Oct 27 (FT) It began as a tender message about love, parenting, and understanding. A series of three short films — each rooted in Sri Lankan family life — told simple but profound stories: a father learning to appreciate his son’s individuality, a mother balancing care and ambition, and a household bridging generations with mutual respect. The idea was clear — don’t box people in. Let children dream, let families evolve, and let tradition and modernity coexist. more..

Oct 27 (NW) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, has sent a Letter of Demand to Waruna Rajapaksha over alleged defamatory statements on YouTube regarding a distillery licence. Deputy Minister’s Office said a series of defamatory and false allegations against Deputy Minister were recently circulated on a YouTube channel by an individual named Waruna Rajapaksha. Accordingly, a Letter of Demand has been issued to Waruna Rajapaksha, seeking compensation for more..

Oct 27 (AM) Sri Lanka has emerged as one of South Asia’s most AI-exposed economies, showing rapid growth in artificial intelligence–related employment but also facing rising risks of job displacement, according to the World Bank’s South Asia Development Update: Jobs, AI & Trade (Oct 2025). Report’s latest chapter, highlights that Sri Lanka and Bhutan have the highest exposure to AI in the region, reflecting their relatively skilled more..

Oct 27 (NW) Professional Web Journalists Association has called on the SL Police and authorities to halt the release of video footage of arrested suspects, warning that such practices undermine due process and damage public trust in the criminal justice system. In a statement, the association stressed that all arrests and investigations must be carried out strictly in line with the procedures established by law. It raised concerns over what it described as more..

Oct 27 (Island) SJB MP Jagath Vithana said that the NPP govt should conduct an overall security review without further delay. The Kalutara District lawmaker said so after police headquarters assigned two personnel for him following information as regards a possible attempt to assassinate him. Responding to The Island queries, the Opposition member said that IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya himself had been aware of the possible attempt for about a month, although he was not alerted. more..

Oct 27 (DM) In a bid to deepen ideological and political engagement with Beijing, the JVP — a key constituent of the ruling NPP — has stepped up its interaction with Communist Party of China (CPC), seeking to learn from China’s experience in achieving economic growth, political stability, and public trust, while moving ahead with the implementation of the MoU signed between the two parties. more..

Oct 27 (DN) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has called on the govt to take immediate action to ensure the safety of public representatives. Speaking on the matter, Rajapaksa emphasized the need to provide adequate protection to mayors, municipal and urban council members, Pradeshiya Sabha chairmen, and MPs. He noted that the recently murdered Weligama PS Chairman had previously informed the IGP of the threats to his life and requested protection but was not provided with security. more..

Oct 27 (EN) Sri Lanka needs an updated data system for selecting eligible beneficiaries under the Aswesuma welfare scheme, World Bank has said, and offered to provide the necessary technical support and international expertise. World bank representatives met members of parliament and Finance Ministry officials recently. “Establishing a comprehensive data system for social Security would enable the accurate identification of genuinely poor and vulnerable individuals and families,” more..

Oct 27 (Island) A group of students from Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, Uni of Colombo, and the Amity Law School, Mumbai, India, engaged in an educational visit to the Parliament of SL recently. The visit took place as part of a series of academic programmes conducted under the Indo–SL Environmental Law Week – 2025, organised jointly by the Dept of Public and Int'l Law, Faculty of Law, Uni of Colombo, the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP), more..

Oct 27 (AD) Steps will be taken in the future to grant voting rights to Sri Lankans working abroad, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath has stated. Minister noted that the Ministry of Public Administration is also involved in the process and efforts are currently being made toward achieving the goal promptly. Minister made this statement today while attending an event held to mark the 40th anniversary of the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment. more..

Oct 27 (AM) A special audit report on SL’s controversial online visa issuance system has revealed massive financial losses to the govt and exorbitant fees charged to travelers during the brief, chaotic period the service was managed by a foreign consortium. The report, which examined the operations of GBS Technology Service, IVS Global-FZCO, and VF Worldwide Holding (VFS) between Apr 17 and Aug 2, 2024, found the state lost more..

Oct 27 (AM) Actress Srimali Fonseka was questioned for several hours by the CID yesterday regarding alleged links to the detained underworld figure Mandinu Perera, alias Kehelbaddara Padme. This line of questioning follows a similar inquiry involving actress Piumi Hansamali. Srimali Fonseka arrived at the CID headquarters in the morning and left the premises at approximately 3:45 p.m. Speaking to the media afterward, Fonseka denied having any personal connection to suspect, more..

Oct 27 (EN) Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$ 100 million loan to support SL’s tourism sector, with a particular focus on developing the Dambulla and Trincomalee areas, the global lender said. The financial package will back policy reforms and targeted catalytic investments, which align with SL’s National Tourism Policy. “Through appropriate policy and institutional reforms, infrastructure enhancements, and improved sector resilience against internal & external shocks, more..

Oct 27 (FT) SL’s digital economy is estimated at Rs. 1,342 billion, accounting for 4.5% of GDP, according to the Institute of Policy Studies’ (IPS). Digital businesses & online platforms are driving innovation, creating new products, and reducing transaction costs, while supporting sustainable economic growth and competitiveness. Information and communication services have become a key driver of SL’s services sector, more..

Oct 27 (DM) A British national who arrived in Sri Lanka with his daughter to celebrate her 34th birthday died under mysterious circumstances in Ella, police said. The deceased, identified as Brett Maclean (63) of Oakpath, UK, had travelled to Sri Lanka on Oct 16 with his daughter Natalie Anne. The duo had first visited Weligama in the Matara District before travelling to Ella on Oct 23, where they stayed at a local tourist hotel, according to the Ella Police. more..

Oct 27 (Island) Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekera has ruled out the possibility of the re-opening of the Moondrumurippu–Thatchankulam main road and the release of the surrounding land. Jayasekera said so responding to Vanni District ITAK MP Dr P. Sathiyalingam during the parliamentary session last week. The lawmaker questioned the govt over the continued military control of civilian land in Vavuniya, including the site of an LTTE cemetery. more..

Oct 27 (Island) Sri Lanka made a significant contribution to the recent III Int'l Buddhist Forum, held in the Republic of Kalmykia, Russian Federation, with co-sponsorship from Moscow State Uni (MSU) and the Govt of Kalmykia. The text of the FM press release: “A 15-member SL delegation, including the Counsellor of the Embassy, Mihiravi Dissanayake, Buddhist monks, and scholars from the universities of both Sri J'pura and Kelaniya together with Gampaha Wickramaarachchi more..

Oct 27 (DN) Director General of the NBRO, Asiri Karunaratne, announced that on-site inspections have been conducted to identify solutions and obtain recommendations to prevent water leakage at the historic Demodara Nine Arch Bridge — a remarkable British-era construction and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic tourist attractions. A team comprising officials from the NBRO and engineers from the SL Railways Department carried out a detailed inspection of all vulnerable sections of the bridge on Oct 25. more..

Oct 27 (DM) The new govt has ended the practice of political interference in providing foreign employment and introduced a transparent system to ensure only deserving candidates secure jobs abroad, Minister Vijitha Herath said. He made the remarks today during the launch of a special commemorative first-day cover marking the 40th anniversary of the SL Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) at Foreign Affairs Ministry. more..

Oct 27 (NW) Kuwait Airways, one of the oldest int'l carriers operating to Sri Lanka, has officially relaunched its direct online operations to Colombo after two years of successful codeshare operations with SriLankan Airlines. The national carrier of the State of Kuwait, which first commenced services to SL on 15th Oct 1978, has now resumed four weekly flights using its state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo aircraft, offering passengers enhanced comfort and seamless connectivity. more..

Oct 27 (DM) Govt of SL and Govt of Australia have entered into bilateral agreements on external debt restructuring, marking a significant milestone in SL’s ongoing efforts to restore debt sustainability and revamp its economy, Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development said. These agreements reflects the strong commitment of the Govt of SL to conclude the external debt restructuring process in a timely manner, following the MoU reached with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC). more..

Oct 27 (AD) Jaffna has been named as one of the Top 25 Best Places to Visit in the World for 2026, by global travel publication Lonely Planet. Jaffna, known as a cultural travel destination has attracted thousands of visitors in recent years. The selection of Jaffna once again underscores SL’s rich cultural and historical heritage and will help authorities’ push towards establishing the country as one of the most sort after tourist destination. more..

Oct 27 (EN) Foreign investment in SL govt securities reached its highest in almost two year as offshore investors continued to buy the island nation’s bonds in the last nine weeks. Foreign holdings in SL’s treasury bonds reached 130.96 billion rupees (USD 436.6 million at 1$=300 rupees) as of Oct 23, its highest since Nov 16, 2023, the latest Central Bank data showed. Foreigners bought a net 606 million rupee (US$ 2.03 million) worth of govt securities in the week ended on Oct 23, more..

Oct 27 (NW) SJB MP Jagath Withana says he will take legal action against IGP C.D. Priyantha Weerasooriya over what he described as false and damaging allegations linking him to organised crime. Responding to the IGP’s statement that the threat to his life was connected to dealings with individuals involved in illegal businesses, MP Withana said the claim was baseless and intended to discredit him. “I have no connection with the underworld. I have engaged in business legally since 1989. more..

Oct 27 (FT) The US administration had issued a warning to American tourists visiting Sri Lanka of an imminent threat of violence, terrorism and landmines. A similar warning was issued in October last year pointing to developments in Arugam Bay. But the current warning came amidst two other developments besides Arugam Bay. Firstly, the IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou has been urged to remind President cum Finance Minister Anura Kumara Disanayake that incoming Budget more..

Oct 27 (FT) Rusiripala Tennekoon, ex-banker and trade union leader, released his autobiography titled My journey: Across time and trials in Colombo last week. The event had been attended by his friends and well-wishers, including a galaxy of politicians. The autobiography is almost entirely on his working life as an adult and a senior citizen; his childhood travails and trials are confined only to seven printed pages. He has qualified it in the preface as follows: “This book is the story of my journey more..

Oct 27 (AD) The suspected gunman and several others arrested in relation to the murder of the Chairman of Weligama PS, Lasantha Wickramasekara have been handed over to the FCID, police stated. Police headquarters said the group including the suspected gunman have been handed over to the FCID for further investigations. A man suspected to be the gunman in the murder of the Chairman of the Weligama PS, more..

Oct 27 (DN) Met Dept has warned that Cyclone Montha, which developed from a deep depression in the southeastern Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow. The system is expected to move toward land through the Andhra Pradesh coast in India. Due to this situation, strong winds of 50–60 km/h can be expected at times in the western slopes of the central hills, as well as in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Northern, North-Central and more..

Oct 27 (NW) SL’s Fathima Shafiya Yamick produced a remarkable performance at the South Asian Athletics Championship 2025 in Ranchi, India, completing a golden sprint treble while setting meet records in all three events. The 26-year-old sprinter from Viharamahadevi GC, Kandy, won gold medals in the women’s 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events, rewriting the record books and marking one of the finest individual performances by a Sri Lankan athlete at the regional meet. more..

Oct 27 (ST) Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development on Thursday floated a multibillion rupee tender for the purchase of 1,775 diesel-powered double cabs, allowing just 12 days for interested parties to submit their bids. Sealed bids are invited for the procurement of the brand-new four-wheel-drive automatic transmission diesel double cabs through the national competitive bidding procedure. more..

Oct 27 (ST) A dispute has erupted between Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Energy Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala over the latter reappointing Pubudu Niroshan as Director General (DG) of the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS) after the expiry of his contract. On October 15, 2025, Prof. Hemapala issued a letter reappointing Mr. Niroshan to the position of DG after his contract expired on that date. However, Minister Jayakody wrote to the Secretary this week more..

Oct 27 (Island) Sri Lanka finished an impressive fifth in the Women’s World Cup after New Zealand failed to beat England in the last group match in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. As a result, the Kiwis ended sixth with four points while Sri Lanka clinched fifth spot with five points. The finish earns them a cool USD 700,000 in prize money — a handsome return for a side that had failed to even qualify for the previous edition in New Zealand. Sri Lanka were left cursing the weather gods after more..