Oct 26 (Island) When a Minister has to handle two Ministries with different mandates and different sets of responsibilities, it is by no means an easy task. There are occasions where responsibilities become mutually contradictory. This happened in the case of the two Ministries of Agriculture and Food. The Ministry of Agriculture was a production oriented Ministry with an emotional culture of achieving self-sufficiency in rice in particular, and stopping imports. Food Ministry on the other hand more..

Oct 26 (SO) For decades, Sri Lankans have heard the same promise from every new govt — We will eliminate the underworld and end the drug menace. Presidents, PMs, Ministers of National Security, and Inspectors General of Police have all declared it with fanfare. Yet each time, words dissolved into empty rhetoric, while crime and drug networks flourished, and gun violence became part of daily life. Law enforcement, weakened by corruption and political interference, could do little. more..

Oct 26 (SO) President’s Fund, inaugurated under Act No. 7 of 1978, under its new orientation, could be identified as a confluence which absorbs funds through two streams, as well as a floodgate releasing funds for a multitude of worthy causes which include almost all philanthropic endeavours imaginable. This statement to the effect that it is a floodgate with a philanthropic orientation would stun those who had the impression that more..

Oct 26 (CT) The brazen assassination of Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, known to many as Midigama Lasa, inside his office during a public day is more than a local tragedy. It is a chilling reminder of the uneasy coexistence between politics and criminality in SL’s local govt sphere, and of the worrying erosion of public safety. That gunmen could walk into a Local Council office, under the guise of seeking a signature, and execute a public representative at close range exposes more..

Oct 26 (TM) Even though the killing of the Weligama PS Chairman is being portrayed as yet another episode of organised crime in SL’s underworld saga, the attempt to downplay the incident seems disturbingly well organised. The assassination – the 101st contract-style killing this year – reveals more than just a pattern of violence and exposes the moral decay within a State apparatus that has become comfortable with impunity. The murder of a sitting Local Govt Chairman, in his office, more..

Oct 26 (TM) Amidst the many challenges faced by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) in governance, which also include clearing messes created by his Cabinet and deputy ministers, he has charted a somewhat dangerous and perilous path with his ongoing war on narcotic drugs and organised crime. This war will be taken forward in an organised manner following the launch of his Ratama Ekata initiative on Thursday more..

Oct 26 (ST) Last week’s front-page story in this newspaper may have raised some reader eyebrows; the CIABOC, it said, is mulling over a proposal by some of those arraigned, or to be arraigned before it on charges of bribery or corruption, that they simply pay back the pocketed loot and carry on. That provision already exists under many laws. The fact that this proposal has suddenly emerged before the CIABOC only after an earlier news report that a sitting Cabinet Minister more..

Oct 26 (SO) United Nations is 80. It is easy to count its failures and criticise its imperfections. But in a fractured world plagued by war, pandemics, climate shocks and technological disruption, there is no substitute for a universal forum that sets rules, mobilises resources, and keeps quarrelling States talking. UN is imperfect, but it is also indispensable. The UN celebrates its 80th anniversary at one of the most chaotic periods since WW2. There are wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza & Congo. more..

Oct 25 (CT) SL’s primary anti-corruption watchdog, CIABOC, has reported a historic surge in enforcement actions, recording the highest number of arrests and convictions in nearly a decade. The trend, which began in 2024, has continued strongly into the first half of 2025, according to the Commission’s latest performance data. Operating under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, CIABOC has intensified its focus more..

Oct 25 (DM) The low-pressure area currently located over the southeast Bay of Bengal, to the northeast of Sri Lanka, is expected to intensify further and move west-northwestward, Dept of Meteorology said. As of 5 p.m. on Oct 24, 2025, the system was positioned about 1,050 kilometres east of Batticaloa. According to forecasts, the low-pressure area is likely to develop into a depression on Oct 25, a deep depression on October 26, and eventually intensify into a cyclonic storm by Oct 27. more..

Oct 25 (CA) Sri Lanka dominated the 100m sprints, claiming gold in both the men’s and women’s events. Chamod Yodasinghe and Safiya Yamic not only secured top podium finishes but also set new meet records in their respective races. SL’s dominance continued in the triple jump, with Pasindu Malshan and Madushani Herath both claiming gold medals in the men’s and women’s events respectively. Herath’s winning leap also set a new meet record, underscoring team’s strength in field events. more..

Oct 25 (FT) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said that MPs have received the special audit report on SL’s controversial e-visa contract by the Dept of Immigration & Emigration. De Silva, who chairs the Committee on Public Finance, said the report contains nine key recommendations and urged that they be implemented without delay. The report, prepared by Acting Auditor General G.H.D. Dharmapala, calls for several reforms to more..

Oct 25 (Island) A special meeting between the members of the SL National Women’s Cricket Team and PM Harini Amarasuriya was held on Oct 23 at Temple Trees. During the meeting, PM engaged in a cordial discussion with the members of the SL National women’s cricket team and inquired about their preparations for the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. PM also asked the players’ views regarding the improvement that the govt should take for the betterment of women’s cricket and more..

Oct 25 (DM) Coconut cultivation in the Puttalam district is under threat by a yet unidentified pest, causing much anxiety to planters and coconut smallholders. A senior official of the Coconut Research Institute said the pest is spreading fast in Madurankuliya, Mangalaeliya, Mundalama, Rajakadaluwa, Tharavilluwa, Kottapitiya and Anawilundawa areas. He said the Coconut Research Institute and the Coconut Culvitation Board are taking steps to prevent the spread of the pest more..

Oct 25 (ST) Wildlife & Nature Protection Society (WNPS) has urged the Govt to immediately halt all construction and preparatory activities related to the proposed Jaffna Int'l Cricket Stadium and Sports Complex on Mandaitivu Island in view of the environmental impact. WNPS said that the island is an environmentally sensitive and ecologically significant area comprising salt marshes, mudflats, salt marsh-mangrove ecotones, seagrasses and extensive natural mangrove habitats. more..

Oct 25 (FT) All Muslim MPs, representing both the Govt and Opposition, have called on Religious Affairs Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi to secure the immediate release of a consignment of Tamil-translated copies of the Holy Qur’an detained by SL Customs. The MPs said the detention violates the fundamental rights of Sri Lankan Muslims. The appeal was made through a joint letter signed by all Muslim MPs, including Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Muneer Mulaffer. more..

Oct 25 (DM) Govt has yet to firm up any plan for restructuring SriLankan Airlines, but remains open to possible partnerships with the private sector to increase profitability, an official said. SriLankan Airlines reported a Rs. 2.73 billion loss for the year ending March 31, 2025, compared with a profit of Rs. 7.9 billion the previous year, according to its annual report, a reversal representing a decline of about 134.6% compared with more..

Oct 25 (DM) Tourism sector needs to focus more on the Pekoe Trail and its value for niche tourism, The Pekoe Trail Organisation Founder Miguel Cunat said at a recent forum discussion on attaining the Geographical Indication (GI) certification for Ceylon Tea. SL also needs to understand niche tourism, so we can attract more tourists through biking, hiking, surfing and other soft adventure activities, he added. “Niche tourism is high value and low impact. It calls for people staying in remote locations more..

Oct 25 (DM) Two police officers who had been assigned to provide security for Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Kataragama Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya and Chief Prelate of the Ruhunu Magampattuwa, have been withdrawn from their duties and reassigned to the upper and lower terraces of the temple premises, sources said. Two STF officers who were also part of the Chief Incumbent’s security team have been recalled to the Kavantissapura camp. more..

Oct 25 (CI) SL's match with Pakistan in Colombo was called off at 8:06pm local time, with only 26 deliveries possible in the game. Play was called off prior to the scheduled cut-off, with the umpires deciding the outfield was too waterlogged for a timely restart. The result means Sri Lanka will finish above Pakistan and Bangladesh with five points, regardless of results in the final set of games. For Pakistan, they end the tournament winless with three of their seven matches washed out. more..

Oct 25 (FT) The Colombo stock market gave in to profit-taking pressure yesterday to close the week in red, after holding its ground in the previous two sessions. The ASPI closed 0.17% down, losing 38.43 points to 22,812.52 and the active S&P SL20 index closed down 0.04%, losing 2.56 points to 6,266.31. Turnover was more than Rs. 6.2 billion with over 226.7 million shares traded in the day. Foreigners were net buyers yesterday with a net inflow of Rs. 25.8 million. more..

Oct 25 (TM) Director of the country’s flagship T20 Tournament-Lanka Premier League (LPL) Samantha Dodanwela, called for the original window of July-Aug to be kept untampered with for the annual competition, in the aftermath of the cancellation of this year’s edition on Wednesday. He made this comment while insisting that they need to take the cue from the IPL, as SLC officially announced that the popular event will not go more..

Oct 25 (DM) MP Chamara Sampath in a privilege issue raised serious concerns over the conduct of MP S. Shritharan, as a member of the Constitutional Council. The MP said Shritharan, as a member of the Constitutional Council has failed to disclose bribery allegations pending against him, a grave omission that raises questions about his integrity and fitness to serve on the Constitutional Council — a body mandated to ensure transparency, independence and ethical governance. more..

Oct 25 (EN) SL Central Bank expects net interest margin of commercial banks to fall from the current 4% with economic recovery and increasing competition among banks, its Governor, Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Despite declining monetary policy rates, commercial banks have reported exorbitant profit in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024. Banking sector reported a profit after tax (PAT) of 187.5 bil rupees in the Jan-June period this year compared to 111.8 bil more..

Oct 25 (ST) Initial tests have revealed that last week’s SL Govt Cloud crash was caused by a storage system failure, which knocked out connected systems and disrupted several online services. System failure that occurred last week disrupted multiple e-govt services, affecting the Registrar General Dept’s vital records system, Dept of Motor Traffic’s e-Revenue Licence system, clearance system of Dept of Police, more..

Oct 25 (FT) In response to recent recall of BYD Tang vehicles and Yuan Pro, John Keells CG Auto Ltd said that neither of the models have been sold in the SL market. Full text of the statement: BYD recently announced a recall involving approximately 115,000 BYD Tang vehicles and Yuan Pro as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and product quality. As a responsible manufacturer, BYD proactively initiates recalls whenever necessary more..

Oct 25 (FT) British High Commissioner to SL Andrew Patrick yesterday said SL’s new National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030 will help the country access international climate funding and attract investors to climate-related opportunities. He said the strategy was a critical step for the SL Govt to meet due diligence requirements and plan for the medium-term economic impacts of climate change. “There are some very obvious and very serious ones for SL in terms of your agricultural sector more..

Oct 25 (FT) Arpico has recently hosted Arpico Mattress Achievers Night 2025, an award ceremony celebrating a year of collaboration and outstanding shared achievements with local entrepreneurs, businesses, and company staff members. Occupying a special place on Arpico’s event calendar for the Foam Sector, the event appreciates and rewards collaborators for accumulating impressive sales. Held at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, the awards ceremony recognised efforts of 150 dealers, more..

Oct 25 (FT) Sampath Bank has reaffirmed its unwavering support for SL’s export community by renewing its partnership with the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) for 2025. The agreement, signed recently at the Sampath Bank Head Office, marks another chapter in the Bank’s long-standing collaboration with the NCE, further strengthening its role as a trusted financial partner to exporters across the country. Through this renewed partnership, Sampath Bank will continue to promote more..

Oct 25 (FT) Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) yesterday said total apparel exports for the period January to Sept 2025 stood at $ 3.8 billion, up 6.83% from a year ago while exports recorded a modest year-on-year growth in Sept 2025, supported by stronger performance in the EU and other markets, despite declines in shipments to the US and UK. Whilst the numbers are down from last month, JAAF noted that more..

Oct 25 (DM) Training is a vital component of Human Resource Development (HRD). In the context of HRD, Human Resources means a collective of personnel in organisations, either in the public or private sector. Human Resources differs from other resources the employer uses partly, because individuals (employees) are endowed with varying levels of abilities, which include aptitude, skills, attitudes & knowledge, with personality traits, gender, role perception, differences in more..

Oct 25 (Island) Why should ceremonies ever be held with the participation of politicians and public officials to mark the opening of projects carried out with state funds? Why should precious state funds be wasted on such events? These are some of the questions the JVP/NPP rightly asked about wasteful practices that the members of the previous governments indulged in while it was in the Opposition. The JVP/NPP leaders vowed that if voted into power they would never hold such events and more..