Oct 2 (FT) Colombo West Int'l Terminal (CWIT) on Wednesday celebrated a double milestone – the commissioning of its second phase and handling of more than 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Phase 2 doubles the Terminal’s handling capacity to 3.2 million TEUs from 1.6 million. PM Harini Amarasuriya was the Chief Guest at the grand celebrations, along with CWIT investors Adani Ports and SEZ CEO Ashwani more..

Oct 2 (Island) It was with a great sense of sadness that I received the news about the death of Ananda Ganegoda at the age of 80 years; the last of the famous industrialist Ganegoda brothers to depart. Ananada was a businessman par excellence but he ought to be remembered specially for his outstanding contribution to popularising Sinhala music by founding the music label Singlanka in 1980. Unfortunately, I lost touch with him, having seen him only once since I left SL in 1988. more..

Oct 2 (Island) An inquiry conducted by the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) into some allegations concerning the circumstances that surrounded the 31 Aug drug detection at the Colombo Port has revealed that there may have been dereliction of duty on the part of Senior DIG Ranmal Kodituwakku and several other officers. The plot thickens. Acting on information reportedly received from US Drug Enforcement Administration, Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) more..

Oct 2 (GV) In the early hours of Sept 27, over 20 SL police officers, including Jaffna’s Officer in Charge, arrived at the Nallur memorial to Lt. Col. Thileepan and swiftly removed the statue. The bronze figure had been unveiled on Sept 15 to mark 39 years since Thileepan began the fast that ended in his death. It was taken down just one day after hundreds of Tamils gathered at the site to remember him. The memorial stands where Thileepan began his hunger strike in 1987, more..

Oct 2 (TM) When the Prez rises in Parliament on 12 Nov, to present the 2027 Budget, he will be speaking to two audiences. One is the chamber. The other is the family that has spent the past few years trimming expenses and doing sums at the kitchen table. Formal process begins on 7 Oct with the first reading of the Appropriation Bill, and the outline of the numbers is already visible. Bill authorises service expenditure of Rs 4.99 trillion and caps net Govt borrowing at Rs 3.8 trillion for 2027. more..

Oct 2 (DN) CPC is set to launch its new Jet A-1 aviation fuel storage complex and dedicated pipeline project on 2 October, establishing a direct and dedicated fuel-supply connection between Muthurajawela and BIA. The project marks a significant investment in SL’s petroleum and aviation infrastructure, bringing together large-scale aviation-fuel storage, a dedicated underground pipeline and modern monitoring and safety systems more..

Oct 2 (DM) Accountability has been a buzz word for many lawmakers that SL produced. It had been a promise that was rarely fulfilled on the political stage. This is why people rejected corrupt leaders and their associates. People rejected political nepotism, dynastic politics and demanded transparency and accountability. SL has surpassed turbulent periods in history. From insurrections to a prolonged armed conflict, and unfortunate events such as the Easter Sunday attacks and the economic crisis, more..

Oct 2 (DM) Every child has the right to grow up healthy, safe, loved and respected. Children have the right to learn, play, dream and express their views. Yet, millions continue to face poverty, conflict, violence, displacement, malnutrition and unequal access to education and healthcare. This year, Universal Children’s Day observed in SL on Oct 1 carries the message My Day. My Rights. My Future. The theme calls on children to speak about their lives, rights and aspirations, while urging more..

Oct 2 (DM) Road traffic accidents are now being described as a man-made disaster. According to the Sri Lanka Medical Association’s (SLMA) expert committee on road accidents, over 2500 fatal accidents were recorded in 2025 resulting in over 2700 deaths. Medical experts have identified various causes ranging from defects in road infrastructure to lack of adequate rest among drivers and ignoring safety practices such as wearing helmets. more..

Oct 2 (DM) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa claims that he would repeal the recently adopted 22nd Constitutional Amendment once he takes office someday. Yet, we don’t believe he will do so. Firstly, Premadasa’s party, SJB must have the two-thirds parliamentary majority to roll back this Constitutional Amendment. Yet, given the political antics staged by the Opposition parties -- including the SJB -- we cannot imagine a day when the SJB would secure a two-thirds parliamentary majority, more..

Oct 2 (ST) On Tuesday, Fitch Ratings upgraded SL’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating to B- from CCC+ with a stable outlook. While CCC+ stand for the substantial risk – the status of credit worthiness that SL improved in December 2024 after the default. Accordingly, this week upgrading was the second notch granted by Fitch Ratings to SL after the economic crisis. The B- status means a speculative grade which indicates that repayment may be vulnerable to more..

Oct 1 (NW) India secured a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket gold medal match after routing SL by 124 runs in the second semifinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. India posted 169 for seven before bowling SL out for just 45. SL won the toss and elected to bowl, and managed to make early inroads. However, Ishan Kishan powered India to a competitive total with an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, hitting 5 sixes and 4 fours. 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed a quick 38 more..

Oct 1 (EN) SL’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) expects to enforce maximum retail prices (MRPs) for roughly 90% of imported medicines over the coming year, NMRA chairman Ananda Wijewickrama said. The regulator is carrying out brand-specific price determinations across more than 6,000 registered formulations as pharmaceutical companies submit applications for their annual import permits. “These 6,000 medicines exist under various brand names. more..

Oct 1 (NW) Sri Lanka will procure all immunisation vaccines required by the country entirely using govt funds in 2027 for the first time in its history, Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has announced. The minister said the govt intends to use 100% state funding for the procurement of vaccines required for the national immunisation programme next year. He made the announcement at an event in Colombo marking the 49th death anniversary of more..

Oct 1 (NW) A group of Swedish schoolchildren was introduced to SL literature and culture through a special programme featuring the Swedish translation of Martin Wickramasinghe’s celebrated children’s novel Madol Duwa, organised by Embassy of SL in Stockholm. Programme aimed to familiarise young Swedish readers with the literary work of Martin Wickramasinghe, widely regarded as the father of modern Sinhala literature, while providing an insight into SL traditions & cultural heritage. more..

Oct 1 (NW) Court of Appeal has issued a writ order preventing the arrest or detention of former Minister Tiran Alles and directors, representatives and employees of Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd over a complaint arising from a commercial transaction. The order was issued by a Court of Appeal bench comprising Justices Shashi Mahendran and Pradeep Hettiarachchi following the hearing of a writ petition filed by Ceylon Newspapers, which publishes Mawbima and Ceylon Today newspapers. more..

Oct 1 (TM) The Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) Transformation Committee Chair Eran Wickramaratne states that although they would prefer results on the field from the national team to be positive than at present, they have no concerns of any of those involved in the backroom staff. “Certainly we want to see results, there is no question on that front,” he told reporters, during the Transformation Committee’s media briefing more..

Oct 1 (DM) National Police Commission (NPC) has cancelled, with immediate effect, the transfers of several police officers, including Senior DIG Ranmal Kodituwakku and DIG of the Police Narcotic Bureau Ashoka Dharmasena. NPC took the decision at a meeting held today, following a request from the IGP. Cancelled transfers reportedly include those of the Director of the Police Narcotic Bureau, two Superintendents of Police and several female Police Inspectors, among other officers. more..

Oct 1 (DM) Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and his delegation from Sri Lanka this morning. A 5-member delegation of JVP had arrived in India for a five-day visit from Sept 27 to Oct 1, as part of JVP-BJP meeting. Following his interaction with the Mr. Silva, Mr. Jaishankar posted on X that it was pleasure to meet him and his Sri Lankan delegation. “Had a good discussion on strengthening our deep bonds of friendship,” he said more..

Oct 1 (NW) SL Customs has uncovered a consignment of metal scrap, including iron, concealed in an export container that had been declared as containing rice, Customs Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said. The discovery was made during a joint examination conducted by SL Customs and Police today at the TRICO Export Facilitation Centre (EFC), located near the port access road from Ingurukade Junction. According to Punchihewa, container had been prepared more..

Oct 1 (NW) A two-day cultural festival titled Rhythm of Lanka will be held on Dec 19-20, 2026, aimed at reconnecting the younger generations of overseas Sri Lankans with their homeland, cultural identity and heritage. According to the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, organised by Ranwala Balakaya, national-level initiative will primarily focus on third and fourth-generation Sri Lankans living abroad, particularly those with limited direct cultural and social connections to Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 1 (FT) Port City Colombo hosted an exclusive investor forum at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi on 25 Sept, bringing together senior UAE business leaders, investors, and institutional stakeholders for a focused morning of dialogue on SL’s investment proposition and the opportunities available within Port City Colombo’s Special Economic Zone. The forum formed the centrepiece of a structured seven-day Gulf roadshow more..

Oct 1 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says Sri Lankans who once dreamed of purchasing a Toyota Vitz for Rs. 1.2 million are now struggling to settle their vehicle leasing installments, with some allegedly facing intimidation and physical assault at the hands of vehicle repossession agents, commonly known as seizers. Speaking during a meeting with representatives of the Association of Leasing and Loan Instalment Payers at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition more..

Oct 1 (DM) Govt will provide Rs. 70 per litre of diesel as part of a Rs. 41 billion fuel subsidy approved by the Cabinet to cushion consumers and fuel distributors from the impact of surging global oil prices, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said. The subsidy is intended to prevent the full impact of rising international fuel prices from being passed on to consumers. Karunathilaka said fuel distribution companies have reported varying levels of losses under the current pricing structure more..

Oct 1 (NW) Tusker Kawanthissa, who sustained a gunshot injury to his front right leg after falling victim to a trap gun in the Siyambalangamuwa area, has shown significant signs of recovery and rejoined a herd of approximately 15 wild elephants following continuous treatment by wildlife veterinarians. Tusker’s condition has gradually improved after receiving antibiotics and other necessary medication over several days, more..

Oct 1 (PMD) A discussion on the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan was held yesterday afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, under the leadership of Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi and First Secretary of the High Commission of India Roshini Thomson. During Indian PM Narendra Modi’s official visit to SL, he had expressed his agreement to provide assistance for a Sacred City development project when he visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. more..

Oct 1 (NF) The first day of Digital Summit Asia Sri Lanka 2026 was inaugurated in Colombo today, bringing together leading voices in digital marketing, technology, creativity and business from Sri Lanka and across Asia. Organized by the Digital Marketers Association of SL, the two-day summit is being held at Water’s Edge, Colombo, under the theme The Epicentre. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne attended the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest. more..

Oct 1 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court No. 5 has imposed a Rs. 1 million fine on a Bambalapitiya restaurant for selling a 500 ml bottle of drinking water above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) prescribed by the CAA. The case was filed against restaurant. Company pleaded guilty to the charge before court, following which the fine was imposed. Order No. 96 published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2492/29 fixes the MRP for bottled drinking water in the 500 ml to 999 ml category at Rs. 80. more..

Oct 1 (NW) The Court of Appeal has dismissed, without taking it up for hearing, a writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking an order preventing his arrest and detention under the PTA in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Rajapaksa had sought an order preventing the CID from arresting or detaining him as part of the ongoing investigation into the attacks. The petition had cited the IGP, CID Director Shani Abeysekera, more..

Oct 1 (EN) SL recorded a US$ 133 million surplus in its current account in Aug 2026, following four months of deficits. The surplus was supported by the lower trade deficit compared to recent months, reflecting lower import expenditure, the central bank said. The current account recorded a deficit of US$ 291 million during Jan-Aug 2026, due to pressures on the external sector from the escalation of the conflict in West Asia. more..

Oct 1 (NW) A cameraman attached to a private media organisation has been arrested over an alleged assault on a security officer of former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe outside the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. Cameraman was arrested today after arriving at the Kompannavidiya Police Station to provide a statement regarding the incident, following a summons issued yesterday. The cameraman had reportedly arrived at the police station accompanied by a lawyer. more..

Oct 1 (NW) Sri Lankan jurist and human rights activist Basil Fernando, a former leader of the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission, has died at 81. Born in Sri Lanka in 1944, Fernando was a lawyer, author and poet who worked for decades on human rights and rule-of-law issues across Asia. Fernando was an Appeals Counsel for Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong as part of a project sponsored by the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), from 1989 to 1992. more..