Nov 21 (AD) Authorities have revealed details and exact weights of the narcotic substances discovered on the multi-day fishing vessel seized by the SL Navy off the southern coast and brought ashore last evening . The vessel, suspected of transporting narcotics, was intercepted yesterday (20) during a joint operation conducted by SL Navy & Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), based on intelligence received by the security forces. more..

Nov 21 (TM) Survey Dept informed that, per estimates, Sri Lanka has approximately 16.5 million land parcels, of which, only about 2.5 million have been surveyed and mapped. Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has drawn attention to the importance of accurately surveying and swiftly completing the mapping of all land in Sri Lanka. This matter was discussed when the Committee met on Monday (17) in Parliament, more..

Nov 21 (NW) A Sinhala and Tamil language training program for MPs officially commenced on Nov. 18 at the Parliament premises, under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Organized by the Members’ Service Office of Parliament with support from the Department of Official Languages, the initiative aims to strengthen communication skills among lawmakers and promote greater understanding between communities. UNP member Ashu Marasinghe said he would not take part, more..

Nov 21 (DM) A series of recent budget defeats across several Pradeshiya Sabhas—many controlled by the governing NPP, has raised concerns about the stability and functioning of local govt bodies. Budgets of the Yatiyanthota, Badulla, Naula and Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabhas were among those defeated in recent days. Amidst concerns, when inquired, a senior official at the Ministry of Public Administration said that more..

Nov 21 (CT) Mixed signals emerged yesterday (20) from several senior Opposition politicians over whether they would participate in the Mahajana Handa (People’s Voice) joint protest rally scheduled for today (21). The event, organised by a coalition of several political parties led by SLPP and independent politicians, is widely seen as a test of public support for Namal Rajapaksa’s possible presidential bid — a suggestion many Opposition groups have downplayed. more..

Nov 21 (DN) The presentation of the Productivity Master Plan and Accreditation Certificate for SL, hosted by the Asian Productivity Organization, was held in Colombo yesterday. The official presentation of the Certificate of Excellence for Productivity Specialists to SL and the signing of the Strategic Partnership Program by SL and the Asian Productivity Organization were also held at this event. Minister Sunil Handunnetti addressing the event said SL has come out of an era when more..

Nov 21 (NW) SL Police have urged organisers of the opposition’s rally scheduled to take place in Nugegoda on Nov 21 to ensure that their activities do not disrupt the A/L exam centres located in the area. Police said several schools in central Nugegoda, including Anula Vidyalaya, St. John’s College, St. Joseph’s Girls’ School & Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, are functioning as examination centres for the 2025 A/L Political Science paper during the same period as planned protest. more..

Nov 21 (AD) A former SJB member of the Pannala Pradeshiya Sabha has been arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB). He has been arrested in connection with the interception of a multi-day fishing vessel transporting a stock of narcotics in seas off the southern coast and the arrest of its six crew members. The multi-day fishing vessel carrying the narcotics haul, which was intercepted on Thursday by the SL Navy in the southern seas, was later brought to Tangalle Fisheries Harbour more..

Nov 21 (TM) Election Commission (EC) stated that while it is the Parliament that should decide under which system the long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections should be held, the Polls could be conducted sooner if it proceeds under the previous electoral system (proportional representation [PR]). EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said there are currently two possible paths: either to hold the Elections using more..

Nov 21 (SO) Most officials of the SL Railways Department are highly educated, yet the Department’s adoption of technology remains limited, Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament. He said that despite the introduction of new technologies over the years, many have not been fully utilised. “A GPS system was introduced by a previous Govt, but it is not being used properly,” he said. Minister said the Department was moving very slowly in executing its duties. As a result, more..

Nov 21 (DN) SL’s brilliant young golfer Kaya Daluwatte delivered an outstanding performance to win the Girls’ 21 and Under Championship at the Faldo Series European Grand Final for the 29th Faldo European Championship, completed at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in the UAE yesterday. The 17-year-old dominated the field from start to finish, producing three near-perfect rounds of 68, 67 and 67 to seal a crushing eight-under-par 202 victory. Sweden’s Lova Jansson could not more..

Nov 21 (FT) Oman is accelerating its efforts to attract foreign investment and sees growing opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses and professionals in tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and education, according to the country’s Ambassador’s to Sri Lanka. Ambassador Ahmed Ali Said Al Rashdi said that as part of Oman’s Vision 2040 economic transformation plan, the Sultanate continues to open up its markets in order to attract foreign investors across all sectors. more..

Nov 21 (FT) The Big Bold Brave 2025 (BBB 2025), a transformative platform spotlighting opportunities in the fast-emerging Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, concluded recently in Colombo, gathering renowned industry leaders from across the world for future-focused dialogue. Organised by the Harvard Club of SL, BBB 2025 was held 12-14 November at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo. The 3-day event began with an exclusive welcome event on 12 Nov, with the main conference more..

Nov 21 (FT) Ending months of speculation and delays over completing the country’s debt restructuring, national carrier SriLankan Airlines and the Govt of SL yesterday said that they have reached an agreement in principle with six members of the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders on the financial parameters of restructuring the national carrier’s $ 175 million Guaranteed Bonds due June 2024. Delivering the 2026 Budget in Parliament on more..

Nov 21 (DM) Sri Lanka has been named one of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026 by the magazine Travel + Leisure. The annual list by Travel + Leisure identifies destinations based on accessibility, cultural significance, unique experiences, and emerging travel trends. This year, Sri Lanka was recognized for its diverse attractions, natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage. Experts featured in the magazine recommend exploring the northern city of Jaffna, highlands of Horton Plains, and more..

Nov 21 (FT) Colombo stock market has reached a major valuation milestone in Nov 2025, trading at a price-earnings (PE) level significantly above its long-term norms, First Capital Research (FCR) said yesterday. According to FCR, the ASPI is now valued at a premium to its 18-year historical PER average of 12.0x based on 2025 earnings, marking a rare period in which market valuations have exceeded their typical range. As at yesterday, the ASPI has gained nearly 45% year-to-date (YTD), more..

Nov 21 (CI) Sri Lanka's batting imploded in the face of a disciplined Zimbabwe attack, as they fell to a 67-run defeat in the second match of the men's T20I tri-series in Rawalpindi. They were bowled out for 95, chasing a target of 163. For Zimbabwe, it was the perfect response to their opening game defeat to Pakistan. The wickets were spread among each of the six bowlers used by Zimbabwe. Richard Ngarava was excellent more..

Nov 21 (FT) SL’s licenced finance companies (LFCs) need to pivot from traditional consumption-led lending towards financing industrial and export-linked activity if they are to remain relevant in a changing economy, Lanka Rating Agency (LRA) said in its latest sector review. Agency argues that LFCs have the balance sheet strength and risk frameworks to play a more direct role in capital formation, as firms seek investment to raise productivity, add value, and compete more..

Nov 21 (FT) Paytm CEO for Travel and COO for Consumer Payments Vikash Jalan urged Sri Lanka to position itself as the most frictionless, trusted, and convenient overseas destination for Indian travellers, insisting that digital payments and fintech infrastructure will be just as critical as flights, hotels, and marketing in shaping the country’s next phase of tourism growth. Speaking at the India-SL Tourism Connect forum on the theme Role of Fintech in Tourism Experiences, more..

Nov 21 (FT) Dialog Axiata PLC, has renewed its strategic partnership with the Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA) to further their shared mission of driving positive transformation and sustainable progress across SL through impactful social development initiatives spanning multiple sectors. The renewed partnership seeks to amplify the outcomes of a series of ongoing and future development projects across critical sectors including digital transformation, more..

Nov 21 (Island) Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa mounted the high horse and went for a ride in Parliament yesterday. He read a newspaper group the riot act. What irked him beyond measure was a Sinhala newspaper report, which he described as a total fabrication aimed at discrediting the govt. The news report said a police clearance certificate could not be obtained at present without a letter from the head of the Civil Security Committee in the police area. more..

Nov 21 (ST) An urgent plea is going out to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to drive a National Policy for Water Management in reservoirs with grassland-dependent elephants, which would benefit both farmers and the wild elephant population during the Dry Season. It is all to do with balancing the storage and release of water from large tanks for irrigation during the Dry Season and also safeguarding more..

Nov 21 (FT) The agreement-in-principle with Bondholders of SriLankan Airlines marks a crucial breakthrough for the Govt few thought possible, although Sri Lanka still needs IMF and Official Creditor Committee non-objection to proceed. Last September, when S&P Global Ratings raised its long- and short-term foreign currency sovereign credit ratings on SL to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD,’ it said that the upgrade reflects SL’s efforts to complete the restructuring of remaining commercial debt, more..

Nov 21 (Island) It is quite some time since things began to fall apart rapidly in the international political order that came into existence post-1945 and left most sage minds baffled. However, the int'l community cannot evade the responsibility of trying to figure out ‘where to go from here’ and what needs to be done to bring a measure of order out of the chaos that is upon the world. More specifically, the question cannot be avoided as to what must be done to halt the relentless undermining of humanity more..

Nov 21 (CT) Educational qualifications of politicians and the manner in which some of the politicians have acquired those qualifications have been a hot topic for decades. The latest of such is the controversy surrounding SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa’s law degree, which has come to light following a statement made by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa in Parliament. However, it is not the first time the educational qualifications of the said MP have come under scrutiny. more..

Nov 21 (ST) Last week we examined a compelling issue in SL’s historical budgetary practices. SL has followed a deeply flawed formula in managing govt revenue and expenditure. On the revenue side, SL adopted an East Asian–style taxation system, which produced relatively low tax yields for the govt. On the expenditure side, however, it embraced Western-style high spending. This mismatch has proven disastrous. A nation that generates limited tax revenue must necessarily maintain more..

Nov 21 (SO) For 76 years since Independence, Sri Lanka has struggled to build a cohesive national identity. Successive Govts have spoken of unity and reconciliation, launched campaigns, slogans and cultural initiatives. Yet, for many Sri Lankans, the idea of a single, inclusive nation remains an aspiration rather than reality. Several leaders have tried to foster a sense of togetherness through national programs. more..

Nov 21 (FT) SL Business Council UAE (SLBC), under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce will begin its 35th Anniversary celebrations in 2026 with the launch of the inaugural SLBC EXPO Pavilion 2025, scheduled to be officially inaugurated today, at 2 p.m. at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre. Chief Guest will be Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Prof. Arusha Cooray and Guests of Honour are SLBC Eminent Senior Advisers, Farook Kassim and Gamini Kannangara. more..

Nov 21 (TM) The debate between the Police and tourism service providers about whether foreign tourists driving three-wheelers for travel purposes is legal has sparked a conversation in the society. This discussion points to both legal concerns as well as safety concerns. Recently, the Police issued a reminder to foreign tourists that driving any vehicle in the country without a valid int'l driving permit (IDP) or a domestic driving licence from their home country is prohibited. more..

Nov 21 (TM) The alcohol industry is strongly linked with the tourism industry in the country, and therefore, harm reduction approaches rather than total absenteeism, should be advocated by the health and education authorities as a realistic goal to promote population health. Moreover, effective alcohol control policies need to be developed based on scientific evidence considering gender, age, ethnicity & income variations of alcohol users more..

Nov 21 (GV) During a recent discussion with members of the Islamic community in Mawanella, an elderly Muslim woman shared a thought that captured the essence of SL’s long struggle toward reconciliation. “Women have a leading role to play in peace and in reducing violence,” she said. “Peace is not only for men. Maybe war is men’s work but peace is for all.” Her words, shaped by decades of witnessing conflict and coexistence, remind us that women have always carried the weight of more..

Nov 21 (DM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his recent remarks to Parliament, outlined how the government acted on specific intelligence to pre-empt what could have been a terrorist attack in Arugam Bay. He described how security authorities had received advance information about a potential plot targeting this internationally renowned tourist destination and convened urgent meetings—even at 1.00 a.m.—to make rapid decisions and deploy preventive measures. more..