Sep 2 (DM) Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) announced the launch of its annual flagship event WCIC Prathibhabhisheka – Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025 to recognize and reward the outstanding women entrepreneurs of SL and in the SAARC Region. WCIC once again invites outstanding women entrepreneurs, to share their story of resilience and achievements to compete for the coveted - Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025, at the ceremony to be held in Jan 2026. more..

Sep 2 (DN) SriLankan Airlines completes another journey around the sun on Sept 1,2025, celebrating its 46th Anniversary by giving its valued customers more reasons to explore the world with special anniversary offers. SriLankan Airlines has long been a true ambassador for SL hospitality on the global stage. Local in spirit, global in operations and renowned for its award-winning service, the airline looks ahead to many more years of seamlessly connecting people, cultures and trade. more..

Sep 2 (Island) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila has moved the Court of Appeal in a bid to prevent his arrest over views expressed regarding the remanding of former Navy Commander Admiral (retd.) Nishantha Ulugetenne. The CID arrested Ulugetenne, a former Ambassador to Cuba, on 28 July, over the alleged disappearance of a person named Shantha Samaraweera on the basis of a statement given by Selvathambi Mahendran, more..

Sep 2 (FT) In a novel approach that redefines SL businesses’ approach to strategic corporate social responsibility, Solutions Ground Ltd, has unveiled the country’s first full-service CSR outsourcing model. Headquartered in SL and operating regionally, Solutions Ground is an international boutique consultancy working at the intersection of business, policy, and sustainability. Its latest offering introduces a fully outsourced approach to CSR, giving companies access to dedicated more..

Sep 2 (FT) Colombo stock market began the month of September yesterday with the benchmark index setting a new benchmark of 21,000-plus points amidst high turnover and foreign selling. ASPI gained by 65 points to close at 21,062 points – an all-time high. However the active S&P SL20 declined by over five points. Turnover was Rs. 13.2 billion involving 533.5 million shares. Top blue chip JKH accounted for Rs. 5.5 billion of turnover with a volume of 237.3 million shares and more..

Sep 2 (FT) SL welcomed 198,235 tourists in August, recording a 20.4% year-on-year (YoY) increase, but performance slipped against expectations, falling short of the monthly target and trailing both July 2025 and the 2018 benchmark. Arrivals in August met only 79.6% of the official monthly target of 249,019, leaving a shortfall of 50,784 visitors. The tally also dipped below July’s 200,244 and was narrowly behind Aug 2018 more..

Sep 2 (ST) The operations of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will be transferred to the Labour Dept, trade unions were informed at the last meeting of the National Labour Advisory Committee (NLAC). This move, conveyed to the unions by Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha, has raised concerns amongst trade unions which have, in the past, raised issues over the proper management of the EPF which is currently supervised by the Central Bank. In the past the EPF funds have been invested more..

Sep 2 (DN) SL’s first National Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama has performed over Rs. 2 billion worth of bone marrow transplants at a cost of only Rs. 200 million, according to Consultant Oncologist Dr. Prasad Abeysinghe. Speaking at the 22nd anniversary of the SL College of Oncologists, Dr. Abeysinghe noted that the unit, which began operations in Dec 2016, has successfully completed 294 bone marrow transplants by Aug 2025. more..

Sep 2 (DN) The starting times for all 19 ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 matches have been revised due to the extreme UAE heat, stated the Emirates Cricket Board. All 19 matches in the tournament held in the T-20 format to be played across Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9-28, were originally scheduled to begin at 7.30 p.m. IST (6 p.m. IST). However, the start time for 18 matches has now been pushed back, by half an hour, to 8 p.m. IST (6.30 p.m. local time). more..

Sep 2 (Island) The media is awash with stories about official ceremonies in Sri Lanka, which is perhaps the only country where no project is commenced or opened, without the presence of politicians. Even the opening of a public convenience is not considered complete without a politician cutting the so-called ceremonial ribbon. A member of the current administration has come under a social media piranha attack for ceremonially opening a public tap. During the last several decades, more..

Sep 2 (MB) In recent months, elephants have stolen the spotlight yet again in SL’s mainstream and social media. Surge in attention to them began when a series of deadly train collisions killed several elephants, followed by the agonizing death of the iconic tusker Bhahiya, whose final days were made into emotional videos. Bhahiya’s death triggered a wave of media coverage, with fresh reports of elephant deaths more..

Sep 2 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said it would open the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2025 (SLEIS 2025) on 2 Dec in Colombo with an eminent line-up that sets the stage for two days of high-level dialogue. Conducted this year under the theme Gateway to Growth – Asia’s Emerging Opportunity the day will begin with opening remarks by CCC Chairperson Krishan Balendra, followed by a keynote address from EDOTCO, Malaysia Chairman Kenneth Shen. more..

Sep 2 (TM) Sri Lankans are increasingly using vapes, also known as e-cigarettes. Like many new trends, it seems the youth of the country are caught up in this latest iteration of the tobacco trend. E-cigarettes/vapes have been around for some time. It has become fashionable and is pushed by their marketers as a chic alternative to what modern generations consider are dirty conventional cigarettes. A compounding factor is that e-cigarettes/vapes lack more..

Sep 2 (ST) The Scene: Students at school gathered at the assembly hall listening to the principal speak. Today I came to talk to you, the principal of the school said to the children who had gathered at the assembly hall, about a special course of study that will be introduced into the school curriculum from next Sunday since the week will be taken up by the present compulsory subjects like history and art. A hand shot up from the front row. It was Shantha, one of the school’s studious students more..

Sep 2 (CT) Despite Sri Lanka’s significant economic recovery following its unprecedented crisis, the aftershocks and hangovers of what we all experienced remain even to this day. This is evidenced with the Census and Statistics Dept reporting that the country’s poverty line has risen again, making it the third consecutive month to rise since June. This has caused a year-on-year increase for Colombo’s household expenses by over two thousand rupees. more..

Sep 2 (TM) The Govt is currently discussing a monitoring system to complement the recently introduced fingerprint attendance machines in State institutions, according to Deputy Minister Prabha Senarath. Deputy Minister noted that the fingerprint initiative marked only the beginning of a broader programme aimed at reshaping accountability and performance standards across Sri Lanka’s public sector. more..

Sep 2 (Island) For decades voters have heard promises of integrity, justice and accountability. These promises have come with every election, but they have invariably ended in disappointment. Investigations have faltered, commissions have been wound up, and the very leaders who promised to end corruption and impunity have too often joined the ranks of those who perpetuated them. NPP govt is now making the point that it will do its utmost to deliver on its promises and commitments. more..

Sep 2 (GV) Something struck me while watching President Anura Kumara Dissanayake hosting a meeting with media organizations at the Presidential Secretariat recently. Here was a leader of a political party which had spent decades in the political wilderness – ridiculed, ignored, sometimes persecuted – yet when they finally gained unprecedented power, their response was not the usual self-aggrandizement we have come to expect from politicians. more..

Sep 2 (DM) Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam, speaks about the way forward for enhancement of bilateral ties. She shares her views in this regard on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of Viet Nam’s Independence Day (1945-2025) and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and SL (1970–2025). Q: During the State visit to Viet Nam by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, there were commitments more..

Sep 2 (CT) During the recent Prez and Parliamentary polls, a major promise by the NPP was the eradication of corruption and waste. The matter that currently captures most public interest, concerns travel expenses incurred by the then President, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. He was initially placed in remand custody, which subsequently changed to bail on medical grounds, pending further Court proceedings. Opponents of the NPP allege this to be political victimization, more..

Sep 2 (DM) Trade union action announced by seven out of eight trade unions affiliated to the SLTB last week against the govt’s move to implement a unified time table for the SLTB and private sector buses literally flopped. Commuters did not feel that a work strike is on by SLTB employees. The demand put forward by the employees of the SLTB is ironic and also amusing. It is a well-known fact that the SLTB is at the receiving end of an unfair competition between state-owned & pvt buses. more..

Sep 1 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that every plot of land in the North, which was acquired for the security forces during the war, will be released back to the people. He made these remarks this morning while attending the inauguration of the third phase of the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour Development Project in Jaffna. He said that it is the responsibility of the govt to provide the necessary facilities for the fishing community and that steps are being taken to develop more..

Sep 1 (TM) A new study by Ocean University of SL has found that the artificial breakwater at Hambantota Int'l Port (HIP) has become a thriving marine ecosystem. The reef at HIP now supports the highest diversity of reef-associated fish in Southern SL, surpassing natural sites like Weligama and Polhena. The reef's success is attributed to minimal human disturbance, low pollution, and a balanced population of herbivorous fish that keep algae from overwhelming the corals. more..

Sep 1 (CT) A Colombo household’s living expenses, led by rising food costs, increased by Rs 2,044.17 year-on-year (YoY) to last month (August), Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) released on Friday, said. “A Colombo household’s food bill alone increased by Rs 1,151.08 YoY to last month, aided by the increase in their coconut bill, in four digit terms, being upped by Rs 1,516.45, fresh sea fish bill, in triple digit terms, more..

Sep 1 (EN) Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves have not grown for several months and have shown a worrying tendency to fall, opposition legislator Kabir Hashim has told parliament. “Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have now fallen from the levels seen in October and November 2024,” Hashim said. “Our foreign reserves are not growing. It is a problem. President has said from time to time that we are saying things to frighten people. But this is the real situation.” more..

Sep 1 (AD) The hearing of evidence in the case filed against the underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka, alias Harak Kata, who is accused of breaking into a house in Meethotamulla and robbing a three-wheeler and Rs. 26,000 in cash, was held at the Colombo High Court today. The evidence was recorded before Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne. Under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Sudarshana De Silva, testimony of two prosecution witnesses was recorded. more..

Sep 1 (AD) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture, and Resource Sustainability has drawn attention to the utilisation of compensation received for the damage caused by the X-Press Pearl vessel, particularly regarding payments made to fishermen and coastal conservation efforts. Accordingly, the Committee recommended that a detailed report be submitted regarding the total amount of more..

Sep 1 (NW) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila has filed a petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent his arrest under what he claims is the misuse of the Int'l Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. The petition, lodged today through his legal team, requests writs of prohibition and certiorari against attempts by the CID to arrest him. Gammanpila argues that the ICCPR Act is being wrongfully invoked with the hidden purpose of subjecting him to prolonged detention, more..

Sep 1 (CT) United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, has called for an urgent, credible, transparent, and independent investigation into the mass graves uncovered in the country. Issuing a statement to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Franche said the remains and personal belongings recovered from these graves serve as a stark reminder of the grave human rights violations committed in Sri Lanka’s past. more..

Sep 1 (TM) Mahindra today introduced the Mahindra XUV 3XO, its most compelling SUV offering in the SL market. Launching with feature-rich variants – MX3, AX5 and AX7L – the XUV 3XO offers Standout Design, Immersive Technology, World class Safety, Spirited Performance all at a starting price of LKR 10.49 Mn (incl. VAT). The arrival of the XUV 3XO builds on Mahindra’s growing footprint in Sri Lanka and underscores its strategy to deliver authentic SUVs tailored for discerning SL customers. more..

Sep 1 (CT) Deputy Minister Ruwan Senarath, announced that the Govt is planning to import 2,000 cab vehicles for the heads of State institutions at the beginning of next year. The move is aimed at providing transport facilities to officials, enabling them to carry out field-level development projects more efficiently. Deputy Minister explained that many local govt institutions that had been inactive are now being revitalised, with a series of new projects launched to support more..