Sep 25 (Island) SL’s banking sector has presented a set of far-reaching proposals for inclusion in the government’s Budget 2026. The proposals, developed and submitted by the SL Banks’ Association (SLBA), on behalf of all licensed commercial banks, were handed over to Deputy Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando at the Presidential Secretariat recently. The submission underscores the critical role of banks more..

Sep 25 (TM) Ministry of Transport stated that recommendations contained in reports relating to recent bus accidents will be implemented without delay. Secretary to the Ministry Prof. Kapila Perera said that the relevant institutions would be instructed to act on implementing the recommendations. “Institutions such as the SL Transport Board (SLTB) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) will implement the recommendations that fall under their responsibilities. more..

Sep 25 (AD) Several Buddhist monks injured in the cable car accident at the Na Uyana Monastery at Pansiyagama in Melsiripura continue to receive treatment at the Kurunegala and Polgahawela hospitals. The accident reportedly occurred at around 9 pm yesterday, as the monks were returning to their meditation huts after completing a religious ceremony held at the offering ground (Pūjā Bhūmiya). more..

Sep 25 (ST) China’s Chery Automobile, which offers the mass market Chery vehicles in SL and elsewhere and which is exiting Russia due to sanctions, is going public in Hong Kong, while HK-listed Chinese new energy vehicle producer BYD Company and its SL distributor are continuing to wrestle in court with SL Customs. John Keells CG Auto had sought court redress after a consignment of BYD electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids was detained, and on Aug 7 the Court of Appeal more..

Sep 25 (TM) SL local banks have opened $ 1,570 million worth of LCs as of 16 Sept for the importation of motor vehicles, according to Finance Ministry officials, who were summoned before the CoPF in Parliament. It was further revealed during the meeting that govt revenue expectations from vehicle imports are likely to be exceeded by the end of the year, according to Deputy Secretary to the Treasury Dilip Silva, who said that the govt anticipated a tax revenue of Rs. 460 billion for this year. more..

Sep 25 (Island) The Asia Cup began with Sri Lanka in cruise control, sweeping aside all three opponents in the group stage and sending Afghanistan packing. At that point, it looked as though the ghosts of middle-order jitters and spin struggles had been exorcised. Yet when the business end arrived, those very demons resurfaced, and with them went Sri Lanka’s hopes, knocked out with a game to spare. The campaign all but flatlined after a limp defeat to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. more..

Sep 25 (DN) Two flagship hotels under the Macksons Hotels portfolio, Marine Bay Colombo and Mandarina Colombo, brought home top honours at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, reaffirming the Group’s growing influence in SL’s hospitality landscape. Marine Bay Colombo, the Group’s newest property, was awarded the Gold Award for Leading City Hotel, a remarkable recognition within just months of its launch. Mandarina Colombo, a well-established name more..

Sep 25 (FT) SL is ready to take the lead in shaping the future of digital commerce, Visa Asia Pacific President Stephen Karpin declared yesterday at the inaugural SL Fintech Summit 2025. He said this speaking virtually to the two-day event at the BMICH where Visa had the global unveiling of its latest payments solution Visa Accept. “This is not just a launch, it is a statement to the world that SL is ready to take the lead in shaping the future of more..

Sep 25 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held bilateral discussions with Australian PM Anthony Albanese at the Permanent Mission of SL to the UN in New York on the side-lines of the 80th session of the UNGA. President Dissanayake warmly welcomed PM Albanese before the two leaders engaged in discussions aimed at further expanding economic and trade cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations. Particular emphasis was placed on promoting tourism, as well as more..

Sep 25 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake, who arrived in the US on Tuesday, met UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, ahead of the 80th session of the UNGA. The meeting took place at the Human Rights Council Chamber of the UN Secretariat in the US. Türk extended a warm welcome to Disanayake and engaged in bilateral discussions. Prez also met with US Prez Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs and White House Presidential more..

Sep 25 (NW) SLMC Leader, MP Rauff Hakeem, has called for the forensic report by the Auditor General on the controversial VFS e-visa deal to be submitted to Parliament. Addressing the Parliament, MP Hakeem said that the report by the Committee on Public Finance had mentioned that the Auditor General must submit a forensic audit on the loss that was to be incurred by the govt due to this e-visa deal. more..

Sep 25 (FT) The Cabinet approved the publication of the Micro Finance and Credit Regulation Authority draft Bill in the Govt Gazette, following clearance from the Attorney General, before submitting it to Parliament for approval. The decision follows concerns that the existing Micro Finance Act No. 6 of 2016 does not provide an adequate regulatory framework for the sector. The move comes after seven petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging an earlier version of the draft Bill, more..

Sep 25 (FT) Labour Minister Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday said capital market reforms will be central to raising investments and driving SL’s next growth phase. Speaking at the launch of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s 12 Pillars, One Vision program to transform the capital market, Dr. Fernando said stabilisation alone would not deliver sustainable growth. “The next take-off is nothing but investment. Without investment, we can’t expect growth,” more..

Sep 25 (DN) SL Women’s Under-19 team, led by Manudi Nanayakkara, once again produced a superb performance to secure a six-wicket win (DLS method) with five balls to spare against Australia Women’s Under-19s in their third T20 match at the Rangiri Dambulla Int'l Cricket Stadium yesterday. With this victory, SL sealed the five-match series 3-0 with two games remaining, showcasing excellent team spirit throughout the contest. After electing to bat in a rain-shortened 16-over match, more..

Sep 25 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB) announced that it will host the second edition of Voyage SL, South Asia’s premier marine summit, on 16 Oct at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo bringing together global leaders, policymakers, investors, and professionals from across the globe in the field of Blue Economy. This year’s event will be held under the theme Unveiling the Blue Economy Potential of SL, highlighting the island nation’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub more..

Sep 25 (CI) Back-to-back wickets in the eighth over of SL's innings swung this Asia Cup Super Four match towards Pakistan - this was how SL captain Charith Asalanka, who was the first of the two batters to be dismissed in that passage, saw it. SL had been 58 for 3 after 7.1 overs, when Asalanka was caught at deep square-leg off the bowling of Hussain Talat. Next ball, Dasun Shanaka poked at a delivery in the channel and sent a thin edge more..

Sep 25 (Island) At first blush it may seem that Israel’s war of aggression against the Palestinians is paying off, considering that Israel is having a virtual free hand to achieve its aims in the contested territories but there is considerable superficiality in this viewpoint. This is on account of the fact that with each passing day more and more civilians in the Gaza, for instance, are being brutalized by the aggressor and the effects of this process of brutalization could prove more..

Sep 25 (DM) In July 2025, SL Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling where it ordered the owners of MV X-press Pearl to pay USD 1 billion as compensation based on the Polluter Pays Principle for the devastating environmental and economic damage caused by the ship’s sinking off the island’s western coast in 2021. The decision delivered in a detailed 361-page judgement by a 5-judge bench led by former Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, is hailed as a milestone in holding corporate more..

Sep 25 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has requested the govt to ensure that the ongoing investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, which snuffed out about 275 lives, will be conducted in a transparent and credible manner. Making a special statement in Parliament, on Monday, he pointed out that a person whose child was killed in the terror attacks had written to the UNHRC, expressing his dissatisfaction with the probe. Govt ought to heed Opposition’s call. more..

Sep 25 (ST) Just earlier this week, a rally was held in Geneva, Switzerland, where Tamil groups, openly displaying LTTE flags, demanded social justice and accountability for SL Tamils at a time when the UN Human Rights sessions were in progress there. In some other countries Sri Lankans have organised street marches, at various times, displaying the country’s lion flag during these celebrations often to mark SL’s Independence Day. SL communities often organise musical shows in Aus, UK, US more..

Sep 25 (SO) Indian media and politicians have for years insisted that they ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. The Cambridge dictionary defines ceding as to give something such as control, power, or a right to someone else, especially unwillingly. In a recent lecture titled Palk Bay, Palk Strait and Demarcation of the Int'l Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), rear Admiral Y.N. Jayarathna, a retired SL admiral and hydrographer, said more..

Sep 25 (CT) The staggering figures revealed this week by Police Media Spokesman, ASP F.U. Wootler, serve as a sobering reminder of the magnitude of the drug menace gripping our nation. In just the first nine months of 2025, law enforcement authorities have seized a total of 1,845 kg of crystal methamphetamine — colloquially known as ICE — alongside 1,243 kg of heroin, 572 kg of hashish, 29 kg of cocaine, and an eye-watering 14,057 kg of cannabis. more..

Sep 25 (TM) This week, the Govt announced the approval of an updated National Policy on Senior Citizens endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers. The policy is intended to ensure that senior citizens can live with dignity in good social, economic, physical, and spiritual conditions. On paper, this is a welcome move. Sri Lanka, like most parts of the world, is ageing at an unprecedented pace. With one of the lowest birthrates in South Asia and a steadily growing elderly population, more..

Sep 25 (TM) SL’s economy grew by 4.9% in the second quarter of 2025, marking another step forward in its recovery after its unprecedented economic crisis. The DCS attributes more than half of output to services, at 52.8%, followed by industry at 25.1% and agriculture at 10.1%. The breakdown shows how the economy is being pulled forward by sectors such as manufacturing, construction, finance, IT services & agriculture staples like more..

Sep 25 (DM) Cross-border energy trade shields nations from fossil fuel shocks, supply risks, and regional instability. A High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnection between SL and India could transform energy security, resilience, and cooperation amid global volatility. This article examines how HVDC and grid integration embodies advance modern energy security for Sri Lanka’s future. The four pillars of energy security Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability & Affordability more..

Sep 25 (GV) Standing at Colombo Fort Railway Station watching morning trains depart for Kandy, Badulla, Galle & Jaffna, it’s easy to forget how the railways represent one of Sri Lanka’s most profound transformations. In 1858, when the first locomotive steamed from Colombo to Ambepussa, it didn’t just move people faster; it fundamentally altered the boundaries of what people knew to be physically possible. A journey from Colombo to Kandy that once took 12 days by bullock cart could more..

Sep 24 (AD) Approximately 15 new breast cancer cases are reported daily in Sri Lanka, while about three women die each day due to the disease, health authorities have revealed. Dr. Shreeni Alahapperuma, the Director of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) stated that 19,457 female cancer patients were identified in Sri Lanka in 2022, according to recorded data. Out of these, 5,477 were breast cancer cases, accounting for 28% of all female cancers. more..

Sep 24 (NW) SL has been ranked the number one destination to visit in Oct 2025 by global travel magazine Time Out, which unveiled its annual list of top travel spots for the month. Time Out praised Sri Lanka for its warm tropical climate, cultural heritage, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for travelers in October. From golden beaches and hill-country hikes to ancient ruins and wildlife safaris, the island was highlighted as offering “a little bit of everything” for visitors. more..

Sep 24 (AD) Although Sri Lankans cannot use cryptocurrency for transactions in the country, investing in cryptocurrency or virtual currency has no legal impediment due to the non-existence of laws or regulations, according to Governor of CB Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. Investing in cryptocurrency has become a widely debated topic at present, following the revelation that Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe owns cryptocurrency. more..

Sep 24 (EN) UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances will review SL on Sept 26 (Friday), from 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00 (Geneva time). During the public review, the committee is expected to engage with the state delegation on a range of matters, a statement said. “Based on the List of Issues (questions and concerns that the Committee sent to the State party after receiving its periodic report), the discussion may cover topics such as: – progress and outcome of more..

Sep 24 (AD) The ongoing work-to-rule campaign launched by several trade unions attached to the CEB will continue beyond midnight today (24). A spokesperson stated that all trade unions affiliated with the CEB meet this afternoon to make a collective decision on the next course of action regarding future activities. Accordingly, members have decided not to continue the ongoing ‘work-to-rule’ campaign after authorities failed to provide any solutions to their demands. more..