Sep 12 (AD) Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has granted approval for the 2026 budget estimate of the CIABOC. This approval was granted during a meeting of the Committee held on Thursday in Parliament, chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. During the meeting, Chairman of the Committee pointed out that just as the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) experience financial independence, it is important to grant financial autonomy more..

Sep 12 (Island) SL’s prison population has soared past 35,000, nearly triple the system’s capacity, according to Commissioner of Prisons Jagath Weerasinghe. Weerasinghe said that although the prisons had been designed to hold 12,000 inmates, there were as many as 35,000 prisoners. He noted that the state spent about Rs. 1,000 per inmate a day. Highlighting a major concern, Weerasinghe said nearly half of all inmates were serving sentences for drug related offences. more..

Sep 12 (FT) International Coaching Federation (ICF) Colombo Chapter announces the 2nd Int'l Coaching Conference, to be held on 24 and 25 Sept at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, Colombo. This year’s conference theme, Humanity 5.0 – Unlocking a Human-First Future, addresses one of the defining challenges of our time: ensuring people remain at the heart of progress in an era where technology and AI are advancing at breath-taking speed. AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the way more..

Sep 12 (DM) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in Parliament that he stands firmly for protecting the rights of the Palestinian people because it is just and fair. He emphasised that the peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine as two independent countries is the official policy and programme of the SJB. Premadasa said that the Palestinian people are currently facing state terrorism from Israel, with civilians—including children, mothers and women more..

Sep 12 (AD) The CID has informed the Court of Appeal today that no decision has been made at this time to arrest former Minister Udaya Gammanpila. The writ petition filed by Udaya Gammanpila, alleging that the CID is preparing to arrest him under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and requesting an order to prevent his arrest, was taken up before the Court of Appeal today (12). Deputy Solicitor General Sudarshana de Silva, appearing on behalf of the CID, more..

Sep 12 (NW) Opposition MP Kabir Hashim has been appointed as the new Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) of the tenth Parliament of SL. This appointment fills the vacancy created following the resignation of MP Aravinda Senarath, who served as the Chair of the COPA for the first session of the Tenth Parliament, on 6th Aug 2025. According to a Parliament statement, the Committee convened more..

Sep 12 (AD) Former MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero has been granted bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today. Magistrate ordered his release on two surety bonds of Rs. 500,000 each and a cash bond of Rs. 10,000. Additionally, an overseas travel ban was also imposed on Ven. Rathana Thero. Ven. Rathana Thero has been accused in connection with investigations into the alleged abduction and detention of the General Secretary of ‘Ape Jana Bala’ party, more..

Sep 12 (AD) A special meeting between former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Chinese Ambassador to SL, Qi Zhenhong, was held last morning at the political party office on Flower Road, Colombo. The meeting was arranged at the request of the Chinese Ambassador. Discussions focused on the political situation in SL as well as developments at the int'l level. Prior to this, former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa also held a similar discussion with the Chinese Ambassador, before leaving his residence more..

Sep 12 (EN) Sri Lanka’s agricultural production in paddy and coconut picked up in July, while tea, fish and rubber production decreased. “Paddy production forecast of Dept of Agriculture for 2025 Yala season, based on the sown extent reported as of end June 2025, stands at 2.2 million metric tons,” CB's Agriculture Sector Data Bulletin for Aug 2025 said. This is an 11.7% increase from the previous Yala season. more..

Sep 12 (DM) Responding to a DM article titled Strong stench from Beira Lake forces hotels to close, SJB Council Member Chamith Wijesundara has criticised Colombo Mayoress Vraie Cally Balthazar for failing to address the issue, despite previous assurances. “This is what the Mayoress promised, and to date, no action has been taken. Now hotels are suffering, and that in turn affects tourism. All talk just like the NPP govt, no action. A bunch of jokers! Three months have passed more..

Sep 12 (AM) Colombo Additional Magistrate has ordered the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to immediately launch an investigation into an incident where an unidentified group allegedly attempted to illegally clear and sell land belonging to the Embassy of Nepal. The order was issued after considering a complaint submitted to the CCD by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. CCD officers informed the court that an investigation had already been initiated more..

Sep 12 (AD) Two passengers attempting to smuggle a stock of undeclared mobile phones, tablet computers, cosmetics and boxes of tobacco rolling papers worth Rs. 5 million in total have been arrested by customs officers at the BIA during the early hours today. The duo was reportedly arrested while attempting to smuggle the goods through the Green Channel at the BIA, which is designated for passengers with no items to declare. Two passengers arrested in connection with more..

Sep 12 (Nw) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Tim Boon, the former Head Coach of Leicestershire County Cricket Club, as the High Performance Development Consultant focusing on Women’s Cricket. Boon has been engaged for a four-month period, during which he will work closely with the National Women’s Team in preparation for the Women’s World Cup starting on 30th Sept 2025. Following the World Cup, he will extend his expertise to National U19 Girls Team & Women’s ‘A’ more..

Sep 12 (DM) The govt has revealed that a total of Rs. 491.2 million (Rs. 491,203,422) has been spent on expenses for former presidents and their widows from 2017 to the first six months of 2025. The expenditure covers pensions, vehicles, and other recurrent costs for former presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Hema Premadasa, more..

Sep 12 (AD) In a post on ‘X’, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has reflected on his father’s departure from the official residence on Wijerama Road, Col 7. He said that it was a reminder that true strength comes from one’s roots and the love of the people, rather than from positions or privileges. “My father, Mahinda Rajapaksa, leaves the official residence in Colombo and returns to Tangalle, the place where it all began. A reminder that true strength comes from our roots, the love of the people, more..

Sep 12 (Island) India has reiterated its long standing demand for Sri Lanka to fully implement the 13th Amendment to its Constitution. Sri Lanka enacted the 13th Amendment in terms of the Indo-Lanka accord, under pressure from New Delhi, and signed it in 1987. The declaration was made at the commencement of the 60th session of Geneva HRC on Monday (08). Sri Lanka refrained from fully implementing land and police powers contained in the 13th Amendment. more..

Sep 12 (DM) Sri Lanka is witnessing political terrorism driven by personal revenge and a lack of discipline and professionalism, former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa said today. On his official Facebook page, he said that he is returning to where it all began. “As my eldest son Namal said, I have returned to my village where it all began. I travelled here via Southern Expressway that we built. Now, I can enjoy a sour fish stew in the village.” more..

Sep 12 (AD) The Chinese govt has agreed to provide the full requirement of school uniform material required for 4,418,404 govt and govt-aided school students in SL for the year 2026 as a grant. An official ceremony to exchange the relevant certificates of agreement was held yesterday at the Ministry of Education premises in Battaramulla. The event was held under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Madura Seneviratne, and Chinese Ambassador to SL, Qi Zhenhong. more..

Sep 12 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the importance of close coordination and joint action between the central govt and provincial institutions in the implementation of development projects. The Prez emphasised that the culture of using provincial institutions merely as instruments for political authority to retain power has been brought to an end under the present govt. He further highlighted the need for the central govt and provincial institutions to work in unison more..

Sep 13 (DM) The NPP govt has rejected the decade old recommendation by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to establish an international mechanism for accountability for human rights violations committed during the war between the armed forces and the LTTE. The high commissioner’s latest recommendation came in his annual report on SL and Foreign Affairs. Minister Vijitha Herath rejected it on Sept 8, the first day of the 60th Regular Session of the UNHRC. more..

Sep 13 (CT) With 239 of 240 skeletons, a high number by any count, recovered in full, there is now question if an impartial probe into the Chemmani mass graves would be the answer that the UNHRC-centric international community (read: West) is looking for. Of course, Tamils nearer home and overseas would want this and more, as they reiterate their demand for withdrawing armed forces from their lands and handing over ‘occupied properties’ to their lawful owners, apart from more..

Sep 13 (TM) Children from the SL gypsy community frequently only go to school once or twice a week, or a few days a month with this inconsistent attendance being caused by poverty, racism, discrimination, and prejudice in all their forms, students coming from families that are not encouraging, and physical health-related issues. As a result of this sporadic primary education received, children of the gypsy community in areas more..

Sep 13 (CT) On the surface is seems placid; its usual character has assumed its customary waves and strokes. The macro numbers are encouraging; inflation, not coming down, yet, they say, stays within manageable limits. Unemployment is not representing jaw-dropping escalations as in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike era. Each night Colombo looks like another Singapore, or even more resplendent, resembling the sense-captivating Las Vegas Strip. Cited in the midst of blinding more..

Sep 13 (DM) Since 2022, 3 South Asian nations –SL, Bangladesh, Nepal have seen their govts overthrown by street protests. Today, Nepal a country which has violently changed govt several times, is once again caught up in a wave of social unrest that has toppled the govt of PM Oli. Nepalese unrest is being referred to as Gen Z -- a reference to those born in the internet era, from the mid-1990s through the early 2010s. A generation for whom being online is a way of communication more..

Sep 13 (TM) The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs will begin drafting new policies and regulations to safeguard children in Police custody. This follows a Supreme Court judgment concerning the unlawful arrest and treatment of a minor. Deputy Minister Dr. Namal Sudarshana confirmed that while his ministry had not previously focused on regulations concerning children in custody, the ruling had placed the issue on more..

Sep 13 (FT) As the dust settles on the hullabaloo surrounding the arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, we the public, are left wondering what all the fuss was about. In the aftermath we learn that there is a species of corporeal property deemed public property, which you may offend only with dire consequences. Bump into a private car, it is just an accident to be taken care of by your insurance company. You knock into one of those much-misused Govt-owned cars more..

Sep 13 (TM) SL is preparing to send thousands of its workers to Thailand under a new govt-to-govt (G2G) employment framework, a move that comes amid rising concerns over human trafficking risks and labour shortages in Thailand. While officials stress the potential benefits of skilled labour exchanges, experts caution that the plan could pose significant long-term challenges, both for workers and for bilateral labour relations. In August, SL’s Ambassador to Thailand Wijayanthi more..

Sep 13 (Island) Speaking at the 60th Session of the UNHRC in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sept 8, 2025, Minister Vijitha Herath, made an unequivocal pledge on behalf of his country ‘to advance the rights and well-being of all Sri Lankans through our own domestic processes’, thereby rejecting any kind of external intervention or mechanism in investigating alleged human rights violations, all patriotic Sri Lankans must have heaved a sigh of relief, before applauding him. more..

Sep 13 (CT) The health service, like every institution entrusted with the well-being of the public, must uphold high standards of discipline and accountability. Doctors and other medical professionals hold a unique position of trust; they make decisions daily that can mean the difference between life and death. It is therefore right and proper that any lapse in conduct or breach of duty be investigated thoroughly. Yet the process of holding professionals accountable must itself be just, more..

Sep 13 (CT) Parliament has passed one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in recent years — a law that curtails the entitlements of both the sitting president and former heads of state. The move signals a major shift in the country’s approach to political privilege and public spending, coming against the backdrop of an economic recovery still in its fragile early stages. Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was debated at length before more..

Sep 13 (FT) SL’s progress towards building a skilled workforce of industrial energy managers took centre stage on 29 August, as more than 200 industry leaders, govt officials and representatives from the international community participated in the Energy Management Systems Forum 2025. Hosted by the European Union-funded Accelerating Industries Climate Response in SL (AICRSL) project, Forum reflected on three years of Energy Management Systems (EnMS) training and focused on more..

Sep 13 (FT) Expo Lanka Freight Ltd, (EFL) Project Division, has been the logistics partner for the Richardson Serendib 5 MW Solar Power Plant in Hiripitiya, Kurunegala, a landmark project that strengthens SL’s renewable energy portfolio. This project falls under the category of establishing a renewable energy generation facility with an installed capacity of 5 MW, which exceeds 1 MW, thereby meeting the minimum power generation capacity requirements specified in Gazette Notification more..

Sep 13 (CI) As far as SL are concerned, they are defending champions at this year's Asia Cup. The case they are making is that the ODI version of the Asia Cup - which India last won in 2023 - is a different tournament entirely. Tournament alternates between the two white-ball formats based on which World Cup is around the corner. In 2023, it was the 50-over World Cup. In 2025, it is the T20 World Cup. And as far as the T20I version of the Asia Cup goes, SL are the most-recent victors, having taken more..

Sep 13 (CI) So far in the Asia Cup, things have gone roughly as expected. India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have all registered comfortable victories, and Pakistan have also avoided an early banana peel. But Saturday brings up a more even clash. Over the last few years, T20 matches between these teams have sometimes been explosive, but although the heat of the naagin rivalry has died down a little, it is also clear that these are well-matched teams in this format. more..

Sep 13 (DN) SL team led by Charith Asalanka ready to take on Asia Cup challenge when they will meet Bangladesh in the first Asia Cup T -20 game today at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi,commencing at 8 pm (SL time). After successful Zimbabwe series in Harare SL team came to the Asia Cup with more confidence but weather conditions are different in Abu Dhabi & Dubai; will remain warm almost touching 40c more..