Mar 9 (TM) SL women are hindered from achieving pay parity with their male counterparts, despite recent legislative amendments which have opened doors for women to work night shifts, Advocata Institute said. Despite the 2024 and 2026 liberalisations of the Shop and Office Employees Act (SOEA), which allowed women over 18 to work night shifts in IT, BPO, and hospitality sectors, women remain legally barred from maximising their income due to rigid overtime restrictions. more..

Mar 9 (FT) Govt will maintain cost-reflective pricing for fuel and electricity despite rising global oil prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East. Speaking during a panel discussion, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said that the Govt will avoid returning to policies that burden State institutions and public finances. He acknowledged that global oil price spikes during geopolitical crises are largely unavoidable and will have to be absorbed by the economy in the short term. more..

Mar 9 (NW) Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten as the new head coach of the national men’s team, effective from 15 April. Kirsten, who enjoyed a distinguished international career representing South Africa, served as the head coach of the India men’s national team from 2008 to 2011 and the head coach of the South Africa men’s national team from 2011 to 2013. more..

Mar 9 (NW) The passage of the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill in Parliament on 4 March has sparked sharp criticism from grassroots organisations and activists. While the govt hails the new law as a step toward licensing and supervising SL’s under‑regulated microfinance and moneylending sector, groups such as the Yukthi Collective argue it will deepen the burden on rural women borrowers rather than provide relief. They warn that the Act, shaped by int'l loan more..

Mar 9 (AM) Former MP Hirunika Premachandra launched a sharp criticism of women representing the ruling party, accusing them of failing to stand up for the public during SL’s recent economic crisis. Speaking at an event held to mark International Women’s Day, Premachandra contrasted the role played by women from the SJB with those currently in Govt. She said that during the height of the crisis — when the country faced severe shortages of fuel and cooking gas & prolonged power cuts more..

Mar 9 (FT) SL’s rubber industry entered 2025 under mounting pressure from weakening global demand and policy uncertainty to persistent disease outbreaks, labour shortages, and rising production costs. By 2026, a further 15% wage increase intensified existing cost pressures, raising concerns about the long-term viability of rubber plantations. While the sector has long played a strategic role in export earnings and more..

Mar 9 (DM) Migrants will need to speak English to a higher standard if they wish to stay permanently in the UK, under landmark reforms introduced tomorrow. They are being given a full year’s notice to prepare – giving them the best opportunity to integrate into British life. The change marks the first delivery moment of the government’s Earned Settlement reforms – designed to reward those who contribute, integrate and play by the rules. Since January, applicants for most work visas more..

Mar 9 (DM) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya left for Manila, Philippines, at midnight yesterday on an official visit at the invitation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to participate in events marking International Women’s Day. Upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the PM was welcomed by SL’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Chanaka Thalpahewa, along with officials from the Government of the Philippines and representatives of Asian Development Bank more..

Mar 9 (DM) Several oil barrels and suspicious debris have washed ashore along SL’s southern coastline a few days after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was torpedoed and sunk by the US Navy submarine in seas off the coast of Galle. The debris was reported in the coastal areas of Hikkaduwa and Dodanduwa. Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Samantha Gunasekara, confirmed that several oil barrels and other debris had washed ashore along the southern coast. more..

Mar 9 (DM) Steps have been taken to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans residing in Northern Israel, SL Ambassador in Israel said yesterday. The Ambassador said the following on the situation in his latest social media post. I would like to draw your attention to the security of Sri Lankans serving in the northern region of Israel due to the current conflict situation. It has been observed that the number of airstrikes by the Israeli Defense Forces on the southern region of Lebanon, more..

Mar 9 (AD) Around 25 trade unions attached to CEB have decided to withdraw from all services for 24 hours from 3 p.m. today. General Secretary of CEB’s SL Nidahas Sewaka Samgamaya, Prabath Priyantha stated that the strike action will be launched over several demands including the govt’s failure to provide a positive response to the requests of electricity workers. He also noted that employees will not report to more..

Mar 9 (DM) The preserved body of the famed elephant Nedungamuwe Raja will be opened for public viewing from March 11 and could remain intact for nearly 500 years if properly maintained. Retired leather craftsman of the National Museums Dept, Chamalka Kothalawala, said preserving and reconstructing an animal’s hide is a complex process that requires both scientific knowledge and artistic skill. She said that after conducting a detailed study of the elephant’s exact size and shape, more..

Mar 9 (Island) DIMO Academy, the vocational education arm of DIMO, has introduced a German Diploma in Warehouse Operations, Logistics and Transportation (WOLT) offering 100% guaranteed job opportunities in Germany upon successful completion. The programme is backed by a partnership with Mosecker GmbH & Co. KG, a leading German wholesale company specialising in energy-efficient building technology, which will absorb graduates into its logistics and more..

Mar 9 (FT) New private sector borrowing from SL’s banking sector slowed sharply to Rs. 82.6 billion in Jan 2026, the lowest level in 11 months, extending the credit slowdown that has emerged in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah even as the overall stock of private sector debt continued to expand. According to CB data released last Friday, new borrowings from domestic commercial banks fell to Rs. 108 bil in January, a 9-month low, more..

Mar 9 (AD) A discussion is scheduled to be held today between govt authorities and officials of the Iranian Embassy in SL regarding the next steps to be taken concerning the Iranian sailors currently in SL custody. Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara stated that a decision on how to proceed with the Iranian sailors will be made after the discussion with embassy officials. A total of 32 sailors rescued from the IRIS Dena vessel, which was attacked by the US in seas off Galle more..

Mar 9 (Island) The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) has issued a stark cautionary note to prospective vehicle buyers, warning that the initial price advantage of reconditioned imports often masks significant long-term financial risks. By highlighting a structural imbalance in the current duty valuation system – which allows near-identical vehicles to be imported under a 15% automatic depreciation bracket – the CMTA argues that the lack of manufacturer-backed warranties and more..

Mar 9 (FT) Organising committee of the ONE LOVE Reggae Music Festival 2026 has announced the postponement of the festival originally scheduled to be held at the end of March in Bentota. One In A Million Company Ltd, on behalf of the ONE LOVE organising committee, said that following a comprehensive evaluation and acting in the best interests of all stakeholders, including artists, partners, patrons, and host destinations, the festival has been rescheduled for Aug 2026, more..

Mar 9 (AD) The Supreme Court has ordered that the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, be called on March 18. The petition challenges his arrest and detention by the CID under the PTA, which he claims was carried out without reasonable grounds. When the petition was taken up today, the three-judge bench considered the facts presented and directed that the matter be called for examination on March 18, more..

Mar 9 (DM) Concerns are mounting in SL over a potential fuel shortage after April, despite govt assurances of adequate reserves. Ananda Palitha, Convener of Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance, said that recent remarks by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe regarding fuel sufficiency have instead fueled public anxiety. Palitha said that before the NPP govt, daily petrol sales reached 4,000 metric tons & diesel 4,500–5,000 metric tons, more..

Mar 9 (AD) A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Western, North-western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Monaragala district. The heat index, the temperature felt on the human body, is likely to increase up to Caution Level in several areas tomorrow, according to the Dept of Meteorology. “Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body”, said the Met Dept in a statement. more..

Mar 9 (EN) Colombo Stock Exchange dropped 797.77 points to close below the 22,000 mark on Monday as global oil prices surged more than 20 percent due to a critical supply shock amidst the conflict in West Asia. Following the US-Israeli attack on Iran and its retaliatory strikes on Gulf countries hosting American bases, refineries and energy infrastructure across multiple countries in the region have been hit, and the Strait of Hormuz, the key sea passage, remains effectively closed. more..

Mar 9 (AD) Former MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested by officials of the CIABOC earlier today has been remanded. He was remanded until 24 March by the Colombo Chief Magistrate, Asanga S Bodaragama. Sajin Vass Gunawardena was arrested by the Bribery Commission over allegations of earning illegal assets worth Rs. 243.8 million. The former MP was arrested when he arrived at the BC more..

Mar 9 (FT) In recent times, Sri Lanka has witnessed a rather curious spectacle in its public discourse. A subject as grave and consequential as national defence has found its way into the realm of political banter and casual ridicule. Statements made during election campaigns, and later echoed in parliamentary exchanges, have sometimes treated defence policy as though it were a matter that could be explained with the simplicity of a classroom demonstration. more..

Mar 9 (EN) SriLankan Airlines said it was resuming daily services to Riyadh on Monday night and Dubai on Tuesday, while continuing to monitor the situation in West Asia. The following flights are scheduled to operate: Flight UL265 on the Colombo–Riyadh route is scheduled to depart at 18:15 hours local time (IST). Flight UL266 on the Riyadh–Colombo route is scheduled to depart at 22:35. Flight UL231 on the Colombo–Dubai route is scheduled to depart at 12:40. more..

Mar 9 (NW) The Sri Lanka Police have reported that a 29‑year‑old suspect from Kalutara was arrested on Sunday morning after attempting to snatch a gold necklace worth approximately Rs. 250,000 from an 18‑year‑old woman in Wennappuwa. The incident occurred on St. Anthony’s Street while the victim was travelling on a scooter from her residence to the supermarket. Hearing her cries for help, a nearby youth chased down the suspect, apprehended him, and handed him over to police officers. more..

Mar 9 (FT) In the last four years, SL was hit by three devastating economic shocks – two external shocks and one internal man-made shock. The external shocks in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic and cyclone Ditwah were delivered from outside the country, while the internal shock in the form of an unprecedented economic crisis was the country’s own making. I have written about all the three shocks in this series previously and interested readers can log into the link given in the more..

Mar 9 (DM) In a historic shake-up of SL’s power sector, the CEB has been officially dissolved and replaced with six separate state-owned companies from midnight yesterday, marking the beginning of a major restructuring of the country’s electricity industry. An Extraordinary Gazette Notification had been issued to establish six successor companies by transferring the functions and responsibilities previously handled by the CEB. more..

Mar 9 (Island) US Department of State has said that Washington respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling matters relating to the Iranian warship IRIS Bushehr and its crew, according to agency reports, quoting a State Department Spokesperson. He has said the final decision regarding the vessel, its crew and the rescued Iranian sailors rests with SL in accordance with its domestic laws and international legal obligations. The statement follows comments by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath that more..

Mar 9 (DM) Explosions have continued to be heard across Iran, Israel and several Middle Eastern countries as the war between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its ninth day. The conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets. Tehran responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and US military bases across Middle East, warning that any country hosting US forces could become part of the battlefield. more..

Mar 9 (ST) Lanka Coal Company (LCC) has extended its bid closing date for the emergency procurement of 300,000MT of coal, as an emergency hasn’t yet arisen, authoritative sources said. The tender was floated on Feb 25, with a closing date of March 6. This has now been extended till March 11. There is also reportedly low interest in the tender. Bidders were told, “In the event that no emergency situation arises more..

Mar 9 (TM) Three Chief Executive Officers have been appointed to three of the six companies established to replace the CEB, which is currently being dissolved as part of the restructuring of the power sector. Saliya Panditharatne has been appointed CEO of Lanka Electricity Generation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, while Engineer N.S. Wettasinghe has been appointed CEO of National Transmission Network Service Providers (Pvt) Ltd. Appointments were made on 6 Feb. more..

Mar 9 (Reuters) The dollar took another leg higher on Monday, jumping to a three-month peak on the euro as oil surged past $100 a barrel, stocks slid and investors headed for safety as protracted war in the Middle ​East threatened to disrupt global energy supplies. The dollar was up 0.8% to $1.1525 on the euro , its ‌highest since November, and rose almost 0.4% to 158.48 yen early in the Asia session. Sterling and the Australian and NZ dollars fell by more than 0.6% on the dollar, more..