Nov 4 (DM) The govt plans to offer local investors the opportunity to participate in the country’s cannabis cultivation project, which has so far been limited to foreign companies, Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni said. He noted that only foreign investors have been selected under strict conditions by the BOI for the initial phase of the project. These investors are expected to sign MoUs later this year, with cultivation activities scheduled to begin next year. more..

Nov 4 (EN) Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to obtain USD 100 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement the Sustainable Tourism Sector Development Programme (STSDP) in the country, the government said. Out of this ADB loan, USD 70 million will be obtained from concessionary general capital resources and USD 30 million from permanent general capital resources, the government said in its cabinet decision document. more..

Nov 4 (NW) Visiting Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, has revealed that he and His Holiness the Pope admire the progress Sri Lanka has made, particularly in advancing peace and unity among all ethnic and religious communities. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher further said that, based on this progress, Pope Leo XIV may consider a visit to Sri Lanka in the near future. more..

Nov 4 (AD) Former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Charitha Ratwatte has been granted bail after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today. He was taken into custody earlier in the day, at around 8:25 am, by the CIABOC. Ratwatte, who also served as a Senior Advisor to a former PM, was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the procurement of five temporary storage houses in 2015. It is alleged that the temporary storage houses were more..

Nov 4 (EN) SL’s central bank has bought US$ 177.3 million from people in Sept 2025, a month in which an external current account deficit was recorded for the first time in the year. Post World War II central banks which print money to cut rates, rejecting classical economics, usually blame current account deficits for forex shortages and depreciation, reverting to beliefs held by classical Mercantilists that the trade deficit more..

Nov 4 (AD) Former Chairman of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC), Lalith Daulagala and three other officials have been arrested by officers of the Bribery Commission. Suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged incident of purchasing a vacuum packaging machine with a high capacity, capable of vacuum packaging 2,000 kg of fish per hour, for the CFC in 2020, outside the procurement process and when there was no need for such a vacuum packaging machine. more..

Nov 4 (CT) SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that any political group that chooses not to participate in the opposition rally scheduled to be held in Nugegoda on 21 Nov cannot claim it to be a policy-based decision. Speaking at a media briefing held at the SLPP HQ, he said that if a political party avoids or criticises the rally, it would only indicate that such a party has a hidden deal with the Govt or is engaged in business or contractual dealings with it. more..

Nov 4 (DM) Sri Lanka is planning to open international tenders during the first week of next month, calling for bids for oil and gas exploration and development in the Mannar Basin. The govt earlier invited tenders to select a consultancy firm with expertise to manage the int'l bidding process for upstream petroleum development. However, an official of the Petroleum Development Authority said that the govt will proceed to more..

Nov 4 (NF) The Cabinet has granted policy approval to recruit female officers for key operational roles within the SL Railways Dept, breaking a 165-year tradition. Historically, the posts of Railway Engine Driver, Train Controller, and Station Master have been exclusively held by male officers. Female officers were recruited only for the Supervisory Manager role, and that too only in 2012 and 2015. Under the government’s new economic and social reform agenda, steps are being taken to more..

Nov 4 (CT) The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) has launched an investigation into a complaint lodged by an officer of the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) against the institution’s senior management, alleging violations of her fundamental rights. The complaint was filed by Ayanthi Shiromani, an Officer attached to the Commission, who claimed that administrative decisions made by the HRCSL had infringed upon her fundamental rights. more..

Nov 4 (DM) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa met India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi for discussions on deepening bilateral economic cooperation and regional integration. Minister Sitharaman commended Sri Lanka’s natural endowments and human talent, noting the importance of building on these strengths through closer engagement with India’s dynamic economy. She said SL industries could grow faster more..

Nov 4 (DM) One Galle Face, the leading shopping complex in SL, is continuing to deliver unparalleled family, shopping, dining and entertainment experiences as it celebrates its 6th anniversary in November. During 2025, One Galle Face continued to cement its reputation as a premier lifestyle destination, earning significant recognition both locally and internationally. The mall was recently honoured with the title of Most Admired Shopping Center of the Year at the SL Leadership more..

Nov 4 (DM) The audit of the Dept of SL Railways for 2024 revealed that 49% of train journeys (58,693 trains) were delayed last year, highlighting serious issues in the punctuality of train operations. Of the 125,036 planned journeys last year, including intercity, express, mixed, passenger, freight trains, and rail-buses, only 119,731 were operated, and just 61,038 trains ran on time. In addition, 5,305 trains or 4.2% of scheduled journeys, were cancelled. more..

Nov 4 (EN) Cabinet has approved a proposal to buy 100 motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc and 50 three-wheelers for the STF, so it can raid criminals minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “So that it can efficiently and effectively carry out duties such as curbing the menace of drugs and suppressing organized underworld groups,” Jayatissa said. Of the 314 motorcycles currently available to carry out the duties assigned to the force, about 90% are more than 10 years old and more..

Nov 4 (AD) A protest was held in Colombo today demanding a resolution to the delay in releasing BYD vehicles currently held by SL Customs. The protest took place in front of the BYD vehicle showroom in Colombo, where protesters expressed concern that the decision by Customs to detain the vehicles had created significant obstacles for customers seeking to purchase them. Protesters called on the relevant authorities, including SL Customs, to take immediate action and more..

Nov 4 (EN) Cabinet has decided not to implement any wind power projects in the country’s northwestern coastal island of Mannar except three private sector projects amid continuous public protests. The move comes after a series of public protests against wind power projects in Mannar, an area which has been identified as high wind power potential. “Three wind power projects have been planned on Mannar Island more..

Nov 4 (CT) The third phase of excavations at the Chemmani mass grave site has been postponed to next year following the accumulation of rainwater within the burial area, which has made further excavation work temporarily impossible. During a recent inspection, officials observed that heavy rains had caused significant flooding inside the grave site. Consequently, it was decided that the investigation team would revisit the site on 19 January next year to reassess the conditions and more..

Nov 4 (DM) The Clinical Research Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, has developed a breakthrough drug that can significantly reduce high blood pressure. Director of the Clinical Research Unit, Professor Asitha de Silva, said at a media briefing that the research began nearly ten years ago and focused on combining three commonly used drugs into a single tablet for more effective treatment and patient convenience. “Although there is no medicine that can more..

Nov 4 (FT) Does Sri Lanka need a mega refinery in Hambantota? The Govt says yes, and there are no known dissenting voices, even from those speaking for the environment and for the birds. I, for one, made the case for a refinery adjacent to the port in Hambantota 15 years ago. The port and the refinery have synergy. Cheap bunkering will make the port attractive. Transport of the refinery’s inputs and outputs will improve the refinery’s business case. So, no dissent on the big question. more..

Nov 4 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake or AKD Govt has virtually stabilised the nominal or money side of the economy, thanks to his pursuance of the IMF prescribed policy package under its Extended Fund Facility or EFF implemented by SL’s Govt since March 2023. I say virtually because there are still risks of the nominal parameters in the economy – inflation rate, exchange rate, budget numbers, balance of payments, and external debt repayment capabilities – getting reversed if more..

Nov 4 (DM) Billions of rupees of taxpayers’ money have gone down the drain as hundreds of govt doctors have deserted their posts and forfeited their foreign training opportunities. This was disclosed in a special audit report. The report observed a significant surge in doctors quitting govt service, many heading abroad or pursuing postgraduate studies, without settling their financial obligations. This was much prevalent during more..

Nov 4 (FT) SL recorded its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month of October this year, welcoming 165,193 visitors, a 22% YoY increase, largely fuelled by strong inflows from India, signalling robust momentum for the winter season and renewed hopes of closing 2025 with record-breaking numbers. October’s arrivals surpassed the previous record of 153,123 in 2018. On average, the country attracted 5,329 tourists daily during the month, reflecting a 0.5% month-on-month increase. more..

Nov 4 (FT) Court of Appeal has fixed the case challenging VAT collection without refund system and abolition of SVAT for support on 6 Nov. When the case was taken up on 24 Oct the petitioners representing multiple chambers, informed Court that the Inland Revenue Dept (IRD) has issued a Gazette which has an impact on the relief sought in the Petition. The petitioners, however, do not concede that this Gazette satisfies the mandatory requirement of publication of conditions more..

Nov 4 (TM) Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) questioned how the CEB's 70% shareholding in Lanka Transformers Ltd (LTL) was reduced over the years, and called for immediate investigations into the matter. ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that the issue has recently drawn the attention of both the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Infrastructure & Strategic Development more..

Nov 4 (Island) Wildlife authorities with the help of members of the civil defence force, cultivation committees, SL Airforce and the public conducted a successful elephant drive in the Hambantota District from Sunday (02) evening to the early hours on Monday (03). The aim was to guide the wild elephants roaming in the areas coming under the purview of Divisional Secretariats of Hambantota, Ambalanthota and Sooriyawewa into the Managed Elephant Reserve in Hambantota. more..

Nov 4 (AD) The UGC will conduct a formal investigation into an incident where a lecturer at the Wayamba University allegedly detained a female student in his residence and sexually assaulted her, PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. PM made this statement while responding to a question, after participating in the ceremony held to officially hand over the National Institute of Technology, constructed under the assistance of the Government of Korea at the Wayamba University. more..

Nov 4 (AD) GovPay, a secure and user-friendly online platform designed to facilitate digital payments for SL’s govt services, has successfully processed over Rs. 1 billion in transactions, the Ministry of Digital Economy stated. The platform allows citizens and businesses to safely and conveniently make payments for various govt-related transactions, including taxes, fines, utility bills, education fees & other service charges via banks and digital financial channels. more..

Nov 4 (DM) There is a proposal to extend school hours until 4.30 pm, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya revealed over the week end. PM Amarasuriya came out with this disclosure during a meeting she had with school principals, teachers and other education authorities in the Batticaloa district over the weekend. However she did not mention about any concrete plans to extend school hours further. The premier discussed the proposed education reforms during the meeting. more..

Nov 4 (FT) Sri Lanka’s foreign loan disbursements during the first half of 2025 amounted to $ 547.5 million, according to the latest Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2025 released by the Ministry of Finance on 31 Oct. The report stated, “The largest share of disbursements was recorded under the IMF EFF, accounting for 61% of the total. This was followed by disbursements under loan agreements with World Bank (16%) and ADB (11%).” more..

Nov 4 (AD) Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See has called on PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The meeting has taken place at Temple Trees, the Office of the PM said. Rev. Monsignor Roberto Lucchini, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Holy See in Colombo and Rev. Monsignor Tomislav Zubac, the Second Secretary of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See also attended the meeting. more..

Nov 4 (DN) Maris Stella College, Negombo and Lyceum Int'l School, Wattala emerged overall champions in the Boys’ and Girls’ categories respectively at the 54th Sir John Tarbat Junior Athletics Championship 2025, sponsored by Ritzbury, which concluded at the Mahaweli Ground in Embilipitiya yesterday. The event produced some outstanding young talents, highlighted by W. Gamage of Mahasen National School, Bakamuna, who was named Boys’ Best Athlete for more..