Nov 8 (EN) Sri Lanka will reduce the threshold for VAT to 36 million rupees a year from the current 60 million rupees, effective April next year, according to a budget for 2026. Some businesses which were splitting their businesses in two avoid paying VAT will be brought in to the VAT by reducing the threshold, he said. The maximum import duty rate will be raised from 20% to 30%, though para tariffs will be phased out. SL has high protectionist taxes made up of import duties, CES and PAL, more..

Nov 8 (FT) The Colombo stock market ended the week on a positive note yesterday, with both key indices rising sharply as investors reacted favourably to the Budget presented by Prez and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Disanayake. The benchmark ASPI gained by 0.98% or 225 points and the active S&P SL20 by 1.13%. During the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL20 gained 2.3% and 2.7% respectively. Turnover yesterday was Rs. 6.7 billion whilst the average for the week was Rs. 5.73 billion. more..

Nov 8 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Krishan Balendra last night hailed Budget 2026 as a continuation of the country’s post-crisis fiscal discipline and stability, describing it as a key turning point that could usher in a new era of sustained low inflation, stable interest rates and renewed investor confidence. Speaking at a post-Budget panel discussion organised by EY SL for the 25th consecutive year, more..

Nov 8 (FT) Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has appointed Riyaaz Rasheed as its new CEO. In a professional career spanning over 34 years, Rasheed counts 29 years in the field of telecommunications, working for subsidiaries of multinational corporations like Millicom International Cellular SA of Luxemburg (Millicom), Emirates Telecommunication Group Company PJSC (Etisalat) and CK Hutchison Group (Hutchison). Rasheed started his professional career at Ernst & Young. more..

Nov 8 (AD) The Ape Janabala Party (Our Power of People Party) has decided to extend its support to the current govt. This was announced in a statement issued by the party’s General Secretary, Chinthaka Weerakoon. According to the statement, the supreme council of the party has decided to offer its full cooperation to the current govt led by the National People’s Power (NPP). It further noted that the party has also decided to support the NPP in the upcoming elections. more..

Nov 8 (FT) Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s transforming how industries operate, innovate, and grow. The SLASSCOM AI Asia Summit 2025, themed AI in Action, scheduled for 12 Nov at Cinnamon Grand will spotlight how AI is driving measurable transformation across sectors. Bringing together global pioneers and local changemakers,it will explore how Sri Lanka can lead in responsible, scalable AI innovation. SLASSCOM Board Director Arjuna Sirinanda more..

Nov 8 (NW) SL Police have introduced two hotlines to obtain assistance from the Police Official Canine Division for drug inspections and searches conducted at the school level. National program A United Nation (Ratama Ekata) is being implemented across all state institutions for the eradication of the drug menace that has spread throughout the country. As part of this national program, a special operation to uproot drug networks is being carried out across all provinces more..

Nov 8 (FT) Prez and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday wooed foreign investors with the 2026 Budget presented in Parliament. “An investor is an asset to us,” the President said during his speech and added SL will continue to attract foreign investment through a transparent and rules-based mechanism. He said that NPP Govt has changed the way SL looks at foreign investors and their attitude. more..

Nov 8 (FT) The 3-day INFOTEL 2025, organised by the Federation of Information Technology Industry SL (FITIS) opened yesterday at the BMICH. This year’s theme, Fuelling the Digital Economy, captures the essence of the moment. It is both a rallying call and a roadmap, urging every sector of the economy to embrace digitalization as the engine of national progress. Over the years, INFOTEL has evolved from a technology exhibition into a strategic platform for policy dialogue, industry innovation, more..

Nov 8 (DN) Sri Lanka led by Lahiru Madushanka lost their both matches against Hong Kong and Bangladesh in Hong Kong sixes cricket tournament played at Tin Kwong Road Recreation ground yesterday. The defending champion SL played in the Pool ‘D’ first match against host Hong Kong but SL batsman failed to make challenging total and scored 79 in their six overs with opener Thanuka Dabare being the only successful batter scoring 26 in 10 balls with 4 sixes added 42 runs opening more..

Nov 8 (CBC) A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to murdering four children, their mother and a close family friend in a mass stabbing in Ottawa last year. Febrio De Zoysa has also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder for his attack on the father of the family, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, who was seriously injured. At the time of the stabbings on March 6, 2024, De Zoysa was a 19-year-old int'l student living with more..

Nov 8 (ST) Ambassador (Retd.) Ravinatha Aryasinha, former Foreign Secretary of SL, has been appointed Executive Director of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS). As a career member of the SL Foreign Service, he previously served as SL’s Ambassador to the US; Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva; and Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. He holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the Uni of Peradeniya; a MA in Int'l Relations more..

Nov 8 (NW) The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel has confirmed that three Sri Lankan migrant workers have been attacked in a series of reported chemical-laced water assaults targeting foreign workers in Israel. In a statement issued from Tel Aviv, the Embassy said it had been alerted to videos and reports circulating on social media over the past few days, which claimed that foreign migrant workers were being sprayed with chemically mixed water by small groups in isolated areas. more..

Nov 8 (DN) Opener Vimoksha Balasuriya hit her third half century scoring unbeaten 50 balls 53 while off spinner Aseni Thalagune once again among the wickets taking 4 for 14 as SL U-19 women’ continued their superb display to record an easy 9 wicket win over Malaysia women’s in their fourth T -20 fixture played at NCC grounds yesterday. This was their fourth consecutive win. Led by Manudi Nanayakkara, they dominated all four games to defeat visiting Malaysia team in great style more..

Nov 8 (Island) What was mainly reflected in Budget 2026, presented by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, yesterday, in Parliament, was his govt’s commitment to keeping the IMF bailout on track. Prez spelt out how his govt intended to boost investment and carry out reforms essential for economic growth. Salary/wage hikes have been proposed but the govt would surely have gone out of its way to do much more for the state and more..

Nov 8 (ST) The fight against narcotics has shifted to a national emergency, integrating the armed forces and civilian efforts through different mechanisms to eliminate the threats of drug trafficking and addiction under a unified national mission. Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) under SSP H.M.C.P. Herath has drawn plans to support the programme with elaborate plans. Among its plans to support this project, will be the newly more..

Nov 8 (ST) The fight against narcotics has shifted to a national emergency, integrating the armed forces and civilian efforts through different mechanisms to eliminate the threats of , both local and international, will gather in Colombo next Thursday and Friday (Nov 6 and 7). Robust discussions, knowledge-sharing and addressing of region-specific challenges in combating NCDs – the bringer of illness and death – will take centre-stage at the 4th South Asia Forum (SAF) for Clinical Development. It is co-hosted by more..

Nov 8 (ST) The CIABOC has opened an investigation on the misuse of Mahapola scholarship funds. The alleged misuse of funds is reported to have taken place during the period of former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando who is currently in jail after being convicted for corruption charges. The Bribery Commission plans to record a statement from the former minister, however he had told the Commission officials that he would make a statement only after consulting his lawyers. more..

Nov 8 (DM) The group of Opposition political parties which call themselves Joint Opposition seems to have changed the theme of their rally that is scheduled to be held on Nov 21 at Nugegoda. Earlier they announced that the rally would be held to protest against NPP govt’s suppressive moves against dissenting groups including the Opposition parties. They called some of the govt’s actions Constitutional dictatorship accusing that the NPP was up to establish more..

Nov 8 (DM) Sri Lanka has come a long way since the end of armed conflict. Even though reconciliation is an immediate goal in the aftermath of a war, successive govts have taken snail-paced efforts to achieve this goal. But apart from dead and injured civilians and soldiers who are often publicised as victims of war, destroyed cities, livelihoods and the environment remains unpublicised victims of war. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) over the last 60 years, more..

Nov 8 (TM) This week, a newspaper reported the capture of a crime suspect. The account read that eight different images of the suspect had been made by the Police through AI technology and that they had been used to identify him as he had changed his appearance. When inquired about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in law enforcement from Deputy MInister Sunil Watagala, he suggested speaking to the Police, citing his inability to more..

Nov 8 (ST) It was a town they visited often in the southeast of the country – Kataragama, with its unique culture. People flocked to the Kataragama Temple, the pristine Kiri Vehera and the devala (shrines) dotting the area, with other folk living in the surrounding environs making ends meet by selling pooja watti, trays of fruit used as offerings. Whenever Kumudini Kariyawasan visited Kataragama, the stark reality struck home. The major lack in the area was education, more..

Nov 8 (CT) News reports that the Govt of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake intends to celebrate a Sri Lankan Day from 12-14 Dec, in the capital Colombo, should have surprised, if not shocked, the traditional supporters of the once ideologically-driven JVP leader of the ruling NPP combine. It is unlike the excuses that the Govt has been proffering — or, did it? – on enforcing the IMF’s loan-conditionalities, saying that they were helpless as they were originally signed by the predecessor more..

Nov 8 (SO) Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and intense lightning, which lashed the country from Oct 18, claimed four lives, including a 17-year-old girl in Kegalle, who fell into an overflowing roadside culvert during the downpour. DMC reported that nearly 30,000 people were affected and about 790 houses were damaged. Landslide warnings were issued, especially in the hill country, while people living downstream more..

Nov 8 (ST) Frustration! That’s how one could describe the plight of the tourism industry owing to the pathetic attempts by governments – present and past – to launch an overseas marketing campaign to profile the country’s rich offerings to discerning travellers. For nearly a decade the authorities have been struggling to get a tourism promotion campaign off the ground. Often, when it is almost close to being approved after a tedious process of procurement of services and suppliers, more..

Nov 8 (CT) Maybe the govt has not noticed it, but I have. A whole lot of utter rubbish and downright lies against the one-year-old Malima government are being spread in the rural sector and in small towns. The Spring Valley Road in Badulla was a disgrace full of pot holes. It is the road that leads to the (Catholic) Bishop’s House at Rock Hill. For the last 40 years or more every bishop complained to and requested the various powers that were to repair the road properly. more..

Nov 7 (AD) Prez, in his 2026 Budget Speech, announced several new measures to provide financial and welfare benefits to public sector employees. Prez stated that the housing and property loan scheme for public servants will be restructured to allow loans up to Rs. 5 million. Under this revised system, Rs. 500 million will be allocated to provide loans at a 4% concessional interest rate for the first Rs. 3 million, and at a 2% interest rate for amounts between Rs. 3 mil and Rs. 5 mil. more..

Nov 7 (AD) The govt has decided to conduct a feasibility study on constructing a link road between the Port City end of the Port Access Elevated Highway and Marine Drive. With the objective of enhancing road connectivity to the Colombo Port and the Port City, an elevated highway project is currently under construction. The link road has been proposed to address the traffic congestion expected around the Lotus Roundabout area and its surroundings near Galle Face. more..

Nov 7 (AD) Prez announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening support for the disabled community, which comprises around 1.6 million individuals, representing about 7% of the national population. As a country that has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Prez emphasized the Govt’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. more..

Nov 7 (AM) The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday (6) ordered the Govt Analyst to examine video footage related to the case filed against PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila, who is accused of making statements through electronic and print media that allegedly incited disharmony among communities. Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara issued the directive after considering a request seeking court approval to submit the relevant footage to the Govt Analyst and obtain an analytical report. more..

Nov 7 (CI) The ICC has finalised Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai as the venues in India for the 2026 men's T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka as well. It is understood the ICC has shortlisted two venues in Colombo and Kandy as the three venues in SL. T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7 and will conclude with the final in Ahmedabad on March 8. ICC is likely to release the schedule next week, with just about three months to go for the start of the tournament. more..