Aug 9 (CT) On 22 September last year, just hours before being sworn in as PM, a smiling Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stood outside the Election Commission premises and delivered a line that instantly became political folklore. “We don’t have experience in bankrupting the country,” she said in response to a journalist who questioned whether the NPP lacked the experience to run a govt. “But we will gain experience in building it.” Remark went viral. more..

Aug 9 (CT) In neighbouring Maldives on a State visit recently, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invited investors from that country to put their money in Sri Lanka. He pointed out how the nation has achieved economic stability through robust reforms and international collaboration, after long months of economic crisis, making it a more conducive environment for investment. There is some twist to the President’s transcript, or so it is seen. First and foremost, Maldives is still reeling more..

Aug 9 (CT) In any functioning democracy, the Cabinet of Ministers is expected to act with unity, transparency, and above all collective responsibility. Yet, the contradictory statements delivered in Parliament this week by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe on the controversial SupremeSAT project paint a picture of alarming disarray at the heart of Government. more..

Aug 8 (DM) Customer deposits in the licensed commercial banking sector continued to grow at a faster rate from 2024 through the second quarter of 2025 despite the interest rates on deposits slumping in line with the decline in market interest rates. According to the Central Bank, the growth was driven by State commercial banks followed by private sector commercial banks with foreign commercial banks failing to make more..

Aug 8 (MSN) Chairman of the Export Development Board (EDB) Mangala Wijesinghe said that the commencement of entering into the export market of steel is considered a beginning of a long lasting journey in the export industry. He made this statement while participating in a ceremony to export steel to the Canadian construction market under the MELWA brand yesterday at the Colombo Ports premises. With the commencement of steel exports to the world market, more..

Aug 8 (DN) The grand finale of the Kandy Esala Perahera, the final Randoli Maha Perahera will take to the streets of Kandy tonight (8). The majestic procession is scheduled to commence from the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) at 6.51 pm, heading northward from the Maligawa premises. It will proceed along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, and D. S. Senanayake Veediya, before making its way up Raja Veediya and returning to the Maligawa. more..

Aug 8 (FT) President Anura Kumara Disanayake forcefully defended Sri Lanka’s economic recovery in Parliament yesterday following months of difficult reforms, and warned that political conspiracies to trigger instability would be firmly resisted. Addressing an adjournment debate on the economy, Disanayake said the Govt had restored macroeconomic stability, secured international financing, revived exports, more..

Aug 8 (TM) Many Sri Lankans planning to travel abroad for various purposes are currently facing difficulties due to the unavailability of the Meningococcal vaccine, which is required to prevent Meningitis, claimed the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA). MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that several countries have made this vaccine compulsory for those travelling to regions where Meningitis is considered a major public health issue. more..

Aug 8 (PMD) Australian Governor-General, Samantha Joy Mostyn, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon (08) at the Presidential Secretariat, where the two parties held bilateral discussions. During the meeting, lengthy discussions were held on strengthening the more than 75-year-old friendship between Australia and Sri Lanka and expanding areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries. Governor-General Mostyn emphasised that more..

Aug 8 (DM) DIMO partnered with Bank of Ceylon (BOC) to offer state-of-the-art leasing solutions for a wide range of world-class vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz, Jeep and Tata, within easier reach for all Sri Lankans. The partnership is poised to redefine access to mobility across SL, particularly by combining BOC’s unmatched reach of 651 branches with DIMO’s engineering excellence and diversified vehicle portfolio. This collaboration unlocks affordable financial pathways for customers more..

Aug 8 (DN) Killer Whale Aquatics’ (KWA) sensational duo Minagi Rupesinghe and Ramudi Samarakoon continued their golden form, breaking two more senior national records on Day 2 of the 49th National Aquatic Championships at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex yesterday. In the highlight of the day, 19-year-old Minagi Rupesinghe produced a brilliant swim in the women’s 400m senior national individual medley final, finishing in 5 min 14.58 sec, breaking an 11-yr-old senior national record. more..

Aug 8 (FT) The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) disclosed that during the period 2014-2017, an overpayment of Rs. 7,730,262 in excess of the approved fuel limit had been made to the former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Chief Minister. This disclosure was made at the COPA convening held recently in Parliament, chaired by MP Aravinda Senarath, to discuss the Auditor General’s Reports of 2022 and 2023 and more..

Aug 8 (DN) Chamika Karunaratne delivered a superb all-round performance, claiming 3 for 17 and scoring an unbeaten 47 off 31 balls as SLC Greens secured a 4-wicket win with 19 balls to spare against SLC Blues in their opening SLC T20 League match held at SSC Grounds yesterday. It was a commendable fightback from Team Greens. After being in a difficult position at 38 for 4 in 5.1 overs, Karunaratne’s excellence with both bat and ball guided them to victory in the 17th over. more..

Aug 8 (Island) CameraLK, SL’s leading camera retail giant, marked another milestone with the grand opening of its newest showroom in Batticaloa, bringing world-class photography and videography gear to the Eastern Province. This expansion underscores CameraLK’s strategic vision to cater to a wider audience of photography enthusiasts and professionals across SL. The opening ceremony was graced by Sony SL Country Manager, Thomas Sim, alongside Anushka Gunasinghe, more..

Aug 8 (FT) Pakistan High Commission, friends of Pakistan, diplomatic community and Pakistani diaspora jointly commemorated Kashmir Youm-e-Istehsal day. Six years have passed since 5 Aug 2019 when India took unilateral and illegal actions aimed at altering the internationally recognised disputed status of IIOJK and changing the demographic structure of the occupied territory. High Commissioner, Faheem Ul Aziz HI underscored the oppression and brutalisation of innocent more..

Aug 8 (FT) Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on Monday endorsed the certificate on the Companies (Amendment) Bill and accordingly, the Companies (Amendment) Act, No. 12 of 2025 is now enacted. Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said in a statement that it welcomed the constructive response of the Attorney General to the concerns raised in TISL’s petition filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Bill to amend the Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007. more..

Aug 8 (TM) The SJB, is set to support the Govt’s move to abolish pensions for MPs and privileges granted to former Presidents and their spouses. In line with its campaign promises during the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, NPP-led Govt has taken initial steps to abolish pensions for MPs and privileges granted to former Presidents and their spouses – except for the pension. more..

Aug 8 (FT) The Colombo stock market closed the week on a negative note. ASPI yesterday gained by 0.11% and the active S&P SL20 lost by 0.04%. Turnover was Rs. 3.26 billion involving 115.08 million shares. During the week, the ASPI and the S&P SL20 lost 0.4% and 1.2% respectively, whilst recording an average daily turnover of Rs. 3.89 billion. Foreign investors yesterday remained net buyers, recording a net inflow of Rs. 27 million. Colombo Bourse extended its positive more..

Aug 8 (FT) The national tea sales average in July 2025 increased to Rs. 1,127.60 ($ 3.74), marking a month-on-month (MoM) increase of Rs. 24.33 and $ 0.06 from June’s average of Rs. 1,103.27 ($ 3.68). Although this uptick offers a modest boost to the industry, year-on-year (YoY) comparisons reveal a more sobering picture, with July’s average falling short of the Rs. 1,223.88 ($ 4.03) recorded in July 2024, reflecting a decline of Rs. 96.28 and $ 0.29. Cumulative national sales average more..

Aug 8 (DM) The first 500 meters of the Kadawatha-Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway (E04) will be completed within the next two months, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said. He made these remarks during an event held to distribute new land title deeds to individuals who lost their properties for the first phase of the E04 project. “The E04 is divided into four main sections Kadawatha to Mirigama, more..

Aug 8 (FT) The Advocata Institute, while welcoming the Govt’s recent decision to waive visa fees for tourists from 40 additional countries, called for broader liberalisation of the visa regime to fully unlock economic opportunities through tourism. Sri Lanka is currently aiming for 3 million tourist arrivals and $ 5 billion in revenue this year. Advocata believes that open, clear, and consistentw visa policies, combined with a welcoming environment, investment-friendly regulation, and more..

Aug 8 (FT) SAARC Development Fund (SDF), in partnership with leading national institutions and technical govt agencies of the five SAARC member countries, officially launched the AquaLivelihood Project in Colombo. Graced by Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar as the Chief Guest, the launch marks a pivotal regional effort to uplift smallholder fish farmers and improve nutrition security across the region. 3-yr regional initiative represents a total investment of $ 3.97 m, more..

Aug 8 (FT) The grand launch of the Melco-operated City of Dreams has sparked bold comparisons, with some advocating for Sri Lanka to become the Macau of India. While MTI Consulting acknowledges the economic potential of a vibrant casino sub-brand, it strongly cautioned that SL’s nation brand must not be hijacked by the gambling industry. MTI urges SL authorities to adopt a curated, integrated approach—positioning gambling as just one among many attractions within a destination more..

Aug 8 (CT) Our current school education system, a legacy of a different era, is increasingly out of step with the demands of the 21st century. While there is broad agreement that reform is necessary, the path forward is complex and contested. We believe that rushing into top-down reforms, dictated solely by a narrow group of experts, would be a profound mistake. The reform of our children’s education is not merely a technical policy puzzle to be solved. It is a fundamental question about more..

Aug 8 (TM) Election Committee (EC) formed to oversee the forthcoming AGM of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA), has reportedly dismissed an objection raised over the nomination of veteran coach Sunil Gunawardana’s suitability to contest the post of President. The SLA’s election of office bearers for 2025-27 is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on 18 August at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo 7. Gunawardana, along with Prasanna Indika more..

Aug 8 (Island) When Prez Donald Trump announced his new reciprocal tariffs in April, he identified a group of countries as “worst offenders” with unfair trade policies. And SL was almost on the top of that list with 44% additional ad valorem duty, which would have had a devastating impact on SL’s exports and the economy. Fortunately, the govt has very discreetly managed to negotiate a reduction of this additional ad valorem duty to 20%, which compares well with those imposed on other more..

Aug 8 (DN) The establishment of the rainy retreat (Vas) stems from two historical viewpoints. The first suggests that Buddha instituted this practice after witnessing the suffering of monks who traveled great distances during monsoon season to reach Rajagaha-Nuwara, enduring severe hardships from severe weather conditions. Alternative explanation points to criticism from Jain ascetics, who condemned Buddhist monks for continuing outdoor religious activities during rainy season. more..

Aug 8 (Island) The ruling NPP continues to make various allegations against its political opponents, the way it did while it was in the Opposition. It is now ensconced in power, and what is expected of it is action and not verbal attacks. After months of vacillation, it has decided to carry out one of its key election pledges. The govt yesterday presented a bill to Parliament seeking to curtail the retirement benefits of the former Presidents. The bill can now be challenged before the Supreme Court, more..

Aug 8 (TM) Electric vehicles are the talk of the town in Colombo today. The Customs dept backtracked from the official stance held before and agreed to a conditional release of over 900 EVs which were held in Colombo port due to the regulatory issue. Wherever you look, the talk is about EVs. From public appetite for new vehicles following years of import restrictions, and growing global trends showing an uptick in sale of electric vehicles, SL roads seem to be flooded with the space-age more..

Aug 8 (TM) Amidst a recent landmark push to combat all forms of violence against children in SL, stakeholders are calling for greater efforts to address longstanding challenges and protect the country’s children. Last month’s Int'l Conference on Child Protection 2025 (ICCP’25), hosted by the Centre for Gender Studies at the Uni of Kelaniya in collaboration with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and supported by more..

Aug 8 (CT) Everybody is talking about it: The proposed new education reforms. It’s a social media discourse and widely debated, at least among opposition politicians, correct? No, I stand corrected because the details of the reforms are ‘behind closed doors’, according to Dr. Anushka Kahandagamage, a civil society activist. In an article which appeared in a well-known news platform, Dr. Kahandagamage said transparency is a fundamental principle of any governing body and more..

Aug 8 (DM) July-August could be the best months to visit SL. Kandy Esala Pageant is in progress and attracting both local and foreign tourists in their numbers. This is the time of the year when the govt must provide all facilities for tourists. When you have state patronage, it is so much easier to promote tourism. One can see how the authorities are trying to make travel in SL reasonable in terms of spending. Now, nationals from as many as over 40 countries arriving in SL see the need to obtain more..