Oct 6 (DN) Opener Sanjana Kavindi struck a superb knock of 48 in 46 balls as Sri Lanka Under 19 Women clinched a thrilling last ball victory over Bangladesh Under 19s in their Tri-Nation T-20 cricket fixture played at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, Pakistan yesterday. It was a good come back by Sri Lankan under 19s after going down to Pakistan by 5 wickets in their previous game. Skipper Chamudi Proboda and her team played with good fighting spirit to win this game. more..

Oct 6 (TM) Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) Sevens, bubble burst before the global audience and at the 20th Asian Games in Aich-Nagoya, Japan over the past weekend and the seventh-place finish is being viewed as a total failure by rugby analysts here. Srinath Sooriyabandara-led outfit had topped Group C with nine points having seen off the likes of Philippines 22-14, Singapore 33-17 and the UAE 17-5. But, come the Knockouts they were beaten 19-12 by China in the last eight phase of the event, more..

Oct 6 (TM) Govt is preparing to provide Rs 10,000 a month for three months to families with pregnant women and young children who have suffered livelihood losses due to El Niño-induced dry weather conditions, according to the Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment Ministry. Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa said the Govt had identified pregnant women and families with young children as more..

Oct 6 (FT) 41st General Convocation of the Uni of Jaffna will be held from 6 to 8 Oct, with the ceremonies taking place over three days and nine sessions at the Uni Indoor Stadium. Convocation will be presided over by Uni of Jaffna Chancellor Professor Rajaratnam Kumaravadivel, who will confer degrees, postgraduate degrees, diplomas, certificates, Gold medals, prizes, and scholarships on the graduates. Graduates from 14 faculties will receive their awards at the Convocation. more..

Oct 6 (FT) National Sales Average (NSA) of tea rose in Sept in rupee terms on both a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis, although the dollar-denominated average fell against a year earlier. Low Grown teas drove the increase. High and Medium grown teas improved marginally over August but stayed well below their Sept 2025 levels. The national TSA for Sept 2026 rose to Rs. 1,202.74 ($3.65) per kg from Rs. 1,174.46 ($3.53) in August. This was a MoM increase of Rs. 28.28 more..

Oct 6 (FT) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said the Govt was committed to framing the 2027 Budget within the parameters of the IMF EFF program, the first of the conditions the Fund has set for Board approval of its next tranche of about $ 345 million. Making a special statement after the IMF announced it had reached a staff-level agreement on the 7th Review of the program, Dr. Fernando said the Govt would more..

Oct 6 (FT) HayWind One Ltd, the wind energy arm of Hayleys Fentons Ltd, has marked a major milestone in the development of its 50MW Mannar Wind Farm, with turbine installation now in full swing and the first two 5MW wind turbines fully erected. The milestone sets the pace for the continuous installation of all ten turbines across the utility-scale project. Each complete wind turbine reaches an impressive tip height of approximately 186.5 metres. Structure comprises a 110-metre tower more..

Oct 6 (FT) SL Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake last week singled out the contribution of the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) for Colombo Port’s success so far 2026. Speaking at the ceremony to celebrate CWIT’s achievement of 2 million TEU milestone and launch of its second phase, SLPA Chief said during the first eight months of 2026, port of Colombo witnessed a phenomenal 11.6% double-digit growth and Colombo has emerged as amongst top 20 more..

Oct 6 (FT) A special discussion on SL’s development plans for the 2026 - 2029 period, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a key development partner, was held recently co-chaired by Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and ADB Country Director for SL Shannon Cowlin. The discussion was held as a preparatory meeting ahead of the program review meeting scheduled to be held on Oct 5-6 to discuss the successful implementation of the ADB’s annual program for 2027. more..

Oct 6 (FT) Institution of Engineers, SL (IESL) held its National Engineering Conference 2026 bringing together the engineering profession, policymakers, Govt institutions, regulators, academia, industry and other stakeholders to discuss four areas of critical importance to SL’s national development. Conference was organised as a national policy dialogue with the objective of moving beyond discussion towards practical, evidence-based & implementable policy recommendations. more..

Oct 6 (FT) SL’s unemployment rate rose to 4% in the second quarter of 2026 from 3.8% a year earlier, as more people entered the labour force than the economy absorbed, even though employment grew and industry hired strongly, official data showed. The rate was also up from 3.7% in the first quarter. It remains below the 4.3% recorded in the third quarter of 2025. The number of unemployed was estimated at 340,240. more..

Oct 6 (Island) The death sentence on Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan citizen convicted of blasphemy in Saudi Arabia has taken a central place in national consciousness for the past several weeks. It has been in the headline news since it was first reported last month. There have been many initiatives taken locally to get a more lenient sentencing by the Saudi authorities. There is also an undercurrent that is critical of both the culture and religion from which this sentencing emanates. more..

Oct 6 (Island) The US has been doing everything in its power to force Iran into submission, but without success. Its no-holds-barred methods of warfare remind us of some ruthless warriors of yore, who even weaponised hunger to achieve their military goals. Many were the instances where Genghis Khan’s army laid siege to fortified cities and cut off supplies to force its enemies to surrender. During the American Civil War, General Philip Sheridan’s scorched-earth campaign in Virginia’s more..

Oct 6 (TM) The queues that formed at filling stations on Sunday night should worry the Government far more than they should reassure it. Whether the shortage is real or merely feared, the public's reaction shows how little confidence they have of the Govt’s ability to keep its vehicles, factories and power stations running. That lack of confidence has been earned over many years, and it will not be dispelled by a statement that stocks are adequate. The figures speak plainly. more..

Oct 6 (ST) In a conversation a few months ago, veteran human rights lawyer, a colleague of many tumultuous years spiritedly fighting the system and an irreplaceable friend of long years, Mr Basil Fernando who passed away this Wednesday, dwelt on the travails of a country that he had physically left many years ago but never quite managed to emotionally detach himself from. I had often joked with him that he was more in Sri Lanka than others who actually lived in this country. more..

Oct 6 (TM) The presence of Iranian-flagged merchant vessels facing shortages of food, water, fuel, or other essential provisions raises a complex legal challenge at the crossroads of the Law of the Sea, international humanitarian law (IHL), neutrality, maritime safety, and sanctions. For SL, this issue holds profound significance as both a coastal State with sovereign rights over defined maritime zones and a State whose ports more..

Oct 6 (GV) SL is arresting people on an extraordinary scale while hundreds of rehabilitation places remain empty. As prisons overflow, the country faces a fundamental question: can addiction be defeated by punishment alone? There is a striking contradiction at the heart of SL’s escalating battle against drugs. The country’s prisons are overflowing. Rehabilitation centres have empty beds. In 2025, police conducted 164,785 raids, seized 17,647kg of narcotics; more than 3.5mil pills more..

Oct 6 (DM) In a statement, National Peace Council (NPC), an independent and non partisan organisation that works towards a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict in SL, has stated that The death sentence imposed on SL citizen Sivarasa Anojan in Saudi Arabia and the removal of the Thileepan statue in Jaffna are very different events that carry the risk of turning into grievances that affect entire communities. NPC calls on the govt as well as political parties, more..

Oct 6 (SO) For a commuter standing beside a busy Colombo road waiting for a bus, the promise of the country’s Metro Bus system is not necessarily about transport policy or fleet numbers. It is about something much more basic: knowing when the bus will arrive, being able to get on without a struggle, finding a comfortable seat, paying easily and reaching the destination without wondering whether the service will turn up. more..

Oct 6 (DM) Economic policies in SL are going to be the subject of much discussion over the next six months. The Govt will present the budget next month. The four-year IMF programme will come to an end in March 2027. In this context, what is the role of laws, and how much space is there within the legal framework to shift the economic trajectory of the country? During the last few years, particularly in 2023 and 2024, a series of laws were passed by the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govt. more..

Oct 6 (CT) At this very moment, somewhere in Sri Lanka—a plantation line-room, a remote village, an urban slum or a household still recovering from economic collapse—a mother may be holding a newborn child and wondering whether she will be able to feed it adequately tomorrow. That child knows nothing about the IMF. It knows nothing about debt restructuring, primary surpluses, foreign reserves, fiscal consolidation or sovereign creditworthiness. more..

Oct 5 (AD) The Sri Lankan government will make decisions while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and identity, while remaining prepared to intervene when necessary on humanitarian grounds, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath has stated. The Foreign Minister made the remarks at an event held today (4), while clarifying reports concerning Iranian vessels anchored near SL's maritime boundary. more..

Oct 5 (FT) BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was arrested on Saturday on an outstanding warrant and remanded until today (5) by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Officers of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) produced Gnanasara Thera before the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The court also ordered that steps be taken to produce him before the Court of Appeal today. The CCD arrested Gnanasara Thera at a forest monastery in Thiniyawala, Kalutara. more..

Oct 5 (AD) The 2026 Colombo International Book Fair, which commenced on Sept 25, concluded today (4) after drawing large crowds over its 10-day run. The annual book fair was held at the BMICH premises in Colombo, attracting visitors from across the island. One of the highlights of this year’s exhibition was the opportunity given to school and university students who successfully passed a news-reading screen test conducted at the Derana Zone at the exhibition premises. more..

Oct 5 (Island) The govt has chosen not to respond to questions raised by the UNHRC regarding the detention of Suresh Sallay in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. CID arrested the ex-official in late February this year. Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, more..

Oct 5 (NW) Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said 5,000 houses constructed with government assistance are scheduled to be handed over to the public today (5) to mark World Habitat Day. The Minister made the remarks while addressing a media briefing. He said arrangements have been made to hold this year’s World Habitat Day celebrations today, under the theme A Safe Home for All, with PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as the chief guest. more..

Oct 5 (DM) Minister Vijitha Herath has clarified that no licence fees or other payments are required for singing or playing songs at weddings, family functions or other private gatherings, dismissing recent claims circulating on social media. Herath said there were no restrictions or charges imposed on people for singing songs at private events, including wedding receptions. He explained that under national and international intellectual property laws, lyricists and musicians hold rights to more..

Oct 5 (ST) A travel ban will be sought against Shiranthi Rajapaksa, if she fails to appear before the FCID before the extended deadline granted to her expires, a Public Security Ministry source said. Ms Rajapaksa, who had left for medical treatment overseas, had requested 14 days to provide a statement to the FCID regarding the Siriliya foundation she headed. The ministry source said police would seek a travel ban if she failed to appear in time. more..

Oct 5 (DN) SL T-20 cricket team led by Kusal Mendis left yesterday to Pakistan for three T-20 match series against Pakistan. The tourney will commence on Oct 9. Skipper Kusal Mendis said that they are going to test few young players in this series to form a good team focusing on the next World Cup. “Despite the recent England T-20 series loss there are few positives in it. We are going to ready for the two World Cups, ODI and T-20 and this will be good preparation for it, said skipper Mendis. more..

Oct 5 (ST) Govt has called bids for 1,000 brand-new, automatic-transmission, 4WD diesel double-cabs. The tender was advertised on Sept 29, with a closing date of Oct 22. Procuring entity is the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, which has also separately called bids for 175 tractors, 100 backhoe loaders, 100 gully emptiers and 160 tippers. Double-cab procurement is the largest of the lot. more..

Oct 5 (DM) Melwa Group has rejected the allegations that its new cement plant in Seeduwa is being built in an environmentally sensitive zone. It suggested that some of the criticism could be driven by parties with business interests rather than by people living in the area. Melwa Group Head of Sales and Brand Malik Kannangara took a lighter view of the controversy, remarking that the critics had given the brand publicity before it had even started production. more..

Oct 5 (FT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) was a net buyer of $ 64.2 million from the domestic foreign exchange market in September, down 89% from the record $ 579 million it bought in August, as the rupee weakened against the US dollar after two months of recovery. Rupee closed at Rs. 330.83 per dollar on 30 Sept from Rs. 328.01 at end-August, a depreciation of 0.85% during the month. This widened its year-to-date (YTD) depreciation to 6.3% from 5.5% at end-August, already exceeding more..