Sep 16 (DM) Positive talks between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese Prez Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit could make a positive symbolic gesture to ease concerns surrounding the Colombo Port City and create a more favourable environment to attract Indian investment, according to CHEC Port City Colombo Deputy Managing Director, Thulci Aluwihare. Aluwihare, said the meeting was symbolic somewhat, but added that the Chinese President’s visit to India was an indication that more..

Sep 16 (NW) Two branches of a prominent supermarket chain have been fined a combined Rs. 400,000 by the Panadura Magistrate’s Court in separate cases relating to selling goods above the marked price, altering original price markings, and offering expired beverages for sale. The cases were filed by officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority’s (CAA) Kalutara District Office against outlets in Bandaragama and Matugama, both operated under J.K. Marketing Services (Pvt) Ltd. more..

Sep 16 (NW) Turkish Airlines has agreed to take necessary steps to promptly compensate for the damage caused to the sports equipment of world javelin champion Rumesh Tharanga, during a discussion held with Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku yesterday (15). At the meeting, Turkish Airlines representatives expressed their regret over the incident, assuring that institutional investigations will be carried out more..

Sep 16 (DM) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified remarks by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake that drew criticism from the Opposition, saying the Prez was referring to reducing unnecessary visits to tertiary hospitals for primary healthcare needs. Minister said congestion at outpatient departments (OPDs) and clinics at National and Base Hospitals had reached unbearable levels, with people seeking treatment for conditions that could be managed at primary healthcare facilities. more..

Sep 16 (TM) China is prepared to share advanced agricultural technology with SL, including hybrid rice varieties that can be cultivated even under saline conditions, Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Wei Huaxiang has said. He made the remarks during a meeting with Minister, K D Lal Kantha on Monday, where discussions focused on strengthening technological cooperation in SL’s agricultural sector. China has developed advanced hybrid rice varieties capable of growing in saline conditions, more..

Sep 16 (TM) People’s Power Against Bribery, Corruption & Waste (PPABCW) organisation has submitted a policy proposal to the Prez, Justice Minister and other relevant authorities calling for a comprehensive legal framework to regulate legal fees, improve fee transparency and strengthen protections for clients using legal services. Proposal, titled Regulating Legal Fees and Protecting Clients: A Framework for more..

Sep 16 (DM) MP Namal Rajapaksa, who was named as a suspect and produced before court by the CID in connection with alleged financial irregularities and money laundering linked to the purchase of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines, was ordered to be remanded until Sept 23 by Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today. After considering all submissions, the Magistrate said the order on the bail application would be made on Sept 23 and ordered that the suspect be remanded in custody until then. more..

Sep 16 (AD) Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa has been directed to appear before the FCID on Sept 24 to provide a statement regarding the Siriliya Saviya account, police have clarified. Police said FCID has resumed investigations into the account and that a notice was issued requesting her presence on Sept 24. The notice was initially delivered to her residence, Carlton House in Tangalle. However, she was reportedly receiving treatment at a hospital more..

Sep 16 (FT) The LTTE was a terrorist organisation and should never be romanticised. But defeating terrorism did not remove the state’s obligation to uphold the law; SL’s unfinished task is to make accountability ordinary, reconciliation credible and human rights universal. When violence tore through Negombo prison in July, at least 28 people were killed, including at least seven prison officials, and more than 100 were injured. Hundreds of inmates were transferred; two later died in custody, more..

Sep 16 (FT) This piece intentionally refrains from delving into the granular figures of human casualties, collateral damage, missing persons, or disappearances. Ample space, documentation, and debate have already been dedicated to the human dimension of the conflict at every UNHRC session since 2009. At this juncture, repeating or debating unverified casualty metrics serves little analytical purpose. Nor does this article intend to shed light on specific past investigative reports compiled by more..

Sep 16 (NW) CID has told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that investigations have uncovered information suggesting that sections of SL’s military and state intelligence apparatus had prior information relating to the Easter Sunday attacks but failed to share it with other security agencies. The claims were made as the case involving former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay and other suspects linked to more..

Sep 16 (NW) Turkish Airlines is facing a wave of criticism from Sri Lankans on social media after several javelins belonging to Sri Lankan athletics star Rumesh Tharanga were damaged during his return journey from Hungary. The airline’s social media pages have been flooded with negative comments from Sri Lankan users, with many demanding an explanation and compensation for the damage caused to the equipment of one of the country’s leading athletes. more..

Sep 16 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has questioned how the President became aware of a confidential Supreme Court ruling on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, warning that such knowledge undermines judicial independence and poses a threat to democracy. Addressing a meeting with SJB provincial councillors and seat organisers from the Kalutara, Gampaha and Colombo districts, Premadasa said the 22nd Amendment must be read together with the Judicature Act. more..

Sep 16 (FT) SL’s economic growth eased to 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from the 5.1% expansion recorded in the first quarter, Dept of Census and Statistics (DCS) said. This is the lowest quarterly growth rate since 2024. Real GDP at constant (2015) prices rose to Rs. 3,029,816 million in 2Q 2026, up from Rs. 2,908,570 million in the corresponding quarter of 2025. Nominal GDP increased 11.3% year-on-year, more..

Sep 16 (NW) The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has reminded taxpayers that the deadline for the final payment of income tax for the Year of Assessment 2025/2026 is September 30, 2026. In a notice to taxpayers, the department urged individuals and businesses liable for income tax to make their payments on or before the deadline to avoid penalties and interest. The notice applies to Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Individual Income Tax (IIT) and Partnership Income Tax (PIT). more..

Sep 16 (TM) Govt Analyst’s (GA) Department has received a range of modern forensic testing equipment aimed at further strengthening its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing capacity and expediting the analysis of biological evidence. The equipment, provided with the assistance of the UNDP, was officially handed over yesterday at the premises of the Dept in Battaramulla. The equipment includes a Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine, a PCR system more..

Sep 16 (DM) The CIABOC arrested the former Chairman of the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, Prasanna Sanjeewa, earlier today. According to the CIABOC, the arrest was made following an investigation into allegations of corruption during his tenure. Investigators allege that Sanjeewa acted in violation of the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority Act by bypassing standard tender protocols to issue passenger transport permits. more..

Sep 16 (Island) In a landmark step towards strengthening regional cooperation, South Asian University (SAU) has signed an MOU with Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS), Colombo, to foster research networks, partnerships and collaborations for transformative change across South Asia. This is the first agreement signed by SAU with an independent research think tank in SL, and is particularly significant, given the regional character of both institutions, SAU said more..

Sep 16 (FT) Counsel appearing for the first suspect in the foreign currency transfer case, have urged the Attorney General to direct the FCID to investigate how police alleged, that goods, for which funds had been remitted by banks, had not been imported into Sri Lanka, in the context of the FCID subsequently reporting to Courts in paragraph 9 of their report dated 20 August 2026, that in fact goods had come to SL and cleared by Customs! more..

Sep 16 (DM) Consulate General of SL in Jeddah has issued an emergency advisory urging Sri Lankan citizens in the Western region of Saudi Arabia to remain alert amid the emerging situation in the region. Consulate advised citizens to follow any emergency warnings received on their mobile phones through the National Warning Alert system and immediately move indoors to a safe area away from windows. Those who are outdoors have been advised to enter the nearest safe building more..

Sep 16 (DN) SL’s champion javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga arrived at the BIA yesterday morning after winning the men’s javelin throw title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary and received a grand welcome by the Sports Ministry officials, Air Force officials, SLT Mobitel officials and family members. The 23-year-old Sri Lankan having completed a successful European series won both Diamond League Champions trophy as well as more..

Sep 16 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a proposal to publish the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2027 in the Govt Gazette and thereafter submit it to Parliament for approval. The move follows a decision taken at the Cabinet meeting held on 30 June 2026, approving the preparation of the Appropriation Bill for 2027. “The Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has received clearance from the Attorney General,” Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday more..

Sep 16 (Island) BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera’s whereabouts have remained unknown since the Supreme Court, on Monday, annulled a presidential pardon granted to him in 2019. Prison officers visited the Thera’s temple in Nawala, Rajagiriya, to take steps to return him to prison to serve the unexpired portion of his six-year sentence. However, monks at the temple had reportedly informed the officials that they were unaware of his whereabouts. more..

Sep 16 (NW) SL-born politician Kamzy Gunaratnam has been appointed Norway’s new Minister of Transport, marking another milestone in her political journey from Jaffna to the Norwegian Cabinet. Norwegian govt officially appointed Gunaratnam to the post on Sept 11, replacing Jon-Ivar Nygård. As Transport Minister, she is responsible for policies relating to the transport of people and goods, as well as more..

Sep 16 (Island) Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), in collaboration with the Road Development Authority (RDA) and Police – Traffic Division, will conduct a special Road Safety Awareness Programme to promote the importance of wearing seat belts in vehicles specially on the express highways in order to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries. The official handing-over ceremony took place at the Chairman’s Office of the Road Development Authority on 14th Sept 2026, more..

Sep 16 (FT) SL’s manufacturing and services sectors in August have expanded, as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), its compiler the CB said. Manufacturing PMI registered an index value of 53 in August, reflecting an increase in manufacturing activities at a slower rate compared to 55.6 in July 2026. CB said all the sub-indices, except for Production, remained above the neutral threshold in August. New Orders sub-index remained at the neutral threshold in August, indicating more..

Sep 16 (NW) Supreme Court has detailed how a politically motivated complaint, an unusually swift police response and the conduct of investigators were used to pursue a political agenda against former senior police officers Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara ahead of the 2024 Prez Election. Court ruled that former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and then-CID Homicide Branch OIC Chief Inspector Induka Silva more..

Sep 16 (DN) Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is seeking a fresh Government-industry push to add the next US$3 billion to annual exports, with greater investment, automation, trade access and domestic supply-chain development identified as critical to achieving the target. The sector, which accounts for around 40% of merchandise export earnings and provides employment to 300,000–350,000 people, has recorded exports of about US$5 billion annually over the past five years. more..

Sep 16 (DN) SSC will meet Tamil Union in the Major Clubs T-20 cricket final at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium tonight at 7pm. SSC led by Avishka Fernando registered a comfortable 46 runs win over NCC in the semi final at the same venue last Sunday while Tamil Union produced a thrilling semi final finish against CCC where eventually the winner was decided in a super over as both teams finished on identical 193 for 6 wickets in their 20 at the SSC grounds. more..

Sep 16 (Island) Somewhere in the fine print of every trading app you’ve ever seen advertised on social media, there’s a sentence that almost nobody reads all the way through. It usually says something like this: 77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Read that again. Not some people lose money. Not trading carries risk. Seventy-seven out of every hundred ordinary customers who sign up and put their own money in, lose it. more..

Sep 16 (DM) The Sri Lankan Corporate Health & Productivity Awards (SLCHPA) 2026 was officially launched recently, introducing an enhanced edition of the platform that recognises organisations committed to strengthening employee wellbeing, workplace health and productivity across Sri Lanka. The launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for an initiative that continues to encourage businesses to place their people at the centre of organisational success. more..