Oct 23 (ST) As UNP and SJB moved closer to working out an alliance, after being separate for more than five years, members of the two parties have reacted. Senior members, party organisers, and ground-level supporters are enthusiastic but note that there are several outstanding issues. Rivalry between UNP and SJB members has been one of the main concerns, but finalising nomination lists for provincial more..

Oct 22 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly asked the FUTA to formulate a comprehensive plan to eliminate delays in universities and streamline the higher education sector. He made this request when he met a group of FUTA representatives on Monday. State universities have come to be characterised by various delays, which are multifactorial. The pace at which they operate reminds us of an Aluth Avurudu cycling competition, where the slowest more..

Oct 22 (TM) The oceans are the source of life and the great unifier of our distant civilisations. Civilisations are built on trade and relations, much of which happens via shipping, today. Over the last few centuries, sea trade and Naval power have redefined the global order and landscape. However, as we move further away from the age of sails, the global shipping industry has become one of the biggest polluters of our planet. Many attempts have been made to address this issue; progress more..

Oct 22 (GV) Reports of significant public uprisings from Morocco, a country in North Africa, and Madagascar, an island nation on the African continent, have been consistent in recent days. As usual, youth collectives born between 1997 and 2012 (commonly called Gen Z) are the main recognized rioters responsible for the current situation in both countries. Although the key triggers for the ongoing protests differ, several common factors can be highlighted: mobilization more..

Oct 22 (Island) In 2024 and 2025, the world witnessed something extraordinary: gold, that ancient metal once thought to belong to kings and temples, suddenly became the new obsession of investors, govts, and even central bankers. Prices shattered all records, soaring past US$4,100 per ounce, doubling within a single year. Analysts scrambled to explain what was happening. Was this another bubble? A panic? Or something deeper—perhaps the beginning of a historic financial more..

Oct 22 (TM) Despite being an island nation surrounded by the Indian Ocean, SL has yet to fully capitalise on its fisheries sector, a situation frequently highlighted by local fishermen. The country’s resource base is substantial: an Exclusive Economic Zone of 517,000 sq km, a territorial sea of 21,500 sq km, and thousands of square kilometres of lagoons, estuaries, and man-made reservoirs that can support both more..

Oct 22 (ST) Some years back, just after the famous victory of the Yahapalanaya brigade that brought the Maithripala Sirisena- Ranil Wickremesinghe-led political group into power, strong efforts were made to take action against allegedly-corrupt officials of the past. Many cases were filed and one in particular against two corporate bigwigs for endorsing a move by a state agency – where they served as directors – to finance a religious programme that was perceived as a political stunt, went to court. more..

Oct 22 (DM) SL’s heroes are still waiting to be saved, 16 years on: They face premature death from cardiac issues and cancer, not from combat wounds, but from the psychological toll of war manifesting as heavy smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and maladaptive coping mechanisms. A truly satisfied post-military life requires a holistic approach that addresses both economic development and health, physical and mental. It is essential to create supportive environments where veterans more..

Oct 22 (SO) On Oct 12 Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was in Bandarawela distributing land deeds and praising the long contribution of the Malaiyaha community to Sri Lanka’s economy, a very different story was unfolding in a small rubber estate called Hemmeliya near Baddegama in the Galle District. Just nine families are remaining on a narrow strip of land where their ancestors have lived and worked for nearly five generations. more..

Oct 22 (CT) Namal Rajapaksa’s recent announcement that all SLPP candidates will be required to submit a Police report, confirming no links to organised crime or drug networks has stirred quite a conversation. It sounds like a good move, one that should have come long ago. Yet, as with most things in our political landscape, it is questionable whether it is born of good intention or merely another attempt at image cleansing. Although such doubts are valid, the core idea more..

Oct 22 (DM) When you earn a daily wage you simply plan your life around the concept one day at a time. Thinking long-term for them would mean getting through the 30 days of the month. That’s how the plantation sector workers in SL have lived their lives. And they have lived their lives in this manner for over 200 years. What they have done is not impossible, but unthinkable. Just the other day, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, at an event in Bandarawela, promised estate sector workers more..

Oct 21 (Island) CIABOC has said that measures implemented in terms of the Anti-Corruption Act 2023 (No. 9), particularly Articles 36–39(1)(2) fortified the integrity of SL Railways’ online ticketing system. It said that the operation was spearheaded by CIABOC’s Corruption Prevention Unit. CIABOC’s comprehensive 45-page investigative report on SL Railways’ Online Ticket System has been prepared after examining over one million entries—including ID numbers, phone numbers, and more..

Oct 21 (EN) Sri Lanka’s aviation industry has shown steady growth since 2021 but is still struggling to reach its performance in the year before the 2019 Easter Sunday attack, the latest govt data showed. In 2018, the industry handled 10.88 million international passengers, 67,351 international aircrafts, and 279,559 metric tons of air cargo. These numbers fell slightly after the Easter Sunday attack in 2019 before plummeting in the next two years due to Covid-19 global pandemic. more..

Oct 21 (Island) Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, who is also Chairman of Committees, and Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, continue to receive fuel allowances as MPs, in addition to 900 litres of fuel, on par with members of the Cabinet and deputy ministers, sources familiar with the arrangement told The Island. The Speaker holds Cabinet rank while Deputy Speaker more..

Oct 21 (TM) SL delegation, led by Governor of CB Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, actively participated in a series of high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings during the 2025 WB/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, DC, during 13-18 Oct. Discussions with multilateral and bilateral partners focused on advancing development cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and digital transformation, with particular interest in securing new financing & technical assistance on capacity building. more..

Oct 21 (DN) GMOA has urged those affected by the ongoing disaster situation to seek medical help by calling the 24-hour hotline: 0774506602. GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said doctors across all affected districts are prepared to respond to emergencies and provide necessary healthcare support. Dr. Wijesinghe warned that SL’s health system is at serious risk of collapse due to persistent shortcomings, including a shortage of doctors, difficulties in doctor placement, more..

Oct 21 (DM) Claiming that some major scams including CB Bond scam are in the hands of the CID and FCID, Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday the newly established Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division would facilitate and expedite investigations into such major financial crimes. Speaking at the opening of the new division, the Minister said the unit would be instrumental in recovering illegally acquired assets. more..

Oct 21 (EN) SL Customs has achieved 90% of its revenue target by Oct 20 after exceeding the monthly targets every month. SL Customs has set a revenue target of 2,115 billion rupees for this year, 36.2% higher than last year’s 1,553 million rupees. The revenue collection body of the govt has collected 1,906 billion rupees as of Oct 20 to achieve over 90% of this year’s target, the data showed. The Customs collected record monthly revenue of 253.2 billion rupees in September this year more..

Oct 21 (DM) Sukirthan Thangrasha, of New Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, also denied a charge of common assault at Portsmouth Crown Court today, but did plead guilty to a count of assault by beating. The court heard that the defendant, who attended the hearing with the help of a Tamil interpreter, is accused of arriving in the UK without leave to do so in October 2021. Thangrasha also faces a charge of indecent exposure, which was alleged to have taken place in Southampton on Aug 15 this year, more..

Oct 21 (NW) Ministry of Education has clarified that the printing of textbooks for schools has not been halted, but changes have been made to certain grades under the govt’s proposed education reforms. Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa states that textbooks for grades 2–5 and 7–11 will be provided as they do not fall under the education reforms, which come into effect in January next year. He further said that, however, textbooks will not be provided for Grades 1 and 6 per more..

Oct 21 (DM) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the govt has not taken any decision to remove the vehicle passes of doctors and lawyers as reported. He said that it is important for doctors' to have vehicle passes as it will help them enter the hospital without any hassle. "A doctors' car pass is important not only during an emergency situation but even when doctors enter the hospitals for normal duties. Hospital security staff cannot identify doctors' vehicles among many vehicles entering more..

Oct 21 (NW) The name and 1990 hotline of the Suwa Seriya free ambulance service have not been changed, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed in Parliament today. Addressing the house, Minister Jayatissa said no decision has been made on changing the existing colour of the ambulance service. “The ambulance service was introduced in the 2015-2020 period when Ranil Wickremesinghe was Prime Minister, and more..

Oct 21 (AM) Minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that amending sections of the Penal Code relating to same-sex relationships remains a policy commitment of the current administration. However, he noted that the timeline for implementation rests with the Cabinet of Ministers. The discussion focused on the specific policy declaration found on page 63 of NPP/JVP policy statement, which pledges to amend special laws that discriminate against women, children & other more..

Oct 21 (AD) All issues affecting the Lanka Govt Cloud (LGC) services, which had experienced a breakdown, have now been fully resolved, the ICTA has announced. All affected online govt services are now fully operational and accessible to the public from today, a spokesperson for the agency stated. The ICTA also assured the general public and government institutions that the security or integrity of data were compromised during the restoration process. more..

Oct 21 (AD) A gazette notification has been published revising the subjects and functions of several ministries with effect from Oct 17. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued the relevant gazette. Subjects and functions of the Ministries have been amended following the recent cabinet reshuffle of the govt. According to the gazette, the Civil Security Dept which was under Ministry of Defence and the Bureau of Rehabilitation more..

Oct 21 (NW) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank and National Gem & Jewellery Authority (NGJA) have jointly called on all gem and jewellery dealers to strengthen compliance with anti-money laundering regulations by properly identifying customers and appointing Compliance Officers for their businesses. According to the FIU, every gem and jewellery dealer is legally required to appoint a Compliance Officer under SL’s anti-money-laundering & counter-terrorist-financing more..

Oct 21 (DM) The density of mosquitoes has increased across Sri Lanka due to the prevailing rainy weather conditions, Consultant Community Physician Dr. Preshila Samaraweera said. As of yesterday, a total of 40,538 dengue cases have been reported this year. Of these, 44.3% are from the Western Province and 13.9% from the Sabaragamuwa Province. While no significant spike in dengue cases has been observed over the past few weeks, National Dengue Control Unit more..

Oct 21 (EN) SL’s Latin-America-style default in peacetime, after surviving a 30-year war, was due to closely following Karl Marx and rejecting classicals through spurious monetary and fiscal doctrines coming second hand through the IMF in particular. In the immediate aftermath of the default, when harsh measures had to be taken against the people and businesses to save the busted rupee, the crisis was complex and this columnist refrained from undermining confidence in the chosen path. more..

Oct 21 (CT) Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that ten new centres will be established across Sri Lanka to allow drug users to voluntarily undergo rehabilitation. He made this statement while attending a ceremony at the Welikanda Nava Senapura Tertiary and Vocational Literacy Training Centre, which marked the opening of the first voluntary rehabilitation centre in the country. Minister said the new programme aims to create a drug-free nation by giving people struggling more..

Oct 21 (AM) PHU Leader Udaya Gammanpila launched a scathing attack on the NPP, claiming that all 159 of its MPs would have to book a ward at Welikada Prison in 2029 for misusing public funds. He alleged that the NPP’s practice of transferring parliamentary allowances to the party fund constitutes a non-bailable offence under the Public Property Act. The controversy follows a parliamentary resolution proposed by more..

Oct 21 (AD) There are 36,178 teacher vacancies in provincial and national schools across the country at present, the Minister of Education, and PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said. PM stated that 1,501 vacancies exist in national schools. She further noted that 4,630 teacher vacancies have been reported in Western Province, 2,513 in the Southern Province, 6,318 in Central Province, 2,990 in North Western Province, 2,780 in Uva Province, 1,568 in North Central Province, more..

Oct 21 (EN) New active credit cards in Sri Lanka increased by 14,468 in August this year, CB data showed, amid the country’s economic recovery and lower interest rates. The number of total active credit cards recorded 2,102,537 by end August, compared to 2,088,069 by end July, showing an increase of 0.69% in the month. The active credit cards have risen by 4.7% or 94,081 in the first eight months of this year, the data showed. Active credit cards in SL rose by 4.8% or 91,371 in 2024, more..