Sep 27 (Island) Commercial Bank mobilised employees, customers, volunteers and community members for a nationwide coastal and aquatic clean-up campaign across 20 locations on Sept 19 to mark Int'l Coastal Cleanup Day 2026. Conducted under the bank’s sustainability platform, themed Forward Together for a Cleaner Future, the initiative covered 16 coastal locations and four inland waterways, bringing together stakeholders for a coordinated environmental conservation effort. more..

Sep 27 (TM) Health authorities in the Uva Province have proposed equipping remote health facilities and regional administrative offices with Starlink satellite internet. The proposal follows the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, whose floods and landslides cut power and telecommunication networks, leaving health officials unable to coordinate the emergency response. Recounting the crisis operations, Uva Province Provincial Director of Health Services Dr. Mahendra Senevirathna told more..

Sep 27 (Island) Kahawatte Plantations (KWPL), a Regional Plantation Company operating across the landscapes of Nawalapitiya and Sabaragamuwa, together with the Market Development Facility (MDF), an Australian multi-country initiative, have completed a new Coffee Processing Centre and Smallholder Farmer Network, a joint investment aimed at lifting the quality, value and market reach of SL coffee. Both the Coffee Processing Centre and Smallholder Farmer Network mark more..

Sep 27 (TM) Local authorities have been placed on high alert as several climate phenomena such as the El Niño effect, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and the northeast monsoon are expected to bring heavy rainfall through December before plunging parts of the country into a prolonged dry spell starting early next year, according to DMC. DMC Director General Sampath Kotuwegoda confirmed that monthly multi-stakeholder more..

Sep 27 (Island) Rumesh Tharanga’s remarkable rise has forced enthusiasts to pin their hopes entirely on the World Ultimate Javelin Champion for a gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. In SL’s athletics contingent of more than twenty athletes, there are two other javelin throwers: former national record holder Sumedha Ranasinghe and women’s national javelin record holder Dilhani Lekamge. ‎Lekamge heads into today’s competition with a realistic opportunity to add another more..

Sep 27 (SO) The latest judgment in the Easter Sunday attacks case marks an important step towards accountability, but it cannot be regarded as the end of the search for the truth. Fifteen of the 24 accused tried before the Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar were convicted over their involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, while nine were acquitted. The Court heard a vast body of evidence during a trial involving 23,270 charges and thousands of witnesses. more..

Sep 27 (SO) The second annual Yodha Ela Int'l Mountain Ride 2026, under the concept of cycling for all, will be held from opposite the historic Isurumuniya Raja Maha Viharaya in Anuradhapura today, commencing at 7 a.m. National and int'l mountain bike cycling competitors are set to participate in this event, which is conducted to mark World Tourism Day 2026. Competitors will ride along the historical Tissa Wewa tank bund alongside Yoda Ela to Kala Wewa reservoir where more..

Sep 27 (Island) What’s this world coming to when the UN itself is not united? This rhetorical lament about the current state of the world crosses discerning minds when world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly’s annual sessions, where threats, rhetoric and protest apparently take precedence over diplomacy expected of the civilised world. Critics argue that US Prez Donald Trump regards the UN headquarters as his country’s backyard. more..

Sep 27 (TM) NPP Govt on Friday voted the controversial 22nd Amendment into law, while the Opposition, clad in black to protest the move, argued against the bill. The bill was passed following a vote in Parliament with 158 voting for and 63 voting against it. The writing was on the wall: the Govt, despite much opposition and little consultation about the bill, which many observers had warned would be detrimental to constitutionality and more..

Sep 27 (SO) Fifteen Islamist extremists were given long prison sentences for their involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks last week. But questions remain on how they will spent the rest of their time in jail, given the danger of placing such extremists in proximity with other prisoners, and what the NPP Govt can do to dismantle extremist organisations of various shades, who have proven over and over again that they can be used at cat’s paws by local and international actors with more..

Sep 27 (TM) Last week, a High Court Trial-at-Bar convicted 15 men out of 24 charged for their roles in organising and plotting the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019. The 15 individuals were sentenced to between 200 and 260 years of rigorous imprisonment each. Among those found guilty was Naufer Moulavi, who prosecutors identified as the central mastermind behind the plot. Moulavi and his colleagues who were found guilty left the court for prison with smiles on their faces, and more..

Sep 27 (SO) For more than three decades, Tilvin Silva has remained at the centre of the JVP political journey, serving as its General Secretary since 1995. From rebuilding a party weakened by repression and internal divisions to helping shape the NPP into the political force that secured State power, Silva has witnessed some of the most significant transformations in the movement’s history. In this interview, he reflects on that journey, more..

Sep 27 (TM) Last week brought two economic news stories that must be read together. Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-,’ with a Stable Outlook. Soon after, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission ended without announcing a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) for the Seventh Review, although discussions will continue. The first headline shows how far we have come. The second reminds us how easily the gains can be lost. more..

Sep 27 (Island) The second anniversary of Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election as President has come and gone, but not before getting marked by a spate of judgements delivered and announced on a single day following the anniversary. Far away in New York, it has been a week of speeches by state and govt leaders making their pilgrimage to the 81st Annual Sessions of the United Nations that is entering its ninth decade. President AKD did not make the trip this year to the UN Sessions, more..

Sep 26 (NW) Minister Bimal Rathnayake says the govt intends to complete Sri Lanka’s current IMF programme when the four-year Extended Fund Facility arrangement expires in March 2027, while continuing the country’s normal engagement with the IMF thereafter. He said the govt did not currently see a need to enter another IMF programme linked to debt restructuring after the existing arrangement ends. more..

Sep 26 (NW) The 27th Colombo International Book Fair begins today at the BMICH in Colombo. Organised by the SL Book Publishers’ Association, the 10-day fair will run from Sept 25 to Oct 4 and will be open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. This year’s event brings together around 70 leading local publishers and 32 international publishers, according to the official Colombo International Book Fair website. Visitors will be able to purchase a wide range of local and foreign books, including more..

Sep 26 (NW) Nearly two-thirds of children surveyed in SL spend more than 30 minutes a day using mobile phones, tablets or other screens, according to findings of a survey revealed by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe. He said the survey, covering 1,100 children across four provinces, examined several aspects of children’s daily habits, including screen use, sleep and eating patterns. The survey was conducted with the participation of children, their parents & preschool teachers. more..

Sep 26 (FT) Govt remains committed to raising the monthly personal income tax-free threshold to Rs. 200,000, Minister Nishantha Jayaweera said, reiterating its plan to lower tax rates while expanding the tax base. His remarks came as Prez told a public rally that the Govt would provide tax relief in the 2027 Budget. Govt’s election manifesto had promised that income tax threshold would be increased to Rs. 200,000. more..

Sep 26 (AD) Uni of Peradeniya has once again secured the No. 1 position in SL in the 2026 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. According to the 2026 rankings, Uni of Peradeniya ranked 200th globally among 2,016 universities from 110 countries, with a score of 8,262.5 points. The achievement reflects the university’s continued progress in maintaining an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus, implementing sustainable development initiatives, and more..

Sep 26 (NW) Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake has demanded corrections from several media organisations over reports that he had acknowledged a division within the govt over the 22nd Amendment. Raising a point of order in Parliament, Rathnayake said his remarks had been misrepresented, stressing that he was referring to a division that had emerged in society over the proposed amendment and not within the govt. “What I very clearly said was that, as a govt, more..

Sep 26 (NW) The assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge was not merely intended to eliminate an individual but to send a warning to other journalists and professionals who were prepared to challenge politicians, corruption and powerful interests, CIABOC Director General Ranga Dissanayake said. Speaking at the launch of the Sinhala translation of a book on Wickrematunge, Dissanayake argued that the killing of Wickrematunge conveyed a broader warning more..

Sep 26 (FT) The 5th DG Level Talks between Narcotics Control Agencies of India and Sri Lanka was held on 23 Sept 2026 in Colombo. The talks build on the renewed emphasis on bilateral security cooperation during PM of India Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, particularly on combating illicit drug trafficking. It has added significance following President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent call for India’s fullest support in combating more..

Sep 26 (TM) Average monthly expenditure on allowances and other payments made to the current Speaker of Parliament, Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, has been 75.98% higher than the monthly average recorded for former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, according to information obtained under RTI Act. The monthly average for Dr Wickramaratne stood at Rs 502,800.75, compared to Rs 382,068.97 for Abeywardena. more..

Sep 26 (CA) Australia will travel to SL for a bilateral ODI series for the first time in more than a decade, with a three-match tour schedule in December announced today. The two sides will not have squared off in the format in more than seven years by the time the series gets underway, after their proposed 2025 World Cup clash in Colombo was washed out. Three contests will be played in the space of six days in Dambulla, with the Australians scheduled to arrive in SL on Dec 10. more..

Sep 26 (DN) World No. 1 javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga, SL’s leading gold-medal hope at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, will begin his campaign in the men’s javelin qualifying round today at 7.35 a.m. SLT. Experienced SL thrower Sumedha Ranasinghe will also compete alongside Tharanga in the qualifying round. Nagoya Games mark Tharanga’s first Asian Games appearance. The 23-year-old athlete, who recently won Commonwealth Games gold in Scotland, will be aiming to more..

Sep 26 (DN) SL shuttler Dumindu Abeywickrama made a comfortable start to his Asian Games campaign, defeating Nepal’s Praful Maharjan 21-6, 21-8 in straight games in the men’s singles first round in Japan yesterday. World No. 80 Abeywickrama controlled the match from the outset and secured a convincing two-game victory. He will face Hong Kong’s Angus Ka Long in the second round. Abeywickrama, who recently broke into the world’s top 80, has shown encouraging form more..

Sep 26 (NW) International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has pledged support for the development of football in SL, with discussions also focusing on the construction of a football ground and the provision of equipment for players. FIFA Regional Director for Asia and Oceania Sanjeevan Balasingam made the assurance during a meeting with Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage. The meeting focused on assistance that could be extended to SL to support the development of football in SL. more..

Sep 26 (DM) 20 more forests covering nearly 9,538 hectares in six districts are scheduled to be declared forest reserves today under Govt’s Vanaspathi national programme aimed at protecting SL’s forest ecosystems for future generations. Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi is scheduled to sign the relevant Gazette notifications during a field programme at the Sadathenna Forestry College in Nuwara Eliya. more..

Sep 26 (N) Lanka Sathosa has decided to reduce the prices of six essential consumer goods across its island-wide outlet network with effect from today. State-owned supermarket chain implemented the price reductions to provide relief to consumers as part of its national mission to support poverty alleviation. Under the revised pricing, big onions have been reduced by Rs. 10 to a new price of Rs. 309 per kg, while bulk white sugar drops by Rs. 4 to Rs. 245 per kg. more..

Sep 26 (ST) Farmer organisations and villagers are opposing a govt plan to construct a large‑scale paddy mill complex in an area identified as an elephant corridor near Air Force camp in Ampara. An inspection visit is scheduled today for the proposed construction on an 80‑acre plot which, farmers say, forms part of an elephant corridor bordering wildlife parks and reservations. Their protest stems from concerns over shrinking space for wildlife and increasing danger posed to humans. more..

Sep 26 (ST) With increased rainfall in the coming months potentially creating more mosquito breeding sites, the govt should establish a rapid coordination mechanism enabling Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) to work closely with other state institutions and educational institutions, PHIs have stressed. SL Public Health Inspectors’ Association has said dengue control was not solely the responsibility of the govt, but a collective more..

Sep 26 (ST) Damayanthi Lee, who runs a moringa farm in Kanniya, Trincomalee, and hosts workshops on growing and using the plant, is campaigning to see a moringa tree in every Sri Lanka household and its leaves incorporated into everyday meals. For Ms Lee, the familiar moringa tree is not merely something to be added to fish, crab or prawn curry. She is now focusing on cookery demonstrations to show people how its leaves can be used in a variety of familiar foods. more..