Sep 11 (AN) According to a new study by the Dept of Agriculture in co-operation with other partners, post-harvest losses of fruit and vegetables in SL are estimated to be around 180 billion rupees per year (almost US$ 600 million). More than 500,000 metric tonnes of agricultural produce are wasted per year, especially during transportation, about 200,000 tonnes of vegetables and 300,000 tonnes of fruits, enough to feed the entire more..

Sep 11 (CT) Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Mahaarachchi, yesterday, directed the Police Children and Women Bureau to submit the pornographic videos and images allegedly involving SL minors — seized during an ongoing investigation — to the Govt Analyst for a detailed forensic report. The order was issued after considering a request made by the Bureau, which had taken into custody several items of evidence, including computers, mobile phones, videos, and photographs more..

Sep 11 (AD) The Netherlands has approved a grant of EUR 730,000 to support the ongoing Design and Construction of Rural Bridges Project in SL, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said in a statement. This funding will address the project’s additional financing requirements, further strengthening the long standing development cooperation between the two countries, the statement noted further. Rural Bridges Project aims to construct 162 rural bridges across SL, more..

Sep 11 (EN) European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) takes effect on 30 Dec 2025. This regulation aims to prevent deforestation associated with seven commodities—cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, wood, and natural rubber—and products derived from them, such as tyres, chocolate, and wooden furniture. Any product exported to the EU market must be deforestation-free, legally produced according to the laws of the originating country, and traceable to specific more..

Sep 11 (NF) Two officials from the IT division of the local agent of the X-press Pearl vessel, were released on bail today after being arrested on suspicion of erasing data and email records following the ship’s fire incident. The suspects, Prasanna Jayawardena (Director) and Roshan Senaviratne (Assistant Director), were granted bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Mahrachchi, under two personal sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. A foreign travel ban was also more..

Sep 11 (AD) Sri Lanka’s GDP growth for 2025 is projected to be around 3.1%, according to officials attached to the Ministry of the Finance. This was revealed by Finance Ministry officials during a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) in Parliament. COPF reviewed SL’s income, expenditure, and debt conditions during the first half of 2025. This took place at a meeting of the committee held in Parliament under more..

Sep 11 (NW) SL has made a noteworthy leap in the latest Global State of Democracy (GSoD) 2025 rankings, climbing 15 spots compared to last year. According to the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) country profile on Sri Lanka, the improvement reflects gains across several democratic indicators, including elected government, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press. Despite the progress, the report also flags challenges: rights associated with freedom more..

Sep 11 (AD) A MoU has been signed for the construction of an Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit at the District General Hospital, Mannar, and the supply of medical equipment to the unit, with grant assistance of LKR 600 million from Govt of India. The agreement was signed on Tuesday (9) by the High Commissioner of India, Santosh Jha, and Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa attended the signing ceremony, according to the HC of India. more..

Sep 11 (FT) Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd, (EFL) filed a Writ application in the Court of Appeal, asking the court to urgently stop illegal activities inside Wilpattu National Park, especially around the Pallekandal Church in Block V of the park. A small jungle shrine in Block V of Wilpattu National Park, used in the past for a modest annual feast by local fishing communities, fell into disuse during the civil conflict. more..

Sep 11 (SLN) The Electrical and Electronic Design Centre (ENDC) of the SL Navy celebrated a significant milestone in its pursuit of self-reliance and technological innovation with the ceremonial launch of indigenously designed Naval Steering Control (NSC) system onboard Fast Attack Craft P421. The event was graced by the Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Ravindra Tissera at the Naval Dockyard Trincomalee on 25 Aug 25. P 421, originally manufactured in 2002, more..

Sep 11 (EN) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has presented its proposals for the National Budget 2026 to President. The chamber’s board members, led by Chairperson Krishan Balendra, met Anura Dissanayake today to present its “priority proposals for the forthcoming National Budget 2026,” it said in a statement. The chamber’s proposals were structured around five broad themes: Trade & Investment Facilitation – establishing a National Single Window; modernising more..

Sep 11 (DM) A stock of foreign cigarettes worth over Rs. 27.4 million, illegally imported into the country, was destroyed at the Muthurajawela Power Plant today. Customs officers at the BIA, had seized, confiscated, and destroyed 1,826,788 cigarettes smuggled into SL between May 25 and July 20, 2025, Customs Media Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa, confirmed. If these cigarettes had entered the local market, loss of state revenue would have amounted to approx Rs. 205.6 mil. more..

Sep 11 (NF) SL Army Lt Colonel has been taken into custody by the Western Province North Crimes Division over allegations of illegally selling military-grade ammunition to a member of an organized crime syndicate. The arrest follows an investigation into Commando Salintha, a suspect currently in remand custody, who is believed to be affiliated with a criminal gang. Police say the officer in question served as Salintha’s superior during their time in the army, where Salintha reportedly operated more..

Sep 11 (NF) The wife of slain underworld figure Makandure Madush has filed a formal complaint at Police HQ, calling for a full and impartial investigation into his death, which occurred while he was in the custody of the Colombo Crimes Division in Oct 2020. Speaking to the media after submitting her complaint, Gayani Muthumali, legal wife of Madush, expressed deep suspicion over the circumstances surrounding his death. more..

Sep 11 (NW) Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a fundamental rights petition challenging the alleged misuse of electricity from the CEB, worth over Rs. 2 million, for MP Namal Rajapaksa’s wedding celebrations in 2019. The order was given by Justices Preethi Padman Surasena and Achala Wengappuli when the case was taken up for hearing today. It was revealed before the court that electricity had been used to illuminate a 1.5 km stretch of road leading to more..

Sep 11 (AD) Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s attorneys have withdrawn an appeal filed on behalf of him with the Court of Appeal seeking an order to acquit him of the suspended prison sentence and fines imposed on him. The appeal was taken up today before a 5-member bench of the Appellate Court, comprising Justices Mayadunne Corea, S. Kumaran Ratnam, Shashi Mahendran, Damith Thotawatte and Amal Ranaraja. Accordingly, the bench of the Court of Appeal, which more..

Sep 11 (AD) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa has vacated his official residence located at Wijerama Road in Col 7. The former Prez and his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa, left the Wijerama Road residence at around 1:15 p.m. A large crowd was seen flocked at the Wijerama Road, as the former Prez prepared to vacate his official residence. Meanwhile, a group of politicians and diplomats visited the official residence of former more..

Sep 11 (DM) An almsgiving ceremony for the Maha Sangha was held yesterday at the 15th km post in Rawanaella, along the Ella–Wellawaya Road, in memory of the 15 passengers who lost their lives in the recent fatal bus accident. The event also sought blessings for the speedy recovery of the injured still undergoing treatment. Religious programme was jointly organized by govt institutions, the business community, and residents of Ella town. During the ceremony, the Maha Sangha more..

Sep 11 (AD) Former Director General of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) Sampath Ratnayake and former Director of the UDA Weerawansa Perera, who were arrested on corruption charges, have been released on bail Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama issued this order after considering the facts presented by Bribery Commission officials and the legal representatives of the accused. The duo had been arrested by officers of the CIABOC more..

Sep 11 (FT) The blood moon of the night of 7 Sept brought with it a panoply of portents for SL. A lunar eclipse lasting almost one and a half hours, its visibility was marred to some degree by intermittent scudding clouds. Very few islanders however, usually superstitious to the nth, paid heed to prophecies of doom and gloom; opting instead to interpret the celestial show as favourable for once. In the wake of the night-time heavenly spectacle came SL’s showing at the 60th UNHRC more..

Sep 11 (FT) There are credible allegations of serious violations of int'l humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by Govt of SL (GOSL). The Chemmani mass graves, uncovered in 1998 near Jaffna, are an unresolved case of alleged State-sponsored atrocities during the SL civil war, which include summary executions and systematic efforts to cover up the crimes. Killings in Chemmani and other crimes must be resolved for Sri Lanka to have closure of its tragic civil war. more..

Sep 11 (AD) Under the provisions of the newly enacted Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, former presidents are now required to return the official residences previously allocated to them. Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Chandrika Kumaratunga are currently residing in official residences. However, as per the law passed yesterday, they are no longer entitled to this privilege. more..

Sep 11 (DM) The Education Ministry has decided to introduce a new set of rules and regulations for vehicles used to transport school children. Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, said a special joint programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Transport Ministry to ensure the safety of school children. “Over the past few days, several accidents have occurred involving school transport vehicles, injuring children. more..

Sep 11 (FT) Uni of Colombo Prof. in Economics Priyanga Dunusinghe last week said that SL’s response to global trade tensions has so far been limited to negotiating for better tariff terms with the US, while flawed trade policies that contributed to the 2022 economic crisis remain largely unchanged. He said that despite some stabilisation, the economy continues to face the same weaknesses in competitiveness, productivity, and diversification that left it vulnerable in the first place. more..

Sep 11 (NF) Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill has no impact on the security arrangements provided to retired Presidents. Minister emphasized that security for former heads of state is managed separately and remains intact. He added that any individual with concerns regarding their safety can submit a request to Security Risk Committee, which is responsible for evaluating & providing necessary protection. more..

Sep 11 (Island) A heartfelt felicitation ceremony was held at the Parliament of SL to honor Ms. Amy Victoria Gibb, a British national, for her extraordinary humanitarian service during the tragic bus accident on Ella–Ravana Ella Road on Sept 5. Presided over by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ruwan Ranasinghe, the ceremony recognized Ms. Gibb’s swift and courageous response at the scene, where she provided life-saving assistance to injured victims. Her medical expertise, calm under pressure, more..

Sep 11 (DM) Colombo-based think-tank Advocata Institute commended the govt’s decision to close 33 non-operational state-owned enterprises (SOEs) but urged that this be only the first step toward comprehensive divestiture of commercially viable entities. “The closure of non-operational SOEs is an important milestone but this should be viewed as a head start towards full or partial divestiture of commercially viable enterprises,” Advocata said in a statement. more..

Sep 11 (NW) Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, said he is ready to respond to the legal notice from MP Namal Rajapaksa demanding Rs. 1 billion in compensation, citing defamation. Speaking in Parliament, Deputy Minister said that although he has not yet received the notice, MP Namal Rajapaksa must file a case within 14 days. He added that he welcomes the opportunity to cross-examine the MP in court. “Since he has not practiced law in court, he may not be familiar with this. more..

Sep 11 (DN) A fire erupted in a crude oil storage tank undergoing repairs at the Sapugaskanda Refinery yesterday. At the time of the incident, the tank was empty. However, officials believe the blaze was ignited by residue that had settled at the bottom of the tank. Both the refinery’s internal fire units and fire engines from the Fire Brigade were deployed to contain the flames. Firefighting teams from Gampaha and the Biyagama FTZ were also dispatched to prevent the fire from more..

Sep 11 (TM) In the wake of the Ministry of Public Security stating that it is not practical to frequently rotate or assign different Police officers to the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna, Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) stated that the credibility of the process cannot be ensured by deploying officers from nearby Police stations. HRCSL Commissioner Nimal G. Punchihewa said that credibility of the related investigation more..

Sep 11 (TM) Sri Lanka is projected to regain its 2018 real GDP level by 2026, while a higher growth rate of 5% is expected to bring poverty levels to pre-crisis levels by 2031 and reduce primary surplus to under 1.5% sufficient to meet debt targets, World Bank said. WB said that sustaining higher economic growth could ease the burden on fiscal adjustment to achieve debt targets. “The 5% growth in 2024 stems from a low base, and Sri Lanka is projected to regain its 2018 real GDP level only by 2026. more..

Sep 11 (DN) Nuyara Fernando of Lyceum Int'l School, Nugegoda, has achieved what no other SL teenager has done in gymnastics. She has not only become the youngest national champion but also emerged among the top 24 gymnasts in Asia, sending a powerful signal that Sri Lanka may have found its future Olympic star. At the recently concluded Senior and Junior Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in South Korea, Fernando was the only SL competitor in more..