Sep 30 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara yesterday enticed Japanese companies to invest in stable and high-potential SL in a bid to tap the giant South Asian market. He had a closed-door meeting in Tokyo with several top Japanese companies, and later addressed a packed open Business Forum on the sidelines of his State visit, pushing for greater bilateral ties. At the open forum, Prez listed economic & political stability, more..

Sep 30 (FT) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA SL) yesterday announced that it has formally presented its proposals for the forthcoming National Budget 2026 to the Govt. Proposals presented by CA SL addresses several critical pillars of fiscal management, including policy planning and implementation, establishment of a Tax Ombudsman, enhancing strategic trade policy and broadening the export base. It also included reforming the tax system to ensure equity more..

Sep 30 (CT) The Govt of Anura Kumara Dissanayake or AKD Govt, has completed one year by September 2025. Many, except those in the Govt, have ventured into analysing its performance during this initial year. From the Govt side, a performance report is expected to be presented by AKD himself when he will present his Budget for 2026 in November 2025. Since those in the Govt did not have previous experience in governing the country, the two analysts, more..

Sep 30 (TM) If Sri Lanka’s fascination with Crystal Methamphetamine – commonly known as Ice was not concerning enough with the large quantities of the narcotic found in the island, including some alleged production facilities, yesterday heralded news of another new kid on the block, a synthetic stimulant drug by the name Mephedrone, was found for the first time, authorities said. SL has detected the highly dangerous synthetic stimulant drug Mephedrone for the first time, more..

Sep 30 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake may not have been at his oratorical best in New York, where he addressed the UNGA recently, but he waxed eloquent in Tokyo when he met a group of SL expatriates. His address was a political version of a fire-and-brimstone sermon, full of warnings to his political opponents. What was of interest in Prez Dissanayake’s speech in Tokyo was his evasive answer to a question from the audience about the controversial release of 323 freight containers more..

Sep 30 (TM) SL has completed one year under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a period shaped by stabilisation efforts, cautious optimism, and a steady push to normalise key economic indicators. This review looks at what the numbers showed around Aug 2024 and where they stood by Aug 2025, so readers can see change clearly. It focuses on inflation, growth, tourism, exports, workers’ remittances, and reserves, more..

Sep 30 (CT) The conversation over how a child should be disciplined is never an easy one to navigate. Opinions differ vastly between individuals, and the matter of a child’s upbringing is never easy to discuss, especially among parents who have to contend with corporal punishment’s place in a child’s disciplining and upbringing. What makes matters worse is the way some have romanticised corporal punishment in Sri Lankan culture, whether in song, verse, or storytelling. more..

Sep 30 (ST) As Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked one year in office, his NPP govt became embroiled in a controversy over two recently seized containers found to contain chemicals used for the production of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice. The issue came up repeatedly throughout this week’s debates in Parliament. Even as NPP MPs pointed to how the main suspect in the case was connected to the SLPP, it had to face questions from the opposition as to how the containers more..

Sep 30 (TM) The enormity of SL’s drug problem and the resulting overcrowding in its prisons represent a critical crisis at the intersection of law enforcement, rehabilitation, and human rights. In 2025 alone, the Police conducted a staggering 164,785 raids seizing 17,647 kg of narcotics and over 3.5 million pills, leading to the arrest of more than 164,000 individuals. Yet this enforcement effort places enormous strain on the country’s more..

Sep 30 (DM) UNGA meeting showed a badly broken world order, with world leaders giving speeches that revealed deep splits on how to run the world, solve conflicts, and protect human rights. The assembly became a fight between those wanting countries to work together versus those wanting each nation to go it alone. Opened under Prez Annalena Baerbock’s leadership. The high-level debate began Sept 23, featuring over 150 world leaders in sessions from 9am-2:45pm & 3pm-9pm daily. more..

Sep 30 (DM) One cannot but commend the govt’s intention to bring in an amendment to the Penal Code to protect child rights by making physical and non-physical punishment against children illegal. The Bill on the amendment is being debated these days in Parliament. However, the law alone would not protect the rights of the children. The authorities have to look into the causes of the problem and the repercussions of the new law from a sociological point of view and avert issues that would be more..

Sep 29 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that over the past year, SL has managed to maintain a balance in its diplomatic relations. The Prez emphasized that in a world where economies and markets transcend national borders, no country can move forward alone, and SL is working to elevate its standing globally through strong diplomatic ties. He also pointed out that for the country to move ahead, national unity more..

Sep 29 (DM) The United States has cautioned that SL’s regulatory unpredictability, bureaucratic red tape and selective transparency are discouraging broader participation of American firms, despite strong interest in sectors such as ICT, energy, aviation and defence. U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Investment Climate Statement on SL, released this week, paints a familiar picture of an economy with promise but weighed down by systemic obstacles. It notes that abrupt policy shifts, more..

Sep 29 (DM) The tender for the import of coal required for power generation in Sri Lanka has paved the way for serious corruption, FrontLine Socialist Party (FLSP) Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda alleged. He said the coal supply tender, which was opened on September 15, had been awarded to Trident Chemphar, the company that submitted the lowest bid. Mr. Jayagoda charged that the procurement guidelines appeared to have been altered to favour the company. more..

Sep 29 (DM) Japan will consider any request by Sri Lanka for a fresh Yen loan project including Light Rail Transit (LRT) only after careful consideration of it in consultation with the Sri Lankan govt, taking into account not only their priorities, but also the progress of the existing projects, feasibility of the proposed project as well as the country’s economic and fiscal conditions, according to the Japanese Embassy in Colombo. more..

Sep 29 (Island) Investigations have revealed that suspect Sampath Manamperi, who is currently being questioned by the Peliyagoda Crimes Division, destroyed his mobile phone by placing it on a railway track in Dehiwala. Manamperi disclosed this while being questioned by the Peliyagoda Crimes Division. He confessed that immediately after the commencement of police investigations, he had destroyed his mobile phone. Manamperi has been arrested and detained over a consignment more..

Sep 29 (Island) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is making a substantial investment in Sri Lanka’s future, with the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka at the forefront of this transformative initiative. A total of $30 million has been allocated to the university as part of a broader project to enhance higher education in the country. This funding aims to establish a new Faculty of Technology, offering students industry-relevant programs in science and technology. more..

Sep 29 (DM) Only two out of five people are computer-literate in SL in 2024, with 64.1% of Sri Lankans unable to use a computer, according to statistics released by the Department of Census and Statistics. The Department said the computer literacy rate remained shockingly low, and “The survey results show a decrease of 3.1 percentage points from 2023 to 2024. The urban sector shows the highest computer literacy rate (47.3%) among residential sectors in 2024. more..

Sep 29 (CI) India blinked. They were 20 for 3 chasing 146. Their world-beating batting line-up was panicking as Pakistan came at them - this time for every reason because there was a title on the line. A collapse of 9 for 33 had left Salman Agha's men with no room for error and for the most part they coped with it. They got rid of Abhishek Sharma early. That sent jitters through a middle-order that was upended to accommodate Shubman Gill. A straightforward chase was going pear-shaped. more..

Sep 29 (FT) SL and President Anura Kumara Disanayake emerged as key highlights on Saturday at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, reminiscing the close friendship and renewing strong bilateral ties. Drawing over 18 million people since its opening in mid-April, Expo 2025 saw the celebration of SL Day on Saturday, with President Disanayake as the Chief Guest. Sri Lanka Pavilion located at Common Hall A showcased more..

Sep 29 (DM) The long-held excuse that low public sector salaries contribute to a culture of corruption is no longer valid, according to the head of SL’s anti-corruption commission. In a direct address to senior govt officials, Justice Neil Iddawala, Chairman of the CIABOC, asserted that government wages have reached a fair and reasonable level. Justice Iddawala said systematically dismantled the public’s perception that inadequate pay forces state employees to solicit bribes. more..

Sep 29 (ST) The City of Dreams will have to adjust to new regulations being imposed by the government set to impact on the gains made by the gaming industry. Cinnamon Life’s City of Dreams General Manager Michael Habashi speaking on the sidelines of a media meet to mark World Tourism Day on Wednesday said that with the possibility of new taxes and regulations imposed by the govt their establishment’s casino and gaming business will have adjust accordingly. more..

Sep 29 (TM) The Fire Service Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) stated that certain building owners, particularly in areas such as Pettah, continue to ignore fire protection regulations, creating a major safety risk in the event of an emergency. Acting Chief Fire Officer P.D.K.A. Wilson noted that unlike other high-rises built to require fire safety standards, many privately owned structures such as business premises still fall short despite repeated warnings. more..

Sep 29 (FT) The Global Dialogue Forum (GDF), in partnership with the Club of Rome – India, successfully hosted its international conclave on AI in powering green energy, food security and cybersecurity at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, on 20 September. The full-day event convened global policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and innovators to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be practically deployed to address the most pressing challenges facing societies. more..

Sep 29 (DM) In a move to crack down on potential money laundering, the Central Bank of SL announced it will soon mandate that all cryptocurrency (crypto) and virtual asset service providers register with the government to continue their operations. To achieve this, Central Bank has proposed necessary amendments to the Financial Transactions Reporting Act (FTRA), which will bring these service providers under the Act’s remit. more..

Sep 29 (DN) Kavisha Dilhari (63) and Nilakshika Silva (75) hit fighting half centuries but they went in vain as Bangladesh women recorded thrilling 1 run win over Sri Lanka women in their Women’s World Cup warm up game played at R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Sri Lanka chasing a target of 243 made a good start scoring 56 for 1 with the early dismissal of skipper Chamari Athapaththu for 8 runs in 7th over. The opener Hasini Perera 34 in 44 balls with 3 fours more..

Sep 29 (DN) SL Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya feels that despite not winning even a single game in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, his team has the ability to go far, if they cant be consistent in their approach. Pathum played a brilliant innings to chase the India total but unfortunately he was out first ball of the last over. But throughout the 20 overs he batted really well to get his maiden T-20 hundred. Kusal Janith Perera also batted well to build a good partnership with Pathum. more..

Sep 29 (ST) 15 High Courts in Colombo are expected to be assigned to hear cases of separate subjects under a revised system introduced to expedite cases on the directions of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. According to the CJ’s instructions to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), one High Court under Judge Mohmed Mihail will be exclusively hearing bribery and corruption cases. more..

Sep 29 (FT) Information Communication Technology Agency of SL (ICTA) Board Member and Microimage Founder and CEO Harsha Purasinghe at a webinar last Saturday (27) on How AI Is Reshaping Jobs, Skills and the Workplace said Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping skills, workplaces, and business models, but Sri Lanka must urgently address gaps in computing capacity or Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) clusters, infrastructure, data readiness, and education to capture its potential. more..

Sep 29 (FT) Digital Economy Ministry, together with the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), has commenced the selection and procurement process for a Sri Lankan origin Managed Service Provider (MSP), to be tasked with managing and operating the SL Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) platform. Sri Lankan MSP will take over the SLUDI system soon after the completion of acceptance and security testing of the system. The initial implementation of the system more..

Sep 29 (Island) About 40 people including children have died in a stampede at a TVK rally held by popular South Indian actor, Joseph Vijay Chandraskehar, popularly known as Vijay. Tens of thousands of people who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of their hero surged forth when he began his speech, according to media reports. TN and the Centre have reportedly launched probes into the tragic incident, and Chandrasekhar has promised to compensate the families of the victims. more..

Sep 29 (DN) Opener Sanjana Kavindi continued her form scoring superb knock of 92 while two spinners Shashini Gimhani and Limansa Thillekarathna took 3 wickets each as Sri Lanka women’s under 19s notched up an easy 180 runs win over Australia women under 19s in their only Youth ODI played at Rangiri Dambulla Int'l Cricket Stadium yesterday. Sri Lankan Youth team led by Manudi Nanayakkara having early 4 wins in a row at T-20 series continued their momentum to beat visitors more..