Oct 30 (DM) German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann, asserting that around 300 German brands are currently present in SL, said more investments could flow from his country if bureaucracy acts faster, the corruption-free policy continues, and investments are properly protected. Delivering remarks at the monthly Ambassadors’ Roundtable Discussion, Dr. Neumann said this was the feedback he had received from more..

Oct 30 (FT) A powerhouse roster of int'l and regional experts will headline the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2025, setting the stage for a world-class dialogue on reform, resilience, and investment-led growth. Organised by CCC, the two-day summit will take place on 2 and 3 Dec at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. Registrations close on 31 Oct, and participants are encouraged to secure their place early to engage with this exclusive gathering of policymakers, investors & more..

Oct 30 (Island) There were many outstanding performances by SL athletes at the just concluded South Asian Athletics Championship in Ranchi India. Many consider Shafiya Yamick’s hattrick of golds on top of every other accomplishment. Undoubtedly, it was a remarkable achievement. There were also other feats that went unnoticed as the spotlight fell mainly on multiple medal winners. Dasuni Kaushalya’s gold winning feat in the women’s 400 metres hurdles was one such. more..

Oct 30 (FT) The Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP), in collaboration with the Federation of European Screen Printers Associations (FESPA), has successfully organised another insightful seminar and business forum on the future of the printing industry. The full-day workshop was held at the Hotel Grand Guardian, Ratnapura, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the participation of 95 professionals from Kuruwita, Balangoda, and Embilipitiya in the Ratnapura region. more..

=Oct 30 (FT) LAUGFS Power, a subsidiary of the diversified LAUGFS Group, has launched its first AI-enabled Annual Report in collaboration with Futurity Ltd. Initiative marks a milestone for SL’s energy sector, positioning LAUGFS Power among the earliest renewable energy companies in the country to adopt artificial intelligence for shareholder communications. The deployment integrates Futurity’s flagship platform, Omni, into the Investor Relations section of LAUGFS Power website. more..

Oct 30 (SO) Foreign investors are showing a strong interest in Sri Lanka’s mineral resources as the Govt moves to finalise its first-ever national policy framework for mineral mining. Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, said that the policy would be introduced shortly to provide a firm foundation for new investments. “The new framework will enable investors to plan their ventures with confidence and support more..

Oct 30 (Island) In a world grappling with climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing socio-economic inequalities, Sri Lanka is striving to chart a path that connects people, planet, and prosperity. This commitment was on full display at Genesis by Dilmah — a thought-provoking forum held in Colombo under the theme Connecting Rainforest Communities and Livelihoods. The event brought together conservationists, academics, policymakers, & business leaders in a dynamic exchange more..

Oct 30 (CT) The recent arrest of the main suspect in the murder of Weligama PS Chairman has once again exposed a troubling practice that continues to stain the professionalism of SL’s law enforcement.e Police have now launched a special investigation into their own officers after video footage of the arrest began circulating widely on social media. It was not the arrest itself that raised eyebrows, but rather the manner in which it was conducted and then paraded before the public eye. more..

Oct 30 (Island) Onion farmers have been protesting vehemently, unable to sell their produce, during the past several days. Cultivators from Prez Dissanayake’s native place, Thambuttegama, are also up in arms, castigating the govt for ignoring their appeals for help. Farmers’ associations say they are in this predicament due to onion imports, and the govt has taken the farming community for a ride. Incumbent govt is not alone in having ignored farmer’s pleas for help and done precious more..

Oct 30 (TM) Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development has reportedly called for bids to purchase 1,775 four-wheel-drive diesel-powered double cabs, a massive, multi-billion-rupee tender, with a mere 12 days given for submissions. The tender closes on 4 November and according to media reports, the vehicles are to assist in work progress of the Govt’s development programmes. At first glance, such a purchase might appear as a logistical necessity for development work, more..

Oct 30 (SO) There is an awakening in the field of irrigation development in the country. The ancient kings treated rainwater as a highly precious national asset and constructed small, medium and large scale tanks for collecting and storing every possible drop of rainwater for irrigational, agricultural and drinking purposes. The concept converted the North Central province into the kingdom of tanks. more..

Oct 30 (DM) October 29 marks the International Day of Care and Support. This article looks at the govt’s new social protection strategy, and whether its promise of leaving no one behind will respond to the care deficits in migrant worker households. In its recently published National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2025-2035, the govt outlines a ten-year roadmap, with Social Care as one of its four core priorities. This recognition of care as a national priority marks a critical milestone more..

Oct 30 (ST) There I was reading and rereading the words of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who, for some reason or other, is viewed by some as an up-and-coming messiah. Why that is so is still not quite known, but my eyes fell on an article in another newspaper lying by the side. It is not that Minister Herath’s words were as dull as his reading, but what I noticed at a glance appeared far more eye-catching. Some might claim minister’s oratorical skill is akin to parliamentary parippu, more..

Oct 30 (TM) In what appears to be an illegal swim-with-whales excursion, a recent video circulating on social media depicting local boats aggressively chasing whales approaching them at close proximity while making loud noises has sparked outrage among the public. Under the Sea Mammals Regulations No.1 of 2012, all vessels that go on whale-watching excursions must obtain an annual licence to do so. more..

Oct 30 (DM) Last week’s killing of Lasantha Wickremesekara, SJB controlled Weligama PS chairman, inside the chamber by a gunman, and subsequent allegations and counter-allegations over the killing have rekindled the fear of the return of political violence. The killing was politicised before the blood dried up. However, more appropriately, the brazen murder should prompt an honest discourse within SL politics about the political underworld nexus, which does not seem to disappear, more..

Oct 30 (DM) It has now become a norm to have extremely sensitive videos, either of fatal road accidents, CCTV footage of robberies, murders and various other crimes aired on mainstream media. What is even more disturbing is that these videos can now be uploaded to social media platforms, and users have the chance to watch them on repeat. The recent saga over the arrest of the main suspect who gunned down the Weligama PS Chairman speaks volumes about the danger associated with more..

Oct 29 (NF) A shocking revelation emerged today as the National Lotteries Board (NLB) disclosed that several lottery sales agents, appointed through political influence, have failed to remit millions of rupees owed to the Board for years. The disclosure was made during a media briefing chaired by M.D.C.A. Perera, Chairman of the NLB, who detailed a series of cases involving unpaid dues, nepotism, and alleged misuse of public funds. “There are numerous district agents who have been more..

Oct 29 (FT) Vehicle import duties surged 818% year-on-year to Rs. 349 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up from just Rs. 38 billion a year ago, according to the Finance Ministry’s latest Fiscal Review Report. Vehicle imports reached $ 193 million in July, boosting the total to $ 668 million for the first seven months of the year. The value of motor vehicle imports is expected to reach $ 1.5 billion this year, up from the earlier projection of $ 1.2 billion, CB Governor said. more..

Oct 29 (EN) VFS Global, a partner in a consortium that carried out online visa service for SL’s Dept of Immigration has issued a statement after National Audit Office released a special report on the deal. Report said VFS-IVS-GBS group that charged fees from tourists had not remitted at least US$ 1.245 million of value added tax and 127,970 social security levy charged from visa applicants. Visa and extra fees had been charged from more..

Oct 29 (NW) The full video of the Police operation conducted to arrest Ishara Sewwandi, the suspect wanted over the murder of underworld figure ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, has been released to the media. It is reported that an individual known as ‘Jaffna Bhai’, who was arrested alongside Ishara Sewwandi, had assisted in the arrest in Nepal. The video footage shows ‘Jaffna Bhai’ luring Ishara Sewwandi for a meeting, after which she was arrested. more..

Oct 29 (DM) The govt’s newly imposed criteria on the purchase of onions are impractical and designed to protect importers while harming local farmers, National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Thennakoon alleged yesterday. Thennakoon said the govt has set strict measurement-based standards for locally purchased onions, including: Onion diameter must range between 35mm and 65mm; Onions larger or smaller than this range should not exceed 10% of the total weight more..

Oct 29 (AD) IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has lodged a complaint with National Police Commission (NPC) and CID against a Senior DIG. Accordingly, IGP Weerasuriya has requested the NPC to transfer the Senior DIG in question, who holds a high-ranking position at the Police HQ, and to initiate a disciplinary inquiry against him. The Police Chief took these measures following revelations that the Senior DIG in question more..

Oct 29 (CT) Chris Gayle has joined Lanka Premier League (LPL) as its official Brand Ambassador for the 2025 season, which is set to take place in July-Aug 2026, following the conclusion of key international series. The rescheduled timeline allows players and fans uninterrupted access to the thrill of the tournament as it enters its sixth and biggest season yet. Gayle, regarded as one of the most dominant and entertaining players the game has ever seen, brings with him an unmatched more..

Oct 29 (DM) The IMF has projected that SL’s economy will grow by 3.1% in 2026, reflecting a gradual return to its long-term trend, officials said. Thomas Helbling, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Dept, made the announcement during a press conference on the Asia and Pacific Region’s Economic Outlook. Helbling highlighted that Sri Lanka has experienced a strong economic recovery, supported by the govt’s ongoing reform program in collaboration with the IMF. more..

Oct 29 (AD) China is ready to join hands with SL on a strong journey towards development, said the Chinese Ambassador to SL, Qi Zhenhong. The Ambassador made these remarks while addressing an event held in Colombo. The event, titled China and the World – China–Sri Lanka Dialogue for a Prosperous Future, took place at a prominent hotel in Colombo. Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador stated: “China’s development plan for the next five years will open new avenues more..

Oct 29 (CT) Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar paid a brief visit recently to inspect the current state of the Kirinda Fishery Harbour in the Southern Province, where he held extensive discussions with officials, representatives of fisheries societies, and fishermen on issues requiring immediate attention and action. Since fishermen informed Minister Chandrasekar that they were facing difficulties due to the heavy accumulation of sand inside the harbour, he instructed more..

Oct 29 (DM) SL’s plan to lift tea production to 400 million kilograms by 2030 faces steep challenges, from underinvestment to producer reluctance, according to Ceylon Tea Brokers Chairman Niraj De Mel, who cautioned that the target may be more aspirational than achievable. De Mel cautioned that significant investment constraints and possible reluctance among producers could hinder progress towards the target. more..

Oct 29 (NW) An investigation has been launched by three units of the Police Commercial CID regarding the alleged preparation of forged documents related to a plot of land valued at Rs. 150 million. A female suspect involved in the incident had created fake deeds and documents while staying at a rented residence. She is currently evading the Police and remains in hiding, while the authorities have not yet been able to confirm the location of the residence she was staying in. more..

Oct 29 (Island) Social Democratic Party of Switzerland has unanimously passed a resolution on the situation in SL, calling for an international genocide investigation at their party congress on the 25th of October 2025 in Sursee, Canton of Lucerne. The resolution strongly condemns the systematic violence, mass killings, and the grave human rights violations against Eelam Tamils. Referencing a recent legal report on the Tamil genocide by the NGO People for Equality and Relief in Lanka, more..

Oct 29 (NW) Minister Vijitha Herath says measures have been taken to re-export the consignment of the Holy Qur’an (Tamil translation) that remains detained by SL Customs. Minister revealed that the consignment had been imported in violation of customs regulations. He further said that, as such, the importer had agreed to re-export the consignment of the Holy Qur’an (Tamil translation) to India. “There was no issue about the content more..

Oct 29 (AD) A high-level meeting has been convened at the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence in Colombo to review progress and address ongoing challenges related to the release of private lands situated within the Jaffna-Palali area to their rightful owners. Meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara and attended by Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, along with senior defence and administrative officials. Discussions focused on resolving operational more..

Oct 29 (CT) Supreme Court, yesterday, ordered that the appeals filed by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando, seeking to overturn their prison sentences, be taken up for hearing on 20 Jan 2026. The two former ministers were convicted and sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for the misuse of over Rs 50 million in public funds. The charges relate to the alleged import and distribution of carrom boards and draughts sets worth Rs 53 million more..