Nov 15 (Island) The 2027 Budget has been presented with ambitious promises, large financial allocations and renewed assurances of economic transformation. The govt speaks confidently about recovery, stability and a better future. But one important question remains. Is this a budget designed to transform Sri Lanka’s economy, or another exercise in presenting attractive numbers and political promises? A national budget should be more than a statement of govt income and expenditure. more..

Nov 15 (Island) Prez says Budget 2027 seeks to move SL from economic stabilisation to transformation, building on improvements in growth, revenue collection, fiscal balances and debt indicators to promote investment, productive employment, social justice and better living standards. The question however is whether economic stability has been attained fully and the govt’s achievements and budget proposals will translate into meaningful relief for households facing economic hardships. more..

Nov 15 (TM) Every year in Colombo, the presentation of the National Budget in Parliament arrives with all the pomp and pageantry of a coronation. The budget proposals are shrouded in secrecy as ministers file into the Chamber clutching tightly bound folders, television commentators dissect tax brackets as if they were constitutional amendments, and the public, still bruised from the economic collapse of 2022, leans forward in anticipation. more..

Nov 15 (TM) Sri Lanka has now been to the IMF 17 times. The question now before the NPP Govnt is whether to make it 18. The current Extended Fund Facility is due to end in March 2027, and the Cabinet has appointed a committee headed by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning to examine whether the country should enter another programme after that, and if so, what kind. On the face of it, this is sensible housekeeping, and the President was candid about his reasons. more..

Nov 15 (TM) Long before the world began building warehouses full of servers for supporting Artificial Intelligence (AI), it was harvesting minds, and Sri Lanka has been one of its most diligent farms. The harvest has been impressive. In 2003, Malik Peiris, who trained in medicine in SL, led the Hong Kong team that identified the coronavirus behind SARS. Cyril Ponnamperuma led the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) work on the chemical origins of life. more..

Nov 15 (SO) The Govt first proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the education system last year. However, its formal implementation was deferred to 2027 for various reasons. The new reforms are now scheduled to come into effect from January next year. In an interview, Senior Prof. Director General of the National Institute of Education, O.G. Dayaratne Banda spoke on the proposed transformation of the country’s education system and what it entails. more..

Nov 15 (SO) Prez presented the 2027 Budget to Parliament on Thursday. It is the third Budget of the JVP-led NPP Govt, and the last one before SL’s EFF with the IMF ends in March 2027. Govt had spent weeks calling it transformative, and on paper, it is the most ambitious of the three. Total expenditure is set at Rs. 7.19 trillion against projected revenue of Rs. 4.99 trillion, which leaves a deficit of about Rs. 2.2 trillion. A record Rs. 2,000 billion has been set aside for capital investment. more..

Nov 15 (SO) Budget 2027, presented in Parliament by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake contains a number of provisions and allocations for transport, a subject that is usually ignored in national budgets. Public transport is key to reducing our fossil fuel import bill – if more people decide to ditch their cars and travel by rail or (Metro) bus, the fuel saving will be enormous in the long run. And if private cars, trains and buses can be run using renewable energy sources, more..

Nov 14 (FT) Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) welcomed the Budget 2027, which includes a number of the proposals submitted by the JAAF. Budget 2027 will strengthen export competitiveness, investment and trade facilitation, JAAF calls for swift and clear implementation so that the benefits reach exporters, workers and investors, it said. Apparel remains SL’s largest export earner. In 2025, sector’s exports crossed $ 5 billion, more..

Nov 14 (Island) SL is likely to enter into another agreement with the IMF, Deput Minister Anil Jayantha said. He said a committee, appointed by the Cabinet, would assess the need for a further IMF programme and SL’s foreign reserve position. The committee was appointed at the last Cabinet meeting but had not yet convened. Committee is expected to assess the country’s position as SL prepares to move beyond its 17th IMF programme, which Fernando described as more..

Nov 14 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya has questioned why SJB MP Harsha de Silva did not deliver the Opposition’s opening response to the 2027 Budget, departing from what she described as a longstanding parliamentary practice. PM said that since entering Parliament in 2020, she had observed MP Harsha de Silva traditionally opening the Opposition’s debate following the presentation of the annual Budget. “Usually, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva opens the Budget debate on behalf of more..

Nov 14 (Island) Securities & Exchange Commission of SL warmly welcomes the Govt’s 2027 Budget and is particularly encouraged that two proposals submitted and consistently advocated by the SEC have been recognized and incorporated into the national budget framework: A Share for Everyone and the SME Listing Support Mechanism. These initiatives represent a significant milestone in our collective efforts to deepen SL’s capital more..

Nov 14 (NW) GMOA has announced that it has convened an emergency Central Committee meeting for Nov 19 and appointed a special review committee after identifying inconsistencies between the 2027 national budget proposals and the association’s own submissions. The decision was reached during a special emergency executive committee meeting held to review the health sector proposals contained in the NPP govt’s third budget, which was presented to Parliament by Prez more..

Nov 14 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that kissing Kawanthissa, the deceased tusker, was worthier than kissing the head of the IMF. Premadasa criticised the Govt’s relationship with international financial institutions, including the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), while raising concerns over the country’s poverty levels. Referring to a 2025 World Bank report, he said 61.1% of SL’s population was estimated to be living on less than US$8.30 a day in 2025. more..

Nov 14 (NW) LAUGFS Gas has announced a significant increase in domestic LP gas prices, effective from midnight on Friday. The price of a 12.5 kg domestic gas cylinder will increase by Rs. 1,775, from Rs. 4,965 to Rs. 6,740. The price of a 5 kg cylinder will increase by Rs. 732, from Rs. 1,988 to Rs. 2,720. LAUGFS Gas said the price revision was due to rising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices in the international market, which have increased the cost of importing gas into Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 14 (AD) Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered medical examinations to assess the mental health condition of Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thera and three other Buddhist monks, along with three laypersons arrested in connection with a clash at the historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya premises. The court has also ordered tests to determine whether the suspects had used narcotic substances. Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne ordered the four monks, more..

Nov 14 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake says some media organisations are aligned with what he described as a destructive political camp, while opposition groups that previously worked separately are now attempting to unite as there is no sign of his govt collapsing. Addressing the 37th Il Maha Viru Commemoration, Prez said SL politics was becoming increasingly divided between two distinct political camps, more..

Nov 14 (DN) Opener Vishmi Gunaratne continued her fine batting form with a 41-ball 49 as Sri Lanka Women recorded a four-wicket win over Scotland with 11 balls to spare in their ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy fixture played at Ajman, UAE, yesterday. It was SL’s second successive victory following their ten-wicket win over Ireland on the previous day. The win also took them to the top of the points table with four points. Chasing a target of 112, SL reached 115 for six in 18.1 overs. more..

Nov 14 (NW) SL has joined 150 other countries in supporting a UN resolution affirming the permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people over their natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The resolution was approved by the UNGA’s Second Committee on Nov 11, with 151 countries voting in favour, seven against and 11 abstaining. The seven countries that opposed the resolution were US, Israel, Colombia, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau & Paraguay. more..

Nov 14 (NW) Sri Lanka will be included in the prestigious Four Seasons Private Jet Experience for the first time in 2028, with 48 high-end travellers expected to visit the country as part of a 23-day luxury journey costing $238,000 per person. The exclusive journey will cover eight countries, with guests travelling aboard a specially customised Airbus A321 private jet and staying at luxury properties along the route. During their visit to SL, guests will stay at Cape Weligama, more..

Nov 14 (DM) Sampath Bank’s group net profit rose 15% to Rs. 8.68 billion in the September quarter, helped by a lower income tax bill. Profit before income tax fell 7% to Rs. 11.18 billion, with higher operating costs and impairment charges absorbing the gains from stronger lending income. Group net interest income climbed 26% to Rs. 25.27 billion and net fee and commission income rose 11% to Rs. 6.93 billion. A Rs. 4.76 billion net trading loss, against a Rs. 355 million gain a year earlier, more..

Nov 14 (FT) Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said the private sector could tap an estimated Rs. 2 trillion in public investment opportunities in 2027, but through transparent and competitive procurement rather than unsolicited proposals. This comes as the Govt moves to legislate a level playing field between State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and private businesses. Delivering the keynote address at more..

Nov 14 (DM) Commercial Bank reported group net profit of Rs. 16.74 billion for the third quarter of 2026, down 0.7% from Rs. 16.86 billion a year earlier. Net interest income rose 19.3% to Rs. 41.36 billion. Gross income increased 20% to Rs. 109.63 billion in the three months ended Sept 30. Bank attributed the increase mainly to growth in its loan book. For the first nine months of the year, group net profit rose 8.6% to Rs. 52.16 billion, while gross income increased 18.9% to Rs. 318.79 b. more..

Nov 14 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday ended a strong week in red. During the week, the ASPI was up 3.7% and the S&P SL20 gained 4.1%. Yesterday, the ASPI ended down 0.6% or 133.22 points at 22,024.18 and the S&P SL20 was down 1.13% or 71.85 points at 6,293.72. Turnover was over Rs. 3.2 billion on over 100 million shares traded. Asia Securities Research said market weakness was primarily driven by losses in BIL, RIL, DFCC, DOCK, ACL and WIND. more..

Nov 14 (NW) SL’s world No. 1 javelin thrower, Rumesh Tharanga, has emerged as one of the country’s biggest sporting success stories following a remarkable rise on the int'l athletics stage. From carrying his javelins on a motorcycle to competing against the world’s best, Tharanga’s journey has been shaped by sacrifice, determination and support from those who believed in his potential. Tharanga spoke about becoming world No 1, more..

Nov 14 (FT) Hayleys PLC delivered a strong financial performance during the six months ended 30 Sept, recording consolidated revenue from continuing operations of Rs. 358 billion, an increase of 33% year-on-year. Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 49% to Rs. 21.31 billion, reflecting strong contributions across key sectors. Group surpassed $ 1 billion in first half revenue for the first time in its reporting history on the CSE, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory. more..

Nov 14 (FT) Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the transition to renewable energy and strengthening int'l cooperation in clean energy at the Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, held in New Delhi from 3 to 5 Nov alongside the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026. Energy Deputy Minister Ilyas Arkam represented the Govt of SL at the Assembly and delivered SL’s National Statement during the High-Level Ministerial Segment. more..

Nov 14 (FT) Modern Pack Lanka Ltd, has won the prestigious Gold Award in the Extra Large Category at National Level at the CNCI Achiever Awards 2026, organised by the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI), SL’s oldest industrial chamber. This recognition reflects the company’s commitment to manufacturing excellence, innovation and sustainable growth. Established in 1993 by Sheamalee Wickramasinghe and Nishka Wickramasinghe as a joint venture with more..

Nov 14 (FT) Colombo’s recent inundation is not adequately explained by exceptionally heavy rainfall alone. It is the consequence of an increasingly dangerous convergence of meteorological extremes, urban development, degraded natural drainage, infrastructure limitations, institutional fragmentation and human behaviour. The immediate trigger was an extraordinary burst of rainfall on 6 November. The underlying vulnerability, however, has been accumulating for decades. more..

Nov 14 (ST) The old mobile phone gathering dust in a drawer, tangled charging cables in a cupboard and a broken laptop kept for possible repair may seem insignificant. Collectively, however, these discarded electronics represent a growing environmental challenge SL can no longer afford to overlook. Observed on Oct 14, this year’s Int'l E-Waste Day carried the theme Fast Tech | Don’t bin it, bring it!, highlighting small electronic products more..

Nov 14 (Island) Successive pre-Aragalaya govts appointed Prez Commissions of Inquiry (PCoI) as well as various other committees for specific purposes to dissipate pressure from contentious issues. This despicable strategy was also used to divert public attention, suppress truth and delay the due process. The govts’ agenda was implemented at the public expense. Govts squandered public funds on such mechanisms knowing that recommendations made by the committees more..

Nov 14 (FT) There is an urgent need to consider our responsibility by the most ubequitious and essential common resource, air! The atmosphere has been identified as a Global Common by every national and internaional statement to date. The Global Commons are the Earth’s shared natural resources and environmental domains that lie outside the political jurisdiction of any single nation-state. The assumption being that, because no individual country owns them, all nations share access more..