Jan 19 (EN) New active credit cards in Sri Lanka increased by 10,785 in November last year, data showed, as the country’s economic recovery and lower interest rates help boost the usage of them. The number of total active credit cards recorded 2,144,202 by end November, compared to 2,133,417 by end October, showing an increase of 0.5% in the month. The active credit cards have risen by 6.8% or 135,746 in the first 11 months of last year, more..

Jan 19 (NW) Ten-year-old Taavi Samaraweera of SL continued his rapid rise in world table tennis by winning the Under-11 title at the World Youth Contender tournament in Bahrain, securing his first international gold medal of 2026. The top-ranked Under-11 player in the world produced a calm and confident performance in the final, defeating Bahrain’s Yusuf Albanna to clinch the championship. The victory marks a significant milestone in Samaraweera’s young career and further highlights more..

Jan 19 (EN) Browns Beach Hotels has said the company will delist from the Colombo Stock Exchange, having made arrangements with majority shareholders Melstacorp and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings to buy back shares from minority shareholders at an exit offer price of 30 rupees. In a stock exchange filing, Browns Beach Hotels said the business has been experiencing sustained losses over a period of time due to challenges faced by the tourism industry since 2019 (Easter Sunday attacks, more..

Jan 19 (FT) Sri Lanka today stands at a critical juncture in its energy transition. Once lauded for its rapid adoption of rooftop solar and renewable technology, the country’s policy landscape has shifted in ways that risk undermining hard-won gains, destabilising investor confidence and jeopardising national sustainability commitments. This shift has sparked robust debate among energy specialists – most notably Dr. Vidhura Ralapanawe, a leading voice in renewable energy advocacy more..

Jan 19 (FT) The prestigious economist and CB’s former Economic Research Director, Dr Nimal Sanderatne has ventured into exploring issues relating to development in the form of a compressed thesis titled Development Not By Economics Alone: Non-Economic Factors in Development published by the Gamani Corea Foundation of which he had been a former Chairman. His latest publication challenges readers to revisit the concept of development which has become an issue not only for more..

Jan 19 (TM) Although the Govt promised to reveal the truth behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks within specific timeframes, Catholic Bishops Conference of SL (CBCSL) charged that progress in the related investigations remains very slow. CBCSL Spokesperson, Rev. Fr. Jude Chrishantha Fernando said the Govt including Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake had repeatedly announced deadlines, including 2-week and more..

Jan 19 (DM) Right to Information (RTI) Commission has directed the Presidential Secretariat to release information relating to the vehicle registration numbers of vehicles handed over to the Secretariat following the conclusion of the tenure of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as well as the names of the Ministries and Departments to which these vehicles were subsequently allocated. The RTI Commission directed the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, more..

Jan 19 (NW) suspects in connection with a video circulated on social media that allegedly shows a woman being forcibly stripped, Police Media Division said. The main suspect, a 43-year-old businessman from the Fairfield area in Borella, was arrested on Jan. 18 while hiding at a hotel in Hikkaduwa police said. Two additional suspects, aged 44 and 55 and residents of the Eheliyagoda area, were also taken into custody on charges of aiding and abetting the main suspect and concealing evidence. more..

Jan 19 (Island) The govt is under mounting pressure to release a foreign laboratory report on the controversial coal consignment imported for the Lakvijaya Power Plant, with the FSP accusing the authorities of political interference and tender manipulation. FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jagoda demanded an immediate explanation for the delay in disclosing the report from a Dutch laboratory, Cotecna, more..

Jan 19 (AD) National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has announced a revision to the taxation methodology for importing rough gemstones, aiming to provide relief to industry stakeholders and support the country’s goal of achieving $1 billion in annual gem export earnings. Chairman of the NGJA, S.P. Chaminda stated that the revised measures will offer significant assistance to gem importers. During the press briefing, the NGJA Chairman explained the details of the new system: more..

Jan 19 (DM) SL’s automotive sector witnessed a significant shift in 2025, with electric vehicles (EVs) capturing 10% of total passenger vehicle imports following the lifting of prolonged import restrictions. A total of 64,556 cars and SUVs were imported during the year, driven by a strong surge in pent-up demand that had accumulated while the market was closed. The market rebound was initially led by the high-end segment, which resulted in a higher proportion of EV imports immediately more..

Jan 19 (AD) The official website related to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka national programme has been launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The primary objective of the initiative is to build an organized and trustworthy process by bringing together the general public, the private sector and the international community onto a single platform to rebuild Sri Lanka following the devastation caused to the country by cyclone Ditwah, more..

Jan 19 (NW) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has outlined the key security features of the Rs. 2,000 commemorative currency note issued to mark its 75th anniversary. According to the Central Bank, the note includes multiple advanced security features to help the public easily verify its authenticity. When held up to the light, the Lion with Sword watermark and the complete see-through image can be clearly seen, along with micro text embedded in the design. When the note is tilted, more..

Jan 19 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has met 10 of his key election promises by Nov 2025, while 10 more are in progress, nine have shown no progress, and one has failed, according to the latest update of the Anura Metre manifesto tracker. The assessment monitored 30 key promises made in the 2024 Presidential Election manifesto and includes the 2026 Budget, but was completed prior to Cyclone Ditwah. more..

Jan 19 (FT) Govt last week launched the national program, Rebuilding Sri Lanka, a comprehensive initiative designed to coordinate the nation’s recovery from the extensive devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Meeting was held on 13 January at the BMICH under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The Rebuilding Sri Lanka program will be financed through a multi-pronged strategy. This includes the re-purposing of existing projects, the strategic re-allocation of funds, more..

Jan 19 (FT) The liquidator of The One Transworks Square Ltd, has invited offers for the Krrish Building project, a large-scale mixed-use development in Colombo, which is currently under liquidation. The project has been marketed as a strategic investment opportunity comprising luxury hotels under The Ritz and JW brands, branded residences, office space, and high-end retail within a single landmark development. According to the project summary, the development consists of more..

Jan 19 (TM) HayWind, the wind energy arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited, part of the Hayleys Group – SL’s largest diversified conglomerate – marked a defining milestone in the country’s renewable energy journey with the groundbreaking ceremony of its 50 MW Wind Power Project in Mannar. This landmark project represents the largest private-sector investment in wind energy in SL’s history. The ceremony, attended by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and key govt officials, more..

Jan 19 (ST) Talks between the govt and the opposition remained deadlocked this week over the appointment of three civil society members to the Constitutional Council. PM Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa disagreed on the names of the three replacement members representing civil society. Discussions had been ongoing between the prime minister and opposition leader over the new appointments, given that the term of office of the three outgoing more..

Jan 19 (DN) Saranga Perera came to the highlight of the Inaugural Lanka Ride Cycle Race winning Best Sprinter, King of the Mountains and Overall Champion awards while SL Army team emerged Best Team of the three stage race yesterday. The cycle race concluded successfully yesterday covering 440km in 3 stages (first stage from Lake House to Gannoruwa), second stage (from Gannoruwa to A'pura) and more..

Jan 19 (FT) Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) will host the inaugural EFC National Best Employer Awards 2025 tomorrow at the Galle Face Hotel, commencing at 6 p.m. The event, originally scheduled for Dec 2025, was postponed due to the recent cyclone disaster. The Awards will celebrate organisational excellence, human-centred leadership, and meaningful national socio-economic contribution, marking a significant milestone in recognising outstanding employer practices more..

Jan 19 (FT) The manufacturing and services sectors have expanded sharply in Dec 2025 despite the impact of the Ditwah devastation as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) compiled by the CB. It said the PMI – Manufacturing recorded an index value of 60.9 in Dec 2025, indicating a continued expansion in manufacturing activities. All sub-indices contributed positively to this increase, mainly supported by seasonal demand, despite adverse weather-related disruptions more..

Jan 19 (FT) Sri Lanka has emerged from the crisis phase with stronger macroeconomic buffers, but the economy is now confronting a more familiar constraint: how to generate durable growth without reopening old vulnerabilities, according to HNB Stockbrokers Director – Research Shehan Cooray. Speaking at the HNB Investment Bank (HNBIB) Investment Outlook and Market Strategy 2026 Forum more..

Jan 19 (SO) At a time when SL’s property landscape is experiencing rapid transformation, one organisation continues to define the direction of the market through scale, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality. At the 2025 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (SL), the Home Lands Group of Companies maintained its place at the peak of the industry, acquiring two of the most influential awards of the year: Best Developer for the Group and Best Lifestyle Developer for more..

Jan 19 (FT) The banking sector has delivered solid financial results and rapid balance sheet expansion over the past year, but the pace of growth is now creating new pressures on margins, liquidity, and funding costs, Hatton National Bank (HNB) CEO and HNB Investment Bank (HNBIB) Chairman Damith Pallewatte said. Speaking at HNBIB Investment Outlook and Market Strategy 2026 Forum, Pallewatte said loan growth in 2025 had been exceptional by historical standards, more..

Jan 19 (FT) Magi Enterprises Lanka Ltd, is shaping the future of SL’s garment industry with a landmark investment and a bold vision for growth, marking its 10th anniversary with a major modernisation initiative and the laying of the foundation stone for a new factory complex. With the objective of strengthening the local economy and enhancing industrial capacity, the company is investing over AUD 12 million (around Rs. 2.4 billion) in advanced technology and infrastructure. more..

Jan 19 (FT) The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) 2025, held last week, celebrated forerunners that contribute as women-owned/women-led businesses in SL. The WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards is a flagship event organised annually by the WCIC as the national chamber for women in business to honour women entrepreneurs for their tenacity and vigour to drive businesses that contribute to more..

Jan 19 (HRW) SL govt’s proposed counterterrorism legislation includes numerous provisions similar to the current abusive law and risks facilitating the same kind of repression, Human Rights Watch said today. The bill does not meet benchmarks set out by the UN counterterrorism expert or comply with human rights obligations and commitments that SL made to the European Union to benefit from trade arrangements more..

Jan 19 (Island) During my visits to several schools in villages and nearby semi-urban areas, I encountered a troubling contradiction at the heart of science and mathematics education. These subjects—meant to explain the natural world and sharpen human reasoning—were being taught almost entirely without laboratories, experiments, or meaningful connections to everyday life. Classrooms were filled with definitions, formulas, and copied notes, while practical spaces remained locked, more..

Jan 19 (Island) Police did not breathalyse NPP MP Asoka Ranwala following a serious road accident he caused last month and went out of their way to ensure that he would not undergo a blood alcohol test until more than 12 hours had elapsed. But on Friday they swiftly administered a breath test on a driver who happened to ram his vehicle into a car driven by MP Ranwala’s wife on the Kelaniya-Biyagama road, and lost no time in declaring that he was drunk. Such is the selective efficiency more..

Jan 19 (TM) SL often trumpets our strategic location in the Indian Ocean as one of the island’s main advantages. However, as islanders, Sri Lankans have been lethargic about the massive ocean domain, with policy formulation and implementation regarding ocean affairs, often given a low priority by the Polity and the general public. This lack of affinity with the ocean around the island has long placed SL at a disadvantageous position and cost the island vital opportunities more..

Jan 19 (ST) The govt was forced to capitulate to rising public anger over the inclusion of an atrociously inappropriate weblink in the English module for Grade 6 children and withdraw the offensive book from the curriculum for 10- or 11-year-olds. Not even the sudden visit last week of PM Harini Amarasuriya, donning her Education Ministry hat and carrying with her a library of Grade 6 English modules, to explain to the Venerable Malwathu and Asgiri Mahanayaka Theras of Siam Nikaya more..