Sep 23 (TM) SL has no immediate plans to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from India, as the required infrastructure including storage facilities is yet to be built, the country’s energy minister said on Tuesday. India announced last year it would supply LNG to SL’s power plants and work on cross-border energy connectivity, including a petroleum pipeline and power grid link. However, no progress has been made on supply of LNG. more..

Sep 23 (NW) Cabinet approval has been granted to award the contract for the renovation of the section of the road from Kottawa to Dodangoda of the Southern Expressway. The section of the road from Kottawa to Dodangoda on the Southern Expressway, which was opened to traffic in 2011, has not undergone any major repairs to date. Govt states that the expeditious renovation of the expressway section from 0 km to 19 km and the expressway section from 19 km to 34 km of more..

Sep 23 (EN) Sri Lanka’s services exports fell 6.82% from a year ago to US$ 312.75 million in August 2025, led by decline in transport and logistics, the island’s Export Development Board said. However, over the first eight months of the year, services exports are estimated to have increased 5.57%, totaling US$ 2,221.63 million. ICT/BPM exports rose 6.43% to US$ 147 million in August 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, and construction fell 28.24% to US$ 9.71 million. more..

Sep 23 (DM) Sri Lanka is presently heading towards a no-smokers’ zone due to the youngsters aged 15-25 staying away from the habit, an official from the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) said. Executive Director of ADIC Sampath De Saram said that currently only 1.5 million smokers are in the country, and of these, 40+ is the leading age group for smokers. “This is entirely because, during their day and age, this was a trending habit,” more..

Sep 23 (NW) SRI LANKA MICE EXPO 2025 is a great opportunity to engage in business activities at the international level and is also a valuable platform to bring the name of SL onto the global stage, PM Harini Amarasuriya said. PM said this is not merely an event, but an opportunity for local entrepreneurs and stakeholders to directly engage in international business activities and to gain knowledge. She further pointed out that such events create opportunities for SL to become a destination more..

Sep 23 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake has cast digital transformation as a stark binary: either embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and modernise, or be pushed to the margins of the global economy. His appeal identifies inefficiency, stagnation, and weak public services as consequences of past inaction. This rhetoric mirrors global leaders who treat AI as a pillar of competitiveness and a survival imperative. Yet such framing is both motivational and reductionist. more..

Sep 23 (EN) SL has prepared a national renewable hydrogen policy, to make the Indian Ocean island a regional hub, and also launched a just energy transformation (JET) study, with support from the United Nations Development Agency (UNDP). “With its vast renewable energy resources, Sri Lanka is well placed to leverage hydrogen technologies for decarbonising power generation, industry and transport, while enhancing energy security and attracting international investment,” more..

Sep 23 (DM) The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) confirmed that a decision has been reached regarding the long-delayed procurement of five Linear Accelerator Radiation Therapy Machines, with an official announcement to be made in due course. NMRA CEO Dr. K.M.G.K Bandara told the Daily Mirror that approvals for critical medical equipment cannot be granted overnight. “It has to be done systemically after undergoing proper checks and tests. more..

Sep 23 (Reuters) Vimukthi Sandaruwan beat more than 1,000 anglers to become champion of a unique competition to protect native fish from invasive giant snakehead fish in central SL. A native of southeast Asia, giant snakehead fish are considered an invasive species in many countries. Kept as pets they can cause massive ecological harm when released into rivers or dams. Anglers from all over SL flocked to a dam on Deduru more..

Sep 23 (NW) Saudi Ambassador to SL, Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani, says Saudi Arabia hosts more than 250,000 SL workers, who contribute significantly to the country’s development. In his message for the 95th National Day of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Alkahtani said bilateral relations have developed significantly under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and SL President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He further said that several agreements and MoUs more..

Sep 23 (DM) UN Office in Sri Lanka has expressed concern over Singapore-based shipping company X-Press Feeders’ refusal to comply with a Supreme Court order to pay US$1 billion in compensation for the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster. UN office said the company’s refusal to honour the ruling was deeply concerning. “We urge the shipping company to review the scale of damages to people, coasts and marine life, and to uphold justice for communities and the ecosystem,” it added. more..

Sep 23 (AD) A Singapore-headquartered shipping company today announced that it will refuse to pay SL court-ordered damages of US$1 billion for causing that country’s worst case of environmental pollution. X-Press Feeders chief executive Shmuel Yoskovitz said he believed paying would have wide-ranging implications on global shipping and set a dangerous precedent. Company operated the Singapore-registered more..

Sep 23 (DM) MP Ramanathan Archuna clashed with police after being asked to remove his car, which was reportedly parked illegally near Fort Railway Station. Footage shows the MP telling a police officer, “You are talking like an idiot,” before leaving the scene yesterday (22). Archuna had arrived to support the Satyagraha organized by aggrieved school development officers, who have been protesting in front of the station for the 13th consecutive day. more..

Sep 23 (AD) Fundamental Rights petition challenging the appointment of High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake as the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations against Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the President’s recommendation to the Constitutional Council for the appointment has been withdrawn before the Supreme Court today. The petition had been filed by a group including the Chief Incumbent of the Udawalawe Soma Viharaya, more..

Sep 23 (CT) Ethics represent the fundamental principles of decent human conduct. They encompass universal values, including the essential equality of men and women and their rights, adherence to the law, concern for health and safety, and a commitment to the natural environment. Business ethics refers to the moral principles that guide a company’s conduct and interactions with its stakeholders. This concept extends beyond mere legal compliance, establishing a framework more..

Sep 23 (DM) Colombo Lotus Tower plans to launch a bungee jumping programme by next year, Chairman Shirantha Pieris announced today. He said the programme will be introduced with maximum safety measures to ensure the protection of participants. He also recalled the tragic incident of Oct 7, 2024, in which a young student lost her life, describing it as a moment of deep sorrow for the Tower and the entire nation. “While the Tower has always maintained international safety standards, more..

Sep 23 (CT) In one of the largest narcotics seizures in recent months, Tangalle Police recovered 245 kg of heroin and 380 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) from three lorries during a series of operations conducted yesterday. The discovery has also uncovered a suspected organised criminal network involving drugs, firearms, and possible links to contract killings. The operation began early yesterday when Tangalle Police more..

Sep 23 (AD) The full report on the tragic accident on the Ella–Wellawaya road on Sept 4, which claimed the lives of 16 people, has been handed over to Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake. The report was officially presented to the Minister today (22) at the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation. According to the report, the bus involved in the accident had been driven by a 22-year-old, and it was his first time driving the vehicle. The report identifies that operating more..

Sep 23 (CT) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has urged the NPP govt to set aside political partiality and carry out investigations into the data scam at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) without further delay. President of the MCPA, Dr. Chamal Sanjeeva, called on the President to ensure the Attorney General’s Dept takes all those responsible before the law. He lamented that a tender scam at the Dept of Immigration & Emigration, more..

Sep 23 (CT) Representatives of all CEB trade unions, including the CEB Engineers’ Union, have stated that a final decision on their future trade union actions will be made tomorrow (24). The decision was reached during a meeting of union representatives held yesterday. Prabath Priyantha, General Secretary of the Free Workers’ Union, stated that they decided to give the Govt more time to address their demands. more..

Sep 23 (TM) In the wake of reports that security for the President, PM, and Ministers has been beefed up, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Media Spokesperson Attorney Manoj Gamage said that the Govt should also strengthen Rajapaksa’s personal security, particularly in Tangalle. He said that unlike in Colombo, where Rajapaksa previously resided in Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7, within a designated security zone, Tangalle does not provide the same level of safety. more..

Sep 23 (FT) Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to SL reached $ 783 million as of 15 Sept, according to BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath. “We are on track to cross the $ 1 billion FDI mark for 2025. The last time Sri Lanka achieved a billion dollars in FDI was in 2022,” Herath said. While construction and telecom projects dominated in 2022, this year’s inflows have been more diversified. “We have a good mix with investments in ports, solid tyre manufacturing and the hospitality sector,” he noted. more..

Sep 23 (DM) Chairman of the Farmers' National Agricultural Federation, Anuradha Tennakoon criticised the govt for failing to implement programmes to strengthen the country’s agricultural production economy, despite being in power for a year. Tennakoon said the continued imports of food items such as onions, potatoes and garlic—crops that can be successfully grown locally, is leaving farmers helpless and harming the local economy. He alleged that 96% of the country’s onion more..

Sep 23 (NF) A covert ICE drug manufacturing facility allegedly operated under the guidance of a Russian national has been uncovered in Salmal Uyana, Weligama, following a police raid that led to the seizure of approximately 10 kg of the synthetic narcotic. The discovery was confirmed through scientific testing conducted earlier today, validating suspicions that the house was being used as a production site for crystal methamphetamine (ICE). The operation came to light after the arrest of more..

Sep 23 (CT) A group of officers from the Dept of Immigration and Emigration has sent a letter to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, alleging that large groups of foreigners engaged in online financial fraud are entering the country due to the influence of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. Letter sent to the Prez stated that although investigation officers at the airport identify and attempt to turn away these fraudsters, more..

Sep 23 (DN) Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said that the country is on an express path to achieve targets in the industry and innovation sector targeting a production based economy and achieve US $ five billion revenue from the sector by 2030. Disrupt Asia 2025 is Sri Lanka’s premier startup conference and innovation festival, where visionaries, investors, and disruptors come together to shape the future. Showcasing SL as South Asia’s epicentre for cross-border collaboration, more..

Sep 23 (DM) Blossom Well Holdings (Pvt) Ltd has signed a US $ 2.99 million investment agreement with BOI to establish a boutique hotel in Thissamaharama, aimed at expanding the island’s high-end and midscale tourism offerings. The project will be developed on land in Kohombagahapalassa, close to the Yala National Park and will feature 72 elegantly designed rooms across four categories, including standard, deluxe, family and suite rooms, with high-end amenities & private balconies. more..

Sep 23 (FT) People’s Bank announced a collaboration with the Justice Ministry and the Supreme Court of SL to introduce digital payment solutions across the judicial system. The ceremonial launch took place at the SL Judges’ Institute Auditorium, in the presence of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Minister Eranga Weeraratne, CPresidential Adviser Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Judges of the Supreme Court/Members of more..

Sep 23 (ST) A major fire erupted in a third-floor shop on First Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo, engulfing the building in flames last evening. The Colombo Fire Brigade deployed 15 fire engines and more than 50 firefighters to the scene, supported by bowsers from the Kotte and Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia fire brigades. A Bell 212 helicopter, a fire engine and a bowser from the SL Air Force also joined the efforts to douse the fire, while the SL Navy also deployed a fire engine and a bowser. more..

Sep 23 (ST) SL’s foreign exchange is silently bleeding as several BOI-approved companies across sectors from apparel and processed foods to plastics and palm oil exploit loopholes to sell the bulk of their production domestically instead of exporting it. By using BOI concessions to import machinery, accessories, and raw materials duty free, these firms evade taxes, gain unfair advantages over local producers, and drain SL’s foreign reserves, more..

Sep 23 (DN) SL’s motor racing superstar Yevan David delivered another strong performance at the Euroformula Open 2025 Round 7 in Barcelona, Spain, finishing with two podiums and keeping his championship hopes alive with one round to go. Racing for Team Motopark in car No. 21, Yevan David began the weekend in style by securing pole position for Race 1. He showed great pace on a drying track and crossed the finish line in second place, collecting valuable points to close more..

Sep 23 (TM) SL’s Karainagar boatyard, located 20-km off of Jaffna in the Karaitivu island, has been inaugurated with an investment of Rs. 330 million by the Indian govt, Department of Govt Information (DGI) said. “Work had begun on the Karainagar Cey-Nor boatyard, along with other development projects aimed at economic and infrastructure development in the Jaffna district. In order to address the severe hardships faced by the fishing community in the North, due to its long period of inactivity, more..