Aug 28 (Island) Police are investigating alleged links between suspected major drug trafficker Shiran Basik and a number of prominent politicians, with eight of them due to be arrested and questioned as investigators widen their probe into his financial dealings and network of associates, police headquarters. Among those set to face questioning include a sitting MP, four former ministers, and at least one of them is a female. more..

Aug 28 (TM) Cultural Affairs Ministry and the Trade and Commerce Ministry are seeking international best practices that could be adopted in SL, amid discussions to establish a collective management organisation (CMO) – a non-profit entity that manages copyright and related rights on behalf of creators such as writers, musicians, and artists – for singers. This comes as there is currently no central mechanism in SL to collect royalties for singers and performers. more..

Aug 28 (ST) More than Rs. 60 billion released for rehabilitation and reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah remained unspent by the end of July, raising questions over the pace at which disaster-hit families are receiving assistance even as the Govt moves to expedite the disbursement of funds. National Disaster Relief Services Centre had released Rs. 86.7 billion between January and July for compensation and infrastructure development in areas affected by floods more..

Aug 28 (Island) Police Headquarters has launched a special investigation into allegations that three police officers, including two attached to the Panadura Walana Central Anti-Corruption Unit, have been involved in planting narcotics on innocent people and falsely implicating them in drug-related cases. The investigation was initiated following a complaint received by Police HQ in connection with a raid conducted on Wednesday (26). more..

Aug 28 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently in Kandy to participate in the events of the annual Esala Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa, called on the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros and Anunayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters this afternoon (27) and received their blessings. Prez first visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, where he paid his respects to the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thero and more..

Aug 28 (NW) The CIABOC has arrested a police inspector and a police constable over an alleged demand and acceptance of a Rs. 20,000 bribe. The suspects were identified as Police Inspector Balasubramaniam Pragalathan and Police Constable Hasan Maulana Athuhar, both attached to the Sainthamaruthu Police Station. According to CIABOC, the officers allegedly sought the money in connection with a suspect arrested for possessing ice, a form of methamphetamine. more..

Aug 28 (DM) The Coral Conservation Centre and Laboratory being established in Nilaveli is expected to be developed into a Coral Museum and Research Centre, providing opportunities for university students, researchers and the general public to study Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems. Construction of the facility is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, following which its activities are expected to expand beyond coral conservation and restoration. more..

Aug 28 (Island) Rooftop solar power systems with a generation capacity exceeding 300 kilowatts will be temporarily switched off until Aug 30 due to lower electricity demand during the holiday period, National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd (NSOL) said. Rooftop solar systems with capacities above 300 kW have been requested to suspend generation daily from 8 am to 3 pm from Aug 27 to Aug 30. Temporary measure has been introduced as electricity demand is expected to remain low more..

Aug 28 (TM) Although the Bar Association of SL (BASL) has informed the Supreme Court (SC) that the proposed extension of sitting judges’ tenure could fall within the scope of the Anti-Corruption Act (ACA), the Association is yet to decide whether to lodge a complaint with the CIABOC, it is learnt. When queried as to whether the BASL would consider lodging a complaint with CIABOC against the Govt’s move, more..

Aug 28 (NW) The final Randoli Perahera of the annual Esala Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy proceeded through the streets tonight (27), with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake joining thousands of devotees and spectators to witness the procession. ‎Ministers Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, K.D. Lalkantha, Central Province Governor Dr. Harsha Suranga, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Sampath Thuyacontha and IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya were among more..

Aug 28 (NW) Sri Lanka will provide US$1 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal following devastating floods and landslides that have caused deaths, displacement and widespread destruction. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Prez Anura Kumara Disanayaka has directed the govt to make the financial contribution to support Nepal’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts. Prez Disanayaka expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives and suffering caused by the disaster and more..

Aug 28 (Island) For as long as we can remember, flying to Sri Lanka has meant relying on a handful of options — SriLankan Airlines direct services, useful but limited in schedule and market coverage, or a stop in Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi. That is beginning to change, and this winter season marks one of the more significant shifts in our aviation connectivity. A wave of carriers is launching direct services into Colombo and it is worth taking stock of what that means for the industry more..

Aug 28 (Island) Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant in Thalaiyadi has delivered a crucial operational boost to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, securing a reliable supply of purified, low-calcium water for critical medical care and specialized equipment. Speaking during a site briefing with ADB officials headed by Country Director Shannon Cowlin, National Water Supply and Drainage Board engineers, and more..

Aug 28 (DM) SL continues to bleed millions in public funds to sustain defunct state enterprises, driven by severe bureaucratic inertia that has stalled formal winding-up procedures, Auditor General has revealed. Despite a binding Cabinet directive issued on Sept 3, 2025, explicitly instructing the Ministry of Industry & Entrepreneurship Development to appoint liquidators for inactive state-owned institutions, no substantive action more..

Aug 28 (EN) Foreign investors bought a net 8,297 million rupees (US$25.5 million) worth of Sri Lanka rupee bonds in the week ended on Aug 21, CB data showed, amid a firmer rupee currency. The latest buying boosted the foreign buying in the government securities to 81.2 billion (US$246.3 million) in the 10 straight weeks since June 19. The inflows boosted foreign holding to 202.5 billion rupees, the highest figure the Central Bank has published in its Weekly Economic Indicators. more..

Aug 28 (DN) Sonal Dinusha became only the third batter in Test history to score centuries in both innings of a match after his team was forced to follow on. Dinusha joined India’s Vijay Hazare, who achieved the feat against Australia in Adelaide in 1948, and Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, who did so against South Africa in Harare in 2001. 25-year-old left-hander also became only the eighth SL batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test. He followed his first-innings 103 with an unbeaten 133 more..

Aug 28 (CI) A third hundred in four innings from the unstoppable Sonal Dinusha led SL to an epic draw in the second Test at SSC, with the lower order supporting him doggedly through a fifth day of intense toil for India's bowlers. By the time the teams shook hands, SL had made India bowl 243.4 overs across back-to-back innings, having enforced the follow-on. Dinusha had batted for a combined 426 balls, following up his first-innings 103 with more..

Aug 28 (TM) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that although an expansion of the Jaffna Int'l Airport at Palaly is necessary, the extent of land required for the expansion has not yet been decided. CAA Director – Air Navigation Services Thilina Sri Warnasinghe said that the airport currently had only basic approaches and the facilities required for aircraft, and that any expansion beyond this would require land acquisition. “Definitely, there is no question about it. more..

Aug 28 (TM) Port of Colombo has ranked in the Top 20 among the world’s major container ports, rising from the 26 position, to boost Sri Lanka’s maritime ambitions, according to the recent figures by Research Tool Alphaliner, cited by the SLPA. The port topped, handling 4.44 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during the first half of 2026, container volumes increased by 11.9%, compared with the same period in 2025, which was around 3.97 million TEUs, according to SLPA figures. more..

Aug 28 (CI) With only four lbws and two bowled dismissals to the spinners in the entire Test, India felt handicapped as they raced against time and weather to try to register a 2-0 clean sweep in SL. They had to eventually live with a 1-0 series win even after they risked enforcing a follow-on, a decision India's captain Shubman Gill doesn't regret because when they did make the call, they had no idea they would get uninterrupted play on the final day of a series that has been consistently more..

Aug 28 (GV) On Aug 30, the Int'l Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances provides an opportunity to remember those who went missing, the families who have spent decades searching for their loved ones, and to ask what must happen now to establish the truth of what happened to them and to hold accountable those who were responsible for their disappearances. This year, UN also marks the 20th anniversary of the Int'l Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, more..

Aug 28 (CI) Late on day five, Sonal Dinusha is cramping. Team-mates and support staff are out with him every few overs. His hamstrings are packing up. His calves and feet are knackered. His back needs to be rubbed by the physio often. In between balls, at the non-striker's end, Dinusha kneels sometimes, leans on his bat for support at others, and in between overs sometimes sits down. Occasionally, an India player will say a word more..

Aug 28 (CI) A statistical review of the Colombo Test and the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and India. 4: Instances of SL saving a Test match after following on, including the Colombo Test against India, out of 28 occasions. The previous instance was against West Indies in 2010 at Galle, after which they lost on all ten occasions while following on, until this week. The Colombo Test was the ninth time India enforced the follow-on against SL, but the first time they failed to force a win. more..

Aug 28 (CT) Sri Lanka may be facing another major natural challenge. Unlike many disasters, however, the warning signs are already visible, giving the country an opportunity to prepare before the situation becomes critical. A recent discussion with two of SL’s most experienced meteorologists highlighted concerns about the developing El Niño phenomenon and its potential consequences for the country. While no scientist can predict with certainty exactly how El Niño will evolve, more..

Nov 28 (TM) The recent suggestion by Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage to consider raising the minimum age for 3-wheeler drivers to 40 years has exposed a deeply-felt need in the transport sector. The proposal was framed as an effort to guide young school leavers towards technical training rather than immediate entry into commercial driving. Although Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa subsequently clarified that no such proposal has been officially considered or approved by more..

Aug 28 (DM) SL Tamils who fled to Tamil Nadu during the height of the armed conflict have been living in isolated conditions for many years. In May 2025, a 75-year-old Tamil refugee was arrested as he returned to the island at Palaly airport, despite being recognised by the UNHCR and obtaining all necessary clearance. This incident raised concerns regarding SL’s sensitivity towards the refugee repatriation process. The issue of repatriating Tamil refugees has been brought to the attention more..

Aug 28 (TM) Several recent accidents involving jet skis and pleasure watercraft have raised concerns over who is responsible for regulating their operation and assuring the safety of those who use them. The usage of jet skis and other pleasure watercraft for tourism and recreation in Sri Lanka has increased significantly over the years. While SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) requires tourism service providers to more..

Aug 28 (DM) National newspapers printed many full-page articles about her when she passed away on Aug 20. Electronic media aired numerous programmes highlighting her voice, talent, and artistic excellence. They also focused on the courage she showed by using her music to fight social injustice. Together, these stories are a clear testimony to the love and respect people had for legendary SL singer Nanda Malini. However, not all those who listened to her songs celebrated more..

Aug 28 (TM) One of the most uncompromising voices in art, Chandraguptha Thenuwara, returns each July with a harshly inward look at society. In 2026, he used the biblical story of the prostitute who is to be stoned to death. Criminalisation based on sexual orientation is a violation of human rights and he reminds Sri Lanka that social stigma creates barriers, discrimination begets violence, and colonial-era laws remain ingrained in a country that calls itself independent. more..

Aug 28 (SO) For thousands of grade five students, the moment they walk out of examination centres mark the end of months of preparation, anxiety and anticipation. Yet for some, however, the exam did not quite end at the school gate. Digital and electronic media crews outside several exam centers recorded children as they left the centers asking their opinion about the exam, the question paper, how they feel, anticipated marks and more..

Aug 28 (CT) Everybody knows but nobody speaks of the real reason for the backlogs of court cases in Sri Lanka. I put this whole affair in a nutshell and put it as a comment in many videos of youtubers dealing with BASL matters. But often it gets deleted. I do not know why. Here is that comment. “I have a question to ask from the BASL Why don’t you issue a receipt for the fees you charge the clients? Having no records of income can be a way of money laundering; ask any Dealdasa. more..

Aug 28 (Island) Sri Lanka boasts a hydraulic heritage dating back more than two millennia and has a long history of harnessing water for agriculture and human settlement, but its urban water bodies are struggling with pollution. It has tamed rivers and built huge reservoirs since Independence, but lakes and canals in its urban centres have become watery versions of the Augean Stables, demanding a Herculean effort to restore them. No govt has proved equal to the task. more..