Sep 25 (FT) The National Chamber of Commerce of SL (NCCSL) has urged Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to withdraw or reconsider an Energy Ministry directive that scraps net metering and net accounting for rooftop solar. The Chamber warned that the shift to a Net Plus scheme, which it described as financially nonviable, threatens a sector that saves the country an estimated Rs. 20.4 billion a month in fuel imports, just as a power shortfall looms in 2027. more..

Sep 25 (NW) Lakmanthi Hettiarachchi, the wife of former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardhana, has been arrested by the Bribery Commission for allegedly offering a Rs. 50,000 bribe to a court employee. She is accused of offering the bribe to an office assistant attached to the Colombo High Court in an alleged attempt to influence the imposition of a suspended prison sentence on her husband. The CIABOC arrested Hettiarachchi in connection with the alleged bribery attempt. more..

Sep 25 (FT) Softlogic Holdings (SHL) has reported a group Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the first time since 2019. PBT reached Rs. 24 million for the financial year to end-March 2026, compared with a Rs. 7.5 billion loss the previous year. Since reporting a Rs. 1.7 billion PBT in the year to end-March 2019, the group had sustained heavy losses, the largest being Rs. 20.9 billion in the year to end-March 2023. Its losses narrowed to Rs. 12.6 billion in FY24 and Rs. 7.5 billion in FY25, more..

Sep 25 (FT) In my previous article: A reply to Budget 2027: From stabilisation to transformation in the FT on 9 Sept, the emphasis was on the Budget 2027, embracing three national missions: raising productivity, mobilising investment, and improving living standards, that would create a structural foundation upon which Sri Lanka can build a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous nation, with sustainable growth rates above 7% being a more realistic aspiration. more..

Sep 25 (FT) Tamil households were identified and attacked using electoral-registry information during the July 1983 pogrom, it was stated recently. Electoral-registry information includes a massive amount of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as name, physical address, and identity card number that can yield birthdate and gender. It is intended for the conduct of elections (with the thousands of Govt officials operating polling centres as the primary users), more..

Sep 25 (TM) Second Reading debate on the 22nd Amendment Bill will continue in Parliament today, with the vote on the Bill scheduled for 7 p.m., following the opening of the debate by Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday. Nanayakkara, presenting the Bill and the Judicature (Amd) Bill for their Second Reading, said the proposed amendments were not intended to establish authoritarianism or suppress anyone, but to more..

Sep 25 (TM) Whether Sri Lanka enters an 18th arrangement with the IMF is a decision for the Govt alone, the IMF said, as its mission left without a staff-level agreement on the 7th review of the current bailout. “This request needs to come from the Govt. It is not the IMF’s opinion,” Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou said, answering a question, at the end of a two-week visit that began on 10 Sept. He was answering whether a country that has gone to the Fund 17 times, and more..

Sep 25 (TM) Govt Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA) has raised concerns over reports that foreign health personnel are examining and treating patients at health camps organised by certain NGOs in the Eastern Province without authorisation to practise in SL. GDSA General Secretary Dr Aruna Abhayawardhana said that the Association had been informed that foreign health personnel attached to one of the organisations in question had applied for temporary registration with the SLMC, more..

Sep 25 (Island) Lankan banks are introducing additional security measures for online banking as increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks and cloned banking websites are being used by int'l scam networks to steal customers’ credentials and gain unauthorised access to their accounts, former ICTA Director Prashansa Dissanayake said. He said the digital financial sector had faced a growing wave of cyber threats over more..

Sep 25 (NW) A new Bill aimed at eradicating rabies in SL while introducing stronger measures for dog registration, vaccination and population control was presented to Parliament today (24). The Bill was presented by the Minister A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, with its second reading scheduled for tomorrow. Under the proposed legislation, measures will be introduced to regulate the vaccination of dogs and control the dog population as part of efforts to completely eradicate rabies from the country. more..

Sep 25 (Island) A national media guidelines code has been prepared to ensure the dignity, privacy and confidentiality of children are protected when matters concerning them are reported. The matter was discussed when the committee, chaired by Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, met in Parliament on Sept 22. The proposed guidelines seek to ensure that the best interests of children are given priority while maintaining accuracy and fairness in reporting and preventing the unnecessary exposure of more..

Sep 25 (NW) Wildlife authorities have commenced urgent veterinary treatment for a wound on the front right leg of the elephant known as Kawanthissa, which has been roaming in the Galgamuwa area. Initial treatment for the injured leg commenced today (24) under the supervision of Veterinary Surgeon Adasuriya of the Nikaweratiya Veterinary Unit. Ministry of Environment said a special team from the Department of Wildlife Conservation launched an operation this morning in the area more..

Sep 25 (AD) Habeeb Rifan was sworn in as a National List MP representing the SLMC before Speaker of House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne this morning (24). The swearing-in took place after Parliament commenced its sitting at 9.30 a.m. Rifan was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mohamed Sheriff Abthul Wazeeth, who had served as an SLMC-nominated National List MP. Appointment was made in accordance with Section 64(5) of Parliamentary Elections Act, more..

Sep 25 (ST) The Immigration and Emigration Department (DIE) this week floated the tender for a national e-passport public key infrastructure (PKI) solution in the much-delayed initiative to provide Sri Lankans with digital passports. The tender includes passport personalisation—whereby personal details are entered into the data page—and integration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) public key directory. more..

Sep 25 (NW) A complaint has been filed with Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) by Nelson Wickramaratne the father of Nadun Chinthaka commonly known as Harak Kata alleging a plot to assassinate his son inside prison. In a letter addressed to the HRCSL Secretary, Wickramaratne stated that his son is currently held at a 10 cell detention facility inside the Welisara Navy Camp alongside three rival underworld figures Kehelbaddara Padme, Bacco Saman and more..

Sep 25 (DN) SL’s 4x400m mixed relay team finished fifth in their heat yesterday at the Asian Games in Japan, recording a time of 3:19.81. The SL quartet of Omel Shashintha, Sayuri Mendis, Sadew Rajakaruna and Jithma Wijethunga finished ninth overall, which was not enough to secure a place in the semi-finals. In boxing, Sri Lanka’s Nadeeka Pushpakumari lost 0-5 to China’s Wu Yu in the preliminary round of the women’s 51kg category. Lahiru Chandrabandara also bowed out more..

Sep 25 (DM) Maliban Biscuit Manufactories has strengthened its standing among SL’s leading corporates, securing 15th place in LMD’s Most Respected Entities in SL 2026 ranking, moving up five positions from 20th place in 2025. The advancement reflects Maliban’s growing reputation within SL’s corporate community and places the company among the country’s Top 20 most respected entities. The recognition is particularly significant as the ranking is based on more..

Sep 25 (DN) SL’s T20 team, led by all-rounder Sahan Arachchige, left for Japan yesterday for the Asian Games, with their opening match scheduled for September 29. The team, coached by Ashan Priyanjan, is ready for the challenge after a useful period of preparation. “We had a good preparation period and are ready to take on the challenge in Japan,” SL skipper Sahan Arachchige said before the team’s departure. Cricket has featured at the Asian Games 3 times since its introduction more..

Sep 25 (TM) Former SL captain Arjuna Ranatunga says neither the President nor the Minister of Sports were clueless on the direction for cricket in Sri Lanka, and bemoaned the current parlous state of the national team. Speaking during a recent event, the ex-Minister who has been a vocal critic of the sport said a situation has been created for some time in which those who speak their mind on cricket or even for that matter reveal the truth, more..

Sep 25 (DN) The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, has opened its first overseas office in Sri Lanka, expanding its professional development and executive education programmes for senior professionals in the public and private sectors. AIT is an internationally recognised institution that provides advanced training in fields including banking, insurance, environmental management, sustainable development, management and leadership. The new centre, named AIT-BIMT Advanced more..

Sep 25 (TM) As SL’s value-added tea exports commanded more than 50% of total tea export volumes in 2025, with recent key investments made into matcha, green tea and artisanal teas, SL Tea Board should protect the emerging high value segment, according to a recent (19) speech made by the newly elected Planter’s Association Chairperson Shanaka Samaradiwakara, at the association’s 172nd AGM. Accordingly, Samaradiwakara expressed that significant quantities of more..

Sep 25 (NF) As great-power competition increasingly shapes the geopolitical landscape of Asia, China's new Ambassador to SL, Wei Huaxiang, used the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China to deliver a clear message: Beijing sees SL not merely as a partner, but as a trusted friend and a key player in its vision for regional cooperation, development and a more multipolar world. Addressing diplomats, more..

Sep 25 (DN) MICE tourism is no longer just a sub-sector of travel; it is a vital catalyst for foreign exchange, technological innovation, and job creation across Sri Lanka. Speaking at the official launch of the Sri Lanka MICE Expo 2026 recently in Colombo Malkanthi Welikala, Marketing Manager of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), outlined how the island nation is positioning itself as a premier South Asian hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions. more..

Sep 25 (Island) Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle urged the next generation of cricketers to wear the national colours with passion and pride, reminding youngsters that there is no greater honour in the game than representing their country. The ICC’s Chief Match Referee was speaking at a ceremony at the P. Sara Oval where Tamil Union’s players and coaching staff were felicitated following their triumph in the domestic T-20 competition a fortnight ago. more..

Sep 25 (TM) Board of Investment (BOI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a 25-member diplomatic delegation on a three-day tour of the Eastern Province, with the aim of showcasing the region’s cultural, economic, investment, and tourism opportunities to Colombo-based foreign missions while fostering new avenues for regional cooperation. During the visit, the delegation had been taken to the BOI’s 255-acre Punnaikuda Eravurpattu Textile more..

Sep 25 (Island) The introduction of the Customs Paperless Declaration from October 1 could mark an important step in SL’s efforts to modernise trade, but its real value will depend on whether it reduces the time and cost of moving goods through the country’s borders, Customs House Agents & Traders Association President Mohamed Niyas said. Niyas warned that digitising Customs declarations alone would not necessarily translate into faster cargo clearance or lower costs for businesses. more..

Sep 25 (CI) Seven years on from their last away ODI victory against England - also at Headingley - SL repeated the trick, and kept the series alive, ahead of the decider at The Oval on Sunday with a hard fought 16-run win. On a true surface that offered plenty of runs, Sri Lanka executed their plan A with the kind of gusto that has been sorely lacking across this tour. Kusal Mendis' seventh ODI ton led the way, more..

Sep 25 (Island) SL’s economic recovery has improved macroeconomic stability, but youth unemployment remains a significant labour-market concern. Around 43% of SL youth aged 15–24 with postsecondary education are unemployed, the highest among the Asian economies compared in the IMF analysis, compared with about 36% in Bangladesh and 13.2% in Thailand. This reflects a problem of skills mismatches and the difficulty of connecting higher education with changing more..

Sep 25 (Island) The unfolding politico-legal scenario can be described as a bill parade. The govt is apparently preoccupied with unveiling one questionable bill after another, the latest being the Protection of the State from Terrorism (PST) bill, which has just been gazetted. It is in a mighty rush to secure the passage of this bill. If only it acted with the same urgency to introduce a bill to amend the Provincial Council Elections Act and clear the way for the Election Commission to more..

Sep 25 (ST) It was Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who raised the prospect of another IMF agreement after the current one ends next year. In May 2026, he urged the govt to secure a fresh agreement with the IMF to ward off any negative impact after the present arrangement ends in March 2027. He had said that Bangladesh is also seeking a more realistic IMF arrangement aimed at easing the burden on citizens amid current global economic conditions. Govt may have considered that more..

Sep 25 (CT) SL’s post-Independence history is a masterclass narrative of institutional decay. This inexorable process of rotting gathered a speedier momentum under the all-powerful executive presidency of the JRJ constitution of 1978. It systematically hollowed out the separation of powers, leaving the state’s checks and balances fragile, reactive, and deeply fractured. The tragedy of contemporary SL elitist institutionalism is no longer just the aggressive overreach of executive; more..