Aug 27 (AD) The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has raised alarm over an alleged online trafficking operation involving the buying and selling of private photographs and sexual content of women and children through social media platforms, particularly Facebook. According to the Ministry, groups operating on Facebook and other social media platforms are reportedly being used to purchase and sell private photographs and more..

Aug 27 (AD) Prea Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured that his govt will not allow any form of ethnic or religious conflict to emerge in SL again. Addressing the National Milad-un-Nabi celebration held in Negombo today (26) to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, Prez said SL had suffered immensely as a result of prolonged communal conflicts. He noted that everyone living in the country today has, to varying degrees, become a victim of the cruel & destructive experiences more..

Aug 27 (ST) Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has directed the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to release the names of taxpayers as well as institutions in regard to whom, the IRD stated in a 2024 media release, that recovery of liabilities had been suspended as well as the names of taxpayers who had defaulted a sum of Rs. 84 billion as at 31.12.2023 with a breakdown of the liability of each taxpayer. In the Order delivered on 30 th June 2026, RTIC Chair and Commissioners, more..

Aug 27 (Island) URF leader Patali Champika Ranawaka has alleged that the 22nd Amendment is aimed at enabling the NPP to perpetuate its rule without conducting elections. Alleging that the Pelawatte-based red junta spearheaded the operation to enact the controversial 22nd Amendment, ex-MP pointed out that neither Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake nor Minister Nalinda Jayathissa, who is also the Cabinet more..

Aug 27 (Island) Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala has said that Opposition lawmakers have made a host of unsubstantiated allegations at Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena in Parliament. He said that such allegations were made in contravention of the Standing Orders of Parliament. Watagala said so, outside the Supreme Court, after filing an intervenient petition on Tuesday in the wake of nearly two dozen petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. more..

Aug 27 (TM) Former Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and former Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe have rejected allegations arising from a special audit into fuel and vehicle use in the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments, with both of them calling for a formal inquiry into the matter and saying that they are ready to respond to any investigation. Abeywardena, against whom allegations have been levelled in the audit, said the claims first emerged about a year and a half ago but more..

Aug 27 (NF) Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga has reclaimed the number one spot in the world rankings for men’s javelin throw, according to the latest international rankings. Tharanga returned to the top following his impressive performance at the Lausanne Diamond League Athletics Meeting last week, where he secured victory in the men’s javelin throw. He currently leads the rankings with 1,363 points, ahead of Germany’s Julian Weber, who sits second with 1,342 points. more..

Aug 27 (DN) The final Randoli Maha Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera will parade the streets today (27). The procession is scheduled to depart from the Sri Dalada Maligawa at 6.43 pm, heading north and proceed along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara veediya, Kande veediya, D. S. Senanayake veediya, and then up Raja Veediya. It is special that the royal elephant carrying the relic casket on this day will parade the streets under a canopy and carpets being laid at its feet. more..

Aug 27 (Island) Families of the disappeared in the Northern and Eastern provinces have announced plans to publish a series of books documenting their long search for answers about their missing relatives. They made the announcement at a media briefing in Mannar, where they also expressed support for a conference in Jaffna on 30 August to mark International Day of the Disappeared, Jaffna-based sources said. more..

Aug 27 (NW) Water in Nuwara Eliya’s Gregory Lake has reached a level of pollution that could pose a serious risk to human health if consumed, according to findings presented by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Nuwara Eliya District Coordinating Committee Chairman and MP Manjula Suraweera Arachchi said. Suraweera Arachchi said the findings were presented by the CEA at a recent district development committee meeting. He said Gregory Lake, which was originally designed during more..

Aug 27 (NW) SL stands in full solidarity with the government and people of Nepal following the devastating floods in Rasuwa District and other parts of the country, Minister Vijitha Herath said. “I am deeply saddened by the devastating floods reported in Rasuwa District and other parts of Nepal,” Herath said, extending his thoughts to those affected and their families and communities. He also commended Nepalese authorities and personnel involved in ongoing relief and rescue operations. more..

Aug 27 (FT) The Government has advanced a key national digital transformation priority through the launch and handover of Decision Support Systems for the fisheries and plantation sectors under the Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation Program, known as IDAT. The Government-led initiative is designed to strengthen how public institutions collect, integrate and use data to guide policy, planning, resource allocation and service delivery. The Fisheries Sector Decision more..

Aug 27 (TM) Govt is considering amendments to the Ayurveda Act, No. 31 of 1961, with the aim of modernising and upgrading the legal framework governing Ayurveda, Deputy Health Minister Dr Hansaka Wijemuni said. He said that, along with the proposed amendments to the Homoeopathy Act, Health Ministry is also seeking views on changes that need to be introduced to the Ayurveda Act. “We are also seeking the views of various parties these days on changing the Ayurveda Act,” more..

Aug 27 (TM) Govt has ordered a crackdown on a disturbing wave of Facebook groups in which anonymous users allegedly share photographs of women and girls without their consent, including children as young as five, while making sexually explicit and degrading claims about them. Women and Child Affairs Ministry has directed the Police to take legal action against those operating and participating in the groups, more..

Aug 27 (Island) Navy headquarters yesterday said it was continuing the search for Lt. Thilina Udayapriya, second-in-command of the Super Dvora Mark III Fast Attack Craft (FAC), which sank in the seas off Angulana, on 15 August, 2026. Of the 12-member crew, 11 were rescued but so far SLN efforts to locate the missing officer’s body had failed, sources said. They said that the salvage operation of the sunken craft, taken delivery from Israel after the end of the war, is continuing amidst more..

Aug 27 (Island) The Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Mass Media, and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), have signed a tripartite MoU to facilitate the expansion of free cardiothoracic surgery services by utilising the facilities of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Teaching Hospital. The Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr Anil Jasinghe, and Vice Chancellor of more..

Aug 27 (DM) SL’s travel and tourism sector will generate US$ 6.46 billion in int'l visitor spending by 2036, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest long-term forecast which is a US$ 3.54 billion shortfall from govt’s target of US$ 10 billion in tourism revenue from five million arrivals by 2030. WTTC’s independent projections show steady but moderate organic growth: visitor exports are estimated to rise from US$ 3.73 b more..

Aug 27 (AD) SL Embassy in Kathmandu has issued a safety advisory to Sri Lankan nationals in Nepal following a sudden flash flood that entered Nepal from the Tibetan side through the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District. According to the Embassy, the flash flood has caused significant damage to settlements in the Timure and Syabrubesi areas, while raising serious safety concerns along downstream sections of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. SL nationals currently travelling or more..

Aug 27 (ST) Sri Lanka Telecom ((SLT) and its subsidiary, mobile operator Mobitel Ltd is in a discussion on building a unified structure for the company. This was stated by Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, responding to a question by the Sunday Times Business, at the media briefing on SLT-Mobitel half yearly results, in Colombo recently. He added that the two companies are determining on the best architecture and the best structure for the companies. more..

Aug 27 (Island) World is bracing itself for a historic El Niño event, which is very likely to be the strongest ever measured, “breaking records by a considerable and dangerous margin”, experts have warned. World Health Org (WHO), World Meteorological Org (WMO) and World Food Programme are urging nations to be prepared for extreme weather conditions and their impact on health, food and energy systems. SL apparently believes in disaster response rather than disaster preparedness. more..

Aug 27 (DN) This year, Nikini Poya falls today. This Poya marks the anniversary of the First Buddhist Council (Sangayanawa), held after the Buddha’s passing away. On the night before the council, Ven. Ananda Thero attained Arahantship, and Ven. Rahula Thero also became an Arahant. Usually, Nikini Poya falls in August, and this is the second Poya in the Vas season. Many centuries ago, the first Dharma Sangayanawa (convocation) was held at the Saptaparni Cave in Rajagaha Nuwara. more..

Aug 27 (CI) Talent is exciting. Aggression is fun. But on tough Test-match days, resolve tends to win out. Midway through day four of the second Test, SL can sight a sliver of an opening. Teams following-on almost never get close. But for the first time in the series, they are stretching India's resources. Pasindu Sooriyabandara is deep into another impressive innings, his second in successive days, this one more dynamic than more..

Aug 27 (FT) Those living in an abyss will not easily comprehend the true reality of their existence. When the abyss is societal, when that society’s ways and habits are accepted as a norm, when its narration is endlessly self-affirming, comprehension of the human condition therein becomes extremely challenging. The societal abyss entraps its inmates in an endless maze. Knowing no better, they praise it, finding virtues in its permanent atrophy, heavy air, corrosive texture and the deadening sounds. more..

Aug 27 (FT) Dialog Axiata announced its partnership with Cool Planet, enabling customers to make secure LankaQR payments using Dialog Pay across its network of over 14 outlets. The partnership introduces a more rewarding digital payment experience at one of SL’s leading fashion and lifestyle retailers, giving customers complimentary Dialog data on eligible LankaQR transactions. Customers can now use Dialog Pay to purchase a wide range of fashion apparel, footwear, more..

Aug 27 (FT) Those living in an abyss will not easily comprehend the true reality of their existence. When the abyss is societal, when that society’s ways and habits are accepted as a norm, when its narration is endlessly self-affirming, comprehension of the human condition therein becomes extremely challenging. The societal abyss entraps its inmates in an endless maze. Knowing no better, they praise it, finding virtues in its permanent atrophy, heavy air, corrosive texture and the deadening sounds.. more..

Aug 27 (GV) Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day is a day to honor the memory of the victims of 2017 Myanmar’s military led violence, call for justice and ensure support, protection for Rohingyas who survived genocide. Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic and religious minority from Myanmar’s Arakan (Rakhine) State, are among Myanmar’s indigenous peoples. But Myanmar law excludes them from the list of recognized national races and since the 1982 Citizenship Law, more..

Aug 27 (TM) There is a strong and significant association between depressive symptoms and gaming addiction among Sri Lankan youth. This finding was made in an original paper on Depressive symptoms as a predictor of addiction to tile-matching games: A cross-sectional study which was authored by V Samaranada and S Perera, K Kanchana, H Thathsarani, and M Chandradasa. Depressive disorder is a recognised mood more..

Aug 27 (ST) Philippines has decided to close down a coal-fired power plant. And Singapore has agreed to pay for that. What is going on? Why does the Philippines want to shut down its 246MW coal-fired power plant located in Calaca City, about 70 km from Manila? Why on earth, Singapore has struck a deal in August 2024 to pay for it? This is related to the newest form of growing int'l finance – Carbon Trading. Singapore also wanted to be the first to move in Asia and become more..

Aug 27 (TM) As the Nikini full moon rises over the island today, casting a serene radiance across temples from A'pura to Devinuwara, millions of devotees gather in quiet contemplation. Nikini Poya occupies a sacred niche in the Theravada calendar. It marks the commencement of the second retreat period, or Pasa Vas, for Buddhist monks, but more importantly, it commemorates one of the most decisive turning points in Buddhist history: the convening of the First Buddhist Council, more..

Aug 27 (SO) At the height of the Jaffna afternoon, when the northern sun presses hard against the earth and the sand grows hot beneath bare feet, a devotee lowers himself to the ground and begins to roll around the sacred precincts of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. Dust gathers on his body. The heat presses against him. Yet he continues. To an unfamiliar eye, the ritual may seem difficult to comprehend. Why willingly subject the body more..

Aug 27 (DM) SL has been through an economic crisis that brought the country to its knees. People stood in queues for fuel, medicines became difficult to find, businesses struggled to survive and families were forced to cut back on even their most basic needs. The wounds of that crisis are still fresh. That is precisely why politicians must understand the enormous responsibility that comes with speaking about the country’s economy. Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe last week raised concerns more..

Aug 27 (DM) Talk of reviving the death penalty is back again, and this concerns not just the 800 plus people on death row, with sentences commuted to life imprisonment. It concerns all of us as citizens of a civilised nation. Eight hundred is a high figure if we compare with the US. The US with its population of 343 million has close to 2000 people under death sentence, only two and half times as much, though its population is nearly fifteen times bigger than ours. Worldwide, the figure tops 25,000. more..