Feb 13 (NW) Minister Sunil Handunneththi said the Laksala retail network earned a profit of Rs. 109 million in January. The minister added that Laksala’s ten outlets generated Rs. 921 million in sales revenue in 2025. Speaking at the opening of the eleventh Laksala store in Negombo, the minister noted that the network, established in 1964, has contributed significantly to the promotion of local handicrafts. The new Negombo outlet focuses on supporting the tourism sector. more..

Feb 13 (DM) Vehicle Importers’ Association of SL (VIASL) has announced that a 2.5% tax will be imposed on imported vehicles starting from April 1, 2026. VIASL spokesperson Arosha Rodrigo said the tax was approved under the 2026 Budget and clarified that it will not apply to vehicles currently undergoing the clearing process. The levy will be collected directly by Sri Lanka Customs. Rodrigo said that the tax would have a considerable impact due to the high value of vehicles. more..

Feb 13 (NW) Executive Committee Member of the Jana Aragalaya Alliance, Nuwan Bopage, says that appeals are expected to be filed regarding the death sentences imposed on 12 accused in the case related to the assault and killing of former MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer. Nuwan Bopage stated this while participating in a press conference convened in Colombo by a group of Aragalaya activists. more..

Feb 13 (AD) Three individuals have been sentenced to death today (13) by the Kalutara High Court in connection with the 2008 Waskaduwa murder case. The case involves the murder of Chaminda Kumara, a resident of the Littleton Watta area in Waskaduwa, who was attacked to death with a knife at a funeral in October 2008. The suspects were taken into custody by the Kalutara North Police and produced before the court. Following a preliminary examination of evidence at the Kalutara more..

Feb 13 (NW) Satyagraha campaign launched by a group of Maadel (seine) fishers in front of the Presidential Secretariat has been called off, after nine days. It is reported that the decision was taken following a discussion held this afternoon with the Prez. The satyagraha campaign was launched by a group of fishermen demanding the removal of the ban on tractor-mounted winches for Maadel (seine net) fishing. The protest, which began on 5 Feb in front of the Presidential Secretariat, more..

Feb 13 (NW) Ministry of Transport has announced plans to introduce the Lanka Metro Transit bus service as a solution to the severe traffic congestion currently prevailing in Colombo city, during a meeting with Prez Anura Kumara Disassanayake. The necessary infrastructure for the project is already being prepared, and buses are expected to arrive in the country by August this year. The pilot project will initially operate along more..

Feb 13 (DM) The first phase of the first school term for 2026 concluded today, Ministry of Education announced. Ministry announced that all govt and govt-approved schools will be closed for the term break from today until March 2. The second phase of the first term is scheduled to commence on March 3 and will continue until April 10. Meanwhile, the O/L Exam for 2025 is set to begin on Feb 17. Dept of Examinations stated that the examination will be conducted from Feb 17 to Feb 26. more..

Feb 13 (DM) Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka has resigned from the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament on the release of 323 containers from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection and submit its proposals and recommendations. Committee Chair Minister of Justice and National Integration informed this to the committee when it met in the Parliament complex recently. The Chair informed the committee more..

Feb 13 (NW) The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C., welcomed the Walk for Peace on 10 Feb, as a group of Buddhist monks continued their walk across the US advocating world peace. The initiative drew participation from people across the US and abroad. The Embassy joined a dana organized by the SL community in the DMV area at the National United Methodist Church, where more than 200 Buddhist monks were present. Traditional SL cuisine was served at the event. more..

Feb 13 (EN) Sri Lanka is now emerging from a peacetime (Latin America style) external sovereign default triggered by extreme macro-economic policy to target potential output with the help of unsound money and high inflation. Sri Lanka has had two years of rare stability as the central bank missed its inflation target, and growth has returned to around 4 to 5%. As growth recovers in the stability provided, Sri Lanka again faces the threat of depreciation and external trouble as more..

Feb 13 (Island) Former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has warned that the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) will deal a severe blow to civil liberties and democratic rights, particularly media freedom and the overall freedom of expression. Prof. Peiris said the proposed legislation at issue had been designed not to protect people from terrorism but to protect the State. Prof. Peiris said that the proposed law would sound more..

Feb 13 (DM) The Vehicle Importers’ Association of SL (VIASL) has reported a surge in demand in the local vehicle market, driven mainly by rising vehicle auction prices in Japan. VIASL Secretary Usman Ali said that market prices for popular mid-range vehicles with engine capacities between 1,000 cc and 1,500 cc, such as the brand-new Honda Vezel and Toyota Raize, have increased due to strong local demand. In contrast, while there is steady interest in low-engine-capacity vehicles more..

Feb 13 (AD) Two persons including a woman are reported dead following a shooting incident in Akuregoda. Two persons who were inside a vehicle near a supermarket were shot and killed by unidentified gunmen. The shooting has been carried out using a T-56 assault rifle while both victims were killed on the spot. The identities of the gunmen and the motive behind the shooting have not yet been determined. Thalangama Police are continuing further investigations into the incident. more..

Feb 13 (DM) Days after business tycoon and rice mill owner Dudley Sirisena sparked interest by hinting that he wanted to purchase a helicopter for his personal use, another major figure from the country’s agri-business industry Mithrapala Lankeshwara said he plans to purchase a private jet for his travels as well as for commercial use. Mithrapala Lankeshwara, the rice-mill owner-turned-billionaire behind Rathna Sahal more..

Feb 13 (NW) European Union (EU) and Sri Lanka convened the 27th Session of the EU–SL Joint Commission in Colombo on Thursday (12), reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Held in a friendly and open atmosphere, the meeting reviewed the state of relations and featured wide‑ranging discussions on governance, reconciliation, human rights, trade, development cooperation, education, fisheries, maritime collaboration, environment, more..

Feb 13 (DM) A video circulating on social media has sparked controversy after a man claimed he found a baby snake in a rice and curry plate served to him at the Pilawoos restaurant in Bambalapitiya. The video shows what appears to be a small snake-like head in the meal. The individual who posted the video claimed that it was discovered while he was dining at the popular eatery this morning (12). However, the management of Pilawoos Bambalapitiya strongly denied the allegation stating more..

Feb 13 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged that all 5 shipments of coal imported for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai contained substandard coal. Opposition Leader expressed these views during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, which convened at the Parliament complex yesterday. Senior officials from CEB, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL), and Lanka Coal Company were summoned more..

Feb 13 (EN) Parliament’s committee on high posts has approved the nominations of four heads of mission to Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Kenya. The committee approved the nomination of Horana Mahawatte Gedara Saman Kumar Chandrasiri as the Ambassador of SL to Israel. Mohamed Farook Fawzer’s appointment as Representative of SL to Palestine was also approved. The committee approved Rohan Dhammika Fernando as the High Commissioner of SL to Kenya. more..

Feb 13 (DM) Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Justice Ministry are in the process of taking legal action against unlawful activities at the Ambuluwawa site in Gampola, Minister Lal Kantha said. He said that people in the area have been making various requests over the years to take action against the unlawful activities in Ambuluwawa. Responding to a question, Minister said more..

Feb 13 (CT) Govt had decided to bring all currently operating online gambling platforms under swift regulation within the next month, according to govt sources. Under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025, which had recently come into force, all online gambling activities were to be brought under a formal regulatory framework, the sources said. New Authority had already been established in terms of the Act, and its Board of Directors had been appointed. more..

Feb 13 (CT) A protest organised by parents, former students and the School Development Society of Gatiyamulla National School in the Kegalle Education Division was held in front of the school on Wednesday. The protest was staged to demand that the education authorities address the long-standing teacher shortage and other administrative issues that have affected the school for several years. The protesters pointed out that there was a shortage of nearly 40% of teachers required for school. more..

Feb 13 (AD) Veteran politician and former Minister Professor Tissa Vitharana has passed away at the age of 91, according to family members. He reportedly passed away this morning at his residence in Kotte following a prolonged illness. During his long and distinguished public career, Professor Vitharana served the nation in several key capacities, including as a MP, a Cabinet Minister, and a Provincial Governor. more..

Feb 13 (EN) Revenue collected by SL Customs in the first 12 days of February 2026 has accounted for over 63% of the month’s target. Custom’s February revenue target has been set at 165.9 billion rupees. The revenue collecting body has collected 105.3 billion rupees in the first 12 days of this month. Revenue in January also exceeded the target by 45% or 72.3 billion rupees. The revenue collecting body has already achieved 15.3% of the 2026 target in the first 43 days of the year, more..

Feb 13 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his congratulations to the BNP and its leader, Tarique Rahman, following their landslide victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections. “Best wishes to the people of Bangladesh for reaffirming their faith in democracy, and congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP in these elections. The results reflect the trust placed in him. I look forward to strengthening ties between our two nations,” more..

Feb 13 (FT) AI is all the rage today. It is the last ditch of the technologically illiterate and the first refuge of any unscrupulous scoundrel. Also a turbo boost, a crutch for the lame, and a super brain food (a sort of an intellectual, So there!) all combined in one. And still its reputation is irresistible. Yet it is not without its detractors. Most worryingly, perhaps, the so-called godfathers of AI have recently, increasingly, being dishing out the dirt on its dark and dangerous side. Geoffrey Hinton was worried in 2023 more..

Feb 13 (FT) On the Fourth of February each year, Sri Lanka celebrates its independence. This year too, we did so. Flags were raised, and among other events, men and women representing our law-enforcement and defence establishments were showcased, touching cultural performances of song and dance were presented and speeches were delivered against the majestic backdrop of Independence Square—perhaps more aptly called Freedom Square. more..

Feb 13 (DM) The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to remove all burial and cremation fees for residents living within the Colombo municipal limits, Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said. She said the exemption, which takes immediate effect, applies exclusively to tax-paying residents within the Colombo municipal limits. Mayor Balthazaar said the decision was a key proposal in the CMC’s 2026 budget and more..

Feb 13 (Island) Dept of Immigration & Emigration announced that a computer system malfunction which led to the temporary suspension of passport issuance had been rectified. Dept earlier suspended the issuance of passports due to a technical fault in its system, stating that services would resume from next Monday (16) once the issue was resolved. However, officials later confirmed that the fault had been fixed sooner than anticipated & that issuance of passports and visas had now resumed. more..

Feb 13 (DN) Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando stated that the Govt expects to secure the release of both the sixth and seventh installments of the IMF loan facility simultaneously. Minister noted that the fifth review pertaining to the sixth installment was delayed due to Cyclone Ditwah. He explained that by conducting the fifth review and the sixth review for the seventh installment in quick succession, the country would likely be able to obtain both installments at once. more..

Feb 13 (EN) SL’s central bank has warned local residents not to transact in US dollars, amid a trend towards more dollarized transactions, as people exercising such liberties are liable to end up in jail after summary trial and pay fines. “Central Bank of SL has noticed certain instances where residents in Sri Lanka transact within the country in foreign currency, rather than in SL Rupees,” the monetary authority said. more..

Feb 13 (FT) Govt has assured the public that health authorities have stepped up efforts to maintain strict vigilance at the country’s airports to prevent the entry of the Nipah virus, amidst an influx of tourist arrivals. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Health Ministry has already taken steps to detect all passengers arriving in the country through airports and ports. Minister also highlighted the importance of these measures given the record number of tourist arrivals to the country. more..

Feb 13 (FT) Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) held a high-level and forthright engagement with the visiting delegation of the European External Action Service (EEAS), led by Director for Asia and the Pacific Paola Pampaloni, at the EU Delegation in Colombo, hosted by Ambassador Carmen Moreno. TPA delegation was led by MP Mano Ganeshan. Also present were TPA Vice President – International Affairs Barath Arullsamy and Up-Country People’s Front General Secretary and more..