Feb 13 (ST) Bikers racing on public roads at night and endangering other road users gained renewed attention from the police after the recent death of a teen who crashed into a car while racing with another youth. But traffic police are nowhere close to stamping out the nuisance. Police say many youths have died during motorbike street races and three-wheeler street races. One such recent incident was at Horana on Friday more..

Feb 13 (Island) When climate disasters strike, they don’t affect everyone equally. Marginalised communities typically face worse outcomes, and Cyclone Ditwah is no exception. Especially in a context where normalcy is far from normal, the idea of returning to normalcy or restoring a life of normalcy makes very little sense. Island-wide survey conducted by the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA), between early to mid-January on Cyclone Ditwah shows stark regional disparities more..

Feb 13 (TM) A nation’s public administration is not an abstract institution. It is the engine that turns laws into lived reality, policies into services, and promises into outcomes. When that engine falters, the consequences are not theoretical. They are felt in erratic regulation, broken infrastructure, and ultimately, in the erosion of public trust. Sri Lanka knows this story all too well. SL Administrative Service has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious avenues through more..

Feb 13 (Island) Justice has caught up with those who killed SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale and his security officer. Gampaha High Court has sentenced 12 convicts to death for the double murder they committed during the 2022 uprising, popularly known as Aragalaya. This judgement has evoked the dreadful memories of the crimes committed in the name of a people’s protest movement about 4 years ago. Aragalaya began as an outpouring of public resentment fuelled by more..

Feb 13 (DM) SL stands at a critical point in its economic diplomacy. As a country, SL has now stabilised its macroeconomic fundamentals under the IMF Extended Fund Facility. Yet, the country now faces a far more important question: what next? Stabilisation alone cannot deliver prosperity. In fact, growth must follow. Trade integration is key in this regard. Market-diversification is also needed for SL in a global context where dominant powers leverage tariffs to advance their national interests. more..

Feb 13 (CT) Migration in Sri Lanka particularly among the youth is more like a trend these days. People tend to seek settlement in places far away from home in the hope of finding a better life. In the context of migration in Sri Lanka, it is important to ask the question as to whether the education in Sri Lanka plays a role in enabling citizens to leave the country. Dr. Nilantha Ramanayaka, Head of Dept of Sports more..

Feb 13 (ST) When a nation shuts its doors, prosperity slips out the window. As per global evidence, open economies grow faster and achieve prosperity more than the closed ones. Many countries in Asia have confirmed it, leaving only a handful of them behind. The old debate between market advocates and protectionists belongs to the 1970s and 1980s. The rapid transformation of former communist states into market economies—and their swift progress toward prosperity more..

Feb 13 (CT) Addressing the Central Province programme of the national anti-drug campaign, A Nation United, which was held recently in Nuwara Eliya, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged that 2026 would be a year that gives real meaning to the principle that all are equal before the law. He emphasised that no nation where the rule of law has collapsed has achieved development, and warned that a weak rule of law could inevitably allow criminals to rise to power. more..

Feb 13 (TM) “I was sitting right here when our dog suddenly started barking,” said A.U. Leelawathi, an elderly resident of Sinhapitiya in Gampola, pointing to a corner of what was once her living room. Sinhapitiya village lies below Ambuluwawa Hill, home to the Ambuluwawa Tower and Biodiversity Complex. Leelawathi spoke from inside her partially destroyed house, which once had three bedrooms. Nearly half the structure more..

Feb 13 (DM) In the complex landscape of SL politics, a profound paradox exists: a nation with a 2,500-year-old civilization and a history of engineering marvels such as the world’s most advanced ancient irrigation systems now finds its modern electorate seemingly trapped in a cycle of short-term survival. The disconnect between a Grand Vision and the Daily Wage has never been more apparent than in the political fate of Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ambitious 2048 Vision. more..

Feb 13 (GV) Three months after Cyclone Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka in late Nov 2025, the headlines have moved on. In many places, the floodwaters have receded, emergency support has reached affected communities and farmers are doing what they always do, trying to salvage what they can and prepare for the next season. Yet the most important question now is not how quickly agriculture can return to normal. It is whether SL will rebuild in a way that breaks the cycle of risks more..

Feb 12 (TM) The JVP delegation, led by its General Secretary Tilvin Silva, is currently on an official visit to India, engaging with key state officials and exploring avenues to enhance bilateral relations. In Kerala, they met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday to discuss strategies for boosting tourism and strengthening cultural ties between Sri Lanka and the Indian state. The delegation also visited the ISRO Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Vizhinjam Port, where they gained insights more..

Feb 12 (TM) The construction of the Kasikote elephant tunnel, previously halted due to design flaws and poor planning, has recommenced with modified plans, according to the Environment Ministry. The project, critically aimed at reducing fatal vehicle collisions with elephants, was paused after public outcry over the tunnel’s insufficient size for the herd’s largest elephants. Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody said that work is now underway. He stated that accompanying more..

Feb 12 (TM) Despite nearly three months having passed since the deaths of two patients after they were administered ondansetron, a drug commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting, Govt has still failed to publicise the relevant reports, claimed the Medical & Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors President, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa. He said the lack of clarity surrounding the quality and regulatory approval of relevant more..

Feb 12 (AD) SL and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed commitment to further enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. The commitment was made during a bilateral meeting between the Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, and Prince Abdulrahman bin Ayyaf Al-Muqrin, the Deputy Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Saudi Defence Ministry. The meeting took place during Deputy Minister Jayasekara’s more..

Feb 12 (CT) Mullaitivu District, rich in natural resources yet ranked first in poverty, is set to undergo significant development over the next 2 to 3 years under the current govt, Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vedanayagam, said yesterday. He pointed out that the foundational plans and construction projects for this development have already commenced. A special coordination meeting for Mullaitivu District at the district secretariat, attended by Minister Bimal Rathnayake. more..

Feb 12 (DM) Road Development Authority (RDA) has failed to capitalise nearly 75% of the Class A and B road network it manages, leaving billions of rupees worth of state assets off its statement of financial position. According to the Auditor General’s latest observations on the 2023 financial statements, while the Authority is responsible for a massive network spanning 12,225 km, only a mere 3,267 km had been more..

Feb 12 (FT) SL’s economic collapse is often analysed through the lenses of debt, deficits and political misjudgement. These explanations are valid — but incomplete. They overlook a more fundamental weakness that continues to undermine reform efforts: the absence of systematic institutional training for those who govern. The country does not suffer from a lack of laws or reform proposals. It suffers from a chronic failure to ensure that elected representatives & public officials understand more..

Feb 12 (AD) A total of 7 drivers and conductors employed on private passenger buses have been arrested for operating while under the influence of drugs. The arrests were made following random drug tests conducted on drivers and conductors of private buses operating from the Piliyandala Main Bus Stand and travelling through Piliyandala town. The tests were carried out within a special mobile unit deployed by the National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) at the Piliyandala Main Bus Stand. more..

Feb 12 (AD) SL Police has issued a public advisory highlighting the growing number of complaints related to lost, misplaced, and stolen mobile phones reported daily to police stations across the island. The police warned that when a mobile phone is lost or stolen, there is a significant risk of misuse if it falls into the hands of unauthorized individuals. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and take immediate precautionary measures, as lost or stolen mobile phones are frequently more..

Feb 12 (EN) A team of SL MPs have visited Pakistan to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia Regional Conference, which saw the adoption of the Karachi Declaration. In this participating delegations reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic governance, constitutionalism, Parliamentary accountability, inclusivity, responsible innovation and sustainable peace. The need for transparent, participatory and forward looking Parliaments to address more..

Feb 12 (CI) High control percentage? Good. High strike rate? Good. Low dot-ball percentage? Gooood. - Joey from Friends, presumably, watching Pavan Rathnayake bat on Thursday. In the classic arc in the sitcom, Joey defends Rachel's accidental Shepherd's-Pie-meets-English-Trifle hybrid by appreciating the individual brilliance of the disparate layers. In Pallekele, Rathnayake served up a hybrid innings of his own, more..

Feb 12 (NW) The Supreme Court on Thursday (12) concluded hearings on a series of Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the appointment of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. ‎The court decided to end proceedings after considering an affidavit submitted by Prez Anura Kumara in connection with the case. The decision was made with the consent of the petitioners, according to court proceedings. The petitions were taken up before a 3-judge bench more..

Feb 12 (DM) Six suspects, including the son of actress Piumi Hansamali, who were arrested by the Welikada Police in connection with an alleged assault on a three-wheeler driver following a road accident in the Kalapaluwawa area, were ordered to be remanded till Feb 16 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya yesterday. Welikada Police informed the court that a friend of Piumi Hansamali’s son had been involved in a collision with a three-wheeler while riding a motorcycle more..

Feb 12 (DM) Australia is willing to help SL join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which is the world’s largest free trade agreement covering 15 nations and nearly 30 percent of the global population and GDP, High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth said. Signed on Nov 15, 2020, it brings together 15 Asia-Pacific countries- 10 ASEAN nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, more..

Feb 12 (CT) Two men have been arrested in connection with an alleged online investment scam that defrauded a woman of more than Rs 6 million, Police said yesterday. The arrests were made by officers of the CID North Western Province Cyber Crimes Investigation Unit following an inquiry into a complaint lodged by the victim. Police said the woman had been misled into believing she could earn substantial profits through an online business venture. Acting on the assurances given by more..

Feb 12 (AD) Zohara Buhary, who had faced disciplinary action from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) for voting in favour of the CMC’s Budget proposal, has lost her seat in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) after she was removed from the party. The SLMC has decided to take disciplinary action and suspend the party membership of Buhary due to her voting in support of the council’s budget, presented by the ruling NPP, in violation of the party’s directive. more..

Feb 12 (AD) Colombo High Court today ordered that further hearing of the case filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others be postponed until March 6, 2026. The case was taken up today before Colombo HC Judge Mohamed Mihal. Former Minister Johnston Fernando and former Operational Director of Sathosa, Mohamed Shakir, who are currently in remand custody in connection with another case, were produced before court by prison officials. more..

Feb 12 (DM) SL continues to face a growing public health challenge as more than one-third of the country’s adult population is now classified as overweight or obese, according to a national nutrition and diet study conducted by Int'l Food Policy Research Institute and Dept of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba Uni. Report which was released in 2024 says that among adults, overweight and obesity are significantly more common in women, with prevalence rates roughly 10 percentage more..

Feb 12 (SLN) SL Navy has generated USD 598,250 in foreign exchange revenue within just four months by independently facilitating Onboard Security Team (OBST) operations. This total revenue has been credited to the Govt Consolidated Fund for the benefit of the national economy and public welfare. The shift to independent maritime security operations stems from a Cabinet decision approved on 7 Jul more..

Feb 12 (AD) The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has approved the Bill seeking to abolish pension benefits for Members of Parliament. Committee Chair and MP Najith Indika stated that the Bill was unanimously approved during the committee meeting. Speaking on the matter, Committee Chair and MP Najith Indika said the proposal was in line with a key pledge made in the policy statement of the present govt. “Sectoral Oversight Committee more..

Feb 12 (EN) SL’s construction sector is yet to show strong recovery from the 2022 crisis in reality despite positive data by the authorities, an industry expert said. The construction sector contracted 20.8% in 2023 after a 20% collapse in 2022 amid the economic crisis and sharp currency deprecation spiked the cost of construction for customers. In 2024 the sector expanded 19.4% with the expansion of the economy from contraction while it showed a rise of 10.5% in the first nine months of 2025. more..