Sep 2 (SO) SL has endured decades of political turmoil, communal violence and social upheaval, forcing thousands of its citizens, particularly members of the Tamil community, to flee the country and seek refuge overseas. Many found new lives in countries across the world, while others eventually returned home. Yet close to two decades after the end of the conflict, around 90,000 SL Tamil refugees continue to live in India, both in refugee camps and more..

Sep 2 (ST) Watching SL’s unfolding tragi-comic drama even from this distance seems like sitting in a box seat. It appears so close. Except that it is so fast-moving that even Donald Trump cannot keep pace with his disappearing White House staff and military high command throwing off their pips and quitting the Pentagon. There is this difference, though. To the superpower chief today’s friend might well be tomorrow’s foe. Over in our motherland, they know well enough who is who and what was more..

Sep 2 (DM) Japan was sworn to pacifism after the devastating impact that World War II had on it. Its 1947 constitution had Article 9, through which it explicitly abjured war. It gave up its sovereign right to wage war and also to maintain war potential. Post-war Japan handed over responsibility for its defence to the US, the occupying power turned ally. But there was no remorse because Japan’s rather unflattering image, through the 1930s till 1945 as an expansionist power, had been shed. more..

Sep 2 (TM) “If a fire breaks out in one house, and we are delayed in reaching it, the entire area catches fire progressively,” says CMC Acting Chief Fire Officer P.D.K.A. Wilson, recounting the six or seven major blazes his teams have battled in the city’s informal settlements in recent years. Even when the ground looks passable, he said, overhead wiring and makeshift extensions block his engines from reaching the source of the fire. more..

Sep 2 (DM) Given several recent developments, it is timely that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake firmly stated his govt would not tolerate racism from any ethnic group—Sinhalese, Tamil, or Muslim. During the National Milad-un-Nabi or Holy Prophet’s Birthday celebration in Negombo on Aug 26, the President said his govt would not allow another ethnic or religious conflict to break out in SL. He made this remark against the backdrop of some individuals and groups making malicious more..

Sep 2 (TM) When Sri Lanka opened its retail petroleum sector to new commercial distributors, the policy makers argued that introducing foreign players into a market historically dominated by State enterprise would unleash competitive forces, encourage operational efficiency, and deliver dynamic pricing to consumers. Yet, from the very inception of this policy, the promised price competition has failed to materialise. Rather than cultivating a transparent marketplace more..

Sep 1 (AD) Lecturers at state universities will hold protests tomorrow during the lunch break, demanding permanent solutions to long-standing issues affecting the university system. Federation of Uni Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) said lecturers from all state universities would participate in the protest. FUTA Secretary Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Illangasinghe said further trade union action would be launched next week if the govt failed to address their concerns. more..

Sep 1 (AD) Sri Lanka’s total public debt stood at US$97.952 billion (Rs. 32.977 trillion) as of June 30, according to the latest report issued by the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) of the Ministry of Finance. The report, issued by the Public Debt Management Office states that as of June 30, the govt’s debt alone amounted to Rs. 31.999 trillion, or US$95.047 billion. In addition, the report records US$20 million in debt owed by provincial councils and provincial institutions, more..

Sep 1 (Island) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S Bodaragama has directed the police FCID to respond to Court on the written application under 124 CCPA made to the Chief Magistrate on behalf of first suspect Jiffry Mohamed of AY Investments Impex Pvt Ltd, that FCID be directed to investigate directly or through the banks and ascertain from the overseas exporters by fax or email the relevant exports made by them to SL in respect of more..

Sep 1 (NW) A vibrant evening of music and cultural exchange is set to unfold as the SL Air Force Performing Arts Wing joins hands with the U.S. Pacific Air Force Band for a joint concert titled Fusion Performance Atlas Angel 2026. The event will take place on Sept 4, 2026, from 5:30 pm onwards at Arcade Independence Square, Colombo, with free entry for the public. Organizers say the concert will showcase a blend of music, dance, and artistic collaboration, highlighting the strengthening more..

Sep 1 (NW) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila has questioned the govt’s argument that the proposed 22nd Amendment is aimed at retaining experienced judges, pointing to the composition of the 5-member Supreme Court bench appointed to hear challenges against the Bill. The Supreme Court began considering petitions challenging the proposed 22nd Amendment on Tuesday before a 5-member bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. The other members are Justices Achala more..

Sep 1 (FT) SL’s national official poverty line rose to Rs. 17,679 per person per month in July 2026, up 0.5% from the previous month, according to the latest DCS data. The minimum monthly expenditure required per person to meet defined basic needs increased by Rs. 87 from Rs. 17,592 in June. Threshold was 7.2% higher year-on-year (YoY), rising by Rs. 1,195 from Rs. 16,484 in July 2025. July figure was also the highest more..

Sep 1 (EN) Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a complementary adjustment agreement with Brazil to implement a sugarcane project, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Sri Lanka originally entered into a basic Technical Cooperation Agreement with Brazil on Sept 16, 2008, aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation across mutually beneficial sectors. “According to the basic agreement on technical cooperation signed between SL and Brazil, more..

Sep 1 (Island) Convenor of the Janathawadi Joint Opposition, Prof. G. L. Peiris, on Sunday said that they were suspicious of a possible attempt to put off the next presidential election. The former External Affairs Minister said that they were also seriously concerned about the holding of the next parliamentary polls. He said so at a meeting held in Galle in support of the Opposition efforts against the 22nd Constitutional Amendment. Referring to numerous NPP members declaring that more..

Sep 1 (NW) An appeal has been lodged in the Colombo Civil Appellate High Court challenging the order of the Colombo District Court, which rejected a request to compel Sri Lanka cricketer Chamika Karunaratne to provide a blood sample for a DNA test in a paternity case. The District Court dismissed the application, ruling that sufficient grounds had not been presented to justify a DNA test. The case was filed by airline pilot Rasika Sewwandi, who claims Karunaratne fathered her child and more..

Sep 1 (DM) Authorities have proposed introducing an Electric Vehicle (EV) shuttle service inside Horton Plains National Park to reduce vehicle emissions, carbon footprints and noise pollution. The proposal was made during a special field observation tour and progress review discussion held at Horton Plains on Aug 29 under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody. Under the proposed system, dedicated parking facilities would be established near the park's entrance gates, more..

Sep 1 (AD) The govt will not be prepared to show any leniency toward individuals involved in the sale of narcotics, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara says. He made the remarks on today during a discussion at the Mahara Prison on a joint mechanism aimed at ensuring a rapid response to emergency or volatile situations in prisons and improving the welfare of inmates. Minister said delays in issuing more..

Sep 1 (NF) Colombo High Court today sentenced former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty of corruption-related charges. Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail ruled that the former minister was guilty of the corruption offences brought against him. The case was filed on two charges alleging that, in 2014, funds amounting to Rs. 330,000 belonging to SriLankan Catering were used to provide meals to political more..

Sep 1 (AD) The Govt has commenced a project to construct 1,000 Arogya Health and Wellness Centres across the country, with foundation stones laid today for the construction of 10 new wellness centres under the programme. The foundation-laying ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Speaking at the event, Minister stated that construction of all the wellness centres initiated today is expected to be completed by December, while more..

Sep 1 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the govt of attempting to undermine judicial independence through the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, claiming the move is part of an effort to establish one-party rule in Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media following proceedings at the Supreme Court over petitions challenging the proposed amendment, Premadasa said the SJB was among the petitioners more..

Sep 1 (DM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said people who had distanced themselves from the party during previous elections were now returning to its camp due to growing dissatisfaction with the government. Speaking at a divisional meeting in Jandure, Angunakolapelessa, Hambantota, Rajapaksa said the SLPP had been visiting villages across the country to reconnect with the people. “We have now gone from village to village as a party to many districts in Sri Lanka. more..

Sep 1 (Island) SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has sought a clarification from Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne regarding several allegations against Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, in Parliament, recently. In a letter dated 31 August, Jayasekera has asked the Speaker whether he received any documentary evidence from MPs in support of the allegations at issue. SJB MP has also inquired about the steps taken by the Speaker regarding the allegations and whether more..

Sep 1 (NW) Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports to India increased by 7.22% year-on-year during the first seven months of 2026, reaching US$669.36 million, according to data from the Export Development Board (EDB). Exports to India during the January-July period rose from US$624.31 million recorded during the corresponding period of 2025. In July alone, exports to India increased by 9.12% year-on-year to US$129.51 million, compared with US$118.69 million in July 2025. more..

Sep 1 (FT) UN World Food Program (WFP), together with the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry, last week handed over agricultural equipment valued at nearly Rs. 22 million to farmers and school meal suppliers participating in the Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) program in the Nuwara Eliya District. To date, the WFP has also invested more than Rs. 92 million to support the implementation and expansion of the HGSF across the district. more..

Sep 1 (DM) A complaint has been lodged with the CIABOC against three Supreme Court judges over allegations that their actions resulted in nearly US$999 million in compensation that was due from the X-Press Pearl shipping company and its local representatives not being recovered. Dr Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Association, submitted the written complaint to the Director General of more..

Sep 1 (EN) Cabinet has approved submitting gazetted regulations to Parliament designating 68 entities in the Colombo Port City as Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance. The proposal was presented under the provisions of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021. The designated entities span information technology, consulting services, business process outsourcing (BPO), logistics, infrastructure hybrid/combined business models & public enterprises. more..

Sep 1 (AD) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the estimated crop damage caused so far by the prevailing extreme dry weather conditions is nearly 8,000 acres of farmland belonging to around 7,000 farmers. He said that the govt has allocated Rs. 3,000 million as the first phase of an expedited programme to provide compensation to farmers affected by the crop damage. Accordingly, compensation will be provided for crops including paddy, maize, big onions, potatoes, soya more..

Sep 1 (NW) Former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne has been sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of a corruption charge filed by the CIABOC. The sentence was imposed by Colombo HC Judge Mohamed Mihal following a lengthy trial. Case relates to a payment of Rs. 330,000 from the accounts of state-owned SriLankan Catering Ltd. to a private catering company in Marawila to more..

Sep 1 (FT) Beyond its refreshed spaces and stunning beachfront setting, Citrus Hikkaduwa is embracing a new identity as one of the South Coast’s most exciting entertainment hubs. At the heart of this transformation is Summer Salt, the hotel’s signature social and entertainment venue, positioned as the new address to be seen in Hikkaduwa. Designed to capture the energy of modern beach culture, Summer Salt brings together everything that defines today’s lifestyle more..

Sep 1 (FT) Agriculture in SL, and in many other countries, is sitting on a ticking time bomb. The burning signs are no longer hidden. We see it in erratic monsoons, prolonged dry spells, flash floods, landslides, heat stress, damaged irrigation systems and repeated crop losses. Now another warning light is flashing. On 13 Aug 2026, NOAA reported that El Niño was strengthening, with a greater than 90% chance of becoming a very strong event. Met Dept had warned of substantial rainfall changes, more..

Sep 1 (ABC) A SL-origin Australian couple and their two young sons are among dozens of Australians still missing after catastrophic floods devastated areas along the Nepal-Tibet border, according to Australian media reports. Chandrasekaran Muralitharan, 47, his wife, Shylaja Muralitharan, 42, and their sons Ashwin, 14, and Aarush, 11, were travelling with a Himalayan Glacier Adventures group when contact with them was lost. The family lives in northwestern Sydney. more..

Sep 1 (FT) SL is at an important crossroads in its economic recovery. Having gone through one of the worst financial crises in its history, the country is now trying to rebuild trust, restore stability, and set the stage for steady growth. As the current monetary policy framework comes up for review, one question keeps surfacing: should the CB change its inflation target? The short answer is no — not because 5% is some magic number, but because the existing framework fits SL’s economic reality. more..