Sep 2 (AD) The results of the 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination have been released online, the Commissioner General of Examinations announced. Accordingly, the results can be viewed on the department’s official website: www.doenets.lk This year’s Grade 5 Scholarship Exam was held on Aug 9 at 2,723 exam centres islandwide. A total of 294,089 students sat for the examination, comprising 220,366 candidates in the Sinhala medium and 73,723 candidates in the Tamil medium. more..

Sep 2 (NW) SL captain Chamari Athapaththu has made significant strides in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings following her standout performance in the opening weekend of the Women’s Asia Cup in the UAE. Athapaththu’s unbeaten 25‑ball 48 and one for 10 in three overs against the UAE lifted her to career‑best rating points across all categories, 734 in batting, 552 in bowling, and 405 as an all‑rounder. She remains sixth in the batting rankings, climbs three places to 33rd in bowling, more..

Sep 2 (TM) Govt’s move to bring all 18 dedicated economic centres under a new centralised management structure has hit a delay, with the proposed administrative overhaul yet to be formally completed due to pending stakeholder agreements, Deputy Minister R M Jayawardena said. Jayawardena said that although a company had already been established and its board of directors appointed, the new administrative structure could not be formally finalised until an agreement was signed by more..

Sep 2 (NW) The Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered the Director of the National Hospital to submit a report on the health condition of former State Intelligence Service chief Suresh Sallay, who is being held under detention orders in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks. The report must clarify whether Sallay requires continued inpatient treatment or can be released. The order followed a request by State Counsel Oswald Perera, appearing for the CID, more..

Sep 2 (AD) The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has directed relevant officials to obtain approval of the Cabinet of Ministers and take steps to promptly implement the national-level program formulated to control water pollution around Diyawanna Lake and the Parliament premises. The directive was issued when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, chaired by Committee Member and MP Ajith P. Perera, more..

Sep 2 (CI) Charith Asalanka has been made part of Sri Lanka's leadership group once more, three months after being deposed as ODI captain and six months on after being sidelined from the T20 unit. He will be vice-captain of the ODI and T20I sides for Sri Lanka's tour of England in September. Former vice-captain Kamindu Mendis has been retained in both squads, while Kusal Mendis will continue to captain both white-ball sides. more..

Sep 2 (Island) Transparency International SL (TISL) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed Anti-Corruption (Amd) Bill, arguing that several provisions could weaken anti-corruption safeguards, restrict civic space and infringe fundamental rights. The petition was filed on Aug 31 in the public interest, challenging the Bill placed on Parliament’s Order Paper on Aug 19. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, more..

Sep 2 (NW) National Water Supply and Drainage Board has announced a 24‑hour suspension of water supply in several areas of Colombo and its suburbs, beginning tomorrow (3) at 8 pm and continuing until Friday (4) at 8.00 pm. The Water Board said the interruption is necessary to carry out essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant. Areas affected include Nugegoda, Kohuwala, Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Rawatawatta, Soysapura, Angulana, Indibedda, Katubedda, more..

Sep 2 (FT) The Petroleum Development Authority of SL (PDASL) on the 27 August 2026 announced that the country is seeking investors to develop natural gas resources in the Mannar Basin. This presents the country with a question far larger than resource extraction. The conventional answer may focus on reserves, production volumes, electricity generation and reduced fuel imports. These outcomes matter. Yet, several other factors weigh in on such developments. more..

Sep 2 (FT) Although the new Courts Complex in Galle was not quite complete, the then Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe was anxious to make a profound discourse on how our legal structure was shaped from the time the Dutch introduced Roman Dutch Law to our land. At the official inauguration of the Rs. 1.6 billion court complexes in Beligaha, Galle on July 19, 2024, Prez Wickremesinghe drew on rich historical context to connect our littoral province’s judicial evolution with the origins of SL’s modern legal framework. more..

Sep 2 (NW) The Supreme Court began considering 67 petitions challenging the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, with several procedural and substantive issues raised during the hearing. The petitions were taken up before a five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abeykoon & Gihan Kulatunga. more..

Sep 2 (AD) Police have launched an investigation into an international drug trafficking network following the seizure of approximately 472 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), from a container at the Colombo Port. Police suspect the consignment was sent to SL by a drug trafficker known as Paravi Suda, who is believed to be currently in Pakistan after fleeing Dubai. Investigators also suspect that individuals known as Angoda Priyantha and Ruben may have more..

Sep 2 (DM) The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, in one of its latest reports on Asia and the Pacific, has identified Sri Lanka as a country to be wetter than average starting from October as a result of the El Niño phenomenon. The report, which highlights snapshots of El Niño, said that for SL, the wetter signal becomes particularly important from Oct 2026 onwards, as it coincides with the Second Inter-Monsoon (Oct–Nov), typically the wettest period of the year across the country, more..

Sep 2 (TM) The process of evaluating proposals to determine the future operator of the Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) is currently underway, and the entire process is expected to be finalised by the middle of next year, Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku said. He said Govt is currently evaluating the proposals submitted by parties interested in taking part in the operation of the MRIA. “We're currently carrying out the evaluations. more..

Sep 2 (FT) Cabinet has approved a proposal to submit to Parliament regulations designating 68 businesses operating within the Colombo Port City as secondary businesses of strategic importance. 68 businesses operate across a range of sectors, including information technology, consultancy services, business process outsourcing, logistics, infrastructure, hybrid and integrated business models, and other general business activities, reflecting the expanding commercial activities more..

Sep 2 (NW) Sri Lanka has begun rehabilitating 296 minor irrigation tanks under a World Bank-funded programme aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure and improving climate resilience. More than Rs. 5.8 billion has been allocated for the work under the Integrated Rurban Development and Climate Resilience Project (IRDCRP), which is planned to continue until 2029. Of the 296 tanks, 290 are located across 18 districts and were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. more..

Sep 2 (ST) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) this month cancelled a 2024 tender—called just weeks before the presidential election in September that year—to build and operate new fuel stations as dealer-owned companies. The advertisement had invited expressions of interest for identifying proposed locations to construct and operate new fuel stations in the dealer-owned category, with a focus on commercially viable and strategically important locations. more..

Sep 2 (DN) Sri Lanka women’s cricket team led by Chamari Athapaththu is expected to continue winning form when they meet new comers Indonesia in their Asia Cup T-20 cricket fixture which will be played today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. SL women are in high spirits and will have to play against top teams during the later stage of the tournament. Sri Lanka made a good start wining against host UAE by 9 wickets in their opening game and it was a one sided affair. more..

Sep 2 (FT) SL’s largest procurer, Govt, is preparing a major expansion of electronic public procurement in 2027, as the cumulative value of e-procurements conducted through the national Promise.lk platform since 2020 topped Rs.41.9 billion. Finance, Planning & Economic Development Ministry said the next phase of the electronic Govt Procurement (e-GP) system will be launched next year, supporting national and international more..

Sep 2 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the completion of two unfinished road links aimed at providing direct access to the Homagama–Pitipana Mahenawatta Tech City, while easing traffic congestion in Homagama and surrounding areas. The remaining works involve just 50 metres of the Western bypass connecting Homagama Walawwatte to Kotuwana and around 650 metres of an access road linking the Tech City to the Kottawa–Talagala Road. more..

Sep 2 (DM) SL’s construction sector expanded at a faster pace in July, supported by a steady flow of projects, although the shortages of key inputs and elevated material prices continued to constrain the industry. Purchasing Managers’ Index for Construction rose to 61.4 in July, from 60.0 in June, remaining firmly above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, CB said. The surveyed companies reported a sustained flow of construction work during the month, more..

Sep 2 (AD) Veteran singer Priyankara Perera has passed away at the age of 64. Perera passed away last night while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, according to family members. He had been suffering from an illness for some time. The son of renowned singer Milton Perera, Priyankara Perera was a popular figure in SL’s music and entertainment industry. He was also known for his work as an actor. He gained widespread popularity through several memorable songs, more..

Sep 2 (Island) On the surface, the 41st Board Meeting of the India-SL Foundation (ISLF) in New Delhi on August 28, 2026, was structured as a routine diplomatic engagement. Co-chaired by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and SL High Commissioner Mahishini Colonne, the session formally approved a standard slate of cultural and educational projects. However, looking closer at the broader macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape, the meeting underscored a much deeper more..

Sep 2 (FT) SL’s gross public debt increased by Rs. 744 billion during the second quarter of 2026 to Rs. 32.98 trillion, even as its dollar value declined by $ 4.32 billion to $ 97.95 billion. PDMO’s Statistical Debt Bulletin for the second quarter showed gross public debt rising 2.3% from Rs.32.23 trillion at end-March to Rs. 32.98 trillion at end-June. In dollar terms, however, the stock declined 4.2% from $ 102.27 billion to $ 97.95 billion. more..

Sep 2 (EN) Cabinet has approved signing a bilateral agreement on immigration control cooperation with China to facilitate legitimate travel and combat transnational crime minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The agreement between SL’s Dept of Immigration and Emigration and the National Immigration Administration of China aims to enhance institutional coordination, intelligence sharing, and border management. “Facilitating visa and immigration matters for citizens engaged in more..

Sep 2 (FT) A major step towards strengthening trade, investment and business linkages between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong was taken with the successful hosting of the Bridging Markets: Unlocking Hong Kong–Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Opportunities seminar and business networking dinner on 19 August 2026 at the Celestine Ballroom, Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The program was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Jakarta, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and more..

Sep 2 (Island) Representatives of 40 professional organisations and trade unions have jointly opposed the proposed 22ned Amendment to SL’s Constitution, saying provisions extending the retirement age of judges could threaten judicial independence and the rule of law. The organisations, representing various professional and trade union bodies, met at Bar Association of SL (BASL) on Monday and adopted a joint statement more..

Sep 2 (FT) Hunas Holdings yesterday announced it is entering a new phase of growth through a collaborative partnership with CCH Co, Ltd, (CCH INC), a major Tokyo-based business group with experience across business process outsourcing (BPO), in-house services, investment, mergers and acquisitions, and business development. The partnership follows a period in which Hunas Holdings maintained a measured approach to new investments amid volatile market conditions, more..

Sep 2 (FT) The project arm of Hayleys Fentons Ltd, has successfully completed construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for Shield Restraint Systems Ltd, at the Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone, delivered fully on schedule, from foundation stone to completion in roughly 14 months. The project, valued at over Rs. 1 billion, is among the more technically demanding industrial builds the company has undertaken, given the precision and int'l compliance standards required for more..

Sep 2 (DN) SL's Table Tennis prodigy Taavi Samaraweera once again came to the fore with a superb performance at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Contender 2026 in Slovenia and Croatia in back to back WTT tournaments. Taavi who made history by becoming SL’s first-ever world number one and World Youth Champion in the ITTF Under-11 Boys’ category is taking part more WTT tournaments to improve his skills as well as cementing his reputation as a rising global more..

Sep 2 (ST) Sri Lanka will renegotiate all trade agreements in place including the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement to make them more favourable to the country, a senior govt official said. The proposal to renegotiate the four free trade agreements in place with India, Pakistan, Thailand and Singapore will be presented to Cabinet shortly, he said. The move to renegotiate the FTA follows a review of the agreements by a cabinet appointed committee for the purpose. more..