Sep 9 (AD) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa reveals that Sampath Manamperi, who is accused of concealing two container loads of raw materials allegedly used to manufacture the drug ‘Ice’ and belonging to underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme, has been identified as a former police intelligence officer. Minister said that the absconding suspect has also been identified as a suspect in the murder of the late Nadarajah Raviraj, a former TNA MP. The minister further stated, more..

Sep 9 (AD) Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne has been granted bail after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this morning. Magistrate ordered Senaratne’s release on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 2 million each. An overseas travel ban was also imposed on the former minister. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama issued the order after considering the facts presented by officials from the Bribery Commission and more..

Sep 9 (TM) National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) stated that in cases where there is doubt about the quality of a certain medicine, the use of such medicines is immediately suspended for the benefit of patients, and if it is confirmed after further tests that they are not harmful, instructions will be given for their re-use. NMRA Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said that when doubts arise, the use of more..

Sep 9 (EN) A group of SL media personnel currently visiting Israel on a tour sponsored by the Israeli govt are traveling privately, with no involvement from the SL govt, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “They are on a private tour, there is no govt involvement,” Jayatissa told reporters who questioned him about allowing journalists to go to Israel when it is accused of killing over 270 journalists. “The govt will not bear any responsibility.” “Anyone is free to go to Israel, there is no ban on visiting,” more..

Sep 9 (NW) The two containers linked to crystal methamphetamine (ICE) production were released through the authorized Customs process, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “These containers were examined and cleared by Customs. However, Customs has launched an internal inquiry into potential gaps and malpractices, while the CID is also investigating the matter. These inquiries will determine whether the release was premeditated,” he said. more..

Sep 9 (EN) Cabinet has approved leasing land from industrial parks to 38 investment projects, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “The total investment value to be made by the 38 investors is Rs. 2,548.22 million,” he said. It is expected to generate about 1,559 direct employment opportunities. The land is to be provided from industrial parks on a lease basis for a maximum period of 35 years, he said. 42 project proposals were recommended by the Regional Industrial Service Committee, more..

Sep 9 (CT) Colombo High Court yesterday was informed that Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, also known as Harak Kata, who is facing multiple charges including conspiracy to escape while in the custody of the CID, will remain in detention until the conclusion of his trial. This decision was made under a detention order issued by the Secretary of Defence Ministry under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the court was told. Senior State Counsel Sajith Bandara appeared on behalf of the AG more..

Sep 9 (EN) Cabinet has decided to amend SL’s Press Council Act, which is seen as implemented to stifle media in 1973, with an aim to tackle wrong reporting in electronic and online media using print media as sources, the govt said. The SL Press Council Act was introduced during PM Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s govt and has long been viewed as a tool for controlling the country’s print media rather than promoting press freedom. more..

Sep 9 (AD) As the Bribery Commission has filed a case against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his family members before the Colombo High Court on charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama today ordered the conclusion of the proceedings pending before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in this matter. The Chief Magistrate directed the defendants to appear before the Colombo HC on the scheduled dates, more..

Sep 9 (NW) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) says the tariff revision for the last quarter of 2025 submitted by the CEB proposes a 6.8% tariff hike. PUCSL has announced that it will seek public opinion on the electricity tariff revision proposal submitted by the CEB for the final quarter of 2025. Members of the public are invited to submit their comments and proposals in writing to the Commission. Written comments and proposals must be submitted by Oct 7, 2025. more..

Sep 9 (CU) When Charles Conconi ’92CC fell in love with Sri Lanka back in 2001, he fell hard. An international-development worker from Washington, DC, he visited the small island nation off India’s southeast coast for a short-term project on export competitiveness. “I was drawn to the people, the weather, the stunning beauty of the place,” says Conconi. He ended up staying for a couple of years. more..

Sep 9 (WB) More than 380,000 people across Sri Lanka are set to benefit from a new US$100 million partnership between the Government of SL and the World Bank Group aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, creating jobs, and building climate resilience in the agri-food sector. The Integrated Rurban (Rural and Urban) Development and Climate Resilience Project, will directly support 8,000 agri-food producers, improve irrigation and drainage services on 71,000 hectares of land, more..

Sep 9 (CT) Destination Germany is a joint initiative by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Colombo, the Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK Sri Lanka), and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) SL. The programme aims to show SL students that learning German is not just about mastering a language—It opens doors to education, careers, and cultural and professional opportunities in Germany, Sri Lanka, and globally. more..

Sep 9 (EN) SL has awarded 60% of its school textbooks and modules printing requirement to 29 private companies, since the govt printer is not cost effective, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “The state printing organizations do not offer market competitive rates,” he said. “They have been overstaffed by previous govts, and staff have been given various incentive schemes over the years. This increases their cost of production and they can’t compete with private companies. more..

Sep 9 (GUK) The UK thanks the High Commissioner for his report on Sri Lanka and recent visit. We welcome the govt’s commitments on human rights and accountability whilst also stressing the importance of tangible and sustained progress. Action by the SL authorities to exhume and investigate mass grave sites is vital. This should be carried out in line with international standards. We share the High Commissioner’s continuing concerns around arbitrary detention, custodial deaths, more..

Sep 9 (MN) Sri Lanka has made remarkable strides in stabilizing its economy, undertaking one of the largest fiscal adjustments in its history-equal to nearly 8 percent of GDP over three years. The adjustment was also sharper and faster by int'l standards - when compared with more than 330 similar efforts in 123 countries worldwide since 1980. A new World Bank review of SL's public finances released today says more..

Sep 9 (NF) China has called on the international community to respect Sri Lanka’s sovereign right to determine its own path in human rights development, urging an end to external political pressure and intervention in the country’s internal affairs. Speaking at the 60th Session of the UNHRC in Geneva, the Representative of China emphasized that any efforts to address human rights issues should be constructive, cooperative, and rooted in dialogue. more..

Sep 9 (AM) Recognising the absence of a formal legal framework covering all children in Sri Lanka who require alternative care, the govt has taken steps to introduce a new law on foster care. The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has presented a concept paper to establish a foster care mechanism aimed at implementing this family-based alternative care system, which has become an urgent need. The proposed mechanism is expected to operate under two main components: more..

Sep 9 (NF) PM Harini Amarasuriya issued a strong and unequivocal statement in Parliament, declaring that no individual involved in drug trafficking will be protected under her administration. Her remarks came in response to a fiery exchange sparked by MP Namal Rajapaksa, who raised concerns over the recent seizure of chemical substances suspected to be used in the production of crystal meth (ice) in Middeniya. more..

Sep 9 (NW) A new report by the International Truth and Justice Project says Sri Lanka has systematically shielded the killers of journalists for over a quarter of a century. The new report focuses on the failures of the police investigation into the October 2000 assassination of BBC Jaffna reporter, Nimalarajan Mylvaganam. Stating that at least 44 journalists and media workers were killed while reporting on the civil war between 2000 and 2010, the report claims that to date, more..

Sep 9 (Island) US and SL officially yesterday launched PACIFIC ANGEL (Pac Angel) 25 at Katunayake Air Base, with U.S. Defense Attaché Lt. Col. Matthew House joining SL Air Force leaders to open the exercise. The five-day multilateral program, running from Sept 8–12, brings together nearly 90 U.S. and 120 SL Air Force personnel, along with participants and observers from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan & Maldives, to strengthen disaster response and save lives. more..

Sep 10 (TM) The controversial news of Police finding a site where plans were underway to produce synthetic drugs – crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’ has thrown a spotlight on the evolving nature of narco-crime in SL. A key issue with the latest organised crime operation is the fact that a large amount of chemicals – suspected to be precursors used in manufacture of methamphetamine. While the chemicals have not yet been clearly identified by a relevant more..

Sep 10 (CT) Since the war ended bloodily on the military battlefield in 2009, SL has been subjected to repeated and increasingly intrusive scrutiny by the international community that has rankled successive governments and induced them to react defensively. This year’s UN Human Rights Council session is no different, with fresh emphasis on accountability and reconciliation. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will be representing Sri Lanka at the UNHRC’s 60th session that commenced this week. more..

Sep 10 (SO) The second phase of excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna was completed yesterday. The site at the Sindhubathi Hindu cremation grounds, has become the second-largest mass grave in Sri Lanka. Nineteen skeletons were identified in the investigations that began with the first phase, which concluded on June 7. The second phase commenced on June 26 and was carried out more..

Sep 10 (DM) From the beginning of this month, our prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has engaged in visiting the northern capital of this country. Dissanayake’s visit needs to be appreciated. No other head of state has visited the peninsula so many times as Prez Dissanayake has done during the short time since he was elected to power. The people of the north –- who voted him and his govt into power over regional political parties - - have responded to president’s overtures positively. more..

Sep 10 (DM) The politico-underworld nexus propelling the illicit drug trade has come to the surface for yet another time, after the police seized two containers of substances allegedly used for manufacturing crystal methamphetamine, popularly known by its street name, Ice. Police seized a large stock of chemical substances in the estate of a former SLPP provincial councillor, Sampath Manamperi of Middeniya, based on information provided by underworld kingpin Backhoe more..

Sep 10 (DM) Dudley Sirisena purchased Hotel Sudu Araliya, which once belonged to Hotels Corporation around 1995. The hotel is situated near Theppan Ela, which flows into Parakrama Samudraya, within the Polonnaruwa Sanctuary. Parakrama Samudra was built by King Parakramabahu The First (Reign from 1153-1186) by combining several smaller tanks. This combined reservoir came to be known as Samudraya. more..

Sep 10 (CT) Supreme Court’s decision to hear a petition on climate inaction marks an important moment for SL. The case, filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice, argues that successive govts have failed to act on climate change in ways that protect the rights of citizens. By granting permission for the case to be heard, the Court has sent a strong message that climate justice is not a distant, abstract issue but a matter of fundamental human rights. In fact, this very shift in framing is vital. more..

Sep 10 (ST) One sometimes wonders who is teaching whom and who is learning from whom. This is no joke. There are too many jokers already on the streets, and now the streets are becoming overcrowded with defeated and decayed politicians taking to them and shoving the legitimate comedian occupants from their abodes. Before long it will get worse. After all, we have been promised system change, and what better change is there than throwing a few carping commentators more..

Sep 10 (Island) Dharman Wickremaratne’s latest book Premakeerthi Ghathanaye Sulamula meticulously examines the killing of radio announcer, producer and lyricist Premakeerthi de Alwis in late July 1989, at the height of the JVP-led terror campaign. Having examined various claims, accusations and assertions by interested parties, including Premakeerthi’s first wife, Daya, the author on the basis of the proceedings at the Colombo High Court, during the UNP rule, more..

Sep 10 (Island) Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill has passed muster with the Supreme Court (SC), which has held that no provision therein is inconsistent with the Constitution. Therefore, it can be ratified with a simple majority, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has said, announcing the SC decision in Parliament. Now, the NPP govt can go ahead with its plan to deprive the former Presidents of their special perks and privileges. The former Presidents or their spouses are not so poor more..

Sep 10 (TM) A loss of Rs. 24 billion has been uncovered at the Lanka Sathosa, with billions more in unpaid loans and supplier dues adding to a crisis within the institution, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security R.M. Jayawardana said. He said that the Sathosa has suffered a loss of Rs. 24 billion over the past years, in addition to failing to repay loans amounting to Rs. 5 billion, while more than Rs. 11 b is owed to suppliers. more..

Sep 10 (FT) National Engineering Conference (NEC) 2025, organised by Institution of Engineers, SL (IESL), was held recently at Hotel Galadari, bringing together engineering professionals, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on engineering-driven solutions for national development. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe attended as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, he emphasised that a collective force of engineers could change the trajectory more..

Sep 10 (FT) International Chamber of Commerce SL (ICCSL), through its Research, Knowledge Management, and Taxation (RKMT) Committee, recently successfully hosted a hybrid webinar titled VAT on Digital Services and Cross-Border Compliance, attracting businesses, professionals, and policymakers eager to understand the newly implemented VAT framework for digital services. The session opened with a welcome note by ICCSL Chairman Shanil Fernando who emphasised more..

Sep 10 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of Capt. Daminda Rambukwella as the new Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL), a move that has already stirred controversy in political and professional circles. Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Eng. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku officially handed over the letter of appointment to Rambukwella yesterday at the Ministry premises. more..