Nov 26 (CI) India have been grouped with Pakistan; Sri Lanka with Australia and Ireland; England with West Indies and Bangladesh; and New Zealand with Afghanistan and South Africa at the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup in February and March. The tournament, co-hosted by India and SL, begins on Feb 7 and ends on March 8, with the marquee India-Pakistan fixture scheduled for Feb 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. ICC revealed the groups and fixtures at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday. more..

Nov 26 (Island) 23rd DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship concluded successfully, celebrating the remarkable talent and enthusiasm for volleyball among young athletes. Held on 15-16 Nov 2025 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, SL’s No. 1 footwear brand partnered with the SL Volleyball Federation and the Schools’ Volleyball Association of the Education Ministry to organise this prestigious tournament, which holds a significant place in the history of the sport. more..

Nov 26 (ST) A bill to regulate non-banking lending institutions is to be introduced, with penalties for non-compliance including fines of up to Rs five million, up to five years’ imprisonment, or both, upon conviction in a magistrate’s court. The proposed Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill was published by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. more..

Nov 26 (DN) Chairman of the Palm Oil Industry Association of SL (POIA) Dr. Rohan Fernando highlighted that it is the high time for lifting the 2021 ban on oil palm cultivation, since the Association widely regards the ban as an unscientific, ad hoc policy decision. Addressing the 6th AGM of the POIA in Colombo on Monday (25), he added that Sri Lanka’s continuing ban on oil palm cultivation, imposed in 2021, remains one of the most debated agricultural policies in recent years. more..

Nov 26 (DN) SL Under 19 cricketers are getting ready for the ICC under 19 men’s cricket world cup which will be played from January 16 to Feb 6, 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The 16 teams have been divided into four groups and SL in Group ‘C’ with Ireland, Japan and defending champions Australia. SL’s first game will be against Japan on January. 17 Their next opponent will be Ireland (Jan 19) followed by Australia Jan 23). Chairman of the National Junior Selection Committee Vinothen John more..

Nov 26 (FT) Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath called on hotel operators and tourism-related investors to accelerate development outside the Western Province, stressing that Budget 2026 has allocated substantial funds to improve national infrastructure, including highways and domestic airports, to support regional tourism growth. Speaking at the Tourist Hotels Association of SL (THASL) AGM, Minister noted that more..

Nov 26 (FT) The Hotels Association of SL (THASL) outgoing President M. Shanthikumar on Monday in his final address to Govt and members called for stronger global promotion, clearer regulations and investment-friendly policies to safeguard the sector’s future. Delivering his final speech before handing over leadership to Asoka Hettigoda at THASL’s 60th anniversary Shanthikumar said the dominance and contribution of formal-sector hoteliers cannot be underestimated, noting that more..

Nov 26 (FT) SL Tourism Hotels Association (THASL) President-elect Asoka Hettigoda on Monday endorsed the Govt’s target of $ 8 billion in tourism earnings by 2030, but said the industry should push even further to achieve its full economic potential. “THASL is proposing an ambitious, but attainable goal of $ 10 billion revenue by 2030. Achieving this will require annual arrivals growth of around 20%, taking SL to six million visitors, alongside a 30% increase in per-night spending through a shift more..

Nov 26 (Island) The CID has apparently prioritised the summoning of journalists over conducting serious investigations. It is apparently preoccupied with political work. Editor of the Aruna newspaper Mahinda Ileperuma has been summoned by the CID for questioning on a news story that one has to produce a letter from the Chairman of the Public Security Committee (PSC) in one’s residential area, in addition to a Grama Niladari certificate, to obtain a police report. more..

Nov 26 (Island) Imagine walking into two shops selling the same product. In the first shop, you pay a simple 0.6% fee. In the second shop, you’re hit with a bewildering array of charges from multiple entities, and by the time you’re done, you’ve paid 2.27%. And that’s for a complete transaction: buying and selling. SL loves to say it wants to develop the capital market. But the way we charge investors tells the real story – a story of policy confusion, fee-layering, and a system designed to favor more..

Nov 26 (CI) Pathum Nissanka found a timely return to form as he struck a devastating 98 off 58 deliveries to help SL chase down a target of 147 against Zimbabwe in just 16.2 overs, with nine wickets to spare, in what was a must-win game in Rawalpindi. The result gives SL their first win on the tour, and snaps a five-match losing streak in T20Is. It now means SL go into their final game against Pakistan on Thursday knowing that a win will more..

Nov 26 (FT) The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025, to be held on 2 and 3 December, under the theme Gateway to Growth – Asia’s Emerging Opportunity organised by The CCC, is officially sold out, bringing together more than 850 participants, including over 100 international delegates from across the globe. The strong global response reflects the Summit’s growing role as a central meeting point for business leaders looking to reconnect with Sri Lanka’s economy. more..

Nov 26 (FT) HNB has been announced as the Platinum Sponsor of TiECON Colombo 2026 which will take place in early 2026 in Colombo. Organised by TiE Colombo, event serves as SL’s premier platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing together entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, investors, and global business leaders. It features keynotes, panel discussions, networking opportunities, investor lounges, and an innovation showcase, creating a comprehensive forum more..

Nov 26 (TM) Justice for marginalised people involves combating systemic exclusion through legal protection, increased access to resources like legal aid, and community-based initiatives that address unique challenges like discrimination and inequality. Wage hike for the Malayagam plantation workers through next year’s Budget is considered to be the first such time in the country’s history. In addition to the Rs.1,350 already paid, it was announced the plantation companies would pay Rs.200 more..

Nov 26 (TM) Inland Revenue Department (IRD) recently announced that 200,000 new taxpayers were registered so far this year, along with 18,000 newly registered companies. According to the IRD, they were given a revenue target 18% higher than that of the previous year (2024). Despite the challenge, they have surpassed expectations by collecting Rs. 2,080 billion to date, highest revenue collection in history. This is a significant development for a country that has long struggled with more..

Nov 26 (TM) The currently unfolding investigation into a young SL content creator named Geeth Sooriyapura based in the UK has exposed a troubling and technologically sophisticated ecosystem of monetising AI-driven misinformation, rage-bait content, and political manipulation that spans both countries. What once appeared to be isolated online activity has now revealed a far deeper web – one that blends digital more..

Nov 26 (GV) Comrade Rohana Wijeweera, founder of JVP, was arrested and subsequently murdered 36 years ago. His disappearance in 1989 symbolised the turbulent end of the JVP’s second insurrection, extreme political violence involving the state, its affiliated groups and the JVP itself. This offers us the chance to reflect on the past and the important lessons that can be learned, which will be crucial for SL’s future. Late 1980s were one of the most painful chapters in SL’s post-independence history. more..

Nov 26 (CT) The recent Nugegoda protest has reignited national debate about SL’s political trajectory, rising public discontent, and the challenges faced by the NPP govt. Although the rally drew a significant crowd and boosted opposition visibility, its wider political implications are more complex and carry long term consequences. This moment became even more sensitive due to a parallel controversy unfolding in Trincomalee, where the sudden installation and swift removal of more..

Nov 26 (SO) The joint Opposition rally held under the theme of Maha Jana Handa on Friday (21) had over 5,000 supporters of multiple Opposition parties from across the country rally to the Ananda Samarakoon Memorial Theatre in Nugegoda. The event, which many political titans who took to the stage on Friday called the first salvo against the Govt, is the first rally of its kind since the NPP Govt came to power last year. more..

Nov 26 (DM) I have an improvised gauge to predict when the JVP, the main constituent party of the NPP govt,captures the State. That would be the day you will witness astate-sponsored beatification of Rohana Wijeweera as the saviour of the nation. An uninitiated might ask what difference it would make since the JVP is already the government. The difference is destiny-defining for the country. Govts come and go, while a party that captures the State becomes the state itself. more..

Nov 26 (DM) It’s now a year since the NPP govt was overwhelmingly voted into power at the 2024 general elections. The new govt in the run-up to the general election promised much, but today has little to show. With hunger and malnutrition stalking the land at the time, the NPP promised to bring down the cost of living. It described the IMF agreement signed by past president Wickremesinghe as being one of the main causes of rampant povertyand promised to renegotiate the agreement. more..

Nov 25 (DM) The attention of the governmnet was drawn to increasing paddy production by limiting rice imports and formalizing the rice purchasing mechanism, while ensuring high-quality rice at affordable prices and protecting farmers. The meeting, held this morning (25) at the Presidential Secretariat, focused on preparing a structured plan to resolve longstanding issues faced by paddy farmers. It was chaired by Minister K.D. Lalkantha and Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. more..

Nov 25 (DM) The govt is planning to relax wartime restrictions on aircraft flying over the parliamentary complex and the defence headquarters in Akuregoda, Deputy Minister of Ports & Civil Aviation Janitha Kodituwakku said. He said that discussions are in progress with the defence ministry to reduce the current one nautical mile radius of no-fly zone to open a gliding path for aircraft to land in the Ratmalana Int'l Airport which is also called the Colombo Int'l Airport. more..

Nov 25 (EN) SriLankan Airlines has lost US$ 60 million on a fleet of new Airbus A320 variant acquired in 2018 which were grounded due to defects in their CFM LEAP engines, Minister Anura Karunathilaka said. SriLankan had started discussions on acquiring the A321 aircraft in 2017 and concluded them in 2028. CFM-LEAP engines had design defects and they started giving trouble, leading the six aircraft being grounded. more..

Nov 25 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval to the proposal to award the contract, amounting to Rs. 360 million (without VAT), to procure 3,000,000 inactivated doses of 0.5 ml/1 ml rabies vaccine (for human use) for the prevention of rabies. Four bids were received for the proposal and the Cabinet has granted approval to award the contract to the Citihealth Imports (Pvt) Ltd: (Manufacturer: Serum Institute of India (Pvt) Ltd). Based on the recommendations of the high-level more..

Nov 25 (CT) SL’s Parliament demonstrated a united front against gender-based violence (GBV) yesterday, launching a series of programmes to support the global 16 Days of Activism campaign. In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, badges representing the commitment to ending violence against women were pinned on PM Harini Amarasuriya and Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. To mark the occasion, women and male MPs, along with parliamentary staff, arrived dressed in orange attire, more..

Nov 25 (CT) Opposition groups representing the UNP and independent members of the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council have strongly objected to the approval of an allocation of Rs 135 million for the purchase of a new official vehicle and the construction of a fully equipped luxury residence for Mayor Upali Wanigasekara. UNP Group Leader and MC member Susantha Palihawadana, together with Independent Group member more..

Nov 25 (Island) SJB MP Chamindranee Kiriella accused a Deputy Minister of verbally harassing a female journalist, inside Parliament building, last week. Raising the matter in the House, Kiriella said she witnessed the incident firsthand. “I was standing next to the journalist when it happened. She faced serious harassment and was visibly distressed. I regret that such an incident occurred,” she told Parliament, calling on PM, who frequently speaks on such issues, to intervene. more..

Nov 25 (EN) Sri Lanka’s services exports rose 0.67% from a year ago to US$ 316.14 million in Oct 2025, helped by ICT/BPM, and financial services the EDB said. ICT/BPM exports rose 26.71% to US$ 154.50 million in Oct 2025 compared to Oct 2024. Financial services rose 47.6% to US$ 3.81 million. Transport and logistics fell 13.44% to US$ 144.50 million. Construction fell 40.98% to US$ 13.33 million. Up to October total exports of goods and services were US$ 14.43 billion, up 5.99%. more..

Nov 25 (CT) SL has been cited in a new UN report examining rehabilitation and reintegration centres—particularly those linked to counter-terrorism initiatives—as part of a global review on preventing torture and arbitrary detention. UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) referenced SL alongside countries including Myanmar, Iraq, Burundi, Maldives & Nigeria, raising concerns over deprivation of liberty, inadequate due process and the potential for ill-treatment in centres more..

Nov 25 (CT) The EPDP has criticised the protest held in London against JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, saying certain sections of the Tamil diaspora must “wake up from their coma-like state” and reconnect with present-day political realities. EPDP Media Secretary Srikanth made these remarks during a press briefing yesterday. He said, despite ongoing criticism, the group that once engaged in armed conflict has now entered the democratic mainstream and holds political power, more..