Nov 11 (DM) The govt has taken steps to strengthen the operational capacity of the Department of Prisons by approving the purchase of essential vehicles required for its duties related to court operations and inmate welfare. The Department had identified the need for additional vehicles to efficiently manage the transportation of suspects remanded by various courts across the country and to support other welfare-related services within the prison system. more..

Nov 11 (DM) Claiming that the govt is boasting of an overflowing treasury, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that anyone, even a Montessori kid can fill the Treasury by overly taxing the people. He told Parliament that the govt has overly taxed the people and collected over Rs. 287 billion as state revenue exceeding the revenue target of 15 percent of the GDP set by the IMF. He said according to the IMF condition, revenue target for 2025 is 15% of the GDP and said more..

Nov 11 (DM) SL’s latest budget reaffirms the govt’s commitment to reducing debt as a share of GDP over the medium term, according to Fitch Ratings, which noted that strong revenue performance will remain vital for meeting fiscal goals. The 2026 Budget, presented on November 7, sets a deficit target of 5.1% of GDP, slightly higher than the 4.5% expected in 2025. However, this is still a marked improvement from earlier projections. more..

Nov 11 (AD) Police Media Spokesman, ASP F.U. Wootler has urged the general public to refrain from posting selfies or other social media updates that reveal their location while on excursions, pilgrimages, or other trips. ASP Wootler explained that such posts could provide useful information to criminals targeting travelers or their residences. He emphasized the importance of carefully selecting the vehicles and drivers used for excursions, particularly for trips involving school children, more..

Nov 11 (NW) Sri Lanka’s rising table tennis prodigy, Taavi Samaraweera, has achieved a historic milestone by climbing to No. 3 in the latest Under-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings — the highest position ever attained by a SL player at any age level. According to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings released this week, Samaraweera surged 52 places to reach the third spot with 200 points, trailing Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira and Qatar’s Rabeah Al-Kuwari. more..

Nov 11 (DM) The road network that had its origin in foot paths through hard terrain has developed to an expressway today. The first highway in the country is the enchanting Colombo– Kandy highway which was designated route number one or A1. Colombo–Kandy highway of which the construction work commenced in 1820 was completed in 1824; it is is 201 years today. The old Colombo-Kandy road along Kelany Valley more..

Nov 11 (DM) The GMOA has warned that SL’s free health system is facing a severe crisis, accusing the 2026 Budget of failing to address chronic issues such as shortages of staff, medicines, and essential medical equipment. In a statement issued following an emergency Central Committee meeting held today, the GMOA said the country’s health service had reached a critical stage, with hospitals struggling to maintain patient care due to dwindling resources and inadequate facilities. more..

Nov 11 (AD) A petition requesting the Court of Appeal to order the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Jaffna Municipal Council to formulate a program aimed at reducing air pollution in Jaffna is scheduled to be taken up on January 22, 2026. The petition was filed by Dr. Uma Sukhi Nadarajah and was taken up today (11) before the Court of Appeal Bench comprising the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando. more..

Nov 11 (NW) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to restructure the SL Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank and the State Mortgage and Investment Bank, in a move aimed at ensuring financial stability and safeguarding depositor interests. The proposal, presented by the President, involves transferring the govt’s shares in the SL Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank to Bank of Ceylon (BOC), allowing it to operate as a subsidiary of BOC. more..

Nov 11 (TM) NSBM Green University proudly marked its 9th Anniversary on 26th Oct, celebrating nearly a decade of excellence, growth, and innovation in SL’s higher education landscape. This significant milestone was commemorated through a series of special activities held under the patronage of Vice Chancellor, Prof. E.A. Weerasinghe, honouring the university’s inspiring journey and its vision for the future. The anniversary celebrations began with invoking religious blessings more..

Nov 11 (DM) Air quality in several parts of SL has plunged to unhealthy levels, driven by a mix of local pollution and smoke drifting from neighbouring nations, including northern India, experts warn. According to real-time data from AQI, the affected areas include Kaduruwela, Chilaw, Akaragama, Wanduragala, Digana, Madampagama, Hungama, Akkaraipattu, Kalawana, Mulliyawalai, Pannankandy, Adampan, Uppuveli, and more..

Nov 11 (Island) Bangladesh has requested Sri Lanka to streamline the pharmaceuticals products registration process. The two sides have agreed to work for trade facilitation and the early convening of the meetings of the Trade Negotiating Committee, Joint Working Group on Trade and Shipping, Foreign Ministry here said, adding that both sides emphasised the importance of enhanced engagement of the private sectors and their chambers. Sri Lanka appreciated the support more..

Nov 11 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal by the Prez in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to formulate a bill to ensure the prevention of nationalization of private properties and also guarantee policy stability related to investments. In the 2025 Budget, a proposal was presented to introduce a new act to realize the objectives of prevention of capricious nationalization of private properties including more..

Nov 11 (DM) SL has been ranked third in South Asia for insufficient physical activity, according to a report by the WHO. According to a study by the WHO, 37.2% of adults above 18 are not involved in adequate physical activities required for a healthy life. The study, which was conducted by WHO in 2022, showed that women in general had a lower rate of physical activity than men, with 44.8% of women having insufficient physical activity more..

Nov 11 (Island) In terms of a MoU between National Centre for Good Governance of India (NCGG) and SL Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), so far 241 civil service officers had received training in India, a spokesperson for the Indian HC said. The MoU in this regard was signed in Dec 2024 during Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to India in Dec 2024. MoU provides for capacity building of 1500 SL civil service officers, over a period of five years, the official said. more..

Nov 11 (NW) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a five-year strategic plan, including the assigning of one science graduate to each of the 315 Vidatha Resource Centers across SL. The plan aims to strengthen the Technology for Villages initiative and expand scientific outreach in rural communities. The 2026–2030 plan, introduced by the Ministry of Science and Technology, focuses on enhancing the role of Vidatha Centers in delivering localized, research-based technological solutions. more..

Nov 11 (DM) Nearly 1 in 3 women (29.6%) are overweight, and 1 in 8 (12.6%) aged 18–60 years are obese in Sri Lanka according to the National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey, with highest overweight and obesity rates being among women aged 50–60 years. According to the National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey overweight refers to a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². Study which was conducted in 2022 more..

Nov 11 (NW) The Cabinet has approved, in principle, the establishment of a series of multi-modal transport hubs across key cities in SL, as part of a national initiative to improve the efficiency and integration of the public transport system. The proposal, presented by the Acting Minister of Transport and Highways, aims to enhance connectivity between buses, trains, and taxis by developing transport hubs in transit and main cities where passenger volumes are increasing. more..

Nov 11 (EN) SL’s 2026 budget, delivered by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Finance Minister last week marks a critical milestone in the nation’s post-2022 crisis recovery. As the second budget under the NPP govt, it reflects a year of governance focused on further stabilizing a tattered economy marred by decades of monetary, fiscal and governance weaknesses. The budget speech underscores achievements more..

Nov 11 (DM) Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd (AASL) has announced that 14 new check-in counters have been introduced on a trial basis at the newly built marquee at the BIA. The facility, which was completed within just one month, is a result of collaboration between SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and several key industry stakeholders. The initiative is aimed at ensuring smoother airport operations and providing hassle-free convenience for passengers during more..

Nov 11 (AD) The Colombo High Court has ordered that the further hearing of a case filed by the CIABOC against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and another defendant on corruption charges to be called on Dec 9. The case was taken up today before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal. During the proceedings, evidence was recorded from a former Deputy Finance Manager of the State Printing Corporation, who has been named as a witness in the complaint. more..

Nov 11 (DM) Court of Appeal directed the SL Customs to expeditiously release 625 BYD vehicles detained by the Customs, subject to respective bank guarantees and corporate guarantees, as set out in a motion filed by the SL Customs. The order was made by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando when several writ petitions filed by John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd came up for hearing. more..

Nov 11 (NW) Social media has been abuzz with a video showing Ramith Rambukwella, son of MP Keheliya Rambukwella, making an obscene gesture – raising his middle finger, towards reporters outside the Colombo High Court today after being served with indictments. Rambukwella is facing charges of unlawful asset accumulation, with the CIABOC alleging he failed to account for assets exceeding Rs. 296 million. The indictments were filed under Anti-Corruption Act and cover the period more..

Nov 11 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has sent a heartfelt message expressing solidarity with the people of India following the explosion in the Indian capital Delhi that killed at least 12 people and wounded several others yesterday. A powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station last evening, killing 12 people and injuring 20 others. Prez said in a social media post, “Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. more..

Nov 11 (FT) The 2026 Budget was unveiled amid high public expectations, following an election campaign that promised economic recovery, social equity, and institutional reform. Yet beneath the surface of fiscal projections lies a troubling disconnect between political rhetoric and Budgetary reality. This critique examines how the Budget falls short of the promises made to the people of Sri Lanka—on poverty alleviation, public investment, debt reduction, and leadership accountability. more..

Nov 11 (FT) When the SL Govt assumed office in 2024, it inherited a country in deep crisis — a state bureaucracy diminished by corruption, mismanagement, and elite capture. Years of short-termism, politicised policy, and neglect of national production had eroded sovereignty and self-reliant development. Yet, the democratic transition offered a rare opportunity for renewal. For the first time in years, citizens elected a Govt that promised to prioritise people and the environment more..

Nov 11 (TM) Court of Appeal dismissed without hearing a writ petition filed by the Vinivida Foundation, seeking to suspend the ongoing operation by the Wildlife Conservation authorities to drive away wild elephants that have entered villages into forest reserves in Hambanthota. The order was issued by a bench comprising President of the CA, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando, more..

Nov 11 (DN) The Govt has taken steps to provide permanent appointments to around 10,000 non-permanent employees in Govt departments and corporations, Minister Bimal Ratnayake informed Parliament. He said this while responding to a question raised by ITAK MP Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam in Parliament. Commenting further the Minister said, “The Budget provides for an increase in the allowance of railway crossing guards from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000. more..

Nov 11 (TM) SL has foregone over Rs. 240 billion in tax revenue for the exemption of VAT and Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) in the first half of this year for Non-Board of Investments (BOI), Port City, and Strategic Development Projects, Ministry of Finance said. In its tax expenditure statement for 2024/2025, the Finance Ministry said that VAT and SSCL Expenditure for Non-BOI Companies, excluding SDP and Port City Projects, amounted to Rs. 243.8 billion between January and June. more..

Nov 11 (TM) While welcoming the Govt’s decision to increase the daily wage of plantation sector workers, sector’s trade unions (TUs) noted the manner in which it was implemented does not set a good example regarding labour wages. In this regard, Voice of Plantation People organisation’s Executive Director Anthony Jesudasan explained that the burden of increasing the sector’s workers should be borne by employers, or plantation more..

Nov 11 (NW) Three workers, including two Sri Lankans, have been found dead at a land-based fish farm in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, in South Korea, prompting a police investigation, The Chosun Daily reported. According to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, the three workers, a Korean man in his 50s, the site manager, and two SL employees in their 20s and 30s, were discovered deceased inside a large reservoir at the Goseong farm around 8:30 pm on Nov 9. more..

Nov 11 (FT) The 2026 National Budget signals a cautious revival of SL’s construction and infrastructure sector, but industry leadership warns that contractors must adapt to a rapidly changing economic environment. In a statement issued yesterday, President of the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) welcomed the Govt’s renewed commitment to expressway development, irrigation rehabilitation and housing programs. However, he emphasised that private sector construction more..