Aug 22 (FT) Marking a historic milestone in SL’s fresh fruit exports, the first-ever 20-foot container of fresh SL pineapples (Ananas comosus) was successfully shipped to the Pakistani market yesterday. The consignment was exported by C R Exports Ltd, one of SL’s leading exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables, marking a significant step forward in expanding market access for SL fresh pineapples in Pakistan. more..

Aug 22 (NF) The last rites of the late veteran singer Nanda Malini, will be performed at 5 PM today at the Borella Cemetery. Religious ceremonies are scheduled to be conducted at her residence at 10 AM. A large number of people were seen arriving from last night until early morning to pay their last respects to Nanda Malini. Her remains are placed at the Nanda Malini Music Academy in Vijayaba Mawatha, Nugegoda, for public respect. The public will have the opportunity to pay their final more..

Aug 22 (DN) Environment Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody informed Parliament that a gazette notification will be issued in the near future regarding the provision of tame elephants for the Peraheras to formalise arrangements for their allocation to religious and cultural processions. SJB MP Chamindranee Kiriella, expressed concern in Parliament yesterday over the gradual shortage of tamed elephants provided for the traditional peraheras held in the country such as more..

Aug 22 (AM) Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga once again underlined his status as one of the world’s leading javelin throwers after winning the men’s javelin event at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland. Tharanga produced a throw of 88.14 metres to take first place, edging India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who finished second with 88.05m—his best throw of the 2026 season. more..

Aug 22 (AD) The facility to obtain railway season tickets online, currently available only to public sector employees, will be extended to private sector employees from September as a pilot phase, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said. Accordingly, he said steps are being taken to ensure that the online railway season ticket facility is made available to private sector employees as well without any issues by October. more..

Aug 22 (FT) Govt has made no decision to revive its shelved plan to lower the VAT registration threshold from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million in annual turnover, Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera told the CoPF, as MP Ravi Karunanayake pressed the Govt on widening the tax base. During the exchange, Karunanayake asked when the previously proposed threshold reduction, which was withdrawn in June, would be implemented. “No decision has been taken to reduce threshold for VAT,” more..

Aug 22 (Island) Police have introduced a temporary procedure for obtaining Police Clearance Certificates following a disruption to the computerised system used by the Police Clearance Division. Police Clearance Division, located on the 17th floor of the Suhurupaya Building, in Battaramulla, said its computerised system had been inactive since noon, on Thursday, affecting the submission and processing of applications, background checks and issuance of certificates. more..

Aug 22 (EN) Cabinet has approved a plan to provide interest-free loans of up to 25 million rupees each for small and medium-scale rice millers to purchase paddy at govt guaranteed prices, minister of agriculture said. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on a 7.5 billion rupee supplementary estimate, minister Lal Kantha said that the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) lacks the capacity to purchase the country’s entire harvest. “We do not have the complete capacity to purchase more..

Aug 22 (FT) SL’s tourism industry needs to shift its focus from visitor volumes to value, with industry leaders reiterating for greater emphasis on high-spending travellers, longer stays and wider economic benefits. Addressing the media, THASL President Asoka Hettigoda said tourism had re-emerged as a key driver of economic recovery but cautioned that arrivals alone were an inadequate measure of success. more..

Aug 22 (NW) The wife of former State Intelligence Service Director Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has made a fresh appeal to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to extend her husband’s Detention Order, citing what she described as a critical and life-threatening cardiac condition. In a letter dated Aug. 20, S.B.M.S.B. Sallay requested that her husband instead be transferred to remand custody under judicial supervision while continuing to receive specialised medical treatment. more..

Aug 22 (AD) Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, says steps will be taken to promptly submit to the Cabinet a report prepared by a committee appointed to establish a formal procedure for granting presidential pardons to convicted prisoners. The Minister made these remarks while inspecting the Colombo Remand Prison (CRP), New Magazine Prison and Welikada Prison and discussing issues faced by male and female inmates. more..

Aug 22 (FT) Tea production declined by 1.05% year-on-year (YoY) in July, while cumulative output during the first seven months of 2026 fell by 2.62%. Tea production in July amounted to 21.26 MnKg, down 0.23 MnKg from 21.49 MnKg in the corresponding month of 2025. Compared with the 23.19 MnKg produced in July 2024, output was lower by 1.93 MnKg, or 8.33%. Cumulative production during Jan-July 2026 stood at 153.14 MnKg, recording a decline of 4.12 MnKg, or 2.62%, from 157.26 MnKg more..

Aug 22 (AD) SL Police are seeking public assistance to apprehend three Chinese nationals wanted in connection with the assault of three Chinese nationals near the Colombo Port City and the subsequent abduction and murder of one of them. CCD is conducting investigations into the incident, which occurred on July 23. Two Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in the crime have already been arrested and are currently in remand custody, while investigations are underway to more..

Aug 22 (DM) A parliamentary probe into unpaid study bonds has triggered a sharp debate over state-funded brain drain. COPE flagged Rs. 3.5 billion in outstanding dues from university academics who breached service agreements after completing overseas postgraduate studies, warning the figure could soon reach Rs. 5 billion. However, the FUTA rejected claims of an outright financial loss, maintaining that up to 80% remains more..

Aug 22 (FT) Neil Marine Group has expanded its boat-building operations with a new Rs. 50 million-plus manufacturing facility at Dikovita, Wattala, as the company seeks to increase production, create jobs and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in the international boatbuilding market. The new yard, approved by the BoI of SL, has been established on previously abandoned land belonging to the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation. The project represents a public-private partnership more..

Aug 22 (Island) SL’s national shooting team returned to the island recently after achieving an impressive haul of 10 medals, including three gold, four silver and three bronze medals, at two major int'l shooting championships held in Indonesia & Philippines. Representing the National Rifle Association of SL (NRA-SL), SL shooters delivered outstanding performances against competitors from nearly 40 countries, bringing considerable honour and recognition to the country on the int'l stage. more..

Aug 22 (ST) At the far end of the northern archipelago, Neduntheevu—also known as Delft Island—is beginning to show signs of a bustling tourism industry, offering a much-needed economic lifeline to its flat, coral-stone landscape and its people. Known as SL’s most isolated island, it draws visitors seeking a slow-paced escape amidst its warm blue waters, wild horses, and colonial remnants. An ecosystem of commerce more..

Aug 22 (EN) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has signed an agreement with the Qatar SL Business Council (QSLBC), and CCC, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCIA-BML). Two MoUs provide a framework for the Chambers to exchange business and economic information, facilitate contacts between their respective business communities and identify opportunities for trade, investment and commercial cooperation. The signing with the QSLBC more..

Aug 22 (FT) GAEA International Ltd, the company behind the Kaern dairy brand in SL, has achieved ISO 22000, HACCP and GMP certification by SGS for its SL facility, marking an important milestone in strengthening the company’s local operations and food safety management systems. The milestone comes as Kaern participates in the Pro Food Pro Pack Exhibition at BMICH for the second consecutive year, connecting with food manufacturers, industry professionals and more..

Aug 22 (FT) The Colombo stock market yesterday closed on the up ending a week-long bearish run. During the week, ASPI declined by 206.6 points or 1% & S&P SL20 was down 37.6 points or 0.6%. Yesterday ASPI ended up 0.05% or 10.99 points at 21,416.61 and the S&P SL20 was up 0.15% or 8.84 points at 6,028.09. Market turnover was over Rs. 1.2 billion on over 50 million shares traded. First Capital Research said the CSE sustained a week of intraday losses for the most part, more..

Aug 22 (GV) One of the best known and most honoured singers of Sri Lanka, Sangeetha Visharada Dr Nanda Malini, the artist who marked an entire epoch in the art of song and who was honoured as the golden voice of the nation, bade farewell to her life journey just three days before her 83rd birthday. For close to seven decades, she nourished the hearts of people with her voice and her passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, not only in the world of Sri Lankan music, but more..

Aug 22 (FT) NDF MP Ravi Karunanayake said that the NPP Govt is set to face next month’s IMF evaluation trapped in a risky paradox as the country’s macroeconomic survival has been bought at the price of its people’s standard of living. He said to secure the next tranche of financing, the state must strictly enforce fiscal discipline and meet its 15% GDP revenue mandate. However, he claimed that pushing further austerity risks more..

Aug 22 (Island) The prospect of unlocking petroleum and natural-gas resources beneath the Mannar Basin has opened a new chapter in the country’s search for energy and investment opportunities. But beneath and around the proposed exploration blocks lies a marine ecosystem whose ecological importance could far exceed the value of any resources ultimately extracted from the seabed. With investment proposals being invited for petroleum and natural-gas exploration and production in more..

Aug 22 (TM) An economic impact assessment conducted by Deloitte FAS (Pvt) Ltd has highlighted the contribution of NSBM Green University to SL’s economy over the past decade, while operating as a self-financed entity. According to the assessment, NSBM has served more than 41,000 students, produced 22,855 graduates, and generated an estimated LKR 115.5 billion in cumulative Gross Value Added to the SL economy during its first decade. The assessment found that 86% more..

Aug 22 (ST) In recent times, there have been numerous warnings by the Central Bank and other authorities on dubious investment schemes. Most of these schemes have escaped the reach of the CB, although no company or organisation can invite deposits without permission from the banking regulator, as there appears to be a grey area in taking action against them. In another move, the popular online gambling industry has also attracted attention with authorities considering action. more..

Aug 22 (TM) Nidahase Kanthavo organisation recently exposed a glaring institutional scandal hiding in plain sight. They revealed that women occupy just one of the 29 seats across our top two courts. With a combined female representation of just 3.4% in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, country’s apex judiciary presents a patriarchal monolith. In the SC, a single female judge sits amongst 13 serving members. In the Court of Appeal, the tally is even more shocking: more..

Aug 22 (DN) The future of SL’s EPF and ETF has become the subject of intense public discussion in recent weeks, amid claims that the two funds are to be merged. The speculation has raised questions among workers about the security of their savings, the management of the funds and what, if anything, the Govt is actually proposing. Dr Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance, addresses more..

Aug 22 (FT) Sri Lanka has been reclassified as an upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank Group, according to its latest country income classifications released on 1 July 2026. This marks a significant turning point in the country’s economic recovery. This article is all about the arduous journey the country went through to achieve this status since independence and future challenges. PM D.S. Senanayake, who was regarded as the father of the nation, having led the country to more..

Aug 22 (DM) Divorce is a taboo word in Sri Lanka and the world over, although it is taking place at almost lightning speed among couples. Almost every second person is filing for divorce, sometimes over trivial matters and others due to irreconcilable issues. In all these situations, those facing such trauma find it difficult to find recourse to a professional helpline, let alone professional help. Now in Sri Lanka, there are many victims who face similar situations, and more..

Aug 22 (SO) For much of the 20th century, communication theory was written largely in North American and Western European universities. Major theories travelled across the world and became the standard language through which communication was taught. Across Asia, Africa and the wider Global South, students learned to explain communication through concepts developed in very different historical & cultural circumstances. more..

Aug 22 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly instructed the security forces to expedite the release and return of land taken over in the North and the East for military purposes during the Eelam war. Stressing that national security is paramount, and it is up to the security forces to decide where camps, etc, should be located, he has urged the military to release the maximum possible extent of land to the public. More than 17 years have elapsed since the conclusion of the war, more..

Aug 22 (DM) As global weather patterns grow increasingly chaotic under the influence of shifting oceanic temperatures and intensifying El Niño phenomena, SL, like many other countries, is at a perilous agricultural crossroad. Recent reportage in the Daily Mirror paints a troubling picture of the impending weather duality expected to impact the island’s upcoming farming cycles: a Maha cultivation season fraught with intense, highly localised heavy rainfall, followed immediately by a severely more..