Feb 25 (Island) In a campaign where Sri Lanka have been forced to reshuffle their deck more often than they would have liked, Dunith Wellalage has found himself tossed the new ball during the Power Play and the young all-rdnesday, it will have been eight days since their last competitive fixture, but in the face of their disastrous outing with the bat against England, it's Sri Lanka that might be feeling rather undercooked, and are in danger of being eliminated from a World Cup they are co-hosting. Make no qualms about it, SL enter this contest seeking a massive course correction. Despite a strong start to the tournament more..

Feb 25 (CI) The scene in Pallekele was a familiar one for those of SL persuasion, in fact probably one they wished they might have seen more frequently over the years: a lanky figure - perhaps one with a touch more muscle now than in the past - sprinting rhythmically towards the crease, that open-chested silhouette discernible even at a distance, the biomechanics tidy as ever, and the seam of the ball bolt upright like a student suddenly noticing the arrival of their headmaster. more..

Feb 25 (Island) Nearly five years after the catastrophic sinking of the X-Press Pearl, off SL’s western coast, the environmental scars remain visible — from contaminated beaches to disrupted fisheries. Now, that tragedy has become a rallying point for an international coalition of scientists, demanding urgent reforms to global maritime law. A group of leading researchers and environmental experts is calling on the IMO more..

Feb 25 (FT) Ambassadors-designate of Cuba, Qatar and Slovenia yesterday presented their Letters of Credence to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a ceremony held at the Prez Secretariat. The credentials were presented by Ambassador-designate of Cuba to SL Patricia Lázara Pego Guerra, resident in Colombo; Ambassador-designate of Qatar to SL Hamad Mohammed Abdullah Al-Sanad Al-Dosari, resident in Colombo; and Ambassador-designate of Slovenia to SL more..

Feb 25 (FT) Sri Lanka’s apparel and textile sector is forecast to generate $ 5.5 billion in export revenue this year, with authorities banking on new trade concessions and market access gains to drive growth. Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe yesterday said 2026 is expected to mark a major transformation for the industry, leveraging on preferential market access and agreements, to create fresh opportunities to scale up value-added exports. more..

Feb 25 (TM) With 16 Deputy Director General (DDG) posts lying vacant across the State health service, including a key position at the Colombo National Hospital, Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni has warned the Health Ministry is facing a serious crisis in maintaining the smooth functioning of the public health system. Dr. Wijemuni said the Public Service Commission (PSC) has been working closely with AG's Dept more..

Feb 25 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal to sign a cooperation agreement between the SL Export Development Board (EDB) and German Import Promotion Bureau (IPB), aimed at boosting SL exporters’ access to the German and wider European markets. “The proposed agreement is expected to create structured collaboration between the two entities, with a focus on enhancing export readiness, compliance with European standards and long-term market integration,” more..

Feb 25 (ST) The 27th annual Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya, organised by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), will ride off from Feb 27 to March 1 from Negombo. Three-day men’s race, held in line with the 75th SLAF anniversary, will commence in Negombo on Feb 27, with riders flagging off from the coastal town and passing through Kochchikade, Madampe, Chilaw and Madurankuliya before reaching the Puttalam Beach Park. Opening stage will cover a distance of approx 125 km. more..

Feb 25 (Island) In a campaign where Sri Lanka have been forced to reshuffle their deck more often than they would have liked, Dunith Wellalage has found himself tossed the new ball during the Power Play and the young all-rounder has swum rather than sunk. With Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Eshan Malinga all ruled out by injury during the 20-nation showpiece, the former champions have had to plug gaps on the run. Wellalage, who may well have been watching more..

Feb 25 (EN) Malaysian Airline will be the third carrier to adapt self check-in at BIA with an aim to speed the check-in process with minimum labour involved. SriLankan Airlines has already rolled out 20 additional self check-in counters at the BIA through the ground handling unit, Airport and Ground Services, while Singapore Airline has also started the self check-in. “Malaysian Airlines will soon be self-check-in. The process will be completed within the next couple of months,” more..

Feb 25 (DM) European Union (EU), which raised concerns about the proposed counter-terrorism bill has requested the govt, among others, to narrow down its definition, an official familiar with the process said. The Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) is the proposed piece of legislation in SL intended to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) — a law first enacted in 1979 that has been widely criticised more..

Feb 25 (DM) A very disturbing aspect of the recent Akuregoda double murder – of a lawyer and his wife – is that the wife wasn’t spared by the killers. Investigations so far have revealed that this was a revenge killing. The slain lawyer was representing a rival of a mafia figure now hiding in Dubai. The murders were carried out, not merely as punishment to the victim, but as a warning to the entire legal community. The victim could have been warned without resorting to murder. more..

Feb 25 (ST) This year dawned rather inauspiciously, if one is permitted a euphemism where the cantankerous Prez Trump is concerned. On Jan 3, that great man in the sky who believes he rules the world let loose his dogs of war. Just to sum up, he literally stole Venezuela’s ruling prez and his wife, probably unaware that stealing is a criminal offence. He flew them to New York – not for a Roman holiday, as some assumed – while many decently administered nations near and far stood in more..

Feb 25 (Island) JVP-NPP govt has irreparably blackened its reputation with low-grade coal. Laboratory tests have confirmed that all eight shipments of coal supplied by a new company to the Norochcholai power plant are substandard. To make matters worse, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has claimed that the ninth shipload of coal is also substandard. There was a time when the JVP leaders vehemently condemned the Presidents and ministers of the day as kleptocrats and more..

Feb 25 (GV) Sri Lanka has the world’s second highest number of cases registered with the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. Since the 1980s, an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 people from all ethnic and religious communities have disappeared. Many victims are believed to have been abducted, tortured and killed by govt security forces, including units operating under the country’s political and military leaders, according to Human Rights Watch. more..

Feb 25 (CT) SL’s strategic position in the Indian Ocean has long been recognised, but its full potential in seabed resources and maritime influence remains largely untapped. Y N Jayarathna, former Chief Hydrographer, outlined the country’s prospects and challenges during a keynote address at the 4th Indian Ocean Security Conference held in Colombo. Speaking under the title Seabed Minerals: Whither – more..

Feb 25 (DM) Every time a SL leader lands in a western capital, a predictable yet hypocritical drama unfolds. A small but vocal segment of the Tamil diaspora gathers outside, waving the flag of the LTTE and chanting slogans about justice and human rights. But what they refuse to confront is their own silence and their own selective outrage, thereby only proving that they are nothing but hypocrites in their so called call for justice. The LTTE terrorists did not only wage war against the SL state. more..

Feb 25 (CT) Although overall displacement has fallen from its peak after Cyclone Ditwah, more than 155,000 people in SL remain without a permanent place to call home. They are living with host families or in alternative locations, navigating a fragile routine built on uncertainty. UN reports that over 240,000 people have already received assistance under the Humanitarian Priorities Plan, which aims to support 658,000 of the most vulnerable between Dec 2025 and Apr 2026. more..

Feb 25 (SO) The killing of lawyer Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife triggered a strong collective response by the Bar Association of SL (BASL), with lawyers across the country refraining from Court appearance last Monday. The case has also sharpened uncomfortable questions about lawyer safety, the profession’s ties to high-risk criminal cases, and whether the BASL applies its solidarity, disciplinary standards consistently. more..

Feb 25 (TM) Tourism has long been presented as one of Sri Lanka’s economic pillars. It brings in foreign exchange, sustains livelihoods, and supports thousands of small businesses. But alongside its benefits, there is a set of problems that authorities have been slow to confront, despite years of complaints from local communities. In several well-known tourist hotspots, a number of concerns keep resurfacing. These include tourists overstaying visas, foreign nationals operating businesses more..

Feb 25 (Island) Every SLTDA (SL Tourism Development Authority) press release now leads with the same headline: India is SL’s star market. The numbers seem to prove it, 531,511 Indian arrivals in 2025, representing 22.5% of all tourists. Officials celebrate the half-million milestone and set targets for 600,000, 700,000, more. But follow the money instead of the headcount, and a different picture emerges. We are building our tourism recovery on a low-spending, short-stay, more..

Feb 24 (CT) Exporters have expressed concern over a decision to transfer the inspection of export consignments from Board of Investment of SL (BOI) to SL Customs with effect from July. Until now, inspections of goods exported under BOI concessions had been carried out by the BOI. However, under the new arrangement, all such inspections are to be conducted by the Customs. Exporters warned that if the delays currently experienced in Customs operations were to more..

Feb 24 (DN) The construction sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to reach around 5% in 2026, supported by infrastructure projects already under way such as Central Expressway Section 1 and port developments, as well as upcoming projects including the new airport terminal and Central Expressway Phase 3, alongside Cyclone Ditwah reconstruction and other projects in the pipeline, Access Engineering Executive Vice Chairman Christopher Joshua told the Asia Securities more..

Feb 24 (DM) The govt which had faulted Laugfs Gas for the issue in gas supply had summoned its officials for a discussion this week, it was reported yesterday. Minister of Trade and Food Security Wasantha Samarasinghe told media that the govt has summoned officials of Laugfs Gas for a meeting this week. The issue is that Laugfs gas has not got into an agreement for an annual supply of gas with the suppliers unlike Litro Gas. This is why it has not been able to stabilize its supply. more..

Feb 24 (TM) Ministry of Tourism has announced that sweeping reforms will be introduced through a proposed new Tourism Act, now in the drafting stage, aimed at strengthening regulation and enforcement within the tourism sector. Deputy Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe said the new legislation is designed to modernise the legal framework governing the industry, which he noted has evolved significantly over the past two decades. more..

Feb 24 (TM) Failure to read the game situation and the Pallekelle pitch resulted in Sri Lanka losing to England by 51 runs in the Super Eight round fixture of the 2026 T20 World Cup in Kandy on Sunday (22), according to former captain Kumar Sangakkara. The former skipper was also critical of batsman Kamil Mishara’s approach to the chase. In a post on X, Sangakkara said planning and execution by the Sri Lankan bowlers were in sharp contrast to the same by the batters. more..

Feb 24 (FT) Gangaramaya Temple Chief Incumbent Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji, has been conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by KITT University in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Buddhist scholarship, spiritual leadership, and the strengthening of SL–India cultural relations. Notably, this marks the first time in history that a Sri Lankan has received this distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award has previously more..

Feb 24 (FT) Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has increased flight frequencies between Bahrain and Colombo to 10 flights per week from daily operations. The enhanced schedule comes in response to heightened travel demand during the upcoming Ramadan and Eid festive season — traditionally a peak period for family reunions, leisure travel, and religious journeys. Operating double daily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the additional services are more..

Feb 24 (FT) As part of a joint initiative between the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry and the UN Development Program (UNDP), a special technical delegation visited SL from 16 to 20 Feb. Accordingly, a delegation from the UNDP and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) arrived in the country to support the design of a sustainable and financially responsible financing mechanism for micro, small and medium-scale industrialists and businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah. more..

Feb 24 (DM) Despite the hype created regarding plans by two rice mill owners turned billionaires to purchase aircraft, none of them have so far approached the Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAA) to secure the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), an official said. Billionaires Dudley Sirisena and Mithrapala Lankeshwara said that they intend to purchase helicopters for personal and commercial use. Anyone using aircraft for domestic and more..

Feb 24 (Island) Sri Lanka needs to build awareness, effective policies and encourage regional multilateral frameworks to develop a multi-pronged approach to secure its national interest and safeguard regional stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), as the region together with its seabed have become an area of strategic competition, former Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary to former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Prof Nobukatsu Kanehara said. “Indian Ocean has been a maritime highway for millennia, more..

Feb 24 (TM) SL continues to shine as a premier beach destination in Asia, with Mirissa Beach and Bentota Beach earning prestigious spots on Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches list. Mirissa Beach secured fifth place, while Bentota Beach was ranked seventh, highlighting their popularity among travelers. Best of the Best designation is awarded to less than 1% of Tripadvisor’s listings and honors destinations that have consistently received outstanding more..