Nov 12 (DM) SL should factor the economic contribution of its forests, watersheds and coastal ecosystems into decisions on where to spend scarce public funds, ADB Country Director Shannon Cowlin said. She noted the services these assets provide to agriculture, fisheries, hydropower and tourism were only partly reflected in the information used to guide economic planning and investment. “For policymakers, natural capital accounting has value in its practical application. more..

Nov 12 (TM) Professor Manjula Ranagalage, a Professor of Environmental Management at Rajarata University, has been selected by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) with the support of The Rockefeller Foundation, to participate in the TWAS Workshop on Heat-Health Science, which will be held in Trieste, Italy, from November 2 to 6, 2026. This workshop aims to broaden the scientific understanding of the relationship between high temperatures and human health. more..

Nov 12 (NW) The govt will introduce entrepreneurship and financial literacy to the Grade 6 curriculum from 2027, as part of its education reforms aimed at improving financial awareness and protecting young people from financial fraud. PM Harini Amarasuriya announced the move during an event held at the Education Ministry premises in Isurupaya. The initiative aims to strengthen the national economy by encouraging greater more..

Nov 12 (Island) National Eye Hospital observed World Keratoconus Day on Nov. 10, highlighting advanced diagnostic and treatment options available to help young patients maintain clear vision and secure stable futures. Keratoconus – a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape – poses a growing threat to young people across the island. Speaking on the impact of the disease, Dr. Kusum Ratnayake noted that the condition predominantly more..

Nov 12 (Island) Sri Lanka is stepping up efforts to develop the technical expertise required to enter the emerging green hydrogen economy, with four state universities joining an international collaboration to introduce a specialised Master’s degree programme in Hydrogen Enabling Technologies. The initiative, supported by the European Union (EU), is expected to strengthen the country’s academic, institutional and technical capacity to explore green hydrogen and green ammonia as more..

Nov 12 (Island) Investigations into a controversial consignment of concentrated nitric acid, detained by SL authorities, have reportedly uncovered additional barrels, beyond the four containers initially brought under scrutiny, with further investigations continuing to establish the full extent of the hazardous chemical stockpile. Environmentalist Chandana Jayakody said investigations conducted by them had more..

Nov 12 (FT) The Gardiner Group has acquired The Pickle Island, a SL pickleball venture focused on developing the sport and its growing community, marking its entry into the country’s emerging sports and recreational leisure market. With seasoned investor and entrepreneur Aravinda de Silva joining as a partner, the acquisition represents the first step in what the Group describes as a broader investment strategy to build a portfolio of diversified leisure businesses in Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 12 (FT) WindForce PLC recorded solid financial growth during the first half of FY2026/27, while advancing major solar, wind and battery energy storage investments that will significantly expand its renewable energy portfolio. Consolidated revenue for the six months ended 30 Sept 2026 increased to Rs. 5.61 billion from Rs. 4.68 billion a year earlier. Gross profit rose to Rs. 3.21 billion, while profit after tax reached Rs. 1.86 billion, compared with Rs. 1.77 billion in the corresponding period. more..

Nov 12 (FT) Dialog Axiata said it posted a group revenue of Rs. 144 billion for the first nine-months of 2026, representing a year-to-date (YTD) growth of 8% underpinned by robust performance across the mobile, fixed and digital pay television businesses. On a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and year-on-year (YoY) basis, group revenue grew 1% and 6% respectively to Rs. 48.5 billion in 3Q 2026, supported by growth in data and home broadband revenues. Group EBITDA grew 20% YTD to Rs. 75.8 b, more..

Nov 12 (Island) In Parliament last week, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha responded to MP Ravi Karunanayake’s question regarding the future of SL exports to the EU market by stating that, “It is expected to examine and report on possible options for securing long-term and sustainable market access to the EU through a deeper economic arrangement, including a possible comprehensive trade agreement, in the event of SL graduating from the GSP+ scheme if it is classified as more..

Nov 12 (CI) In the pantheon of SL batting, the uppermost tier remains sacred, guarded by the legacies of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Aravinda de Silva. So to say Kusal Mendis has breached that inner sanctum might be rightly considered blasphemy in some quarters. But as he passed 13,000 international runs on Wednesday, he took one further step towards quietening more..

Nov 12 (FT) Haycarb PLC, has delivered a strong financial performance for the six months ending 30 Sept, recording revenue of Rs. 40.6 billion, up 42% year-on-year, while profit before tax increased 75% to Rs. 4.0 billion. Attributable Profit to shareholders grew 98% to Rs. 2.5 billion, with earnings per share increasing to Rs. 8.41. Group strengthened its position in gold recovery and water treatment applications through increased market penetration and product development initiatives, more..

Nov 12 (TM) Recent remarks by Tamil political representatives in New Delhi, raise an intriguing question: Is Tamil nationalism increasingly seeking legitimacy through an appeal to Hindutva? "Hinduism is being deliberately targeted in SL's North and East," said the Leader of the ACTC, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam while addressing a conference in New Delhi on 28 Oct. Participants at the event also met India's Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman. more..

Nov 12 (DN) These days, a glance at the sky over Colombo and many other parts of the island reveals an unusual sight: swarms of small white and yellow butterflies moving in the same direction. Phenomenon has been observed across several parts of the capital, including Cinnamon Gardens, Borella, Nugegoda, Boralesgamuwa, Wellawatte & Kirulapone. Similar flights have also been reported in other districts, including Gampaha, Ratnapura and Galle. Butterfly flights appear to be more..

Nov 12 (Island) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has urged the public not to assess Budget 2027 solely on the basis of welfare benefits or tax concessions. They should instead consider its overall economic direction and the transformation it seeks to achieve, he has said, noting that what really matters is how it proposes to transform the economy, expand production, attract foreign investment and create employment opportunities. Making a special statement on govt’s budget, more..

Nov 12 (DM) The scales remain unbalanced: intercepted drugs on one side, the tools of justice on the other, while families and the next generation wait for the system to deliver. The three months from Aug to Oct 2026 produced a stark set of numbers: roughly 22,000 heroin cases, nearly 29,000 methamphetamine cases, more than 13,000 cannabis cases, and hundreds of kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine seized. more..

Nov 12 (ST) In SL, a person earning more than Rs. 150,000 a month falls into the 6% marginal income tax bracket. But when that monthly income rises just by Rs. 210,000 (reaching Rs. 360,000), marginal tax rate climbs sharply to 36%, highest rate in the tax schedule. Marginal tax rate is simply the rate that applies to the last rupee earned. What stands out in SL’s tax structure is how quickly these rates rise. First step is a 12-point jump from 6% to 18% and the opening 6% band is Rs. 83,333 a month. more..

Nov 12 (CT) Anuradhapura, the enduring crucible of our Grand History and Noble Kings has today turned into an amphitheater for a comic opera staged by a disparate and desperate opposition. In a frantic bid for survival, a strange coalition of the Rajapaksas, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, and Dilith Jayaweera have all lined up to present themselves as the new champions of the saffron robe. Of all the opposition mandarins, Sajith Premadasa stands out as the most eloquent reservoir of hogwash, more..

Nov 12 (TM) In the early hours of 27 Sept 2012, student leaders Janaka Bandara, known as Mathalan, and Sisitha Priyankara, known as Tokka, were travelling on a motorcycle along the Kandy Road in Imbulgoda, Gampaha. They were on the ground, collecting handouts and pasting posters to build public support for a protest march approaching Colombo. They were killed in a suspicious accident. March began in Kandy more..

Nov 12 (TM) When Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake presents Budget 2027 in Parliament today, he will be doing so for the last time with the IMF looking over his shoulder. SL's four-year Extended Fund Facility is due to end in March, and the Fund has made its next tranche of about $ 345 million conditional on a Budget presented in line with programme parameters. After that, the discipline that has steadied the economy since 2023 will no longer be imposed from Washington. more..

Nov 12 (TM) Every few months, this newspaper and its contemporaries publish another grim set of figures on child abuse. We carry the statistics, we quote the officials and we write the editorials. Yet, almost without fail, the figures climb again. So, as the NCPA prepares to introduce a national code of guidelines on child protection, it is worth asking a blunt question: why, after so much reporting and so many promises, can Sri Lanka still not keep its children safe? more..

Nov 11 (NW) Two of SL’s state-owned television broadcasters, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and Independent Television Network (ITN), recorded combined losses of Rs. 203 million during the first six months of 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry’s Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2026 revealed that Rupavahini recorded a loss before tax of Rs. 166 million between January and June 2026, while ITN reported a loss of Rs. 37 million during the same period. more..

Nov 11 (NF) Just when motorists hoped lower fuel costs were on the horizon, a fresh question has emerged: if the govt has already stepped in with relief measures, why are some fuel prices still going up? Debate has grown after private fuel suppliers continued pressing for higher fuel prices, arguing that existing market conditions were becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. In response to those concerns, govt introduced a fuel subsidy aimed at easing some of the pressure faced by more..

Nov 11 (NW) Sri Lanka successfully conducted its first official demonstration of a pilotless passenger transport drone at Colombo Port City today, with Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka taking a ride aboard the aircraft. The demonstration marks a significant step towards introducing electric passenger transport drones in SL, with Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku and more..

Nov 11 (DM) Serious questions have been raised over the Ministry of Health’s handling of the death of a child at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Borella, after post-mortem findings reportedly revealed that both kidneys had been removed during surgery, with hospital authorities yet to produce the organs. Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of Medical Professionals' Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, has accused the Ministry of failing to take adequate action over the incident, more..

Nov 11 (DM) Colombo’s drainage system, designed to handle around 30mm of rain an hour, was overwhelmed when nearly 100mm of rain fell within just two hours last Friday (6), causing flooding across several parts of the city. Deputy Director of Drainage and Water Supply at the CMC, Deepika Wijethilake, said the unusually heavy rainfall within a short period was the main reason for the flooding. "Our drainage system is designed to handle around 30mm of rain within an hour. more..

Nov 11 (TM) Lawyers representing the affected parties in the suspected Mandaitivu massacre and mass grave case, dating back to the 1990s, have urged the authorities to expedite investigations, expressing concern over delays in obtaining information and statements from military personnel who were stationed in the area at the time. The case was taken up yesterday before Kayts Magistrate Anifa Rajeev at the Kayts MC. more..

Nov 11 (NW) SLPP has expanded its overseas political activities with a gathering of party supporters in Seoul, South Korea, as part of efforts to strengthen its international network. SLPP representative Milinda Rajapaksa said the gathering was organised by young SL workers associated with Lotus Korea, despite challenges posed by their demanding work schedules. Rajapaksa said the SLPP had previously established overseas branches in London, Birmingham and Melbourne, more..

Nov 11 (NW) The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the case filed by the CID against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of public funds be taken up again on Dec 9. The order was issued when the case was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. Former Prez Wickremesinghe appeared before court in connection with allegations of misusing more than Rs. 16.6 million in public funds during a visit to the UK in 2023. more..

Nov 11 (Island) Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera, Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, has criticised successive governments for forgetting pre-election promises after coming to power, saying this has become a tradition in SL politics. He made these remarks on Monday when a delegation of the Development Officers’ Trade Union Alliance visited him and outlined their professional grievances. Thera observed that almost every govt made promises before taking office only to more..

Nov 11 (Island) Top Global SL Forum (GSLF) representative Yasus Dharmadasa said that Colombo based western diplomatic community remained mum over the NPP govt crackdown on protests, led by the Maha Sangha. Referring to the police action directed at the Viharamahadevi Park protest, demanding presidential pardon to Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara and the recent incident at Ruwanwelisaya, Dharmadasa said that those who had intervened on behalf of the Aragalaya more..