Sep 29 (DM) Only two out of five people are computer-literate in SL in 2024, with 64.1% of Sri Lankans unable to use a computer, according to statistics released by the Department of Census and Statistics. The Department said the computer literacy rate remained shockingly low, and “The survey results show a decrease of 3.1 percentage points from 2023 to 2024. The urban sector shows the highest computer literacy rate (47.3%) among residential sectors in 2024. more..

Sep 29 (Island) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is making a substantial investment in Sri Lanka’s future, with the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka at the forefront of this transformative initiative. A total of $30 million has been allocated to the university as part of a broader project to enhance higher education in the country. This funding aims to establish a new Faculty of Technology, offering students industry-relevant programs in science and technology. more..

Sep 29 (Island) Investigations have revealed that suspect Sampath Manamperi, who is currently being questioned by the Peliyagoda Crimes Division, destroyed his mobile phone by placing it on a railway track in Dehiwala. Manamperi disclosed this while being questioned by the Peliyagoda Crimes Division. He confessed that immediately after the commencement of police investigations, he had destroyed his mobile phone. Manamperi has been arrested and detained over a consignment more..

Sep 29 (DM) Japan will consider any request by Sri Lanka for a fresh Yen loan project including Light Rail Transit (LRT) only after careful consideration of it in consultation with the Sri Lankan govt, taking into account not only their priorities, but also the progress of the existing projects, feasibility of the proposed project as well as the country’s economic and fiscal conditions, according to the Japanese Embassy in Colombo. more..

Sep 29 (DM) The tender for the import of coal required for power generation in Sri Lanka has paved the way for serious corruption, FrontLine Socialist Party (FLSP) Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda alleged. He said the coal supply tender, which was opened on September 15, had been awarded to Trident Chemphar, the company that submitted the lowest bid. Mr. Jayagoda charged that the procurement guidelines appeared to have been altered to favour the company. more..

Sep 29 (DM) The United States has cautioned that SL’s regulatory unpredictability, bureaucratic red tape and selective transparency are discouraging broader participation of American firms, despite strong interest in sectors such as ICT, energy, aviation and defence. U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Investment Climate Statement on SL, released this week, paints a familiar picture of an economy with promise but weighed down by systemic obstacles. It notes that abrupt policy shifts, more..

Sep 29 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that over the past year, SL has managed to maintain a balance in its diplomatic relations. The Prez emphasized that in a world where economies and markets transcend national borders, no country can move forward alone, and SL is working to elevate its standing globally through strong diplomatic ties. He also pointed out that for the country to move ahead, national unity more..

Sep 30 (DM) One cannot but commend the govt’s intention to bring in an amendment to the Penal Code to protect child rights by making physical and non-physical punishment against children illegal. The Bill on the amendment is being debated these days in Parliament. However, the law alone would not protect the rights of the children. The authorities have to look into the causes of the problem and the repercussions of the new law from a sociological point of view and avert issues that would be more..

Sep 30 (DM) UNGA meeting showed a badly broken world order, with world leaders giving speeches that revealed deep splits on how to run the world, solve conflicts, and protect human rights. The assembly became a fight between those wanting countries to work together versus those wanting each nation to go it alone. Opened under Prez Annalena Baerbock’s leadership. The high-level debate began Sept 23, featuring over 150 world leaders in sessions from 9am-2:45pm & 3pm-9pm daily. more..

Sep 30 (TM) The enormity of SL’s drug problem and the resulting overcrowding in its prisons represent a critical crisis at the intersection of law enforcement, rehabilitation, and human rights. In 2025 alone, the Police conducted a staggering 164,785 raids seizing 17,647 kg of narcotics and over 3.5 million pills, leading to the arrest of more than 164,000 individuals. Yet this enforcement effort places enormous strain on the country’s more..

Sep 30 (ST) As Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked one year in office, his NPP govt became embroiled in a controversy over two recently seized containers found to contain chemicals used for the production of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice. The issue came up repeatedly throughout this week’s debates in Parliament. Even as NPP MPs pointed to how the main suspect in the case was connected to the SLPP, it had to face questions from the opposition as to how the containers more..

Sep 30 (CT) The conversation over how a child should be disciplined is never an easy one to navigate. Opinions differ vastly between individuals, and the matter of a child’s upbringing is never easy to discuss, especially among parents who have to contend with corporal punishment’s place in a child’s disciplining and upbringing. What makes matters worse is the way some have romanticised corporal punishment in Sri Lankan culture, whether in song, verse, or storytelling. more..

Sep 30 (TM) SL has completed one year under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a period shaped by stabilisation efforts, cautious optimism, and a steady push to normalise key economic indicators. This review looks at what the numbers showed around Aug 2024 and where they stood by Aug 2025, so readers can see change clearly. It focuses on inflation, growth, tourism, exports, workers’ remittances, and reserves, more..

Sep 30 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake may not have been at his oratorical best in New York, where he addressed the UNGA recently, but he waxed eloquent in Tokyo when he met a group of SL expatriates. His address was a political version of a fire-and-brimstone sermon, full of warnings to his political opponents. What was of interest in Prez Dissanayake’s speech in Tokyo was his evasive answer to a question from the audience about the controversial release of 323 freight containers more..

Sep 30 (TM) If Sri Lanka’s fascination with Crystal Methamphetamine – commonly known as Ice was not concerning enough with the large quantities of the narcotic found in the island, including some alleged production facilities, yesterday heralded news of another new kid on the block, a synthetic stimulant drug by the name Mephedrone, was found for the first time, authorities said. SL has detected the highly dangerous synthetic stimulant drug Mephedrone for the first time, more..

Sep 30 (CT) The Govt of Anura Kumara Dissanayake or AKD Govt, has completed one year by September 2025. Many, except those in the Govt, have ventured into analysing its performance during this initial year. From the Govt side, a performance report is expected to be presented by AKD himself when he will present his Budget for 2026 in November 2025. Since those in the Govt did not have previous experience in governing the country, the two analysts, more..

Sep 30 (FT) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA SL) yesterday announced that it has formally presented its proposals for the forthcoming National Budget 2026 to the Govt. Proposals presented by CA SL addresses several critical pillars of fiscal management, including policy planning and implementation, establishment of a Tax Ombudsman, enhancing strategic trade policy and broadening the export base. It also included reforming the tax system to ensure equity more..

Sep 30 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara yesterday enticed Japanese companies to invest in stable and high-potential SL in a bid to tap the giant South Asian market. He had a closed-door meeting in Tokyo with several top Japanese companies, and later addressed a packed open Business Forum on the sidelines of his State visit, pushing for greater bilateral ties. At the open forum, Prez listed economic & political stability, more..

Sep 30 (Island) There is a renewed energy visible in the North. Govt officials from the North affirm there is reason for cautious optimism. Development activity is more visible now than at any point since the end of the war. A govt officer remarked that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake obtained around 27,000 votes in the Jaffna district during the last presidential election, but if he were to contest again today, he might receive 200,000. This may be one person’s opinion but if he were to contest more..

Sep 30 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday said that while it commends the Govt’s effort to introduce a legislative framework for PPPs through the Draft Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Bill, it noted several concerns that warrant further attention. These include ensuring the independence of the proposed National Agency for PPPs, strengthening competitive safeguards around unsolicited proposals, enhancing fiscal transparency through clearer reporting requirements, more..

Sep 30 (Island) SL took a significant step forward in advancing the conversation on responsible business practices with the convening of the High-Level Roundtable on Living Wage, held on 24 Sept at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. Organized by the UN Global Compact Network SL (Network SL) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO SL), the event was hosted as A. Baur & Co’s Nationally Significant Event in its role as Patron of the Business & Human Rights more..

Sep 30 (FT) Sri Lanka scored a major breakthrough in digital education yesterday with the announcement of a landmark partnership with Google, which will provide free access to advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for students across the country. Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne revealed the news at the inaugural National AI Expo and Conference 2025, calling it a monumental achievement for the country and AI capacity building development. more..

Sep 30 (EN) Sri Lanka’s budget deficit fell to 411 billion rupees in August 2025, down 55% from a year earlier, amid a 30.7% rise in taxes and slower capital expenditure. Tax revenues grew to 3,068.5 billion rupees, from 2,348.5 billion rupees and current spending also grew by a double-digit 11.2% to 3,381 billion rupees. SL has public sector bloated by unemployed graduates and salaries eat up a large volume of taxes, more..

Sep 30 (EN) Japan has begun military grant aid to Sri Lanka, taking a step beyond its usual support to the Indian Ocean island, through Official Development Assistance (ODA), the Japanese embassy said. The exchange of notes for the Official Security Assistance (OSA) took place between Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan to SL, and Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs of SL in Tokyo in the presence of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Anura Dissanayake. more..

Sep 30 (FT) Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne yesterday unveiled SL’s ambitious AI vision at the first-ever National AI Expo and Conference 2025, urging private sector investors to partner with local innovators to build a globally competitive digital economy. Speaking at the two-day conference spearheaded by the Digital Economy Ministry in collaboration with SLT-Mobitel, he said the event is being positioned not merely as a showcase, but as a launchpad, ushering in what the Govt hopes more..

Sep 30 (DN) The 13th edition of the ICC women’s cricket World Cup will commence in Guwahathi today with co-hosts India facing Sri Lanka. This women’s global event comprising eight countries will continue until November 2. A total of 28 matches will be played across the group stage, with all matches to commence at 3pm local time apart from the contest between England and NZ on Oct 26 which will start at an earlier time of 11am (local). more..

Sep 30 (FT) DFCC Bank has launched SL’s first-ever Blue Bond, a Rs. 3 billion issuance dedicated to financing projects that protect and sustain the country’s ocean resources. The Blue Bond, carrying an expected rating of A(EXP)(lka) from Fitch Ratings, will support projects in clean drinking water infrastructure, sustainable marine fisheries and aquaculture, marine renewable energy, eco-friendly coastal tourism, wastewater management, climate adaptation for coastal communities, more..

Sep 30 (FT) Sri Lanka and Japan yesterday exchanged notes for two projects under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) Program and the Project for the Enhancement of Productivity in the Dairy Sector. The agreements were signed by Japan’s Ambassador to SL Akio Isomata and Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath in the presence of Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba, and Prez Anura Kumara during the latter’s official visit to Japan. more..

Sep 30 (AD) Local residents and business owners have claimed today’s hartal in Mannar was a massive success. Today marks the 58th day of a protest launched by residents of Mannar, demanding the suspension of a proposed wind power plant project in the area. As part of the protest, local residents shut down their businesses today and engaged in a hartal. For nearly two months, Mannar residents have been continuously protesting, demanding an end to both the proposed more..

Sep 30 (CT) A 110-year-old farmer from Karandeniya has been officially recognized as the oldest living man in SL. National Secretariat for Elders confirmed the status of Bolanda Hakuru Meniel after verifying his birthdate of 4 June 1915, as recorded on his national identity card. Meniel, a resident of the 95A Agulugalla Grama Niladhari Division, has become a subject of national interest due to his remarkable longevity and enduring health. Leading a very healthy life, Meniel has dedicated his entire more..

Sep 30 (ST) In accordance with the IMF's guidelines, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Finance Minister, has issued a gazette reducing the duration and scope of tax exemptions and incentives granted to businesses investing in the Colombo Port City. The revision applies to both primary businesses of strategic importance (PBSIs) and secondary businesses of strategic importance (SBSIs), representing a reduction more..

Sep 30 (SO) Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical industry is dominated by imported products meeting over 80% of market demand while local manufacturers are struggling to penetrate the private market. The Buy Back Agreement signed between the local manufacturers and the Ministry of Health has helped them immensely to develop the local industry. The current Buy Back Agreement has come to an end and extension up to 2030 will pay dividends to the country in the years ahead. more..

Sep 30 (CT) SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara appeared before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court yesterday in response to a warrant over the alleged failure to submit the party’s expenditure for the Nuwara Eliya District for the last Local Govt election in the relevant time period. Maddumabandara represented by his lawyers, addressed the media after his court appearance. He claimed the entire issue stemmed from a communication breakdown at the EC, more..

Sep 30 (DM) Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested three SL men who were allegedly staying illegally in an apartment near Devanahalli. Police suspect they were involved in crimes in SL and had been hiding in the city for several months. The accused are from Colombo — Iresh Jayardhane, 31, of Ratnamalana, Sugath Sameendu, 46, of Kotahena, Dilip Harishan, 29, of Dondra. They were found living in a rented flat in Ozone Urbana apartments. Probe revealed the trio entered India illegally from Jaffna more..

Sep 30 (AD) The FUTA has announced that university lecturers will engage in strike action today (30) due to the govt’s continued failure to resolve the pressing issues within the university system. FUTA Secretary Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Ilangasinghe made this statement during a media conference held in Colombo. He stated that although it has been a year since the current govt came into power, there has still been no resolution to the ongoing crises affecting state universities. more..