Sep 22 (DM) Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today endorsed the certificate on the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, the Communications Dept of Parliament said. The National Audit (Amendment) Bill which was presented to Parliament on July 8, 2025 was passed in Parliament with amendments on Sept 11, 2025. This National Audit (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018. The main objective of these amendments are to provide provisions for more..

Sep 23 (ST) What is all this hullabaloo about Marxist JVP Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe being rich, as if it’s a crime to be rich in this country? Though JVP Minister Samantha Vidyaratna, himself a relatively rich man as shown in his asset declaration form for the years 2023 and 2024, said at an election rally last year, If any politician is rich, he is either a scoundrel or a rogue, it’s no crime if he had earned it from the honest sweat of his brow. One thing must be proudly said of this red-shirted brigade: more..

Sep 23 (TM) In an increasingly dynamic world, the growing global focus on the Indian Ocean with the rise of Asian giants, has an undeniable impact on Sri Lanka as a coastal State. Given the centrality of the island to all maritime activity in the Indian Ocean, consequently to global lines of communication, and Sri Lanka’s long-recognised foreign policy stance of being friends of all – make us the ideal venue to discuss issues pertaining to the Indian Ocean region. more..

Sep 23 (TM) SL’s electricity sector is once again under scrutiny, as the recurrent challenge of securing affordable and reliable fuel for thermal power plants comes back into focus. Despite legal reforms aimed at breaking the CPC's monopoly, the CEB continues to face rising generation costs, unclear fuel agreements, and regulatory pressure to adopt transparent procurement practices, it is learnt. more..

Sep 23 (DM) Reminding us of the Latin phrase disce aut discede (Learn or depart) which is also the motto of the Royal College, Colombo, Minister Bimal Rathnayake in a recent meeting warned officials of the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) to do or depart. He pointed out the appalling conditions of the amenities in trains in the country. He questioned why the relevant official cannot repair the windows and toilets and replace the broken fans in compartments, despite his ministry more..

Sep 23 (DM) Anura Kumara Dissanayake, known popularly as Anura and “AKD”, won the Prez election of Sept 21, 2024, in what was described as a gigantic leap. From 418,553 (3.16%) votes in the 2019 Prez election, AKD increased his vote tally to 5,634,915 (42.31%) in the 2024 Prez poll. In the second count of votes with Sajith Premadasa, AKD obtained 5,740,179 (55.89%) votes. Dissanayake was sworn in as SL’s ninth executive president on 23 Sept 2024 in a simple ceremony at more..

Sep 23 (SO) The Central Expressway, once a textbook of corruption scandals, delays, and broken promises, is now being constructed as a national necessity rather than a political trophy, representing a major step in upgrading the country’s national road networks, reducing travel times, boosting economic activity, and enhancing regional integration. The project recommenced last week, with Prez more..

Sep 23 (CT) Minister Harshana Nanayakkara’s candid remarks on the need for reforms in the country’s legal and justice system for fairer and more equitable treatment of women could be seen as a positive sign that despite existing challenges, there is still hope for a better future for women throughout SL. Nanayakkara shared words acknowledging the existing challenges for the practical implementation of existing laws and barriers that impede the equitable access to justice which more..

Sep 23 (GV) JVP’s inimitable general secretary Tilvin Silva was generally the final speaker at the NPP’s main prez election campaign rallies. And he would always end his speech with a poem from the JVP’s past. The words were an emotive appeal to rag-clad masses with stomachs burning from hunger and hearts burning from grief, exhorting them to rise up, rise up, your turn has come. Those combative words suited the times. By Sept 2024, almost a quarter of Sri Lankans were living in poverty more..

Sep 23 (Island) Opposition has got an opportunity to go on the offensive on the propaganda front. It is all out to inflict maximum possible damage on the govt as part of its strategy to recover lost ground. JVP/NPP is defending itself like a kickboxer under a barrage of blows in a ruthless contest guided by no rules. The propaganda battle between the NPP and its rivals has got down and dirty. Opposition politicians are making the most of their JVP/NPP counterparts’ asset declarations more..

Sep 23 (Island) A toned-down UN resolution on SL now appears likely at the current session of the UNHRC. Govt would prefer that the periodic scrutiny of its human rights record be wound down. The govt would much rather have this thrice yearly procedure come to a permanent end without having to provide answers to the reports of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and to member countries of the UNHRC. However, the international human rights community is not prepared to let SL slip off more..

Sep 23 (DM) The consumer prices, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), climbed 1.5% in August from a year earlier, accelerating from July’s 0.7%. The change reflects the lingering impact of lower prices seen at the same time last year. Everyday items such as vegetables, fresh fish, coconuts, green chilies, rice and salt saw price drops, though some food items, including chicken, dried fish and coconut oil, more..

Sep 23 (FT) CPA Australia recently emphasised that the accounting profession has never been more valuable than today as it provides independent, verifiable, auditable information that can be relied on by the people and other stakeholders. “The accounting profession has never been more valuable because we are the one profession that provides independent and verifiable information that can be relied on. So in times of misinformation, misinterpretation, we are the one profession more..

Sep 23 (FT) Veefin Group, a global leader in working capital technology solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with IWS Holdings in SL to usher in a new era of digital transformation for the country’s financial institutions. Veefin Group offers a one-of-its-kind working capital technology platform, each component of which offers modular and scalable solutions that help businesses optimise and manage working capital better. The Veefin product suite consists of supply chain finance, more..

Sep 23 (CI) Let's cool things down a little. Two high-profile, highly-charged matches have happened. Some hands have not found the company of other hands at times around cricket matches where hands and other hands are supposed to find the company of hands. We are not naming names, or specifying political indiscretions. But at least on Tuesday, there should be some peace. Perhaps even some love. Pakistan vs SL tends to be borderline sappy. Both these teams also have some pride to more..

Sep 23 (Island) On the invitation of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, three representatives from UN Global Compact Network SL (Network SL) will participate in the 2025 United Nations Private Sector Forum (PSF), a high-level roundtable that brings together a select group of global private sector leaders to drive forward sustainable economic growth as a high level convening during the UNGA Week in New York. Representing SL at this year’s Forum are: more..

Sep 23 (ST) SL is open to obtaining technical assistance through the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including that of forensic experts, to expedite investigations into past crimes in the country, a senior govt source said yesterday. Such cooperation would include assistance to identify the victims of mass graves being exhumed in several areas of the country, Minister Vijitha Herath said. more..

Sep 23 (TM) SL’s Karainagar boatyard, located 20-km off of Jaffna in the Karaitivu island, has been inaugurated with an investment of Rs. 330 million by the Indian govt, Department of Govt Information (DGI) said. “Work had begun on the Karainagar Cey-Nor boatyard, along with other development projects aimed at economic and infrastructure development in the Jaffna district. In order to address the severe hardships faced by the fishing community in the North, due to its long period of inactivity, more..

Sep 23 (DN) SL’s motor racing superstar Yevan David delivered another strong performance at the Euroformula Open 2025 Round 7 in Barcelona, Spain, finishing with two podiums and keeping his championship hopes alive with one round to go. Racing for Team Motopark in car No. 21, Yevan David began the weekend in style by securing pole position for Race 1. He showed great pace on a drying track and crossed the finish line in second place, collecting valuable points to close more..

Sep 23 (ST) SL’s foreign exchange is silently bleeding as several BOI-approved companies across sectors from apparel and processed foods to plastics and palm oil exploit loopholes to sell the bulk of their production domestically instead of exporting it. By using BOI concessions to import machinery, accessories, and raw materials duty free, these firms evade taxes, gain unfair advantages over local producers, and drain SL’s foreign reserves, more..

Sep 23 (ST) A major fire erupted in a third-floor shop on First Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo, engulfing the building in flames last evening. The Colombo Fire Brigade deployed 15 fire engines and more than 50 firefighters to the scene, supported by bowsers from the Kotte and Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia fire brigades. A Bell 212 helicopter, a fire engine and a bowser from the SL Air Force also joined the efforts to douse the fire, while the SL Navy also deployed a fire engine and a bowser. more..

Sep 23 (FT) People’s Bank announced a collaboration with the Justice Ministry and the Supreme Court of SL to introduce digital payment solutions across the judicial system. The ceremonial launch took place at the SL Judges’ Institute Auditorium, in the presence of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Minister Eranga Weeraratne, CPresidential Adviser Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Judges of the Supreme Court/Members of more..

Sep 23 (DM) Blossom Well Holdings (Pvt) Ltd has signed a US $ 2.99 million investment agreement with BOI to establish a boutique hotel in Thissamaharama, aimed at expanding the island’s high-end and midscale tourism offerings. The project will be developed on land in Kohombagahapalassa, close to the Yala National Park and will feature 72 elegantly designed rooms across four categories, including standard, deluxe, family and suite rooms, with high-end amenities & private balconies. more..

Sep 23 (DN) Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said that the country is on an express path to achieve targets in the industry and innovation sector targeting a production based economy and achieve US $ five billion revenue from the sector by 2030. Disrupt Asia 2025 is Sri Lanka’s premier startup conference and innovation festival, where visionaries, investors, and disruptors come together to shape the future. Showcasing SL as South Asia’s epicentre for cross-border collaboration, more..

Sep 23 (CT) A group of officers from the Dept of Immigration and Emigration has sent a letter to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, alleging that large groups of foreigners engaged in online financial fraud are entering the country due to the influence of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. Letter sent to the Prez stated that although investigation officers at the airport identify and attempt to turn away these fraudsters, more..

Sep 23 (NF) A covert ICE drug manufacturing facility allegedly operated under the guidance of a Russian national has been uncovered in Salmal Uyana, Weligama, following a police raid that led to the seizure of approximately 10 kg of the synthetic narcotic. The discovery was confirmed through scientific testing conducted earlier today, validating suspicions that the house was being used as a production site for crystal methamphetamine (ICE). The operation came to light after the arrest of more..

Sep 23 (DM) Chairman of the Farmers' National Agricultural Federation, Anuradha Tennakoon criticised the govt for failing to implement programmes to strengthen the country’s agricultural production economy, despite being in power for a year. Tennakoon said the continued imports of food items such as onions, potatoes and garlic—crops that can be successfully grown locally, is leaving farmers helpless and harming the local economy. He alleged that 96% of the country’s onion more..

Sep 23 (FT) Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to SL reached $ 783 million as of 15 Sept, according to BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath. “We are on track to cross the $ 1 billion FDI mark for 2025. The last time Sri Lanka achieved a billion dollars in FDI was in 2022,” Herath said. While construction and telecom projects dominated in 2022, this year’s inflows have been more diversified. “We have a good mix with investments in ports, solid tyre manufacturing and the hospitality sector,” he noted. more..

Sep 23 (TM) In the wake of reports that security for the President, PM, and Ministers has been beefed up, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Media Spokesperson Attorney Manoj Gamage said that the Govt should also strengthen Rajapaksa’s personal security, particularly in Tangalle. He said that unlike in Colombo, where Rajapaksa previously resided in Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7, within a designated security zone, Tangalle does not provide the same level of safety. more..

Sep 23 (CT) Representatives of all CEB trade unions, including the CEB Engineers’ Union, have stated that a final decision on their future trade union actions will be made tomorrow (24). The decision was reached during a meeting of union representatives held yesterday. Prabath Priyantha, General Secretary of the Free Workers’ Union, stated that they decided to give the Govt more time to address their demands. more..

Sep 23 (CT) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has urged the NPP govt to set aside political partiality and carry out investigations into the data scam at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) without further delay. President of the MCPA, Dr. Chamal Sanjeeva, called on the President to ensure the Attorney General’s Dept takes all those responsible before the law. He lamented that a tender scam at the Dept of Immigration & Emigration, more..

Sep 23 (AD) The full report on the tragic accident on the Ella–Wellawaya road on Sept 4, which claimed the lives of 16 people, has been handed over to Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake. The report was officially presented to the Minister today (22) at the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation. According to the report, the bus involved in the accident had been driven by a 22-year-old, and it was his first time driving the vehicle. The report identifies that operating more..

Sep 23 (CT) In one of the largest narcotics seizures in recent months, Tangalle Police recovered 245 kg of heroin and 380 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) from three lorries during a series of operations conducted yesterday. The discovery has also uncovered a suspected organised criminal network involving drugs, firearms, and possible links to contract killings. The operation began early yesterday when Tangalle Police more..

Sep 23 (DM) Colombo Lotus Tower plans to launch a bungee jumping programme by next year, Chairman Shirantha Pieris announced today. He said the programme will be introduced with maximum safety measures to ensure the protection of participants. He also recalled the tragic incident of Oct 7, 2024, in which a young student lost her life, describing it as a moment of deep sorrow for the Tower and the entire nation. “While the Tower has always maintained international safety standards, more..

Sep 23 (CT) Ethics represent the fundamental principles of decent human conduct. They encompass universal values, including the essential equality of men and women and their rights, adherence to the law, concern for health and safety, and a commitment to the natural environment. Business ethics refers to the moral principles that guide a company’s conduct and interactions with its stakeholders. This concept extends beyond mere legal compliance, establishing a framework more..