Jul 31 (DM) SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC), the training arm of SriLankan Airlines, has been recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as an IATA Authorised Training Centre (ATC) Preferred Partner for 2026, reaffirming its commitment to excellence in aviation training and further strengthening its position among the IATA’s leading global training partners. The college, recognised as one of the 10 best-performing IATA training centres in the world, more..

Jul 31 (FT) Importers, exporters and Customs clearing agents have been urged to prepare for SL’s transition to a paperless Customs declaration system, which is scheduled to commence from 1 October as the Government moves to digitise trade-related public services. The Paperless Customs Declaration Processing System will enable businesses to submit Customs documentation electronically through the integration of LankaSign digital signatures with the ASYCUDA Customs management system, more..

Jul 31 (FT) A parliamentary oversight committee has raised concerns that delays in expanding Port of Colombo risks eroding SL’s competitive position as India accelerates the development of the Vizhinjam Int'l Seaport and regional port capacity expands. The concerns were raised by the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Infrastructure and Strategic Development during a review of the SL Ports Authority’s (SLPA) operations, financial performance & development program. more..

Jul 31 (ST) As the rays of the sun filtered through the branches of the trees in the garden, Aldoris, the choon-paan karaya, came down the lane in his food-laden tuk-tuk with music breaking the silence of the neighbourhood. “Mata poddak parakkuwuney dengue gana hoyana aya ava apey paththa pariksha karanna (I got a bit late as dengue inspectors had come to our area),” he said, doling out hot maalu paans. Mae sarei dengue prashnaya wena avurudu walata wada godak ugrai wagey more..

Jul 31 (Island) Last week, tens of thousands of public officials across the country raised their right hands and recited a pledge against malfunction, inefficiency, bribery, and corruption, the Integrity Oath (Supilipanna Divuruma), before returning to their desks to continue doing exactly what they were doing before lunch. That, in a single sentence, is the risk facing National Integrity Week 2026 – a well-intentioned campaign that, unless it is backed by more..

Jul 31 (DN) The latest move by the Police to come down hard against motorists who cause noise pollution, indeed, is a welcome move. In this regard, IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has issued instructions to Traffic Police islandwide to prosecute those motorists who have fixed gadgets to their vehicles that cause excessive noise, distracting the public and other motorists as well. He has ordered that, in future, motorists causing excessive noise through their horns and other devices, more..

Jul 31 (DM) The debate over extending the retirement age of superior court judges has brought into focus a much larger question that SL has struggled with for decades: how to create a judicial system that delivers timely, accessible and credible justice. While the proposal to retain experienced judges beyond the current retirement age may appear to offer a quick solution to the mounting backlog of cases, it risks addressing only the symptoms rather than the underlying causes of judicial delays. more..

Jul 31 (SO) The launch of the Ocean Watch web-based mobile application by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) marks another step in the Govt’s digitalisation agenda, using technology to strengthen environmental governance while improving coordination among State institutions, local authorities, the private sector and the public. Designed to improve waste management along the country’s nearly 1,700-kilometre coastline and at its fishing harbours, more..

Jul 31 (DM) Disregarding weeks-long agitations by the Opposition parties and a section of the legal fraternity against its move to extend the retirement age of the judges, NPP govt at last has clarified its stance on the matter. Cabinet had on Monday approved a proposal to go ahead with the move, allaying speculations on the existence of such a move and whether it concerns judges of all courts or only the superior courts. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the purpose of the proposal was to accelerate more..

Jul 31 (DM) Colombo’s literature scene came back to life with the inaugural Colombo Literary Festival which concluded on Wednesday (29). This trilingual celebration of literature, cinema, history and music brought together authors, artistes and literature lovers from across the country under one roof. At the core of this event is the commitment to provide an equal space to celebrate literary works done in Sinhala, Tamil and English. SL carries with it a rich literary heritage that spans more..

Jul 31 (SO) As Sri Lanka advances towards its target of generating 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, a deeper question is beginning to shape the national conversation: whose energy transition is this, and who will ultimately benefit from it? A forum was convened by the Law and Society Trust (LST) in Colombo on July 8 titled Powering a just future: Creating a ‘good energy’ framework for Sri Lanka’s energy transition. Bringing together more..

Jul 31 (TM) For decades, elections have been dominated by speculation over who spent the most, who bankrolled whom, and whether financial muscle ultimately decided electoral outcomes. The introduction of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023, was intended to replace speculation with transparency. It was a landmark reform that finally brought campaign finance within a legal framework after decades of regulatory absence. Now, the first comprehensive assessment of more..

Jul 31 (CT) Recent reports circulating on social media have claimed that a Sri Lankan employed in Saudi Arabia has been convicted by a Saudi court for allegedly making remarks deemed offensive to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), resulting in a prison sentence and a substantial financial penalty. While the facts should be confirmed through official channels and the judicial process respected, the reports have understandably generated concern among Sri Lankans both at home and abroad. more..

Jul 30 (NW) Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha on Wednesday (29) inspected the Doppler Weather Radar Network project site in Puttalam, a Japanese grant‑funded initiative expected to significantly boost SL’s weather forecasting and disaster preparedness. Upon arrival, the Defence Secretary was welcomed by Dept of Meteorology Director General A.L.K. Wijemannage, who briefed him on the scope and importance of the project before the site tour. more..

Jul 30 (NW) The Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered a man to compensate the CEB for losses amounting to Rs. 201,059.90, after his protest atop a high‑voltage power pole disrupted electricity supply across several areas. Police said the incident occurred on July 21 in Kamburupitiya, where the suspect climbed a pole belonging to the high‑voltage transmission system to express dissent over a family dispute. The action caused a blackout lasting more than two hours in Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, more..

Jul 30 (DN) The use of tobacco remains a serious and persistent public health challenge despite SL’s long-standing commitment to tobacco control. Approximately 1.5 million adults smoke in SL, contributing to nearly 50 tobacco-related deaths every day. Additionally, NCDs account for 83% of all deaths in the country, with tobacco use being one of the four major risk factors, posing a significant burden on the healthcare system. more..

Jul 30 (AD) Parliament will hold an adjournment debate on Aug 5, on the Committee on Public Finance report concerning the alleged fraud linked to the US$ 2.5 million debt repayment to Australia. Debate, moved by the Opposition, will take place from 11.30 am to 5.30 pm, according to Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. Meanwhile, Parliament is scheduled to meet from Aug 4 to 7, following decisions made by the Committee on Parliamentary Business more..

Jul 30 (Island) Four members of the prefect board of a leading boys’ school in Kandy have been arrested by the Katugastota Police following a complaint received regarding an assault on a student of the same college. Katugastota police said that the complaint was received from the mother of the hospitalized student. A/L student who had been assaulted by the prefects, was admitted to the Kandy National Hospital and was also later arrested by the police and produced before more..

Jul 30 (DM) Court of Appeal today ordered that a writ petition seeking an order restraining the Excise Commissioner General and other relevant authorities from approving the use of rice and sugar as primary ingredients in beer production be taken up on Oct 2 for the filing of objections. Petition was called before a bench comprising Justices R. Gurusinghe and Prema Shankar. Counsel appearing for several respondent more..

Jul 30 (NW) The Dept of Meteorology has issued an advisory for strong winds and rough seas for the sea areas extending from Kankasanthurai to Kalpitiya via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil. Per the advisory, effective until 9 am tomorrow, the sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Kalpitiya via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be very rough at times with strong gusty winds up to 60-70 kmph. Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture more..

Jul 30 (NW) Minister of Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe says the current water levels in the Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs are adequate to ensure uninterrupted supply for the next three months, even if no rainfall is received during that period. Minister noted that while forecasts under El Niño conditions suggest drier‑than‑expected weather in August and September, experts from the Water Supply Board have confirmed that the reservoirs’ present capacity is sufficient to meet demand. more..

Jul 30 (DM) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has intensified its islandwide crackdown on the manufacture and sale of motorcycle helmets that do not carry the mandatory Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification mark, seizing hundreds of non-compliant helmets and halting the sale of thousands more. The CAA said a special enforcement operation carried out on Monday (27) led to 98 raids across the country, during which 431 helmets without the SLS 517 Product Certification Mark were seized. more..

Jul 30 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa held talks on Wednesday (29) with a visiting delegation from the United States House of Representatives led by Chrissy Houlahan, Member of the Democratic Party, House Intelligence Committee, and Air Force veteran. The discussions, held at his office in Colombo, centered on strengthening bilateral ties between SL and US, with emphasis on economic cooperation, governance, education & regional stability. more..

Jul 30 (TM) With the El Niño weather phenomenon expected to intensify hot and dry conditions across SL, authorities are assessing urgent measures to protect people still living in Ditwah relief camps, after Rural Development, Social Security & Community Empowerment Ministry identified the challenges they could face in the coming months. Officials confirmed that discussions are underway with relevant Ministries to determine more..

Jul 30 (NW) Dengue has claimed 61 lives in SL this year, with the total number of reported cases climbing to 84,091 by midnight on July 29. July alone recorded 28,717 infections, making it the worst month so far, followed by June with 21,533 cases. Earlier months saw lower but steady numbers: May (8,590), April (5,651), March (6,013), Feb (5,721), and January (7,866). District‑wise, the highest burden was reported from Gampaha (17,850 cases, 21.23%) & Colombo (16,716 cases, 19.88%). more..

Jul 30 (NW) Veteran lyricist Rathna Sri Wijesinghe has stepped down from his post as Chairman of the National Library and Documentation Services Board. Wijesinghe, widely respected for his long career in songwriting and contributions to SL arts, said he resigned from the position citing personal reasons. “I have decided to resign due to personal reasons. My confidence in the President and the govt remains intact, and I will continue to extend my support to them. My decision is purely personal, more..

Jul 30 (TM) Women and Child Affairs Ministry is launching a programme for an identified group of 38 vulnerable children from Ratmalana as a pilot project, an initiation of redirecting the children in unsafe places towards safety. The project is expected to be launched in September. Ministry Secretary, Tharangani Wickramasinghe said that in the wake of it being reported that in some areas students face vulnerabilities as they come more..

Jul 30 (Island) Residents of Myliddy have declared that they will not give up land for the Palaly Airport expansion. The declaration, according to Tamil Guardian, was made at a discussion with ITAK MP S. Sritharan recently. The govt has issued written notices to acquire a section of Valikamam north land for the proposed expansion of the Palaly Airport. During the meeting, affected residents expressed deep concern over the recent announcement made by the govt. The residents said the land, more..

Jul 30 (Island) Int'l Organization for Migration (IOM) and Ministry of Health, with support from the Govt of Japan, inaugurated a newly constructed Port Health Office at the Port of Colombo, signaling a milestone in strengthening SL’s border health security and preparedness for public health emergencies. Text of the Japanese embassy press release: “The new facility was handed over to the Ministry of Health to strengthen health screening, surveillance and emergency response capacities more..

Jul 30 (FT) Lawyers for Public Mandate (LPM), an organisation affiliated with the NPP, yesterday defended the Govt’s proposed judicial reforms, arguing that the measures are intended to strengthen the justice system by addressing judicial vacancies and reducing court delays. Attorneys representing the organisation rejected criticism of the proposed constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age of judges, alleging that politicians facing unresolved corruption investigations more..

Jul 30 (NW) Church of Ceylon has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the Cabinet’s decision to proceed with a constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age of appellate court judges. Anglican Church in Sri Lanka said it had hoped the President and Cabinet would heed the strong arguments of the Bar Association of SL, the wider legal community, and civil society, who warned that such a move could undermine the rule of law and public confidence in judicial independence. more..

Jul 30 (FT) SL’s tourism industry crossed the 1.3 million visitor milestone during the first 26 days of July, with strong demand from India helping the sector regain momentum and narrowly surpass last year’s arrivals pace despite lingering regional uncertainties. 167,401 tourists arrived in the country during the first 26 days of July, marking a marginal 0.11% increase from the 167,218 visitors registered during corresponding period in '25. more..