Nov 8 (ST) In 2009, soon after the defeat of the LTTE, then Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa used a phrase that became a hallmark of his administration thereafter. Hereafter, he said, "the country will only be divided into two groups, one consisting of those who love the country (the patriotic) and the other of those who do not do so (the unpatriotic)". Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake this week set out a new political narrative more..

Nov 8 (ST) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has temporarily withheld the use of 37 tonnes of a water purification chemical called hydrated lime after an internal laboratory test showed that its chromium content was 58% over the recommended level. The chemical is for water provided to the public. The lime (also called calcium hydroxide) consignment was tested by the NWSDB’s central laboratory, which found its chromium content to be 19 mg/kg when more..

Nov 8 (SO) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday assured that the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) and Prevention of Organised Crimes Act (POCA) would not be passed by Parliament without broad consultation and consensus among relevant stakeholders, including civil society groups. Addressing the NPP Trade Union National Convention at the P.D. Sirisena Grounds in Maligawatte, Colombo, Prez said Govt was in no hurry to more..

Nov 8 (TM) A dispute has emerged between the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) and the National System Operator (NSO) over a proposed electricity tariff increase for the final quarter of 2026, with the regulator’s financial assessment projecting a Rs. 4.4 billion revenue shortfall while the NSO maintains that no tariff revision is necessary and that the electricity sector will break even. The disagreement has raised questions over more..

Nov 8 (NW) Met Dept has attributed the sudden flooding experienced in Colombo to exceptionally intense rainfall within a short period, combined with blocked drainage systems that prevented rainwater from flowing away quickly. Director General of Meteorology Ajith Wijemanna said several atmospheric conditions contributed to the heavy rainfall, including the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet, and the prevailing more..

Nov 8 (NW) Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed authorities to establish a special operations task force under the CMC to respond swiftly to flooding and other emergencies in the city. Task force will bring together the Tri-Forces, Police and relevant govt institutions to strengthen coordination during emergency situations. The decision was taken during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the causes of flash flooding in Colombo and more..

Nov 8 (NW) Large numbers of yellow and white butterflies have been spotted flying across several parts of SL in recent days, attracting public attention and prompting questions about the unusual sight. Videos and photographs circulating on social media show thousands of butterflies moving in groups, often in the same direction, in areas including Colombo, Galle & Ratnapura. The phenomenon is a natural seasonal butterfly migration associated with monsoon rainfall, changes in vegetation more..

Nov 8 (TM) SL Police has seized narcotics worth an estimated Rs. 224 billion and 4,056 firearms and other weapons over the past two years, conducting nearly 600,000 drug-related operations involving more than 596,000 suspects, while intensifying efforts to bring back over 100 wanted criminals who have fled overseas. 597,964 drug-related operations had been conducted during the period, involving 596,591 suspects, as authorities stepped up efforts to combat narcotics trafficking & organised more..

Nov 8 (TM) Port City Colombo is broadening its int'l business footprint, attracting a diverse mix of companies incorporated in offshore financial centres, including the British Virgin Islands (BVI), as well as businesses from the US, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, UK & UAE. Latest group of 68 companies gazetted as secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSIs) has disclosed 5-year investment more..

Nov 8 (Island) SL can expect a little extra spice in the pitches when their two match Test series against Pakistan gets underway next week, with pace and carry likely to be on the menu at both venues. Rawalpindi hosts the opening Test from Monday before the teams head to Lahore, where the Gaddafi Stadium, scene of SL’s 1996 World Cup triumph, stages the second. The tourists have already had a taste of what awaits them. There was plenty of life in the surface during the warm up game more..

Nov 8 (PMD) It is with great pleasure that I extend my warm greetings on the occasion of Deepavali, one of the most sacred religious festivals of the Hindu community, which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Commemorating the victory of Lord Krishna, over the demon Narakasura, Hindus engage in religious observances with the hope that, just as righteousness triumphed over unrighteousness, darkness will be dispelled from every heart more..

Nov 8 (EN) The govt is discussing plans to expand benefits from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), including a potential pension scheme, medical insurance, and housing projects for private sector workers, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said. He said the administration aims to move beyond limiting EPF payouts strictly to retirement withdrawals. “Even though the Employees’ Trust Fund is drawn every five years, the EPF can only be taken at age 50 for women and age 55 for men, once they retire. more..

Nov 8 (NW) SL Land Development Corporation and the Colombo Municipal Council have launched special operations to clear blocked canals and drainage systems following severe flooding in several parts of Colombo. The operations, which began on Saturday, focus on removing accumulated waste, silt and other obstructions to improve the flow of rainwater. The measures follow heavy rainfall on Friday evening that caused flash floods across Colombo, disrupting traffic, businesses and more..

Nov 8 (SO) SL is overhauling its revenue administration system, bringing the Inland Revenue Dept (IRD), SL Customs and Excise Department under a broader reform programme aimed at improving tax compliance, broadening the tax base and increasing Govt revenue. Reforms are being coordinated by the newly established Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau (RARMB) and focus on digitalisation, more..

Nov 8 (DM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government expects to further increase the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax threshold through the 2027 Budget, which is scheduled to be presented to Parliament next week. Addressing the National Trade Union Convention in Colombo today (7), Prez said the existing PAYE tax threshold had been increased from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000, and the govt intends to raise it further to provide additional relief to salaried employees. more..

Nov 8 (PMD) The second phase of the programme launched by the President’s Fund to provide free spectacles to university students was held at the Uni of Ruhuna. A total of 458 students identified during the eye-screening clinic held on 10 Oct received spectacles at the event. On the instructions of the Prez, President’s Fund has made arrangements to extend this programme to all universities across the island. Today’s programme at the University of Ruhuna marked its second phase. more..

Nov 8 (TM) Concessions will be granted for home solar battery systems through the 2027 Budget, Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament. He said that Prez would announce the concession scheme on 12 Nov when he presents the budget. The announcement comes amid recurring power interruptions and a debate over whether rooftop solar is destabilising the national grid. It has drawn criticism from more..

Nov 8 (NW) Passenger drones are currently undergoing test flights at Colombo Port City ahead of an official demonstration scheduled for Nov 11. The trials are being conducted as part of preparations to introduce electric passenger drone technology in SL, with video footage showing a drone being tested in Port City area. Initiative involves Chinese aviation technology company EHang Holdings, which specialises in electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) aircraft. more..

Nov 8 (Island) A one-day training programme on inclusive disaster recovery and access to Govt services was held for members of the Colombo District Inter Religious Committee (DIRC), focusing on strengthening community preparedness and ensuring vulnerable groups are not excluded from disaster assistance. Titled Inclusive Recovery and Access to Govt Services Following Cyclone Ditwah, the programme was held on Nov 3 at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and more..

Nov 8 (TM) In a riposte to lingering criticism of the dependence on origin players in the national side, Sri Lanka Football Team Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi maintained that the side managed by him had true SL blood. He made this retort during a pre-tournament press conference held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday (4), ahead of the 15th Tecno SAFF Championship which kicked off on Friday (6), with Sri Lanka set to face Bhutan in their first match at 7.30 p.m. SLT on Sunday (8). more..

Nov 8 (TM) Sri Lanka is in the process of appointing a National Trade Negotiation Committee to undertake the preliminary domestic work required for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with initial activities potentially commencing in January. Ministry of Trade Secretary K.A Vimalenthirarajah said that the Govt was currently focusing on establishing the committee, which would prepare the groundwork necessary before negotiations on prospective trade agreements could proceed. more..

Nov 8 (TM) As Sri Lanka prepares for Budget 2027, Opposition political parties are raising questions over the Govt’s economic priorities and its ability to deliver meaningful relief to the public amid continued cost-of-living pressures and concerns over economic growth. While the country has made progress towards macroeconomic stability, the challenge of translating these gains into tangible improvements in living standards more..

Nov 8 (Island) Formal-sector gross wages, on the EPF-based index, rose 131.8% between Jan 2017 and March 2026, ahead of the 114.9% rise in consumer prices. Employees are still worse off. After 8% EPF, PAYE/APIT (PAYE became APIT in 2020) and inflation, only someone starting near LKR 100,000 a month is ahead, by 7.1%, and the loss deepens with pay to −17.0% at LKR 1 million. The cause is the tax schedule. Wage growth is identical for everyone here, inflation erodes more..

Nov 8 (ST) My dear JR, I am writing to you after I was reminded that just the other day, the 30th anniversary of your passing was commemorated. There was hardly any noise about it, only a simple ceremony at the centre that bears your name attended by your nephew, Uncle Ranil and other family members. Come to think of it, you are one of the few leaders who had nothing named after you except the centre you donated. The Senanayakes have a school and a samudaraya or tank and more..

Nov 8 (ST) The alarming claim that 12,000 children have been arrested for drug-related offences in Sri Lanka over the past year has been repeated across the media, fuelling concerns about the country’s youth and the growing reach of narcotics. But the figures, released under the Government’s A Nation United drug eradication programme, demand closer scrutiny. For when the numbers are examined, the picture is rather different. An internal presentation by the Police Narcotics Bureau to more..

Nov 8 (Island) Several former ministers are in the news albeit for the wrong reasons. Colombo High Court has given ex-minister Prasanna Ranatunga until 1 Feb, 2027 to settle the remaining Rs. 9 mil out of a 25-mil-rupee fine in an extortion case. His conviction stems from a 2015 incident, where he allegedly threatened a businessman, demanding Rs 64 mil and obtained Rs. 15 mil. Former Chief Minister Maheepala Herath has paid Rs. 1.17 mil to settle the cost of excess fuel that more..

Nov 8 (ST) The Russian ambassador to SL, Levan S. Dzhagaryan who called on Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne this week handed over an official invitation for him to visit Russia. The invitation was handed over on behalf of the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation V. Matvienko. “The invitation highlights the importance of further strengthening sustainable, trust-based and more..

Nov 8 (TM) The recent controversy over a sponsorship of approximately Rs. 104 million provided by the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) for an international broadcasters’ summit has sparked a political debate. Some are questioning this particular sponsorship, while others are pointing to similar sponsorships provided in the past. However, the political arguments are taking our attention away from a much bigger economic problem. The real question is not whether more..

Nov 8 (SO) With the Budget 2027 presentation scheduled this week, there’s much anticipation of relief for the masses with Prez Dissanayake promising more tax cuts in the Budget. The pledge leaves an awkward question as to how the Govt will square it with the revenue targets agreed under the ongoing IMF programme. Addressing a recent public event, the President repeated that his administration had introduced no new taxes since taking office and promised further relief more..

Nov 8 (TM) When Prez rises in Parliament on Thursday (12) to deliver Budget 2027 as Minister of Finance, he will be presenting the NPP Govt’s third full budget. The first, in February 2025, came from a Govt still finding its feet after a vote on account had kept the State running; the second, last November, from an administration that had steadied the economy and was eager to move from stabilisation to growth. more..

Nov 8 (TM) On Thursday (12), Prez Dissanayake, who is also Minister of Finance, will present the NPP Govt’s third full Budget. After the Vote on Account that kept the State running in early 2025, the Govt delivered its maiden Budget that February and its second last November. The honeymoon, therefore, is over, and Budget 2027 will be judged less on promise than on purpose. Expectations are high, and understandably so. Colombo consumer inflation reached 8.3% in October, more..

Nov 8 (SO) SL’s Budget 2027, to be presented in Parliament on Nov 12, comes at a critical juncture in the country’s economic recovery. Having moved away from the brink of economic collapse, SL now faces the more demanding task of translating the gains of stabilisation into tangible improvements in the lives of its people. The economic indicators tell a story of considerable progress. Growth has resumed, foreign reserves have improved and public finances have strengthened. more..