Sep 11 (DM) Colombo-based think-tank Advocata Institute commended the govt’s decision to close 33 non-operational state-owned enterprises (SOEs) but urged that this be only the first step toward comprehensive divestiture of commercially viable entities. “The closure of non-operational SOEs is an important milestone but this should be viewed as a head start towards full or partial divestiture of commercially viable enterprises,” Advocata said in a statement. more..

Sep 11 (Island) A heartfelt felicitation ceremony was held at the Parliament of SL to honor Ms. Amy Victoria Gibb, a British national, for her extraordinary humanitarian service during the tragic bus accident on Ella–Ravana Ella Road on Sept 5. Presided over by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ruwan Ranasinghe, the ceremony recognized Ms. Gibb’s swift and courageous response at the scene, where she provided life-saving assistance to injured victims. Her medical expertise, calm under pressure, more..

Sep 11 (NF) Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill has no impact on the security arrangements provided to retired Presidents. Minister emphasized that security for former heads of state is managed separately and remains intact. He added that any individual with concerns regarding their safety can submit a request to Security Risk Committee, which is responsible for evaluating & providing necessary protection. more..

Sep 11 (FT) Uni of Colombo Prof. in Economics Priyanga Dunusinghe last week said that SL’s response to global trade tensions has so far been limited to negotiating for better tariff terms with the US, while flawed trade policies that contributed to the 2022 economic crisis remain largely unchanged. He said that despite some stabilisation, the economy continues to face the same weaknesses in competitiveness, productivity, and diversification that left it vulnerable in the first place. more..

Sep 11 (DM) The Education Ministry has decided to introduce a new set of rules and regulations for vehicles used to transport school children. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, said a special joint programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Transport Ministry to ensure the safety of school children. “Over the past few days, several accidents have occurred involving school transport vehicles, injuring children. more..

Sep 11 (AD) Under the provisions of the newly enacted Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, former presidents are now required to return the official residences previously allocated to them. Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Chandrika Kumaratunga are currently residing in official residences. However, as per the law passed yesterday, they are no longer entitled to this privilege. more..

Sep 11 (FT) There are credible allegations of serious violations of int'l humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by Govt of SL (GOSL). The Chemmani mass graves, uncovered in 1998 near Jaffna, are an unresolved case of alleged State-sponsored atrocities during the SL civil war, which include summary executions and systematic efforts to cover up the crimes. Killings in Chemmani and other crimes must be resolved for Sri Lanka to have closure of its tragic civil war. more..

Sep 11 (FT) The blood moon of the night of 7 Sept brought with it a panoply of portents for SL. A lunar eclipse lasting almost one and a half hours, its visibility was marred to some degree by intermittent scudding clouds. Very few islanders however, usually superstitious to the nth, paid heed to prophecies of doom and gloom; opting instead to interpret the celestial show as favourable for once. In the wake of the night-time heavenly spectacle came SL’s showing at the 60th UNHRC more..

Sep 11 (AD) Former Director General of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) Sampath Ratnayake and former Director of the UDA Weerawansa Perera, who were arrested on corruption charges, have been released on bail Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama issued this order after considering the facts presented by Bribery Commission officials and the legal representatives of the accused. The duo had been arrested by officers of the CIABOC more..

Sep 11 (DM) An almsgiving ceremony for the Maha Sangha was held yesterday at the 15th km post in Rawanaella, along the Ella–Wellawaya Road, in memory of the 15 passengers who lost their lives in the recent fatal bus accident. The event also sought blessings for the speedy recovery of the injured still undergoing treatment. Religious programme was jointly organized by govt institutions, the business community, and residents of Ella town. During the ceremony, the Maha Sangha more..

Sep 11 (AD) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa has vacated his official residence located at Wijerama Road in Col 7. The former Prez and his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa, left the Wijerama Road residence at around 1:15 p.m. A large crowd was seen flocked at the Wijerama Road, as the former Prez prepared to vacate his official residence. Meanwhile, a group of politicians and diplomats visited the official residence of former more..

Sep 11 (AD) Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s attorneys have withdrawn an appeal filed on behalf of him with the Court of Appeal seeking an order to acquit him of the suspended prison sentence and fines imposed on him. The appeal was taken up today before a 5-member bench of the Appellate Court, comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea, S. Kumaran Ratnam, Shashi Mahendran, Damith Thotawatte and Amal Ranaraja. Accordingly, the bench of the Court of Appeal, which more..

Sep 11 (NW) Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a fundamental rights petition challenging the alleged misuse of electricity from the CEB, worth over Rs. 2 million, for MP Namal Rajapaksa’s wedding celebrations in 2019. The order was given by Justices Preethi Padman Surasena and Achala Wengappuli when the case was taken up for hearing today. It was revealed before the court that electricity had been used to illuminate a 1.5 km stretch of road leading to more..

Sep 11 (NF) The wife of slain underworld figure Makandure Madush has filed a formal complaint at Police HQ, calling for a full and impartial investigation into his death, which occurred while he was in the custody of the Colombo Crimes Division in Oct 2020. Speaking to the media after submitting her complaint, Gayani Muthumali, legal wife of Madush, expressed deep suspicion over the circumstances surrounding his death. more..

Sep 11 (NF) SL Army Lt Colonel has been taken into custody by the Western Province North Crimes Division over allegations of illegally selling military-grade ammunition to a member of an organized crime syndicate. The arrest follows an investigation into Commando Salintha, a suspect currently in remand custody, who is believed to be affiliated with a criminal gang. Police say the officer in question served as Salintha’s superior during their time in the army, where Salintha reportedly operated more..

Sep 11 (DM) A stock of foreign cigarettes worth over Rs. 27.4 million, illegally imported into the country, was destroyed at the Muthurajawela Power Plant today. Customs officers at the BIA, had seized, confiscated, and destroyed 1,826,788 cigarettes smuggled into SL between May 25 and July 20, 2025, Customs Media Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa, confirmed. If these cigarettes had entered the local market, loss of state revenue would have amounted to approx Rs. 205.6 mil. more..

Sep 11 (EN) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has presented its proposals for the National Budget 2026 to President. The chamber’s board members, led by Chairperson Krishan Balendra, met Anura Dissanayake today to present its “priority proposals for the forthcoming National Budget 2026,” it said in a statement. The chamber’s proposals were structured around five broad themes: Trade & Investment Facilitation – establishing a National Single Window; modernising more..

Sep 11 (SLN) The Electrical and Electronic Design Centre (ENDC) of the SL Navy celebrated a significant milestone in its pursuit of self-reliance and technological innovation with the ceremonial launch of indigenously designed Naval Steering Control (NSC) system onboard Fast Attack Craft P421. The event was graced by the Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Ravindra Tissera at the Naval Dockyard Trincomalee on 25 Aug 25. P 421, originally manufactured in 2002, more..

Sep 11 (FT) Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd, (EFL) filed a Writ application in the Court of Appeal, asking the court to urgently stop illegal activities inside Wilpattu National Park, especially around the Pallekandal Church in Block V of the park. A small jungle shrine in Block V of Wilpattu National Park, used in the past for a modest annual feast by local fishing communities, fell into disuse during the civil conflict. more..

Sep 11 (AD) A MoU has been signed for the construction of an Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit at the District General Hospital, Mannar, and the supply of medical equipment to the unit, with grant assistance of LKR 600 million from Govt of India. The agreement was signed on Tuesday (9) by the High Commissioner of India, Santosh Jha, and Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa attended the signing ceremony, according to the HC of India. more..

Sep 11 (NW) SL has made a noteworthy leap in the latest Global State of Democracy (GSoD) 2025 rankings, climbing 15 spots compared to last year. According to the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) country profile on Sri Lanka, the improvement reflects gains across several democratic indicators, including elected government, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press. Despite the progress, the report also flags challenges: rights associated with freedom more..

Sep 11 (AD) Sri Lanka’s GDP growth for 2025 is projected to be around 3.1%, according to officials attached to the Ministry of the Finance. This was revealed by Finance Ministry officials during a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) in Parliament. COPF reviewed SL’s income, expenditure, and debt conditions during the first half of 2025. This took place at a meeting of the committee held in Parliament under more..

Sep 11 (NF) Two officials from the IT division of the local agent of the X-press Pearl vessel, were released on bail today after being arrested on suspicion of erasing data and email records following the ship’s fire incident. The suspects, Prasanna Jayawardena (Director) and Roshan Senaviratne (Assistant Director), were granted bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Mahrachchi, under two personal sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. A foreign travel ban was also more..

Sep 11 (EN) European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) takes effect on 30 Dec 2025. This regulation aims to prevent deforestation associated with seven commodities—cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, wood, and natural rubber—and products derived from them, such as tyres, chocolate, and wooden furniture. Any product exported to the EU market must be deforestation-free, legally produced according to the laws of the originating country, and traceable to specific more..

Sep 11 (AD) The Netherlands has approved a grant of EUR 730,000 to support the ongoing Design and Construction of Rural Bridges Project in SL, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said in a statement. This funding will address the project’s additional financing requirements, further strengthening the long standing development cooperation between the two countries, the statement noted further. Rural Bridges Project aims to construct 162 rural bridges across SL, more..

Sep 11 (CT) Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Mahaarachchi, yesterday, directed the Police Children and Women Bureau to submit the pornographic videos and images allegedly involving SL minors — seized during an ongoing investigation — to the Govt Analyst for a detailed forensic report. The order was issued after considering a request made by the Bureau, which had taken into custody several items of evidence, including computers, mobile phones, videos, and photographs more..

Sep 11 (AN) According to a new study by the Dept of Agriculture in co-operation with other partners, post-harvest losses of fruit and vegetables in SL are estimated to be around 180 billion rupees per year (almost US$ 600 million). More than 500,000 metric tonnes of agricultural produce are wasted per year, especially during transportation, about 200,000 tonnes of vegetables and 300,000 tonnes of fruits, enough to feed the entire more..

Sep 11 (NW) Secretary General of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera stated that the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the budget speech/presentation of budget proposals) for the year 2026 will be held on 7th Nov, 2025, followed by the budget debate from 8th Nov to 5th Dec, as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business. This decision was made at today’s (11) meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Speaker more..

Sep 11 (AD) The carcass of an elephant named Mahasilu, which had been seen roaming in Buttala and Okkampitiya, has been discovered this morning in a paddy field in Ilukpitiya, Okkampitiya. The exact cause of the death of the elephant has not yet been determined, but a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be carried out, according to reports. This elephant, known for its majestic presence in the area and for having two well-developed tusks, has prompted a special investigation by wildlife more..

Sep 11 (MB) The hog deer is SL’s rarest and most elusive deer, and was thought to be extinct a few decades ago. Classified as critically endangered within the nation, it now survives only in fragmented patches along the island’s southwestern coastal belt, making it a species of urgent conservation concern. Unlike the more visible spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonensis), sambar (Rusa unicolor unicolor) and barking deer more..

Sep 11 (AD) A total of 106 judicial officers, including magistrates and district judges have been transferred. The transfers will be in effect from Sept 15, the Judicial Service Commission stated. It is stated that these transfers have been granted to Magistrates, Additional Magistrates, District Judges, Additional District Judges and Registrars. Accordingly, Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama Weerasinghe has been transferred to the Mahara Magistrate’s Court while more..

Sep 11 (AD) A Sub-Inspector of Police has been arrested on suspicion of maintaining close ties with Kehelbaddara Padme, a known member of an organized criminal gang. According to ASP F.U. Wootler, the suspect, was taken into custody by officers of the CID. The arrested Sub-Inspector is reported to be attached to the Gampaha Division’s Crime Investigation Unit, the spokesperson confirmed. Following the recent extradition of Kehelbaddara Padme and 4 other criminal more..

Sep 12 (CT) The SJB recently announced its Working Committee decision to collaborate with other Opposition parties to resist what the Opposition refers to as the Govt’s ongoing repression. It was also revealed that the SJB is not afraid to take to the streets, if the need arises, to protest against the alleged oppression by the Govt, which goes against the Constitution and the democratic process. However, in order to take to the streets, not just the Opposition but more..

Sep 12 (CT) Democratic governments across the world are under strain. Sri Lanka is no exception. Global crises – wars, climate change, economic turbulence, food insecurity, and the risk of new pandemics – test the resilience of political systems already weakened by polarisation and distrust. The election of Donald Trump as Prez of the US further deepened this climate of uncertainty, fuelling populist appeals to simplistic solutions and reinforcing tribalist us versus them politics. more..

Sep 12 (LMD) The recently elected Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Krishan Balendra brings a wealth of leadership experience and strategic private sector perspectives to SL’s premier business chamber. As the Chairperson and CEO of John Keells Holdings (JKH) – the country’s largest listed conglomerate – Balendra has long been recognised as a dynamic and forward-looking corporate leader. more..

Sep 12 (DM) Firstly, we need to understand who a performer is; a performer is someone like a singer, actor, dancer, or musician. The performer has a performance right over their performance, but do they have a copyright? Performers eternally dabble with the question and want a copyright over their performance. In this regard, it is important to note how it breaks down when it comes to copyright and performers’ rights. Copyright is owned by the author or creator of a work. more..