Feb 20 (NW) ‎Police have arrested an Assistant Additional Secretary attached to Ministry of Public Administration over an alleged financial fraud involving more than Rs. 22.7 million. The suspect, a 56-year-old assistant additional secretary residing in Nedimala, Dehiwala, was taken into custody on Thursday by the CID following a complaint lodged by a Colombo-based medical doctor. ‎Investigators allege the official obtained the money by promising to secure a luxury vehicle more..

Feb 20 (FT) The American Chamber of Commerce in SL (AmCham SL) will host its flagship CEO Forum 2026 on Wednesday (25), from 9 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand Colombo. It will bring together over 250 C-level executives, policymakers, development partners, and global thought leaders for a high-level dialogue on SL’s economic recovery and future growth. Held under the theme Accelerating Sri Lanka’s Rebuild, the Forum aims to serve as a critical platform for more..

Feb 20 (AM) Police in Keppetipola yesterday arrested a 31-year-old mother and her alleged partner over the assault of her two toddlers at a house in the lower section of Warwick Estate, Ambewela. The suspects are accused of assaulting an eight-year-old girl and a two-and-a-half-year-old child with wooden poles, causing injuries and subjecting them to cruelty, police said. The arrested individuals have been identified as the children’s mother, a resident of the lower division of Warwick Estate, more..

Feb 20 (AD) Nearly 100,000 suspects have been arrested so far during islandwide raids conducted under the Nation United – National Drive campaign aimed at eradicating narcotics from the country. Issuing a statement, Sri Lanka Police stated that a total of 99,540 suspects have been taken into custody under the operation to date. Investigations into illegal assets have also been initiated against 137 suspects in connection with the ongoing operations. more..

Feb 20 (AD) Indian PM Narendra Modi on Friday met Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in New Delhi. The leaders held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Global AI Impact Summit being held in New Delhi. Indian PM Narendra Modi stated that “it was a great pleasure to meet Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Delhi. We reviewed the recent progress in India-SL relations. We also discussed the opportunities for cooperation in various fields, more..

Feb 20 (NW) STF has arrested six people suspected of killing wild animals inside Kumana National Park and transporting the meat by boat for illegal sale on Wednesday. ‎STF Officers in Arugam Bay carried out the arrests during a series of raids based on intelligence information, authorities said. ‎Two suspects were taken into custody at a beach area with 57 eggs believed to belong to marine turtles. In a separate operation later the same day, officers seized 17 kilograms of venison, more..

Feb 20 (DM) While claiming that he had predicted a looming gas shortage months ago, Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake told Parliament that the crisis had materialised because the new supplier selected by the govt lacked the capacity to ensure a steady supply. Dassanayake said he had warned in December last year that awarding the gas supply contract to a Swiss company without sufficient operational capability would lead to disruptions, but his concerns were dismissed at the time. more..

Feb 20 (DM) SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, is in need of at least seven more aircraft for new routes and rationalisation of existing ones, but the current global shortage has hampered the process of acquiring any, a minister said. Currently, the global aviation industry is facing a shortage of aircraft. International Air Transport Association (IATA) says that aircraft availability remains one of the most significant constraints on industry growth. more..

Feb 20 (AD) Former Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and former Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL), Anusha Palpita, has been granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order after considering the facts from Bribery Commission officials and the suspect’s lawyers. Magistrate ordered the suspect’s release on two personal bails of Rs. 5 million each and also imposed an overseas travel ban, more..

Feb 20 (NW) Former SL captain Arjuna Ranatunga has called on Pakistani authorities to treat former PM Imran Khan with humanity and dignity, describing him as an inspiration who transcended cricket and politics. Ranatunga said Khan was not only admired by millions in Pakistan but also by many young cricketers across the region. “Imran Khan was not only an inspiration for millions of Pakistanis, but was also someone whom I, and many other young cricketers, admired and aspired to be,” more..

Feb 20 (TM) Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) President, Priyantha Fernando, has lodged a complaint with the Cooperative Development Dept and the Audit Services Commission over the alleged misuse of member funds and financial irregularities at the Education Development Cooperative Society (EDCS). The complaint, which was seen by The Daily Morning, states that, as an institution operating with members’ funds, the administration, supervision, auditing, and more..

Feb 20 (NW) A complaint has been lodged to CID seeking a fresh probe into the aircraft crash at Gregory Lake, amid claims that the Civil Aviation Authority’s investigation report is contradictory and fails to adequately address the pilot’s qualifications. The complainant has asked the CID to conduct an independent investigation into whether the pilot involved in the crash was properly qualified to operate the aircraft, particularly as a seaplane pilot. more..

Feb 20 (AD) One of the two shooters involved in the killing of a lawyer and his wife at Akuregoda, as well as the driver who transported them to the lodge where they stayed, has been identified, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today (20). Commenting on the incident, the Minister confirmed that necessary steps are being taken to apprehend all suspects involved. “The vehicle used in the crime was found torched and destroyed in the Baddegama area. more..

Feb 20 (FT) As SL embarks on its ambitious education reform program, the focus has understandably been on the high-tech future offered by AI and STEM. However, beneath the surface of the curriculum and syllabus reforms lies a silent bottleneck that threatens to derail this future. Currently the state invests years of funding into students to learn English, only for that investment to be stranded at the university level because they do not have the foundational English literacy skills more..

Feb 20 (FT) In contemporary farming systems, especially in tropical countries like SL, pesticides are both helpful and potentially harmful. Farmers depend on them to protect crops from insects, weeds, and diseases. In the current circumstances, without adequate pest control, harvests could fail, food prices could rise, and farmers could suffer heavy economic losses. In that sense, pesticides play an important role in ensuring food security. However, pesticides are powerful chemicals. more..

Feb 20 (TM) In a move to address long-standing concerns over politically motivated appointments, the Transport Ministry has announced that it will conduct interviews to fill positions within the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) based on merit and qualifications. A ministry official said that nearly all positions at the SLTB are currently occupied on an acting basis. They explained that the ongoing interview process more..

Feb 20 (CT) The CID, yesterday (19), informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that an Attorney-at-Law currently in detention over the alleged murder of a man inside a Colombo Magistrate’s Court had maintained eight bank accounts in Kadawatha using a forged identity card. The suspect, Thamara Kumari Abeyratne, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting the killing of Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside Court premises and is being held under a detention order. more..

Feb 20 (Island) Construction has commenced on SL’s largest solar power project, a 150-megawatt facility spanning 450 acres at the Solar Energy Park in the Gonnoruwa area of Hambantota.The US$150 million project scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, is expected to make its initial contribution to the national grid later this year, the project’s consultant Engineer Thilanka Bandara, said. Once completed, the project will mark a significant milestone in SL’s renewable energy drive. more..

Feb 20 (Island) Trade unions of the CEB, backed by the powerful CEB Engineers’ Union, have warned of accelerated trade union action following the collapse of crucial discussions held on Monday with the CEB Chairman, who also serves as Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy. The issue is expected to take centre stage at today’s press conference, with unions signalling that a token strike, possibly a 12-hour countrywide action, more..

Feb 20 (DM) SL’s tourism authorities, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, have intensified their crackdown on illegal tourism operations run by foreigners, resulting in the apprehension of 75 individuals and the deportation of 15 foreign nationals last year. Officials indicated that the nationalities of the offenders are largely proportional to SL’s top tourism source markets. The joint operations are being spearheaded by the SL Tourism Development Authority alongside more..

Feb 20 (AD) Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, has met with SL’s Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha, at the Ministry of Defence today (19). During the meeting, the two sides discussed expanding practical cooperation and strengthening maritime security to support stability across the Indo-Pacific. Attention was also drawn to the evolving security landscape in the Indian Ocean Region, with both parties acknowledging the need for more..

Feb 20 (TM) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday revealed allowances and benefits provided to Parliamentarians at present. She made this revelation while responding to a question raised by SJB Opposition MP Chaminda Wijesiri. According to the disclosure: An MP receives a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, with an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000 per month; the Drivers allowance is Rs. 3,500 per month. However, if the MP is provided a driver by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, more..

Feb 20 (CT) The Political Bureau of the SLFP, yesterday, decided to remove from party membership nine of its members who voted in favour of the NPP during budget votes at local government bodies. The councillors represent local authorities in the Ratnapura, Puttalam and Nuwara Eliya districts. SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake has written to the members informing them that disciplinary action will be taken. They are due to appear before the party’s more..

Feb 20 (FT) Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath clarified that the country’s tourism earnings have not declined, stressing that recent concerns stem from a revised calculation methodology rather than an actual drop in revenue. He explained that the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), which had long relied on spending estimates from a 2018 survey, updated its assessment in Aug 2025 and, as a result, the average per-day tourist spending more..

Feb 20 (FT) Foreign investors have begun rebuilding exposure to SL’s Govt securities market in a decisive manner, with holdings of rupee-denominated Treasuries rising 109.3% year-on-year (YoY) and 15.47% year-to-date (YTD) to exceed Rs. 160 billion, reaching a near 30-month high. The renewed offshore appetite comes amid improving macro sentiment and relative yield attraction, with foreign participants pointing to fresh portfolio allocations at the start of 2026 as global funds reassessed more..

Feb 20 (CI) On Thursday night at the Khettarama, SL's scorecard told a story. The hosts had posted 178 for 7 - their second-highest total at the venue, and highest since 2018. Yet, Zimbabwe's successful chase - the second-highest at the ground - highlighted an increasingly worrying structural flaw in the SL approach: high-intensity bookends surrounding a hollow centre. The SL donut, if you will. The disparity in SL's scoring efficiency across the three phases of the innings was stark. more..

Feb 20 (FT) IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva during her visit this week met with several private sector leaders. The meeting reflected on the progress of the IMF-supported reform programme, its impact on businesses and households, and importantly, what must come next. According to Selyna Peiris, Director & Chief Growth Officer at Selyn Group of Impact Companies and one of the attendees: “The shared message was clear: Stabilisation is only the first step. more..

Feb 20 (TM) Labour Ministry has submitted a set of progressive recommendations to National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) aimed at improving conditions for Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) holders. Ministry Secretary detailed the proposals, which have already received approval from the Council as the Govt seeks to streamline access to EPF benefits and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Under current regulations, EPF holders are entitled to a 30% loan payable in two installments, more..

Feb 20 (TM) Deputy CMinister Janith Kodithuwakku said that the Govt will continue to operate SriLankan Airlines under State control, stating that retaining ownership enables revenue from the airline’s operations to be used to service long-standing debt obligations. The minister said SriLankan is presently functioning as an operationally profitable entity, though its overall financial position continues to reflect losses more..

Feb 20 (EN) Sri Lanka will establish 7 new courts to clear a backlog of around 1.1 million civil and criminal cases, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said. These include 5 courts in the Aluthkade MCC building, he said, including civil high courts and commercial courts. What type of courts they will be depend on the case requirements, Nanayakkara said. “In most countries usually for every 1 million of the population there are about 40-60 judges, but we have only about 20.” more..

Feb 20 (EN) SL’s central bank has no plans to impose tighter loan to value ratio limits on gold loans, Deputy CB Governor Chandranath Amarasekera said. Gold prices have soared in world markets to around US$ 5,000 an ounce from 284 dollars around 2,000 when the Federal Reserve cut rates to push up inflation claiming there was deflation. Gold prices rose as much as US$ 5,500 and then collapsed and have since recovered to hover around US$ 5,000 an ounce. more..

Feb 20 (CI) One time is a shock. Two times, and the second to beat hosts SL at their own game, is Zimbabwe. Led by their canny bowling, Zimbabwe pulled SL back from a flying start to keep them to 178 on a sluggish Premadasa track. Their opener Brian Bennett, quickest scorer in their history, dropped anchor, stayed unbeaten like his team, and Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani did all the damage from the other more..