Nov 20 (CT) Attorney General’s Dept informed Court, yesterday, that investigations into a complaint filed under the Public Property Act against former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe—over an alleged loss of more than Rs 150 million to the State during a private visit to London—are now in their final stage, and that a case will be filed in the High Court within the next month. According to the complaint, the alleged financial loss more..

Nov 20 (FT) SL’s tea crop posted a marginal improvement in October 2025, although the month’s performance reflected mixed conditions across elevations. Provisional data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research show the October crop at 21.78 million kilos (Mnkg), an increase of 0.50 Mnkg over the 21.28 Mnkg recorded in Oct 2024. All elevations except the Low Grown segment reported negative variances against last year. Compared to Oct 2023, the crop fell by 1.22 Mnkg from 23.0 Mnkg. more..

Nov 20 (Island) SL will pin their hopes on the red-hot blade of Pathum Nissanka when the tri-nation T20 series bowls off today, with the prolific opener chasing a historic rise to the summit of world cricket. Ranked third in the globe, the 27-year-old heads into the clash against Zimbabwe with the wind in his sails after that jaw-dropping hundred against world champions India in the recent Asia Cup — an innings that lit up the tournament. He also exposed weaknesses in India’s famous bowling attack. more..

Nov 20 (DM) Colombo became the focal point of the global architectural world earlier this month as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) International Conference 2025, Sri Lanka was held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel from October 9-11. Approximately 180 plus international and national delegates attended the three-day event which was held under the theme “The Art within Architecture”. The event celebrated creativity, innovation and design excellence. more..

Nov 20 (DN) SL’s Kaya Daluwatte surged to the top of the leaderboard after Round 2 of the Faldo Series European Grand Final, sharing the lead with Sweden’s Lova Jansson at five under par. The second round of the 29th Faldo European Championship, held at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in the UAE yesterday, saw SL’s Reshan Algama climb to fifth place while fellow countryman Jevahn Sathasivam finished 18th. In the Girls 21 and Under category, more..

Nov 20 (EN) SL’s Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned people who recommend investments online without being a Registered Investment Advisor or a body licensed by the regulator. “Social media content that amounts to investment recommendations must not be made without proper basis and without being a Registered Investment Advisor or a body licensed by the SEC,” more..

Nov 20 (ST) The govt has proposed to set up a National Investment Protection Council—a semi-judicial body comprising retired judges—to mediate, investigate and resolve disputes between the state and investors prior to legal action by aggrieved parties. The proposal will be part of an Investment Protection Act, which is to be introduced in Parliament within the next two months with the objective of protecting investments and enterprises owned by both local and foreign investors more..

Nov 20 (DN) SL enter the T20 Tri-Nation Series in Rawalpindi today hoping to regain their dignity and confidence after suffering three consecutive ODI defeats to Pakistan. They face Zimbabwe in the opening match at 6.30 p.m. (SLT), knowing a strong comeback is their only option. This series carries extra importance as it serves as preparation for next year’s ICC T20 World Cup. Players must quickly adjust to the shorter format. Although SL performed well on their previous tour of Zimbabwe more..

Nov 20 (ST) Health Ministry has failed to claim compensation from suppliers of substandard drugs, specifically concerning the prednisolone acetate eye drops, which resulted in 12 patients at the Nuwara Eliya hospital suffering allergies and becoming vision-impaired. This was revealed in a National Audit Office (NAO) report annexed to the Health Ministry’s 2024 annual performance report presented to Parliament. more..

Nov 20 (FT) A delegation from the Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka led by Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam concluded a three-day official visit to SL’s Northern Province from 17–19 Nov. The visit aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration between Viet Nam and the Northern Province, with a focus on strengthening economic, trade, investment and tourism linkages. On 17 Nov, Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam paid a courtesy call on the Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan. more..

Nov 20 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the SL Embassy in Brussels, successfully organised an inward trade delegation comprising 12 Fair Trade product importers and representatives from the EU from 17 to 22 Nov, with the objective of promoting SL Fair Trade products and strengthening bilateral trade relations between SL and the EU region. The delegation included representatives from key European markets including Belgium, France & Italy. more..

Nov 20 (DM) Sri Lanka A sealed their spot in the semi-finals of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 with a tense 6-run victory over Bangladesh A in Doha, confirming a final four lineup featuring Pakistan, India, SL and Bangladesh. In a gripping contest that swung repeatedly, SL A’s disciplined death bowling and a match-defining knock from Sahan Arachchige proved the difference as they successfully defended 159. Arachchige anchors SL A after early collapse SL A, put in to bat, slipped early more..

Nov 20 (FT) Royal Ceramics Lanka (Rocell), a forerunner in surface coverings and sanitaryware in Sri Lanka, was recently honoured with the Sri Lanka National Quality Award 2025 in the Manufacturing (Large Scale) category. The award is a definitive recognition of the company’s commitment to world-class manufacturing excellence. The prestigious award was presented to Rocell by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the National Standards Body under the Ministry of Technology. more..

Nov 20 (FT) Sri Lanka and India yesterday renewed their commitment to elevate bilateral tourism cooperation to new heights, with both countries highlighting unprecedented growth in arrivals, enhanced connectivity, and expanding cultural linkages at the India–SL Tourism Connect forum titled From the Ganges to the Kelani: A Voyage of Friendship and Discovery. Speaking at the event, Minister Vijitha Herath said more..

Nov 20 (DM) Imagine that the recent incident in Trincomalee had happened inversely: A kovil, mosque, or a church is set up in Colombo, Galle, or somewhere in the South, and the Police storm the place, manhandle the clergy, and remove a statue of Jesus or Lord Vishnu. Social media warriors, NGO captains, and the Western embassies all would explode in outrage at this apparent act of religious indignation. None of that self-righteous outcry was in display early this week, except that more..

Nov 20 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, once known as a Marxist-Leninist—possibly for the lack of a more appropriate appellation or the wit and repartee of another Marx—seems to be heading to discard his attire from his previous avatar. Of course he now looks more chic in his Savile Row attire. He could not go round shaking hands and engaging in complex Kissinger-style exchanges regularly donned in those two-pocket shirts that might give shades of a Che Guevara, though his first JVP leader, more..

Nov 20 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has strongly defended two political appointees occupying the top positions in the Ministry of Public Security and the CID. The modus operandi adopted by him to support his brief for them is a textbook example of straw man, a logical fallacy, which involves recasting opponents’ arguments into weaker versions that are easier to refute instead of addressing stronger, substantive issues. Prez has advanced several arguments, more..

Nov 20 (TM) Recent weeks saw several incidents of Sri Lankans acting in a manner constituting sexual harassment against female foreign tourists. These concerns came to light after videos of locals harassing them went viral on social media. In one incident, a man was seen harassing a female tourist travelling in a three-wheeler in the Thirukkovil area. He was identified and arrested within days. In another, a man travelling in a different three-wheeler was filmed making inappropriate advances more..

Nov 20 (CT) The Jaffna peninsula has now become the most severely affected area in SL in terms of air pollution. This is not merely an environmental issue; it is a collision between scientific evidence, institutional failure, citizen activism and an invisible, deadly threat. Backed by scientific data, the crisis poses twin challenges to public health and the rule of law, forcing residents to seek judicial intervention in the face of more..

Nov 20 (CT) Govt’s recent insistence that it has no intention to delay the Provincial Council Election may reassure some, but for many Sri Lankans, it is beginning to sound like a familiar refrain, well-crafted, politically convenient, and ultimately inconclusive. Yesterday’s exchange in Parliament between Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake, and Chief Opposition Whip, Gayantha Karunathilake, once again exposed the widening disconnect between stated commitments more..

Nov 20 (Island) The US almost succeeded in signing SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) during the Yahapalana administration, as well as finalising the MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) meant to promote economic growth, open markets, and increased living standards in selected countries. SOFA was to allow deployment of US personnel in SL. The then Prez Maithripala Sirisena thwarted SOFA while PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s representative Tilak Marapana was more..

Nov 20 (DM) Over a year after the e-visa system handled by the consortium—comprising IVS-GBS as the primary partner and VFS Global as the technical partner—was suspended in SL, Jamila Husain interviewed Zubin Karkaria, CEO of VFS Global Group, where he spoke about the organisation’s operations and reiterated that VFS Global maintains the highest level of diligence before contracting with international govts. more..

Nov 20 (DM) Central Bank has inexplicably maintained high interest rates in a deflationary environment, which increases debt-service costs and suppresses economic activity. It must change course now, because austerity in the name of fiscal sustainability is self-defeating if it destroys the conditions for growth. SL is experiencing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. After defaulting on its external debt in 2022, govt was forced to impose severe austerity more..

Nov 20 (DM) Sri Lanka doesn’t seem to have taken certain lessons from the past. There was an ugly era that allowed ethno-nationalism to thrive, causing communal tensions and divisions in various parts of the country. There were Buddhist monks who threatened minority communities and politicians who convinced these communities to vote for Sinhala-Buddhist leaders by instilling a fear psychosis. In the North of the country, ethno-nationalism is an issue that people encounter on a daily basis, more..

Nov 19 (AD) The govt has announced plans to introduce a new Fisherman’s Pension Scheme, effective from Dec 21, 2025. All necessary arrangements have been completed to launch the scheme, which will be implemented by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board. Under the new pension scheme, beneficiaries will be eligible to receive pensions upon reaching the age of 60 years. A notable feature of the scheme is that, in the event the beneficiary passes away more..

Nov 19 (AD) A 3-member committee has been appointed to investigate a complaint made by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala regarding the conduct of MP Dayasiri Jayasekara. Speaker informed Parliament today that the committee was appointed to inquire into an incident that took place inside the Chamber on Sept 24, 2025. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih has been appointed as the chairman of the committee, while MPs Upali Pannilage and Ranjith Madduma Bandara more..

Nov 19 (DM) With uncertainty swirling over the return of SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa for a court case, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake asked the former Finance Minister to come and face the law. Prez said there was no reason to fear the legal process if one is innocent. “Don’t be afraid to face the law. If you are clean, come and prove your innocence,” he said. Rajapaksa who is currently settled in US is supposed to appear before more..

Nov 19 (DM) A tense situation arose yesterday morning (18) at the Parliamentary office of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne after a snake was spotted inside the premises. Staff members first noticed the snake when it attempted to enter through a window near the area where the Speaker usually takes his meals. After the incident was reported, the Parliament’s garden maintenance officer acted promptly and removed the snake from the location, parliamentary sources said. more..

Nov 19 (DM) The SL and Thai govts have not held any discussions regarding the potential recall of two elephants gifted to SL, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Prasad said, assuring that the animals are in good health and have not caused any harm. Dr. Prasad said that the report compiled by a 3-member expert committee has been received and confirms that the elephants were not treated badly and remain in good condition. The report is set to be handed over to the Foreign Ministry. more..

Nov 19 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday warned Parliament that SL is now facing a dangerous evolution of organised crime, where drug traffickers, armed criminals, corrupt state officials, political actors and even segments of the media have converged into a single network of influence. Prez said that what began decades ago as small village-level thuggery had grown into a powerful, well-financed more..

Nov 19 (AD) Court of Appeal today scheduled a hearing on Dec 16 to consider a petition seeking an injunction to prevent the implementation of an order issued by the Dept of Coastal Conservation to remove a part of the Trincomalee Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya. The petition was filed by the chief monk of the temple, Venerable Trincomalee Kalyanawansa Wansa Tissa Thero. During the proceedings, the judge noted that it would be appropriate to resolve the matter amicably. more..

Nov 19 (AD) Steps have been taken by the Ministry of Health to appoint a committee to draft the service constitution for specialist doctors. The committee has been appointed on the instructions of the Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. According to the Ministry of Health, following the discussion held yesterday in Parliament under the patronage of the Prez regarding matters related to specialist doctors, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, has taken steps to appoint more..