Sep 18 (NW) Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division has taken action to freeze properties and vehicles worth over Rs. 125 million, allegedly purchased with money earned through drug trafficking. The orders were issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, preventing disposal or transfer of the assets for 14 days while investigations continue. A resident of Wattala had acquired multiple properties and a vehicle using proceeds from narcotics trafficking. more..

Sep 18 (NW) Heads of foreign diplomatic missions based in Colombo began a three-day tourism development study tour of the Eastern Province on Friday, organised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism. The group departed from the Colombo Hilton Hotel in the morning and arrived at the Anantaya Resort and Spa in Pasikuda. The diplomats were scheduled to visit an exhibition of products by small and medium-scale handicraft producers in the afternoon after more..

Sep 18 (DM) A considerable drop in vehicle prices has been reported in the local market, with prices of small vehicles falling by at least Rs. 1 million, Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) Chairman Indika Merenchige said. He said the current situation presented a favourable opportunity for people planning to purchase vehicles to reserve them. He said most traders were currently selling vehicles at a loss, while market prices more..

Sep 18 (FT) SL coffee has a unique history and, like most products grown on our island, a world-class flavour profile. However, after more than 150 years in hibernation, the industry is finally changing and the coffee world is taking notice. New cafés, new roasters, innovative technology and experimental processing methods are taking the market by storm, and consumers are becoming savvier about the coffee they drink. As the industry grows, so does the need for people with the knowledge more..

Sep 18 (AD) Sri Lanka must move beyond being a consumer of technologies developed overseas and work towards becoming an innovative nation capable of creating and providing technological solutions to the world, PM Harini Amarasuriya said. Addressing the National Science Foundation (NSF) Award Ceremony for Science Popularization 2026 at the BMICH, PM identified science, technology and innovation as key drivers of SL’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Minister Sunil Watagala said even former Executive Presidents and senior politicians were now required to appear before law enforcement agencies when summoned for questioning, instead of having investigators visit their residences to record statements. He said the change reflected the Govt’s commitment to ensuring that the law was applied equally to everyone, regardless of political status or position. more..

Sep 18 (AD) The Court of Appeal will deliver its order on Nov 27 on whether to grant leave to proceed with a writ petition filed by former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the PTA in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The order was announced today (18) by a two-judge bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando, more..

Sep 18 (PTI) Renault India on Friday said it has resumed exports to Sri Lanka with the first shipment of 100 vehicles, comprising the all-new Triber, Kwid and Kiger departing from Chennai. The company re-enters the island nations, taking Renault's international export footprint to 16 countries, in partnership with Sri Lanka's leading automotive distributor, AMW Motors, it said. The vehicles being exported to Sri Lanka are manufactured at Renault India's facility in Oragadam, Chennai. more..

Sep 18 (NW) Katharine Smart has set out on a daring mission to establish a Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to walk more than 500 km across SL. Her journey began in Kilinochchi and is scheduled to conclude in Matara, with the ambitious goal of completing the trek in under 110 hours. Covering more than 100 kilometers per day, Smart is traversing diverse landscapes while enduring significant physical challenges. Throughout the walk, she is powered by Nestomalt, more..

Sep 18 (PMD) The 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Energy Storage System constructed in Anuradhapura was connected to the national electricity grid this morning under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The energy storage system has been installed with the contribution of Storex (Pvt) Ltd, with the aim of increasing the country’s renewable energy capacity and enhancing the stability of the electricity system. Battery energy storage system technology is one of the most distinctive more..

Sep 18 (AD) 5 MW Diyajanani Floating Solar Power Plant, constructed on the Ibbankatuwa Tank in Dambulla under the Govt’s national programme to generate electricity using sustainable energy, was connected to the National Grid this afternoon under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Constructed across an area of 10.5 acres, this solar power plant will provide an annual electricity supply sufficient to meet more..

Sep 18 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today directed the IGP to investigate into whether former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s remarks made at a rally on Sept 12 amounted to contempt of court and to report the findings to court. Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that the court should consider whether the remarks made by Weerawansa at the rally concerning an order issued by the court against MP Namal Rajapaksa more..

Sep 18 (NW) A bizarre incident has been reported from the Kokawewa Police Division, where a man thought to be dead, and for whom burial rites and even religious almsgiving ceremonies had been performed, suddenly returned home alive after nearly two months. It is reported that the man had disappeared about two months ago. As he had a habit of leaving home for several days and returning, his family was not initially alarmed. However, after more than a week, his wife lodged more..

Sep 18 (EN) India has extended financial assistance of Rs. 300 million for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai for another year, its High Commission in Colombo said. The latest assistance marks the third consecutive year of financial support from India for the ferry service, which resumed in Aug 2024. “The financial support is being extended under the Viability Gap Funding mechanism, more..

Sep 18 (NW) Sri Lanka cruised into the semi‑finals of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition with a commanding 86‑run victory over Malaysia in Japan. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 160 for 4, powered by captain Chamari Athapaththu’s explosive 63 off 37 balls and Kavisha Dilhari’s unbeaten 44 from 27 deliveries. Athapaththu shared an 80‑run stand with Hasini Perera, while Dilhari added a quickfire 62‑run partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama to ensure a strong finish. more..

Sep 18 (EN) Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) David Myers has assumed his position in September the US Embassy in SL said. “David brings extensive diplomatic experience across Asia and beyond and joins Ambassador Eric Meyer and our U.S. Embassy team in advancing the US–SL partnership.” His appointment follows Eric Meyer’s as ambassador earlier this month. Myers previous assignment was at Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia, where he served as Acting DCM and more..

Sep 18 (NW) MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva, representing the NPP, has been awarded the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) New Parliamentarian Award 2026, in recognition of his exceptional dedication to parliamentary engagement, inclusive governance, human rights, and democratic participation. The award, presented during the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 17 Sept, celebrates emerging legislators more..

Sep 18 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath has concluded his official visit to Thailand from 14 to 16 Sept, following an invitation from the Thai Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat. During the two-day visit, Minister Herath and Thai Minister of Labour Amornvivat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Labour Cooperation and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the Employment of SL Workers in Thailand, opening up 10,000 employment opportunities to Sri Lankan workers, more..

Sep 18 (Island) Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 80% of all deaths in SL, with high blood pressure and diabetes among the leading causes, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, said early this week. He pointed out that the two conditions were interrelated and could lead to a range of serious health complications, with heart attacks being among the most severe consequences. more..

Sep 18 (NW) The mother of SL migrant worker Sivarasa Anojan, who has reportedly been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, has appealed to the SL govt and Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to bring him back safely to the country. According to reports, the Saudi Arabian Appellate Court has issued a death sentence against Anojan over a Facebook comment deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad. Sri Lanka is pursuing both legal and diplomatic efforts to assist him, more..

Sep 18 (FT) George Keyt Foundation (GKF), dedicated to preserving the legacy of modernist painter George Keyt and fostering local art, has announced strategic appointments to its leadership team, bringing together a mix of global academic expertise, corporate leadership, and artistic passion. These enhancements aim to inject fresh expertise and academic depth into the Foundation’s long-term vision. To broaden its operational reach and deepen its engagement with the global art market, more..

Sep 18 (NF) Lawyers appearing for Namal Rajapaksa requested court to grant him bail, citing his invitation to participate in a religious ceremony involving the installation of a temple pinnacle. Referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara stated that both the Anguttara Nikaya and the Sutta Pitaka emphasize the importance of freedom from corruption. However, he argued that no such more..

Sep 18 (Island) Sri Lanka CERT, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), held a session to discuss the findings of the Identification and Assessment of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) in SL last Tuesday. It said: The assessment was conducted under the Advancing Digital Transformation Project, with the support of the ADB, and aims to contribute to strengthening the protection, cybersecurity, and resilience of SL’s Critical National Information Infrastructure. more..

Sep 18 (AD) Select Committee of Parliament appointed to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah and report to Parliament, along with proposals and recommendations in that regard, has decided to summon representatives of Pradeshiya Sabhas and Municipal Councils before the Committee to examine how local authorities coordinated their response during the disaster. Committee members particularly highlighted the need for further investigation more..

Sep 18 (FT) Saudi Arabia has ceased to export oil because of damage to its East-West Pipeline that will take more than a month to repair. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is controlled by pro-Iranian Yemeni forces. Ships are under attack as they try to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. World (and especially Asian) oil supplies will continue to be constrained and prices will remain elevated, at least until the midterm elections in the US (first week of November). The oil coming through the two straits is more..

Sep 18 (FT) There are two very different situations within the rural agricultural society in Sri Lanka. The first is a capable farmer becoming poor because farming no longer provides an adequate net income. The second is a household experiencing poverty turning to farming because few alternative livelihood options are available. Both groups require public support, but not through the same policy instruments. If Sri Lanka treats poverty alleviation and agricultural development as if more..

Sep 18 (Island) The process of having former Minister Basil Rajapaksa extradited from the US to SL was being finalised, Police HQ sources disclosed yesterday. The govt has formally sought assistance from the US govt to extradite former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, as multiple courts have reissued arrest warrants over his failure to appear before them in connection with two separate criminal cases, a senior police officer said. more..

Sep 18 (AD) The token strike initiated by railway trade unions over several demands, including the removal of the General Manager of the Department of Railways, remains in effect today, according to SL Railway Station Masters’ Association (SLRSMA). The association’s Chairman, Sumeda Somaratne, stated that the trade union action launched yesterday will continue until midnight today. He further stated that the trade union action was launched due to lack of a proper response, more..

Sep 18 (NW) The CID has arrested an Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, accused of assisting in the preparation of an illegal foreign travel document for an organized criminal. According to police, officers of the CID’s Special Investigation Division carried out the arrest yesterday (17) morning at the Immigration and Emigration Department premises. The suspect has been identified as a 42‑year‑old resident of Gampaha. more..

Sep 18 (Island) The 5-member bench comprised Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena and Justices Shiran Gooneratne, Janak de Silva, Mahinda Samayawardhana and Arjuna Obeyesekere. The judicial officers had argued that they were not employees of the state or any other person, and that treating them as employees for tax purposes was incompatible with the constitutional principle of judicial independence. more..

Sep 18 (AD) Police say the law requiring all persons of vehicles travelling on expressways to wear seat belts will be strictly enforced from tomorrow (19). Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, SSP Manoj Ranagala, said the grace period of approximately one year granted for compliance will end today (18). Accordingly, legal action will be taken against drivers and passengers travelling on expressways without wearing seat belts from tomorrow, he said. more..

Sep 18 (Island) Police issued a strong warning about the growing dangers posed by AI-generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), stressing that technological advances were creating new risks for children online. CSAM traditionally involved real photographs or videos of children who had been sexually abused. However, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, offenders can now manipulate ordinary images of children to produce highly realistic, sexually explicit or more..