Feb 6 (AD) As part of ongoing reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, India has dispatched a consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges to SL to support the restoration of critical connectivity infrastructure in affected areas. The shipment arrived in Colombo from Visakhapatnam onboard INS Gharial, and Acting High Commissioner of India to SL, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, formally handed over more..

Feb 6 (DM) SL business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has sparked fresh interest in the aviation sector after hinting that a brand-new helicopter could soon be brought to SL. Speaking while attending the Singapore Airshow 2026, Sirisena said he hopes to make his long-time dream of introducing a modern helicopter to the country a reality in the near future. He made these remarks in an interview with the YouTube channel at the exhibition. Sirisena noted that he closely studies helicopter technology more..

Feb 6 (AD) A SL passenger who arrived at the BIA has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle a consignment of Kush valued at over Rs. 20 million into the country. Police stated that during interrogation following the arrest, it was revealed that two other individuals had been waiting near a supermarket in Negombo to transport the narcotics consignment to the Mannar area. Accordingly, officials attached to BIA Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) arrested the 2 suspects this morning. more..

Feb 6 (FT) The CID today informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court of several key facts uncovered in connection with Attorney-at-law Thamara Kumari Abeyratne, who has been arrested and detained on suspicion of aiding and abetting the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa. These details were presented when the case against the suspect was taken up before more..

Feb 6 (AD) Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has urged the govt to establish an institution named the Muthurajawela Development Authority to protect the Muthurajawela wetlands. Cardinal stated that the natural drainage system of the Gampaha District has been formed through the Muthurajawela wetlands. He warned that if unauthorized constructions continue in the area, there is a risk of severe flooding occurring again in the Gampaha District in future. more..

Feb 6 (AD) SJB MP Palani Digambaram has raised concerns that plantation workers may not receive the recently announced daily wage increase of Rs. 400. He stated that plantation companies are now demanding that workers collect 25 kg of tea leaves per day in order to qualify for the increment of their daily wage, up from the previous requirement of 20 kg. Digambaram noted, “Regarding the salary of estate workers, the govt has stated that Rs. 400 will be added to their daily wage, to be paid on more..

Feb 6 (FT) Senior officials from the US Embassy in Sri Lanka held discussions with the EDB to explore avenues for expanding bilateral trade relations and investment opportunities between the two countries. The meeting was attended by US Embassy in Sri Lanka Economic and Commercial Officer Daniel Jackson, accompanied by Commercial and Economic Assistant Thiloma Abayanayaka. They met with EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe and senior EDB officials, including more..

Feb 6 (AD) Executive Director of the World Bank, Parameswaran Iyer and SL officials have reviewed ongoing World Bank-supported initiatives. Parameswaran Iyer is on an official visit to SL to strengthen development cooperation and support the country’s economic growth efforts. Iyer, who represents SL and several regional countries on the World Bank’s Executive Board, met with the Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. He was accompanied by more..

Feb 6 (TM) A high-stakes administrative battle is taking place within Parliament as Speaker of the House, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, and the suspended Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament and Chief of Staff, attorney Chaminda Kularatne, trade allegations involving the misuse of State resources and personal vendettas. On Tuesday, a formal letter containing 15 detailed inquiries was dispatched to more..

Feb 6 (FT) SL’s renowned open-air art fair, Kala Pola, is set to bring alive the streets of Colombo with colour, creativity, and conversation as Kala Pola returns for its 33rd edition on 8 Feb, along Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path), Colombo 7. Conceptualised and introduced by The George Keyt Foundation in 1993, and sponsored and co-presented by the John Keells Group through an unbroken patronage since 1994, Kala Pola has grown into a cultural landmark that more..

Feb 6 (Island) Indian High Commission spokesperson denied recent accusations regarding Indian naval personnel attacking SL fishermen about a week after the incident. Spokesperson said: “We have seen media reports of SL fishermen assaulted at sea on 29 Jan 2026. On our side, we have ascertained and can confirm that no such assault was inflicted by any Indian Navy or Indian Coast Guard personnel. India has consistently maintained that a humanitarian approach should be more..

Feb 6 (DM) FACETS Sri Lanka, the country’s premier international gem and jewellery exhibition organised by the SL Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), will return from 4th to 6th Jan 2027 at the iconic Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams SL, marking the 34th edition of this flagship industry showcase. Building on the strong success of FACETS 2026 — which marked the exhibition’s move to Cinnamon Life — the 2027 edition is set to deliver an even more focused trade experience. more..

Feb 6 (FT) SL ranks 100th globally in the Global Soft Power Index (GSPI) 2026 with a score of 33.8/100, down three positions from 97th in 2025, according to a new iteration of the GSPI by Brand Finance. Brand Finance publishes the GSPI based on a survey of more than 150,000 respondents from over 100 countries to gather data on global perceptions of all 193 member States of the UN. Thanks to the scope of the survey, the Index is the world’s most comprehensive study on perceptions of more..

Feb 6 (FT) Advocata Institute said that any move by the Govt to revive or accommodate vehicle permit concessions for a select group of retired senior public officials would undermine governance credibility, weaken public trust, and dilute SL’s economic reform effort. The economic policy think tank said that according to remarks made in Parliament, 1,900 permits have already been issued under this concessional more..

Feb 6 (ST) Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha (28), the first from the Sri Lanka Navy to successfully complete the coveted U.S. Navy SEAL training who passed away unexpectedly, was laid to rest with full military honours on Friday. Lieutenant Chamitha who was attached to the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) of the SL Navy was based at Welisara Navy Camp at the time of his sudden demise. SL Navy says that he was found dead at the naval quarters within the Welisara Navy Camp on Wednesday. more..

Feb 6 (FT) Private sector stakeholders yesterday reported a disruption to import and export cargo clearance after operations at Sri Lanka Customs slowed or stopped during the afternoon, citing the absence of officers attending a union meeting. Industry sources said cargo clearance effectively came to a standstill from around 1 p.m., with Customs officers in Colombo attending the meeting and officers at outstations suspending work while awaiting instructions. more..

Feb 6 (ST) A proposal to ban social media for children under the age of 16 has been handed to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and is being studied. NCPA Chairman and retired High Court Judge Inoka Ranasinghe said that it will take some time to implement this because legal provisions need to be prepared. Decisions and ideas are needed from three institutions more..

Feb 6 (EN) SL’s Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) is calling proposals from university students for the annual Saman Kelegama research grant. “This annual grant creates an exciting opportunity for a select undergraduate, supporting them in their research with both financial aid and mentorship,” IPS said. The grant is open to undergraduate students currently in their fourth year or about to enter their fourth year in 2026, studying economics or a related subject. The recipient will receive more..

Feb 6 (FT) The 9th Best Annual Reports and Accounts (BARA) Awards ceremony successfully concluded on 5 Feb 2026 evening at the BMICH, recognising outstanding achievements in public sector financial reporting, transparency, and good governance. A total of 45 entities were honoured as winners, while 187 institutions received Compliance Certificates, reflecting sector-wide improvements in reporting discipline and governance practices. Organised by the Association of more..

Feb 6 (FT) SL Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) held its AGM on 27 Jan 2026 at Cinnamon Life, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and the diplomatic community to review sector priorities and reinforce SL’s position in global apparel supply chains. At the AGM, Rajitha Jayasuriya was reappointed as Chairperson for a second term, alongside the newly appointed Executive Committee comprising Jeevith Senaratne as Deputy Chairperson, Hasib Omar as Treasurer, and more..

Feb 6 (EN) Commercial Bank and GAIA Greenenergy Holdings are teaming up to offer green loans and green leases for customers to buy solar power at affordable rates. The bank will offer preferential interest rates starting from 10% per annum, with repayment periods of up to 7 years, to drive wider uptake of solar installations, it said in a statement. “Customers can use the Bank’s Green Loans and Green Leases to finance the purchase and installation of solar panels, & will benefit more..

Feb 6 (FT) SL’s primary equity market is expected to enter a more supportive phase for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2026, with regulatory reforms, improved market performance, and accommodative monetary conditions strengthening the case for listings, according to Asia Securities. The investment house said IPO activity revived during 2024 and 2025 after several subdued years, alongside a recovery in equity prices more..

Feb 6 (Island) As the sun softened over Colombo and the city’s familiar noise began to loosen its grip, the Beddagana Wetland Park prepared for its quieter hour — the hour when wetlands speak in their own language. World Wetlands Day was marked a little early this year, but time felt irrelevant at Beddagana. Nature lovers, students, scientists and seekers gathered not for a ceremony, but for listening. Partnering with Park authorities, Dilmah Conservation opened the wetland as a more..

Feb 6 (DM) As Sri Lanka commemorates 78 years of Independence, the island nation reflects on a journey marked by resilience, progress, and persistent challenges. From the optimism of 1948 to the trials of civil war and economic crises, the story of modern SL is one of both achievement and unfinished business. When the Union Jack was lowered on Feb 4, 1948, SL inherited sovereignty and the responsibility of self-rule. The early years were filled with optimism: a parliamentary more..

Feb 6 (Island) Some Opposition big guns went ballistic yesterday in Parliament, lashing out at the JVP-NPP govt for refusing to provide SJB MP Rohana Bandara with security in view of threats to his life. They have been urging the govt to ensure the protection of MP Bandara, but in vain. It looks as if the eminences grises of the JVP remote-controlled the national legislature. The govt MPs made some facetious remarks about MP Bandara’s demand for security. Their flippancy is deplorable. more..

Feb 6 (ST) Ceylon’s economy at the time was firmly export-driven, built on a market model and dominated by the plantation trio of tea, rubber, and coconut, which together accounted for over 90% of export earnings. Rising world prices for tea and rubber in the early 1950s further boosted the country’s foreign exchange reserves. In his 1952 Budget Speech, Finance Minister J.R. Jayewardene once again emphasised that Ceylon’s foreign exchange position remained secure more..

Feb 6 (CT) Cyclone Ditwah hit the Up-country Tamil community of Indian origin (Malaiyaha Tamils) the hardest. Living on steep mountain slopes in the Central Highlands, thousands of plantation workers were left with no option but to flee to survive as landslides, flash floods, and rivers of mud tore through tea estate settlements. Nearly three months on, many of those who escaped with their lives remain displaced, without land, more..

Feb 6 (DM) The govt boasts of securing US $8 billion in terms of remittances from expatriate workers. It is an achievement for a country starved for foreign exchange revenue, for sure. Yet, there is another perspective regarding this matter. In recent times, Turkish Ambassador Semih Lütfü Turgut, during a roundtable discussion organised by Pathfinder Foundation, cut through this convenient narrative. He said that the continued outflow of skilled workers would result in a shortage of more..

Feb 6 (TM) When the NPP came to power, it did so on a promise of rupture. A rupture from corruption, from hollow institutions, from politics that spoke loudly and delivered little. Women featured prominently in that promise. More representation. Stronger protections. Independent mechanisms that would finally move women’s rights beyond symbolism. Today, that promise is giving way to disillusionment. The fate of the National Commission on Women stands as one of the clearest more..

Feb 6 (TM) For more than 150 years, the train journey to Kandy has been defined by nostalgia and limited speed, often operating as a scenic crawl up a steep 1:45 gradient engineered by the British in the 1860s. Today, with the upcountry line severed by the devastating landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, SL stands at a crossroads. Govt’s immediate instinct is to repair what was lost. However, a coalition of leading transport more..

Feb 6 (DM) Show me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are. So said the wise men of yore. The big names—once held in high esteem as role models—are all, willingly or unwillingly, entangled in the rot surrounding Jeffrey Epstein: child sex trafficker, honeypot schemer, political broker, financier, manipulator, and big-time spy. They are as evil as Epstein. It is shocking to learn that Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Noam Chomsky, among others, maintained friendships with Epstein, more..

Feb 6 (CT) Having won the competition and become runners-up in a short span of just five years, SL now enters the ICC T20 World Cup not as a favourite, despite considerable home advantage, nor as an underdog, but as a team that has fallen far from its former grandeur. Not so long ago, SL was a team the rest of the cricketing world dreaded encountering in the knockout stages of major tournaments. There was a time when SL was known as an enigmatic team capable of performing miracles on more..