Sep 9 (NW) Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced that wearing seat belts will become mandatory for all passengers, both front and rear, on SL’s expressways starting Sept 19. He said the measure follows alarming statistics: in 2025, 2,700 people died in road accidents. He further said that research showed that casualties on expressways were predominantly rear‑seat passengers, especially women and children, prompting the decision to extend seat belt requirements beyond drivers more..

Sep 9 (ST) A high‑level Fisheries Ministry delegation is scheduled to visit India on Sept 25 for official talks with counterparts to resolve fisheries disputes, particularly bottom trawling by Tamil Nadu fishermen in Northern waters. Fisheries Minister R. Chandrasekar said the talks would focus on preventing Tamil Nadu fishermen from encroaching into SL territorial waters for bottom trawling, which is internationally banned. “We want to end the ongoing illegal fishing by TN fishermen more..

Sep 9 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday clashed in Parliament over the standing of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA). This was after Premadasa cited concerns raised by CLA President Steven Thiru over Supreme Court proceedings on the proposed 22nd Amendment, warning that perceptions of eroding judicial independence could undermine more..

Sep 9 (NW) Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament that passenger transport vehicles such as buses, vans, office vans, and school vans will soon be required to undergo a mandatory road worthiness test every 5,000 km or once in three months. Minister stressed that this is not the annual road worthiness test currently in place, but a shorter, less comprehensive check designed to ensure basic safety. Test is expected to cost between Rs.1,500–2,000, and will cover several key mechanical more..

Sep 9 (NW) Ministry of Science and Technology is preparing a strategic plan to guide the development, standardisation, testing and commercialisation of drone technology and applications in SL. A preliminary stakeholder discussion on the proposed framework was held on Sept 2 under the leadership of Science and Technology Minister Krishantha Abeysena. The ministry said drone technology is already being widely used in industries including agriculture, highlighting the need for more..

Sep 9 (FT) The country’s legal profession filed only two Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) between 2020 and 2026, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Speaking at a symposium where regulators pressed the profession to lift its compliance standards and the Bar Association of SL (BASL) conceded the shortfall and pledged reform. more..

Sep 9 (FT) Board of Investment of SL (BOI) has certified the registration of its agreement with Sahasdhanavi Ltd, paving the way for the development of a 350 MW RLNG/diesel-operable combined-cycle power plant at the Kerawalapitiya Industrial Zone. BOI Agreement was registered on 13 Aug 2026 under Section 17(2) of the BOI Law No. 4 of 1978, covering an envisaged investment of $ 291.19 million in the power generation project. The investment comprises $ 90 m in share capital, more..

Sep 9 (DM) Sri Lanka’s medium and large-scale businesses in the Southern province have pressed the govt to address the constraints affecting their operations, taking a series of concerns and proposed solutions directly to the Finance Ministry, as the private sector seeks quicker resolution of the obstacles facing the businesses. The representatives of several business associations affiliated with the Southern Province Chambers Forum met Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando more..

Sep 9 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery showed signs of losing momentum at the start of September, with tourist arrivals during the first six days of the month falling 1.1% year-on-year (YoY). A total of 31,885 tourists arrived between 1 and 6 Sept 2026, compared with 32,246 during the corresponding six-day period of Sept 2025, representing a decline of 361 visitors or 1.12%. The modest September contraction comes after arrivals had already weakened during the preceding two months, more..

Sep 9 (Island) Harsha Karunaratne produced one of the highlights of the 104th National Athletics Championship, clocking 1:47.80 to win the men’s 800 metres on the final day on Sunday. His performance shattered the meet record and became the fastest 800m ever run by a Sri Lankan on home soil. Trained by veteran middle-distance coach Susantha Fernando, Karunaratne’s run carried an extra edge as he is the only gold medallist from 2025 South Asian C'ship who has not been picked more..

Sep 9 (NW) Former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva has rejected allegations of wrongdoing during the final stages of SL’s civil war, saying he is prepared to answer specific accusations against him and questioning the basis on which he has been sanctioned internationally. Silva said the SL military had fought the LTTE professionally and had sought to minimise civilian casualties during the final military offensive. more..

Sep 9 (Island) Buruwa is traditionally played with a 52-card pack, a standard deck. Players sit in a circle, and after the cards are shuffled by the dealer, one player who sits right side of the dealer can cut the deck and request a specific card from the dealer who must deliver it into two sets (hitting-the dealer’s side and asking-the opposite side), after set aside two cards, and the first player to collect their requested card wins. it’s quick, sociable, and genuinely simple to learn, more..

Sep 9 (CT) Two years ago, Sri Lankan voters did not merely elect a new govt. They voted for a political transformation. The NPP came to power promising something much larger than better administration. Its central message was system change—a break with the political culture, corruption, privileges and institutional weaknesses that many Sri Lankans believed had contributed to the country’s economic and political crisis. Now, nearly two years into the NPP administration, more..

Sep 9 (ST) The constitutional ball has been smashed into the Supreme Court, and it’s now in the hands of a five-judge bench to decide whether they should render unto Parliament what is Parliament’s or render unto the people what is theirs. On the face of it, the legal issue of whether the bill to amend the constitution to extend the retirement age of judges required not only a two-thirds majority in parliament but a referendum as well – considered on an isolated, esoteric plane of judicious thought more..

Sep 9 (Island) Power is as addictive as narcotics, and those who savour it cannot let go of it. When out of power, they find themselves in the same predicament as drug addicts who kick the habit cold turkey. Hence politicians’ determined efforts to perpetuate their grip on power regardless of the methods used to achieve that end. NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe has declared that his party will remain in power until 2050, as we reported yesterday. He first said so at a political rally more..

Sep 9 (TM) By the last week of the salary cycle of every month, a development officer in Colombo stops buying meat and fish. His household of three survives on sprats, dhal, and eggs when his salary of close to Rs. 50,000 arrives and immediately begins to dry out. “My salary goes straight into basic provisions, electricity and water bills, and the kid’s school transport. There is no money left for anything else. more..

Sep 9 (DM) The Eighth Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference (CIMLC) to be held from September 9 to 11 is designed to enhance SL’s status as a major maritime hub in the Indo-Pacific region. It will bring together global maritime leaders, regional policymakers, maritime sector professionals and captains of trade and industry to discuss new horizons and challenges facing the global shipping community. This year’s conference will have Sri Lanka as its prime focus, more..

Sep 9 (DM) SL’s Constitution has already been changed 21 times, and now a Twenty-Second Amendment is being proposed. As usual, this has brought a lot of arguing between the govt and the Opposition. But under all that noise is an idea that isn’t getting enough attention: a govt is not the same thing as the State. Govts come and go. Majorities in parliament change, parties rise and fall, and today’s ruling party can become tomorrow’s Opposition. But the State, as set out in the constitution, more..

Sep 9 (SO) Time has come to live the famous words of Great King Parakramabahu: Not even a little water that comes from the rain must flow into the ocean without being made useful to mankind. Sri Lanka is blessed with 103 rivers fairly distributed over the country. The country receives high rainfalls in the North-East and South-West monsoon periods resulting in an average annual rainfall of around 1760 mm. more..

Sep 9 (DM) Ahead of its 63rd regular session scheduled to be held from Sept 7 to Oct 7, the UNHRC has reminded the SL govt of a list of its past commitments. Some of these commitments have gone unfulfilled for the past two decades. Successive govts have either bought time in the guise of fulfilling them or rejected them. UN human rights body has been adopting resolutions on SL since 2012, pressing successive govts to implement a credible accountability process for more..

Sep 9 (TM) This week, as they have done at almost every session of the UNHRC since the war ended seventeen years ago, Sri Lanka's representatives once again stood in the Palais des Nations to defend the country's record, appeal for patience and ask that its efforts be judged fairly. The Office of the High Commissioner once again presented its written update. The Govt once again objected to the external mechanism set up to gather evidence outside the country's own institutions. more..

Sep 8 (NW) Minister Vijitha Herath clarified today that the case relating to the arrest of SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa was not filed by the current administration but during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure. Minister stressed that the case was initiated before the current government came to power. “This is not a case filed by us. It was filed earlier, during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s time. He seems to have forgotten this,” Herath said. The Minister further alleged that more..

Sep 8 (NF) Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has appeared before the CIABOC. His appearance follows a summons issued by the Bribery Commission in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Airbus scandal. Commission stated that a statement is currently being recorded from former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. He had previously been instructed to appear before the Bribery Commission on Sept 4. However, Rajapaksa had informed the Commission that he was more..

Sep 8 (FT) SL’s tourism sector is facing a more challenging 2026 than initially anticipated, with the SLTDA sharply revising down its arrival projections amid ME conflict, higher energy costs, and growing uncertainty in international travel. The revised assessment comes after a record 2025, when SL welcomed 2,362,521 tourists, surpassing the country’s pre-pandemic 2018 arrival level and recording 15.1% growth over 2024. more..

Sep 8 (NW) Colombo Marathon- 2026 will take place on Sept 13 at the Galle Face Grounds, coinciding with the 50th National Sports Festival. Organized by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Depat of Sports Development, and other relevant institutions, int'l marathon is aimed at promoting both sports culture and tourism. The competition will feature a full marathon, half marathon, 10 km run, and a 5 km Fun Run, with a large turnout of national and int'l runners expected to participate. more..

Sep 8 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a five-year MoU on labour cooperation and a supplementary agreement governing the employment of SL workers in Thailand. The agreements, which follow bilateral discussions between SL and Thailand, are aimed at establishing a formal framework for cooperation on labour migration. Under the proposed arrangements, authorities in both countries will establish mechanisms to facilitate the transparent and more..

Sep 8 (NW) Minister Vijitha Herath denied reports that Iranian vessels had entered SL’s territorial waters, saying authorities were monitoring several vessels operating in international waters near the country. Herath said authorities had identified 47 vessels in the vicinity of SL, including some Iranian vessels, but that they remained outside the country’s territorial waters. “There are 47 vessels that have been identified in the vicinity. more..

Sep 8 (NW) Govt has launched a Multi‑Purpose Loan Scheme to support SL migrant workers, enabling them to invest their overseas earnings in housing, education, business ventures, and other financial needs. According to SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), scheme is open to Sri Lankans employed abroad who can provide proof of overseas employment contracts and remittance records. Applicants must submit documents such as their passport, employment agreement, more..

Sep 8 (NF) Sri Lanka has moved a step closer to introducing a comprehensive legal framework to combat organized crime, with Cabinet granting approval to publish and present a new Anti-Organized Crime Bill in Parliament. The proposed legislation, which has already received clearance from the Attorney General, was submitted jointly by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Public Security, along with the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. According to the Govt, more..

Sep 8 (Island) NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe yesterday reiterated that the ruling party is confident of winning successive presidential and parliamentary polls. Kalutara District lawmaker Dr. Abeysinghe said that contrary to Opposition claims, the electorate was still with the govt. The NPPer said so when The Island asked him whether his bombastic declaration at a rally in Beruwala, on Sunday, that the incumbent administration could continue till 2050 was achievable. more..

Sep 8 (EN) Sri Lanka will invite fresh tenders for the returfing of synthetic running tracks at the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex after the only qualified bidder submitted a price significantly above initial estimates, govt said. The project covers the resurfacing of the 400-meter, 200-meter, and 80-meter synthetic tracks under the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority, with an estimated total cost of 1.06 billion rupees. Previous cabinet approvals for the project were more..