen is suspicious, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe urged Namal Rajapaksa not to panic and jump the gun. He told reporters that there is nothing for Namal Rajapaksa or anyone else to panic as the govt will condcut proper investigations into every crime, fruad and corruption and bring the culprits to book. "There are serious doubts about Thajudeen's death. more..

Oct 2 (NW) Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has inspected South Asia’s largest aquaponic technology greenhouse, which has been left abandoned despite a multi-billion-rupee investment. The project, located on an 18-acre site in Kumarakattuwa, Arachchikattuwa, was initiated with World Bank support under the Agriculture Modernization Program. It carried an investment of more than Rs. 2 billion, including a Rs. 100 million grant. Designed to integrate aquaculture and hydroponics, more..

Oct 2 (AD) Neville Wanniarachchi, the chief security officer of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission earlier today, has been remanded until Oct 17 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama issued the order after considering the submissions made by Bribery Commission officials and the suspect’s attoneys. He had been arrested and produced before more..

Oct 2 (TM) Under the supervision of the Dept of Agriculture, two newly tested pomegranate varieties have produced successful harvests. The varieties, named Mali Pink and Lanka Red, were trialed at the Ruhunu Plant Nursery in Ambalantota. According to Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research) Mrs. L.G.I. Samanmali, the research was conducted in line with the recommendations of National Agricultural Policy Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Dept of Agriculture. more..

Oct 2 (CT) Human rights advocate and former Human Rights Commissioner of SL, Ambika Satkunanathan, has cautioned that the world is facing a dangerous rollback of progress on gender equality, with women being erased from public life, silenced, and subjected to new forms of violence — including the weaponisation of Artificial Intelligence. Speaking at the forum Amplifying the Voices of Women organised by the South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) – SL yesterday (1), more..

Oct 2 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Krishan Balendra this week told Japanese investors that SL is seeing economic revival and it is the right moment to be part of shaping the South Asian hub’s next growth chapter. He made this observation at the SL Business Forum in Tokyo as part of a public-private sector initiative to woo Japanese investor interest in tandem with Prez Disanayake’s State visit. more..

Oct 2 (Island) Some of those involved in the cover-up of Wasim Thajudeen’s murder in May 2012 were now in the incumbent govt, SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahuman alleged yesterday. MP said so in response to claims that Anura Vidanagamage, aka Kajja, who had been killed with two of his children in Middeniya earlier this year, was allegedly involved in the Thajudeen murder. MP said that in the run-up to the prez and parliamentary polls last year, NPP vowed to arrest those responsible more..

Oct 2 (DM) Yal Devi express train operating between Colombo Fort and KKS will experience delays due to essential repair work on the railway line between Vavuniya and Omanthai, Railways Dept announced. According to a communiqué, from Oct 7, train No. 4077 will leave Colombo Fort at 6.40 a.m. and arrive at Vavuniya at 11.35 a.m. The train will then halt at Vavuniya station for two hours and forty minutes before departing at 2.15 p.m. This schedule will remain in effect for 11 days. more..

Oct 2 (Island) All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulema has vehemently condemned the proposed tourism promotion campaign targeting LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer). The efforts for economic prosperity should not undermine religious beliefs, ethics, values and cultural and traditional practices. All regions in this country promote family life through the marriage of male and female. Sri Lanka is a nation blessed with its distinct culture, traditions and family values. more..

Oct 2 (NW) 9th ABU Media Summit on Climate Action & Disaster Prevention (CADP-2025) will be held from 25–27 Nov 2025 in Colombo, the largest international media event to be held in SL this year. Organized by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and hosted by SL Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), event will bring together more than 200 delegates from over 35 countries. Around 75 international delegates are expected, including high-level representatives from major broadcasters more..

Oct 2 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the IMF to stop the withdrawal of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme, warning it would seriously harm SL’s export-oriented industries. Speaking during a meeting with IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou and IMF Resident Representative Martha Woldemichael at his Colombo office, Premadasa said exporters are already struggling and removing SVAT more..

Oct 2 (PMD) Today (1) marks both World Children’s Day and Elders’ Day. Within any nation, children and the elderly together represent a significant part of the population. Our Govt is fully committed to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of both these generations and we continue to work tirelessly to enhance the welfare of children as well as elders. Children represent the future of both our nation and the world. Their world is one of innocence and purity and it is our duty as a society to more..

Oct 2 (EN) SL’s CIABOC is unable to carry out its functions after the Finance Ministry blocked its attempts to recruit staff citing fiscal rules, Director General Ranga Dissanayake said. The is getting thousands of complaints but only has 169 investigations officers and out of a requirement of 75 legal officers only 31 were available. CIABOC needs around 967 staff but the Treasury has blocked recruitment saying it has to approve salaries and the cadre under a new fiscal management law, more..

Oct 2 (AM) Director General of the CIABOC, Ranga Dissanayake, today strongly rejected claims made by former MP Nandana Gunathilaka that he was a member of the JVP's legal committee. Dissanayake described the allegation as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine public trust in the Commission. “This is an organised attempt. From time to time, certain individuals raise such baseless accusations targeting me, more..