Aug 13 (ANI) Amid the arrest of nine fishermen from Rameswaram by the SL Navy, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Srinath on Thursday said that he will visit Delhi next week to take up the issue with the Union Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, and the Union Minister of Fisheries, Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Speaking to reporters, he stated that talks regarding the Tamil Nadu fishermen's issue are ongoing and that he has discussed the matter with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. more..

Aug 13 (FT) Amăna Bank in collaboration with the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts of Sri Lanka launched a special commemorative cover and stamp in celebration of the bank’s 15th Anniversary. The ceremonial launch was held yesterday to honour and mark Amăna Bank’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s financial services landscape and its distinctive role as the country’s first and only licensed commercial bank operating entirely on the non-interest based banking model. more..

Aug 13 (NF) Bar Association of SL (BASL) has vowed to take all possible measures within its mandate to oppose the Govt's proposal to extend the retirement age of judges, warning that the move could undermine public confidence in the country's judiciary and raise serious concerns about judicial independence. The remarks were made by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya after meeting representatives of more..

Aug 13 (AM) An illegal gambling operation based on winning numbers drawn by the National Lotteries Board (NLB) and Development Lotteries Board (DLB) has developed into a serious social crisis, NLB Chairman Cyril Anthony Perera has warned. He made the remarks when officials of the two lottery boards appeared before a subcommittee of Parliament’s COPE. Perera described the situation as extremely destructive, claiming its social impact was second only to drug abuse. more..

Aug 13 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya met with Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President of the Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA), and his delegation at Temple Trees to discuss SL’s development priorities and future cooperation with Japan. The meeting also brought together Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development, as both sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding economic collaboration. more..

Aug 13 (TM) SL has directed its officials to explore further enhancement of its legal framework to tighten barriers to forced labour imports, in addition to the Gazette on the prevention of forced labour under the Imports and Exports Control Act in July, Ministry of Trade Secretary K A Vimalenthirarajah said, speaking to the COPF. Acknowledging other countries’ efforts to enforce regulations against forced labour imports more..

Aug 13 (DM) SLC has announced a 15-member squad for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, which will be held in the UAE from Aug 28 to Sept 13. Experienced all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu will lead the SL side, with Harshitha Samarawickrama named vice-captain. The 15-member squad: Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (Vice Captain), Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, more..

Aug 13 (Island) The Police Mounted Division in Pettah is prepared to relocate its horses to Nuwara Eliya, or Kandy, if the prevailing high temperatures intensify, police have said. All 18 horses, currently attached to the Division, are in good health, despite the rising heat. Police have taken additional measures to protect the animals from the high temperatures, including installing electric fans in the stables to improve ventilation and reduce heat stress. more..

Aug 13 (FT) Prime Lands Residencies, has commenced FY2027 with a strong financial performance, recording significant year-on-year growth across key profitability indicators for the 3 months ended 30 June 2026. Company reported revenue of Rs. 4.59 billion for the quarter, representing a 98% increase compared to Rs. 2.32 billion recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year. Gross profit increased by 76% year-on-year to Rs. 1.21 billion, while more..

Aug 13 (NW) State‑owned dairy company Milco (Pvt) Ltd achieved a historic financial turnaround last year, recording its highest‑ever net profit of Rs.1.49 billion by late 2025, according to Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne. He told Parliament last week that the recovery enabled the company to halt privatization plans, clear debts, and extend unprecedented financial benefits. On Dec 31, 2025, Milco disbursed a performance bonus of Rs.75,000 each to all 1,228 employees. more..

Aug 13 (FT) Sri Lanka has reduced near-term external refinancing pressure and lengthened its overall debt maturity profile following debt restructuring, but a concentration of shorter-term domestic maturities remains a key sovereign risk, according to the first Annual Report of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO). At end-2025, 24.3% of domestic debt was due to mature within 1 year, compared with 1.5% of external debt more..

Aug 13 (Island) Dept of Wildlife Conservation has begun supplying water to animals in several national parks using bowsers as a severe dry spell causes water sources to dry up. The programme has been launched in the Yala, Wilpattu, Kumana and Bundala National Parks, where water bodies have been severely affected by the prevailing drought conditions. Director General of the Dept of Wildlife Conservation Ranjan Marasinghe said a special programme was being implemented to more..

Aug 13 (NW) The Clean Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force, chaired by Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, met yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat to review the current progress of the programme and outline future plans. The meeting placed strong emphasis on the new waste management programme being rolled out through local authorities across the island. Members also discussed the establishment of a Project Management Unit within the Prez Secretariat more..

Aug 13 (ABC) Dineth Fernando has only been in Australia for less than a year and has already brought home a world youth title for his country. The 14-year-old took out the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi this week, beating out 140 competitors from across the world. Dineth, who originally hails from Sri Lanka, credits the win to a steady diet of practising 200 words a day from the board game's official dictionary. more..

Aug 13 (NW) Director of the Walana Anti‑Corruption Unit, ASP Rohan Olugala, has defended the recent operation to apprehend underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, describing it as a success despite challenges of operating in a foreign jurisdiction. Responding to questions, Olugala said that while local officers are familiar with their own surroundings, conducting a sting in another country requires strict adherence to that nation’s laws and careful preparation. “I will not say it was unsuccessful. more..

Aug 13 (TM) Former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara says he is not overly surprised that SLC had been forced to fork out a sum of Rs 54 million (USD 164,000) to ex-head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe in an out-of-court settlement early this year. The payment of the said sum to the ex-coach has come to light, following the release of Sri Lanka Cricket’s statements connected to the previous financial year. Hathurusinghe, 57, had been appointed as the national team head coach more..

Aug 13 (Island) An amulet, bearing the number 516, and a one-rupee coin, have been recovered, alongside a human skeleton excavated from the alleged Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna on Tuesday (11). Officials overseeing the excavation said the items were found with one of the human skeletons unearthed from the mass grave, located near the Chemmani Siththupatha cemetery. The excavation of the alleged Chemmani mass grave has now continued for 103 days, with a total of 539 more..

Aug 13 (AD) Two individuals who allegedly collected money from job seekers by promising employment opportunities in Israel’s construction and hospitality sectors have been arrested. The suspects were arrested by officers attached to the Special Investigation Police Unit of the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), within the premises of the Bureau. The investigation was launched following information received by Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra that two individuals had more..

Aug 13 (DM) Sri Lanka has obtained Interpol Red Notices for 93 suspects believed to be hiding overseas in connection with crimes committed in the country, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said. Speaking at a special press briefing held to brief the public on the Ratama Ekata national operation, Wootler said authorities have been working to bring suspects wanted in connection with serious crimes back to SL more..

Aug 13 (EN) Sri Lanka is currently evaluating 19 proposals to operationalize the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), with a Request for Proposals (RFP) expected to be issued within the next two months, Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said. “We have received 19 proposals. So, it’s being evaluated right now. I think within the next one to two months, we’ll be able to float an RFP once the qualified bidders are selected,” Kodithuwakku said. more..

Aug 13 (NW) A police sergeant attached to the Dambulla Highway Unit has been suspended and transferred following the circulation of a video on social media allegedly showing him soliciting a bribe, according to DIG W. P. J. Senadeera, Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Range. DIG Senadeera said an investigation is already underway, with the matter having drawn the attention of the IGP. “We expect to take disciplinary and legal action based on facts uncovered. more..

Aug 13 (NF) A growing number of motorcycle-related deaths, particularly among young riders, has emerged as one of the most serious road safety concerns facing SL, according to Police Traffic Control & Road Safety Division. The warning was issued by DIG W.P.J. Senadheera during a special media briefing convened to inform the public about road accident trends, primary causes behind fatal crashes, and the categories of vehicles more..

Aug 13 (DM) SL Police have arrested 1,093 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in cybercrime and financial fraud during 24 raids conducted so far this year. Polic Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler disclosed the figures at a press conference today held to raise awareness about the Ratama Ekata national operation. According to Wootler, police arrested 573 foreign nationals in 26 incidents in 2024, while 26 foreign nationals were arrested in two incidents in 2025. more..

Aug 13 (AD) Ministry of Education has launched an investigation after six packets containing the first question paper of the GCE A/L Physics exam, scheduled to be held tomorrow, were found at an A/L exam centre in Ambalantota today. The relevant packets were discovered inside a question paper container at an Ambalantota school serving as an A/L exam coordination centre, officials said. The six packets containing the Physics Exam's first question papers had been found among more..

Aug 13 (FT) The month he turned 50, my father Mervyn de Silva and my mother Lakshmi were in Havana watching Fidel Castro take over the Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement at its 6th Summit. After my father died I discovered in his briefcase the embossed invitation on stiff parchment, to attend the Summit. He had treasured it for two decades. I still do. As I look to turn 70 this December, almost to the day that Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Raul Castro and others landed on more..

Aug 13 (FT) I have spent years sitting across tables from children who have been abused. I have watched children struggle to speak, children stare at the floor, children become angry, silent, withdrawn or strangely cheerful while describing something horrific. I have watched children tell one part of a story today and another part months later. And then I have watched those same children enter our justice system. This is where my frustration begins. We speak constantly about the more..

Aug 13 (TM) Energy Ministry, which expects a potential electricity generation shortfall of around 200 megawatts (MW) during the first quarter of next year due to possible dry weather conditions associated with the El Nińo weather phenomenon, is planning to cover the anticipated gap through increased battery storage capacity, Minister Anura Karunathilaka said. He said that SL had initially expected rainfall to decline more..

Aug 13 (TM) Teacher and principal trade unions (TUs) are planning to launch a protest campaign in October, claiming that the Govt has not presented any clear plan to increase funding for education or resolve the long-running teacher-principal salary anomaly through next year’s Budget. Ceylon Teachers' Union President Priyantha Fernando said there had been no indication that the Govt was preparing to address the teacher-principal salary anomaly. “The last time one-third of more..

Aug 13 (FT) Govt has approved a special coconut land rehabilitation program aimed at increasing productivity, promoting sustainable cultivation, and strengthening the resilience of coconut plantations against El Nińo conditions expected in the coming months. The 3-year program, which is scheduled to cover around 85,000 acres of coconut land by 2026, will focus on encouraging small-scale coconut growers to adopt improved cultivation & water management practices. more..

Aug 13 (DM) Court of Appeal ordered the Uni of Peradeniya to appoint a Senior Lecturer Grade II in Buddhist Studies to the post of Senior Lecturer Grade I, after finding that the selection process had been tainted by illegality, procedural unfairness, favouritism & mala fides. The petitioner Dr. Iromi Ariyaratne had filed a writ petition challenging the selection process for the post of Senior Lecturer Grade I/II in the Dept of Pali and Buddhist more..

Aug 13 (Island) SL was proudly in the spotlight at the 2026 World Championships of Performing Arts in Las Vegas, USA — event often called the Olympics of Performing Arts — held from 13 to 21 July. Representing the island nation on the global stage was dancer Natharie Wickramasinghe, who was awarded a Bronze Medal in the Cultural Dance category. Competing in the solo dancing section, Natharie performed SL’s cultural dance for an int'l panel of judges & industry professionals. more..

Aug 13 (Island) One of cricket’s most iconic venues, the Galle Int'l Stadium, is set to host its 50th Test when SL take on India on the visitors’ Independence Day this Saturday. Magnificent 17th century Dutch Fort and its famous clock tower have helped put the venue on the world cricketing map. These days, an aspiring cricketer’s bucket list does not merely contain Lord’s and the MCG. Galle, with the Indian Ocean on one side and centuries of history towering over the other, is very much on it too. more..