Oct 29 (NW) The full video of the Police operation conducted to arrest Ishara Sewwandi, the suspect wanted over the murder of underworld figure ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, has been released to the media. It is reported that an individual known as ‘Jaffna Bhai’, who was arrested alongside Ishara Sewwandi, had assisted in the arrest in Nepal. The video footage shows ‘Jaffna Bhai’ luring Ishara Sewwandi for a meeting, after which she was arrested. more..

Oct 29 (EN) VFS Global, a partner in a consortium that carried out online visa service for SL’s Dept of Immigration has issued a statement after National Audit Office released a special report on the deal. Report said VFS-IVS-GBS group that charged fees from tourists had not remitted at least US$ 1.245 million of value added tax and 127,970 social security levy charged from visa applicants. Visa and extra fees had been charged from more..

Oct 29 (FT) Vehicle import duties surged 818% year-on-year to Rs. 349 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up from just Rs. 38 billion a year ago, according to the Finance Ministry’s latest Fiscal Review Report. Vehicle imports reached $ 193 million in July, boosting the total to $ 668 million for the first seven months of the year. The value of motor vehicle imports is expected to reach $ 1.5 billion this year, up from the earlier projection of $ 1.2 billion, CB Governor said. more..

Oct 29 (NF) A shocking revelation emerged today as the National Lotteries Board (NLB) disclosed that several lottery sales agents, appointed through political influence, have failed to remit millions of rupees owed to the Board for years. The disclosure was made during a media briefing chaired by M.D.C.A. Perera, Chairman of the NLB, who detailed a series of cases involving unpaid dues, nepotism, and alleged misuse of public funds. “There are numerous district agents who have been more..

Oct 30 (DM) It has now become a norm to have extremely sensitive videos, either of fatal road accidents, CCTV footage of robberies, murders and various other crimes aired on mainstream media. What is even more disturbing is that these videos can now be uploaded to social media platforms, and users have the chance to watch them on repeat. The recent saga over the arrest of the main suspect who gunned down the Weligama PS Chairman speaks volumes about the danger associated with more..

Oct 30 (DM) Last week’s killing of Lasantha Wickremesekara, SJB controlled Weligama PS chairman, inside the chamber by a gunman, and subsequent allegations and counter-allegations over the killing have rekindled the fear of the return of political violence. The killing was politicised before the blood dried up. However, more appropriately, the brazen murder should prompt an honest discourse within SL politics about the political underworld nexus, which does not seem to disappear, more..

Oct 30 (TM) In what appears to be an illegal swim-with-whales excursion, a recent video circulating on social media depicting local boats aggressively chasing whales approaching them at close proximity while making loud noises has sparked outrage among the public. Under the Sea Mammals Regulations No.1 of 2012, all vessels that go on whale-watching excursions must obtain an annual licence to do so. more..

Oct 30 (ST) There I was reading and rereading the words of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who, for some reason or other, is viewed by some as an up-and-coming messiah. Why that is so is still not quite known, but my eyes fell on an article in another newspaper lying by the side. It is not that Minister Herath’s words were as dull as his reading, but what I noticed at a glance appeared far more eye-catching. Some might claim minister’s oratorical skill is akin to parliamentary parippu, more..

Oct 30 (DM) October 29 marks the International Day of Care and Support. This article looks at the govt’s new social protection strategy, and whether its promise of leaving no one behind will respond to the care deficits in migrant worker households. In its recently published National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2025-2035, the govt outlines a ten-year roadmap, with Social Care as one of its four core priorities. This recognition of care as a national priority marks a critical milestone more..

Oct 30 (SO) There is an awakening in the field of irrigation development in the country. The ancient kings treated rainwater as a highly precious national asset and constructed small, medium and large scale tanks for collecting and storing every possible drop of rainwater for irrigational, agricultural and drinking purposes. The concept converted the North Central province into the kingdom of tanks. more..

Oct 30 (TM) Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development has reportedly called for bids to purchase 1,775 four-wheel-drive diesel-powered double cabs, a massive, multi-billion-rupee tender, with a mere 12 days given for submissions. The tender closes on 4 November and according to media reports, the vehicles are to assist in work progress of the Govt’s development programmes. At first glance, such a purchase might appear as a logistical necessity for development work, more..

Oct 30 (Island) Onion farmers have been protesting vehemently, unable to sell their produce, during the past several days. Cultivators from Prez Dissanayake’s native place, Thambuttegama, are also up in arms, castigating the govt for ignoring their appeals for help. Farmers’ associations say they are in this predicament due to onion imports, and the govt has taken the farming community for a ride. Incumbent govt is not alone in having ignored farmer’s pleas for help and done precious more..

Oct 30 (CT) The recent arrest of the main suspect in the murder of Weligama PS Chairman has once again exposed a troubling practice that continues to stain the professionalism of SL’s law enforcement.e Police have now launched a special investigation into their own officers after video footage of the arrest began circulating widely on social media. It was not the arrest itself that raised eyebrows, but rather the manner in which it was conducted and then paraded before the public eye. more..

Oct 30 (Island) In a world grappling with climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing socio-economic inequalities, Sri Lanka is striving to chart a path that connects people, planet, and prosperity. This commitment was on full display at Genesis by Dilmah — a thought-provoking forum held in Colombo under the theme Connecting Rainforest Communities and Livelihoods. The event brought together conservationists, academics, policymakers, & business leaders in a dynamic exchange more..

Oct 30 (SO) Foreign investors are showing a strong interest in Sri Lanka’s mineral resources as the Govt moves to finalise its first-ever national policy framework for mineral mining. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, said that the policy would be introduced shortly to provide a firm foundation for new investments. “The new framework will enable investors to plan their ventures with confidence and support more..

=Oct 30 (FT) LAUGFS Power, a subsidiary of the diversified LAUGFS Group, has launched its first AI-enabled Annual Report in collaboration with Futurity Ltd. Initiative marks a milestone for SL’s energy sector, positioning LAUGFS Power among the earliest renewable energy companies in the country to adopt artificial intelligence for shareholder communications. The deployment integrates Futurity’s flagship platform, Omni, into the Investor Relations section of LAUGFS Power website. more..

Oct 30 (FT) The Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP), in collaboration with the Federation of European Screen Printers Associations (FESPA), has successfully organised another insightful seminar and business forum on the future of the printing industry. The full-day workshop was held at the Hotel Grand Guardian, Ratnapura, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the participation of 95 professionals from Kuruwita, Balangoda, and Embilipitiya in the Ratnapura region. more..

Oct 30 (Island) There were many outstanding performances by SL athletes at the just concluded South Asian Athletics Championship in Ranchi India. Many consider Shafiya Yamick’s hattrick of golds on top of every other accomplishment. Undoubtedly, it was a remarkable achievement. There were also other feats that went unnoticed as the spotlight fell mainly on multiple medal winners. Dasuni Kaushalya’s gold winning feat in the women’s 400 metres hurdles was one such. more..

Oct 30 (FT) A powerhouse roster of int'l and regional experts will headline the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2025, setting the stage for a world-class dialogue on reform, resilience, and investment-led growth. Organised by CCC, the two-day summit will take place on 2 and 3 Dec at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. Registrations close on 31 Oct, and participants are encouraged to secure their place early to engage with this exclusive gathering of policymakers, investors & more..

Oct 30 (DM) German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann, asserting that around 300 German brands are currently present in SL, said more investments could flow from his country if bureaucracy acts faster, the corruption-free policy continues, and investments are properly protected. Delivering remarks at the monthly Ambassadors’ Roundtable Discussion, Dr. Neumann said this was the feedback he had received from more..

Oct 30 (NF) A prisoner from the Colombo Magazine Prison has been arrested for allegedly stealing a firearm from the evidence storage room of the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court during a routine visit for cleaning operations. The suspect managed to take a Czechoslovakian-made 9mm pistol and its magazine from the court’s evidence locker before boarding the prison transport bus. The incident occurred when three inmates from the Magazine Prison were brought to the court for cleaning operations. more..

Oct 30 (FT) Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka, owner of PickMe, announced its results for the second quarter and first half of FY2025/26, marking the company’s strongest performance to date, with revenue in Q2 increasing 51% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs. 2.1 billion. The company said this performance was underpinned by record-high engagement from users and third-party drivers on the platform, resulting in a 53% YoY increase in platform movements and a 23% jump compared to more..

Oct 30 (FT) SL’s property tax system is delivering negligible revenue and will not support the Govt’s plan to introduce a new property tax by 2027 unless the valuation method is modernised, according to a new study published by Verité Research. Paper, Property Taxes in SL: Proposal for a More Effective Valuation Method, authored by Verité Research SL Economic Policy Group Member Prof. Mick Moore, argues that SL should more..

Oct 30 (DN) Former skipper Dasun Shanaka is tipped to be named Sri Lanka’s vice captain for the upcoming T20 Tri-Series in Pakistan. Chairth Asalanka remains as skipper of the T-20 team. Sri Lanka did not have a designated vice captain during their recent international tours, and selectors are now considering reinstating a deputy role to support Asalanka’s leadership to focus on the next T-20 World Cup. The 34-year-old Shanaka, one of the team’s most experienced T20 players, more..

Oct 30 (FT) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando called for renewed global commitment to openness in trade, investment, and knowledge exchange, warning that rising protectionism threatens decades of economic progress. Addressing the Global Dialogue on Innovation, Openness & Shared Development organised by China Media Group, Dr. Fernando said global finance and trade cannot thrive behind walls, and urged nations to resist the drift towards more..

Oct 30 (Island) Colombo Colts Cricket Club hosted a grand felicitation ceremony to honour one of its most illustrious members and a proud ambassador of SL cricket —Angelo Mathews. Mathews’ extraordinary contribution to SL cricket and his long-standing loyalty to the Colombo Colts Cricket Club — the only club he has represented throughout his professional career – were recognised during the ceremony. The event was graced by a distinguished gathering of SL’s cricketing leg;්බේ මගේ පුතා...more..

Oct 30 (Island) Colombo Colts Cricket Club hosted a grand felicitation ceremony to honour one of its most illustrious members and a proud ambassador of SL cricket —Angelo Mathews. Mathews’ extraordinary contribution to SL cricket and his long-standing loyalty to the Colombo Colts Cricket Club — the only club he has represented throughout his professional career – were recognised during the ceremony. The event was graced by a distinguished gathering of SL’s cricketing legends including more..

Oct 30 (Island) Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka are in the process of setting up a Saudi-SL Business Council. Foreign Ministry said that SL Ambassador in Ameer Ajwad recently met the members of the proposed Saudi – Sri Lanka Business Council to finalise arrangements in this regard. Ambassador and the members of the Council nominated by the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) held extensive discussions on the procedures for the establishment of the Saudi–SL Business Council, more..

Oct 30 (TM) In the wake of the Ministry of Education reiterating there will be no change to the decision to extend school hours until 2 p.m. from January of next year (2026), the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) stated they will under no circumstance agree to the proposed move. CTU President Priyantha Fernando said that when schools reopen after GCE A/L Examination, teachers would go on a one-day strike in protest. more..

Oct 30 (DM) Health authorities have raised concerns over a possible resurgence of malaria in Sri Lanka, as imported cases among returning travellers continue to rise. The Anti-Malaria Campaign confirmed that 35 individuals have tested positive for malaria this year, most of whom were Sri Lankans infected while overseas. Officials warned that the increase in imported cases could lead to local transmission if preventive measures are not strictly followed. more..

Oct 30 (DN) Two men from Kalpitiya area have died after drinking a liquid from a bottle that was floating in the sea. They had fallen ill after drinking the liquid and had been taken to the Puttalam hospital in critical condition, but both had died while under treatment. The deceased were two 28-year-olds residing in Narakkaliya, Kalpitiya. The two men were part of a group of four who were consuming liquor at a place close to the Norochcholai power plant, Police said. more..

Oct 30 (DN) SL’s tax revenue had increased by more than 32 percent by the end of the third quarter of this year (Jan 1 to Sept 30) compared to the same period of the previous year. The increase in tax revenue has been mainly due to the increase in VAT collected on imports of vehicles from abroad, an increase in excise revenue and an increase in tax revenue collected by Customs. Accordingly, by the end of September this year, tax revenue has increased by 32.5% compared to previous yr more..

Oct 30 (TM) Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer said that all preliminary work for the upcoming national programme, the Sri Lankan Day, has now commenced. He said that the necessary initial steps have already been taken, with responsibilities distributed among the relevant Ministries to ensure the programme's success. “The work to be carried out by each Ministry has been identified by now. The relevant parties will perform their role, and we are hopeful of a successful event." more..

Oct 30 (Island) Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih said that he wouldn’t forgo the fuel allowance granted to MPs from now on. NPP MP said so when queried whether he continued to receive two fuel allowances-one as an MP and the other as Chairman of Committees. He said that he had informed Parliament of his decision. Salih, as the Chairman of Committees, is among three persons––Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne and more..

Oct 30 (FT) The newly established National Commission on Women (NCW), which is an independent commission, will commence its functions soon to safeguard and promote the rights and protection of women in the country. The NCW, which was established under the Women’s Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024, will look into the complaints regarding issues, harassment, and injustices experienced in both Govt and private sector workplaces. more..

Oct 30 (AD) CID has obtained a 72-hour detention order to detain and interrogate the female lawyer who allegedly provided a copy of the Penal Code to Ishara Sewwandi, a suspect in the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, police said. The female lawyer allegedly involved in the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder case was arrested last night (28) in the Kadawatha area. The infamous gang leader known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa was fatally shot by a gunman disguised as a lawyer in more..