Jul 30 (ST) An extensive new regulatory regime is in the making for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in SL, designed to completely supersede the obsolete Voluntary Social Service Organisations (VSSO) Act No. 31 of 1980. Director General of the NGO Secretariat Chandrarathna Vithanage confirmed that because the bill is not yet finalised, it has not been enacted into law. The NGOs (Registration and Supervision) Bill 2026 provides for mechanisms for monitoring foreign funding, more..

Jul 30 (Island) Sri Lankans are gluttons for punishment. All govts they elect with steamroller majorities invariably undermine democracy. They voted overwhelmingly for the SLFP-led United Front in 1970, the UNP in 1977, the SLFP-led UPFA in 2010, and the SLPP in 2020 only to be left with regrets. But they did so again in 2024, when they elected the JVP-led NPP with a mammoth majority, which is to be misused to amend the Constitution to extend the retirement ages of the superior court judges. more..

Jul 30 (Island) In today’s digital age, smartphones have become an essential part of everyday life. They are used for communication, education, entertainment, and accessing information. In SL, the number of children using smartphones has increased rapidly over the past decade. While smartphones offer many educational and social benefits, excessive or improper use can create serious challenges for children’s physical health, mental well-being, academic performance, and social development. more..

Jul 30 (DN) Sri Lanka is a country that is proud of our social statistics. The country that has a higher literacy rate in South Asia only second to Maldives. Free healthcare and free education are a national pride for every citizen, ever since Mr. C.W.W. Kannangara as a minister of education established the right for free education from the colonial Britian. Our history teachers were proud to mention the landmark victory that granted education as a right rather than a privilege. more..

Jul 30 (TM) Govt's proposed non-governmental organisation (NGO) Law is a heavy-handed piece of Legislation. The Government’s justification is that regulating NGOs is necessary to comply with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is an inter-Governmental body that, among other things, aims to address issues of terrorist financing and money laundering. Further, that there is a sense of urgency because the Govt is required to respond to the FATF before October. more..

Jul 30 (SO) As the Govt intensifies efforts to broaden the tax net, the majority of the public is eager to comply with its tax obligations. The transparency in governance has resulted in the public choice to pay taxes voluntarily, increasing the country’s tax revenue within the past few quarters. In this backdrop, the Inland Revenue Dept (IRD) recently called on tax evaders to comply with the existing laws, avoid enforcement actions and meet their obligation to the State. more..

Jul 30 (ST) Two weeks ago, we were in the Eastern Province, where we attended two seminars — one at Eastern University and the other at Southeastern University. Both focused on SL’s transformative growth and the role of regions in shaping it. We also spent a few days exploring Batticaloa, Passikudah, Arugambay, and the Kumana National Park. Our discussions with Vice Chancellors, faculty members, and students gave us valuable insights into the provincial economy. more..

Jul 30 (ST) The other day I heard Dr Harsha de Silva, an articulate, persistent and persuasive parliamentarian, one of the few around, do what he does well. As chairman of the COPF, I watched him drill some officials of the Finance Ministry with regard to the disappearance of a huge sum of money. This was real scientific planning where criminals are only a step behind modern technology, and the sleuths waiting to crack down on the perpetrators are still behind. more..

Jul 30 (SO) More than US$700 million may have been transferred out of SL through an alleged network of companies that claimed the money was being sent overseas to pay for imported goods. But according to Police Media, thousands of these payments were followed by no evidence that the goods had ever entered the country. CID is now investigating 21 leading companies over what could become one of the country’s largest foreign exchange fraud investigations. more..

Jul 30 (CT) The mandate that propelled Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his NPP coalition to a historic landslide victory was anchored to an explicit, uncompromising promise: the total dismantle of state capture, the eradication of institutional corruption, and the resurrection of an independent rule of law. Yet, less than a year into its transformative governance, the administration has engineered a high-stakes constitutional standoff that threatens to dismantle the very democratic safeguards it swore to protect. more..

Jul 30 (DM) Drives launched by govts to eliminate certain undesirable phenomena are politically very convenient. Such programmes bolster people’s faith in govt at times when it begins to wane. We already have the drive to eliminate dengue by 2030, and now the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) and the National Rabies Control Programme have announced a drive to completely eliminate rabies by the same year. This is laudable. But a public outcry arose after this announcement more..

Jul 29 (DM) S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka’s long- and short-term sovereign credit ratings at CCC+/C, while maintaining a stable outlook, citing continued economic recovery, strong revenue growth and improvements in fiscal management. The ratings agency said SL’s economy has remained resilient despite multiple external challenges, with increased govt revenue helping to support fiscal consolidation and more..

Jul 29 (TM) Several members of Kavadi dance groups participating in the annual Esala (July) Perahera of the Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya were arrested yesterday morning for allegedly possessing narcotics during a special Police operation. Around 1,500 security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the procession, while all Kavadi groups taking part in the event are being subjected to inspections. The heightened security measures follow more..

Jul 29 (DN) Joint Opposition Coalition Convener, former Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris said yesterday that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will convene all its 26,000 members today for a special discussion regarding the judicial retirement age. This Association officially represents the country’s legal community. But, the proposal has been approved without receiving and reviewing prior observations and representations from BASL and other legal stakeholder’s. more..

Jul 29 (Island) Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRF) has requested the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) to locate three inmates of the Negombo Prison who disappeared shortly before violence erupted there on 5 July. Those who disappeared included one accused, one suspect and the status of the other person is not known. Executive Director, CPRF, Senaka Perera identified them as more..

Jul 29 (NW) John Keells Holdings (JKH) has announced plans to introduce the globally recognised fast-food chain Wendy’s to Sri Lanka, with the first outlet expected to open by Dec 2026. The announcement was made in JKH’s financial results for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, released on Tuesday. The company said it will diversify its Consumer Foods portfolio by entering Sri Lanka’s Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) segment through the rollout of Wendy’s. more..

Jul 29 (ST) Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm project is currently being fast-tracked by the government as a long-term solution to regional energy security, highlighted by a major international bidding push launched just days ago, a senior official of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said. Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd (TPTL) officially announced plans to launch an international Request for Proposals (RFP) to commercialise and redevelop 29 of the 61 unused tanks under its custody. more..

Jul 29 (EN) SL’s cabinet has approved a proposal to establish a state-owned company to manage, operate, and develop the island’s multimodal transport hubs, govt spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The new entity, created under the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, will be a Treasury Limited (Public) Company directly controlled by the Ministry of Transport. It will handle the operation, administration, standardization, business development, more..

Jul 29 (DM) National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has launched an investigation into the presence of Physalia, commonly known as the blue bottle jellyfish, along the Panadura beach and issued safety advice to the public following reports of several beachgoers being stung. The investigation was initiated after the Panadura Municipal Council informed NARA about an increased presence of jellyfish in the coastal area. NARA officials visited the beach more..

Jul 29 (DN) SL women boxer Nadeeka Pushpakumari who represented the Round of 16 in the women’s 51kg weight class, defeated Scottish boxer Brooke Neely 3-2 to qualify for the quarter final at Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland. The 35-year-old Nadeeka who won bronze at 2021 Asian Women’s Championship in the same weight class once again came to the fore in this Commonwealth Games and will meet Namibian opponent more..

Jul 29 (NW) Senior Professor Upul Subasinghe has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the Uni of Sri J'pura. The appointment was made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Senior Prof. Subasinghe currently serves as the Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Uni of Sri J'pura. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) and a Ph.D. from the Uni of Wales and is a Chartered Biologist (SL). The Uni said Senior Prof. Subasinghe is a distinguished academic and researcher more..

Jul 29 (NW) The annual Aadi Vel festival of the New Kathiresan Kovil passed in front of Temple Trees in the afternoon of 28 July. The Prime Minister participated in the religious ceremony by offering a pooja tray during its street procession on behalf of the PM’s office. Following a customary drum procession that escorted the PM from Temple Trees to the Vel chariot, she offered a Pooja tray to the sacred Silver chariot (Ther) carrying the Lord Murugan and received blessings. more..

Jul 29 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned police officials on how they calculate the estimated street value of narcotics seized during anti-drug operations, during the Galle District Special Coordination Committee meeting on Tuesday. While briefing the President on the progress of the nationwide Ratama Ekata anti-drug operation, police officials outlined the quantities and estimated values of various drugs seized in Galle District since the programme began on 30 Oct 2025. more..

Jul 29 (Island) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday granted bail to Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Charith Abeysinghe, former SJB Horana organiser, and Aruna Sri Chathuranga, former Airport and Aviation Services director. They have been in remand custody since 25 June over allegations regarding receiving Rs. 120 million from Madushika Madhuwanthi, wife of underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka, alias Harak Kata. more..

Jul 29 (FT) In a shocking revelation, National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) last week announced that SL has yet to receive an application to register Ceylon Tea as a Geographical Indication (GI), despite the country’s globally recognised 159-year tea heritage. Responding to a question posed at the SL-USA Business Council (SLUSABC) breakfast forum on IP Trade Corridor: Strengthening US-SL Economic Partnership more..

Jul 29 (TM) Though Sri Lanka introduced independence to the Central Bank, alongside a separate public debt office in its pursuit of good governance, its agencies have not prioritised competence, particularly with regards to inflation targeting and interest rate spread, Verité Research Founder and Head of Research Nishan De Mel said. He was speaking at a panel discussion hosted by First Capital, held last week. Referring to the CBSL Act No. 16 of 2023, De Mel said: more..

Jul 29 (Island) SriLankan Airlines has strengthened its regional connectivity through a new interline agreement with Island Aviation Services, operating as Maldivian (Q2). This agreement enables SriLankan Airlines passengers to seamlessly access 17 popular domestic destinations across the Maldives. The arrangement is designed to enhance travel convenience by allowing passengers to book journeys involving both carriers under a single electronic ticket. more..

Jul 29 (ST) Experts have called on the govt to create a centralised management system to manage fire safety departments which remain under the control of local councils. They have also pointed out that empowering firefighters to take legal action against those ignoring fire safety would also help reduce such accidents. The call for govt intervention has intensified after five people were killed after a fire in a helmet factory more..

Jul 29 (FT) DFCC Bank has introduced SL’s first ATMs and Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs) offering transactions in eight languages, enabling int'l visitors and local customers to withdraw or deposit cash in the language most familiar to them. Now available in the arrivals area of BIA and at DFCC Bank locations in Hiriketiya, Ella & Arugam Bay, the service offers English, Sinhala, Tamil, French, Chinese, Russian, Hindi & German, with a wider rollout across the bank’s countrywide network. more..

Jul 29 (DM) Jaffna Kings boosted their Lanka Premier League 2026 playoff hopes with a convincing 19-run victory over Colombo Kaps at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, powered by Ibrahim Zadran’s brilliant half-century and Dilshan Madushanka’s match-winning bowling spell. Zadran produced his best innings of the tournament, anchoring the Jaffna innings with a classy 95 from 65 deliveries. The Afghanistan opener combined timing and power, smashing 12 boundaries more..

Jul 29 (Island) The Buddha, in my humble opinion, has been one of the greatest revolutionaries in human history, if not the greatest. I know very well that some of my fellow Buddhists would, perhaps, be shocked and take strong exception to my using the term revolutionary in reference to the Buddha, for revolution has been tainted by the actions of some revolutionaries, especially those involving political or socio-economic change, as they have been associated with violence and bloodshed. more..

Jul 29 (FT) SL’s top blue-chip John Keells Holdings (JKH) yesterday said it posted stronger first-quarter earnings for FY2026/27, with growth led by its transportation, consumer foods, property and financial services businesses, although profitability continued to be affected by foreign exchange losses and weaker tourism due to travel disruptions arising from the Middle East conflict. Group revenue for the quarter ended 30 June increased 24% to Rs. 141.65 bil from Rs. 114.15 bil a year earlier, more..