Sep 16 (NW) CID has told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that investigations have uncovered information suggesting that sections of SL’s military and state intelligence apparatus had prior information relating to the Easter Sunday attacks but failed to share it with other security agencies. The claims were made as the case involving former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay and other suspects linked to more..

Sep 16 (NW) Turkish Airlines is facing a wave of criticism from Sri Lankans on social media after several javelins belonging to Sri Lankan athletics star Rumesh Tharanga were damaged during his return journey from Hungary. The airline’s social media pages have been flooded with negative comments from Sri Lankan users, with many demanding an explanation and compensation for the damage caused to the equipment of one of the country’s leading athletes. more..

Sep 16 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has questioned how the President became aware of a confidential Supreme Court ruling on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, warning that such knowledge undermines judicial independence and poses a threat to democracy. Addressing a meeting with SJB provincial councillors and seat organisers from the Kalutara, Gampaha and Colombo districts, Premadasa said the 22nd Amendment must be read together with the Judicature Act. more..

Sep 16 (FT) SL’s economic growth eased to 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from the 5.1% expansion recorded in the first quarter, Dept of Census and Statistics (DCS) said. This is the lowest quarterly growth rate since 2024. Real GDP at constant (2015) prices rose to Rs. 3,029,816 million in 2Q 2026, up from Rs. 2,908,570 million in the corresponding quarter of 2025. Nominal GDP increased 11.3% year-on-year, more..

Sep 16 (NW) The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has reminded taxpayers that the deadline for the final payment of income tax for the Year of Assessment 2025/2026 is September 30, 2026. In a notice to taxpayers, the department urged individuals and businesses liable for income tax to make their payments on or before the deadline to avoid penalties and interest. The notice applies to Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Individual Income Tax (IIT) and Partnership Income Tax (PIT). more..

Sep 16 (TM) Govt Analyst’s (GA) Department has received a range of modern forensic testing equipment aimed at further strengthening its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing capacity and expediting the analysis of biological evidence. The equipment, provided with the assistance of the UNDP, was officially handed over yesterday at the premises of the Dept in Battaramulla. The equipment includes a Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine, a PCR system more..

Sep 16 (DM) The CIABOC arrested the former Chairman of the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, Prasanna Sanjeewa, earlier today. According to the CIABOC, the arrest was made following an investigation into allegations of corruption during his tenure. Investigators allege that Sanjeewa acted in violation of the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority Act by bypassing standard tender protocols to issue passenger transport permits. more..

Sep 16 (Island) In a landmark step towards strengthening regional cooperation, South Asian University (SAU) has signed an MOU with Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS), Colombo, to foster research networks, partnerships and collaborations for transformative change across South Asia. This is the first agreement signed by SAU with an independent research think tank in SL, and is particularly significant, given the regional character of both institutions, SAU said more..

Sep 16 (FT) Counsel appearing for the first suspect in the foreign currency transfer case, have urged the Attorney General to direct the FCID to investigate how police alleged, that goods, for which funds had been remitted by banks, had not been imported into Sri Lanka, in the context of the FCID subsequently reporting to Courts in paragraph 9 of their report dated 20 August 2026, that in fact goods had come to SL and cleared by Customs! more..

Sep 16 (DM) Consulate General of SL in Jeddah has issued an emergency advisory urging Sri Lankan citizens in the Western region of Saudi Arabia to remain alert amid the emerging situation in the region. Consulate advised citizens to follow any emergency warnings received on their mobile phones through the National Warning Alert system and immediately move indoors to a safe area away from windows. Those who are outdoors have been advised to enter the nearest safe building more..

Sep 16 (DN) SL’s champion javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga arrived at the BIA yesterday morning after winning the men’s javelin throw title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary and received a grand welcome by the Sports Ministry officials, Air Force officials, SLT Mobitel officials and family members. The 23-year-old Sri Lankan having completed a successful European series won both Diamond League Champions trophy as well as more..

Sep 16 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a proposal to publish the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2027 in the Govt Gazette and thereafter submit it to Parliament for approval. The move follows a decision taken at the Cabinet meeting held on 30 June 2026, approving the preparation of the Appropriation Bill for 2027. “The Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has received clearance from the Attorney General,” Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday more..

Sep 16 (Island) BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera’s whereabouts have remained unknown since the Supreme Court, on Monday, annulled a presidential pardon granted to him in 2019. Prison officers visited the Thera’s temple in Nawala, Rajagiriya, to take steps to return him to prison to serve the unexpired portion of his six-year sentence. However, monks at the temple had reportedly informed the officials that they were unaware of his whereabouts. more..

Sep 16 (NW) SL-born politician Kamzy Gunaratnam has been appointed Norway’s new Minister of Transport, marking another milestone in her political journey from Jaffna to the Norwegian Cabinet. Norwegian govt officially appointed Gunaratnam to the post on Sept 11, replacing Jon-Ivar Nygård. As Transport Minister, she is responsible for policies relating to the transport of people and goods, as well as more..

Sep 16 (Island) Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), in collaboration with the Road Development Authority (RDA) and Police – Traffic Division, will conduct a special Road Safety Awareness Programme to promote the importance of wearing seat belts in vehicles specially on the express highways in order to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries. The official handing-over ceremony took place at the Chairman’s Office of the Road Development Authority on 14th Sept 2026, more..

Sep 16 (FT) SL’s manufacturing and services sectors in August have expanded, as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), its compiler the CB said. Manufacturing PMI registered an index value of 53 in August, reflecting an increase in manufacturing activities at a slower rate compared to 55.6 in July 2026. CB said all the sub-indices, except for Production, remained above the neutral threshold in August. New Orders sub-index remained at the neutral threshold in August, indicating more..

Sep 16 (NW) Supreme Court has detailed how a politically motivated complaint, an unusually swift police response and the conduct of investigators were used to pursue a political agenda against former senior police officers Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara ahead of the 2024 Prez Election. Court ruled that former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and then-CID Homicide Branch OIC Chief Inspector Induka Silva more..

Sep 16 (DN) Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is seeking a fresh Government-industry push to add the next US$3 billion to annual exports, with greater investment, automation, trade access and domestic supply-chain development identified as critical to achieving the target. The sector, which accounts for around 40% of merchandise export earnings and provides employment to 300,000–350,000 people, has recorded exports of about US$5 billion annually over the past five years. more..

Sep 16 (DN) SSC will meet Tamil Union in the Major Clubs T-20 cricket final at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium tonight at 7pm. SSC led by Avishka Fernando registered a comfortable 46 runs win over NCC in the semi final at the same venue last Sunday while Tamil Union produced a thrilling semi final finish against CCC where eventually the winner was decided in a super over as both teams finished on identical 193 for 6 wickets in their 20 at the SSC grounds. more..

Sep 16 (Island) Somewhere in the fine print of every trading app you’ve ever seen advertised on social media, there’s a sentence that almost nobody reads all the way through. It usually says something like this: 77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Read that again. Not some people lose money. Not trading carries risk. Seventy-seven out of every hundred ordinary customers who sign up and put their own money in, lose it. more..

Sep 16 (DM) The Sri Lankan Corporate Health & Productivity Awards (SLCHPA) 2026 was officially launched recently, introducing an enhanced edition of the platform that recognises organisations committed to strengthening employee wellbeing, workplace health and productivity across Sri Lanka. The launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for an initiative that continues to encourage businesses to place their people at the centre of organisational success. more..

Sep 16 (CI) Harry Brook led from the front with his second and fastest T20I century as England sent SL swirling down the Utilita Bowl with victory by 119 runs in the first T20I. The limited-overs skipper's 42-ball effort - quicker than every Englishman bar Phil Salt's 39-baller almost a year ago to the day against South Africa - took England to 254 for 4, compelling former Test captain Ben Stokes to wax lyrical on social media. more..

Sep 16 (TM) As Foreign investor holdings have increased their LKR-denominated Govt securities to about Rs 200 b, amidst consecutive weeks of net foreign inflows – it should not be mistaken for renewed confidence in equities, but an early sign of confidence, LOLC Securities Head of Research Ruvini Kaushalya said. “If we look at the weekly numbers, foreign investors have been steadily increasing their holdings of rupee denominated Govt securities. You can see foreign holdings more..

Sep 16 (DM) Sri Lanka sits at a crucial global crossroads, transitioning from a historical focus on India and China to an arena of broader international focus. With rising attention from the United States, Japan, France, and NATO, Colombo faces a vital crossroads. Navigating this heightened geopolitical presence requires a shift from choosing allies to balancing multi-lateral interests. By prioritizing strategic autonomy, technological sovereignty, and a cohesive security framework, more..

Sep 16 (Island) Opposition propagandists are in overdrive trying to portray the JVP-NPP govt as an inefficient regime or a kakistocracy. But there are certain tasks it carries out very efficiently, and they include increasing taxes, tariff, and fuel prices. Speculation is rife that another fuel price hike is in the pipeline. Filling stations, operated by some foreign companies, have stopped dispensing diesel, claiming losses, according to media reports. Opposition-aligned trade unionists and more..

Sep 16 (TM) Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said a Cabinet paper has been submitted to introduce mandatory clearance certificates for anyone entering, or already serving in, public sector positions that bring them into direct contact with children. Teachers, childcare officers, probation staff and others in similar roles will need to obtain a certificate from the Police or another relevant authority confirming they have not been accused of child related offences, and more..

Sep 16 (TM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that the Govt intends to overhaul Sri Lanka’s healthcare service by introducing a family doctor system, under which patients would require a referral before being able to access major hospitals, a proposal that has drawn a mixed public response and criticism from the Opposition. The planned health reforms programme is expected to be rolled out within three years, it is learnt. more..

Sep 16 (SO) The controversy surrounding the Govt’s proposal to extend the compulsory retirement age of Superior Court judges has generated intense opposition from sections of the legal profession, particularly the BASL. The principal concern expressed is that such an extension could undermine the independence of the judiciary. That concern deserves serious consideration. Judicial independence is a fundamental pillar of democracy and must never be compromised. more..

Sep 16 (GV) As climate shocks intensify and global investors look to water as the next frontier, Sri Lanka faces a defining choice: defend its rivers and aquifers as a public trust or let scarcity turn a basic right into a business opportunity. There is a phrase increasingly used in meetings about Sri Lanka’s future: natural capital. It sounds benign, even sensible. It suggests that forests, wetlands, rivers and groundwater should be properly valued rather than treated as expendable. more..

Sep 16 (TM) Sexual health and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) medicine plays an important role in SL, not only in preventing and treating HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs), but also in addressing sexual health problems that people may find difficult to discuss due to social and cultural sensitivities. We spoke to Consultant Venereologist at the National STD, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome more..

Sep 16 (CT) Apart from Nelson Mandela, there have been many philosophers and social activists who have emphasized the importance of educational reforms for social change and development. Among these were Confucius, Plato, Aristotle, Karl Marx, Mahatma Gandhi, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein etc. We here however are not going to discuss the whole range of philosophical and world issues. We are focusing on SL and raising some crucial issues in the school and university education. more..

Sep 16 (ST) Progress made in terms of women’s empowerment and the many challenges that still lay ahead were discussed at length when Parliament debated the Determination under the Women Empowerment Act, specifying the remunerations and allowances of the Chairperson and Members of the National Commission on Women (NCW). Tabling the motion in Parliament, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj hailed the passage of the Women Empowerment Act in 2024 more..