Oct 14 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa dismissed claims linking the recent Cabinet reshuffle to ongoing investigations into the controversial release of 323 containers by Sri Lanka Customs earlier this year. He was responding to questions on the change of Minister Bimal Rathnayake’s portfolio. He clarified that the probe into the container release, along with 14 similar past incidents, is proceeding independently and is unrelated to recent ministerial changes. more..

Oct 14 (FT) Here’s a note of caution to all fellow motorists driving on A6 towards Dambulla. There’s a permanent Police Post located between Melsiripura and Beligamuwa. Yours truly was driving from Kurunegala on A6 targeting Dambulla for breakfast on Friday (3) when a long line of slow-moving traffic mostly consisting of heavy vehicles such as container-trucks and buses were observed. Using commonsensical safety techniques of 100% clear visibility both front and rear were deployed more..

Oct 14 (CT) A Police Constable who had been remanded in connection with an alleged assault on an attorney-at-law within the Mount Lavinia Court premises, was released on bail yesterday by Mount Lavinia Magistrate Pasan Amarasinghe, who also ordered the case to be referred to a Mediation Board for resolution. The suspect, Police Constable Tharindu Dilhara, was released on 2 personal bails of Rs 100,000 more..

Oct 14 (DN) In a historic move to accelerate SL’s transition to a cleaner and smarter energy system, the Govt approved the introduction of a Time-Based Tariff Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) integrated with Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (RTSPV) installations. This innovative initiative aims to encourage solar power producers to install battery energy storage systems, allowing them to store surplus electricity generated during the day and release it to the national grid during more..

Oct 14 (DM) A tense situation was reported this afternoon after a trade union representative of the Joint National Freedom Employees Union was removed from the discussion with Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and trade union leaders of the CEB. A discussion was held between the Energy Minister and CEB trade unions over the issues involving the restructuring of the CEB. Joint National Freedom Employees Union Secretary Chaminda Gamage alleged that he was assaulted more..

Oct 14 (CT) The conversation making waves once again is about gold or more precisely, the soaring price of gold sovereign. With global market prices rising from USD 3,700 to USD 4,018 per ounce, driven by Donald Trump’s tariff policies and geopolitical turmoil across multiple fronts, gold has once again become the talk of the town. In SL, an ounce of gold now costs around Rs. 1.2 million. Locally, the price of a sovereign has more..

Oct 14 (DN) Police reports that Ishara Sewwandi and four suspects believed to be associates of Kehelbaddara Padme, both of whom had been living overseas and were allegedly involved in the crime, have been arrested in Nepal. It is significant that Ishara Sewwandi, identified as the main suspect in the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Samararatne, alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa, was apprehended eight months after the killing. Ganemulla Sanjeewa was shot dead inside more..

Oct 14 (DN) SL women’ face a big challenge against New Zealand in their must win game to keep hopes alive in the world cup today at the R. Premadasa Stadium commencing at 3pm. SL lasses have already lost to India and England while Australia game was washed out to share one point each and are looking for their their first win. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu said their first task is to reach semi final and now they have big pressure to to reach their target having only a solitary point. more..

Oct 14 (TM) Ministry of Environment stated that, with due attention, the recent increase in elephant killings and deaths has now been reduced to a satisfactory extent. Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said that there was a slight increase in elephant deaths and killings in the recent past. “CID carried out an investigation into the incidents. Through coordinated efforts and close monitoring, we have been able to reduce the number of such incidents to a satisfactory extent.” more..

Oct 14 (EN) World Health Organization’s (WHO) 78th Regional Committee Session for South and South-East Asia began in Colombo on mainly focusing on Healthy Ageing through strengthened primary health care and combating smokeless tobacco. Three-day programme is hosted by SL and health ministers and senior officials from member states will also discuss expanding the corpus of the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) and accelerating action against more..

Oct 14 (DM) A great deal of work remains to be done by SL to retain and expand its export market in the European Union (EU), which currently absorbs more than 24% of the country’s total exports. SL is presently under assessment by EU authorities for the extension of the GSP+ trade facility under the revised criteria to take effect after 2027. As part of the process, SL’s overall performance in implementing 27 int'l more..

Oct 14 (NW) French Ambassador to SL Rémi Lambert met JVP General Secretary Tilvi Silva n Monday at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, where discussions focuseening bilateral ties and supporting SL’s reform program under the NPP govt. During the meeting, Ambassador Lambert commended Prez Anura Dissanayake and the NPP-led administration for the progress achieved within the first year in office. He expressed satisfaction that the post-election period in SL had remained more..

Oct 14 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake held discussions yesterday with representatives of plantation companies regarding the proposed increase in estate workers’ daily wage where he said the Govt would support the industry to implement the wage increment. The President’s Media Division said the discussion focused on the proposal to raise the daily wages of plantation workers in line with the salary increases granted to public and private sector employees in the previous Budget. more..

Oct 14 (ST) Rumblings of discontent at SL’s premier port, mainly at the two state-run terminals, among exporters and importers over long delays plus frustration among workers over what many see as political transfers, may have forced the government to change the minister in charge of this key institution. On Friday, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake was relieved of two portfolios (Ports and Civil Aviation) and reappointed as Minister of more..

Oct 14 (CT) Operations at the Cardiac Catheterisation Unit (Cath Lab) of the Teaching Hospital, Kalutara have been suspended since early this month, jeopardising the lives of heart patients, Govt Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) said. Prez of GRTA, Chanaka Dharmawickrema, said that the unit was established in October 2021, with patient examinations and treatment procedures commencing thereafter. The 3-year warranty on the machine ended on 3 Oct 2024; more..

Oct 14 (ST) Ministry of Finance has published detailed statistics about high-value procurements of over Rs. 200mn for 2022-24, showing that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) recorded the highest failure rate and the highest percentage of cancelled procurements across the monitored entities during the period. The statistics were released on the website of the Ministry’s Public Finance Dept in keeping with more..

Oct 14 (Island) Ayesha Sewwandi from Namadagaswewa MV, Hambantota made her presence felt to a great extent at the on going All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships at Diyagama with performances that resonated her cry for help from this year’s Asian Youth Athletics Championship. Ayesha met disapointment in Dammam, Saudi Arabia early this year, when she could not compete at the Asian Youth C'ships despite being a clear medal prospect. more..

Oct 14 (DN) Tharushi Abhisheka and Omel Shashintha once again came to the highlight yesterday at the All Island Schools Athletic C'ship at Diyagama when they set up new records and also ensured the places at World Junior Athletic Championship next year in USA. Tharushi of Wickramabahu National School Gampola continued her record breaking streak in middle distance running this time set up girls’ under 18, 800m record with an impressive time of 2.07:90 min more..

Oct 14 (TM) Sri Lanka’s banking and finance companies may face challenges in attracting funding through deposits to sustain credit expansion in the low-interest-rate regime going forward, as private credit expansion remains below the pre-crisis level. In its Financial Stability Review for 2025, CB stated that the performance of both banks and financial companies is expected to improve with the anticipated increase in more..

Oct 14 (ST) Sri Lanka will solely focus on their successful attacking style and objectives when they take on Turkmenistan in the return game of the AFC Asian Games Qualifiers on Tuesday (14), in Ashgabat, as the home team seeks revenge after Thursday’s outcome at the Racecourse in Colombo. Having played seven international games so far in 2025, SL rose from their previous position of 204 in the FIFA Men’s Rankings to reach 196, but a shocking 0-3 defeat against the Maldives, more..

Oct 14 (FT) Moody’s Ratings said SL’s macroeconomic recovery remains broadly on track, supported by fiscal reforms, a rebound in tourism and stronger remittance inflows, but cautioned that high debt levels, limited fiscal space and continued dependence on external financing still pose significant risks. In its latest periodic review released on last Friday, Moody’s reaffirmed SL’s Caa1 sovereign rating with a stable outlook, noting that while Govt liquidity pressures have eased more..

Oct 14 (FT) Demonstrating commitment to a legacy of implementing productivity concepts in operational processes, Vidullanka PLC shined in the small category at the Taiki Akimoto 5S Awards, sweeping the main prizes as well as a merit for CSR. The event, organised by the Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA), was held on 11 October at the Galadari Hotel, recognising organisations that exemplify Japanese productivity and the 5S methodology. more..

Oct 14 (FT) Bairaha Farms, one of SL’s poultry producers, celebrates 50 years of excellence and leadership in reshaping the nation’s nutritional landscape. When Bairaha commenced operations in 1975, chicken was considered a luxury on the SL dining table. Five decades on, Bairaha has been instrumental in making chicken the country’s most accessible and affordable source of protein—a transformation that reflects both the company’s enduring commitment to quality and more..

Oct 14 (FT) Germany’s multinational financial services giant Deutsche Bank last week said with macroeconomic indicators improving SL is at a turning point and it will step up being a conduit for global capital, enabling trade and investment. “Following the debt restructuring and the implementation of key reforms, there is a renewed sense of stability. Macroeconomic indicators have improved and the country is at a turning point. more..

Oct 14 (Island) In contrast to intolerance in governance and towards others who are deemed to be outsiders that is increasingly being manifested in the world, Sri Lanka is taking a different path. It is adopting an inclusive approach to all communities that is in the national interest and is winning international support. The country’s recent conduct at the UNHRC is a case in point. Rather than forcing a vote that would have been divisive and that would have pitted SL against Western countries more..

Oct 14 (Island) It has been reported that SLMC MP Nizam Kariapper is likely to find himself in hot water over his social media post that Secretary to the Public Security Ministry and former Senior DIG of CID Ravi Seneviratne revealed before the High Posts Committee that the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks had been identified. Seneviratne promptly denied Kariapper’s claim, and the police went into overdrive to ensure that his denial received maximum possible publicity. more..

Oct 14 (SO) Aprimary and highly formidable challenge the NPP Govt confronted upon assuming power was putting the country on the right path by freeing it from economic hardships, rampant corruption, and the evil deeds of certain elements who were thriving under the country’s lawlessness. As a first step, in addition to launching a campaign to eradicate these widespread evils, NPP Govt has initiated several schemes that provide new opportunities & incentives for people to start more..

Oct 14 (ST) A year into Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s term, opposition parties sought to highlight matters in his manifesto that had not yet been fulfilled, with the govt countering that it has had to prioritise matters due to the country’s situation. In moving the adjournment motion titled Matters highlighted in the Govt Policy Statement which have not yet been fulfilled on Thursday, the opposition tried to contrast what the ruling NPP stated on the campaign trail with what it is saying now. more..

Oct 14 (SO) For decades, SL’s promise of justice has lived in the shadow of impunity. From the murders of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda to the suspicious death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen; from the unresolved accountability over the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings to the communal violence of Aluthgama (2014) and Digana (2018), the pattern has remained chillingly consistent: more..

Oct 14 (DM) In our history we have innumerable instances of politicians making pre-election promises which they have never kept after coming into power. Perhaps they never intended to keep those promises or were forced into the realisation that implementation of the same would be detrimental to the good of the country. In the run-up to the 1956 general election, Bandaranaike, the leader of SLFP, promised to make Sinhala the national language of SL within 24 hours of coming into power. more..

Oct 14 (GV) The need to tackle current and past abuses against Sri Lankans was highlighted in a UNHRC resolution adopted on Oct 6, 2025. In promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, although noting some promising govt measures and commitments, the HRC agreed to continue to fund the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to keep gathering evidence and promoting action to tackle rights violations. It was asked to present more..

Oct 14 (TM) In a significant push to modernise public sector workforce management and enhance transparency, the Govt has rolled out biometric fingerprint attendance systems across numerous State institutions since August. This initiative, aimed at curbing absenteeism, facilitating accurate attendance monitoring, and embedding greater workforce discipline, has ignited intense opposition from various trade unions more..