Feb 13 (TM) GovPay digital payment platform has marked its first year in operation, processing transactions exceeding Rs. 2.7 billion while linking 252 Govt entities to a single electronic payment system. Introduced to simplify financial transactions between the public and state institutions, GovPay functions as a unified gateway for payments related to Govt services. Since its launch, the platform has facilitated more than 133,000 transactions, covering 3,783 services offered by various agencies. more..

Feb 13 (DM) The Supreme Court has ruled that there is no further relief the govt can provide in relation to the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project, stating that it is pointless to continue the case. According to the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), the Uma Oya project was implemented without properly following Sri Lanka’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, resulting in severe environmental damage and hardship to affected communities. more..

Feb 13 (DM) Florists along Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Mawatha in Town Hall, Colombo said Valentine’s Day flower sales have dropped this year compared to previous years, mainly due to high prices and low consumer spending. Several florists said that fewer customers are buying roses for Valentine’s Day, as many people are cutting back on non-essential spending because of economic difficulties. more..

Feb 13 (AD) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in order to achieve the transformative change expected as a nation, it is essential to develop strong human resources, and that the Govt’s priority is to provide children with a standard and quality education. PM made these remarks during an educational inspection tour in Hambantota. During the visit, PM toured Beliatta Ruhunu Vijayaba National School and its Primary Section, where she observed the new workbooks introduced more..

Feb 13 (TM) Indicating an end to the non-functioning of the National Commission on Women, the relevant authorities, including the Presidential Secretariat and the key line Ministries, have agreed to provide the Commission with essential resources such as an office space and financial allocations, according to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus’ Deputy Chairperson, attorney Chamindranee Kiriella. The President's Secretary, Nandika Kumanayake had convened a meeting yesterday more..

Feb 13 (AD) The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for SL, Ms Shannon Cowlin, paid a courtesy call on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (12), reaffirming the ADB’s continued commitment to supporting SL’s development priorities. Meeting marked the formal introduction of the newly appointed ADB Country Director for SL, who was presented to the President by the Regional Director overseeing the country portfolio, more..

Feb 13 (NW) SL Police have expanded operations of the Police Marine Division following an increase in water-related accidents. ‎Police said 71 lifesaving units have been established nationwide, with 308 specially trained officers deployed across 31 of the island’s 48 police divisions, focusing on high-risk coastal and inland areas. ‎ Authorities reported rescuing 151 local and 96 foreign tourists in 2025. In the first one-and-a-half months of 2026, 33 more people have been saved. more..

Feb 13 (FT) Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Chairman Lord Marland of Odstock this week held discussions with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on advancing multilateral trade and strengthening private capital flows into Sri Lanka. The CWEIC is the principal business network of the 56 member States of the Commonwealth, dedicated to promoting trade, investment & sustainable economic growth more..

Feb 13 (FT) As the curtains fell on a landmark celebration of corporate excellence, the prestigious TAGS Awards marked its 60th anniversary with a grand finale that recognised organisations ranging from top corporates to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for their exceptional corporate reporting. Organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA SL), Diamond Chapter of the TAGS Awards, held yesterday at the Shangri-La, Colombo, celebrated six decades of more..

Feb 13 (Island) Keells is set to usher a new chapter in customer experience with the relaunch of Keells Nexus with the introduction of its all-new loyalty app on 13th Feb. For 25 years, Keells Nexus has been at the heart of SL retail, pioneering coalition loyalty and even introducing mobile-based loyalty as early as 2014. The loyalty program is building on this legacy, combining state-of-the-art technology with richer, more personalized rewards and seamless integration across the Keells ecosystem more..

Feb 13 (TM) Govt is to pursue labour reforms in the direction of recognising part-time work, as an incentive to produce more skilled labour, Dy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said. “There is [a need for] labour reforms, where part time work needs to be formally recognised. It is because the activity done while training cannot be done on a full-time basis. Then to give them that recognition, there needs to be some legal more..

Feb 13 (FT) Top diversified blue chip Aitken Spence has recorded revenue of Rs. 67 billion for the nine months ending 31 Dec 2025, underscoring a robust performance across its portfolio of industries. Tourism sector accounted for 68% of Group revenue, while the Maritime and Freight Logistics sector and Strategic Investments sector contributed 18% and 12%, respectively. Furthermore, the Group’s revenue for the third quarter improved by 3.8%, reflecting steady performance more..

Feb 13 (DM) Valentine’s Day in SL has steadily grown from a niche celebration to a notable cultural and commercial event, particularly in urban centers. Young adults increasingly embrace it as an opportunity to express affection, celebrate relationships, and indulge in thoughtful gifting. Florists, cafes, and retailers capitalise on this, offering tailored products and experiences, making the occasion memorable for many. Yet, for many, it remains a moment to pause, reflect, and more..

Feb 13 (ST) Sri Lanka’s cashew industry is facing a major crisis owing to the delay in obtaining import licences. Due to this, there has been a shortage of cashew nuts. The import licences have already expired on December 31, 2025 and it has to be renewed soon to avoid any further issues before the festive season commences in April 2026. The country’s cashew season is from May to July several industrialists told the Sunday Times Business adding that the crop was very low last year. more..

Feb 13 (CT) The fatal shooting of a 17 year old youth in Allipitti Jaffna allegedly for failing to stop a vehicle at a police checkpoint has shaken the Northern Province. Beyond the immediate grief of a devastated family the incident raises deeper questions about proportionality accountability and political leadership. A minor is dead. That fact alone demands careful and transparent scrutiny. In any functioning democracy the use of lethal force by law enforcement must meet more..

Feb 13 (ST) Bikers racing on public roads at night and endangering other road users gained renewed attention from the police after the recent death of a teen who crashed into a car while racing with another youth. But traffic police are nowhere close to stamping out the nuisance. Police say many youths have died during motorbike street races and three-wheeler street races. One such recent incident was at Horana on Friday more..

Feb 13 (Island) When climate disasters strike, they don’t affect everyone equally. Marginalised communities typically face worse outcomes, and Cyclone Ditwah is no exception. Especially in a context where normalcy is far from normal, the idea of returning to normalcy or restoring a life of normalcy makes very little sense. Island-wide survey conducted by the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA), between early to mid-January on Cyclone Ditwah shows stark regional disparities more..

Feb 13 (TM) A nation’s public administration is not an abstract institution. It is the engine that turns laws into lived reality, policies into services, and promises into outcomes. When that engine falters, the consequences are not theoretical. They are felt in erratic regulation, broken infrastructure, and ultimately, in the erosion of public trust. Sri Lanka knows this story all too well. SL Administrative Service has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious avenues through more..

Feb 13 (Island) Justice has caught up with those who killed SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Athukorale and his security officer. Gampaha High Court has sentenced 12 convicts to death for the double murder they committed during the 2022 uprising, popularly known as Aragalaya. This judgement has evoked the dreadful memories of the crimes committed in the name of a people’s protest movement about 4 years ago. Aragalaya began as an outpouring of public resentment fuelled by more..

Feb 13 (DM) SL stands at a critical point in its economic diplomacy. As a country, SL has now stabilised its macroeconomic fundamentals under the IMF Extended Fund Facility. Yet, the country now faces a far more important question: what next? Stabilisation alone cannot deliver prosperity. In fact, growth must follow. Trade integration is key in this regard. Market-diversification is also needed for SL in a global context where dominant powers leverage tariffs to advance their national interests. more..

Feb 13 (CT) Migration in Sri Lanka particularly among the youth is more like a trend these days. People tend to seek settlement in places far away from home in the hope of finding a better life. In the context of migration in Sri Lanka, it is important to ask the question as to whether the education in Sri Lanka plays a role in enabling citizens to leave the country. Dr. Nilantha Ramanayaka, Head of Dept of Sports more..

Feb 13 (ST) When a nation shuts its doors, prosperity slips out the window. As per global evidence, open economies grow faster and achieve prosperity more than the closed ones. Many countries in Asia have confirmed it, leaving only a handful of them behind. The old debate between market advocates and protectionists belongs to the 1970s and 1980s. The rapid transformation of former communist states into market economies—and their swift progress toward prosperity more..

Feb 13 (CT) Addressing the Central Province programme of the national anti-drug campaign, A Nation United, which was held recently in Nuwara Eliya, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged that 2026 would be a year that gives real meaning to the principle that all are equal before the law. He emphasised that no nation where the rule of law has collapsed has achieved development, and warned that a weak rule of law could inevitably allow criminals to rise to power. more..

Feb 13 (TM) “I was sitting right here when our dog suddenly started barking,” said A.U. Leelawathi, an elderly resident of Sinhapitiya in Gampola, pointing to a corner of what was once her living room. Sinhapitiya village lies below Ambuluwawa Hill, home to the Ambuluwawa Tower and Biodiversity Complex. Leelawathi spoke from inside her partially destroyed house, which once had three bedrooms. Nearly half the structure more..

Feb 13 (DM) In the complex landscape of SL politics, a profound paradox exists: a nation with a 2,500-year-old civilization and a history of engineering marvels such as the world’s most advanced ancient irrigation systems now finds its modern electorate seemingly trapped in a cycle of short-term survival. The disconnect between a Grand Vision and the Daily Wage has never been more apparent than in the political fate of Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ambitious 2048 Vision. more..

Feb 13 (GV) Three months after Cyclone Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka in late Nov 2025, the headlines have moved on. In many places, the floodwaters have receded, emergency support has reached affected communities and farmers are doing what they always do, trying to salvage what they can and prepare for the next season. Yet the most important question now is not how quickly agriculture can return to normal. It is whether SL will rebuild in a way that breaks the cycle of risks more..

Feb 12 (TM) The JVP delegation, led by its General Secretary Tilvin Silva, is currently on an official visit to India, engaging with key state officials and exploring avenues to enhance bilateral relations. In Kerala, they met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday to discuss strategies for boosting tourism and strengthening cultural ties between Sri Lanka and the Indian state. The delegation also visited the ISRO Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Vizhinjam Port, where they gained insights more..

Feb 12 (TM) The construction of the Kasikote elephant tunnel, previously halted due to design flaws and poor planning, has recommenced with modified plans, according to the Environment Ministry. The project, critically aimed at reducing fatal vehicle collisions with elephants, was paused after public outcry over the tunnel’s insufficient size for the herd’s largest elephants. Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody said that work is now underway. He stated that accompanying more..

Feb 12 (TM) Despite nearly three months having passed since the deaths of two patients after they were administered ondansetron, a drug commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting, Govt has still failed to publicise the relevant reports, claimed the Medical & Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors President, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa. He said the lack of clarity surrounding the quality and regulatory approval of relevant more..

Feb 12 (AD) SL and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed commitment to further enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. The commitment was made during a bilateral meeting between the Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, and Prince Abdulrahman bin Ayyaf Al-Muqrin, the Deputy Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Saudi Defence Ministry. The meeting took place during Deputy Minister Jayasekara’s more..

Feb 12 (CT) Mullaitivu District, rich in natural resources yet ranked first in poverty, is set to undergo significant development over the next 2 to 3 years under the current govt, Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vedanayagam, said yesterday. He pointed out that the foundational plans and construction projects for this development have already commenced. A special coordination meeting for Mullaitivu District at the district secretariat, attended by Minister Bimal Rathnayake. more..