Oct 24 (FT) With SL grappling with an alarming rise in drug-related crimes and the growing influence of organised underworld networks, legal expert & former Human Rights Commissioner Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa has urged the Govt to consider reintroducing the death penalty on a temporary basis especially for notorious drug traffickers. He emphasised that if the Govt intended to control existing scale of drug menace, more..

Oct 24 (FT) Virtusa Corporation, in partnership with CFC, a pioneer in insurance solutions for emerging risk and market leader in cyber, yesterday opened the doors to CFC’s 200-seat digital services hub in Colombo. The opening ceremony was attended by senior leadership from CFC and Virtusa including CFC Chief Operations Officer Matthew Glenville, Virtusa Corporation COO Venkatesan Vijayaraghavan, Managing Director – UK and Ireland Atul Gupta, and Senior Vice Presidents and more..

Oct 24 (FT) Dutch Trails, a homegrown travel company redefining eco-conscious tourism in SL, has been recognised at the Presidential Environment Awards 2025, presented by the Environment Ministry and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). The accolade acknowledges Dutch Trails’ exceptional contribution towards sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, and community development. The awards ceremony yesterday at the BMICH, was graced by Prez Anura more..

Oct 24 (TM) The illegally acquired assets valued at around Rs. 50 million, allegedly belonging to the organised crime suspect Pindinu Perera, also known as Kehelbaddara Padme, who was recently arrested in Indonesia, have been seized by the Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division. Accordingly, investigations have revealed that Perera had purchased several properties using proceeds from organised crime and drug trafficking. In order to prevent the sale, transfer, or disposal of more..

Oct 24 (AD) Eight suspects, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly attempting to steal over Rs. 20 million belonging to a private institution in Pettah by staging a fake robbery while an employee was transporting the money to a bank. The suspects were apprehended during a raid carried out by the Kelaniya Divisional Crime Investigations Unit, police said. Officers from the Kelaniya Divisional Crime Prevention Bureau had inspected a suspicious three-wheeler in more..

Oct 24 (FT) SL’s export sector continues to demonstrate resilience and steady growth during the period of January to Sept of 2025, recording total earnings of nearly $ 13 billion, up 7% from a year ago. In Sept 2025 alone, total exports, comprising both merchandise and services reached to $ 1.47 billion, a 12.33% growth from a year earlier. This performance highlights the strength of SL’s export sector and the effectiveness of more..

Oct 24 (ST) CID is trying to figure out the ownership of the two-storey building located within the Menik Ganga reservation in Monaragala. The building is reportedly in the name of a G. Rajapaksa–and former prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa has denied ownership. The investigation comes amid long-standing questions over how such a large structure was built in an environmentally sensitive zone. The construction, which began in 2007, drew the attention of multiple state agencies after more..

Oct 24 (ST) Despite protests by residents of Ariyalai, Jaffna, against the setting up of a solid waste plant, the local government body, Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha, continues to dump garbage on the proposed site, residents allege. Located in the suburbs of Jaffna along the A9 road, the village is a fertile land with hundreds of acres of paddy and a protected environmental site where mangrove patches can be seen across the villages. Seasonal migratory birds also pass the location annually. more..

Oct 24 (TM) Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) organisation said that the Justice Ministry should initiate an inquiry into the recent statement made by Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe, in which he called for the implementation of the death penalty against large-scale drug traffickers. CPRP President, attorney Senaka Perera said that a Prisons Commissioner is not in a position to express more..

Oct 24 (NW) Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilake, will visit India from Oct 27 to 28, to take part in the Indian Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai. The event, organized by India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, will be held at the Bombay Exhibition Center and is expected to bring together global maritime leaders, industry representatives, and policymakers to discuss advancements in port infrastructure, logistics, and sustainable maritime development. more..

Oct 24 (DN) SL Women’s cricket team will look to end their World Cup campaign on a high note when they face Pakistan in their final group-stage match, scheduled to be played today at the R. Premadasa Stadium, commencing at 3 p.m. However, once again, the weather could play a decisive role. This match holds significant importance for the SL side, who are still mathematically in contention for a semifinal berth, while Pakistan have already been eliminated following a disappointing run more..

Oct 24 (Island) SL contingent of more than 50 athletes will have quite a challange in recovering fast from their long journey when the fourth edition of the South Asian Senior Athletics Championship commences at Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, India today. ‎SL’s contingent reached the host city in two batches, a day ahead of the scheduled start. While the first group had spent ten hours in transit, the second group had spent five hours. ‎”It was a long tirering journey as the athletes had to more..

Oct 24 (FT) Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd. (AASL) said that passenger volumes and flight operations are expected to increase significantly during the upcoming tourism season, supported by new airline schedules and expanded routes. SL’s peak travel period begins in November and continues through February. Both the Bandaranaike Int'l Airport (BIA) in Katunayake and the Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) in H'tota will handle new flight operations during this period. more..

Oct 24 (HRW) Susikala was working as a daily wage earner at a flower garden in Hatton, a hilly area in central SL, when in April 2022 the govt defaulted on its debt. The default sent the economy into a tailspin, and like millions of Sri Lankans, Susikala lost precious wages as her employer struggled to pay her. The family had to rely on her husband’s LKR 1,500 (US$5) daily wage at a tea plantation. Food prices doubled by Sept. more..

Oct 24 (DM) Health officials have raised the alarm over a dramatic rise in Influenza A and B infections sweeping through SL with children among the worst affected. Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena said the seasonal outbreak is particularly active during the rainy months and toward the end of the year, and children in daycares, pre-schools, and schools are among the most vulnerable. “The illness can appear in many forms as many children develop sudden fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, more..

Oct 24 (AD) A high-level meeting was held at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake today (23) jointly chaired by the Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation, Janith Ruwan Kodituwakku, and the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha. The meeting focused on reviewing matters related to strengthening the overall security of the BIA, the country’s main aviation gateway to the world, Defence Ministry said in a statement. more..

Oct 24 (DN) Sri Lanka celebrated a golden day on the track at the third Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, as Lahiru Achintha stormed to victory in the Boys’ 1500m event, clocking an impressive 3:57.42. Achintha’s explosive final-lap surge left his competitors behind and ignited celebrations among Sri Lankan fans. China’s Sha Lihua took silver with 3:58.73, while Hong Kong’s Au Ho Chun claimed bronze in 4:05.09, rounding off a thrilling contest. Adding to Sri Lanka’s success, more..

Oct 24 (CT) Significant difficulties have arisen in carrying out influenza testing, a disease which is likely to spread during current weather conditions, in State hospitals due to a lack of necessary resources. This shortage is forcing the public to turn to the private sector for testing, incurring heavy costs of around Rs 4,500. According to officials who wished to remain anonymous, the State hospitals are only able to provide the required antiviral medication after the test results from more..

Oct 24 (FT) Dialog Axiata said it has expanded its 5G trial network across 15 districts nationwide, reaffirming its leadership in next-generation connectivity and its continued commitment to driving SL’s digital transformation. With this milestone, Dialog continues to operate the nation’s largest 5G trial network, spanning 15 districts, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Puttalam, A'pura, more..

Oct 24 (DN) Although the Financial Stability Review indicates that private sector credit to GDP gap continued widening, the financial intermediation is still well below the levels that prevailed earlier and the private sector credit as a total share is still below the pre pandemic levels that is partly because the public sector credit share coming down and as a result more private sector credit can be accumulated in the system, Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said. more..

Oct 24 (CT) Two Police teams have been reviewing over 100 CCTV camera feeds installed along roads as of yesterday, tracing the escape route of the gunmen who assassinated Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, alias Midigama Lasa. However, a senior officer in the Southern Province stated that the heavy rainfall has been obstructing these CCTV-based investigations. Meanwhile, a senior Police official said that the gunmen who shot the Chairman and fled might have been more..

Oct 24 (FT) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday gave a strong signal about the Govt’s improving fiscal performance with key indicators expected to exceed expectations as never before. “The govt’s fiscal performance is exceeding expectations, with stronger revenue and tighter spending producing a lower deficit, marking the first time in decades that fiscal targets have been surpassed,” Dr. Weerasinghe said. more..

Oct 24 (FT) At the end of the IMF program, by around 2028, SL is projected to spend over 40% of Govt revenue on debt repayments, one of the highest ratios among peer-group countries. With at least eight million Sri Lankans categorised as poor, the narrative of stability is superficial. Higher public sector numbers and increased salaries contradict claims of a lack of fiscal space for health and education. As the economy expands, repayments under Macro-linked Bonds will continue to more..

Oct 24 (FT) Today (24) marks 2,411 days since the devastating Easter Sunday bombings shook SL, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and despair in their wake. On 21 April 2019, coordinated suicide bomb attacks targeted churches and luxury hotels, claiming the lives of 270 innocent people and injuring over 500 others. The painfully slow progress the investigation has traversed in is to create nothing more important than public distrust. The attacks, initially said to have been claimed by more..

Oct 24 (EN) Sri Lanka has unveiled a national strategy which will help the country tap climate financing from official donors and also the private sector to help support over US$ 10 billion for adaptation strategies, officials said. National Climate Finance Strategy of Sri Lanka 2025 – 2030, was devised by the External Resources Department of the Finance Ministry with the support of the UN and UK. “Sri Lanka in particular, given our dependency and exposure to the tourism industry, more..

Oct 24 (DM) The Govt Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA) has announced an island-wide token strike on Nov 6, 2025, in protest over what it describes as the ongoing administrative collapse within the Dental Services Division of the Health Ministry. In a statement, the GDSA said the decision was unanimously approved by its Executive Committee following 18 months of unsuccessful attempts to resolve serious administrative issues through official channels. more..

Oct 24 (TT) The Thai govt is set to hold talks with Sri Lanka on October 28 to bring back two elephants that were gifted by Thailand, following reports of poor living conditions and alleged mistreatment. Deputy PM and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Suchart Chomklin, wrote on his Facebook page that he plans to fly urgently to SL amid growing concerns about the welfare of the two Thai elephants, more..

Oct 24 (TT) A total of 76 vehicles of the SL Army that had been in long-term use and had become unserviceable have been fully restored to motorable condition and are scheduled to be added to the Army vehicle fleet from today. Implemented on the instructions from Lt Gen Lasantha Rodrigo, the successful reintegration of these refurbished vehicles into the Army fleet, as part of a project executed in parallel with the Clean SL programme, will enable the Army to save a significant more..

Oct 24 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Govt’s development agenda is rooted in sustainability and human dignity and that the Govt aims to uplift every community and ensure that progress reaches all corners of the country. She made these remarks while attending the United Nations Day 2025 commemoration held under the global theme Our UN, marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and 70 years of partnership between Sri Lanka and the UN, more..

Oct 24 (DM) Central Bank (CB) announced that by the end of the first six months of 2025, financial institutions in the country had granted a total of Rs. 1,161 billion as vehicle-backed loans, reflecting strong demand following the easing of import restrictions earlier this year. According to CB Deputy Governor J.P.R. Karunaratne, the majority of these loans were issued under leasing facilities, more..

Oct 24 (NW) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe today rejected an allegation by MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam that he had met a businessman at the Kingsbury Hotel to discuss a questionable distillery licence. Raising a privilege issue in Parliament, Deputy Minister said his parliamentary privileges had been violated by MP Rasamanickam’s remarks and urged the Speaker to take appropriate action. “As public officials, we often meet investors and individuals interested in more..

Oct 24 (DM) Environment Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala said that, in general, scientists are contributing to environmental damage through their new inventions. Speaking at the Presidential Environment Awards 2025 held yesterday at the BMICH, he said many scientists fail to consider the environmental impact of their innovations. Therefore, the Ministry plans to introduce a new concept encouraging scientists to make their inventions more eco-friendly. He further said that more..

Oct 24 (AM) SJB Kalutara District MP Jagath Vithana told Parliament today that he has received a confidential notification sent by the IGP to the several senior Police officers, detailing an alleged plot to assassinate him. Vithana said the document, marked as a secret communication from the IGP to Kalutara DIG and SSP, explicitly stated that he was to be shot and killed as he stepped out of his vehicle at home. The MP further claimed that the notification named the individual more..

Oct 24 (AD) SriLankan Airlines today issued a clarification regarding the recent reports concerning the airline’s financial performance for the financial year 2024/25. SL’s national carrier said the Group reported a loss of LKR 2,735 million in 2024/25, compared to a profit of LKR 7,925 million in 2023/24. “This variance was primarily due to a reduced exchange gain of LKR 3,925 million in 2024/25, compared with the previous year’s exchange gain of LKR 26,717 million,” statement said. more..

Oct 24 (MB) Every dozen years or so, SL’s mist-shrouded highlands burst into color. Violet, pink and white carpets of tiny blooms spread across the grasslands of the Horton Plains and other hill country trails, drawing thousands of visitors eager to witness one of nature’s rarest spectacles: the mass flowering of nelu, a group of native shrubs belonging to the genus Strobilanthes, known for synchronized mass flowering occurring every more..