Sep 1 (TM) The restructuring of the CEB has created a confrontation between Govt authorities and employees, with the CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) warning of potential violations of both the law and fundamental rights. The controversy revolves around the proposed assignment/transfer of employees to newly formed successor companies under SL Electricity Act No.36 of 2024 (as amended) and the accelerated pace at which the Ministry more..

Sep 1 (ST) The announcement by SL’s Minister of Foreign Affairs late last week, that a new law to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) would be published in the gazette by the beginning of Sept 2025, is akin to a bolt of lightning from sunny blue skies. The month of September is notable, among other things, for the trek to Geneva where the Govt periodically defends itself against probing questions on the State’s human rights record stemming from various resolutions on the status of truth more..

Sep 1 (DM) With the appointment of the new govt, which holds a significant majority, many hoped its environmental promises would swiftly become a reality. Environmental activists, working at both local and international levels, voluntarily extended support to guide the govt toward a sustainable future—where natural resources and biodiversity are safeguarded. Yet, after nine months, optimism has given way to concern. Instead of progress, we see continuous threats to SL’s environmental protection more..

Sep 1 SO) On Sept 3, SL Police will mark its 159th anniversary, a milestone shadowed, until recently, by turbulence and controversy. In the months leading up to this day, the force appeared at a crossroads, grappling with daily reports of shootings across the island and rocked by allegations of corruption within its own ranks including the shocking arrest of Colombo DIG Ujith Liyanage, once regarded as an upstanding more..

Sep 1 DM) Among the main planks of the NPP pre-election promises was its pledge to tackle the scourge of corruption. Corruption has ruled this land ever since late Prez Jayewardene invited the robber barons into the country in an effort to attract foreign investment to back his open economy policies. Unfortunately, the robber barons responded positively, bribing their way from high-flying ministers to bureaucrats to the petty peon in govt institutions. Nothing could be done without paying more..

Sep 1 DM) In the annals of SL political history, few leaders have faced the daunting challenge of navigating a nation through complete economic collapse. Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe stands as a unique figure who has twice assumed the monumental responsibility of rescuing SL from its worst economic crises—first in 2001 when the economy dropped below zero under CBK, and again in 2022 under Gotabaya. Despite holding just one parliamentary seat during the latter crisis, more..

Aug 31 (ST) The arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe had the unexpected result of showcasing a rare display of unity by all leading opposition political parties as they campaigned together for his release. Rallying cry of the opposition is against what they call oppression of political opponents driven by feelings of revenge. Mr. Wickremesinghe, who is the leader of the UNP, seems to be adopting a more conciliatory more..

Aug 31 (AD) The high-profile underworld figures, including Kehelbaddara Padme, who were recently arrested in Indonesia, have been brought back to the island this evening (30). A special police team from SL was dispatched to Indonesia this morning to facilitate their return. Team had then taken the criminal gang members into their custody from the Indonesian authorities and boarded a flight back to the island from Jakarta. According to reports, the special police team accompanying more..

Aug 31 (ST) Former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake are to be summoned to the CID to make statements in relation to two separate cases. Mr. Rajapaksa is to be summoned over a statement made by former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon over the failure to control the attack on the Aragalaya protestors at Galle Face Green. Mr. Ekanayake has been directed to report to the CID tomorrow to make a statement regarding former Prez Wickremesinghe’s visit to UK, more..

Aug 31 (CT) A special operation carried out recently by a team of Sri Lanka Police officers in a foreign country has now entered the annals of Police history. Indeed, it was a historic crackdown executed by the SL Police. What made it extraordinary was that a ruthless gang of underworld criminals, who while living overseas were continuing to engage in various crimes within Sri Lanka, were all captured by the Police team. more..

Aug 31 (TM) Sinopec has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, despite the lack of any final agreement on the Hambantota plan, according to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage confirmed that Sinopec had shown interest in Sapugaskanda, noting that the company’s decision to explore both refinery projects simultaneously could explain the hold up on Hambantota. more..

Aug 31 (ST) Former Prez and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that opposition party leaders have been invited to attend the party’s Sept 6 (annual convention, where they are to discuss the current political situation in the country. Speaking on his return home from a stint in hospital after his arrest, remand and later bail, he said that as a first step in opposition unity, the UNP would remove the suspension order against all its party members who left and joined the breakaway SJB more..

Aug 31 (ST) Countries like India and Bangladesh are looking at opportunities available in Sri Lanka to export their products to the US following the recently imposed high tariffs on imports to the US and political stability. With Sri Lanka enjoying a 20% tariffs on exports to the US there is growing attraction with Indian and Bangladeshi companies looking to give orders to local factories for manufacturing of garments, JAAF Deputy Chairman and Omega Line CEO Felix Fernando said. more..

Aug 31 (EN) Sri Lanka inflation in the capital Colombo rose 2% over the 35 months since Sept 2022, when the central bank’s deflationary policy started to show up in the balance of payments. In the 12-months to August 2025, consumer prices were up 1.2%, data from the Department of Census and Statistics showed. Colombo Consumer Price Index fell 0.4% absolutely in the month of August to 193.3 points after falling 0.2% in July. The CCPI Index is now at levels seen in Nov 2023. more..

Aug 31 (TM) The Govt has intensified its investigations into former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena, along with key associates from the previous administrations, amid allegations of large-scale misappropriation of public funds and involvement in criminal acts. This development comes just days after the arrest, remand, and subsequent release on bail of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe more..

Aug 31 (SO) Reeling from the over 30-year war that devastated the Northern and the Eastern Provinces, mostly people in Mannar continue to face new challenges on a daily basis threatening their survival due to life and livelihood damaging development activities in the picturesque island. Residents of the island have been raising concerns repeatedly and have come out to the streets in protest against large-scale wind power projects and sand mining activities that they say threaten their land & livelihoods. more..

Aug 31 (SO) Sri Lanka Customs (SLC), a key revenue collection body for the state is ahead of its revenue collection target of Rs. 2,115 billion, accumulating Rs. 142 billion above the target, as at the end of last week, a feat attributed to enhanced anti-corruption measures and increased import taxes on vehicles this year. SLC achieved its highest-ever revenue collection of Rs. 1,533 billion last year despite restrictions on imports. “The milestone we achieved is due to institutional reforms more..

Aug 31 (DM) Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof announced plans to implement a humane and evidence-based dog population management programme across the province. Governor said a meeting was held with experts, local authorities, health officials & animal welfare organisations to discuss the initiative. He noted that the programme is aligned with the internationally recognised One Welfare model, which integrates animal welfare, public health and environmental sustainability. more..

Aug 31 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that future incentives will be introduced to encourage export diversification and the development of value-added products. Prez further said that the role of govts is to support industries rather than hinder them and he underscored the necessity of consulting with relevant sectors during the regulation drafting process, ensuring sufficient time is allocated for their execution. Prez made these remarks yesterday (29) more..

Aug 31 (EN) SL Customs has detained about 1,000 more Chinese-made BYD electric vehicles arriving on the island over the declaration of motor capacity which is used to calculate taxes, official. Customs released the first 1,000 detained BYD electric vehicles amid a court case, with the importer giving a bank guarantee until the matter is resolved. “Another 1,000 BYD vehicles have now been detained. This time it is not only Atto 3 more..

Aug 31 (NW) Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Jaffna on Saturday, marking the International Day of the Disappeared with a march calling for justice for loved ones who vanished during SL’s conflict. The demonstration was organized by the Association of Relatives of Enforced Disappearances (ARED) and began at the Sangilian statue in Jaffna town, where participants lit a torch in memory of more than 400 people who died during Sri Lanka’s longest ongoing protest — more..

Aug 31 (AD) Dr. Iresha Fernando, Director of the Kandy National Hospital states that out of the 58 acres of land belonging to the hospital, 28 acres have been occupied by unauthorised settlers. Dr. Iresha Fernando mentioned that buildings continue to be constructed on this land, and as a result, the hospital is facing severe difficulties in carrying out its operations. The Kandy National Hospital, which is the second-largest national hospital in SL, also functions as a teaching hospital. more..

Aug 31 (ST) The revenues from the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup, Asia Cup, and a surprise windfall from cricket’s global governing body, have helped SLC post a far brighter set of accounts for the year ending Dec 31, 2024. On paper, the numbers suggest a remarkable turnaround from the deep losses of 2023. Yet behind the headline growth and surplus lies a more complicated story of ballooning costs, dependency on external more..

Aug 31 (SO) Royal College, with a 10-point cushion, will have a slight edge when they take on traditional rivals Trinity College in the 79th annual Bradby Shield second leg rugby encounter on Sept 6 at the Royal Sports Complex in Colombo. The lads from Reid Avenue will take the field brimming with confidence and having defeated their opponents 15-5 in the first leg played last week at the Trinity Rugby Stadium in Pallekele, Kandy. The stage is set for another epic encounter as Royal, more..

Aug 31 (ST) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) may have recorded its highest-ever revenue in 2024, but the governing body continues to bleed millions in legal expenses, with figures from its latest financial statements raising eyebrows over the organisation’s priorities. SLC has been embroiled in a staggering 44 cases across various courts in the country. These include proceedings before the magistrate’s court, district court, commercial high court and even the court of appeal. more..

Aug 31 (Island) Cricket in Harare between Zimbabwe and SL invariably stirs memories of that fateful tour 21 years ago, a series that put SL on the world map for more reasons than one. It was in Zimbabwe in 2004 that Muttiah Muralitharan, toppled Courtney Walsh’s record to become Test cricket’s highest wicket-taker. From then on, Murali and Shane Warne were locked in a neck-and-neck tussle, trading blows like prizefighters until Warne’s retirement left Murali to reign supreme. more..

Aug 31 (Island) CaFFE has called upon the NPP govt to hold the Provincial Council (PC) polls, which the UNP-led Yahapalana govt caused to disappear without a trace about eight years ago. Since the indefinite postponement of the PC polls in 2017, we have had four Presidents and three govts, and there have been six elections. The PCs have been under the Provincial Governors appointed by the Prez. Some political commentators have rightly pointed out that Opposition politicians who are more..

Aug 31 (TM) Ministry of Justice is seeking a sum of Rs. 375 million to establish 25 three-person panels to open inquiries on 10,531 files of missing persons from the period prior to 2000. These panels being established are to operate under the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) for files that had not been investigated before. Minister Harshana Nanayakkara revealed these plans during an event organised by the OMP commemorating more..

Aug 31 (TM) Former President of the Netball Federation of SL (NFSL) Tamara Dharmakirti-Herath says that a consistent programme should be lined up by the Ministry of Sports if players are to harbour hopes of a bright future in the sport for SL. She asserted that without a professionalised and well-coordinated programme, it would be all but futile to expect players to perform miracles when competing in both regional and global competitions. Dharmakirti-Herath made these comments more..

Aug 31 (Island) On Aug 22, at the Colombo Fort magistrate’s court, a SL citizen named Ranil Wickremesinghe(RW) arraigned before the presiding judge, Honourable Ms Nilupuli Lankapura, was committed to remand custody, pending investigations in to charges of alleged misuse of public funds for a private purpose, whilst holding a public office of the highest sensitivity, responsibility, prominence and importance. When the alleged offence was committed, alleged fraudster more..

Aug 31 (ST) Trial and tribulations revolving around the 8th Executive Prez of SL and leader of the UNP turned out to be a cause célèbre which mercifully petered out from what could have been an ugly showdown between the Opposition ranks and the Govt. Govt leaders were straining every sinew to show they had no hand in the prosecution of the former president, clearly their bete noire for some reason. Their narrative was: corrupt elite versus oppressed masses. The slip was showing. more..

Aug 31 (ST) My dear Uncle Ranil, Rajitha and Rathana hamuduruwo, I didn’t think I will be writing to all of you in one letter. I am doing so because the three of you have something in common: you have been detained into custody over the past few days. The reasons for that are different, but it does seem as if the wheels of justice are now turning at breakneck speed! Uncle Ranil, you have had a rollercoaster ride in the last week. You were first interrogated about some expenses on a trip more..