Oct 20 (DN) SL’s Mohamed Safran came to the fore yesterday at the Para Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan when he secured the bronze medal in the men’s long jump T47 event producing an impressive final attempt to go on the podium. Safran the 21-year-old athlete achieved 6.37m in his first attempt followed by 6.35m in second attempt. After three foul attempts Safran came back strongly to finish his final attempt with a 6. 55m jump which earned him the bronze medal. This is the first medal for SL more..

Oct 20 (Island) The curtain raiser of the tri-nation series in Pakistan went down to the wire and although Sri Lanka were into their tail, hopes of pulling off an unlikely victory remained alive as Dasun Shanaka threatened to produce something special on his return to ODI cricket. Finding the boundary with remarkable ease, Shanaka had raced to 28 off just 18 balls when he gave charge to Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi, only to perish in his attempt to clear the ropes. more..

Oct 20 (FT) A Parliamentary committee has decided to issue the necessary recommendations on matters relating to the granting of mining rights for 68 grids to State-owned Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd, (LMSL). Company has sought exclusive mining rights over mineral sand deposits along the northeastern coastline. LMSL submitted a request to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and Int'l Relations more..

Oct 20 (EN) Companies involved in SL’s hospitality supply chain have showcased local products and capabilities to Maldivian businesses and other industry stakeholders at Hotel Asia 2026 held in the archipelago. This was in collaboration with the Export Development Board (EDB) and the SL-Maldives Business Council (SLMLBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. “The initiative created opportunities for SL businesses to connect with buyers and potential partners, as well as more..

Oct 20 (DM) Despite formulating as many tourism master plans as IMF programmes, Sri Lanka still lacks a cohesive strategy, with ad hoc approvals, inflated state land prices and unplanned development holding back the industry since 2009, according to former BOI Chairman Thilan Wijesinghe, whose concerns were echoed by hoteliers and the World Bank. Speaking at the 4th Tourism, Hotel Investment and Networking Conference (THINC) SL & Maldives, organised by Hotelivate-Savills in Colombo last week, more..

Oct 20 (ST) The death of the majestic tusker Kawanthissa, one of SL’s tallest and largest tuskers, has raised serious questions about wild elephant conservation and protection. Despite repeated calls from conservationists, animal welfare advocates, and wildlife officers to provide special protection for prominent tuskers like Kawanthissa, Dept of Wildlife Conservation paid little heed, maintaining that its policy takes a holistic approach to all more..

Oct 20 (FT) HSBC Electronic Data Processing Lanka Ltd, (HDPL), the bank’s global service centre, will exit Sri Lanka owing to rising costs and an inability to scale. Staff said they had been notified that they would be let go in four batches as operations relocate to other locations, including India, the Middle East, and the Philippines. At an all-hands meeting at HDPL’s offices at Mireka Towers in August, staff were told a decision to exit SL would be made and communicated in October. more..

Oct 20 (Island) The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) successfully hosted a series of high-level meetings of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), bringing together leading securities regulators and enforcement officials from around the world to discuss emerging regulatory challenges, strengthen international cooperation, and enhance collective efforts to combat cross-border securities market misconduct. The meetings, more..

Oct 20 (ST) CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd and Dept of Town and Country Planning of the Uni of Moratuwa recently have signed a MoU to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry in urban development, urban informatics, research, innovation and talent development. The agreement will create opportunities for students and academics to engage more closely with the development of Port City Colombo and its planning and development process, CHEC said more..

Oct 20 (FT) Proposals to allow existing microfinance institutions to accept limited public deposits under regulatory supervision, simplify their licensing process, and facilitate access to lower-cost funding were put forward at a meeting of a Parliamentary committee, as the panel focused on expediting implementation of the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act. Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, chaired by more..

Oct 20 (FT) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) is advocating a simple, transparent, and cost-based wheeling tariff to facilitate private power trading and support investment in energy-intensive sectors, with discussions on the pricing mechanism still at an early stage. PUCSL CEO Damitha Kumarasinghe said the tariff should be straightforward to understand, affordable enough to encourage investment, and fair to more..

Oct 20 (Island) The govt appears set to overcome the first major challenge to one of its foundational principles. It has faced down demands from sections of the Buddhist clergy and opposition parties to release Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara from his prison sentence for contempt of court. Ven Gnanasara is best known as the general secretary of the BBS, a nationalist Sinhala grouping. Govt seemed unfazed by a protest march organised by Buddhist monks and the opposition parties more..

Oct 20 (FT) The rhetoric of the NPP on the drug issue, prior to being elected, like their position on numerous issues, appeared progressive. It created hope that if elected they might adopt a health and human rights-based approach. After nearly two years in power, similar to their actions regarding other issues, NPP Govt is following in the footsteps of previous governments by enacting repressive laws that increase State power at the expense of the rights of citizens. more..

Oct 20 (DN) Sri Lanka had several mafias, such as the illicit drug mafia, drug (medications) mafia, three-wheel mafia, trade union mafia, trade mafia, etc, and only some mafias, such as the private bus mafia, still exist. Fortunately, the current NPP Govt, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is treating all those mafias, and the latest mafia to receive some treatment is the private bus mafia. More treatment is required to fully cure this mafia. Therefore, this mafia needs to be eradicated, more..

Oct 20 (Island) A massive wave of youth-led and anti-austerity protests is sweeping across several European countries. It is driven by a host of issues including soaring cost of living, housing unaffordability, discontent with public services, and resentment at govts’ economic policies that are not beneficial to ordinary people. Protests in France, Italy, Belgium, Albania, Portugal and Spain are not part of a single, centrally organised movement, although int'l media often lump them together. more..

Oct 20 (DM) When does, a religion rooted in compassion and wisdom become an instrument of political power? And why does a philosophy as progressive as Buddhism continue to be invoked in defence of old political ideas? These questions have taken on renewed significance amid growing debate over the conduct of certain Buddhist Bhikkhus and their role in public life. Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thera, former Senior Lecturer more..

Oct 20 (DM) This is undoubtedly a difficult time for elephants. Although wildlife authorities point to an alleged increase in the elephant population over the past decade, citing an unpublished survey report, and highlight that fewer elephants died this year than last year, the grim reality remains unchanged. After the death of SL’s most famous tusker, the question becomes even more urgent: are our conservation policies truly protecting the elephants they are intended to conserve? more..

Oct 20 (ST) The sound of the silent but strident thud that hundreds of Buddhist monks made whilst walking on the long and winding road from the Temple of the Sri Dalada to Colombo – protesting at the defilement of the sanctity of the saffron robe, the Buddha’s flag of enlightenment – may have stilled at the capital gates on Thursday, but the echoes of the reverberations it sent throughout the island nation yet remained. The Buddha Sasana, which has lasted for more than two thousand years in Lanka, more..

Oct 20 (SO) Govt’s anti-corruption campaign risks becoming a tool to eliminate political rivals rather than ensure accountability, SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has alleged, warning that arrests and expedited prosecutions could deprive political opponents of their right to contest elections. Jayasekera questioned the Govt’s handling of corruption investigations and the Parliamentary inquiry into the release of more..

Oct 20 (CT) The Professor sat at the dining table with a cup of Ceylon tea. He had allowed it to steep properly, as a man of Sri Lankan birth and British academic habits considered appropriate. Orwell’s famous 1946 essay, A Nice Cup of Tea, laid down eleven rules for making tea. He was quite particular about the business. So was the Professor. Lady Usha was at home. This was fortunate for the Professor, who had lately discovered that running a household and running a country were two entirely different undertakings, more..

Oct 20 (GV) Tamil politics needs stronger public accountability. Political parties must answer for their decisions but accountability cannot stop at elections or depend on which party people support. People must be able to shape political priorities, question those who claim to represent them and challenge govts when they fail to meet their obligations. Tamil society has repeatedly shown that people can mobilise around shared concerns. The challenge is to turn that collective strength more..

Oct 19 (TM) Despite reports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortages across Colombo, with consumers struggling to obtain cylinders and dealers reporting supply disruptions for nearly two weeks, Litro Gas Lanka has attributed the situation to a two-day shipment delay. Litro Gas Lanka Chairman Channa Gunawardana said that LPG supplies were expected to return to normal after a two-day shipment delay, dismissing allegations that delays in opening Letters of Credit (LCs) or more..

Oct 19 (NW) SL fashion model Elina Gunawardena made history yesterday by becoming the first Sri Lankan model ever to walk the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles. The high-profile event returned to Los Angeles with a star-studded lineup featuring top international supermodels including Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, Anok Yai, Paloma Elsesser, Barbara Palvin, Alex Consani, and Kylie Jenner. more..

Oct 19 (DM) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) plans to develop a new integrated logistics hub at the Port of Colombo through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP), following the decision to discontinue an earlier joint venture project. The new development will be pursued through a competitive bidding process, subject to the relevant approvals, the SLPA said in a statement issued on Oct 19. The proposed facility will occupy a substantial more..

Oct 19 (NW) The UNP has called on the Govt to provide an immediate clarification over the alleged failure to extend a diplomatic reception and security to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun during her recent visit to Sri Lanka. UNP questioned why the Thai Deputy PM had allegedly not been accorded diplomatic protocol or security arrangements during her visit to attend the ceremonial unveiling of the pinnacle of the Mihindu Maha Seya in Mihintale. more..

Oct 19 (FT) Media Services, the publisher of leading business magazine LMD, unveiled the top 20 line-up in its forthcoming LMD 100 annual edition with Hayleys retaining the lead, followed by John Keells Holdings (JKH) and LOLC Holdings. 33rd edition of SL’s pioneering listed company rankings presents an encouraging picture of corporate performance in the financial year 2025/26. The 100 leading listed companies collectively recorded an increase of approximately 20% in revenue, more..

Oct 19 (AD) Isuru Hewakottage, Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon attached to the North-Western Wildlife Zone, has reportedly submitted his letter of resignation from his post to the Director-General of Wildlife Conservation. Hewakottage stated that he made the decision following severe allegations and criticism directed at him on social media over incidents related to the treatment of the recently deceased Kawanthissa tusker. more..

Oct 19 (Island) More than 1,600 students sat this year’s Russian Classical Ballet Examination, the largest number ever to take part in the examination in SL. Exams were held in Colombo from 5, to 18, Oct and in Galle on 10 October. Students aged four and above came from across the island, including Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Negombo, Matara, Kelaniya, Panadura, Wattala, Kiribathgoda, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Bandarawela and Badulla. They are taught by 15 dedicated more..

Oct 19 (TM) Around 4,000 child abuse cases remain pending before courts across SL, according to the NCPA, amid concerns over delays in Police investigations, forensic examinations, and judicial proceedings involving child victims. NCPA Director of Law Enforcement, Attorney-at-Law Sajeewani Abeykoon said that the authority received between 10,000 and 12,000 complaints annually, with cases involving suspected criminal offences referred to the Police for further investigation. more..

Oct 19 (NW) Tusker Agbo has been found safe and in good health in the Nachchaduwa Tank Reserve following a joint search operation conducted by Dept of Wildlife Conservation and the SL Army. According to Ministry of Environment, the elephant was located following an extensive search operation carried out by wildlife officers and Army personnel. Wildlife Range Officer Buddhika, who is in charge of the area, confirmed that Agbo was in good health and physical condition when located. more..

Oct 19 (NF) Four people were killed and four others injured in a devastating multi-vehicle road accident in the Akurana area of Kandy a short while ago, authorities said. The accident occurred near the Kurugoda Seven Mile Post area in Akurana when a cement mixer truck collided with several vehicles travelling along the road. According to a spokesperson for the Akurana Hospital, four people sustained injuries in the crash. Two of the injured, who were in critical condition, more..