Sep 9 (NW) SLPP’s Milinda Rajapaksa, representing a civil society organisation, has raised concerns over what he described as growing threats to individual liberty, the rule of law and institutional checks and balances in Sri Lanka during an intervention at the UNHRC. Addressing the Council, Rajapaksa alleged that political victimisation and selective prosecution were evident through arrests of opposition figures, citing the recent arrest of SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa. more..

Sep 9 (AD) Govt has approved the payment of more than Rs. 4.5 billion in outstanding statutory dues to over 10,000 current and retired employees of three state-owned plantation institutions. The payments, which have remained outstanding for more than 20 years, will be made to employees and former employees of the SL State Plantations Corporation, Janatha Estate Development Board and Elkaduwa Plantations Company, institutions under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. more..

Sep 9 (AD) Sri Lanka and India have signed three MoUs covering air-defence capability, military education and youth cooperation, further strengthening defence and strategic ties between the two countries. The agreements were signed following talks between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and visiting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Colombo, with maritime security & regional stability emerging as key areas more..

Sep 9 (AD) Alleged underworld figure Ranjith Kumara, alias Konda Ranji, who was deported from Dubai to SL, has been taken to the Western Province North Crime Division in Peliyagoda for further investigations. Kumara was initially arrested by the CID shortly after arriving at BIA at around 7.50 a.m. today. Following his arrest, he was handed over to the Western Province North Crime Division, where further investigations are being conducted into his alleged involvement in organised more..

Sep 9 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Colombo today during the latter’s official visit to SL, with discussions centering on strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two countries. The meeting highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and people‑to‑people ties between SL and India. Premadasa underscored the importance of maintaining close, constructive, and continuous engagement, noting that more..

Sep 9 (NW) SLC Chairman of Selectors Kapila Wijeygunawardena says the selection committee is working towards building a settled squad for the next World Cup, while defending several recent changes involving captaincy, senior players and emerging cricketers. Wijeygunawardena said Charith Asalanka was appointed vice-captain for the England white-ball tour after returning to both ODI and T20I squads, citing his seniority more..

Sep 9 (NW) Underweight bread has been detected at 54 establishments during a special islandwide inspection programme conducted by Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). The CAA said 118 establishments, including retail outlets and bakeries, were inspected from Sept 1 to 3 as part of efforts to ensure consumers receive bread at the prescribed weight. Underweight bread was detected at 54 establishments where clear weight information was available. more..

Sep 9 (NW) Police have arrested the alleged mastermind and driver behind the Rs. 800 million robbery at a tourism and foreign employment agency in Thalawathugoda, where masked men stormed the premises, forced employees to kneel, and escaped with cash and gold jewellery. It is reported that the suspect was apprehended in Mulleriyawa during a raid by the Western Province Southern Crime Division. Officers recovered Rs. 15.5 million from the stolen money, the vehicle used in the crime, more..

Sep 9 (NW) Sri Lanka is taking part in the 11th Belt and Road Summit 2026 in Hong Kong, with Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe representing the country at the high‑level state diplomatic and commercial conference. The summit, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Govt of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, began today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and will continue until September 10. more..

Sep 9 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya met with Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence of India, at Parliament today, during his visit to Sri Lanka. During the meeting, PM expressed appreciation for the continued support extended by the Govt of India to SL, particularly during times of national difficulty. She conveyed her gratitude for India’s assistance following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and welcomed the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu by the Govt of India as part of its more..

Sep 9 (NW) Importers affected by the continuing dispute over vehicles brought into SL through cross-border LCs have called for a fair and timely resolution, saying nearly 1,000 vehicles have remained uncleared at ports for more than a year. Thabith Naja of Providence Auto said the prolonged detention of the vehicles was resulting in mounting demurrage, storage, financing and depreciation costs while also delaying the collection of more..

Sep 9 (DM) Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake said that controversial businessman Nimal Perera, whose evidence was cited in the arrest of MP Namal Rajapaksa, should also be arrested. “CIABOC should know that giving a bribe is also an offence,” he said. Dassanayake alleged that Perera had fled the country after being involved in several scams in SL. He also said the arrest of Namal Rajapaksa would make the SLPP rally in A'pura a resounding success. more..

Sep 9 (EN) As global shipping navigates complex geopolitical shifts and choke-point vulnerabilities, SL officially launched the 8th edition of the Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference (CIMC), focusing on pushing the island nation’s shipping business. The 3-day conference brings together over 500 delegates, regional policymakers, global port operators, and shipping titans to reshape the future of Indian Ocean trade. Centered on the theme Building a world around us, more..

Sep 9 (ST) In one of the most significant coordinated maritime drug-busting operations in the region, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and US anti-narcotics authorities joined forces last week to disrupt a major international drug trafficking network. The operation resulted in the seizure of 471 kg of high purity crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, with an estimated street value of more than Rs. seven billion (approx. USD 21 m). more..

Sep 9 (NW) Vipul Misra has been appointed Acting CEO of SriLankan Airlines with effect from Sept. 9, the national carrier announced. Misra brings more than two decades of experience in aircraft engineering and aviation leadership, having worked with several major commercial airlines, including Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines and Air Deccan. SriLankan Airlines said his experience across legacy, full-service and low-cost carriers is expected to provide more..

Sep 9 (Island) Supreme Court has determined that three clauses of the Bill, titled the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of SL, are inconsistent with the Constitution, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told Parliament. The determination was made in response to a constitutional challenge under Article 121(1). Court held that Clause 3(1) is vague and inconsistent with Articles 12(1) and 14(1)(g) of the Constitution. It can therefore be passed only with the special majority required more..

Sep 9 (EN) Continued engagement and cooperation between the business communities of Sri Lanka and Canada is important, High Commissioner of Canada Isabelle Martin has said. She was speaking at the annual general meeting of the SL–Canada Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. A presentation examined the evolving global economic landscape and highlighted potential opportunities for enhanced bilateral trade, investment and business cooperation more..

Sep 9 (AD) SL has provided USD 1 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the Bhote Koshi River floods on Aug 26, which caused significant loss of life and widespread damage in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and several other districts. In fulfilment of the commitment made by the Govt of SL, under the direction of Prez Anura Kumara Disanayaka, to extend support to Nepal, Ambassador of SL Ruwanthi Delpitiya today handed over a financial contribution of USD 1 mil to more..

Sep 9 (NW) The CIABOC has announced that administrative penalties will be imposed on individuals who submitted their Declaration of Assets and Liabilities after the prescribed deadline of 30 June 2026 but on or before 31 Aug 2026. Commission stated that penalties will be levied under Section 90 of the Anti‑Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, based on the number of days the submission was delayed. more..

Sep 9 (NW) A court assistant has been remanded until Sept 22 over allegations that he accepted a Rs. 750,000 bribe from wife of former deputy minister Sarana Gunawardena, promising to secure a reduced sentence for her husband in an ongoing bribery case. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama issued the order after considering facts presented by CIABOC. Suspect, identified as G.A. Charith Kumara, was arrested following an investigation launched into a complaint more..

Sep 9 (PMD) State Literary Awards Ceremony 2026, which honours distinguished literary personalities who have enriched SL’s literary sphere through their outstanding literary creations, was held this afternoon (8) at the BMICH under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 67th State Literary Awards Ceremony was organised jointly by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Arts Council of SL and Advisory Board of Literature. more..

Sep 9 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh at the Presidential Secretariat this morning, during the Indian Defence Minister’s official visit to Sri Lanka. Indian Defence Minister is visiting Sri Lanka with the aim of further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. It is also noteworthy that this is the first official visit to SL by an Indian Defence Minister in 38 years. more..

Sep 9 (Island) Senior DIG and one-time police spokesman Ajith Rohana will retire on 11 Sept after serving the Police Department for 38 years. A farewell police guard of honour was held yesterday at the Welegedara Stadium in Kurunegala. Ajith Rohana is the youngest officer ever appointed as a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree and is an Attorney-at-Law. Born in Kosgama, Avissawella, He is an alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo. more..

Sep 9 (AD) Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill was passed in Parliament today. The debate on the second reading of the Bill was held in Parliament from 11 am to 5 pm today, following which the Bill was passed without a division. Draft bill, prepared under the instructions of Minister of Defence, was published in the Govt Gazette on May 15. Bill was presented to Parliament for its first reading on Aug 4, 2025. Bill has been introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009. more..

Sep 9 (FT) Whilst appreciating and endorsing Prof. Asoka Seneviratne’s thoughts on transforming the SL economy and ideas for the Govt to consider in formulating the next budget, I would like to focus on some practical issues that this entails, as well as elaborate on some proposals that have already been implemented, constrains faced and what changes are required. If Budget 2027 embraces those three national missions espoused in Prof. Asoka’s article: raising productivity, mobilising investment, more..

Sep 9 (FT) The ports and shipping industry was delighted to learn that the Port of Colombo (POC) has entered the elite ranks of the world’s Top 20 container ports. This is a historic achievement that all stakeholders in the maritime sector should celebrate with pride. This milestone did not occur by chance. It is the result of port reforms initiated in 1996, followed by decades of investment in capacity enhancement, infrastructure development, and operational modernisation. more..

Sep 9 (AD) Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh who arrived in SL yesterday is scheduled to call on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake for high-level talks. The meeting is scheduled to take place this morning at the Presidential Secretariat. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in SL last afternoon on a three-day official visit. He was received at the BIA by Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara and Indian HC to SL more..

Sep 9 (NW) India will always stand firmly with Sri Lanka whenever the country faces a crisis, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said as he began his maiden visit to Sri Lanka. Addressing the Indian community in Colombo on Sept. 8, Singh said India and Sri Lanka share close cultural and civilisational ties that have provided a strong foundation for the bilateral relationship. “India will always stand firmly with Sri Lanka whenever the island nation faces a crisis,” Singh said, more..

Sep 9 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers has approved the implementation of a $ 100 million concessional loan program supported by the ADB to strengthen social protection, livelihoods and inclusive economic opportunities for vulnerable communities. Macro-Recovery Sector Development Program to Promote Resilience and Inclusive Economic Opportunities is scheduled to be implemented from Nov 2026 to Oct 2031 in Kegalle, Matale, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Batticaloa & Nuwara Eliya. more..

Sep 9 (TM) Govt is set to launch several major expressway projects before the end of the year while moving to tackle massive backlogs in vehicle number plates and driving licences, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said. Among the projects expected to commence in Nov or Dec are sections of the Kurunegala–Dambulla Expressway and Ruwanpura Expressway, while plans are also being prepared for new expressway links from more..

Sep 9 (Island) Remanded SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday accused the govt of misleading the public with unfulfilled promises and urged it to focus on reducing the cost of living and easing the economic hardships faced by the people. Addressing Parliament after being brought from remand custody, Rajapaksa said the govt had come to power promising to address the problems of farmers and ensure a reasonable price for paddy, but had failed to deliver on those pledges. more..

Sep 9 (Island) Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Colombo on a three-day official visit, the first by an Indian Defence Minister since the 1988 visit by K.C. Pant, during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as the PM. The Indian Defence Ministry declared that the visit would further strengthen the traditionally strong and friendly bilateral relations in mutually beneficial areas, including a strong maritime and defence partnership. The visit takes place in the wake of SL and India signing seven MoUs, more..