Oct 16 (TM) The COPF was told the Govt had spent Rs 9.7 billion to establish the Colombo Port City (CPC) project, and COPF Chairperson Dr Harsha de Silva stressed that it was the taxpayers who had borne a significant cost and the State needed to receive a return on its investment. CPC Economic Commission said the Govt had spent Rs 9.7 billion on the project. CPCEC Chairperson Harsha Amarasekera said that the Govt expected to recover its expenditure when more..

Oct 16 (DN) Marking seven decades of diplomatic relations next year, govt officials, private sector leaders, and investment authorities from Egypt and SL gathered in Colombo for a high-level roundtable discussion on bilateral investment. The event, hosted on Oct 14, was organized to explore new avenues for economic cooperation and partnership between the two nations. The Egyptian delegation was led by Walid Anwar, Deputy CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) more..

Oct 16 (Island) Speaking at the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2026, T. Krishnakumar, CEO of Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), emphasised that local enterprises can unlock substantial economic benefits by strategically aligning with India’s booming consumer base. Addressing business leaders and policymakers at the Shangri-La Hotel, Krishnakumar highlighted that geographical proximity and rich cultural ties provide a natural foundation for deeper commercial collaboration. more..

Oct 16 (FT) SL’s manufacturing and services sectors in September have expanded, as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), its compiler Central Bank of SL said. Manufacturing PMI registered an index value of 53 in September, remaining unchanged compared to the previous month, indicating that manufacturing activities continued to expand at a similar pace during the month. CBSL said the expansion in New Orders and Production was largely attributed to positive developments more..

Oct 16 (FT) Driven by its commitment to introduce the latest global technologies and continuously elevate the customer experience, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced the introduction of Soundbox, an innovative audio-enabled digital payment acceptance device tailored for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Powered by Mastercard and implemented in partnership with Payable Ltd, the Soundbox solution is designed to bring small and micro merchants, more..

Oct 16 (FT) IMF yesterday urged SL to stay focused on completing the ongoing EFF program, which has two reviews still to run. The comments come amid persistent debate over SL’s IMF engagement beyond March 2027, when the EFF program ends. Fund said SL’s fiscal performance had outshone that of its peers, and left the decision on any follow-on arrangement to the Govt. “Let me step back for a second just to acknowledge first the important achievements that have been garnered more..

Oct 16 (Island) We welcome your recent expression of regret and apology in Parliament concerning Black July. Such acknowledgment of historical wrongdoing is a constructive step towards reconciliation and democratic accountability. However, an honest reckoning with history cannot begin and end with Black July. The violence of July 1983 was part of a much wider sequence of political developments, ethnic discrimination, state repression and the erosion of democratic institutions. more..

Oct 16 (Island) Glad tidings come occasionally amidst doom and gloom. Sri Lankans are elated that the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Anojan Sivarasa. He was initially sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined three million Saudi riyals over a Facebook comment deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad. The death sentence was subsequently imposed on appeal, forcing Sri Lanka to redouble its efforts to save him. The Opposition lost no time more..

Oct 16 (DN) Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake discusses the Ministry’s work over the past two years to promote religious and cultural affairs, strengthen social stability and preserve interfaith harmony in SL. He outlines the establishment of the Buddhasasana Sabha, bringing together the Sangha across all three major Nikayas and their sub-sects, the introduction of quality standards for the eightfold monastic offering (Atapirikara), more..

Oct 16 (GV) There is a quiet way for making a government to fail. It involves no scandal or dramatic collapse. Files simply move slowly, projects wait, money lapses and nobody is clearly to blame. This is the failure of weak leadership. In the provinces it has become common. There have been several experiences. Bureaucracy is not the enemy. Public servants keep the state running. Most work hard and follow rules. Many are skilled. However, a bureaucracy without direction serves itself. more..

Oct 16 (DN) The Indian Supreme Court’s recent observations on fishermen crossing into Sri Lankan waters offer a timely opportunity to address one of the most persistent irritants in India–SL relations. New Delhi and Colombo should take the reminder of the highest judicial body for essential follow-up action to ensure successful cooperation between neighbouring countries, rather than a recurring reminder of a dispute neither side has adequately resolved. more..

Oct 16 (TM) Equality before the law is one of the plainest principles of a democracy. A monk, a minister and a market trader answer to the same courts, and no sentence can be softened because of the status of the person serving it. Supreme Court’s decision to annul the presidential pardon granted to Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was an exercise of judicial authority, and whatever one thinks of the person, it deserves respect. He was convicted of contempt of court, and more..

Oct 16 (ST) This week the IMF announced that it reached staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka on the seventh review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The four-year EFF arrangement that Sri Lanka entered with the IMF in March 2023, is now nearing its conclusion by March 2027. While the approval of the staff-level agreement by the Executive Board is still pending, the approval is subject to two conditions: Firstly, Budget 2027 should be in line with IMF programme parameters. more..

Oct 16 (TM) As SL prepares for the 2027 Budget, the public is looking for more than just immediate relief, with concerns spanning from high living costs and taxes to employment, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Many people expect the budget to ease household burdens while increasing economic opportunities. At the same time, citizens are looking for long-term solutions that will improve incomes and support those who are struggling to become financially independent. more..

Oct 16 (DM) When Navanethem Pillay, who served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014, won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize on last Friday we saw mixed reactions from Sri Lankans. Many including Tamil leaders and anti-war campaigners welcomed it, while many in the southern parts of the island deplored it. Among the UN High Commissioners for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, commonly known as Navi Pillay, can be described as the most familiar figure to the people of SL. more..

Oct 16 (DM) Sri Lanka is currently in the process of integrating green transition concepts into its already existing infrastructure. Green transition is a shift away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy, low carbon systems and sustainable economic practices to achieve net zero emissions by mid-century. The goal of the green transition is to reduce and maintain cumulative impacts of human activity within the Earth’s geological limits. Already there are several ambitious goals such as more..

Oct 15 (NW) LOLC Holdings has strongly rejected allegations circulating on social media concerning a banking facility involving People’s Bank, describing the claims as misleading and factually inaccurate. In a clarification submitted to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on Oct 14, LOLC said the local-currency borrowing was fully secured against a US dollar deposit maintained with People’s Bank itself. The company stressed that People’s Bank holds the full collateral supporting the facility, more..

Oct 15 (DM) Several roads in Colombo have been flooded following heavy rainfall, while adverse weather conditions are expected to continue across several parts of the country, with the Dept of Meteorology warning of heavy showers, strong lightning and possible temporary strong winds. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces due to changes in the prevailing wind pattern, dept said. Showers or thundershowers exceeding more..

Oct 15 (Island) The National Shoora Council (NSC) has welcomed an assurance by Minister Vijitha Herath that the govt will take necessary action to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to seafarers stranded aboard Iranian civilian vessels near SL. In a letter dated Oct 13, Herath responded to the NSC’s appeal for humanitarian relief, assuring the council that necessary action will be taken as proposed more..

Oct 15 (NW) Construction of the Kurunegala-Galewela section of the Central Expressway is expected to begin before the end of 2026, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said. The project forms the first phase of Section 4 of the Central Expressway (CEP 4), which will eventually extend from Kurunegala to Dambulla. A special meeting chaired by the deputy minister was held on Oct 15 to discuss land acquisition procedures that must be completed before construction begins. more..

Oct 15 (NW) SL’s Arugam Bay has been ranked Asia’s best beach for 2026 in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, with four SL beaches securing places among the region’s top 20. Arugam Bay, a popular surfing destination on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, secured first place, ahead of Railay Beach in Thailand and Coral Beach in Malaysia. Three other SL destinations also featured in the rankings, with Bentota Beach placed ninth, Tangalle Beach 14th & Negombo Beach 19th. more..

Oct 15 (DM) Plans are underway to introduce the Metro Bus service to Kandy and its suburbs, with a special route survey conducted today under the leadership of Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena. The initiative is part of a broader plan to expand the Metro Bus service, currently operating in the Western Province, to other major cities across the country. A trial run was conducted from Kandy to Gampola to more..

Oct 15 (NW) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe has sought a formal clarification and correction from a private television channel over the alleged use of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated photograph concerning him during a television discussion programme. An official letter dated Oct 15 has been sent to the television channel, requesting an investigation into the authenticity of the photograph displayed by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa during the programme. more..

Oct 15 (AD) The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that individuals registered for income tax must submit their income tax returns for the 2025/2026 Year of Assessment before Nov 30. In a notice, the department stated that submitting income tax returns before the deadline would help taxpayers avoid potential difficulties. Income tax returns for the 2025/2026 Year of Assessment can be submitted online. IRD further stated that taxpayers requiring additional information or more..

Oct 15 (NW) Petrol-only vehicles have accounted for less than half of global new vehicle sales for the first time on record, marking a significant shift in the global automotive industry as hybrid and electric vehicles continue to gain popularity. According to automotive industry data reported by Japan’s Nikkei newspaper, petrol-only vehicles accounted for approximately 49% of global new vehicle sales during the first half of 2026, down from 52% during the same period in 2025. more..

Oct 15 (NW) Transparency International SL (TISL) has raised serious concerns over the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, warning that several provisions could undermine fundamental rights, judicial independence and democratic freedoms. TISL expressed concern over the Bill, gazetted on Sept 22, 2026, which seeks to replace the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The organisation highlighted concerns regarding the Bill’s broad definition of terrorism, more..

Oct 15 (DM) Colombo High Court was informed today that Yoshitha Rajapaksa had received a total of Rs. 5,150,626 in salaries and allowances during his 10 years of service in the SL Navy. The evidence was presented when the trial of a money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was taken up before Colombo HC Judge Udesh Ranatunga. Testifying under the questioning more..

Oct 15 (NW) Supreme Court has granted special leave to appeal in a bribery case involving former Deputy Minister Shantha Premaratne, who was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment for soliciting and accepting a Rs. 50,000 bribe in exchange for promising employment. Premaratne, a former UPFA politician and SLFP organiser in the Ampara District, was convicted by the High Court in 2017. Premaratne had solicited and accepted Rs. 50,000 from a party supporter after promising more..

Oct 15 (NW) Ven. Thiththagalle Anandasiri Thera has responded to allegations by SL Police that he spread false information about an assault during a protest march demanding the release of imprisoned Buddhist monk Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, acknowledging that he had initially assumed the injured man was a supporter of the march. In his initial video, the monk alleged that individuals linked to NPP were responsible for attacking a man who had assisted the protest march from Kandy more..

Oct 15 (DM) Sri Lanka and China have explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and the digital economy, including potential Chinese support for establishing a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre in SL. The discussions took place on 14 Oct at the Ministry of Digital Economy between Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne and Chinese Ambassador to SL more..

Oct 15 (DM) US-based The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated oncology drugs worth Rs. 330 million to SL to support cancer patients, while an agreement was also signed to provide 600 specialised wheelchairs for patients with spinal cord injuries. The donation was formally handed over to the Ministry of Health yesterday by Lui Wing Chung Mickey, Asia Area Director, and Apapohn Pinsakol Saengsin, Asia Area Manager, representing Latter-day Saint Charities. more..

Oct 15 (NF) Minister Vijitha Herath held high-level discussions with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Baku, as SL moves to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with countries across Asia. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), where Minister Herath is leading the SL delegation. Discussions between the two sides focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation more..