Nov 13 (NW) The Ministry of Sports has announced that the Lanka Ride 2025 Cycling Tour, organized for the first time in history, will be held from 18- 20 December 2025. The media briefing to announce the Cycling Tour, which is jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Lake House Group, Dept of Sports Development, and the Cycling Referees’ Association, was held today at the Sports Ministry yesterday. more..

Nov 13 (NW) Sri Lanka cricket’s solidarity gesture has drawn an emotional response from Pakistan’s national players, who released a video on Thursday expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Sri Lankan team and SLC for continuing the ODI series in Rawalpindi despite security concerns. In the video message, several Pakistan players thanked the SL squad for remaining in the country after Tuesday’s explosion in Islamabad and urged local fans to fill the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium more..

Nov 13 (Island) Serious concerns have emerged in Parliament over alleged irregularities in the handling of a sexual harassment inquiry involving several staff members of the legislature’s Information Systems and Management Dept. Parliament employees ask why standard disciplinary procedures have been ignored in the case, with female complainants reportedly facing penalties while some culprits continue to enjoy privileges. A special committee, chaired by former HC Judge Sujatha more..

Nov 13 (Island) After a week of typical British rain, on Sunday 2 Nov 2025 the clouds parted, and a glorious Autumnal sun rose splicing together the blue skies over the historical and beautiful city of Oxford, England. University of Oxford SL Society students Leo, Ethan, Pradeep, Niorla, Taya, and others clad in distinctive neon yellow vests bearing the Solar Village SDG emblem on their backs, gathered outside the prestigious Saïd Business School of the Oxford University, more..

Nov 13 (CT) Minister of Ports & Civil Aviation, Anura Karunatilaka, told Parliament that the NPP Govt has successfully maintained State revenue at 16% of the Gross National Product (GNP). Speaking during the Budget debate, the Minister highlighted that the Govt’s key challenge was to strengthen the national economy while ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are equitably distributed among all citizens. “As a country, our challenge is to strengthen the economy on the one hand. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Sri Lanka’s public health sector is showing signs of deep unrest, with two major doctors’ unions warning that continued government inaction could soon lead to nationwide protests or even strikes. Both the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) and the GMOA have voiced growing frustration over what they call years of neglect, broken promises, and worsening conditions in the healthcare system. more..

Nov 13 (TM) Health Ministry expressed concerns that although the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers antimicrobial resistance (AMR) one of the top 10 global health threats, SL is yet to understand its gravity as a society. Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe made these remarks during a media briefing by the Ministry’s Health Promotion Bureau. The discussion had been organised to mark the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week which is observed annually from 18 to 24 Nov. more..

Nov 13 (DM) While admiring govt's decision to allocate Rs. 5,000 million to increase the wages of the plantation workers, TPA MP Palani Digambaram today urged opposition MPs such as Namal Rajapaksa and Nizam Kariapper not to oppose the allocation of state funds for the matter. MP told Parliament that some opposition MPs, including SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa and SLMC MP Nizam Kariapper were against allocation of tax money to increase wages of plantation sector workers. more..

Nov 13 (NW) One in every five adults in Sri Lanka is living with diabetes, and one in three of them is at risk of developing eye-related complications, according to SL’s health authorities. Dr. Kapila Banduthilaka, Consultant Ophthalmologist at the National Eye Hospital, said in SL, the prevalence of diabetes among adults is estimated to be between 23% and 30%. “Recent data shows a 73% increase in general diabetes cases. more..

Nov 13 (CT) Deepening bilateral cooperation between SL and Latvia in consular and legal affairs, the two countries have signed an Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. The agreement was signed at the High Commission of SL in New Delhi. It was signed by Juris Bone, Ambassador of Latvia to India and concurrently accredited to SL, and Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of SL to India. The accord enables the transfer of sentenced persons between SL and Latvia more..

Nov 13 (DT) Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, has assured full security to the visiting SL cricket team, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday. The assurance came after SL officials raised concerns following recent security incidents in Islamabad. Naqvi said the matter was personally discussed with SL leaders. Naqvi added that the SL President directly contacted Pakistani authorities, and both sides reviewed security arrangements in detail. more..

Nov 13 (NW) Five new envoys have presented their credentials to President Anura Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat. Three Ambassadors and two High Commissioners presented their Letters of Credence to the President this morning. The envoys who presented their credentials are: Ms. Isabelle Marie Catherine Martin, High Commissioner of Canada. Mr. Wiebe Jakob De Boer, Ambassador of Netherland. Mr. Matthew John Duckworth, High Commissioner of Australia. more..

Nov 13 (AD) Commissioner General of Agrarian Development, Dhammika Ranatunga, says that there is no reason for concerns regarding delays or non-receipt of the fertilizer subsidy for the Maha cultivation season. He stated that the Dept of Agrarian Development possesses adequate funds to fully implement the subsidy program. The fertilizer subsidy program for the Maha season was launched on Nov 31, under which each paddy farmer will receive a financial subsidy of Rs. 25,000. more..

Nov 13 (DM) In what appeared to be another instance of multi-billion rupee waste of taxpayers’ money, more than 2700 govt buildings, constructed in the past, remain abandoned or not being used properly, according to the budget speech delivered by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Prez, in his speech, said these buildings had been identified as educational buildings, hospitals, textile industry buildings, more..

Nov 13 (FT) The much-anticipated I AM COYLE Leadership Forum was held this week, bringing together some of Sri Lanka’s most respected businessmen to inspire and celebrate their creativity, resilience, and spirit of enterprise. Organised by the Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), this year’s forum featured a panel of three leading business figures from Sri Lanka: Sirocco Group Managing Director Suren Chandraratna, Nihal Hettiarachchi and Co and RHN Ventures more..

Nov 13 (EN) SL’s top officials held discussions to enhance inter-agency coordination and implement technological solutions to ensure real-time monitoring of fishing vessels with an aim to curb illegal fishing by local and foreign vessels as well as to prevent drug trafficking, the govt said. The move comes as the govt has started a campaign to eradicate drug menace with large amount of drugs being trafficked through fishing vessels amid continuous poaching by Indian fishing vessels more..

Nov 13 (DM) SL Animal Welfare Association has warned that the number of street dogs in the country has increased to between two and three million. The association said this uncontrolled rise has led to around 250,000 dog bite cases being reported every year. Champa Fernando, Secretary of the Kandy Association for Community Protection through Animal Welfare (KACPAW), said the situation is becoming very serious. more..

Nov 13 (NW) Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake has announced his retirement from the post and the state service today. Issuing a statement, Saman Sri Ratnayake said he had served as a state official for the last 34 years. He was appointed as the Commissioner General of Elections on 16th Oct 2019. Saman Sri Ratnayake extended his gratitude to all former and current Presidential Secretaries, officials from various state institutions, former and current ministers and MPs, more..

Nov 13 (AD) Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva today issued a warrant for the arrest of the former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), Thusitha Halloluwa for failure to appear before the court over an incident involving a false complaint. Halloluwa allegedly filed a complaint claiming that a group of people had opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in in the Narahenpita area. The suspect failed to appear in court when the case was called today, more..

Nov 13 (FT) The defining characteristic of SL’s economy is its foreign debt burden compounded by its debt repayment burden. Any rational leader of a country which has a foreign debt burden like SL’s, regards the country’s economy as in a debt trap. By contrast, AKD sees a debt playpen. He kept punctuating his Budget speech with the rhetorical query: Where’s the crisis? What is the crisis? Which crisis? He’s a debt-denier, the economic counterpart of a climate-change denier. more..

Nov 13 (FT) The economic and social crises of 2022 marked a turning point in SL’s modern history. They forced the nation to confront an uncomfortable truth: our constitutional framework—designed to centralise political power—has long contributed to national decline. Out of that turmoil emerged a renewed call for genuine constitutional reform—a demand for a fair, people-centred system built on peace, prosperity, and zero tolerance for corruption. The current govt was elected on this mandate more..

Nov 13 (DN) Minister Samantha Vidyarathna told Parliament yesterday that funds provided through the World Bank-funded Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project (ASMP) to develop Sri Lanka’s plantation sector have been misused and given to relatives, secretaries and friendly government officials of former Ministers. Minister said the funds distributed through this project have been disbursed to followers. more..

Nov 13 (DN) Western Province North Crime Division arrested eight suspects with over 329 kilograms of ICE that were being transported to land by sea yesterday morning. The seven arrested suspects were brought to the Kirinda Police Station and another suspect was later arrested over the same drug trafficking operation racket. Six vehicles used for drug trafficking have also been taken into Police custody. Seven out of the eight suspects were arrested and the stock of drugs was seized more..

Nov 13 (AFP) SLC has reaffirmed that its ongoing tour of Pakistan will continue as scheduled, dismissing speculation of a pullout following a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 and injured 27 on Tuesday. The announcement drew widespread praise from Pakistani officials, who hailed it as a gesture of confidence in the country’s security and in cricket’s resilience amid adversity. SL team manager confirmed that no player is returning home & all SL players will remain in Pakistan. more..

Nov 13 (NF) A heated debate erupted in Parliament today over the growing influence of drug mafias in Sri Lanka, with explosive allegations pointing to the involvement of security forces and political networks. Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar opened the discussion with a blunt warning: "Drug mafias are ruling the North today. North is in turmoil. No politician has acted to resolve this situation. more..

Nov 13 (Island) Matale District lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne (SJB) has questioned Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s proposal to utilise the Consolidated Fund to pay a section of the estate workers’ salary increase, beginning January next year. Prez who also holds the Finance portfolio, on 7 Nov announced that the daily wage of estate workers would be increased to Rs. 1,750 from Rs. 1,350 under the proposed new scheme. Prez Dissanayake proposed that estate owners contribute more..

Nov 13 (AD) A high-level meeting has been held at the Parliament Complex to evaluate the progress of releasing privately owned lands in the Jaffna and Palali areas currently under military use. Meeting was jointly chaired by Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara and Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku. The discussion was held to accelerate the govt’s efforts in resolving land-related issues, a cornerstone of the national reconciliation process. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Refuting claims of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa that the govt has collected record state revenue by overly taxing people, Minister Anura Karunathilake said no new tax was imposed in 2025 and that state revenue was collected due to proper management of existing taxes and by strengthening the tax net. He told Parliament that the government managed to collect record state revenue without imposing any new taxes or any additional burden on the people. more..

Nov 13 (FT) Cabinet approved instructing the Legal Draftsman to draft a new Investment Protection Bill, aimed at preventing arbitrary nationalisation of private enterprises and ensuring long-term policy stability for investors. A proposal first introduced in the 2025 Budget to safeguard private property and strengthen investor confidence is now moving forward, with the Cabinet granting approval to begin drafting the new Investment Security Bill. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent more..

Nov 13 (AD) Sixteen SL players currently touring Pakistan have decided to return home following suicide bomb blast in Islamabad, informed sources said. As a result, today’s second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will not be played as scheduled. Meanwhile, SLC is preparing to send a replacement team to play the series. Yesterday, a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a judicial complex in Islamabad, more..

Nov 13 (TM) Hilton Colombo has officially welcomed the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held on 7 Nov. The event signaled the start of the hotel’s Home for Christmas program with an evening of sparkling lights, festive melodies, and shared joy in the heart of Colombo. From indulgent buffets at Graze Kitchen to authentic flavors at Emperor’s Wok, festive hampers and goodies from Café Kai, and lively New Year’s celebrations across more..

Nov 13 (DN) SL ‘A’ team, led by young spin all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, departed yesterday to take part in the Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 Cricket Tournament, scheduled from November 14 to 23 in Qatar. The 15-member squad includes experienced players such as Nuwanidu Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Milan Ratnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Ramesh Mendis, and Promod Madushan, who have previous national team exposure. The team also features promising youngsters: hard-hitting more..