Aug 11 (FT) With global shipping lanes intersecting just south of its coastline, Sri Lanka holds a pivotal location in the Indian Ocean. Despite this geographic advantage, SL’s marine fuel (bunkering) sector remains underdeveloped. The country currently handles an estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million metric tonnes of marine fuel annually, a fraction of its potential. A transformation in policy, regulation, and technology modelled on Singapore’s globally admired reforms could change that. more..

Aug 11 (FT) In the previous part1, we discussed how environment is used by everybody to dump the waste-matter that is essentially produced as a byproduct of all the economic activities, namely, production, distribution, and consumption. This waste-matter is an undesired product called bads compared to the desired products called goods. In this sense, environment is the fifth factor of production because without environment, no economic activity could be undertaken. more..

Aug 11 (ST) UK and Canada have informed the govt that a new resolution on Sri Lanka will be presented at the 60th session of the UNHRC next month, but the Govt expects softened wording on it as compared to previous resolutions. This has been conveyed verbally to the Govt. However, with the US, which co-sponsored previous resolutions on Sri Lanka, having left the UNHRC, the composition of the new core group on Sri Lanka is likely to change, more..

Aug 11 (DN) The Sannasa (scroll) informing the successful completion of the annual Kandy Esala Maha Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Sathara Maha Devala with great pageantry while honouring ancient traditions, was formally presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Kandy President’s House on Saturday (9). Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Pradeep Nilanga Dela, handed over the Esala Perahera Sannasa (scroll) to the President. more..

Aug 11 (AD) SL’s youth clubs should not be drawn into political agendas, former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated. The former Prez, while addressing concerns about the growing politicisation of youth organizations and on-going unrest among youth clubs, emphasized the importance of resolving issues through dialogue. He proposed the Subject Minister to engage in discussions with both former and current officials of the youth clubs to find a solution that satisfies all parties. more..

Aug 11 (DM) As of 2025, Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, remains the wealthiest individual in India and South Asia with an estimated net worth of $118 billion — and among those making the region’s billionaire ranks is Sri Lankan business magnate Ishara Nanayakkara, now valued at $1.6 billion. His vast business empire spans telecom, energy, petrochemicals, and retail, placing him in a league of his own among the region’s richest. more..

Aug 11 (NF) Govt Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, which was scheduled to begin at 8 AM today (11), following productive discussions with the Minister of Health. The strike was initially organized in response to several unresolved demands, including concerns over the transfer process of medical officers. However, the GMOA’s executive committee stated that the Health Minister provided positive and constructive responses during the negotiations, more..

Aug 11 (ST) Multibillion-dollar remittances sent in by Sri Lankans working overseas, mostly domestic helpers and a small percentage of professionals, are reaching unprecedented levels. In the seven months to July, forex remittances of Sri Lankans have exceeded US$4.43 billion (Rs 1.32 trillion). The amounts from the same period in 2024 were US$3.71b. The value of the seven-month remittances exceeds the entire annual income tax collection estimate in the 2025 Budget and is also enough to pay govt salaries more..

Aug 11 (DN) The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), acting on a tip-off, sealed a large-scale warehouse that was producing gas stoves with false labels meant for market release. Reports indicate that the company was assembling the gas stoves locally while labelling them as if they were imported from a foreign country and distributed here. Over 3,000 such gas stoves were found lying at the store. The warehouse was sealed following an order from the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court. more..

Aug 11 (NW) Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has called for a hartal on Aug. 15 in the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest the alleged killing of a man by soldiers from the SL Army’s 63rd Division. In a letter to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran said the body of Edirmanasingam Kabilraj, 32, was found in the Muttaiyankattu Tank on Aug. 9, two days after he and four others were reportedly summoned to the army camp and severely beaten. more..

Aug 11 (Island) Rumesh Tharanga shattered the national record in the men’s javelin throw and earned direct qualifying standards for the World Athletics Championship in his very first throw at the World Athletics Bronze lable meet in India on Sunday. When this edition went to press he had made only one attempt. The former St. Peter’s College athlete cleared 86.50 metres to shatter the record held by Sumeda Ranasinghe (85.78m), who too was scheduled to compete in the same event. more..

Aug 11 (EN) Net foreign reserves of SL’s central bank which have improved steadily for three years amid deflationary policy fell in June 2025, official data show, after a rate cut and strong recovery in private credit. Net foreign assets of the central bank, which deducts borrowings from India, the IMF and also reserves effectively borrowed through buy-sell swaps, fell to 424 billion rupees (about US$ 1,414 mil) in June, from 461 billion rupees (about 1,541 million) in May. more..

Aug 11 (TM) The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) claimed that several leading hospitals are running short of certain pharmaceutical drugs given to pregnant mothers undergoing caesarean section to prevent complications after anesthesia. MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that IV Maxolon and IV Ondansetron – used intravenously to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting during and after surgery, among other purposes – are now in short supply amidst more..

Aug 11 (CT) Kamil Mishara’s scintillating half-century powered SLC Greens to a commanding five-wicket win over SLC Greys in another entertaining clash of the SLC T20 League worked off at SSC yesterday. Chasing 164, Greens got off to a shaky start with Lasith Croospulle falling early for 5. But, it was Kamil Mishara who steadied the ship and turned the tide with a sublime 52 off just 34 balls. His innings, laced with six boundaries and two sixes, came at a crucial time and more..

Aug 11 (DN) Opener Vishmi Gunaratne produced a superb knock of 166 off 152 deliveries to lead CCC women to a 44-run victory over Colts CC women in their Major Club Women’s Limited Over encounter at the Colts grounds on Saturday. In fact Vishmi’s knock was significant as it is the tournament’s highest individual score so far. Earlier two other centuries were hit by Navy SC’s Harshitha Samarawickrama (140) and SSC’s Lihini Apsara (127). 19-year-old national opener Vishmi struck 23 boundaries and two sixes, more..

Aug 11 (FT) SL’s tourism earnings crossed the $ 2 billion revenue mark in the first seven months of 2025, though July saw a slight decline despite strong visitor arrivals. During the first seven months, tourism sector has earned over $ 2.03 billion, up 7.8% year-on-year (YoY) compared to the same period last year. However, the figure is still short of the 2018 Jan-July record of over $ 2.59 billion—the year SL posted its highest-ever tourism revenue of $ 4.38 billion. more..

Aug 11 (FT) Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has posted a robust start to the 2025/26 financial year, recording a 46.3% year-on-year (YoY) increase in Group Profit After Tax (PAT) to Rs. 2.2 billion for the quarter ended 30 June 2025. Group revenue rose 11.2% to Rs. 66.7 billion, driven by strong topline growth across the core segments—Retail, FMCG, and Restaurants. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, And Amortisation (EBITDA) for the quarter increased by 11.9% to Rs. 6.5 billion. more..

Aug 11 (FT) DFCC Bank has sustained its growth momentum in the first half of 2025, reflecting financial resilience and effective strategic executions. The bank recorded notable expansion in key areas, including loans and deposits, underscored by an 11% rise in net interest income, supported by a deliberate strategy to drive credit growth and optimise funding costs. DFCC said credit expansion remained a central focus, with the bank’s loan portfolio increasing by 19% during the six-month period. more..

Aug 11 (TM) After a seven-year delay, RDA is still awaiting Cabinet approval to begin the first phase of asphalt overlay work on the 14-year-old Southern Expressway (E01). The expressway was completed in 2011, with the asphalt overlay due in 2018, seven years later. According to the latest audit report on the RDA by the National Audit Office (NAO), it has been identified that this maintenance is especially urgent for the stretch from Pinnaduwa to Kottawa, more..

Aug 11 (FT) Workers’ remittances hit a record high for the month of July, surging to $ 697.3 million, registering the highest monthly inflow so far in 2025, latest CB data revealed. The July inflow reflects a robust 23.02% year-on-year (YoY) growth and marks a 9.1% increase compared to June 2025. It is also the fourth consecutive month of record inflows for the year. The July 2025 figure is also the second highest monthly remittance inflow in history, behind $ 708.089 million recorded in 2020. more..

Aug 11 (FT) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of SL (SEC) and the stock broking industry, is set to conduct an Invest Sri Lanka investor forum in Singapore tomorrow. Building on the momentum of the successful foreign investor forum held in Colombo in March this year, the initiative aims to further engage with global investors and promote Sri Lanka’s capital market as an attractive frontier investment destination. more..

Aug 11 (FT) CEAT has once again reaffirmed its leadership in the country’s automotive sector by being ranked the Most Valuable Tyre Brand in Sri Lanka for 2025 in the latest edition of the Brand Finance Lanka rankings. According to the report by Brand Finance – the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy – CEAT has grown its brand value by 15% to Rs. 2.325 billion, securing 44th place overall among SL’s 100 most valuable brands. Notably, CEAT has also been recognised as more..

Aug 11 (FT) Dipped Products (DPL), a member of the Hayleys Group and a global leader in hand protection solutions spanning the medical, household, industrial, and sports sectors, was honoured with the Overall Gold Award at the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2025. The recognition comes as DPL enters its 50th year of global operations. The event was held under the patronage of New Zealand High Commissioner David Pine as Chief Guest, with South African High Commissioner to SL more..

Aug 11 (FT) After 25 years of failed lobbying, SL Customs is using the Govt’s two-thirds power and the IMF program to discreetly creep into an area that was considered much-needed trade facilitation and speed for Board of Investment (BOI) investors on special economic zones. Govt has dropped a bomb on BOI investors as published in the July 2025 report of the IMF, where SL authorities have agreed to transfer functions of import/export clearance from the BOI to SLC by October, more..

Aug 11 (Island) Educational reform stands as one of the cornerstone commitments in the NPP’s election manifesto. Entrusted with this critical responsibility, PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who also serves as the Minister of Education, is at the forefront of implementing reforms that will shape the future of Sri Lanka’s younger generations. However, it appears that the discourse surrounding the proposed education bill has so far been poorly articulated in Parliament. more..

Aug 11 (Island) SL, with numerous problems cropping up on the political and economic fronts, resembles a mosaic of issues. The controversial Trump tariffs, the proposed educational reforms and criticism thereof were losing steam, and last week was beginning to look dull. Then, a satellite fell on the JVP HQ, as it were! JVP-NPP govt has been in damage control mode since it admitted, albeit unwittingly, that an allegation it made before last year’s prez and general elections was baseless. more..

Aug 11 (ST) There is a question that hangs heavy in the air when Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake sees fit to passionately pronounce in Parliament (as he did in a deftly timed surprise visit a few days ago) that the Govt has taken most forward looking steps to address the SL State’s accountability and human rights deficit since coming to power more than ten months ago. Could the Prez be so kind as to enlighten puzzled segments of the SL citizenry less inclined to greet empty political rhetoric more..

Aug 11 (TM) SL is a peculiar island. It’s a small patch of land surrounded by the sea where there are many paradoxes when it comes to governance. For example, the island has some of the toughest laws to obtain a licence for a firearm. SL has no constitutional rights to bear arms, and as such, to legally obtain one, a citizen must jump through many hoops and navigate the island’s legendary bureaucracy, known for its indifference and lethargy, to get a permit to own a firearm. more..

Aug 11 (TM) Despite the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amd) Bill being passed in Parliament, uncertainty and unrest continue to grip the sector’s workforce as no concrete transfer plan has yet been finalised for the 23,000 employees of the CEB. Promised communication about the transfer process, originally scheduled for 26 August, has failed to materialise, leaving workers anxious and unsure about their future roles, placements, and job security. more..

Aug 11 (CT) Reading Dr. Punsara Amarasinghe’s article Creeping Rise of Anti-Semitism is Dangerous for SL prompted this response. Dr. Amarasinghe’s central claim is that SL is witnessing a dangerous rise in anti-Semitism, driven by pro-Palestinian activism that calls for boycotts of Israeli goods and the shunning of Israeli tourists. He argues that activists refuse to acknowledge the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas attack as the trigger for the latest Gaza crisis, downplay Israel’s right to more..

Aug 11 (CT) The Retired Parliamentarians’ Association (RPA) has sounded the alarm: if the Govt abolishes the pension payments of former MPs, some 500 retired MPs will be left without their livelihoods. Former MP and RPA Secretary Pemasiri Manage has claimed that the majority of these ex-legislators rely on their pensions to meet daily expenses and medical costs. He painted a picture of former MPs in dire poverty, some struggling with illness, others caring for disabled dependents. more..