Aug 22 (ST) In recent times, there have been numerous warnings by the Central Bank and other authorities on dubious investment schemes. Most of these schemes have escaped the reach of the CB, although no company or organisation can invite deposits without permission from the banking regulator, as there appears to be a grey area in taking action against them. In another move, the popular online gambling industry has also attracted attention with authorities considering action. more..

Aug 22 (TM) Nidahase Kanthavo organisation recently exposed a glaring institutional scandal hiding in plain sight. They revealed that women occupy just one of the 29 seats across our top two courts. With a combined female representation of just 3.4% in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, country’s apex judiciary presents a patriarchal monolith. In the SC, a single female judge sits amongst 13 serving members. In the Court of Appeal, the tally is even more shocking: more..

Aug 22 (DN) The future of SL’s EPF and ETF has become the subject of intense public discussion in recent weeks, amid claims that the two funds are to be merged. The speculation has raised questions among workers about the security of their savings, the management of the funds and what, if anything, the Govt is actually proposing. Dr Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance, addresses more..

Aug 22 (FT) Sri Lanka has been reclassified as an upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank Group, according to its latest country income classifications released on 1 July 2026. This marks a significant turning point in the country’s economic recovery. This article is all about the arduous journey the country went through to achieve this status since independence and future challenges. PM D.S. Senanayake, who was regarded as the father of the nation, having led the country to more..

Aug 22 (DM) Divorce is a taboo word in Sri Lanka and the world over, although it is taking place at almost lightning speed among couples. Almost every second person is filing for divorce, sometimes over trivial matters and others due to irreconcilable issues. In all these situations, those facing such trauma find it difficult to find recourse to a professional helpline, let alone professional help. Now in Sri Lanka, there are many victims who face similar situations, and more..

Aug 22 (SO) For much of the 20th century, communication theory was written largely in North American and Western European universities. Major theories travelled across the world and became the standard language through which communication was taught. Across Asia, Africa and the wider Global South, students learned to explain communication through concepts developed in very different historical & cultural circumstances. more..

Aug 22 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly instructed the security forces to expedite the release and return of land taken over in the North and the East for military purposes during the Eelam war. Stressing that national security is paramount, and it is up to the security forces to decide where camps, etc, should be located, he has urged the military to release the maximum possible extent of land to the public. More than 17 years have elapsed since the conclusion of the war, more..

Aug 22 (DM) As global weather patterns grow increasingly chaotic under the influence of shifting oceanic temperatures and intensifying El Niño phenomena, SL, like many other countries, is at a perilous agricultural crossroad. Recent reportage in the Daily Mirror paints a troubling picture of the impending weather duality expected to impact the island’s upcoming farming cycles: a Maha cultivation season fraught with intense, highly localised heavy rainfall, followed immediately by a severely more..

Aug 21 (TM) Compensation payments of Rs. 2 million each were handed over today to the families of prison officers who lost their lives during the recent deadly outbreak of violence at the Negombo Prison. Under this initiative, the compensation amount of Rs. 2 million per deceased officer was handed over to their families at the Prison HQ. A total of 10 officers attached to the Prison Emergency Response Unit lost their lives during the deadly clashes at the Negombo Prison. more..

Aug 21 (FT) Cabinet has approved the swift implementation of National Medicinal Drug Policy 2026-2030, aimed at improving access to affordable, quality medicines, while strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains and local production. The policy prioritises ensuring sustainable, equitable and affordable access to safe and quality medicines that meet international standards and address the health needs of the public. It also seeks to promote the use of scientifically sound and more..

Aug 21 (EN) SL’s national-wide inflation price inflation jumped to more than three year high of 7.2% in 12-months to July 2026, rising from 6.5% in June, with non food prices rising 9.2% over the year, data showed. July national inflation is the highest in percentage terms since June 2023, the data showed. National Consumer Price Index, an alternative to the widely watched Colombo Consumer Price Index, gained 0.5% over July more..

Aug 21 (DM) The Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry has issued Circular No. 31/2026 outlining the school term schedule, public holiday calendar and major examination dates for 2027. According to the circular, govt and govt-approved private schools are expected to conduct 197 school days in 2027, taking into consideration public holidays and examination schedules. For Sinhala and Tamil schools, the first term will run from Jan 4 to April 9, 2027. more..

Aug 21 (DM) Police are seeking public assistance to identify and apprehend a suspect allegedly involved in a series of fraudulent activities and thefts targeting hotels and commercial establishments. According to police, the suspect visited a hotel within the Slave Island Police area on Aug 3, 2026, and allegedly introduced himself as an officer of a private bank. He reportedly placed a large food order, claiming that a group of people would arrive later for a dinner party. Police said that during a busy period more..

Aug 21 (NW) A meeting of the Special Cabinet Sub-Committee and Officials’ Committee appointed to address the impacts of the El Nino climate phenomenon was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Prez reviewed the challenges arising from the current El Nino conditions, the progress of measures taken to address them and arrangements to ensure more..

Aug 21 (NW) A total of 1,654 fatal road accidents have been reported from the beginning of the year to Aug. 20, claiming 1,749 lives, DIG W.P.J. Senadheera, who oversees the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, said. He said another 4,556 people had been hospitalised or referred for treatment following serious accidents, while 7,295 people had been affected by minor accidents. A further 3,232 incidents involving property damage were also reported during the period, he said. more..

Aug 21 (NW) SLC wishes to announce the appointment of Hashan Tillakaratne as the Batting Coach of the Senior Men’s Program. He will be based at the National High Performance Center of the SLC and will work with the national players as part of the Senior Men’s Program. The former World Cup winner previously served as the batting coach of the SL men’s national team and the head coach of the SL women’s national team. He also has served as the head coach of the Bangladesh more..

Aug 21 (FT) The Cabinet has approved the award of contracts for printing, supplying and delivering seven computer-generated lottery products of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), with the combined value of the selected bids exceeding Rs. 480 million excluding VAT. The contracts, covering a one-year period, will be awarded to the substantially responsive lowest bidders based on recommendations of the High-Level Procurement Committee & Procurement Appeal Board. more..

Aug 21 (Island) Former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday said that the Supreme Court bench to hear the petitions against the 22nd Amendment (22A) should consist of all 13 sitting justices. Addressing the media, Prof. Peiris said that the decision on petitions seeking a referendum should be decided by all judges. He said two previous SC judgements had underscored that any alteration of the retirement ages of superior court judges should be subjected to referendum. more..

Aug 21 (CI) The first thing that strikes you about Sonal Dinusha's batting is the quality of his sweeping. At five-foot-not-very-many, and as a spin-bowling-allrounder who tends to bat lower in the order, he fits the general profile for a good sweeper. But at Galle, against an excellent India spin attack, variations of this shot were the foundation of a match aggregate of 184. Ravindra Jadeja is often one of the toughest spinners more..

Aug 21 (ST) Foreign tourists’ interest in Sri Lankan jewellery reached a new level when a leading southern jeweller began not only selling gems and jewellery but also offering training in jewellery craftsmanship. Devasurendra Gem and Jewellers owner Sanath Jayampathi Devasurendra said, “Foreigners mostly buy jewellery made of 14- and 18-carat white gold. They also like items made with Sri Lankan blue and red rose gemstones. They prefer handmade jewellery.” more..

Aug 21 (NW) Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando told Parliament that the govt is confident of achieving its target of USD 9 billion in foreign reserves by the end of 2026, driven by the positive trend in foreign remittances. He noted that in the first seven months of this year, Sri Lankan migrant workers had remitted more than USD 5 billion, underscoring the crucial role of overseas employment in strengthening the country’s external finances. more..

Aug 21 (DM) Multiple restructuring attempts by successive govts on our national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, have only exhausted the patience of not only frequent travellers but also the public. Past interventions had attempted debt write-offs, recapitalisations, operational reforms, partial spin-offs of profitable (SBUs) and reform of the core commercial /operational areas of the airline, none fully resolved airline’s structural challenges. more..

Aug 21 (DM) Ven. Rambukkana Siddhartha, an acclaimed lyricist who rendered an invaluable service to Sri Lankan music literature, Buddhist culture and society, passed away on August 18. He was 76 years old at the time of his death and had been receiving medical treatment for illness. The immense literary contribution he made through language and the writing lyrics is truly outstanding. It is worth reflecting on whether we, as Sri Lankans, have accorded due respect to him. more..

Aug 21 (AD) Police have received reports of vehicles and motorcycles being stolen after motorists and motorcyclists negligently leave their vehicles unattended, ASP F.U. Wootler said. He said there have also been reports of valuable documents and other items being stolen from vehicles and motorcycles that were left unattended. He noted that police had observed instances where three-wheeler drivers and motorcyclists leave their vehicles with the engines running while attending to other more..

Aug 21 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today expressed sorrow in Parliament over the demise of veteran singer Nanda Malini, describing her as a democratic artist who stood with the people throughout her career. Premadasa said Malini embodied human kindness, compassion, and sympathy, and was a rare artist who consistently acted according to her conscience and humanitarian values. He recalled her courage and skill in music, noting that during 1977 election campaign, more..

Aug 21 (TM) MP Namal Rajapaksa left the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), a short while ago, after providing a statement to investigators, said Ada Derana reporter. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian arrived at the FCID this morning (21) in response to a summons issued in connection with an ongoing investigation. He appeared before the FCID to record a statement as part of the investigation being conducted by the division. more..

Aug 21 (Island) Cigarette production in SL has dropped by 32% over the past three years following successive increases in taxes on tobacco products, Deputy Minister of Nishantha Jayaweera told Parliament. He said cigarette production had declined from 2.8 billion sticks in 2022 to 1.9 billion in 2025. He said the Govt’s tobacco taxation policy was aimed not only at increasing State revenue but also at reducing healthcare costs associated with more..

Aug 21 (CI) Australia's shocking defeat against Bangladesh in Darwin has opened up the WTC points table, with Australia's qualification to the final now not such a certainty. They still top the table, but their lead has slipped to a couple of percentage points, with South Africa and New Zealand close behind. India, meanwhile, stayed in the hunt with the win in Galle. Here is a look at where the teams stand, with 36 Tests still remaining in the current cycle. more..

Aug 21 (NW) Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) across the island today (21) reported sick leave in a symbolic strike, protesting the unilateral transfer of the senior‑most PHI attached to the Katunayake Airport Health Office. Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association said the decision was taken by its executive committee, which met on the night of August 19. General Secretary Chamila Muthukuda confirmed that the move was intended to highlight opposition to the transfer. more..

Aug 21 (CI) Sri Lanka have responded to their heavy defeat to India in the first Test by bringing in the uncapped pair of Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige for Sunday's second Test in Colombo. Dinesh Chandimal had already been ruled out of the game because of the neck injury he sustained in Galle, but also omitted from the trimmed 14-man squad is opener Nishan Madushka, spin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis, and more..

Aug 21 (DM) Hundreds of people have reportedly experienced vision problems following the use of excessively bright electric lights as decorations at a temple in Jaffna. The incident occurred during a festival held at a Murugan temple in the Piranpatru area of Jaffna, where the temple premises were decorated with extremely bright electric lights that were reportedly harmful to the eyes. As a result, approximately 157 people have so far been admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital more..

Aug 21 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya today delivered a moving condolence message in Parliament on behalf of the govt, mourning the sudden demise of veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the golden voice of SL music. PM said she was deeply saddened by the loss of Malini, who enriched the nation’s music and cultural landscape for nearly eight decades with her unparalleled vocal artistry. She described the passing as not only the loss of an incomparable artistic personality but more..