Sep 4 (DM) SL may experience changes in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures in the coming months as El Niño conditions develop, Met Dept Director General Ajith Wijemanna said. Dept expects temperatures to increase during February, March and April 2027, while rainfall could remain below normal during this period. As a result, relatively dry weather conditions may prevail across several parts of the country. The impact of rising temperatures could also be felt more strongly during more..

Sep 4 (NW) SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa’s arrest by the Bribery Commission on Friday marks at least the fourth time he has been arrested since 2016, according to a review of previous reported arrests. Rajapaksa was arrested by the CIABOC on Sept 4, after being questioned for more than five hours. The investigation relates to an alleged bribery incident linked to a transaction involving the acquisition of wide-body aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. more..

Sep 4 (NW) Minister Bimal Rathnayake says the govt has proved that it is not anti-business, despite concerns and criticism expressed before the administration came to power. He said various claims had been made about the govt’s economic approach before it took office, including suggestions that it would be hostile towards the private sector and businesses. However, he said the situation had changed, with a large section more..

Sep 4 (NW) UNP has strongly condemned the arrest of SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, by the CIABOC. UNP said the arrest appears to be aimed at sabotaging a public rally organized by the SLPP, which is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on Sept 12, under the leadership of Namal Rajapaksa. Party also said it must be recognized that Namal Rajapaksa, as the SLPP’s National Organiser, has the same democratic right as NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to travel around more..

Sep 4 (DM) U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella and FMC Commissioner Robert J. Harvey will visit Sri Lanka September 6–10 to advance US-SL cooperation on maritime trade, investment, and the shipping networks connecting American businesses and consumers to markets across the Indo-Pacific. During her visit, Chairman DiBella and Commissioner Harvey will meet with senior SL govt and maritime leaders. Chairman DiBella more..

Sep 4 (TM) Kumar Sangakkara says that the controversial selection of wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella for the recently concluded two-Test series against India, was a decision made independently by the Kapila Wijegunawardene-led selection committee. "The selection committee is entirely an independent body,” Sangakkara, 48 told reporters, following his maiden interaction with the local press corps, since becoming a member more..

Sep 4 (NW) Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs has reviewed measures being taken by police to tackle cybercrime, illegal online gambling and financial fraud. The committee, chaired by Minister Ananda Wijepala, met in Parliament on Aug. 21, with officials outlining steps taken to block websites linked to illegal gambling and other unlawful activities. Officials said legal action has also been taken against foreign nationals allegedly more..

Sep 4 (NW) The Committee on Public Finance turned its attention to the 2027 budget estimates of the National Audit Office, holding detailed discussions on modernising audit processes, retaining skilled staff, and strengthening oversight of state institutions. With Chairman MP Harsha de Silva absent, the meeting was chaired by MP Ravi Karunanayake, appointed temporary chairman under standing orders. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Nishantha Jayawira, and more..

Sep 4 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government plans to introduce a new uniform for SL Police by the middle of 2027 as part of broader efforts to modernize the service. The President said discussions have already taken place with the IGP on changing the existing police uniform to better suit the requirements of a modern police service. He said the IGP has been instructed to engage a professional fashion design company to develop an appropriate new uniform. more..

Sep 4 (NW) SL’s sweeping anti‑corruption reforms were spotlighted on the opening day of the First Resumed Session of the 17th Implementation Review Group (IRG) at the UN Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. Delivering a keynote address, Justice Neil Iddawala, Chairman of the CIABOC, outlined the country’s transformative progress in legislative reform, digital transparency, and institutional strengthening. His remarks drew wide appreciation from int'l delegates, more..

Sep 4 (DM) Steps are underway to conduct searches for narcotics in schools across the country, with IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya calling on schools to seek police assistance, including sniffer dogs and officers, in the fight against drugs among schoolchildren. IGP particularly urged parents and teachers to remain vigilant regarding the activities and behaviour of children. He said a proposal has also been submitted to national committee more..

Sep 4 (Island) Police Headquarters has launched an investigation into allegations that three policemen attached to the Kohuwala Police are receiving money and other benefits from a Dubai-based underworld figure to facilitate drug trafficking in the area. The probe commenced on Wednesday (Sept. 2), following complaints submitted to the offices of the President, the Minister of Public Security, the Secretaries to the Ministries of Defence and Public Security, and the IGP. more..

Sep 4 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya will deliver the keynote address at a special session on Day 2 of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit (SLEIS) 2026 organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, titled Nation Building in the Digital Age, on 13 Oct at the Shangri-La Colombo. The session will examine how SL can use artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation and education to accelerate economic growth, improve productivity and build a knowledge-driven economy. more..

Sep 4 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for a national dialogue on constitutional reform, saying Sri Lanka should consider establishing a dedicated Constitutional Court or another specialised mechanism to review constitutional matters as part of long-term institutional reforms. Premadasa made the remarks following a meeting with Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association President Steven Thiru more..

Sep 4 (NW) Construction of the Kotaleeya Bridge in Polonnaruwa is rapidly progressing, with authorities planning to complete the project by April next year. The bridge, located on the Maradankadawala–Habarana–Trincomalee main road at point 82/3 within the Dimbulagala Divisional Secretariat area, is being rebuilt as a concrete structure 13.4 meters wide and 60 meters long. The decision was taken due to safety concerns, with the project costing Rs. 251 million. more..

Sep 4 (AD) Former Minister Johnston Fernando, who was arrested by the CIABOC, has been produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Johnston Fernando was arrested by CIABOC today in connection with an ongoing investigation. The former Minister had earlier arrived at the Bribery Commission to provide a statement. He was arrested over allegations that he caused a loss of approximately Rs. 7.9 million to the govt. According to the allegations, Fernando removed more..

Sep 4 (NW) Supreme Court has concluded hearings on petitions filed against the Govt’s proposed Anti‑Corruption Amendment Bill, announcing that its confidential determination on the constitutionality of the draft law will be forwarded to the Speaker of Parliament and the Prez. A total of 15 petitions were lodged challenging the Bill, which were examined over two days before a three‑judge bench comprising Justices Shiran Gunaratne, Mahinda Samayawardhena, and Sampath Wijeratne. more..

Sep 4 (Island) Communist Party of SL (CPSL) has strongly objected to the Ministry of Defence’s statement on 1 September that Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha has invited the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to engage and cooperate with Sri Lanka. CPSL General Secretary Dr. G. Weerasinghe has issued the following statement: “According to the Ministry’s official press release, Thuyacontha held discussions with senior NATO officials, including Admiral Guiseppe more..

Sep 4 (Island) ITAK General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran has condemned the actions of police during a recent confrontation with families of the forcibly disappeared in Jaffna, as well as the conduct of govt ministers who were present during the incident. Sumanthiran, said they strongly condemned the brutal ways in which police had manhandled relatives and mothers of forcibly disappeared persons at Jaffna DS. more..

Sep 4 (DM) The first coal shipment for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant in the second quarter of this year has arrived at Puttalam, with unloading expected to commence this afternoon. The coal carrier IVS TRADER has arrived in Puttalam, and quality inspections involving the relevant institutions are expected to be completed expeditiously before unloading begins. Minister Anura Karunathilaka visited the Lakvijaya Power Plant this morning to assess the current more..

Sep 4 (NW) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has been arrested by the CIABOC over allegations that he accepted Rs. 100 million in bribes linked to an aircraft procurement deal involving SriLankan Airlines. CIABOC said Rajapaksa was arrested by its investigating officers at around 2:09 p.m. on Friday. The investigation relates to funds allegedly paid as bribes in connection with the purchase of aircraft for SriLankan Airlines. CIABOC alleges that €1,454,651.24 had been received as a bribe more..

Sep 4 (AD) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has been arrested by the CIABOC. He arrived at the Bribery Commission this morning to record a statement and was taken into custody following several hours of questioning. Allegations had previously been levelled against former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, over the alleged acceptance of a USD 2 million bribe more..

Sep 4 (NW) Sri Lanka imported 316,000 vehicles during the first six months of 2026, generating Rs. 512.55 billion in tax revenue, according to figures presented by SL Customs to Parliament’s Committee on Ways and Means. Of the total tax revenue generated through vehicle imports, motor vehicle imports accounted for Rs. 386.73 billion, the largest share of the collection. Petrol-powered cars with engine capacities below 1,000cc emerged as the highest Customs revenue-generating more..

Sep 4 (AD) SL Navy confirmed that the remains suspected to be of the officer who had been reported missing, following the maritime incident involving Fast Attack Craft P 4447 on 15 August, were recovered from the vessel by naval divers this morning. According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the recovery operation was conducted when prevailing sea and underwater conditions permitted specialized diving operations to be carried out safely. The craft was located at a depth of approx 80 feet, more..

Sep 4 (FT) When the term El Niño appears in the news, it is generally associated with weather, rainfall and temperature. But for Sri Lanka, an exceptionally strong El Niño can have consequences far beyond meteorology. Its effects can extend through agriculture and food prices to business costs, trade, electricity, water resources, inflation, Govt revenue, public expenditure and household purchasing power. For this reason, El Niño should more..

Sep 4 (FT) Sri Lanka can be an over $200 billion economy by 2029. The math works. We crossed $ 100 billion in 2025 after crashing to $ 74 billion in 2022. History shows $ 100 billion is a tipping point — exports, tourism and FDI accelerate exponentially after it. But here's the hard truth: No country brands itself to $ 200 billion on slogans alone. It brands itself on trust, and right now, our share of voice globally is not about growth. It is about scandals. more..

Sep 4 (AD) An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team will visit Sri Lanka from September 10 to 23 to hold discussions with govt authorities on the combined Seventh Review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme and the 2026 Article IV Consultation. The mission will be led by Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for SL, and will assess the country’s progress under the IMF-supported economic reform programme more..

Sep 4 (TM) Govt has ruled out power cuts despite a decline in coal stocks at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai, assuring the public that sufficient hydropower generation is currently available to maintain an uninterrupted electricity supply. Minister Anura Karunathilaka said reduced coal stocks had prompted authorities to limit coal-fired generation at the plant, but stressed that the situation had not affected the overall electricity supply. Two coal shipments are expected to arrive more..

Sep 4 (EN) SL govt’s bilateral and multilateral loans increased in the first six months of this year while commercial debts fell. Bilateral loans led by China rose 1.1% or US$ 119 mil to US$ 10,797 million by the end of June, compared to US$ 10,678 at the end of last year, the data showed. Multilateral loans also increased by 3.4% or US$ 488 million in the first half to US$ 14,802 million. Govt’s commercial debts, however, fell 2.1% or US$262 mil in the first half of this year to US$12,409 mil. more..

Sep 4 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said that his Govt would not hesitate to introduce Constitutional amendments it considers necessary to combat drug trafficking and crime and build a more peaceful country. Speaking at an event marking the 160th anniversary of the SL Police, the Prez said the Govt had taken steps to strengthen the process of bringing suspects to justice but acknowledged delays between more..

Sep 4 (TM) Bhutan has expressed interest in drawing on Sri Lanka’s experience and expertise to support its future development priorities, during a meeting between PM Dr Harini Amarasuriya and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu on Wednesday (2). PM had an audience with the King at the Tashichhodzong during her official visit to Bhutan. Discussions focused on Bhutan’s development priorities and opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries. more..

Sep 4 (TM) Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said that some national school teacher transfer orders are being held back due to practical reasons. Kaluwewa said that around 2,000 transfers had been issued last year, of which, 24 were held back due to practical reasons. He said that some of the reasons given by principals involved practical issues which had to be considered by the Ministry. He said that there are also several opportunities for teachers to appeal against transfer decisions more..