Sep 17 (Island) SL slipped back into Abu Dhabi late Monday, top of Group ‘B’ in the Asia Cup after their scrappy win over Hong Kong. But despite the points on the board, the bus ride was as silent as a dressing room after a batting collapse. The players knew full well there was little to be proud about. If their opening win over Bangladesh had been a textbook chase, the Hong Kong fixture was more like a scratchy net session. Five dropped catches kept SL afloat, yet they still contrived to turn more..

Sep 17 (DN) SL under 19 team led by Vimath Dinsara ended their West Indies tour in a high note when they beat West Indies Under 19s by 130 runs (DLS method) in their seventh and final game played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium North Sound, Antigua on Monday. Despite this victory West Indies Under 19s secured the seven match series 4-3 but SL Youth team got good exposure during this tournament. Kavija Gamage the all rounder of Kingswood College came to the highlight more..

Sep 17 (ST) A committee has been appointed to decide how to proceed with the incomplete, much-delayed Asian Development Bank-funded Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH), which is expected to connect the New Kelani Bridge to the Colombo Port and beyond, RDA sources said. Meanwhile, officials within the RDA have opposed moves to award the construction of two approaches – called ramps – to the same joint venture more..

Sep 17 (NW) A pre-budget discussion on the automobile and electronic equipment industries was held yesterday at the Prez Secretariat, chaired by the Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando. Importers of automobiles and electronic equipment expressed their full support for the govt’s economic development programme, led by Prez Dissanayake. Vehicle importers noted that the sector has expanded due to recent government decision regarding vehicle imports and more..

Sep 17 (DN) I always plan to adjust to the condition of the wicket and play my normal game to get success said SL opener Pathum Nissanka who was adjudged the player of the match against Hong Kong in their B Group Asia Cup match played at Dubai Stadium on Monday. Nissanka who scored back to back fifties in this tournament always tried to lay a good platform and his duty is to get runs during the power play and build up the innings. 27-year-old right hander’s shot selection always give more..

Sep 17 (FT) The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) voiced its concerns following the Govt’s decision to permit the importation of spices under a new regulatory framework that grants approved enterprise status to selected companies. The PA said that SL’s globally renowned spice industry, long celebrated for its authenticity, quality and heritage, was now confronting one of its most pressing challenges. more..

Sep 17 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the signing of loan agreements to secure a $ 100 million facility from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support a new tourism field development program. The funding package includes two components: A $ 70 million policy-based loan and an investment-focused loan grant, to strengthen both regulatory and infrastructure aspects of the country’s tourism sector. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said more..

Sep 17 (FT) Verité Research launched the Budget Proposal Hub a first of its kind trilingual platform that empowers people to participate in the national Budget process by submitting proposals for the consideration of Parliament; as well as by voting on proposals. The think tank said that SL has lacked effective and convenient channels for public participation in the Budget process. In the Open Budget Survey 2023, SL had the lowest participation score in a decade, ranked 82nd out of 125 more..

Sep 17 (ST) Representatives of the Finance Ministry, Import and Export Dept, Customs and the Attorney General will submit proposals to court this week to end the stalemate over about 1,000 vehicles imported through third countries. The vehicles have remained at the port for nearly three months after they were imported through cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs) in a bid to pay lower taxes. The initial plan was to re-export the vehicles to their country of origin, but the move was abandoned more..

Sep 17 (FT) The Public Administration Ministry has rolled out digital signatures for Govt officers as part of efforts to modernise State services and improve efficiency in official transactions. Minister Chandana Abeyratne introduced the initiative at a ceremony marking the adoption of digital signatures within the Home Affairs Division. Highlighting the wider aim of the Govt, the Minister said the shift to digital tools is intended to reshape the public sector to meet the expectations of citizens. more..

Sep 17 (TM) Election Commission (EC) has requested Rs. 10 billion through next year’s (2026) national Budget to conduct the long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections. EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that funds for elections are sought on an annual basis and will continue to be requested until the polls are held. “When there is an election due, we request the necessary funds. Last year (2024), we requested money for more..

Sep 17 (Island) In a strategic move to uplift and empower SL’s next generation of IT professionals, the UK-headquartered College of Contract Management (CCM) is setting its sights on learners who need it most: school leavers with limited access to higher education. With a mission that puts practical skill development at the forefront, CCM is introducing industry-relevant courses aimed at equipping students with the tools necessary to thrive in a global tech-driven economy. more..

Sep 17 (DM) The RDA has commenced the systematic development of SL’s 119,000-km road network, including the modernization of rural roads in Pradeshiya Sabha areas with financial and technical assistance from the Authority, Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena announced. He made these remarks while inaugurating the development work on the Morapitiya–Aluthgamgoda road in the Agalawatte electorate, Kalutara District, under Punarudayata Maga national rural road more..

Sep 17 (FT) World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt concluded his first official visit to SL yesterday. During his two-day visit, he met with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, and other senior officials. The visit was built on World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga’s visit in May, when the Bank pledged over $ 1 billion in financing for the country over the next three years. more..

Sep 17 (TM) In the wake of reports that he has been summoned before the Parliamentary Committee on High Posts, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, retired Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne said that he has not been informed to appear before the committee. When contacted, he said: “I have not been informed to appear.” It was however reported earlier this week that the said committee had decided to summon Seneviratne for an inquiry into legal cases pending against him, more..

Sep 17 (DM) Chinese automaker BYD saw a dramatic 80% surge in vehicle registrations in Aug 2025, signalling a strong recovery after a temporary setback. This rebound comes as the broader SL vehicle market experienced a modest 1.9% month-on-month increase, with a notable surge in three-wheeler registrations contrasting with a slight dip in car and motorcycle sales. BYD’s registrations climbed to 1,424 units in August, more..

Sep 17 (Island) A rally was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, to renew demands for justice and int'l accountability for what they claimed was the Tamil genocide, as SL features on the agenda of the 60th session of the UNHRC. Hundreds of Tamils gathered outside the UNHRC to call on the international community to refer SL to the International Criminal Court for carrying out an alleged genocide. Protesters also paid tribute to self-styled Lt Col. Thileepan as 15 Sept marks more..

Sep 17 (AD) Construction of the Kadawatha to Mirigama section of the Central Expressway is scheduled to officially resume today, under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. As part of the recommencement, work will also commence on the Kadawatha Interchange and the first 500-meter stretch of the expressway. The govt has allocated Rs. 8.6 billion for the project. Construction of this section was suspended in mid-2022 following suspension of credit facilities more..

Sep 17 (CT) Following the announcement by Power and Energy Minister, Kumara Jayakody, that CEB employees can resign with compensation, Trade Unions (TUs) are staging a two-day sick note campaign today and tomorrow. The two days’ sick note campaign is to minimise disruption caused to the public, but TUs have warned that any further escalation could lead to a full-scale island-wide strike, potentially more..

Sep 17 (FT) In Aug 2025, Govt issued a public notice calling for submissions from the public and local and international media on amendments to the Online Safety Act No. 9 of 2024 (OSA). In May 2025, the Govt issued a similar public call for comments and recommendations on repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). These are positive steps. However, although the Govt called for public submissions, there has been no dialogue to date with those that made submissions regarding more..

Sep 17 (FT) The world economy is entering a new phase, with growth and innovation increasingly driven by Asia’s rising economic powerhouses and by global waves of technological disruption. For SL, a nation whose economy remains anchored in agriculture and whose export markets are still concentrated in Europe and America, this transition presents critical challenges but also unprecedented opportunities. To find our place in this changing order, we must embrace innovation as more..

Sep 17 (AD) The Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today (17) granted permission to the Police Narcotics (PNB) to detain Sampath Manamperi, accused of concealing two containers of raw materials allegedly used in the production of the drug Ice and reportedly belonging to underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme, for seven days for questioning. Accordingly, PNB officers will question Sampath Manamperi over the discovery of two containers in Middeniya recently. more..

Sep 17 (DN) Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala has lodged a complaint to the CID on spreading false and malicious statements about him by a group on social media. The Deputy Minister emphasised that legal action will be initiated under civil law against those responsible for creating and circulating these defamatory statements against him via social media. The issue was brought to light after false claims have recently circulated on social media suggesting that Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala more..

Sep 17 (NW) SL passport has dropped to 97th place in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025 Global Ranking, released on Sept 11. In the latest update, SL has slipped to 97th, one place lower than its 2024 position, holding a visa-free score of 41. Sri Lanka now shares the 97th position with Iran in the index, which features 105 rankings in total. Henley Passport Index is the original and most authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports more..

Sep 17 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the govt has only protected the rights of the CEB workers through its restructuring plan. Addressing a public event, President Dissanayake said that a new law had been passed previously, under which CEB employees were to be let go by the end of October this year. He said, however, the current govt intervened and suspended the law, bringing in an alternative Act. “We were bound by the law to implement it. But we stopped it. more..

Sep 17 (NW) Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that its premier global streaming service HBO Max will launch direct-to-consumer in new markets across Asia Pacific on October 15, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, and Pakistan. HBO Max is the home of the world’s most premium entertainment brands, featuring HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, Max Originals, and the best of Hollywood movies, as well as more..

Sep 17 (DM) Local banks are accelerating their adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to improve efficiency, expand financial inclusion, and support sustainable finance, according to the financial sector regulator, the Central Bank. CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe asserted that AI is now a strategic imperative for the sector, as it is reshaping how banks operate and engage with customers. more..

Sep 17 (DM) Information has surfaced linking certain MPs and Ministers to underworld figures, some of whom were arrested recently in Indonesia Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Speaking at the launch of the resumption of the construction of the Kadawatha–Mirigama section of the Central Expressway,Prez said investigations into the group of suspects had revealed their deep involvement in SL’s criminal network. According to the Prez, the group was responsible for more than 50% more..

Sep 17 (DM) The Colombo Fraud Investigation Division today informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva that an investigation has been launched into the alleged misappropriation of 75 metric tons of Basmati rice imported from a Pakistani company, valued at Rs. 27.41 million without making due payments. The inquiry has been initiated based on a complaint lodged by Javad Mushaffar, Director of White Pearl Rice Mill Limited, Pakistan. Presenting facts before court, more..

Sep 17 (EN) SL deposited its instrument of UN agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) with effect from this week, becoming state party to the convention and the move expected to give more access of marine resources to the island nation, the Foreign Ministry said. Sri Lanka ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas more..

Sep 17 (SLN) The Sri Lanka Navy marked a significant milestone in its educational and training infrastructure with the ceremonial opening of the newly established Language Computer Lab at the Naval & Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee, on 15 Sep 25. The cutting-edge facility was inaugurated by Director General Training of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Dammika Wijewardana and Defence Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House. more..

Sep 17 (Island) The whole process of countering narcotics smuggling attempts is under a cloud in the wake of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) declaration that 17 out of 20 samples taken from a container found in Middeniya contained Crystal Methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice. Sources said that altogether two containers had been released by the Customs after they were subjected to comprehensive more..

Sep 17 (AD) The Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today granted permission to police to detain underworld figures Backhoe Saman and Thambili Lahiru, until Dec 2 in order to conduct further investigations related to the murder of Anura Vidanagamage, also known as Kajja. Five individuals, including organized crime gang members Kehelbaddara Padme, Backhoe Saman and Thambili Lahiru, were recently arrested in Indonesia and extradited to SL. more..

Sep 17 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a 2025 Budget proposal to increase the levy on betting and gaming, while also doubling the casino entry fee for locals, following clearance from the Attorney General. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said as per the move proposed in the 2025 Budget, the levy on the gross total of betting and gaming operations will rise from the current 15% to 18%, while the entry fee for Sri Lankans to casinos will be doubled from $ 50 to $ 100. more..

Sep 17 (NW) COPE has revealed that the govt lost more than Rs. 12 million in royalty revenue from a single sand mining project due to lapses at the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). Lawmakers have directed the bureau to tighten monitoring and amend the Mines and Minerals Act to prevent further losses. The shortfall was uncovered during COPE’s review of Auditor General’s reports for 2022 and 2023 and more..