Nov 5 (AD) Lung cancer cases in SL have increased by approximately 50% since 2010, with health experts warning of a growing trend among both men and women. Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Dr. Saman Iddagoda, revealed. He said an analysis of data from the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases and the National Cancer Control Programme covering the period from 2010 to 2020 had revealed an approx 50% increase in lung cancer cases more..

Nov 5 (FT) Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival (CLAF), which has focused on creating an influential arts and culture platform for SL while profiling the island through its creative industries, is now preparing for its fourth edition. It has gained traction in a short time, guided by clear objectives that create meaningful opportunities for young people through its four pillars: literature, art, music and film. Enhancing Sri Lanka’s soft power is one of the platform’s key missions, more..

Nov 5 (FT) The SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU), successfully conducted the final pitching event of batch III of ExpoScaleUp, designed to help Sri Lankan SMEs become more competitive and expand into global markets. Supported through the EU’s regional Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in South Asia (ACSIIS) initiative under EU Global Gateway Strategy, more..

Nov 5 (FT) Meta recently launched its Small Business Growth Academy in SL in partnership with Roar AdX, bringing practical digital marketing knowledge to entrepreneurs looking to reach more customers and grow their businesses. Presided over by Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, the launch brought together govt and Meta representatives alongside local entrepreneurs who are clients of Roar AdX to discuss how small businesses can participate more effectively more..

Nov 5 (Island) ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan has requested Canada’s Conservative MPs to press for a review of Canada’s ban on the LTTE and to provide forensic expertise for the Chemmani mass grave investigation. The request was made at a meeting on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa. Shritharan, who represents Jaffna, met Conservative MPs Shuvaloy Majumdar and Costas Menegakis, along with a representative of the Office of more..

Nov 5 (Island) A police service may defend an officer or an action only when the facts support that defence. Once the facts no longer do so, continued defence becomes a further wrong. It shields error, signals to the ranks that accountability can be avoided, and erodes the single asset no force can create by regulation or by strength of numbers: the confidence of the public. Without that confidence, information dries up, cooperation declines, and every new incident is judged against more..

Nov 5 (Island) American voters have dealt Prez Donald Trump a sobering electoral blow, rendering the lame-duck phase of his second term even more painful. Democrats have secured control of Congress in the Nov 3, midterm elections, delivering a major electoral setback to Republicans. Democratic sweep of Congress is a serious midterm rebuke to Trump and a major shift in the balance of power in Washington. A Democratic-controlled Congress is likely to launch investigations more..

Nov 5 (DN) Opposition political parties took centre stage last week as they grappled with their own internal issues but also challenged the govt, both regarding proposed crucial legislation and a motion of no confidence against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, although with very limited success. The motion of No Confidence against Speaker was submitted to Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera on Oct 9. However, the govt had noted that many of the claims made in more..

Nov 5 (ST) For centuries, Viharamahadevi has lived in chronicles and classrooms as a figure of duty, so brave she seems almost unreal. In The Ballet School of Colombo’s production of Devi: The Golden Voyage which will be staged at the Bishop’s College Auditorium from Nov 12 to 15 Nov, the dancers will portray the courageous girl who became the legendary Queen. The dancers chosen to carry her story have had to find that girl for themselves. Along the way, often to their own surprise, more..

Nov 5 (DN) A mid Colombo’s imposing buildings, glittering glass facades, luxury homes and people dressed in fine clothes, another world exists, largely out of sight. Near filthy drains and inside cramped homes, a community of workers labours by hand to keep those very clothes clean and presentable. They remove the stains from other people’s garments, while the stains of poverty remain deeply etched into their own lives. more..

Nov 5 (TM) This week, letters of appointment were handed to new directors at five major hospitals: the teaching hospitals in Kalubowila, Ragama, Batticaloa & Peradeniya, and the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. The news deserves a welcome. However, it also invites a question that those in authority have yet to answer convincingly. Why did it take so long? These are not minor postings. Lady Ridgeway is the national referral centre for sick children, while more..

Nov 5 (DM) This article is not meant to be yet another run-of-the-mill civil society protest over two bills: Protection of the State from Terrorism (PST), submitted to Parliament on Oct 6, and Prevention of Organised Crimes (POC), submitted on Oct 20. PST is intended to replace the existing draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and POC is presented as an Act to give effect to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. There is no gainsaying that SL needs more..

Nov 5 (TM) SL’s intensifying crackdown on narcotics, including the arrest and repatriation of alleged drug kingpins from Middle East, India, Indonesia, and other locations, spells out the growing challenge of dismantling transnational trafficking networks that exploit maritime routes, international ports, and gaps in law enforcement cooperation. Despite major drug seizures and enforcement operations, the flow of more..

Nov 5 (DM) Sri Lanka has spent decades building a garment industry that is now one of its biggest economic strengths. It has earned the confidence of leading clothing brands, created hundreds of thousands of jobs and brought in billions in foreign exchange. Yet manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to operate here. High operating costs, taxes, electricity bills and labour shortages are making Sri Lanka a less attractive manufacturing destination. more..

Nov 5 (TM) On Tuesday, the chamber that is meant to be the country’s foremost forum for reasoned argument descended into shouting, protest and, at one point, an attempt by Opposition MPs to seize the ceremonial Mace. Such scenes do no credit to anyone, and the Opposition must answer for its own conduct. Yet the more troubling question raised by Tuesday’s disorder is not who reached for the Mace. It is why a motion signed by 44 MPs, carrying 50 charges against the presiding officer of more..

Nov 4 (DM) More than 10 illegal electric traps allegedly connected to the main electricity supply have been set up in the Welgala area of Ibbagamuwa, posing a serious threat to wild elephants, including the well-known elephant Rattha, Society for Conservation of Wild Elephants in SL (SCWESL) has warned. In a letter to Director General of Dept of Wildlife Conservation, organisation urged authorities to conduct immediate raids and take legal action against those responsible. more..

Nov 4 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says more than 30 tuskers are currently at risk in SL, disputing the Environment Minister’s claim that only 17 tuskers are facing threats. Speaking in Parliament today, Premadasa said the recent killing of tusker Kawanthissa, followed by another tusker in Kahatagasdigiliya, highlighted the urgent need to strengthen protection measures for the country’s remaining tuskers. He pointed out that only around 5–10% of male elephants in SL have tusks, more..

Nov 4 (DM) SL's leading universities slid to their lowest positions in four years in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027, with Uni of Colombo dropping 46 places to 364th, as regional rivals moved ahead while its own score barely changed. Colombo nonetheless remained SL's highest-ranked university for a fifth consecutive year, followed by the Uni of Peradeniya at 389th and the Uni of Sri J'pura at 398th. more..

Nov 4 (NW) Sri Lanka’s November fuel price revision has narrowed the gap between the market price and the cost-recovery formula price of auto diesel, while widening the gap for Petrol 92, according to PublicFinance.lk. The public finance information platform, operated by independent think tank Verité Research, revealed that despite the latest price increases, both fuel categories continue to be sold below their respective cost-recovery formula prices. According to its Fuel Price Tracker, more..

Nov 4 (EN) SL’s Export Development Board (EDB) and the software industry body SLASSCOM have engaged with senior police officials to expedite the issuance of police clearance reports for ICT professionals, amid concerns that delays are affecting access to int'l business opportunities. The discussions focused on employees of information and communication technology companies who require police clearance reports to satisfy overseas client requirements, take part in int'l tenders more..

Nov 4 (NW) UN human rights experts have raised concerns over provisions in SL’s proposed Prevention of Organized Crimes Bill that would allow senior police officers to obtain telephone records and mobile device location information without prior court approval. In a 31-page communication dated Oct 30, the UN experts warned that the proposed powers could threaten privacy rights & expose confidential sources more..

Nov 4 (DM) The govt is considering whether to permit high-powered motorcycles with engine capacities exceeding 1,000cc for special purposes, including sports activities, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena informed Parliament today. He said a committee has been appointed to examine the matter and that a final decision will be made based on its recommendations. He made these remarks while responding to a question raised by SJB MP Suranga Rathnayaka, more..

Nov 4 (TM) Kaduwela Magistrate's Court yesterday (2) continued hearing a case filed against the Mayor of Kaduwela Ranjan Jayalal and Parliamentarian Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana over the alleged forcible acquisition of a 100-perch land plot near the Millennium City housing complex in Athurugiriya. During the proceedings before Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa, the Court granted permission for the Metro Bus Company and its Board of Directors to withdraw from the case. more..

Nov 4 (AD) A total of 208 police officers have been arrested in connection with various offences, including drug-related crimes, ASP F.U. Wootler has revealed. Police Spokesperson noted that nearly 1,500 police officers have also been suspended from service over various offences. Acknowledging the presence of corrupt and unsuitable officers within the Police Dept, he said measures were being taken to identify and remove them while ensuring strict legal action. more..

Nov 4 (NF) Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva has ordered the Cinnamon Gardens Police to immediately arrest suspects who allegedly used sound amplification equipment without a lawful permit during a protest held at the Viharamahadevi Park premises demanding the release of BBS General Secretary Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, who is currently serving a prison sentence. Officers of the Cinnamon Gardens Police, appearing before court on behalf of more..

Nov 4 (TM) Small- and medium-scale mill owners have urged the Govt to maintain transparency regarding its rice import plans, claiming that the country's rice supply requirements for the upcoming festive season have already been secured and that there is no immediate need for further imports. They said that the adequate cultivation of Keeri Samba, which faced shortages last year (2025), had taken place this year, more..

Nov 4 (NW) Sri Lankan Professor Sudath Shirley Warnakulasuriya has been awarded the Princess Srinagarindra Award 2026, one of the world’s highest international honours in nursing, in recognition of his contributions to nursing education and the global healthcare sector. According to the Ministry of Health, the prestigious award is presented annually to only one individual or group of nursing professionals worldwide for outstanding contributions to the field. more..

Nov 4 (PMD) A discussion on securing support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for SL during the 2028–2030 period was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The discussion focused on priority areas for agricultural and rural development in SL, including increasing the incomes of small-scale farmers, improving agricultural productivity, strengthening the livelihoods more..

Nov 4 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned that the govt is preparing to increase electricity tariffs following the recent fuel price hikes, despite its earlier promise to reduce electricity bills by 33%. Addressing Parliament today, Premadasa accused the govt of failing to fulfil its election promises, claiming that the public is facing increasing financial difficulties due to rising fuel prices, taxes and other living expenses. more..

Nov 4 (NW) New directors have been appointed to five major hospitals in SL, including the Kalubowila, Ragama, Batticaloa & Peradeniya Teaching Hospitals and the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo. The appointments were made with the approval of the Health Services Committee of the Public Service Commission, with the official appointment letters presented by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa at the Ministry of Health on Monday. Accordingly, W.M.U.S. Wijemanna has been more..

Nov 4 (Island) Jana Aragala Movement, led by the JVP-splinter Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), is to march on Parliament today (4), demanding the withdrawal of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) and the Prevention of Organised Crime Bill (POCB), as well as the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Jana Aragala Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige urged trade unions, political activists and others who value more..