Sep 19 (FT) Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said the economy grew 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026, bringing first-half growth to 4.7%, a performance he described as commendable given the strain the ongoing Middle East war has placed on regional economies. He noted that quarterly growth has moderated from 5% in the second quarter of 2025 and stood at 4% in the same quarter of 2024. more..

Sep 19 (Island) The US has refused to grant Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week, according to a BBC report. Washington claims that it has denied visas to Palestinian representatives, including Abbas, for their failure to live up to peace process commitments. Sanctions were initially imposed in August last year, when 80 Palestinian officials were denied visas for the annual UN meeting in New York, BBC report says. more..

Sep 19 (Island) An IMF delegation is currently in SL to hold discussions relating to the Seventh Review of the country’s economic reform programme supported by the EFF. The mission, which runs from 10 to 23 Sept, is led by Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for SL. Successfully completing this review and continuing the IMF programme as planned are important. Nevertheless, it is our considered view that Sri Lanka cannot build a sustainable economy over the long term more..

Sep 19 (DN) “We have got only the govt into our hand. We have no State power as yet.” This is the puzzling explanation provided by Lalkantha, the NPP’s affable Minister of Agriculture, Land and Irrigation, several months ago, when some NPP supporters began to complain that the govt was slow in implementing its key election promises. Lalkantha’s numerous detractors with opposing political views wasted no time to label him a Marxist, worse still a Leninist, while also thanking him more..

Sep 19 (TM) Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant issues of this current era, and most honest evaluations show that we are still losing momentum. Global cybercrime expenses are expected to increase from US $ 11 trillion by 2027 to $ 12.2 trillion by 2031, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. That is more than a figure that economists can argue over. The result of cybercrimes could have a great negative impact on the financial aspect or losses, downfall in businesses, more..

Sep 19 (TM) Four offshore blocks covering nearly 34,000 sq km, two previous discoveries, estimated reservoir capacities exceeding one trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas and 10 million barrels of condensate, and more than four decades of seismic and drilling information are among the assets Sri Lanka is putting before international energy companies in its latest attempt to unlock the petroleum potential of the Mannar Basin. more..

Sep 19 (FT) Sri Lanka is going through a major shift in public health. A nationwide study, the SL Health and Ageing Study, found that nearly one in four adults now has diabetes, and close to one in three has prediabetes. That’s a higher rate than any other Asian country currently on record. People are also being diagnosed much younger than before. Type 2 diabetes used to typically show up around age fifty. Now it’s increasingly common in people in their thirties, & prediabetes, early-warning stage, more..

Sep 19 (CT) For some time, the senior members of the govt are talking about the state power. What they say is that they did not get the state power although they got the governing power. Going deep, we realize their claim is that they do not have the power to operate the governing apparatus effectively. In order to get this control on one hand they try to put their confidantes in the key positions and on the other hand they try to spread the idea that they did not get the state power. more..

Sep 19 (SO) The 37th Sarasaviya Film Awards Ceremony, organised by Sarasaviya newspaper, was held on Sept 9 at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo, attended by a large gathering of cinema stars. Acclaimed as the grand festival of SL cinema, the highly-anticipated Sarasaviya Film Awards Ceremony was a truly exceptional, vibrant and beautiful night. This year’s ceremony, held under the theme The Film Festival of Youth, more..

Sep 19 (FT) I visited Colombo in 2010 as Administrator of Lakshadweep Islands, to evaluate the progress of a newly built ship made specifically for the islands. When I was invited last week by the Indo-SL Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for a webinar on advancing Indo-Sri Lanka trade, MSME cooperation and investment partnerships, on 25 Aug 2026, I felt drawn towards it. In the course of 90 minutes of online discussion, I saw enormous potential of growth between two countries. more..

Sep 19 (DM) Galilee BESS (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of WKV Hydro Technics (Pvt) Ltd and wholly owned by Khen Energy Ltd, has successfully completed the commissioning process mandated by the National System Operator (NSO). This milestone culminated in the commissioning of SL’s first-ever 10MW/40MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Galle on 10th Sept 2026. The achievement was made possible not only through corporate commitment & technical expertise, more..

Sep 18 (NW) Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division has taken action to freeze properties and vehicles worth over Rs. 125 million, allegedly purchased with money earned through drug trafficking. The orders were issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, preventing disposal or transfer of the assets for 14 days while investigations continue. A resident of Wattala had acquired multiple properties and a vehicle using proceeds from narcotics trafficking. more..

Sep 18 (NW) Heads of foreign diplomatic missions based in Colombo began a three-day tourism development study tour of the Eastern Province on Friday, organised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism. The group departed from the Colombo Hilton Hotel in the morning and arrived at the Anantaya Resort and Spa in Pasikuda. The diplomats were scheduled to visit an exhibition of products by small and medium-scale handicraft producers in the afternoon after more..

Sep 18 (DM) A considerable drop in vehicle prices has been reported in the local market, with prices of small vehicles falling by at least Rs. 1 million, Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) Chairman Indika Merenchige said. He said the current situation presented a favourable opportunity for people planning to purchase vehicles to reserve them. He said most traders were currently selling vehicles at a loss, while market prices more..

Sep 18 (FT) SL coffee has a unique history and, like most products grown on our island, a world-class flavour profile. However, after more than 150 years in hibernation, the industry is finally changing and the coffee world is taking notice. New cafés, new roasters, innovative technology and experimental processing methods are taking the market by storm, and consumers are becoming savvier about the coffee they drink. As the industry grows, so does the need for people with the knowledge more..

Sep 18 (AD) Sri Lanka must move beyond being a consumer of technologies developed overseas and work towards becoming an innovative nation capable of creating and providing technological solutions to the world, PM Harini Amarasuriya said. Addressing the National Science Foundation (NSF) Award Ceremony for Science Popularization 2026 at the BMICH, PM identified science, technology and innovation as key drivers of SL’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Minister Sunil Watagala said even former Executive Presidents and senior politicians were now required to appear before law enforcement agencies when summoned for questioning, instead of having investigators visit their residences to record statements. He said the change reflected the Govt’s commitment to ensuring that the law was applied equally to everyone, regardless of political status or position. more..

Sep 18 (AD) The Court of Appeal will deliver its order on Nov 27 on whether to grant leave to proceed with a writ petition filed by former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the PTA in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The order was announced today (18) by a two-judge bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando, more..

Sep 18 (PTI) Renault India on Friday said it has resumed exports to Sri Lanka with the first shipment of 100 vehicles, comprising the all-new Triber, Kwid and Kiger departing from Chennai. The company re-enters the island nations, taking Renault's international export footprint to 16 countries, in partnership with Sri Lanka's leading automotive distributor, AMW Motors, it said. The vehicles being exported to Sri Lanka are manufactured at Renault India's facility in Oragadam, Chennai. more..

Sep 18 (NW) Katharine Smart has set out on a daring mission to establish a Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to walk more than 500 km across SL. Her journey began in Kilinochchi and is scheduled to conclude in Matara, with the ambitious goal of completing the trek in under 110 hours. Covering more than 100 kilometers per day, Smart is traversing diverse landscapes while enduring significant physical challenges. Throughout the walk, she is powered by Nestomalt, more..

Sep 18 (PMD) The 10 MW/40 MWh Battery Energy Storage System constructed in Anuradhapura was connected to the national electricity grid this morning under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The energy storage system has been installed with the contribution of Storex (Pvt) Ltd, with the aim of increasing the country’s renewable energy capacity and enhancing the stability of the electricity system. Battery energy storage system technology is one of the most distinctive more..

Sep 18 (AD) 5 MW Diyajanani Floating Solar Power Plant, constructed on the Ibbankatuwa Tank in Dambulla under the Govt’s national programme to generate electricity using sustainable energy, was connected to the National Grid this afternoon under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Constructed across an area of 10.5 acres, this solar power plant will provide an annual electricity supply sufficient to meet more..

Sep 18 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today directed the IGP to investigate into whether former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s remarks made at a rally on Sept 12 amounted to contempt of court and to report the findings to court. Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that the court should consider whether the remarks made by Weerawansa at the rally concerning an order issued by the court against MP Namal Rajapaksa more..

Sep 18 (NW) A bizarre incident has been reported from the Kokawewa Police Division, where a man thought to be dead, and for whom burial rites and even religious almsgiving ceremonies had been performed, suddenly returned home alive after nearly two months. It is reported that the man had disappeared about two months ago. As he had a habit of leaving home for several days and returning, his family was not initially alarmed. However, after more than a week, his wife lodged more..

Sep 18 (EN) India has extended financial assistance of Rs. 300 million for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai for another year, its High Commission in Colombo said. The latest assistance marks the third consecutive year of financial support from India for the ferry service, which resumed in Aug 2024. “The financial support is being extended under the Viability Gap Funding mechanism, more..

Sep 18 (NW) Sri Lanka cruised into the semi‑finals of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition with a commanding 86‑run victory over Malaysia in Japan. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 160 for 4, powered by captain Chamari Athapaththu’s explosive 63 off 37 balls and Kavisha Dilhari’s unbeaten 44 from 27 deliveries. Athapaththu shared an 80‑run stand with Hasini Perera, while Dilhari added a quickfire 62‑run partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama to ensure a strong finish. more..

Sep 18 (EN) Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) David Myers has assumed his position in September the US Embassy in SL said. “David brings extensive diplomatic experience across Asia and beyond and joins Ambassador Eric Meyer and our U.S. Embassy team in advancing the US–SL partnership.” His appointment follows Eric Meyer’s as ambassador earlier this month. Myers previous assignment was at Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia, where he served as Acting DCM and more..

Sep 18 (NW) MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva, representing the NPP, has been awarded the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) New Parliamentarian Award 2026, in recognition of his exceptional dedication to parliamentary engagement, inclusive governance, human rights, and democratic participation. The award, presented during the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 17 Sept, celebrates emerging legislators more..

Sep 18 (AD) Minister Vijitha Herath has concluded his official visit to Thailand from 14 to 16 Sept, following an invitation from the Thai Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat. During the two-day visit, Minister Herath and Thai Minister of Labour Amornvivat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Labour Cooperation and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the Employment of SL Workers in Thailand, opening up 10,000 employment opportunities to Sri Lankan workers, more..

Sep 18 (Island) Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 80% of all deaths in SL, with high blood pressure and diabetes among the leading causes, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, said early this week. He pointed out that the two conditions were interrelated and could lead to a range of serious health complications, with heart attacks being among the most severe consequences. more..

Sep 18 (NW) The mother of SL migrant worker Sivarasa Anojan, who has reportedly been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, has appealed to the SL govt and Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to bring him back safely to the country. According to reports, the Saudi Arabian Appellate Court has issued a death sentence against Anojan over a Facebook comment deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad. Sri Lanka is pursuing both legal and diplomatic efforts to assist him, more..

Sep 18 (FT) George Keyt Foundation (GKF), dedicated to preserving the legacy of modernist painter George Keyt and fostering local art, has announced strategic appointments to its leadership team, bringing together a mix of global academic expertise, corporate leadership, and artistic passion. These enhancements aim to inject fresh expertise and academic depth into the Foundation’s long-term vision. To broaden its operational reach and deepen its engagement with the global art market, more..