Nov 20 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has strongly defended two political appointees occupying the top positions in the Ministry of Public Security and the CID. The modus operandi adopted by him to support his brief for them is a textbook example of straw man, a logical fallacy, which involves recasting opponents’ arguments into weaker versions that are easier to refute instead of addressing stronger, substantive issues. Prez has advanced several arguments, more..

Nov 20 (TM) Recent weeks saw several incidents of Sri Lankans acting in a manner constituting sexual harassment against female foreign tourists. These concerns came to light after videos of locals harassing them went viral on social media. In one incident, a man was seen harassing a female tourist travelling in a three-wheeler in the Thirukkovil area. He was identified and arrested within days. In another, a man travelling in a different three-wheeler was filmed making inappropriate advances more..

Nov 20 (CT) The Jaffna peninsula has now become the most severely affected area in SL in terms of air pollution. This is not merely an environmental issue; it is a collision between scientific evidence, institutional failure, citizen activism and an invisible, deadly threat. Backed by scientific data, the crisis poses twin challenges to public health and the rule of law, forcing residents to seek judicial intervention in the face of more..

Nov 20 (CT) Govt’s recent insistence that it has no intention to delay the Provincial Council Election may reassure some, but for many Sri Lankans, it is beginning to sound like a familiar refrain, well-crafted, politically convenient, and ultimately inconclusive. Yesterday’s exchange in Parliament between Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake, and Chief Opposition Whip, Gayantha Karunathilake, once again exposed the widening disconnect between stated commitments more..

Nov 20 (Island) The US almost succeeded in signing SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) during the Yahapalana administration, as well as finalising the MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) meant to promote economic growth, open markets, and increased living standards in selected countries. SOFA was to allow deployment of US personnel in SL. The then Prez Maithripala Sirisena thwarted SOFA while PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s representative Tilak Marapana was more..

Nov 20 (DM) Over a year after the e-visa system handled by the consortium—comprising IVS-GBS as the primary partner and VFS Global as the technical partner—was suspended in SL, Jamila Husain interviewed Zubin Karkaria, CEO of VFS Global Group, where he spoke about the organisation’s operations and reiterated that VFS Global maintains the highest level of diligence before contracting with international govts. more..

Nov 20 (DM) Central Bank has inexplicably maintained high interest rates in a deflationary environment, which increases debt-service costs and suppresses economic activity. It must change course now, because austerity in the name of fiscal sustainability is self-defeating if it destroys the conditions for growth. SL is experiencing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. After defaulting on its external debt in 2022, govt was forced to impose severe austerity more..

Nov 20 (DM) Sri Lanka doesn’t seem to have taken certain lessons from the past. There was an ugly era that allowed ethno-nationalism to thrive, causing communal tensions and divisions in various parts of the country. There were Buddhist monks who threatened minority communities and politicians who convinced these communities to vote for Sinhala-Buddhist leaders by instilling a fear psychosis. In the North of the country, ethno-nationalism is an issue that people encounter on a daily basis, more..

Nov 19 (AD) The govt has announced plans to introduce a new Fisherman’s Pension Scheme, effective from Dec 21, 2025. All necessary arrangements have been completed to launch the scheme, which will be implemented by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board. Under the new pension scheme, beneficiaries will be eligible to receive pensions upon reaching the age of 60 years. A notable feature of the scheme is that, in the event the beneficiary passes away more..

Nov 19 (AD) A 3-member committee has been appointed to investigate a complaint made by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala regarding the conduct of MP Dayasiri Jayasekara. Speaker informed Parliament today that the committee was appointed to inquire into an incident that took place inside the Chamber on Sept 24, 2025. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih has been appointed as the chairman of the committee, while MPs Upali Pannilage and Ranjith Madduma Bandara more..

Nov 19 (DM) With uncertainty swirling over the return of SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa for a court case, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake asked the former Finance Minister to come and face the law. Prez said there was no reason to fear the legal process if one is innocent. “Don’t be afraid to face the law. If you are clean, come and prove your innocence,” he said. Rajapaksa who is currently settled in US is supposed to appear before more..

Nov 19 (DM) A tense situation arose yesterday morning (18) at the Parliamentary office of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne after a snake was spotted inside the premises. Staff members first noticed the snake when it attempted to enter through a window near the area where the Speaker usually takes his meals. After the incident was reported, the Parliament’s garden maintenance officer acted promptly and removed the snake from the location, parliamentary sources said. more..

Nov 19 (DM) The SL and Thai govts have not held any discussions regarding the potential recall of two elephants gifted to SL, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Prasad said, assuring that the animals are in good health and have not caused any harm. Dr. Prasad said that the report compiled by a 3-member expert committee has been received and confirms that the elephants were not treated badly and remain in good condition. The report is set to be handed over to the Foreign Ministry. more..

Nov 19 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday warned Parliament that SL is now facing a dangerous evolution of organised crime, where drug traffickers, armed criminals, corrupt state officials, political actors and even segments of the media have converged into a single network of influence. Prez said that what began decades ago as small village-level thuggery had grown into a powerful, well-financed more..

Nov 19 (AD) Court of Appeal today scheduled a hearing on Dec 16 to consider a petition seeking an injunction to prevent the implementation of an order issued by the Dept of Coastal Conservation to remove a part of the Trincomalee Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya. The petition was filed by the chief monk of the temple, Venerable Trincomalee Kalyanawansa Wansa Tissa Thero. During the proceedings, the judge noted that it would be appropriate to resolve the matter amicably. more..

Nov 19 (AD) Steps have been taken by the Ministry of Health to appoint a committee to draft the service constitution for specialist doctors. The committee has been appointed on the instructions of the Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. According to the Ministry of Health, following the discussion held yesterday in Parliament under the patronage of the Prez regarding matters related to specialist doctors, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, has taken steps to appoint more..

Nov 19 (NW) Commercial Bank of Ceylon is making history as the first bank in the country to collaborate with Google and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to enable Google Pay for its cardholders as part of the Google Wallet launch. This is a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s financial landscape, setting a new standard for secure and convenient digital transactions. Commercial Bank is the only bank in the SL market to enable Google Pay for its Visa cardholders, giving its customers more..

Nov 19 (DM) The Attorney General yesterday informed Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara that investigations into the case filed against former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, over the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in State funds, will be completed within a month and that steps will thereafter be taken to institute proceedings before a higher court. Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris, appearing for the Attorney General conveyed this position when a motion filed by more..

Nov 19 (AD) Seventh Meeting of the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) will be held in New Delhi tomorrow, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced. India’s NSA Ajit Doval will host his counterparts from member states, including Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh & SL. Seychelles will be participating as an Observer State, while Malaysia has been invited as a Guest. more..

Nov 19 (FT) Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement President Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne said recent enforcement actions and political pledges have signalled greater willingness to address corruption, but these steps were still insufficient to transform entrenched systems of rent-seeking. He made the remarks at a recent Colombo forum where University of London economists presented new research on the political economy of public debt and contracting in SL. “The law is being enforced now and more..

Nov 19 (Island) Recently, Kachchativu Island has attracted attention not only from fisherfolk of India and SL but also from political leaders of both nations and the judiciary. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to Kachchativu in September marked a significant milestone. For the first time in history, the leader of Sri Lanka expressed interest in the ongoing debate over the island — an issue settled decades ago after lengthy negotiations. Meanwhile, India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant, more..

Nov 19 (Island) The Communist Party of SL (CPSL) has asked whether the NPP entered into a military agreement with the US as a condition for reduction of tariffs and precursor to signing SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement). CPSL Leader Dr. G. Weerasinghe said that the US had almost succeeded in finalising SOFA during the Yahapalana administration (2015-2019). On behalf of the party, Dr. Weerasinghe yesterday issued more..

Nov 19 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, yesterday, ordered that the complaint filed against MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake and two others, regarding alleged corruption committed during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the Uva Province, be called on 20 Feb 2026. Chief Magistrate made this order when the case related to the incident was taken up in Court. When the case was called, the suspects — MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, Sunil Gamini & Sugath de more..

Nov 19 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to initiate legal action against media institutions involved in the drug trade, instead of making statements in Parliament. “No need to make statements here. Arrest them. Initiate legal action. If a media institution is involved in drug peddling, initiate legal action,” MP said in Parliament. He further said that the public is expecting answers and solutions, and not opposition-style politics. more..

Nov 19 (NW) Naadha Gama, one of SL’s leading contemporary music brands, will stage its largest international performance yet when it brings the Naadha Gama Orchestral Edition to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Oct. 31, 2026. The concert is expected to draw more than 6,000 people, making it the first SL production of this scale to be held at the iconic outdoor venue. Naadha Gama was founded by a group of young musicians and has grown over seven years into a prominent more..

Nov 19 (AD) The Court of Appeal today directed the Minister of Wildlife and several other respondents to submit a report detailing the measures taken by the govt to prevent human–elephant conflict. The order was issued by a bench comprising Justices Damith Thotawatte and Sarath Dissanayake after considering a writ petition submitted by the Centre for Environmental Justice regarding the matter through a motion. Motion noted that although the Centre for Environmental Justice had more..

Nov 19 (DM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today called on the govt to concentrate on fulfilling its long overdue pledges made to the public rather than focusing on spinning lies against the opposition members. Namal said that an article which had surfaced on an unknown website had claimed that his law degree was questionable and also blamed the Sri Lanka Law College for accepting his admission, putting into question the entire more..

Nov 19 (EN) Sri Lanka will call tenders to build three pipelines from Colombo Port to an oil terminal in Kolonnawa, a suburb of the capital Colombo, according to a cabinet decision. Two pipelines with a diameter of 18 inches and 14 inches with facilities for internal inspection by machinery should be supplied by the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) contractor. The pipelines will run from the Dolphin Jetty of the Colombo Port to Kolonnawa. more..

Nov 19 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has held a special discussion with several MPs and representatives of the ITAK. The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon. It is reported that this special discussion was held at the request of the ITAK MPs. Provincial Council elections, the recent incident related to a temple in Trincomalee and other crises that have arisen in the N&E regions as well as reconciliation were reportedly discussed during the meeting. more..

Nov 19 (EM) In 2009, Namal Rajapaksa MP didn’t meet the requirements for admission to Law College. He was admitted nonetheless. Sixteen years later, a lengthy investigation unearths new facts about the controversial case. Namal Rajapaksa’s City University degree wasn’t sufficient for Law College admission. The degree itself suffers from multiple discrepancies. Entering Law College — the only way to become a lawyer in SL — more..

Nov 19 (NF) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa raised serious questions about the authenticity of MP Namal Rajapaksa’s legal qualifications, citing multiple investigative reports published online. Jayatissa told the House that journalist Nirmala Kannangara had exposed discrepancies surrounding Rajapaksa’s law degree from the City University of London—not to be confused with the Uni of London—and its subsequent use for enrollment in SL Law College and a MSc at Uni of Sri J'pura. more..

Nov 19 (NW) A 24-year-old New Zealand woman whose video on sexual harassment in Sri Lanka went viral has stressed that the incident does not reflect the safety of the country or its people, praising Sri Lankans and law enforcement for their swift response. The solo traveller said she received overwhelming support from locals during her stay and described SL as an amazing country to travel, adding that she would continue to recommend it to other women travelling alone. more..