Nov 27 (FT) CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said SL’s gross official reserves are expected to climb to the highest level recorded since the height of the economic crisis by the end of December, whilst expressing confidence that the country will comfortably meet its reserves target under the IMF program. He said the final month of the year traditionally brings stronger foreign exchange inflows through export conversions, more..

Nov 27 (NW) GCE A/L 2025 exam scheduled for today and tomorrow has been postponed due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions and the resulting disaster situation across the island. The announcement was issued by the Commissioner General of Examinations, Indika Liyanage, requesting all media institutions to inform candidates accordingly. The Dept of Examinations said the decision was taken in the interest of student safety, as heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding more..

Nov 27 (NW) The low-pressure area southeast of SL has intensified into a depression and is centered near latitude 5.9°N and longitude 82.6°E, about 210km southeast of Batticaloa. It is very likely to move nearly north-northwestwards and intensify further into a Deep Depression during the next 12 hours. Due to the influence of this system, prevailing heavy showers and strong winds over the island are expected to continue further. General public is kindly requested to be attentive about future more..

Nov 27 (CT) In a significant move to expedite the delivery of justice for the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, the long-running trial has shifted into an accelerated phase, with proceedings now scheduled to be heard daily at a newly-designated Court Complex in Colombo 7. The inaugural sitting at the new premises commenced yesterday at 1:45 p.m. before a Trial-at-Bar Bench chaired by HC Judge Navaratne Marasinghe. more..

Nov 27 (CT) Illegal Assets Investigation Division has seized property and assets valued at over Rs 250 million belonging to the notorious organised criminal Shehan Sathsara, alias Dehi Bale Malli. The suspect, who is currently in hiding abroad, is alleged to be heavily involved in serious crimes within the Southern Province, including homicides, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling. The seizure includes a luxury house and land situated near Dikwella Divisional Secretariat, more..

Nov 27 (FT) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is set to remit Rs. 5 billion to the Consolidated Fund this year, marking a significant increase in its contribution following a sharp rise in profitability under the new administration. According to a statement issued by the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry, State-owned entity has generated a net profit after tax of Rs. 39 billion as of 31 Oct 2025, reflecting an improvement of nearly Rs. 12 billion compared to the previous year. more..

Nov 27 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will attend the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2025 on 2 Dec, during which he will join The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairperson Bingumal Thewarathanthri for an on-stage conversation aligned with the Summit’s theme – Gateway to Growth – Asia’s Emerging Opportunity. The conversation is expected to give participants a clearer sense of how the Govt views the next phase of economic rebuilding, pressures shaping more..

Nov 27 (Island) A heated exchange erupted in Parliament yesterday when SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa challenged PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya over her recent claim that the govt had not promised to allocate 6% of GDP to education immediately. Premadasa reminded the House that Dr. Amarasuriya had been a prominent figure in the 2012 protests, demanding 6% of GDP for education. “Do you remember when the Prime Minister wore a T-shirt calling for 6% for education? more..

Nov 27 (ST) Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) will be taking over the import and export facilitation process of Board of Investment (BOI) companies as part of a pilot project from May 2026. SLC Director General Seevali Arukgoda said that the entire import and export clearance will be handled by them. “We only intend taking over the operations aspect which happens when raw materials arrive and upto the time this is used in more..

Nov 27 (DN) Opener Pathum Nissanka produced a superb batting display, scoring an unbeaten 98 off 58 balls as Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe by nine wickets in their T20 Tri-Series fixture played in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The win keeps Sri Lanka’s hopes alive in the tournament and ends their five-match losing streak in T20Is. It also means Sri Lanka head into their final group match against Pakistan today (27) knowing that a victory will secure their place in Saturday’s final. more..

Nov 27 (FT) People’s Bank has reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 43.7 billion for the nine months ended 30 Sept 2025, delivering the best-ever results in the institution’s history. With seven out of 10 Sri Lankans banking with People’s Bank and one out of every five retail and business loans in the country originating from the bank, this exceptional performance reinforces its position as the most trusted and influential financial services provider in Sri Lanka, it said in a statement. more..

Nov 27 (NW) Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne has denied allegations raised in Parliament claiming a conflict of interest involving companies linked to him securing major govt contracts. The allegations were made by SJB MP Prasad Siriwardhana, who claimed that two companies – Omobio (Pvt) Ltd and Eimsky Business Solutions (Pvt) Ltd – in which Weeraratne holds shares and previously served as Chairman, had obtained key contracts related to national digital transport and tolling systems. more..

Nov 27 (CI) The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo will get floodlights and other upgrades in preparation for the Men's T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosts with India in February and March next year. Although the SSC has occasionally hosted daytime limited-overs internationals - especially women's games - Colombo's day-night games have all been played at Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium), which in any case is the highest-capacity stadium in SL. more..

Nov 27 (TM) The Health Ministry has utilised only a fraction of the funds allocated for several key areas of public healthcare as of 30 May, 2025, according to figures released under the RTI Act, No. 12 of 2016. The information had been provided by the Ministry's Chief Financial Officer, G.S. Karunaratne following a request submitted by the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors organisation. more..

Nov 27 (FT) High Commission of SL in London, in partnership with Capital Metals PLC, hosted a joint promotional event to facilitate discussions on emerging opportunities within SL’s mineral sector, with particular focus on the Taprobane Minerals Project. The event brought together UK-based investors, corporate representatives, fund managers, and industry specialists for a constructive exchange aimed at fostering dialogue & exploring prospective investment avenues associated with more..

Nov 27 (TM) Vice Chairperson of University Grants Commission (UGC), Senior Professor K.L. Wasantha Kumara underscored the need to establish a Higher Education Commission to regulate and monitor private universities and other degree-awarding institutions. He explained that such a body would enable the creation of comprehensive data systems and facilitate links with universities worldwide, allowing access to essential info on institutional standards & programme quality. more..

Nov 27 (Island) Sri Lanka have thrown their weight behind under-fire skipper Charith Asalanka, trusting him to steady the ship and take the side through to the T20 World Cup that the island will co-host with India. Asalanka had been entrusted with the captaincy for the ongoing white-ball series in Pakistan but was withdrawn on the eve of the T20Is after Sri Lanka copped a 3-0 thumping in the ODIs. The official line was that the captain more..

Nov 27 (DN) “We have groomed Charith Asalanka for captaincy, and ahead of the T20 World Cup, we cannot make too many changes,” said Chairman of the Selection Committee, Upul Tharanga. “One concern is that Charith hasn’t scored much in T20s recently, but his experience makes him a vital member of the team,” he added. Skipper Charith Asalanka had returned home due to illness, which temporarily placed Dasun Shanaka in charge. “Asalanka remains in our plans. more..

Nov 27 (FT) Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said apparel and made-up articles exports for January to Oct 2025 increased by 6.12% year-on-year (YoY), maintaining steady momentum despite weaker monthly results in October. JAAF said Oct 2025 recorded a marginal 0.05% decline compared with Oct 2024, reflecting uneven demand across key markets. Exports to the EU grew by 12.53% during the month, while shipments to the US fell by 1.92%, UK by 11.99% and other markets by 9.84%. more..

Nov 27 (FT) Nawaloka Hospitals has been honoured with the prestigious title of Leading Hospital in AI and Innovation of the Year in Asia Pacific at the GlobalHealth Asia Pacific Awards 2025, held in Athenee Hotel, Bangkok recently. This landmark recognition places SL firmly on the global healthcare innovation map and reinforces Nawaloka’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge technologies to serve the nation. This is the first time a SL hospital has secured this coveted international title, more..

Nov 27 (FT) Kerner Haus Global Solutions has begun executing its asset-light growth strategy with the signing of a Property Management Agreement with VKM Services Ltd, for a prime commercial property at No. 46/10, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 2. Company said the deal is expected to generate Rs. 12.6 million in annual management fees from existing leases. Kerner Haus said the agreement marks the first phase of its plan to build a property management platform before moving into more..

Nov 27 (ST) Thousands of Sri Lankans aspiring to higher education in the UK will likely face increased tuition costs from a 6% levy the Labour Govt has proposed on fees paid by int'l students, as part of a broader policy to cut down the number of immigrants. Living costs applicable for London and elsewhere have already been increased. For graduates, permission to stay will be reduced. The graduate visa allows more..

Nov 27 (Island) Sri Lanka already has the building blocks for a competitive pharmaceutical sector: a functioning regulator (NMRA), an existing state manufacturer (SPMC), targeted investment incentives and growing political support for export-led growth. But the country imports the vast majority of medicines and exports only a tiny fraction. If the government pursues a focused, realistic strategy — regulatory strengthening, targeted incentives, infrastructure and skills investments, more..

Nov 27 (Island) The progress of the ongoing anti-narcotics drive was reviewed at the second meeting of the steering council of the Nation United campaign, at the Presidential Secretariat, on Tuesday, with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake presiding. The discussion was dominated by some council members’ concerns about an allegation that a part of the narcotics taken into custody ended up in the hands of drug dealers. The issue was raised by a former PNB officer-turned-musician, more..

Nov 27 (ST) Speaking at the budget debate the other day, Minister Vijitha Herath announced how within a year in office SL had entered into 70 MoUs with countries across the globe. Though he did not employ the rhetorical skill of one of our distinguished foreign ministers, Lakshman Kadirgamar, perhaps for lack of the skills that the late foreign minister used during his time, including in bilateral negotiations at the highest level, Foreign Minister seemed boastful of the achievement. more..

Nov 27 (CT) SL was under the powerful oligarchy of the Rajapaksa family (RF) and its cohorts. The historic war victory in May 2009 propelled Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) to glory. ECONOMYNEXT reported that MR successfully engineered his overwhelming popularity to establish the most powerful oligarchy that ruled SL for over a decade. Under MR’s leadership, a family dynasty assumed virtual control of state governance. According to the Sri Lanka Campaign, what unraveled in the aftermath more..

Nov 27 (SO) The memo landed on Amara’s desk detailing the procurement approval for a crucial new system, a system she knew was essential but overpriced by nearly 30%. Her superior had already rubber-stamped it, indicating the customary, if corrupt, fast track. Amara, a dedicated public sector officer, faced a quiet test of conscience. She understood that accepting the inflated cost meant not just inefficiency for her division, more..

Nov 27 (DM) Sri Lanka’s human-elephant conflict (HEC) has reached a breaking point. In 2023, SL became the deadliest country for Asian elephants, with 488 killed a 115% increase since 2010. HEC-related human deaths also increased by 127% in this period. From January to October this year there were 366 elephant deaths and 131 human fatalities. SL’s HEC policy, largely unchanged for more than 65 years, has exacerbated the issue. The key flaw is the focus on confining elephants to more..

Nov 27 (CT) Recent events in SL’s Parliament have raised a troubling question: is the nation’s supreme legislative body becoming an increasingly hostile place for women? The past week alone delivered a flurry of incidents that, when placed alongside a longer pattern of behaviour, paint a sobering picture of an institution struggling to uphold the dignity it publicly claims to defend. The most forceful warning came from Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who urged President more..

Nov 27 (CT) National Hospital of SL (NHSL) in Colombo and the Teaching Hospital in Ragama remain two critical pillars of public healthcare. With the rising cost of medicines and private treatment, the influx of patients to govt hospitals continues to surge — yet access to quality facilities, especially at these two institutions, remains limited. In this context, the eight-storey Outpatient Dept (OPD) complex at the NHSL — built as more..

Nov 27 (TM) The recent discussion at the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital on establishing a Higher Education Commission to regulate private universities and degree-awarding institutions is a timely and welcome proposal, especially at a time when education reforms are under serious consideration and private universities including local agents of foreign institutions are rapidly expanding across the country. more..

Nov 27 (DM) SL has experienced the best and the worst when it comes to privatisation attempts. Privatisation affected many industries including the sugar industry which eventually led govts to import sugar, impose taxes and pushed farmers towards a crisis. The privatisation of Hingurana and Kantale sugar factories, which had been state-owned, is seen as a significant turning point. These factories experienced initial disruption under private management, which contributed to more..