Nov 12 (AD) An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued announcing the appointment of Sameera Dhanushka De Silva of the SJB as a member of the Weligama PS, representing Ward No. 7, Midigama West. The vacancy occurred following the death of Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was a member representing the SJB. In accordance with Section 66A(1)(a) of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance (Chapter 262), the Returning Officer of the Weligama PS, Pulasthi Pathirana, more..

Nov 12 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath announced the establishment of the historic SL–Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council, marking a significant milestone in strengthening economic relations between the two nations. Minister stated: “I witnessed the launch of the historic SL–Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council by an MoU between the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of SL (FCCISL) at the headquarters of the FSC in Riyadh.” more..

Nov 12 (TM) The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) alleged that it is suspicious if investigations into corruption and fraud in the health sector are being continuously delayed due to the Govt’s fear of backlash from senior officials within the Ministry of Health. MCPA President, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that despite multiple complaints and audit findings exposing large-scale corruption, fraud, and more..

Nov 12 (AD) The owner of the Dambulla Thunders franchise, Tamim Rahman was served indictment today (12) before the Colombo High Court for allegedly influencing a cricketer who participated in last year’s Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament to engage in match-fixing. The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga today, when the indictment, filed by the Attorney General, was formally served to the defendant during the proceedings. more..

Nov 12 (NW) DFCC Bank has informed the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the wealth and retail banking business of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) in SL for a consideration of Rs. 3.7 billion, subject to regulatory approval. The agreement was signed today, between DFCC Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, England, acting through its SL branch. The deal covers SCB’s Priority Banking, credit card, retail lending, deposit, and SME portfolios, more..

Nov 12 (AD) Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who was arrested by the CIABOC, earlier today on allegations of misappropriating public funds, has been granted bail. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama after considering the submissions made by officials of the Bribery Commission and the suspect’s attorneys. Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be released on more..

Nov 12 (FT) LOLC Finance said it has delivered a strong performance for the six months ended 30 Sept 2025, reflecting steady growth across key business lines and improved profitability amid a competitive operating environment. LOLC Finance ended the period under review with a strong Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs.14 billion, marking a 72% year-on-year growth from Rs. 8.1 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. Strong earnings performance was underpinned by more..

Nov 12 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Budget 2026, presented on 7 Nov, signals a clear shift from crisis management to strategic economic transformation. The main message is that fiscal consolidation and inclusive development are not opposing priorities but essential, interconnected elements for long-term national resilience. The Budget successfully navigates the challenging dual mandate of meeting international fiscal requirements (IMF targets) while urgently addressing more..

Nov 12 (FT) DFCC Bank said it has maintained robust performance for the first nine months of FY25 underscoring its financial resilience and the success of its strategic initiatives. In a statement DFCC said the Bank delivered solid results with consistent growth across key performance indicators. Loan and deposit volumes expanded meaningfully, while Net Interest Income rose by 11%, reflecting disciplined asset-liability management and robust strategic initiatives. more..

Nov 12 (FT) After a remarkable recovery from a very deep crisis in 2022, Sri Lanka’s recent Budget consolidates economic stablisation and introduces a few markers for further growth (e.g. on trade, digitalisation and the Port City), but more needs to be done to embed a growth strategy and transform its economy to avoid further IMF austerity programs. It is fair to say that Sri Lanka has defied economic expectations in the 2020s. Following its historic pre-emptive sovereign default in April 2022, more..

Nov 12 (FT) Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma declared that the economy has transitioned from crisis to stability and is now poised for sustained growth, driven by a 7% medium-term GDP target underpinned by six key strategies. He said the 2026 Budget was crafted after wide consultation with stakeholders to restore investor confidence, ensure transparency in public finance and build an economy more..

Nov 12 (TM) At the Cabinet Decisions taken on 10 Nov It has been recognised that the promotion of sports activities and the development of sports infrastructure in the Northern Province, which is gradually becoming normal after long-term conflicts and challenges, is a vitally important requirement. It has been proposed to construct an indoor stadium with the objective of developing indoor sports such as table tennis, tennis, badminton, netball, and chess at schools and sports clubs. more..

Nov 12 (AD) NPP today (11) succeeded in passing the inaugural budget of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha in Puttalam with the support of the UNP. The NPP managed to secure the deciding vote after the initial voting ended in a tie. At the last LG election, the NPP secured 10 seats in the Arachchikattuwa PS. The SJB secured six seats, SLPP received two seats, the UPFA obtained two seats while UNP and an independent group received one seat each. more..

Nov 12 (NW) GMOA has warned that SL’s free health system is facing a serious crisis, accusing the 2026 Budget of failing to address long-standing challenges in the sector, including shortages of human resources, medicines, and essential equipment. In a statement issued following an emergency Central Committee meeting held today (11), GMOA said the health system has reached a critical stage, with hospitals more..

Nov 12 (NW) Lanka Sugar Company, operating under the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development, today (11) launched its first-ever brown sugar retail network in Nugegoda. The initiative aims to make high-quality, locally produced brown sugar from the Pelwatte and Sevanagala factories available to SL consumers at affordable prices. The company, which came under state ownership in 2011, marks a major milestone with this launch—its first retail network in 14 years. more..

Nov 12 (TM) The son of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Ramith Rambukwella has been served indictments before the Colombo High Court (HC) yesterday on charges related to the unlawful accumulation of assets. The indictments were served when the case related to Rambukwella was taken up before Colombo HC Judge Mohamed Mihal. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption presented the indictments filed against the accused. more..

Nov 12 (DM) China’s electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD is setting its sights on SL’s high-end automobile market with the official launch of its premium sub-brand Denza today, marking the brand’s first-ever entry into the South Asian region. The debut lineup, Denza D9, Denza B8 and Denza B5, is a move by BYD to redefine the luxury driving experience through its advanced New Energy Vehicle (NEV) portfolio. Denza D9, a fully electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), is designed for premium more..

Nov 12 (TM) Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) stated that it is unfortunate that no successive Govt has come forward to hold those responsible for the deaths of inmates at the Welikada and Mahara Prisons, accountable. Speaking at this year’s Prisoners’ Justice Day event yesterday, CPRP President, attorney Senaka Perera said that while 27 inmates were killed in the 2012 Welikada Prison incident, and 11 in the 2020 Mahara Prison incident, no one has been found guilty more..

Nov 12 (TM) Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union (FTZ and GSEU) stated that while trade unions (TUs) have requested an opportunity to meet the expert committee that is currently drafting the proposed labour law reforms, Ministry of Labour is yet to facilitate such a discussion. Trade Union's General Secretary Anton Marcus said that although the Minister of Labour (Prof. Anil Jayantha) agreed during more..

Nov 12 (FT) Standard Chartered Bank CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri yesterday described the 2026 Budget as a credible and a doable plan that balances fiscal discipline with growth ambition. Although SL’s fiscal space remains severely constrained, he said consistent reforms and adherence to the IMF program can sustain the country’s gradual recovery and rebuild international confidence. Thewarathanthri said the 2026 Budget reflects a realistic path forward for Sri Lanka, more..

Nov 12 (ST) Cabinet has approved a multi-million dollar bid for the overhaul of four MI-17 helicopters urgently needed by the SL Air Force (SLAF). The tender was awarded to the lowest evaluated substantially responsive bidder M/s Winsley Defence Group d.o.o. of Bosnia and Herzegovina whose local agent is M/s Securatec Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. The entire cost for the overhaul and life extension of the four helicopters will be around US$ 18 million (approximately Rs. 5.4 billion), more..

Nov 12 (DN) SL athletes excelled at the 23rd Asian Masters Athletic Championship as they clinched 40 gold medals to finish runner-up in this five-day event which concluded last Sunday (9) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Chennai, India. In addition Sri Lankans won 54 silver medals and 45 bronze medals (total 139) in this meet. SL’s experienced women athlete Nimali Liyanarachchi took part in over 35 age category excelled at 800m and 1500m events. She won 800m gold medal more..

Nov 12 (EN) Colombo West International Terminal, backed by India’s Adani Ports and SL’s John Keells Holdings is off to a spectacular start with volumes growing faster than new terminals can usually expect, Chief Executive Munish Kanwar said. The first two berths of the three-berth terminal is now in operation with eight ship-to-shore (STS) cranes which can take in two large big container vessels or one big and two smaller vessels. “We declared that we started a commercial operation in April more..

Nov 12 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar criticised the second Budget presented by the NPP Govt, stating that it is a bland Budget with neither merits nor demerits. Marikkar said the 2025 Budget was full of beautifully mixed words, like a children’s playbook but failed to bring any tangible relief to the people. “This year’s Budget has not reduced the prices of essential goods, electricity, water, school supplies, medicines, or bus fares. more..

Nov 12 (FT) Selyn Business Dev Director Selyna Peiris reminded that while 2026 Budget allocates a record Rs. 80 billion for SMEs, most of it risks being underutilised due to deep structural and procedural barriers that prevent small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – particularly youth & women-led ventures outside Colombo from accessing promised support. She urged policymakers to focus on implementation, not intention if SL is to prevent SMEs from falling back into informal economy. more..

Nov 12 (FT) Economist Dr. Roshan Perera yesterday cautioned that the country’s revenue targets may be difficult to achieve amid limited new tax measures, rigid recurrent spending and a still fragile post-crisis recovery where poverty remains above 20%. Former Central Banker commended the 2026 Budget’s continuation of macroeconomic stability measures, but warned that maintaining fiscal prudence after the IMF program ends will be the real test of policy credibility. more..

Nov 12 (CI) Pakistan withstood a valiant all-round display from Wanindu Hasaranga to come away with a six-run victory in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, and with it take a 1-0 lead in the three match series. Chasing 300 to win, a target that would have constituted the second-highest successful chase in Rawalpindi, SL were set up well courtesy an 80-run opening stand, but then lost wickets in clusters through middle overs more..

Nov 12 (TM) Maldivian Police have officially confirmed that a SL fishing vessel taken into custody by the Maldivian security forces within the country’s maritime boundary contained a large quantity of narcotics. The vessel, which had illegally entered Maldivian waters, was intercepted on 7 Nov by Coast Guard officers of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The vessel – identified as a Sri Lankan fishing trawler, the Avishka Putha – was carrying over 355 kg of illegal drugs. more..

Nov 12 (FT) Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs and Finance Duminda Hulangamuwa yesterday said that the key theme of the 2026 Budget is mobilising private capital and restoring the private sector’s role as the engine of growth. “Almost every major reference in the Budget from tax incentives to institutional reforms is directed toward encouraging private sector participation,” he said. Hulangamuwa said the country’s path to achieving 7% growth will depend not merely on fiscal more..

Nov 12 (FT) SL Apparel Brands Association (SLABA), representing all leading SL apparel and fashion brands, said it enthusiastically welcomes the Budget, which addresses the majority of the industry’s key requests to strengthen the domestic apparel ecosystem, particularly regarding VAT and SMEs. It commended the Govt for responding decisively to industry concerns, particularly the implementation of VAT on imported fabrics, a critical measure advocated by local manufacturers more..

Nov 12 (FT) The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) has described the 2026 Budget as a positive step for women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs), citing its focus on SME growth and specific allocations for women entrepreneurs. “The 2026 Budget offers a positive signal for women-owned SMEs, especially through its SME focus and explicit mention of women entrepreneur allocations,” the Chamber said. However, it cautioned that the success of more..