Sep 13 (FT) The Colombo stock exchange closed yesterday with both indices losing ground during the week with trades in Chevron Lubricants generating Rs. 2 billion to the day’s turnover. The benchmark ASPI ended at 20,612.40, down 379.58 points or 1.8% from last week’s 20,991.98 closing. The active S&P SL20 index lost 131.48 points during the week to close at 5,873.12, down 2.2%. Foreigners were net sellers during the week at Rs. 2.3 billion, up from Rs. 851.4 million last week. more..

Sep 13 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake met the Provincial Governors and Secretaries on Thursday to discuss matters related to finance, development projects, etc., in the provinces. The Prez/the Finance Minister meets the representatives of the Provincial Councils (PCs) before preparing the annual national budget. Ideally, Prez should have been able to meet the Chief Ministers (CMs) of Provinces at the pre-budget discussions, for it is they who actually represent the people. more..

Sep 13 (FT) While acknowledging the challenges confronting the apparel industry, Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake has said tax incentives would depend on improving fiscal revenues and economic stability but ensured Govt would direct every rupee towards productive initiatives and developing essential infrastructure required by industries and investors. Prez made these remarks while participating in a pre-budget more..

Sep 13 (DM) Central Bank of SL has released key findings of the Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) conducted for the second half of 2025. This release summarises financial market participants’ overall confidence in the financial system, sources of perceived risks and likelihood of such risks. The results of the publication are based on the perception of the respondents and do not reflect the views of the CBSL. SRS quantifies and tracks, market participants’ views on risks to and more..

Sep 13 (ST) Twenty-five CEB trade unions have started a work-to-rule campaign, claiming that the utility’s restructuring process is being carried out unlawfully. In a letter to Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, the unions have put forward 24 demands, including that all employees must be granted a 50% increase based on their basic salary due to the difficulties caused to employees by the restructuring process and the injustice caused by the loss of ownership of the CEB. more..

Sep 13 (DN) SL Medical Association, together with its partners, launched the TLC Triathlon 2025, country’s first islandwide triathlon dedicated to raising awareness on breast cancer prevention yesterday (11). Speaking at the launch, organizers highlighted that every day in SL, 15 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and three lives are lost. They stressed that early detection can save lives, with survival rates exceeding 90% when cancer is identified at an early stage. more..

Sep 13 (DM) A discussion was held at the PM’s Office under the patronage of PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to address several issues faced by university non-academic employees. During the meeting, trade union representatives raised concerns regarding the reduction in salary rates, the MCA allowance, the 20% allowance, and the method of calculating overtime payments. They highlighted that the gradual reduction in the salary rate—from 20% to 11%, & currently from 11% to 6.94% more..

Sep 13 (ST) Colombo is facing a significant challenge due to a large number of abandoned and decaying buildings. Officials acknowledge that there is no official count of such structures, and while some fall under govt ownership, others are tied up in private disputes, bankrupt companies, or archaeological preservation requirements. To get to know more about the issue of abandoned buildings that spoil Colombo’s image, more..

Sep 13 (DN) Embassy of SL in Bangkok facilitated the participation of 35 SL companies at the 72nd edition of the Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair (BGJF) 2025, being held from Sept 9 to 13 in Bangkok. These companies are exhibiting under the SL Pavilion, collectively occupying 48 booths, and are showcasing a wide array of high-quality gemstones and fine jewellery. Additionally, approximately ten other SL-owned companies based in Thailand are also participating in the fair, more..

Sep 13 (EN) A 4-member delegation from India’s Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF) conducted preliminary studies for the proposed development of the Point Pedro fishery harbour in SL’s Northern Province during a five-day visit, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said. The team, representing the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Govt of India, was in SL from Sept 8 to 12, where it met key stakeholders and carried out site inspections. more..

Sep 13 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said police personnel record the highest percentage of state employees suffering from non-communicable diseases, highlighting the urgent need for preventive health measures within the force. Speaking at the launch of Arogya mobile health clinic program for SL Police officers in the Gampaha District on Wednesday, the minister noted that around 30% of non-communicable disease cases among state sector employees are reported from police more..

Sep 13 (EN) Supreme Court of SL has launched a comprehensive digitalization program. Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it is a crucial step towards delivering justice effectively, efficiently, and impartially to the people of SL. The new system will enable the bar to communicate with the bench, access case management systems, court diaries, and track status of cases in real-time. Digital system will gradually phase out manual processes, more..

Sep 13 (FT) Sri Lanka’s much-discussed global tourism marketing campaign, which the industry has lobbied for over decades, will not materialise this year, with authorities confirming that a comprehensive nation branding push is at least a year away. A senior official from Sri Lanka Tourism said that although the need for such a campaign has been repeatedly acknowledged, procedural delays remain a stumbling block. more..

Sep 13 (CT) A female passenger who attempted to smuggle six snakes illegally into the country through the Green Channel at Katunayake Airport was arrested on Thursday night. The suspect attempted to smuggle these reptiles in violation of the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Ordinance and the CITES Convention. She was arrested by officers of the Customs Narcotics Control Division and a group of officers from the Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division. more..

Sep 13 (FT) Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ Association (FTZMA) has submitted its proposals for the 2026 National Budget to Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake, focusing on foreign currency contribution-linked incentives, value addition, trade facilitation, stability for exporters, and diversification to reduce tariff risks. Proposals were presented at the Presidential Secretariat during a pre-Budget meeting with apparel sector stakeholders. FTZMA noted that SL’s export competitiveness more..

Sep 13 (CT) Sri Lanka Govt is urged to proactively seek international support to secure adequate financial, human, and technical resources to carry out mass graves exhumations in full compliance with int'l standards, as highlighted in the SL resolution set to be adopted during the ongoing 60th Session of the UNHRC. An informal discussion on the draft resolution, set to be adopted, has been scheduled for Monday (15), at the UNHRC. more..

Sep 14 (SO) Recent events in SL and elsewhere have again focused attention on the sharp divide between the so-called Elites and Non-Elites. In this context, the term “elites” does not refer to wealthy persons per se, but rather those who have probably helped themselves to the public purse or have otherwise become a privileged class, cut off from the hoi polloi. In fact, an Opposition MP commenting on the recent arrest of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said the incident marked more..

Sep 14 (TM) After much fanfare, the ruling regime rushed the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill through Parliament last week, securing a comfortable majority of 150 votes. In the Govt’s eyes, it was to be a triumphant moment carefully projected as an act of political cleansing and stripping away of privilege in the name of the common man. But politics is rarely that straightforward. Instead of basking in the glow of moral high ground, the move appears more..

Sep 14 (TM) The political crisis that unfolded in Nepal throughout last week, initiated by Gen Z activists over a social media ban and years of corruption in governance, resulted in many comparisons being drawn between SL’s Aragalaya people’s protests in 2022 and the protest in Nepal. Following SL’s Aragalaya, similar protests erupted in Bangladesh and now in Nepal, resulting in the Govt in power at the time in all these countries more..

Sep 14 (CT) The Economist has given something to the NPP to brag about in Colombo’s social circles. The journal’s latest number (Sept 6th) has a piece on Sri Lanka entitled, Grace Period. It is a characteristically objective piece but one that includes the acknowledgement that the first of SL’s three cravings – political stability, economic growth and national reconciliation – is in place at least for now. The acknowledgement is significant when seen in light of the island’s years of turmoil more..

Sep 14 (GV) “Sri Lanka today has an historic opportunity to heal from the cycles of violence and impunity that have dominated for decades,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Sept 8, at the UNHRC 60th regular session. “The Govt has a clear mandate from across the nation for transformative reforms, accountability, truth and justice. During my recent visit, the country’s leadership pledged a fresh direction on long standing issues. more..

Sep 14 (ST) There has been for some time now confusion over how one should spell the surname of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. There was no clarity over if the name should be spelt as Dissanayake or as Disanayaka, the latter being the one given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the President’s Media Division has been alternating between both the spellings. Last week the Permanent Mission of SL to the UNHRC more..

Sep 14 (ST) A fresh draft resolution was tabled at the inquisition against SL before the UNHRC spearheaded by its former colonial master, the UK, to extend the council’s mandate holding the country accountable for violations of human rights—past and present. UK delegate at Geneva has imperiously asked that its former colony break from the past and commit itself to meaningful actions across the board, ranging from corruption to economic mismanagement, human rights, more..

Sep 14 (ST) My dear Mahinda maama, I thought of writing to you, but will now have to send this to Carlton instead of Wijerama Mawatha. A lot of fuss was made about the leader who saved the nation being evicted from his home but you took the right decision in the end, even if it was done reluctantly, leaving when you did this week. One can always argue that the amount of money saved by taking away the privileges granted to our former leaders won’t usher in prosperity to our country. more..

Sept 14 (Island) These are apparently bad days for former heads of state across the world. Close on the heels of the passage of a new law, stripping former SL Presidents of their perks and privileges, came the news of ex-Brazilian Prez Jair Bolsonaro being sentenced to jail for 27 years and three months for plotting a military coup. A panel of five Supreme Court judges handed down the sentence immediately after convicting Bolsonaro. A dissenting judge voted to acquit him, and more..

Sept 14 (Island) At this time Anuruddha Ratwatte had emerged as the strong man of the SLFP. As the cousin of Mrs. B he had access to her and was able to console her regarding the behaviour of her son Anura who was a captive of the anti-Sirimavo faction led by Maithripala Senanayake, who had become a favourite of the UNP. Anuruddha was living in the residence allocated to the leader of the Opposition in Col 7. He was the coordinator responsible for getting the signatures of the SLFP members more..

Sept 14 (CI) They were locked 8-8 in T20Is in the decade leading up to this match, and all signs pointed to the first close contest of this Asia Cup after it kicked off with four mismatches. It was a bit of an anticlimax in the end, however, with SL brushing Bangladesh aside by six wickets, with 32 balls remaining. Given the high stakes of this group-of-death contest, SL got everything they wanted from it: 2 points and a massive net-run-rate boost. more..

Sept 14 (TM) The proposal under the previous regime to restructure the RDA project-related assets and liabilities under the proposed Sahasya Investments Ltd. (SIL), a 100% Treasury-owned company, has been abandoned, the authority reveals. RDA Chairman T. Paskaran revealed that, despite announcing its intention to restructure the project-related assets and liabilities of the RDA under SIL, the previous regime had failed to incorporate the company. more..

Sept 14 (TM) No legal impediment exists for the continued functioning of the Board of Investment (BOI), notwithstanding the enactment of the Economic Transformation Act (ETA) No.45 of 2024, which proposes the establishment of two new entities in its place. BOI Director General Renuka Weerakone revealed that the BOI continued to exist as a singular entity as before. She added that they had not given effect to the bifurcation of its role between the two new entities proposed more..

Sep 14 (ST) Sri Lanka will take centre stage at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 when two of its own take their place in an unprecedented all-female panel of match officials. The ICC announced that Michelle Pereira, a former Sri Lanka cricketer, has been appointed as a match referee, while Nimali Perera, a former domestic player, will serve as an umpire at the tournament. This is the first time in Women’s World Cup history that the entire Emirates ICC Panel of Match Officials – more..

Sep 14 (Island) Emerging distance runner Lahiru Achintha proved that he was gearing up well for the upcoming Asian Youth Games with his two record-breaking performances at the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship which ended at Diyagama on Thursday. ‎ 16-year-old cruised to a stunning 3:53.05 seconds finish, the fastest time by a youth athlete in Sri Lanka in two decades, to win the Under 18 1500 metres. St. Aloysius’ College, Ratnapura runner slashed nearly six seconds off more..

Sep 14 (TM) The long-delayed Central Expressway Project (CEP) Section I from Kadawatha to Mirigama will finally recommence under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday (17). However, controversy surrounds the project as the source of the Govt’s 15% share of the total project cost remains undisclosed. RDA Chairman T. Paskaran and Treasury Deputy Secretary more..

Sep 14 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday congratulated Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, while expressing confidence that her leadership will guide Nepal towards a return to lasting peace and democracy. “I convey my warmest congratulations and best wishes to Mrs. Sushila Karki on her assumption of the Premiership of Nepal’s interim govt.” “We are confident that her leadership will guide Nepal towards a smooth return to lasting peace and democracy,” more..

Sep 14 (ST) Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd delivered a powerful performance to clinch the Cup Championship with a 31-14 victory over Pearl Beach Paradise in the final of the 53rd Mastercard Mercantile Rugby 7s 2025, played at the CR&FC ground yesterday. The final, watched by a large crowd, was played at a fast pace from the very first whistle. Link Natural, packed with national players, displayed their strength, speed, and teamwork to secure the trophy. They led 14-7 at half time more..

Sep 14 (TM) Efforts by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to introduce competitive fuel procurement have been blocked by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), posing a risk to sustaining fuel supply. In this backdrop, with the aim of ensuring least-cost electricity generation, protecting public finances, and working to align SL’s energy sector with national policy and governance standards, CEB is urgently requesting more..

Sep 14 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that solidarity and unity among all religions is essential to building justice and equality in the country. She made these remarks while participating in the 118th annual festival of the historic national shrine of Our Lady of Matara. This year marks the 118th annual anniversary of the shrine. On this occasion, a special blessing ceremony was conducted by Rev. Dr. Jude Nishantha Silva, Bishop of Badulla, and Rev. Dr. Raymond more..