Feb 11 (DM) Tickets for the much-anticipated India–Pakistan encounter at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 which is scheduled to be played on Sunday (15), are being traded at prices as high as Rs. 100,000. The spike comes amid heightened fan interest across South Asia, with the fixture widely regarded as the tournament’s biggest draw. Limited availability and intense demand have fuelled a secondary market pushing prices more..

Feb 11 (DM) Vedda Chief Uruwarigelage Vannila Aththo has raised serious concerns over what he describes as the exploitation of his community and their age-old traditions for commercial gain, alleging that certain groups are misusing indigenous culture under the guise of promoting tourism. He told the media yesterday in Dambana that organized groups of touts are misusing the culture of his clan as a showpiece. Elaborating on this fraud and the dubious activities of the touts he said more..

Feb 11 (DM) Dambulla National Farmers’ Organization yesterday alleged that the govt is planning to transfer the management of the country’s economic centres to a company comprising members affiliated with the JVP. Speaking to media, National Farmer Organization President Anuradha Thennakoon has warned that it will launch a massive islandwide protest against the government’s reported decision to hand over the management of economic centres to a private company. more..

Feb 11 (DM) Govt is investigating into the allegations of hidden wealth in Uganda, Dubai and in some other places, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. He said this while responding to a question at the Cabinet press briefing whether the govt is investigating into allegations of fraud and corruption made by the NPP during the election period including money hidden in Uganda and allegations of Batalanda. “Do not always focus on Uganda. The govt has launched investigations into wealth more..

Feb 11 (DM) Authorities have officially ceased search and rescue operations for persons reported missing following Cyclone Ditwah even as 173 individuals remain unaccounted for, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili stated that rescue efforts were halted as more than two months have passed since the cyclone struck, making further search operations unnecessary under current protocols. However, he stressed that those missing due to Cyclone more..

Feb 11 (NW) MP Jeevan Thondaman, General Secretary of the CWC, has sharply criticized the govt’s handling of the recent agreement to increase daily wages for estate workers, accusing officials of a lack of transparency and failing to provide legal protections for workers. Thondaman stressed that there was no opposition to the wage hike itself, but raised serious concerns about the manner in which it is being implemented. more..

Feb 11 (NW) Sri Lanka Tourism says its latest assessment shows that nearly one-third of tourism‑generated value in the accommodation, travel agents/tour operators, and wellness sectors does not remain in the domestic economy, due to external, internal, and invisible leakages. Building on these findings, SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), in collaboration with UN Tourism, convened the country’s first national, multi‑stakeholder validation workshop on more..

Feb 11 (Island) Permanent employee of Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) Ayanthini Shiromini yesterday protested outside its main office at No 14, R.A. de Mel Mawatha, formerly Duplication road, in a bid to draw the attention of the Presidential Secretariat to her plight. At the protest site, Shiromini said that she had been relentlessly targeted since 2018 and the situation took a turn for worse in 2023 over her protest against the appointment of a particular member to an internal interview more..

Feb 11 (EN) A prospective bidder for Canwill Holdings, a state company that owns Colombo’s half-build Hyatt building, has inquired on about the possibility of getting a casino license, according to questions asked at a pre-bid meeting. Finance Ministry has called expressions of interest to pre-quality bidders for the high rise which is bordering the Indian Ocean. Investor bidders had asked whether a casino license would be issued or more..

Feb 11 (Island) Police are investigating the circumstances under which its men, manning a checkpoint, opened fire on a vehicle, killing a 17-year-old boy in Jaffna, in the early hours of yesterday. Police said that they opened fire at a van that ignored orders to stop at the checkpoint. The dead youth was identified as Albino Arul Bias, a resident of Vaddukoddai. Bias was identified as the driver of the vehicle. Sources said that the incident happened at a checkpoint more..

Feb 11 (CI) On most days Sri Lanka would enter Thursday's clash in Kandy against Oman as heavy favourites. They've beaten Oman in all their three meetings in internationals - twice in T20Is, once in ODIs - and are generally formidable in home conditions. But the psychological and tactical knock-on effects of Wanindu Hasaranga being ruled out of the tournament provide an intriguing backdrop. The star legspinner is a renowned bully of Associates and those lower down the T20 rungs, more..

Feb 11 (DN) In a joint effort by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Transport and Highways, SL Railways has begun installing advanced thermal camera systems on trains at the Dematagoda Railway Yard to prevent collisions with elephants, particularly during night operations. The project, overseen by a special committee led by Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake, and Deputy Minister of more..

Feb 11 (AD) Four Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, and six other individuals, have been granted bail by the Trincomalee High Court. On Feb 9, Trincomalee Magistrate ordered that the ten suspects, including Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero be further remanded until today in relation to the incident. They were arrested in connection with the incident of placing a Buddha statue at the Trinco Bodhiraja Viharaya on Nov 16, 2025 in violation of coastal conservation laws. more..

Feb 11 (FT) A high-level discussion on implementing the Cabinet decision to connect critical State institutions to the National Cyber Security Operations Centre (NCSOC) was yesterday, marking a significant step in strengthening SL’s national cyber security framework. The session held at the Old Parliament Building in Colombo, was jointly organised by SL CERT and the Digital Economy Ministry and more..

Feb 11 (NW) Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake was ordered to be further remanded until Feb 18 after appearing before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today. He was initially ordered to be remanded on Jan 8 in a case alleging misuse of state funds by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. Ekanayake has been named as the second suspect in the case, which alleges that former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe misused approximately Rs. 16.9 million in public funds to attend his wife more..

Feb 11 (AD) Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has stated that necessary measures have been taken to provide compensation to farmers whose crops were damaged due to the irregular construction of the salinity barrier across the Nilwala River. The board stated that a provision of Rs. 1,200 million has been allocated for this purpose in the 2026 national budget. Reports further indicate that farmers have been raising complaints since 2019, claiming that their cultivated lands become more..

Feb 11 (AD) Twelve individuals, who were found guilty over the murder of former Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer in 2022, have been sentenced to death. The sentence was pronounced by the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar after a lengthy hearing. Another four individuals have been handed six-month sentences suspended for five years. 23 other accused were acquitted more..

Feb 11 (EN) Sri Lanka will remove para-tariffs, such as cess and the port and airport development levy, as part of tariff reform in 2026, the deputy minister of industry has said. “Sri Lanka is preparing for the largest and most decisive shift in its economic transformation, with a new tariff policy set to be implemented in 2026 to better integrate our economy into global value chains,” Chathuranga Abeysinghe said. “Under this reform, para-tariffs such as Cess and PAL will be removed, and more..

Feb 11 (AD) Election Commission has commenced the data collection process for the revision of the electoral register, Commissioner General of Elections, Rasika Peiris stated. Feb 1 has been set as the qualifying date. Accordingly, individuals who turn 18 on or before February 1 and have confirmed residence in the relevant area will be eligible for inclusion in the electoral register. Commission will follow an updated system for 2026, combining door-to-door data collection more..

Feb 11 (FT) The proposed bill defined as the Protection of Occupation Bill has caused considerable attention in the Media and various personalities have expressed their opinions on the impact the bill will cause to the property and real estate market in the country. In this article, I share some of the concerns which will be faced by the connected stakeholders once this bill is enacted and becomes a Law. At present, it is no exaggeration to state many of the property owners termed more..

Feb 11 (FT) Colombo is currently witnessing a striking convergence of religion, diplomacy, and politics at the Gangaramaya Temple, where the sacred Devnimori Buddha Relics are on public display. Excavated in Gujarat and brought to Sri Lanka with full state honours, the relics are being exhibited for public veneration. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the exposition, underscoring its national and symbolic significance. Framed as a celebration of shared heritage more..

Feb 11 (TM) Transport and Highways Ministry has announced that it would appoint a committee headed by a retired judge to investigate alleged irregularities and long-standing grievances related to the Madatiyawala–Kurunegala stretch, which forms final segment of Mirigama –Kurunegala section of the Central Expressway, following complaints over house damage & unpaid or inadequate compensation. more..

Feb 11 (NW) The govt has approved a pilot project to introduce 10 air-conditioned, low-floor buses equipped with special facilities for persons with special needs. The initiative will be implemented using funds allocated under the Clean Sri Lanka Project, with the aim of improving accessibility and comfort in public transport. Procurement for the purchase of the 10 buses has already been completed, and the vehicles are expected to arrive in the country by Feb 15. more..

Feb 11 (AD) An Additional General Manager of the National Water Supply Board (NWSDB), Dharshana Medawatte and another individual who were arrested by the CIABOC on bribery charges have been remanded. The duo was remanded until Feb 20. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama after considering submissions made by officials of the Bribery Commission and the suspects’ lawyers. The suspects were taken into custody over more..

Feb 11 (CT) Sri Lanka’s worsening air pollution crisis is being driven by a dangerous combination of local emissions and transboundary pollution, according to a new six-year longitudinal study released by the Institute for Ethical Research and Innovation (IERI). The study, which analysed air quality data from 2020 to 2026, warns that the country experiences hazardous pollution levels during the Northeast Monsoon due to more..

Feb 11 (FT) Govt sought to rest concerns of collecting money in schools by assuring that it has not given any authorisation for such activities. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa affirmed under NPP-led Govt no legal provision has been granted for collecting money in schools. He said stressing that the Govt has allocated funds for school development activities through Provincial Councils and the Central Govt. Noting that collecting money in schools has long been a common practice to support more..

Feb 11 (AD) State Vesak Festival for this year will be held at the Midellawala Purana Maha Viharaya in Thihagoda, Matara, according to the General Secretary of the All-Island Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya, Most Venerable Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero. Thero noted that the decision was taken at the third session of the newly established Buddhasasana Council formed by the present govt. The decision was made following a recommendation by the All-Island Sasanarakshaka more..

Feb 11 (NW) A meeting between spiritual leader of the Bohra community, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb and Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake took place today (10) at the Presidential Secretariat. More than one million members of the Bohra community reside in several countries, including India, Pakistan, US, UK, Canada, SL and Australia. Engaging in a cordial discussion with Prez, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb commended programmes more..

Feb 11 (TM) In the wake of frequent discoveries of mobile phones, subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, and narcotics in Prison premises, the Prisons Department stated that a range of measures are being taken to prevent contraband from entering Prisons, including the installation of CCTV cameras and jammer systems. Prisons Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake said that inspections are carried out by Prison officers under the instructions of Prison superintendents, noting that such searches more..

Feb 11 (FT) SL has officially rolled out its Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), a new long-stay residence facility aimed at attracting foreign professionals who work remotely for overseas employers or clients, as part of a broader strategy to position the country as a preferred digital and lifestyle destination. The initiative, now live on the official website of the Dept of Immigration and Emigration, allows eligible foreign nationals to live and work remotely from SL more..

Feb 11 (NW) Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said China remains committed to deepening cooperation with SL and advancing a shared future between the two countries, as he addressed a Spring Festival gathering in Colombo. Speaking at the Celebrating Chinese New Year with Warmth and Joy event held at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo, Ambassador Qi highlighted China’s economic progress, global role, and expanding partnership with SL, while extending New Year greetings more..

Feb 11 (CT) The Attorney General, yesterday, informed the Court of Appeal that the letter issued with the approval of the Chairman of the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to implement a tourism promotion project targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Sri Lanka had been withdrawn. This submission was made when the petition was taken up before President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya. During proceedings, the President of the Court of Appeal queried more..