Feb 19 (TM) Health authorities have reported a significant increase in rabies transmission linked to cats in SL, with most infections recorded last year attributed to household pets rather than stray dogs. According to the Ministry of Health, rabies, a nearly always fatal viral disease, can spread through bites or scratches from infected animals including dogs, cats, bats, mongooses, cattle and horses. Laboratory testing of animal brain samples shows a noticeable rise in rabies among cats. more..

Feb 19 (AD) Sri Lanka Police have warned that foreign nationals who drive without a valid driving license in the country will be prosecuted to ensure the safety of both visitors and local residents amid rising traffic accidents involving foreign nationals. Welcoming foreign tourists to enjoy the beauty of Sri Lanka, ASP F.U. Wootler, emphasized that the safety of visitors and the general public is a top priority. more..

Feb 19 (EN) Sri Lanka and Belgium successfully concluded their inaugural political consultations in Brussels this week, setting a dynamic course for a modernized partnership, Foreign Ministry said. Led by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director-General for Europe and North American region and his Belgian counterpart Birgit Stevens, the high-level talks breathed new life into an agreement first envisioned in 2017. Both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the bilateral relations, more..

Feb 19 (Island) The Muslim Left Front has sought registration with the Election Commission of SL. Its General Secretary M.R.M. Faizal told The Island that the Muslim Left Front had been established to promote political rights of the Muslim community, social justice, equality, good governance and national unity. Faizal said that they had sought EC’s recognition following engagement in public welfare activities, rights-based advocacy and social awareness initiatives. more..

Feb 19 (AM) Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera has rejected allegations circulating on social media regarding his association with women, challenging critics to substantiate their claims with evidence. Thera stated that he interacts with approximately 45,000 women through various religious and community engagements, and invited detractors to produce even a single photograph suggesting impropriety. He alleged that Buddhist monks are increasingly subjected to insults more..

Feb 19 (NW) TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam says he strongly opposed an attempt in Parliament to include Provincial Council elections under a new parliamentary select committee tasked with reviewing election laws. MP said a parliamentary select committee on Provincial Councils already exists and has been given a three-month timeframe to submit its report. Creating another committee to examine the same issue would lead to legal confusion and potentially delay more..

Feb 19 (TM) In the wake of JVP-led NPP Govt securing the passage of the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, former JVP MP Pemasiri Manage said he would initiate legal action in the coming days to recover Rs. 6.8 million in salaries that he claims were taken by the Party during his years in political office. Manage, who is also the Retired MPs’ Collective’s Secretary, said he had served as a Member of a Pradeshiya Sabha, more..

Feb 19 (AD) Muslims in SL will begin their Ramadan fasting at dawn on Thursday (19), after the crescent for the month of Ramadan was sighted in the country, this evening (18), the Colombo Grand Mosque confirmed. It said that the crescent of the month of Ramadan was sighted today (18) as per the reports of the Hilaal subcommittees appointed around the country. Accordingly, ACJU Hilaal Division, the Colombo Grand Mosque and the Dept of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs more..

Feb 19 (FT) Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Executive Vice President Okumura Akiko said it is looking to reset and deepen economic ties with SL, positioning the island as a potential export hub linking India, the Middle East and Africa. “Japan and SL are undergoing structural economic shifts, creating an opportunity to redefine bilateral cooperation over the next three to five years,” she told the Daily FT, during her first official visit to Colombo as a senior JETRO official. more..

Feb 19 (DM) Sri Lanka has been named the most affordable destination to retire in 2026 by the prestigious Travel + Leisure magazine. The recognition comes at a time when nearly a quarter of seniors in the United States delayed their planned retirement in 2025 — a 14% increase from the previous year — according to a report by F&G. Report cited growing concerns about overall financial readiness for retirement. more..

Feb 19 (Island) Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage has been appointed to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the release of 323 containers from the Colombo Port without mandatory physical inspection. Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced the appointment in Parliament yesterday (18), stating that it was made in terms of Standing Order 106. Dr. Pannilage fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilaka. more..

Feb 19 (NW) An attorney-at-law and SLPP local councillor has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of preparing forged deeds to fraudulently sell land, court officials said. Alex Nishantha Fernando and a co-accused were convicted of preparing 26 forged deeds for the sale of two plots of land measuring 3 acres, 2 roods and 24 perches. The sentence was delivered by High Court Judge Naomi Wickramasinghe at the Chilaw High Court. more..

Feb 19 (FT) At the end of 2025, we must naturally have a low energy level to start the new year 2026 in the local context because of the lessons we learned from the devastating floods and cyclones. In the global perspective, it's clear that some issues that everyone believed would never be discussed are suddenly coming to light because of Jeffry Epstein's files. On the other side, a group of gentle monks are walking across the United States to promote peace and provide respite to people more..

Feb 19 (FT) Sri Lanka stands at a critical crossroads in its tourism development. As visitor numbers steadily increase, we face a fundamental choice: pursue volume-based tourism that prioritises quantity over quality or implement a premium tourism model that maximises revenue per visitor while preserving our natural and cultural assets. The math is clear: it is far more profitable to attract 500 high-spending tourists than 5,000 budget travelers. This article presents a business case more..

Feb 19 (DM) SL Air Force is planning a major reinforcement of its fleet at a cost of US$ 18 mil (Rs.5.4 bil) by acquiring new aircrafts while overhauling the existing ones as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year amid persistent challenges in maintaining them. Despite facing significant economic constraints and geopolitical hurdles, SLAF has announced a series of strategic acquisitions and overhauls, ranging from more..

Feb 19 (FT) IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva visited the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) on Tuesday (17) during her visit to Sri Lanka. This coincided with the 75th anniversary of SL’s IMF membership as well as the CBSL’s 75th anniversary. Dr. Georgieva met CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and senior officials. During this meeting, Dr. Weerasinghe expressed sincere gratitude to the IMF Managing Director and her team for the steadfast support provided under more..

Feb 19 (FT) Tourist arrivals from SL’s second largest source market could face short-term disruptions following a temporary technical issue affecting the delivery of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) approval notices to travellers in the UK. SL High Commission in the UK announced that the disruption impacts ETA approval notices issued by the Dept of Immigration and Emigration in SL. In a notice, the Consular Section of the High Commission in London noted that the issue arose due to unforeseen more..

Feb 19 (Island) On a bright Colombo morning, beneath the polished lines of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams SL, SL quietly redrew the contours of its global image. This was not merely a programme launch. It was a recalibration. For the first time, a SL-made food and travel series will premiere across South Asia on National Geographic — a platform synonymous with global storytelling. In a region where culinary diplomacy more..

Feb 19 (DN) SL will look to maintain their winning momentum when they face Zimbabwe in their final Group match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium today, starting at 3.00 p.m. Both teams have already secured qualification for the Super Eight stage with unbeaten records and will be keen to finish the group phase on a winning note. SL have been in outstanding form, recording victories over Ireland, Oman & Australia. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, defeated Oman & Australia, more..

Feb 19 (DM) Energy Ministry is on track to award the contract for the construction of the aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to BIA in April 2026. The project, which involves the construction of a transfer pipeline and jet fuel storage tanks, is a critical step in securing the country’s aviation fuel supply chain. According to the latest progress reports filed by the ministry, the second round of bid invitations was successfully concluded, with the bids opening on Nov 14, 2025. more..

Feb 19 (EN) Sri Lanka imported seven high-quality Sahiwal bulls from Pakistan to support the island nation’s livestock and dairy development programme, officials said. The imports were facilitated through SriLankan Cargo with a special chartered freighter live animal shipment. The consignment of seven bovines travelled from Lahore to Colombo early this month for the Department of Animal Production and Health. The imported Sahiwal bulls are renowned for their superior genetics, more..

Feb 19 (FT) IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday conveyed a message of solidarity and admiration to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, praising their resilience and the Govt’s swift response to the disaster. In a video message shared via her ‘X’ during her visit to Mawathura village in the Udapalatha Divisional Secretariat Division, one of the most sensitive zones impacted by the national disaster, to inspect the site of a landslide triggered during Cyclone more..

Feb 19 (AD) Chairperson of Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd, Sandamali Chandrasekera, has resigned from her post with immediate effect citing pressure from certain local politicians. In a letter addressed to Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetthi, informing of her decision to resign, the Chairperson highlighted that Lanka Sugar Company, as a loss-making State-Owned Enterprise, operates more..

Feb 19 (FT) Belluna Lanka Ltd., the South Asian anchor of Belluna Co. Ltd., Japan, together with Sanken Overseas Ltd., has launched Project Granbell Hotel Ella, a planned hospitality development located in the Uva Province. The project represents a total planned investment of approximately Rs. 4 billion ($ 12.5 million) and reflects Belluna Lanka’s continued focus on strategic, long-term hospitality development across emerging destinations in Sri Lanka. more..

Feb 19 (AD) Five individuals arrested over attempting to enter the Southern Expressway near the Mattala Exit in a bus without seat belts and for obstructing police duties have been remanded by the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate ordered that the suspects be remanded until tomorrow. A video circulated on social media showing a group who arrived by bus near the Mattala Exit of the Southern Expressway behaving disorderly over a seat belt-related incident, more..

Feb 19 (TM) A much-sought-after international rugby sevens referee from Hong Kong, Crag Chan, is scheduled to control the winner takes all grand finale of the Cup segment of Maliban Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament between CR and FC and Kandy SC at Longden Place under floodlights on Saturday (21). Currently a Performance Referee for the Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR), Chan, was also the first Chinese referee to officiate on the Men’s World Rugby Sevens Series four years ago. more..

Feb 19 (DM) Ceylon Tea production slipped in January 2026 from a year earlier, as the weaker output from the low-grown areas outweighed the gains at the higher elevations, industry data showed. Tea production totalled 20.68 million kilogrammes in January, down 0.78 million kilogrammes, from 21.46 million kilogrammes in the same month last year. The high and medium-grown regions recorded an increase, while the low-grown output fell by 0.97 million kilogrammes compared with Jan 2025. more..

Feb 19 (FT) Vehicle registrations peaked in Jan 2026, reaching an all-time high of 55,365 units following the lifting of restrictions early last year, up from 48,525 units in Dec 2025, which was then a near-decade high. According to data, transport-related imports accounted for 70.6% of total imports, amid firmer construction activity and steady credit flows. Two-wheelers dominated the market, representing 64.17% of total registrations. more..

Feb 19 (Island) Gateway College, a pioneer in international school education in Sri Lanka, is set to host the prestigious International Schools’ Athletics Championship (ISAC 2026) at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Diyagama over the weekend. First held in 2001, ISAC has evolved into the flagship sporting event on the international schools’ calendar, showcasing the athletic excellence of students from 22 leading international schools across the country. more..

Feb 19 (Island) SL became the first side from Group ‘B’ to punch their ticket to the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup, getting the job done with a game to spare and ticking the qualification box in clinical fashion. While they still have Zimbabwe to contend with in their final league outing today, the bigger fish to fry awaits on Sunday, a heavyweight rematch against England at Pallekele. Earlier this month, England handed SL a humbling 3-0 whitewash in a bilateral series at the same venue. more..

Feb 19 (TM) Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has outlined the current status of Sri Lanka’s elephant population and the ongoing efforts to mitigate the escalating human-elephant conflict (HEC), as recent weeks have seen a surge in fatalities on both sides. DWC Director General (DG) Ranjan Marasinghe revealed that the Dept has set a 5-year timeline to conduct a comprehensive elephant census. more..

Feb 19 (FT) Fcode Labs, a global product innovation and engineering company, has made a strategic investment in Bunamo, a Europe-based coffee-centric startup building a digital platform for coffee enthusiasts. Alongside the investment, Fcode Labs partnered with Bunamo to design and engineer a scalable product that brings together home baristas, professional roasters, and coffee brands in one connected experience. Through the collaboration, Fcode Labs worked closely with Bunamo’s more..