Sep 18 (ST) One day a postgraduate student asked me an interesting question: “What’s the most important single economic indicator?” I was surprised and asked: “The most important single economic indicator? Indicator of what?” She replied: “Indicator of economic status of a country or economic progress!” I had never come across a question framed in quite this way. At first glance, it may seem deceptively simple or even somewhat absurd. more..

Sep 18 (TM) While the SLPP held a largely attended rally at the ancient capital of A'pura on 12 Sept, ruling JVP-led NPP held a similar one on the same day in another ancient capital, Polonnaruwa. Not to be outdone, the SJB, is also planning a massive rally this week. SL’s political landscape is once again filling with stages, loudspeakers, party flags, buses and large gatherings. Ruling Party holds rallies to demonstrate public confidence on the promises fulfilled and successes achieved in the last two years. more..

Sep 18 (DN) A veteran politician who has been at the centre of both the formation and the fall of govts, S.B. Dissanayake has also, in later years, stepped away from active politics. Now a former minister, he remains a keen observer of the country’s political and economic trajectory. In this interview, he reflects on the current political climate, Govt’s economic programme, agricultural production, the Opposition and the challenges facing the public service. more..

Sep 18 (GV) The Bill to amend the Constitution for the 22nd time, together with the proposed amendment to the Judicature Act, is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court. The immediate constitutional question is whether the proposed increase in the retirement age of judges can be enacted by a two-thirds majority in parliament alone or whether, in addition, it requires approval at a referendum. SC is therefore placed in the unusual position of determining the constitutional question more..

Sep 18 (TM) Ragging remains one of the most degrading and inhuman practices to which young Sri Lankans are routinely subjected, and it is a national disgrace that we still speak of it in 2026 as though it were an unsolved mystery rather than a plainly documented crime. Students have died. Others have lost limbs, or been left with injuries and trauma that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Many more, unable to bear what is dressed up as tradition, have simply walked away from more..

Sep 18 (TM) Eviction notices, hotel closures and demolitions along parts of SL’s coastline have displaced workers and left investors uncertain about businesses built over many years. Beyond the legality of individual buildings, these actions raise questions about environmental protection, livelihoods and Govt accountability. Two public responsibilities underpin this controversy: protecting beaches, dunes, mangroves and public access, and safeguarding people from more..

Sep 18 (DM) The human–elephant conflict (HEC) in SL is becoming increasingly severe and geographically widespread. The outdated mitigation approaches proposed as solutions to this crisis amount to wasting state funds. In the view wildlife experts, the Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground, founded on the myth of elephant rehabilitation, is yet another white elephant. Wildlife experts and animal lovers would call it an “open-air elephant prison camp. more..

Sep 18 (DM) On Tuesday (15), Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts warning of a potential danger in Jeddah, Mecca and Taif, urging people to seek shelter and follow official safety instructions. Even though the nature of the potential danger was initially not revealed, it was later reported that a Saudi-led coalition intercepted a drone launched by the Houthis headed towards the holy city of Mecca. On the same day, an Italian fighter jet flying for NATO had brought down more..

Sep 17 (NW) Two newly constructed post office buildings will be vested in the public this month as part of the govt’s ongoing programme to modernise SL’s postal service. Mullaitivu Post Office, built at a cost of nearly Rs. 56 million, will open on Sept 18, while the Kaithady Post Office in Jaffna will be vested in the public on Sept 19. In addition, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who is spearheading the modernisation programme, will lay the foundation stone for a new post office in more..

Sep 17 (AD) The Colombo High Court has ordered that the corruption case filed by the CIABOC against former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and Yoshitha Rajapaksa be called for a pre-trial conference on Oct 13. The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne today, with both accused, who are currently out on bail, appearing before the court. Appearing for Karannagoda, President's Counsel Shavindra Fernando informed the court that more..

Sep 17 (NF) The family of former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa is not prepared to disclose her current location, according to Manoj Gamage, spokesman for former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. Gamage said he had been informed that Shiranthi Rajapaksa would return to SL as soon as possible in order to continue providing care and support to former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. The development comes after Shiranthi more..

Sep 17 (DM) The Govt is considering increasing the salaries and allowances of prison officers in the upcoming Budget, Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said. Minister made these remarks during a discussion on issues faced by officers at the Dumbara Prison, held following the establishment of a joint mechanism covering the Dumbara-Bogambara Prison and the Pallekele Open Prison. Nanayakkara also inspected the prison premises and spoke with inmates about the challenges more..

Sep 17 (AD) The Bar Association of SL (BASL) and the Law Council of Australia has entered into a MOU in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on the sidelines of the 39th LAWASIA Conference. The Memorandum was signed by President of the Law Council of Australia, Tania Wolff, and President of the BASL, Rajeev Amarasuriya, BASL said in a statement. The Law Council of Australia, established in 1933 and based in Canberra, is the apex national body representing the legal profession of Australia. more..

Sep 17 (CI) In moments of extreme stress or trauma, it's not uncommon for individuals to disassociate, to mentally check out from thoughts, feelings or even physical discomfort. It's a coping mechanism meant to protect and shield the psyche from an unbearable reality. On Tuesday night, a rarer, sport-induced variation of this phenomenon took hold. For thousands of Sri Lankans watching on, both on the field and across television more..

Sep 17 (DN) SriLankan Airlines can no longer be sustained as a loss-making entity, Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said. He made the remarks during a special meeting held at the SriLankan Airlines premises on Sept 15 with newly appointed Acting CEO Vipul Misra. Secretary to the Ministry W.W.S. Mangala also participated in the discussions. The meeting focused on restructuring SriLankan Airlines, improving operational efficiency and restoring public trust in national carrier. more..

Sep 17 (NW) Actor Vishwa Kodikara was fined Rs. 5,000 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine. Mount Lavinia Magistrate Kanchana Neranjala Silva imposed the fine after Kodikara admitted to the offence. According to reports, Kodikara was arrested by Wellawatta Police on Wednesday night during a raid at a popular restaurant located in the coastal area of Wellawatta. He was among five people arrested with more..

Sep 17 (TM) Claiming that only around 9 per cent of Sri Lanka’s workforce are members of trade unions (TUs), National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) member and trade unionist Anton Marcus said the Govt should focus on protecting the workers’ right to join unions instead of concentrating on changes such as the proposed reforms to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF). Marcus, who is also the General Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and more..

Sep 17 (DM) One wonders whether the public rally organised by the SLPP with massive publicity in A'pura last Saturday — intended to create a favorable political wave across the country — has instead turned into a political disaster for the party itself. The meeting appeared to be a chaotic blend of political contradictions, conducted without a clear realisation of who is a friend and who is an enemy. At a time when the party needed to demonstrate that they are engaged in meaningful, more..

Sep 17 (NF) SL wants to use the economic stability achieved through IMF programme as a strong foundation to take the country towards a transformative era, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said when he met the visiting IMF team on Thursday. An IMF delegation is in SL for the 7th review of the country’s EFF programme and the 2026 Article IV Consultation. “Prez said recent economic indicators clearly demonstrate that more..

Sep 17 (NF) The driver of the car involved in the fatal road accident that claimed three lives in Mattakkuliya has been remanded until September 30. The order was issued after the suspect was produced today before the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court No. 07. Police also confirmed that the driver had been under the influence of cannabis at the time of the accident. According to police, the finding was established through a medical examination conducted following the collision. more..

Sep 17 (NW) 34 new U.S. Peace Corps trainee volunteers have arrived in SL to begin training ahead of two years of service in the country. The volunteers will undergo intensive training in Sinhala or Tamil, SL culture and American English-language teaching before taking the Peace Corps Pledge of Service in November. Following their swearing-in, the volunteers will serve in the Northern and North Central provinces, working with SL teachers and students to expand English education. more..

Sep 17 (EN) SL’s Ministerial Consultative Committee on Energy Affairs has approved the decision to call investment proposals to explore and develop petroleum resources in the country, parliament said. Last month, SL offered four offshore blocks in the Northwestern Mannar Basin for int'l investors to explore oil and gas in a fresh attempt to attract investments into the sector after an earlier attempt ended more..

Sep 17 (NW) SL has been assigned a 7.5% weighting in J.P. Morgan’s new frontier-market local-currency govt bond index, placing the country among the largest components of the benchmark. Govt Bond Index–Emerging Markets Edge, or GBI-EM Edge, is expected to be launched by the end of September and will track close to US$ 330 billion in govt bonds across 26 frontier markets. SL’s 7.5% share is just below the maximum country weighting of 8%. Vietnam, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, more..

Sep 17 (Island) LAWASIA, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific, has stated that in court proceedings of exceptional constitutional significance, the basis upon which a Bench is constituted should be transparent and discernible and capable of maintaining public confidence in the institutional impartiality of the Court. The following is the text of the statement issued by LAWASIA regarding the proceedings on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution: more..

Sep 17 (DM) Shiranthi Rajapaksa who left the country yesterday morning, is presently in Singapore undergoing a medical check-up at the elite Mount Elizabeth Hospital, sources said. Shiranthi left the island early yesterday, sparking controversy as she faces a summons to appear before the FCID on Sep 24 over alleged financial irregularities linked to the Siriliya Saviya Foundation. While in Colombo last week, the former First Lady had reportedly been admitted to a private hospital and more..

Sep 17 (NW) Authorities have uncovered a major haul of illegal electronic cigarettes inside a suspicious container in Peliyagoda, with officials seizing more than 1,400 devices along with refilling accessories and cosmetic products, Police said. The inspection was carried out by the Colombo Central Division Criminal Investigation Unit, assisted by SL Customs, Police Narcotics Bureau, and police sniffer dogs, after information was received by the Police Superintendent of the division. more..

Sep 17 (ICC) Sonal Dinusha has been named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for August 2026. This marks Dinusha being crowned with the accolade for the first time in his career. Having played only three Tests for SL coming into the ICC World Test Championship series against India, the left-handed batter was the leading run-getter in the two-match series. Dinusha finished with 420 runs, averaging a spectacular 140, more..

Sep 17 (DM) PM Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that universities have a moral responsibility to prevent and control ragging and ensure that students subjected to such incidents have confidence in the investigative procedures in place. She made the remarks at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, convened under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, held at Parliament under more..

Sep 17 (NW) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered that the warrant issued against former cricketer Aravinda de Silva and his wife be recalled. The couple had stood surety for Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, wife of the late SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, in connection with the Airbus bribery case involving an alleged USD 2 million payment. The warrant had been issued earlier in the day by Magistrate Pasan Amarasena after the couple failed to more..

Sep 17 (NW) The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered that Renuka Perera, former Chairman of the National Transport Commission, be remanded until Sept 29 following his arrest by the Bribery Commission in connection with a corruption allegation. The order was issued by Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama after considering submissions made by Bribery Commission officials and the suspect’s lawyers. more..

Sep 17 (NW) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, engaged in a series of tourism‑related programmes in Bangkok aimed at learning from Thailand’s approaches to destination promotion, product development, and heritage‑based tourism. According to the Embassy of SL in Bangkok, hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), led by Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Minister joined a curated heritage walk through Bangkok’s historic Songwat neighbourhood. more..

Sep 17 (DM) A well-grown leopard cub that had wandered into a house in Dedugala, Bulathkohupitiya, was safely rescued by wildlife officials following a coordinated operation. The rescue operation was launched on September 15 after the Bulathkohupitiya Wildlife Office received information that a leopard had entered a residence in the area. Wildlife officers, acting on veterinary advice, rescued the animal and subsequently attempted to reunite it with its mother. more..