Nov 5 (FT) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has estimated a 1.46% increase in electricity tariffs for the fourth quarter of 2026 following its preliminary review of National System Operator’s (NSO) bulk supply cost submission, down from an initial estimate of 2.88%. The proposed adjustment is subject to further review, with the regulator inviting stakeholder comments on the cost submissions and more..

Nov 5 (AD) A multi-day fishing trawler suspected of transporting narcotics in deep-sea waters south of SL has been brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour along with its crew members for further investigations. SL Navy seized the locally registered fishing vessel yesterday during a special naval operation after detecting it transporting a consignment of sacks suspected to contain narcotics. The consignment is suspected to contain heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice). more..

Nov 5 (FT) Official national poverty line rose marginally to Rs. 17,742 per person per month in Sept 2026, from Rs. 17,719 in August. The latest figure represents a year-on-year increase of 8.1% from Rs. 16,413 recorded in Sept 2025, reflecting the higher minimum monthly expenditure required to meet basic needs. At district level, Colombo recorded the highest poverty line at Rs. 19,136, followed by Gampaha at Rs. 19,037 and Kalutara at Rs. 18,624. Nuwara Eliya had lowest figure more..

Nov 5 (TM) The Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Ministry stated that it is prepared to deal with a possible rice shortage in the market in this November and in December through measures including providing Rs 7.5 billion in interest-free loans to small- and medium-scale mill owners to purchase and store paddy, and releasing rice stocks held by the Paddy Marketing Board if a shortage develops. more..

Nov 5 (FT) Sri Lanka subjects imported alcoholic beverages to a lower fixed excise rate per litre than domestically produced alcohol, a treatment the IMF said should be integrated into the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS) policy and administration agenda. “This differential treatment is unusual, as imported and domestically produced excise goods are typically subject to equivalent excise rates to protect revenue, support neutrality, and reduce opportunities for arbitrage,” more..

Nov 5 (DM) Lanka IOC and Sinopec have increased the price of a litre of 95 Octane petrol by Rs. 20, bringing the new price to Rs. 515 with effect from last night (4). Accordingly, the price of a litre of 95 Octane petrol at both fuel providers has increased from Rs. 495 to Rs. 515. This is the second Rs. 20 increase imposed by the two companies within 10 days. On October 25, Lanka IOC and Sinopec increased the price of 95 Octane petrol from Rs. 475 to Rs. 495 per litre. more..

Nov 5 (AD) Parliament is scheduled to debate and approve Supplementary Estimate No. 8 of 2026, amounting to Rs. 4.261 billion, today, following a decision reached at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held yesterday. The meeting was chaired by the Speaker. The supplementary estimate seeks approval to allocate Rs. 4,261,000,000 from the Consolidated Fund or any other govt fund to the SL Air Force for the establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system. more..

Nov 5 (FT) Improving macroeconomic conditions have given John Keells Holdings (JKH) a firmer footing for the quarters ahead, the conglomerate’s Chairperson Krishan Balendra told shareholders, pointing to stronger growth, rebuilt reserves and an upgraded sovereign credit rating as the base for the group’s operating environment. In the statement accompanying the group’s interim results, Balendra attributed the improvement squarely to reform. “SL’s macroeconomic environment remained stable more..

Nov 5 (EN) Nearly half of young Sri Lankans would leave the country if given the opportunity, even as a large majority report a strong sense of national belonging, according to findings from a nationwide survey. My Sri Lanka | Next study, conducted by Global Unites South Asia in partnership with the Centenary Movement, surveyed 2,418 respondents across all 25 districts alongside 22 provincial consultations to capture more..

Nov 5 (NW) Four SL cricketers have been named in the team rosters for Afghanistan Premier League (APL) T20 tournament. SL’s star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been selected by Team Paktia in the Platinum category, while all-rounder Kamindu Mendis has been included in the Gold category for Nangarhar Cosmic. Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Perera has been named in the Gold category for Kandahar Warriors, while fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has secured a place in more..

Nov 5 (TM) A protest organised by the People's Struggle Movement against the proposed Prevention of State Terrorism Act (PSTA) and the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act (POCA) was held near the Parliament Roundabout yesterday, amid heightened Police security in the area. Police presence was increased at Polduwa Junction ahead of the demonstration, which began at the junction and proceeded towards the Parliament access road. Police had obtained a court order restricting more..

Nov 5 (DN) Harshitha Samarawickrama will lead SL at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which will be held in UAE from Nov 12 to 25, with all matches scheduled to take place in Ajman. SL have named a squad featuring several familiar faces, with Vishmi Gunaratne, Imesha Dulani, Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva and all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari among the key players. Dilhari will serve as vice-captain, while Kaushini Nuthyangana has been named as the wicketkeeper. more..

Nov 5 (DN) The 13th edition of the Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup gets underway in Oman today, with eight teams setting their sights on the continental title. SL begin their campaign against Malaysia as they look to make a positive start to the nine-day tournament. The eight teams have been divided into two groups, with India, Nepal, Pakistan and the UAE in Group A, while SL are drawn in Group B alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Two Group B matches are scheduled for the opening day, more..

Nov 5 (DN) Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) online portal and Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) have experienced temporary slowdowns following a sudden surge in users seeking Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), Commissioner General of IRD Rukdevi Fernando said. Fernando said the large number of people attempting to access the system simultaneously more..

Nov 5 (Island) All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has highlighted the importance of inclusive economic development, equal opportunities and stronger people-to-people ties in SL’s engagement with China, stressing that international partnerships must benefit communities across the country. The issue was discussed when Chinese ambassador Wei Huaxiang recently met ACJU General Secretary Ash-Sheikh M. Arkam Nooramith and members of the organisation’s Executive Committee to more..

Nov 5 (NW) Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of misleading the public by claiming that his govt had not introduced any new taxes since coming to power in 2024. Perera challenged the Prez’s recent statement, claiming that the government had introduced three new taxes and increased seven existing taxes. Perera said the new tax measures included a 15% income tax on service export earnings, an 18% VAT on digital services more..

Nov 5 (FT) The continued upward trend in real estate prices, together with the banking sector’s increasing exposure to real estate activities, warrants continued monitoring, Central Bank of SL (CBSL) said, warning that a sharp correction in property prices could spill over to the financial system. In its recent Financial Stability Review 2026, CBSL said Asking Price Indices for land, houses and condominiums in the Colombo District, more..

Nov 5 (AD) Lung cancer cases in SL have increased by approximately 50% since 2010, with health experts warning of a growing trend among both men and women. Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Dr. Saman Iddagoda, revealed. He said an analysis of data from the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases and the National Cancer Control Programme covering the period from 2010 to 2020 had revealed an approx 50% increase in lung cancer cases more..

Nov 5 (FT) Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival (CLAF), which has focused on creating an influential arts and culture platform for SL while profiling the island through its creative industries, is now preparing for its fourth edition. It has gained traction in a short time, guided by clear objectives that create meaningful opportunities for young people through its four pillars: literature, art, music and film. Enhancing Sri Lanka’s soft power is one of the platform’s key missions, more..

Nov 5 (FT) The SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), successfully conducted the final pitching event of batch III of ExpoScaleUp, designed to help Sri Lankan SMEs become more competitive and expand into global markets. Supported through the EU’s regional Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in South Asia (ACSIIS) initiative under EU Global Gateway Strategy, more..

Nov 5 (FT) Meta recently launched its Small Business Growth Academy in SL in partnership with Roar AdX, bringing practical digital marketing knowledge to entrepreneurs looking to reach more customers and grow their businesses. Presided over by Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, the launch brought together govt and Meta representatives alongside local entrepreneurs who are clients of Roar AdX to discuss how small businesses can participate more effectively more..

Nov 5 (Island) ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan has requested Canada’s Conservative MPs to press for a review of Canada’s ban on the LTTE and to provide forensic expertise for the Chemmani mass grave investigation. The request was made at a meeting on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa. Shritharan, who represents Jaffna, met Conservative MPs Shuvaloy Majumdar and Costas Menegakis, along with a representative of the Office of more..

Nov 5 (Island) A police service may defend an officer or an action only when the facts support that defence. Once the facts no longer do so, continued defence becomes a further wrong. It shields error, signals to the ranks that accountability can be avoided, and erodes the single asset no force can create by regulation or by strength of numbers: the confidence of the public. Without that confidence, information dries up, cooperation declines, and every new incident is judged against more..

Nov 5 (Island) American voters have dealt Prez Donald Trump a sobering electoral blow, rendering the lame-duck phase of his second term even more painful. Democrats have secured control of Congress in the Nov 3, midterm elections, delivering a major electoral setback to Republicans. Democratic sweep of Congress is a serious midterm rebuke to Trump and a major shift in the balance of power in Washington. A Democratic-controlled Congress is likely to launch investigations more..

Nov 5 (DN) Opposition political parties took centre stage last week as they grappled with their own internal issues but also challenged the govt, both regarding proposed crucial legislation and a motion of no confidence against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, although with very limited success. The motion of No Confidence against Speaker was submitted to Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera on Oct 9. However, the govt had noted that many of the claims made in more..

Nov 5 (ST) For centuries, Viharamahadevi has lived in chronicles and classrooms as a figure of duty, so brave she seems almost unreal. In The Ballet School of Colombo’s production of Devi: The Golden Voyage which will be staged at the Bishop’s College Auditorium from Nov 12 to 15 Nov, the dancers will portray the courageous girl who became the legendary Queen. The dancers chosen to carry her story have had to find that girl for themselves. Along the way, often to their own surprise, more..

Nov 5 (DN) A mid Colombo’s imposing buildings, glittering glass facades, luxury homes and people dressed in fine clothes, another world exists, largely out of sight. Near filthy drains and inside cramped homes, a community of workers labours by hand to keep those very clothes clean and presentable. They remove the stains from other people’s garments, while the stains of poverty remain deeply etched into their own lives. more..

Nov 5 (TM) This week, letters of appointment were handed to new directors at five major hospitals: the teaching hospitals in Kalubowila, Ragama, Batticaloa & Peradeniya, and the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. The news deserves a welcome. However, it also invites a question that those in authority have yet to answer convincingly. Why did it take so long? These are not minor postings. Lady Ridgeway is the national referral centre for sick children, while more..

Nov 5 (DM) This article is not meant to be yet another run-of-the-mill civil society protest over two bills: Protection of the State from Terrorism (PST), submitted to Parliament on Oct 6, and Prevention of Organised Crimes (POC), submitted on Oct 20. PST is intended to replace the existing draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and POC is presented as an Act to give effect to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. There is no gainsaying that SL needs more..

Nov 5 (TM) SL’s intensifying crackdown on narcotics, including the arrest and repatriation of alleged drug kingpins from Middle East, India, Indonesia, and other locations, spells out the growing challenge of dismantling transnational trafficking networks that exploit maritime routes, international ports, and gaps in law enforcement cooperation. Despite major drug seizures and enforcement operations, the flow of more..

Nov 5 (DM) Sri Lanka has spent decades building a garment industry that is now one of its biggest economic strengths. It has earned the confidence of leading clothing brands, created hundreds of thousands of jobs and brought in billions in foreign exchange. Yet manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to operate here. High operating costs, taxes, electricity bills and labour shortages are making Sri Lanka a less attractive manufacturing destination. more..

Nov 5 (TM) On Tuesday, the chamber that is meant to be the country’s foremost forum for reasoned argument descended into shouting, protest and, at one point, an attempt by Opposition MPs to seize the ceremonial Mace. Such scenes do no credit to anyone, and the Opposition must answer for its own conduct. Yet the more troubling question raised by Tuesday’s disorder is not who reached for the Mace. It is why a motion signed by 44 MPs, carrying 50 charges against the presiding officer of more..