Aug 14 (DM) A 53-year-old woman has been arrested by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division over properties and assets allegedly acquired through drug trafficking. Police said the investigation was launched after the IGP received information regarding a drug trafficker residing on Ferguson Road in Colombo 14, who had allegedly accumulated substantial assets through the illegal trade. Following reports submitted to court by the division, assets & properties were frozen more..

Aug 14 (DM) When a vehicle needs to be stopped for a traffic offence, police officers must carry out the interception openly and professionally at a location visible to other road users and should not hide in isolated locations or behind bushes while attempting to stop motorists, DIG in charge of the Traffic and Road Safety Range, W.P.J. Senadheera said. DIG also reminded traffic officers that departmental circulars and guidelines clearly set out how roadside duties should be performed. more..

Aug 14 (DM) An illegal betting operation known locally as Kotu Kapima has emerged as a growing social and financial concern in SL, with authorities warning that the underground scheme was attracting increasing numbers of gamblers and large sums of money. The issue was highlighted during a meeting of the CoPE Subcommittee, where National Lotteries Board Chairman Cyril Perera warned about more..

Aug 14 (CI) "The only thing I have to tell Niroshan Dickwella is to keep well. That's why he's in the team." Dhananjaya de Silva minced no words as he responded to probing questions on the recall of 33-year-old Dickwella to the SL Test squad. With no other wicketkeeper-batter selected - Dinesh Chandimal now bats at No. 3 and does not keep wicket in Tests - Dickwella is almost certain to be named in the XI on Saturday. There are few players in SL who polarise opinion like Dickwella, more..

Aug 14 (AD) More than 200,000 cases are resolved annually through Mediation Boards, Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara said. Minister made these remarks while attending the National Mediation Day celebration held today. He said 2026 could be considered a significant year for the mediation process, noting that more than Rs. 800 million had been allocated to the Mediation Boards Commission through this year’s Budget. more..

Aug 14 (DM) More than 25,000 patients across SL are currently awaiting heart surgeries, major surgical procedures and essential medical tests, with the waiting list for some heart operations reportedly extending as far as 2029, raising fresh questions over the Govt’s response to the country’s growing healthcare backlog. Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights President Specialist, more..

Aug 14 (NW) Former SL cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya officially launched the Dongcheng Hand Tools range in SL at the BMICH in Colombo on Friday. Dongcheng, Asia’s No. 1 power tools brand, expanded its product portfolio in SL with the introduction of its new hand tools range through Deen Brothers (DBL). The range was unveiled during the Construct Exhibition 2026, with Jayasuriya officially launching the products in the presence of DBL and Dongcheng more..

Aug 14 (NF) The Govt has extended the 50% surcharge imposed on customs import duties for imported vehicles until December 31, continuing a measure initially introduced to reduce foreign exchange outflows. The surcharge was first imposed on May 16 as part of efforts to contain the country's expenditure on foreign exchange arising from vehicle imports. The Ministry of Finance initially introduced the measure for a period of three months. That period was due to expire tomorrow. more..

Aug 14 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized that, in a small market such as Sri Lanka, it cannot be expected that the prices of goods and services will be regulated solely through market competition. Prez stressed the need for the Govt to establish a strong price regulation mechanism and towards this end, to further strengthen Lanka Sathosa and the co-operative movement and utilize them as key market players, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. more..

Aug 14 (DM) Police have arrested a woman and a man in connection with the abandonment of a four-year-old girl on Gammedda Road in Yatirawana Mudune, Wattegama yesterday. According to reports, the child had been brought to the area in a three-wheeler before being abandoned there. The two suspects were arrested by officers attached to the Hali Ela Police Station today. The female suspect is reportedly the mother of the child, while the male suspect is alleged to be her paramour. more..

Aug 14 (DM) The Govt’s proposal for the re-introduction of capital punishment will have a direct bearing on its lobby to retaining the GSP+ trade facility when exporting to countries in the European Union (EU) which has traditionally opposed it. The decision was announced by the Govt after a meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake last Monday. The EU, in its latest GSP+ review report on SL covering more..

Aug 14 (AD) An investigation has been launched into the disappearance of a stock of school textbooks and activity books issued by the Dept of Educational Publications, according to the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe. He said that a complaint had also been lodged with the Police regarding the incident. He explained that the transportation of textbooks and activity books issued by the Dept of Educational Publications is carried out by a private transport company more..

Aug 14 (NW) A knowledge exchange and orientation programme for 20 High Court Judges from SL was conducted at the Indian National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal, from August 10–14, 2026, according to the High Commission of India in SL. The programme featured nine thematic sessions covering judicial function and decision‑making, leadership and strategic thinking, integrity and accountability in governance, technology use in courts and digital transformation, court and more..

Aug 14 (Island) DTNA media spokesperson ex-MP Suresh Premachandran has called on the govt to begin investigations into the skeletal remains recovered from the alleged mass grave at Chemmani, in accordance with international standards and with the assistance of international organisations. Premachandran noted that more than 500 sets of skeletal remains had been exhumed and that excavation had continued for over 100 more..

Aug 14 (DM) A video circulating on social media has raised questions over police conduct during a routine vehicle check near the Wariyapola Police Station. According to the video, a man was travelling by motorcycle with his daughter from Kurunegala towards Padeniya at around 1 a.m. on Aug 8, when a group of police officers signalled them to stop while displaying a firearm. “On 08-08-2026, at around 1 a.m., I was travelling by motorcycle from Kurunegala towards Padeniya with my daughter. more..

Aug 14 (NW) Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris has called for an end to the practice of merely forwarding important official communications with the notation FNA — For Necessary Action — citing the handling of intelligence ahead of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Peiris said it was time to move away from the FNA culture and ensure officials take responsibility for acting on critical information rather than simply passing it down the chain. more..

Aug 14 (Island) The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), one of SL’s leading independent election observer organisations and democratic governance watchdog, marked International Youth Day by renewing its call for greater youth participation in the country’s democratic and civic life, and for a more responsible, informed, and rights-respecting digital public sphere, led by young citizens. International Youth Day, observed globally on August 12 each year, is a moment to more..

Aug 14 (Island) A SL youth studying in Japan has been arrested by police in connection with an ongoing investigation into the killing of a fellow compatriot, Japanese media reported. Police in Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture, have arrested an 18-year-old person on suspicion of stabbing a 21-year-old man with a knife. Police described both men as international students and lived at the same residence. According to police, the incident occurred at around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday at a home more..

Aug 14 (NW) Minister of Justice, Harshana Nanayakkara says the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to extend the retirement age of judges in SL, will be presented to Parliament on Tuesday (18). He said that on the same day the Judicial Organizations Amendment Bill will also be tabled in Parliament. The govt’s decision to extend the retirement age of judges has faced strong opposition from Chief Prelates, more..

Aug 14 (EN) Ceylon Tobacco Company, SL’s highest tax revenue contributor, reported a profit of 7.69 billion rupees for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, representing a 4.5% increase from the same period last year. The company recorded earnings of 41.07 rupees per share for the three-month period, up from 39.32 rupees in the corresponding quarter of 2025. Company’s turnover for the quarter was 52.44 billion rupees, a decrease from the 55.14 billion rupees recorded in more..

Aug 14 (NW) Sri Lanka will undergo its first review under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during the Committee’s 35th session in Geneva today (14). The review will take the form of an interactive dialogue between the Government of Sri Lanka’s delegation and the CRPD Committee, with members participating both in person in Geneva and virtually from Colombo. more..

Aug 14 (CI) One of the most underappreciated aspects of Test cricket is the quality of pitches in SL. Their groundstaff - who at times were prison inmates on penal labour duties teaming up with the regular staff - are famous for covering the whole ground in no time at all when it rains but the curators' expertise in creating excellent Test surfaces often goes undernoticed. Despite all that ever-present threat of rain on the island, more..

Aug 14 (AD) The Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force has met at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya. The meeting held yesterday (13) focused on extensive discussions on delays in contracted projects to rebuild infrastructure following the Ditwah disaster, obstacles to achieving the 2026 project targets, and the current progress of the Rebuilding Sri Lanka programme, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. more..

Aug 14 (DM) A crocodile was found inside a banquet hall of a popular hotel in Battaramulla. The crocodile reportedly entered the banquet hall, although no function was being held at the time of the incident. Hotel staff alerted the relevant authorities, and the crocodile was successfully removed from the premises. There were no reports of any injuries or damage in connection with the incident. Hotel staff are seen guiding the animal through a door leading to the garden and lake. more..

Aug 14 (FT) Inflation is a phenomenon faced by every citizen of a country and, therefore, warrants public attention. It affects the decisions of households, businesses, and the Govt. Globally, central banks are generally entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining low and stable inflation, which is referred to as price stability. For this purpose, central banks implement monetary policy. When implementing monetary policy to maintain price stability, central banks generally have more..

Aug 14 (FT) Dengue infections are reaching record heights in Sri Lanka, and the response appears to be the usual as well. Weather changes appear to be slowing down the daily infection rate now. Govt has just appointed Mosquito Eradication Health Service Assistants – 1500 in number! Hospitals are overflowing with patients, and patients are even advised to stay at home and follow protocols. The surge is reminiscent of the COVID-19 days. In dengue care, SL has shown excellent results. more..

Aug 14 (TM) Despite maintaining 16,966 active files on missing civilians, the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has so far found and verified only 25 missing persons, with another six believed to be alive but awaiting verification, OMP’s Executive Director Dr Jeganathan Thatparan said. Speaking to the media yesterday ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, more..

Aug 14 (AD) Dept of Examinations has assured that the GCE A/L question papers scheduled for today have not been leaked in any way and that today's exam will proceed as planned. Commissioner General of Examinations, Indika Liyanage, has urged candidates not to panic over false information claiming that A/L exam question papers scheduled for today have been leaked. The dept therefore urged all candidates to sit for the exam as per usual without unnecessary fear or concern. more..

Aug 14 (PMD) A discussion with representatives of the Catholic Church was held at the Presidential Secretariat today (13), co-chaired by Minister of Science and Technology Mr. Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the Prez Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The meeting reviewed the administrative issues affecting Catholic schools that were taken over by the Govt, the development of a mechanism for providing teaching staff for Catholic religious studies and the progress made in more..

Aug 14 (FT) Govt is continuing negotiations with the US for better competitive trade terms while strengthening its forced labour import controls, as officials cautioned that the current 10% additional tariff treatment would not by itself provide exporters a lasting advantage over regional competitors. Trade Ministry and Commerce Dept officials told CoPF on 11 August that negotiations remained under a non-disclosure agreement more..

Aug 14 (ST) Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) conducted an awareness session for coconut cultivators in the Mahakumbukkadawala area in Puttalam recently. They were briefed on irrigating coconut cultivations, the application of fertilizer and harvesting. Most cultivators were provided air rifles at concessionary rates to control rock squirrels and monkeys. CCB provided a 50% discount for the purchase of air rifles. The progamme was conducted by Puttalam District office of the CCB. more..

Aug 14 (FT) Eric Meyer has been officially sworn in as the new US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, marking the start of his tenure as Washington’s envoy to Colombo. Meyer took the oath of office at a ceremony held at the US Department of State in Washington, DC. “On behalf of the entire Embassy team, we warmly congratulate him. We look forward to working under his leadership to deepen the partnership between the US and SL, advancing our shared interests and priorities,” more..