Jul 29 (DM) S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka’s long- and short-term sovereign credit ratings at CCC+/C, while maintaining a stable outlook, citing continued economic recovery, strong revenue growth and improvements in fiscal management. The ratings agency said SL’s economy has remained resilient despite multiple external challenges, with increased govt revenue helping to support fiscal consolidation and more..

Jul 29 (TM) Several members of Kavadi dance groups participating in the annual Esala (July) Perahera of the Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya were arrested yesterday morning for allegedly possessing narcotics during a special Police operation. Around 1,500 security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the procession, while all Kavadi groups taking part in the event are being subjected to inspections. The heightened security measures follow more..

Jul 29 (DN) Joint Opposition Coalition Convener, former Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris said yesterday that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will convene all its 26,000 members today for a special discussion regarding the judicial retirement age. This Association officially represents the country’s legal community. But, the proposal has been approved without receiving and reviewing prior observations and representations from BASL and other legal stakeholder’s. more..

Jul 29 (Island) Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRF) has requested the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) to locate three inmates of the Negombo Prison who disappeared shortly before violence erupted there on 5 July. Those who disappeared included one accused, one suspect and the status of the other person is not known. Executive Director, CPRF, Senaka Perera identified them as more..

Jul 29 (NW) John Keells Holdings (JKH) has announced plans to introduce the globally recognised fast-food chain Wendy’s to Sri Lanka, with the first outlet expected to open by Dec 2026. The announcement was made in JKH’s financial results for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, released on Tuesday. The company said it will diversify its Consumer Foods portfolio by entering Sri Lanka’s Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) segment through the rollout of Wendy’s. more..

Jul 29 (ST) Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm project is currently being fast-tracked by the government as a long-term solution to regional energy security, highlighted by a major international bidding push launched just days ago, a senior official of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said. Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd (TPTL) officially announced plans to launch an international Request for Proposals (RFP) to commercialise and redevelop 29 of the 61 unused tanks under its custody. more..

Jul 29 (EN) SL’s cabinet has approved a proposal to establish a state-owned company to manage, operate, and develop the island’s multimodal transport hubs, govt spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The new entity, created under the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, will be a Treasury Limited (Public) Company directly controlled by the Ministry of Transport. It will handle the operation, administration, standardization, business development, more..

Jul 29 (DM) National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has launched an investigation into the presence of Physalia, commonly known as the blue bottle jellyfish, along the Panadura beach and issued safety advice to the public following reports of several beachgoers being stung. The investigation was initiated after the Panadura Municipal Council informed NARA about an increased presence of jellyfish in the coastal area. NARA officials visited the beach more..

Jul 29 (DN) SL women boxer Nadeeka Pushpakumari who represented the Round of 16 in the women’s 51kg weight class, defeated Scottish boxer Brooke Neely 3-2 to qualify for the quarter final at Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland. The 35-year-old Nadeeka who won bronze at 2021 Asian Women’s Championship in the same weight class once again came to the fore in this Commonwealth Games and will meet Namibian opponent more..

Jul 29 (NW) Senior Professor Upul Subasinghe has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the Uni of Sri J'pura. The appointment was made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Senior Prof. Subasinghe currently serves as the Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Uni of Sri J'pura. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) and a Ph.D. from the Uni of Wales and is a Chartered Biologist (SL). The Uni said Senior Prof. Subasinghe is a distinguished academic and researcher more..

Jul 29 (NW) The annual Aadi Vel festival of the New Kathiresan Kovil passed in front of Temple Trees in the afternoon of 28 July. The Prime Minister participated in the religious ceremony by offering a pooja tray during its street procession on behalf of the PM’s office. Following a customary drum procession that escorted the PM from Temple Trees to the Vel chariot, she offered a Pooja tray to the sacred Silver chariot (Ther) carrying the Lord Murugan and received blessings. more..

Jul 29 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned police officials on how they calculate the estimated street value of narcotics seized during anti-drug operations, during the Galle District Special Coordination Committee meeting on Tuesday. While briefing the President on the progress of the nationwide Ratama Ekata anti-drug operation, police officials outlined the quantities and estimated values of various drugs seized in Galle District since the programme began on 30 Oct 2025. more..

Jul 29 (Island) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday granted bail to Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Charith Abeysinghe, former SJB Horana organiser, and Aruna Sri Chathuranga, former Airport and Aviation Services director. They have been in remand custody since 25 June over allegations regarding receiving Rs. 120 million from Madushika Madhuwanthi, wife of underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka, alias Harak Kata. more..

Jul 29 (FT) In a shocking revelation, National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) last week announced that SL has yet to receive an application to register Ceylon Tea as a Geographical Indication (GI), despite the country’s globally recognised 159-year tea heritage. Responding to a question posed at the SL-USA Business Council (SLUSABC) breakfast forum on IP Trade Corridor: Strengthening US-SL Economic Partnership more..

Jul 29 (TM) Though Sri Lanka introduced independence to the Central Bank, alongside a separate public debt office in its pursuit of good governance, its agencies have not prioritised competence, particularly with regards to inflation targeting and interest rate spread, Verité Research Founder and Head of Research Nishan De Mel said. He was speaking at a panel discussion hosted by First Capital, held last week. Referring to the CBSL Act No. 16 of 2023, De Mel said: more..

Jul 29 (Island) SriLankan Airlines has strengthened its regional connectivity through a new interline agreement with Island Aviation Services, operating as Maldivian (Q2). This agreement enables SriLankan Airlines passengers to seamlessly access 17 popular domestic destinations across the Maldives. The arrangement is designed to enhance travel convenience by allowing passengers to book journeys involving both carriers under a single electronic ticket. more..

Jul 29 (ST) Experts have called on the govt to create a centralised management system to manage fire safety departments which remain under the control of local councils. They have also pointed out that empowering firefighters to take legal action against those ignoring fire safety would also help reduce such accidents. The call for govt intervention has intensified after five people were killed after a fire in a helmet factory more..

Jul 29 (FT) DFCC Bank has introduced SL’s first ATMs and Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs) offering transactions in eight languages, enabling int'l visitors and local customers to withdraw or deposit cash in the language most familiar to them. Now available in the arrivals area of BIA and at DFCC Bank locations in Hiriketiya, Ella & Arugam Bay, the service offers English, Sinhala, Tamil, French, Chinese, Russian, Hindi & German, with a wider rollout across the bank’s countrywide network. more..

Jul 29 (DM) Jaffna Kings boosted their Lanka Premier League 2026 playoff hopes with a convincing 19-run victory over Colombo Kaps at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, powered by Ibrahim Zadran’s brilliant half-century and Dilshan Madushanka’s match-winning bowling spell. Zadran produced his best innings of the tournament, anchoring the Jaffna innings with a classy 95 from 65 deliveries. The Afghanistan opener combined timing and power, smashing 12 boundaries more..

Jul 29 (Island) The Buddha, in my humble opinion, has been one of the greatest revolutionaries in human history, if not the greatest. I know very well that some of my fellow Buddhists would, perhaps, be shocked and take strong exception to my using the term revolutionary in reference to the Buddha, for revolution has been tainted by the actions of some revolutionaries, especially those involving political or socio-economic change, as they have been associated with violence and bloodshed. more..

Jul 29 (FT) SL’s top blue-chip John Keells Holdings (JKH) yesterday said it posted stronger first-quarter earnings for FY2026/27, with growth led by its transportation, consumer foods, property and financial services businesses, although profitability continued to be affected by foreign exchange losses and weaker tourism due to travel disruptions arising from the Middle East conflict. Group revenue for the quarter ended 30 June increased 24% to Rs. 141.65 bil from Rs. 114.15 bil a year earlier, more..

Jul 29 (DM) CAA recently conducted 52 special raids targeting private hospitals and medical laboratories islandwide. Investigations had revealed numerous serious non-compliances relating to medical laboratory materials used for patient testing and treatment. A large quantity of unfit and expired medical laboratory items too were discovered. Items identified as unfit for use included blood glucose testing kits, various laboratory more..

Jul 29 (FT) Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (PickMe) said it has generated Rs. 22 billion in income for its network of independent driver and merchant earners during the first quarter of FY2026/27, up 50% from a year earlier. The platform contributed Rs. 773 million in national taxes during the quarter, maintaining strong operational momentum despite temporary fuel supply disruptions stemming from the Middle Eastern conflict. Company reported revenue of Rs. 2.5 billion for the quarter, more..

Jul 29 (GV) In May this year, the govt approved an inbound labour migration policy to hire foreign experts for jobs that Sri Lankans cannot fill. Since Sri Lanka is a major source country, its sudden policy shift to becoming a host country raises concern, especially when the existing outbound migration framework requires reform. The govt appears to be pursuing a dual pronged labour migration approach: bringing foreign experts into Sri Lanka to support local development and investment while more..

Jul 29 (Island) Politicians uphold the rule of law only when they are out of power. Their respect for the law and their love for democracy last only until an opportunity comes their way to savour power. Thereafter, they lay bare their true faces and bulldoze their way through; they even consider the Constitution an obstacle in their path. This is the name of the game in SL politics. Badulla HC yesterday sentenced SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri to one-and-ahalf years’ imprisonment more..

Jul 29 (TM) India’s donation of 500 litres of technical grade malathion comes at an important moment in Sri Lanka’s fight against dengue. Health authorities have acknowledged that the insecticide currently being used in fogging operations is proving less effective in some parts of the country, prompting the Ministry of Health to seek an alternative chemical for testing. We must acknowledge that the donation deserves appreciation. It reflects the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and India more..

Jul 29 (SO) SL is witnessing a worrying trend in the survival of its most iconic Big Cat. Between 2008 and 2024, researchers compiled records of 164 human-caused leopard deaths on the island. Prof. Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, Deputy Director at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that these recorded deaths are increasing and are mainly driven by the use of snares. more..

Jul 29 (DM) Two amendments to the Parliamentary Standing Orders (SO) were passed on April 7 allowing the COPA and COPE, to directly report to the CIABOC or the IGP when they find evidence of fraud, corruption or bribery during their deliberations, for taking necessary action regarding such matters. Accordingly, a new paragraph was inserted into SO 119(4) related to COPA, stating: “If the Committee on Public Accounts, in examining the reports presented to the Committee by the AG more..

Jul 29 (DM) Every govt begins its term with a familiar list of urgent priorities. The economy needs attention. Public services demand improvement. The cost of living weighs heavily on households, while businesses seek stability and confidence to invest. These are real and immediate concerns, and no responsible govt can afford to ignore them. But there is another question that deserves equal attention, even if it rarely dominates political debate. Are the decisions being made today more..

Jul 29 (TM) More than 7,000 families living around the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project have spent the better part of a decade watching their homes crack and their wells run dry. The project’s preliminary studies had been rejected by the ADB over adverse impacts before it was pushed forward regardless. The result was a nine-year delay, an additional $ 39 million in costs, and a scale of structural and more..

Jul 29 (DM) The degree of civilisation of a society can be judged by entering its prisons. This aphorism is sometimes attributed to the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky and sometimes to the French philosopher Voltaire. Whoever said it, it rings true. Describing the horrific overcrowding in our prisons is no longer necessary. Negombo calamity has done that better than anyone could. What is now needed is quick action to prevent a recurrence and thereby drag our civilisation out from the ditch. more..

Jul 29 (DM) Minister Ananda Wijepala’s recent statements in Kurunegala have rightly focused national attention on the drug menace. The commitment to treat drug users as individuals requiring medical and rehabilitative intervention rather than automatic imprisonment, while reserving strict enforcement for traffickers and distributors, is a necessary and welcome correction. The readiness to bypass inactive police stations, the emphasis on not ignoring intelligence, more..