Nov 11 (Island) There are no free lunches in the competitive telecom arena, and Dialog Axiata’s commanding market position is the hard-earned result of relentless, calculated capital deployment over three decades. Addressing the media at a forum held Monday at the Cinnamon Grand, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe dismantled any lingering misconceptions about the company’s industry footprint, delivering a blunt reality check to critics. more..

Nov 11 (CI) The second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been moved from Lahore to Rawalpindi, where the first Test is currently ongoing. The PCB announced the decision was being taken due to prevailing weather conditions. Lahore is currently engulfed in severe seasonal smog, which affects parts of India and Pakistan between October and December. At the time of writing (Nov 10), Lahore has the worst air quality of any city in the world, according to IQAir, more..

Nov 11 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided that no electricity tariff revision will be implemented for the fourth quarter of 2026. The Commission said its review of cost data submitted by National System Operator (NSO) initially indicated a 2.88% increase in the cost of electricity supply for the final quarter of the year. However, the NSO submitted revised cost data on Nov 9. more..

Nov 11 (FT) Treasury yesterday said the Govt of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance amounting to ¥ 1 billion (Rs. 2.08 bil) under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) Program 2026 to further strengthen the defence and maritime surveillance capabilities of the SL Navy. Exchange of Notes pertaining to this grant assistance was signed on 10 Nov by Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma on behalf of Govt of SL, and Ambassador of Japan Akio Isomata more..

Nov 11 (DM) Shangri-La’s two SL hotels more than tripled their after-tax profit to US$ 6.8 million in the first half of 2026, as the occupancy at Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota climbed sharply, even while SL’s tourist arrivals dipped, interim results filed by Hong Kong-listed parent Shangri-La Asia Limited showed. The profit, which reflects the parent’s 90% stake in both properties, compares with US$ 1.9 million a year earlier, while the hotel revenue rose 7.7% to US$ 21 mil, more..

Nov 11 (ST) Last Sunday’s fuel price increase further pushed up the cost of living ahead of Budget 2027, which is to be presented to Parliament on Nov 12. Consumer price inflation has shot up to 8.3% within a span of a few months. Prices of food, transport, and medicine have increased. There are shortages of LP gas as well as fuel in some filling stations. People expect poverty and the increasing cost of living to be addressed. more..

Nov 11 (Island) SL Under-19 team were eliminated from the 2026 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup after going down to Afghanistan by 106 runs in their final Group B match at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Monday. Sri Lanka, a five time finalist, needed a victory over Afghanistan to keep their semi-final hopes alive. However, Afghanistan proved too strong as they posted 275 runs before dismissing SL for 169 in 34.1 overs. Kithma Withanapathirana provided resistance in Sri Lanka’s chase, more..

Nov 11 (NW) A 27-year-old woman has been found dead with injuries inside a tourist cabana in the Magastota area of Nuwara Eliya, with Police launching investigations to locate her boyfriend, who is suspected of involvement in the murder. The deceased has been identified as Piumi Dilshani, a resident of Ampara. According to Police, the woman had arrived at the cabana with her boyfriend on November 7 and booked accommodation after making the required payment. more..

Nov 11 (FT) CIC Holdings said it reported a consolidated revenue of Rs. 42.91 billion for the first half of the financial year 2026/27 (1H27). Group maintained steady top-line growth of 3.06% and achieved a strong bottom-line expansion, with Profit After Tax (PAT) increasing by 16.72% to Rs. 3.79 billion. This is compared to Rs. 3.25 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, notwithstanding Agri cluster movements shifting from the second quarter to the third quarter more..

Nov 11 (Island) The seizure of 471 kg of crystal methamphetamine, or ICE, concealed inside a container, at the Port of Colombo, is being rightly treated as a significant Customs success. Yet the seizure should also provoke a more uncomfortable question. How long can SL continue trying to secure a 21st century trading hub with an inspection system designed around methods that belong to another era? The answer cannot simply be more inspections, more paperwork or more officials opening more..

Nov 11 (FT) SL’s ability to move beyond its current growth potential will depend less on monetary policy and more on Parliament’s willingness to drive politically difficult structural reforms, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe told lawmakers, drawing support from both Govt and Opposition representatives at a CoPF meeting. Pushing back against the expectation that the CB should deliver higher economic growth, more..

Nov 11 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved entering into financing agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to secure $ 200 million for a sector development program aimed at strengthening access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The financing comprises a $ 100 million policy-based loan from the ADB’s ordinary capital resources and a further $ 100 million through a financial intermediation loan component. more..

Nov 11 (DM) Facing modern educational challenges, Olympiad mathematics serves as a powerful intellectual catalyst that goes beyond the limitations of mere rote memorisation and the following of traditional procedures, fostering high-level cognitive development. Thinking framework cultivated among students through mathematical Olympiad training nurtures essential skills required to achieve success in future academic pursuits and diverse fields such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, more..

Nov 11 (TM) A farmer in rural Sri Lanka can borrow money on their phone in minutes. The app is simple, the cash arrives at a tap, and the reminders follow them everywhere. What it hides are the fees, the interest, and the harassment that begin when they fall behind. According to the World Bank, six in 10 of the country’s 1.65 million smallholder farmers already depend on informal lenders, largely because formal credit is so hard to reach. Online gambling works the same way: more..

Nov 11 (SO) Deepavali celebrates light over darkness. Of good over evil. Of fierce Shakthi (woman power) over toxic masculinity. The traditional pictures in Sri Lankan Hindu mythology to depict the story behind this shows Sathyabhama – the wife of Lord Krishna with her foot on the neck of the Demon King Narakasura. Males could not subdue him. So Krishna could not either. Therefore he handed the deed to Sathyabhama. In Hindu mythology, the demons are called Asuras. more..

Nov 11 (TM) It is no secret that a considerable degree of discontent has emerged within Sri Lanka’s Buddhist community, particularly among a significant section of the Buddhist clergy and the Sinhala Buddhist nationalist constituency. The situation, which intensified following the removal of the robes of the BBS organisation’s General Secretary, Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, has been further aggravated by more..

Nov 11 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake indulged in a two-step dance with opponents of the Organized Crimes Bill (OCB), when he pronounced this Thursday that his Govt was open to consultations and amenable to reasonable revisions to the draft. I say two-step in that, despite the appearance of major concessions being made in a familiarly choreographed presidential performance, this is not the case in reality. Prez said that, the period of time that a suspect is permitted to more..

Nov 11 (CT) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has reportedly declared that no member of the NPP is involved in bribery, corruption or fraudulent activity, adding that the party stands prepared to take disciplinary action should allegations against its members be substantiated. Congratulations, Minister. But congratulations must be accompanied by a warning. For nearly two years, NPP has occupied the commanding heights of Sri Lanka’s political establishment. more..

Nov 11 (SO) Former Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka has held the Ministry’s then Secretary, M.M.C. Ferdinando, responsible for the failure to unload two coal shipments imported during the rough-weather season in 2012, insisting that his role as Minister was confined to providing policy direction. Giving evidence before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating coal imports and related transactions, more..

Nov 11 (Island) The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the electoral system for Provincial Council (PC) elections has sought the views of several political parties on the electoral system to be adopted. Representatives of the EPRLF, EROS Democratic Front and EPDP recently appeared before the committee and presented their respective proposals, according to media reports. Appointed in Feb 2026, the PSC was initially required to submit its report within three months. more..

Nov 11 (DM) As in all other issues, NPP govt is attempting to put the blame for last Friday’s floods in Colombo city on the previous govts, especially certain mayors and ministers of former govts. Conversely, all Opposition parties and their supporters seem to be overjoyed by the floods, and are ridiculing the current govt as if this was the first major flashflood in the city. From our point of view, both parties are somewhat justifiable in their stance, while both share the blame. more..

Nov 10 (DM) A 2-judge-bench of the Court of Appeal today delivered a divided judgment in an appeal filed by former MP Hirunika Premachandra, challenging her conviction and three-year prison sentence in connection with a 2015 abduction case. When the matter was taken up for the delivery of the judgment today, Justice P. Kumararatnam announced that the appeal would be referred to President of Court of Appeal and taken up tomorrow. On July 22, 2024, Hirunika Premachandra was granted bail more..

Nov 10 (NW) ADB has approved $300 million in financing for two projects aimed at expanding and strengthening water supply and sanitation services across SL. The financing includes $200 million under the Climate-Resilient Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which will improve access to safe and reliable water supply services for more than 1.3 million people in Western & Southern provinces. Project will also improve sewerage and sanitation services for nearly 250,000 people in Jaffna more..

Nov 10 (DM) Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has formally demanded that the Attorney General take immediate steps to implement the directions issued by the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment on the MV X-Press Pearl disaster, warning that it may seek further legal remedies over alleged delays in giving effect to the ruling. In a letter of demand dated Nov 2026, addressed to AG Parinda Ranasinghe, more..

Nov 10 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to construct a new railway bridge across the Mahaweli River between Sarasavi Uyana and Peradeniya, with financial assistance from India. The bridge will be constructed on the Matale railway line as part of efforts to improve railway connectivity and develop an extensive suburban railway network covering the Greater Kandy area. Funding for the project will be obtained through an Indian Line of Credit intended for rehabilitation & development of railway more..

Nov 10 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to submit new regulations to Parliament aimed at strengthening disciplinary action against veterinary surgeons and veterinary practitioners found guilty of professional misconduct. Under the proposed regulations, SL Veterinary Council will be empowered to impose disciplinary measures, including temporary suspension or cancellation of professional registration and the issuance of warnings. The regulations also define more..

Nov 10 (DM) Cabinet has approved a proposal to introduce a household composting programme in Western & Southern Provinces under govt’s Clean SL initiative. Under the programme, selected streets identified by LG Authorities will be designated as zones where organic waste collection services will no longer be provided, with households instead required to manage biodegradable waste through composting. more..

Nov 10 (Island) Ministry of Digital Economy warned the public of a cyber scam involving fraudulent SMS and iMessage notifications falsely claiming to be from the SL Police Traffic Division and demanding payment of speeding fines, through fake GovPay links. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, said the messages, circulating among the public, were fraudulent, and designed to obtain personal and financial information. He clarified that neither the Ministry nor any other govt institution had more..

Nov 10 (TM) The SLMC opposed the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) Bill, stating that it is more dangerous than the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), said the General Secretary of the SLMC, Opposition MP Nizam Kariapper. Commenting on the PSTA Bill and its potential consequences for the country, Kariapper stated that the said Bill, being lined up for enacting in Parliament, contains provisions that compromise the democratic norms and values more..

Nov 10 (DM) Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a 5-year MoU between the Uni of Jaffna and the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois Uni in the US to strengthen academic cooperation and research ties. The proposed agreement aims to promote academic excellence, knowledge sharing and friendly relations between the two countries through joint educational and research activities. Under the MoU, the two universities will explore opportunities for joint research, academic programmes, more..

Nov 10 (DM) Sri Lanka is set to conduct the maiden test flight of an electric, autonomous passenger drone tomorrow at the Colombo Port City premises, marking an initial step towards introducing passenger drone services in the country. The initiative follows discussions held in August between representatives of China's passenger drone manufacturer EHang and senior officials of the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation. The meeting was attended by Minister Anura Karunathilaka, more..