Aug 20 (FT) Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to diversify overseas employment opportunities and attract greater foreign investment, with Deputy Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando leading high-level talks in Singapore last week. Prof. Fernando, who visited Singapore from 11 to 13 August to attend the Invest SL Investor Forum, met with Singaporean Minister of State at Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash and Minister of State for Trade and more..

Aug 20 (PMD) A pre-budget meeting for the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs for the year 2026 was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat, presided over by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During the meeting, the progress of projects implemented by various institutions under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, including the Women’s Bureau of SL, National Committee on Women, the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, Dept of Probation and more..

Aug 20 (LeN) It seems that Susil Premajayantha, the former Minister of Education, was not idle during the last prez election season. Instead, he authorised one of the most extraordinary procurement scandals in recent memory: the hurried purchase of 1,000 smart boards at a staggering cost of Rs. 1.49 billion — boards which today lie unused, gathering dust in storage facilities. According to the latest audit report issued by more..

Aug 20 (AFP) SL’s suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) this week was due to procedural challenges in updating its sports legislation, the country’s anti-doping authority said on Wednesday. SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) confirmed that amendments to align the nation’s laws with international standards are already before parliament and are expected to be passed in the coming weeks. “These are procedural challenges. We will get this done in next couple of weeks” more..

Aug 20 (SM) Chief Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya – Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thera, has strongly criticized the newly formed Sihela Gautama Sri Sambuddha Nikaya, founded by expelled monks previously associated with Malwathu Chapter. Describing the organization as a threat to the Buddha Sasana, Ven. Sumangala Thera has urged the public not to support it, warning that it opposes traditional Buddhist teachings. more..

Aug 20 (FT) The largest private investor in the CSE Lynear Wealth Management Managing Director Dr. Naveen Gunawardane recently said SL’s equity market is entering a period of structural change as Govt reforms take hold and macroeconomic conditions stabilise. “Sri Lanka has recently gone through a couple of structural reforms, which are going to make the macro environment very different from what we’ve seen more..

Aug 20 (DM) Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeevani Pathirana imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on the owner of Shasha Ceylon Food Pvt. Ltd, operating along the Port City, for selling bottled water priced at Rs. 70 for Rs. 200. The case was investigated following information received by the Consumer Affairs Authority from its main office’s investigation unit. The investigating officers informed court that the suspect had been arrested during the raid. The officers further stated that more..

Aug 20 (DN) The Colombo High Court has scheduled a pre-trial conference on September 7 in the bribery case against former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and former BOI Director General Jayantha Edirisinghe. The case, filed by the CIABOC, alleges that the two officials caused a financial loss of over Rs. 1.7 million to the govt by using BOI funds to publish newspaper supplements in 11 newspapers, including Mawbima, Ceylon Today, Lankadeepa, Rivira, on Nov19, 2014. more..

Aug 20 (CT) Kadawathrembewa Vidyalaya, which provided free education to the children of several villages, including Kadawathrambewa, Lunupahicchawa, and Paranahalmilalewa for 61 years, was closed down by the then authorities two years ago. “The education authorities and former govts have been blatantly undermining free education in the country and privatising education,” it was claimed. This school, which began on 1 March 1962, was closed to the children of these more..

Aug 20 (SM) The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has directed Wish Broadcasting to pay Rs.80 million in taxes, reports say. It’s said to own the frequencies for the recently shut down Monara TV as well as for Sitha FM, Red FM, Tamil FM, and CRI. Wish Broadcasting, currently owned by Subaskaran Allirajah, is reportedly gradually withdrawing from operations in Sri Lanka, creating uncertainty for the relevant media outlets as well as the Swarnavahini TV station. more..

Aug 20 (TM) The movie Rhythm of the Guitar: Clarence pays homage to a most beloved figure of SL’s musical history in cinematic form, and has taken the country by storm. Directed by the late Theja Iddamalgoda, it serves as a tribute to SL pop music sensation of the 1960s, Clarence Wijewardena, and is bound up with elements of his life and career along with a collection of his most famous musical tracks. more..

Aug 20 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tea production in July 2025 registered a drop, though cumulative output for the year remains ahead of the past two years, underscoring mixed fortunes for the country’s top agricultural export. Data analysed by Forbes & Walker, production in July stood at 21.36 million kg, down 1.83 million kilos from 23.19 million kilos in July 2024. All elevations, except the Low Grown, which registered a marginal 1.11% YoY increase, recorded declines compared to last year. more..

Aug 20 (EN) A partnership between the SL Export Development Board (EDB) and the Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA) established last year to strengthen the local ICT/BPM sector within the Japanese market has been extended. The program supports 30 SL SME ICT/BPM companies and startups over a period of two years by providing market intelligence, business coaching, and matchmaking services. It “aims to foster technological exchange, spur innovation, more..

Aug 20 (Island) Center for Human Rights & Research (CHR) SL, in a statement issued recently has alleged that NPP govt excessively printed money in violation of the agreement reached with the IMF. Executive Director, CHR, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that printing of money, declining foreign reserves, and rising domestic debt could pose a significant challenge to achieving year’s economic development targets, more..

Aug 20 (ICC) England have confirmed a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in the lead up to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The tour begins with three ODIs starting Jan 22, followed by a three-match T20I series from Jan 30. Serving as vital preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and SL, the series will provide England with valuable experience in subcontinental conditions ahead of their tussle for a third T20 World Cup crown, having won the tournament in 2009 and 2022. more..

Aug 20 (NW) A young lawyer has been reprimanded after attempting to make a video call on behalf of his foreign national client in court custody, appearing before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today. The Negombo Magistrate issued a stern warning to the lawyer and released him, while also issuing an order prohibiting him from appearing in that particular case or attending court during its proceedings in the future. This incident occurred in Courtroom No. 02 of the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, during more..

Aug 20 (FT) The SL–Maldives Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has concluded its 17th AGM, with High Commissioner of Maldives Masood Imad, attending as the Chief Guest. SL High Commissioner Designate to Maldives M.R. Hassen and John Keells Holdings Leisure Group President Suresh Rajendra were welcomed as a special guest and guest speaker respectively. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd., Head of Commercial Real Estate Finance for SL more..

Aug 20 (FT) The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said that it warmly welcomed the UK Govt’s announcement of liberalised rules of origin under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which will come into effect in early 2026. The reforms will allow SL manufacturers to source up to 100% of inputs for garments from any country worldwide while continuing to enjoy tariff-free access to the UK market. “This represents a significant upgrade to existing trade arrangements, more..

Aug 20 (TM) Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure stated that while it is seeking to reach an agreement with estate employers to raise the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs 1,700, they will seek the President’s intervention if the negotiations fail. Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep said that discussions are currently underway with estate companies, estate owners’ associations, and Ministry of Labour more..

Aug 20 (FT) LAUGFS Holdings, celebrates a momentous milestone, 30 years of visionary leadership, strategic growth, and impactful transformation across Sri Lanka and beyond. Since its establishment in 1995 as Gas Auto Lanka, LAUGFS has evolved into one of SL’s most respected, powerful and diversified conglomerates, making its mark across power and energy, retail, leisure, manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, engineering, trading and more. more..

Aug 20 (NW) MP Archchuna Ramanathan has proposed implementing fingerprint-based attendance for MPs, citing poor session attendance among some members. “Fingerprint is necessary, but let’s start with the parliament. Look at how many MPs are present here today. We take a total salary of 350,000 rupees. Some MPs have only attended 25 out 66 sessions,” Ramanathan said, stating that millions are being spent to conduct parliament sessions, which certain MPs have not attended. more..

Aug 20 (AD) Former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon has been arrested by the CID. The former police chief has been arrested by a team of CID officers at his residence. He has reportedly been arrested in connection with investigations into the attack carried out on Aragalaya protest movement on May 9, 2022, at the Galle Face Green in Colombo. Earlier today, Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court rejected an anticipatory bail more..

aug 20 (AD) Lanka Salt Limited has announced a reduction in the prices of its iodized salt products. Chairman of the company, Nandana Thilaka made this statement today. According to the announcement, the price of a 400-gram packet of iodized salt powder has been reduced by Rs. 20, while the price of a 1-kg packet has been lowered by Rs. 30. Accordingly, from next week, a 400g packet of salt powder will be sold at Rs. 100, a 1kg packet of salt powder at Rs. 200, and more..

aug 20 (DM) Former President Maithripala Sirisena today claimed that Sri Lanka is powerless to confront the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, despite the individual being well known to governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies. Sirisena said authorities are still scrambling to identify the mastermind, but insisted the truth cannot be revealed to the public. “I’ve told the CID everything about how it all went down. But none of it can be disclosed. more..

Aug 20 (FT) Postal workers in Sri Lanka are one segment of public servants who have been at the receiving end of injustices and short-sighted decision-making. Despite having to work with minimum facilities, postal workers have been lagging behind in terms of remuneration, recruitments and salaries. This is why postal trade unions launched strike action as they claim that the govt is yet to respond to 19 demands they have made to improve the quality and efficiency of postal services. more..

Aug 20 (FT) In today’s hyper-competitive landscape, high-performance teams, being those elite units that consistently exceed expectations, are an elusive rarity. What fuels their relentless drive for excellence has been a subject of much discussion. We have been made to believe that there is a mysterious intangible which separates a great team from a good team and that there is an ethereal alchemy of traits and behaviours which combine to produce a binding, collaborative force. more..

Aug 20 (DN) Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Govt will not alter its position regarding the ongoing trade union action by postal workers. He emphasised that those unwilling to move forward under the Govt’s decisions are free to seek employment opportunities elsewhere. He explained that out of the 19 demands put forward by postal trade unions, 17 have already been fulfilled or are in the process of being addressed. more..

Aug 20 (CT) Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe has called for an explanation regarding remarks made by the Deputy Director of the National Hospital, Colombo, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, to the mainstream media against health assistants during a strike launched by the Health Trade Union Alliance (HTUA) on 1 March 2024. Health service sources said yesterday that the move followed a complaint lodged by the Federation of Health Trade Unions concerning the Deputy Director’s criticism of more..

Aug 20 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with distinguished Singaporean diplomat, academic, and author Kishore Mahbubani at the Asian Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, where they held discussions on policymaking, governance, and peace. During the meeting, MP Premadasa highlighted that Singapore’s economic transformation is the result of a strong policy process both in formulation and implementation. more..

Aug 20 (NW) British High Commission in Colombo says SL garment manufacturers will gain unprecedented access to UK markets under liberalised trade rules taking effect in early 2026. British HC said the reforms enable manufacturers to source up to 100% of garment inputs from any country worldwide while maintaining tariff-free access to the UK. Under UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), more..

Aug 20 (TM) Although the Parliament may amend its Standing Orders (SO) from time to time to ensure better clarity, the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera said that there is no preparation at present to make such changes. Over the years, certain issues have arisen in the Parliament due to ambiguities in certain SOs, including questions over the extent of Parliamentarians’ rights to raise points of order and other procedural matters. more..

Aug 20 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, women’s representation in the Youth Club National Youth Conference has increased, and she emphasized that the country needs a new narrative about youth. PM made these remarks while participating in a special meeting and open discussion organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth, held today (19) at the Parliament. The event was organized to coincide with Int'l Youth Day, which fell on Aug 12. more..