Oct 20 (FT) Proposals to allow existing microfinance institutions to accept limited public deposits under regulatory supervision, simplify their licensing process, and facilitate access to lower-cost funding were put forward at a meeting of a Parliamentary committee, as the panel focused on expediting implementation of the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act. Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, chaired by more..

Oct 20 (FT) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) is advocating a simple, transparent, and cost-based wheeling tariff to facilitate private power trading and support investment in energy-intensive sectors, with discussions on the pricing mechanism still at an early stage. PUCSL CEO Damitha Kumarasinghe said the tariff should be straightforward to understand, affordable enough to encourage investment, and fair to more..

Oct 20 (Island) The govt appears set to overcome the first major challenge to one of its foundational principles. It has faced down demands from sections of the Buddhist clergy and opposition parties to release Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara from his prison sentence for contempt of court. Ven Gnanasara is best known as the general secretary of the BBS, a nationalist Sinhala grouping. Govt seemed unfazed by a protest march organised by Buddhist monks and the opposition parties more..

Oct 20 (FT) The rhetoric of the NPP on the drug issue, prior to being elected, like their position on numerous issues, appeared progressive. It created hope that if elected they might adopt a health and human rights-based approach. After nearly two years in power, similar to their actions regarding other issues, NPP Govt is following in the footsteps of previous governments by enacting repressive laws that increase State power at the expense of the rights of citizens. more..

Oct 20 (DN) Sri Lanka had several mafias, such as the illicit drug mafia, drug (medications) mafia, three-wheel mafia, trade union mafia, trade mafia, etc, and only some mafias, such as the private bus mafia, still exist. Fortunately, the current NPP Govt, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is treating all those mafias, and the latest mafia to receive some treatment is the private bus mafia. More treatment is required to fully cure this mafia. Therefore, this mafia needs to be eradicated, more..

Oct 20 (Island) A massive wave of youth-led and anti-austerity protests is sweeping across several European countries. It is driven by a host of issues including soaring cost of living, housing unaffordability, discontent with public services, and resentment at govts’ economic policies that are not beneficial to ordinary people. Protests in France, Italy, Belgium, Albania, Portugal and Spain are not part of a single, centrally organised movement, although int'l media often lump them together. more..

Oct 20 (DM) When does, a religion rooted in compassion and wisdom become an instrument of political power? And why does a philosophy as progressive as Buddhism continue to be invoked in defence of old political ideas? These questions have taken on renewed significance amid growing debate over the conduct of certain Buddhist Bhikkhus and their role in public life. Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thera, former Senior Lecturer more..

Oct 20 (DM) This is undoubtedly a difficult time for elephants. Although wildlife authorities point to an alleged increase in the elephant population over the past decade, citing an unpublished survey report, and highlight that fewer elephants died this year than last year, the grim reality remains unchanged. After the death of SL’s most famous tusker, the question becomes even more urgent: are our conservation policies truly protecting the elephants they are intended to conserve? more..

Oct 20 (ST) The sound of the silent but strident thud that hundreds of Buddhist monks made whilst walking on the long and winding road from the Temple of the Sri Dalada to Colombo – protesting at the defilement of the sanctity of the saffron robe, the Buddha’s flag of enlightenment – may have stilled at the capital gates on Thursday, but the echoes of the reverberations it sent throughout the island nation yet remained. The Buddha Sasana, which has lasted for more than two thousand years in Lanka, more..

Oct 20 (SO) Govt’s anti-corruption campaign risks becoming a tool to eliminate political rivals rather than ensure accountability, SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has alleged, warning that arrests and expedited prosecutions could deprive political opponents of their right to contest elections. Jayasekera questioned the Govt’s handling of corruption investigations and the Parliamentary inquiry into the release of more..

Oct 20 (CT) The Professor sat at the dining table with a cup of Ceylon tea. He had allowed it to steep properly, as a man of Sri Lankan birth and British academic habits considered appropriate. Orwell’s famous 1946 essay, A Nice Cup of Tea, laid down eleven rules for making tea. He was quite particular about the business. So was the Professor. Lady Usha was at home. This was fortunate for the Professor, who had lately discovered that running a household and running a country were two entirely different undertakings, more..

Oct 20 (GV) Tamil politics needs stronger public accountability. Political parties must answer for their decisions but accountability cannot stop at elections or depend on which party people support. People must be able to shape political priorities, question those who claim to represent them and challenge govts when they fail to meet their obligations. Tamil society has repeatedly shown that people can mobilise around shared concerns. The challenge is to turn that collective strength more..

Oct 19 (TM) Despite reports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortages across Colombo, with consumers struggling to obtain cylinders and dealers reporting supply disruptions for nearly two weeks, Litro Gas Lanka has attributed the situation to a two-day shipment delay. Litro Gas Lanka Chairman Channa Gunawardana said that LPG supplies were expected to return to normal after a two-day shipment delay, dismissing allegations that delays in opening Letters of Credit (LCs) or more..

Oct 19 (NW) SL fashion model Elina Gunawardena made history yesterday by becoming the first Sri Lankan model ever to walk the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles. The high-profile event returned to Los Angeles with a star-studded lineup featuring top international supermodels including Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Irina Shayk, Ashley Graham, Anok Yai, Paloma Elsesser, Barbara Palvin, Alex Consani, and Kylie Jenner. more..

Oct 19 (DM) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) plans to develop a new integrated logistics hub at the Port of Colombo through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP), following the decision to discontinue an earlier joint venture project. The new development will be pursued through a competitive bidding process, subject to the relevant approvals, the SLPA said in a statement issued on Oct 19. The proposed facility will occupy a substantial more..

Oct 19 (NW) The UNP has called on the Govt to provide an immediate clarification over the alleged failure to extend a diplomatic reception and security to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun during her recent visit to Sri Lanka. UNP questioned why the Thai Deputy PM had allegedly not been accorded diplomatic protocol or security arrangements during her visit to attend the ceremonial unveiling of the pinnacle of the Mihindu Maha Seya in Mihintale. more..

Oct 19 (FT) Media Services, the publisher of leading business magazine LMD, unveiled the top 20 line-up in its forthcoming LMD 100 annual edition with Hayleys retaining the lead, followed by John Keells Holdings (JKH) and LOLC Holdings. 33rd edition of SL’s pioneering listed company rankings presents an encouraging picture of corporate performance in the financial year 2025/26. The 100 leading listed companies collectively recorded an increase of approximately 20% in revenue, more..

Oct 19 (AD) Isuru Hewakottage, Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon attached to the North-Western Wildlife Zone, has reportedly submitted his letter of resignation from his post to the Director-General of Wildlife Conservation. Hewakottage stated that he made the decision following severe allegations and criticism directed at him on social media over incidents related to the treatment of the recently deceased Kawanthissa tusker. more..

Oct 19 (Island) More than 1,600 students sat this year’s Russian Classical Ballet Examination, the largest number ever to take part in the examination in SL. Exams were held in Colombo from 5, to 18, Oct and in Galle on 10 October. Students aged four and above came from across the island, including Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Negombo, Matara, Kelaniya, Panadura, Wattala, Kiribathgoda, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Bandarawela and Badulla. They are taught by 15 dedicated more..

Oct 19 (TM) Around 4,000 child abuse cases remain pending before courts across SL, according to the NCPA, amid concerns over delays in Police investigations, forensic examinations, and judicial proceedings involving child victims. NCPA Director of Law Enforcement, Attorney-at-Law Sajeewani Abeykoon said that the authority received between 10,000 and 12,000 complaints annually, with cases involving suspected criminal offences referred to the Police for further investigation. more..

Oct 19 (NW) Tusker Agbo has been found safe and in good health in the Nachchaduwa Tank Reserve following a joint search operation conducted by Dept of Wildlife Conservation and the SL Army. According to Ministry of Environment, the elephant was located following an extensive search operation carried out by wildlife officers and Army personnel. Wildlife Range Officer Buddhika, who is in charge of the area, confirmed that Agbo was in good health and physical condition when located. more..

Oct 19 (NF) Four people were killed and four others injured in a devastating multi-vehicle road accident in the Akurana area of Kandy a short while ago, authorities said. The accident occurred near the Kurugoda Seven Mile Post area in Akurana when a cement mixer truck collided with several vehicles travelling along the road. According to a spokesperson for the Akurana Hospital, four people sustained injuries in the crash. Two of the injured, who were in critical condition, more..

Oct 19 (EN) When marching Buddhist monks bearing the banner Nidahase Pada Yathra arrived at the gates of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Thursday, it brought a stark confrontation to the doorstep of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration. Organized by a small but vocal faction of the clergy, the protest which culminated in a sit-in at Galle Face demanded an immediate presidential pardon for more..

Oct 19 (Island) Police Headquarters has launched a separate investigation into allegations that several police officers maintained close links with a national cricketer’s brother who is being investigated over alleged connections to organised crime and narcotics trafficking. The move comes amid growing questions over the delay in arresting the 37-year-old suspect, despite earlier indications by investigators that arrangements were underway to take him into custody. more..

Oct 19 (FT) Vidullanka has won a $ 1.35 million contract to build a mini hydro power facility in Fiji, its first foray into the Pacific island region’s renewable energy sector. The company received the Letter of Acceptance on 13 Oct from Fiji’s Dept of Energy under the Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ministry. A Letter of Acceptance is the formal notice that a bid has been successful, ahead of signing the contract. Vidullanka submitted its bid on 18 Dec 2025. more..

Oct 19 (NW) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena has claimed that officials at the Presidential Secretariat misled him during the process of granting a presidential pardon to Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, resulting in a technical error that eventually led to the monk’s reimprisonment. Sirisena said he had studied a copy of the relevant court judgment and understood that a technical defect in documents submitted by more..

Oct 19 (NW) Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging certain provisions of the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill presented to Parliament by the Govt. In his petition, Gammanpila has requested the SC to declare that certain provisions of the proposed Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution. The Attorney General has been named as the respondent in the petition. The former Minister claims that several provisions of the proposed more..

Oct 19 (FT) Rotary International will convene its Rotary Institute 2026 in December in Colombo, drawing over 1,000 highnetworth members, including District Governors, past Governors, and senior private sector business personalities from South Asia. Conference will welcome Rotary International World President Yinka Babalola and a galaxy of influential personalities from the hierarchy of the Rotary International team from the US, and other representatives from corporate India, more..

Oct 19 (NW) Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management SL (A-PAD SL) has launched its first activity under the Clean Waterways Initiative Programme, aimed at supporting the restoration of Colombo’s Beira Lake. The programme, held on Oct 8 at the Sri Uttarananda Mawatha Pier, brought together more than 120 participants, including volunteers, govt agencies and representatives of partner organisations. Organised as part of an initiative of Beira Lake restoration task force, more..

Oct 19 (AD) The Speaker of House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today endorsed the certificate on the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, officially enacting it as the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2026. The Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on August 19, 2026, by the PM and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. Second Reading debate was held on October 8, following which the Bill was passed with amendments without a division. more..

Oct 19 (Island) Govt’s ambitious plans to overhaul SL’s school education system and introduce new curricula could face serious implementation difficulties, with teacher unions warning that a longstanding and severe shortage of teachers remains unresolved. The warning came as PM Harini Amarasuriya announced yesterday that new curricula would be introduced for Grades 2 and 6 next year, while also stating that more..

Oct 19 (FT) Two 10-member business delegations from India, representing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), visited Colombo to participate in the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2026, on 12-13 October. The visits provided an opportunity to explore trade and investment opportunities in SL, strengthen business-to-business (B2B) linkages, and promote greater economic engagement between India and SL. more..