Aug 4 (NW) Actress Rithu Akarsha has denied allegations linking her to a bank account referenced in the unexplained assets case against former Minister Mervyn Silva, describing reports circulating in mainstream and social media as false and misleading. The statement comes after media reports on an ongoing case filed by the CIABOC against Silva, alleging that he amassed more than Rs. 600 million in unexplained assets between March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2012. more..

Aug 4 (TM) Proposed new beneficiary selection methodology for the Aswesuma Welfare Programme will assess a range of socio-economic vulnerability indicators, including household employment and livelihood security, family composition, ageing, disability, chronic illnesses, access to housing and essential services, and household indebtedness. Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means reviewed the progress of the ongoing process to revise existing beneficiary selection criteria more..

Aug 4 (ST) Irrigation Dept has urged the public to use water sparingly, warning that the prevailing high temperatures have caused significant water losses through evaporation from reservoirs and that water must be conserved until rainfall returns. Its director, L.S. Suriyabandara, who is in charge of hydrology and disaster management, said the water level in the department’s 73 major reservoirs has dropped to about 40%. more..

Aug 4 (FT) DFCC Bank said that it has completed its acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank SL’s wealth and retail banking business. Approximately 50,000 customers, together with colleagues from the business, have now joined DFCC Bank, it said. The transaction includes customer relationships across Priority Banking, credit cards, retail lending, deposits, wealth management, and small and medium enterprise (SME) portfolios, together with selected operating assets. more..

Aug 4 (Island) The Institute of Policy Studies of SL (IPS) celebrates the outstanding achievement of its latest batch of researchers in winning prestigious scholarships for postgraduate studies at toprated universities. Suresh Ranasinghe joined the IPS on graduating with a BA in Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Colombo and an LLB from the Open Uni of SL and secured a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in 2022/23 to follow an MSc in Development Economics more..

Aug 4 (SO) Credit Information Bureau (CRIB) has embarked on its most ambitious expansion since it was set up, broadening its national database beyond the banking and finance sectors to include insurers, microfinance institutions, telecom providers, utility service providers and other lenders under the proposed Credit Regulatory Act, CRIB General Manager Pushpike Jayasundara said. “As part of a wider drive to strengthen credit assessment more..

Aug 4 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB) is targeting a record $ 19 billion in export earnings this year after generating nearly $ 9 billion during the first half of 2026, while setting its sights on doubling export revenue to $ 36 billion by 2030 under a new national strategy. EDB CEO Mangala Wijesinghe said the Board remained committed to transforming SL into a globally competitive export hub by expanding into new industries, strengthening value-added exports and increasing more..

Aug 4 (FT) Diversified conglomerate CIC Holdings recorded continued revenue growth during the first quarter ended 30 June 2026 (1QFY27), delivering improved profitability despite a challenging operating environment. The group posted consolidated revenue of Rs. 22.03 billion, reflecting 2.74% year-on-year growth, driven by resilient performance across its diversified portfolio. Group gross profit rose to Rs. 6.01b, an increase of 10.26% YoY, with gross margins improving to 27.3%. more..

Aug 4 (DN) Rush Lanka Group has reached another significant milestone with its flagship residential development, Rush Metropolis in Dehiwala, recently receiving approval from the Board of Investment (BOI) of SL. The approval, reinforces the company’s commitment to developing high-quality residential projects that meet stringent regulatory and governance standards while offering greater confidence to homebuyers and investors. The official recognition was received at the BoI, more..

Aug 4 (Island) More than seven years after the Easter Sunday bombings ripped through churches and luxury hotels, the first major criminal convictions of senior state officials have taken place. Last week, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were convicted by a two to one majority at a Trial-at-Bar of criminal liability arising from their failure to act on repeated intelligence warnings that preceded the attacks. They were sentenced to death. more..

Aug 4 (FT) United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is beginning the design of its next five-year Country Program for SL, with employment creation, economic prosperity, and faster implementation of reforms emerging as key priorities to support the country’s transition from economic stabilisation to sustainable growth. During her two-day mission to SL, SL-born senior UN Assistant Secretary-General and more..

Aug 4 (Island) The prices of brand new imported vehicles would likely rise soon, given the global situation, president, Ceylon Automobile Importers Association (CAIA) Prasad Manage said. "If brand new vehicle prices move up it would badly impact especially young executives who are planning to purchase a new vehicle," he said. He made these observations recently at a media conference held at Shangri-la Hotel to announce the launching of Motor Rally 2026, organized by CAIA for Aug 16. more..

Aug 4 (CT) SL Govt has proposed increasing the retirement age of judges through amendments to the Constitution and the Judicature Act. According to the proposal approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 27 July 2026, the retirement age of Supreme Court judges would increase from 65 to 67 years, while that of Court of Appeal judges would rise from 63 to 65 years, with corresponding increases for judges in High Court, District Courts, Magistrates’ Courts & other judicial officers. more..

Aug 4 (TM) Before completing two years in office, National People’s Power (NPP) Govt has been faced with No-Confidence Motions (NCMs) brought by Opposition parties against two of its ministers. Notably, both motions were introduced within a span of just three months. The first NCM, against former Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, was handed over to the Speaker on 19 March over controversies surrounding coal procurement for power generation and past procurement allegations. more..

Aug 4 (Island) Govt’s desperation to increase the retirement ages of judges apparently knows no bounds. Ministers Harshana Nanayakkara & Nalinda Jayatissa visited Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera and briefed him on their plan. When the prelate said it was popularly thought that the govt move was intended to benefit one particular judge, Minister Nanayakkara assured him that there was no truth in that claim. more..

Aug 4 (SO) Q: There appears to be a division among lawyers over the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment. As a lawyer yourself, why has it not been possible to arrive at a common position? A: This is the first constitutional amendment introduced by the present Govt. It also directly concerns the judiciary. Naturally, it has attracted considerable attention from both lawyers and judges. Personally, I believe that creating more..

Aug 4 (ST) With the Cabinet giving its assent to the proposal to extend the retirement age for judges, govt formally proceeded this week, hellbent on tinkering with the constitution and trespassing on its hallowed judicial provisions – the sentinels of the judiciary’s independence – at the peril of digging its own grave. It caused the entire legal intelligentsia, almost to a man, to close ranks and vow to resist this brazen and unprecedented attack on the last bastion of the nation’s liberties. more..

Aug 4 (TM) The skies over us have once again taken on that grey hue, bringing with it unease for communities that have lived through devastating floods before. Across the island, particularly along the Mahaweli, Kelani & Kalu river basins, families are watching rising water levels with growing concern. Reservoirs are filling, spill gates have been opened in several areas, schools have been closed in some districts, and the Uni of Peradeniya has suspended academic activities as more..

Aug 4 (SO) Q: One of the major promises made by the NPP during its election campaign was to uphold the Rule of Law. Two-thirds majority granted by the people clearly reflected that this was among their foremost expectations. Then why should anyone obstruct the Govt when it claims to be creating the conditions necessary to fulfill that promise? A: Leaders of the present Govt have consistently voiced for the Rule of Law. more..

Aug 4 (GV) History often remembers political leaders not only for the policies they implement but also for the moral courage they display during defining moments in their nation’s history. Sometimes that courage is demonstrated not through military victories, economic reforms or constitutional changes, but through a simple acknowledgement of past wrongs. On Feb 13, 2008 Australian PM Kevin Rudd delivered what many regard as one of the most significant speeches in Australia’s more..

Aug 4 (DM) The continued postponement of Provincial Council (PC) elections has become a matter of serious concern for democratic governance and public representation. PCs were established to promote devolution of power and enable citizens to participate in decision-making at the regional level. When elections are repeatedly delayed, these institutions lose their democratic legitimacy, accountability is weakened, and public confidence in representative governance is undermined. more..

Aug 3 (DM) Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters have written to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stating that the proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges is inappropriate, President of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) Rajeev Amarasuriya said. He made this revelation while speaking to the media today after meeting the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter. Amarasuriya said the Mahanayake Thera had informed him that more..

Aug 3 (DM) SJB MP Harsha de Silva yesterday scoffed at rumors that were being circulated in the media about a crossover to the govt. “There is a rumour that I am to cross over to the govt. This is far from being the truth. However I am happy that the govt has wanted people such as myself,” Dr. De Silva said in a special statement. “The politics I follow is different. I don’t hesitate to praise good things and to oppose bad ones. As the Chairman of the COPF I always try to maintain it’s dignity. more..

Aug 3 (DM) In a backdrop where the dengue epidemic has claimed over 60 lives, speculation is rife as to whether private medical institutions are forced to use expired diagnostic devices such as dengue NS1 antigen kits due to lack of regulations and standards. Back in 2017, the then govt introduced a price ceiling for full blood count tests at Rs. 250 & dengue NS1 antigen tests at Rs. 1000. In 2020, CAA issued a new maximum retail more..

Aug 3 (Island) Communist Party of SL (CPSL) has called on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take urgent diplomatic and regulatory measures to address the growing crisis facing fishermen in the Jaffna District, warning that illegal bottom trawling, by Indian vessels, is threatening livelihoods, marine ecosystems and national security. In a letter addressed to the Prez, last Friday, CPSL General Secretary G. Weerasinghe said the concerns were raised during discussions with more..

Aug 3 (NW) Ministry of Public Security has opened the 118 Public Security Service Centre to streamline public complaints related to institutions under its purview. Centre was inaugurated at the Ministry premises under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala. The new facility allows citizens to lodge complaints via the toll‑free 118 hotline or through the online portal 118.pubsec.gov.lk. Complaints can be submitted regarding institutions more..

Aug 3 (NW) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has decided that electricity tariffs will remain unchanged for the third quarter of 2026, despite rising generation costs. The PUCSL said the decision follows a review of cost estimates submitted by the National System Operator Company (14500). PUCSL said the increase in supply costs is limited to 0.3% (Rs. 417 mil), making a tariff revision unnecessary. more..

Aug 3 (NW) All govt schools in the Nuwara Eliya District will be closed tomorrow due to prevailing adverse weather conditions. Central Province Education Ministry Secretary had instructed that a holiday be declared for all education zones in the district considering the severe weather conditions affecting the area. Accordingly, schools under the Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, Walapane, Kotmale and Hanguranketha education zones will remain closed tomorrow, more..

Aug 3 (EN) The SL Economic & Investment Summit 2026 (SLEIS 2026), will open with an investment-focused panel discussion, organizers have said, examining the opportunities emerging as the country advances its economic reform agenda. Organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the event will bring together public and private sector officials. The opening session will explore opportunities across priority sectors, the policy, regulatory and institutional support more..

Aug 3 (DM) Negombo Magistrate Selani Perera ordered the media to refrain from covering any of the evidence given by the Head Jailor of the Negombo Prison who testified at the magisterial inquiry into the recent clashes, since it contained sensitive information that could seriously endanger national security if revealed in public. Head Jailor Wickrema Jayantha Kumara testified before the magistrate for two hours when the magisterial inquiry into the incident was taken up before more..

Aug 3 (DM) Irrigation Department has issued a major flood warning for low-lying areas of the Kelani River Valley, stating that a major flood situation could develop within the next 24 hours due to heavy rainfall in the upper and middle catchment areas of the river basin. Accordingly, residents in low-lying areas within the Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Yatiyanthota Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been urged to remain highly vigilant and take necessary precautions. more..