Oct 24 (FT) Today (24) marks 2,411 days since the devastating Easter Sunday bombings shook SL, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and despair in their wake. On 21 April 2019, coordinated suicide bomb attacks targeted churches and luxury hotels, claiming the lives of 270 innocent people and injuring over 500 others. The painfully slow progress the investigation has traversed in is to create nothing more important than public distrust. The attacks, initially said to have been claimed by more..

Oct 24 (FT) At the end of the IMF program, by around 2028, SL is projected to spend over 40% of Govt revenue on debt repayments, one of the highest ratios among peer-group countries. With at least eight million Sri Lankans categorised as poor, the narrative of stability is superficial. Higher public sector numbers and increased salaries contradict claims of a lack of fiscal space for health and education. As the economy expands, repayments under Macro-linked Bonds will continue to more..

Oct 24 (FT) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday gave a strong signal about the Govt’s improving fiscal performance with key indicators expected to exceed expectations as never before. “The govt’s fiscal performance is exceeding expectations, with stronger revenue and tighter spending producing a lower deficit, marking the first time in decades that fiscal targets have been surpassed,” Dr. Weerasinghe said. more..

Oct 24 (CT) Two Police teams have been reviewing over 100 CCTV camera feeds installed along roads as of yesterday, tracing the escape route of the gunmen who assassinated Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, alias Midigama Lasa. However, a senior officer in the Southern Province stated that the heavy rainfall has been obstructing these CCTV-based investigations. Meanwhile, a senior Police official said that the gunmen who shot the Chairman and fled might have been more..

Oct 24 (DN) Although the Financial Stability Review indicates that private sector credit to GDP gap continued widening, the financial intermediation is still well below the levels that prevailed earlier and the private sector credit as a total share is still below the pre pandemic levels that is partly because the public sector credit share coming down and as a result more private sector credit can be accumulated in the system, Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said. more..

Oct 24 (FT) Dialog Axiata said it has expanded its 5G trial network across 15 districts nationwide, reaffirming its leadership in next-generation connectivity and its continued commitment to driving SL’s digital transformation. With this milestone, Dialog continues to operate the nation’s largest 5G trial network, spanning 15 districts, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Puttalam, A'pura, more..

Oct 24 (CT) Significant difficulties have arisen in carrying out influenza testing, a disease which is likely to spread during current weather conditions, in State hospitals due to a lack of necessary resources. This shortage is forcing the public to turn to the private sector for testing, incurring heavy costs of around Rs 4,500. According to officials who wished to remain anonymous, the State hospitals are only able to provide the required antiviral medication after the test results from more..

Oct 24 (DN) Sri Lanka celebrated a golden day on the track at the third Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, as Lahiru Achintha stormed to victory in the Boys’ 1500m event, clocking an impressive 3:57.42. Achintha’s explosive final-lap surge left his competitors behind and ignited celebrations among Sri Lankan fans. China’s Sha Lihua took silver with 3:58.73, while Hong Kong’s Au Ho Chun claimed bronze in 4:05.09, rounding off a thrilling contest. Adding to Sri Lanka’s success, more..

Oct 24 (AD) A high-level meeting was held at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake today (23) jointly chaired by the Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation, Janith Ruwan Kodituwakku, and the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha. The meeting focused on reviewing matters related to strengthening the overall security of the BIA, the country’s main aviation gateway to the world, Defence Ministry said in a statement. more..

Oct 24 (DM) Health officials have raised the alarm over a dramatic rise in Influenza A and B infections sweeping through SL with children among the worst affected. Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena said the seasonal outbreak is particularly active during the rainy months and toward the end of the year, and children in daycares, pre-schools, and schools are among the most vulnerable. “The illness can appear in many forms as many children develop sudden fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, more..

Oct 24 (HRW) Susikala was working as a daily wage earner at a flower garden in Hatton, a hilly area in central SL, when in April 2022 the govt defaulted on its debt. The default sent the economy into a tailspin, and like millions of Sri Lankans, Susikala lost precious wages as her employer struggled to pay her. The family had to rely on her husband’s LKR 1,500 (US$5) daily wage at a tea plantation. Food prices doubled by Sept. more..

Oct 24 (FT) Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd. (AASL) said that passenger volumes and flight operations are expected to increase significantly during the upcoming tourism season, supported by new airline schedules and expanded routes. SL’s peak travel period begins in November and continues through February. Both the Bandaranaike Int'l Airport (BIA) in Katunayake and the Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) in H'tota will handle new flight operations during this period. more..

Oct 24 (Island) SL contingent of more than 50 athletes will have quite a challange in recovering fast from their long journey when the fourth edition of the South Asian Senior Athletics Championship commences at Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, India today. ‎SL’s contingent reached the host city in two batches, a day ahead of the scheduled start. While the first group had spent ten hours in transit, the second group had spent five hours. ‎”It was a long tirering journey as the athletes had to more..

Oct 24 (DN) SL Women’s cricket team will look to end their World Cup campaign on a high note when they face Pakistan in their final group-stage match, scheduled to be played today at the R. Premadasa Stadium, commencing at 3 p.m. However, once again, the weather could play a decisive role. This match holds significant importance for the SL side, who are still mathematically in contention for a semifinal berth, while Pakistan have already been eliminated following a disappointing run more..

Oct 24 (NW) Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilake, will visit India from Oct 27 to 28, to take part in the Indian Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai. The event, organized by India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, will be held at the Bombay Exhibition Center and is expected to bring together global maritime leaders, industry representatives, and policymakers to discuss advancements in port infrastructure, logistics, and sustainable maritime development. more..

Oct 24 (TM) Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) organisation said that the Justice Ministry should initiate an inquiry into the recent statement made by Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe, in which he called for the implementation of the death penalty against large-scale drug traffickers. CPRP President, attorney Senaka Perera said that a Prisons Commissioner is not in a position to express more..

Oct 24 (ST) Despite protests by residents of Ariyalai, Jaffna, against the setting up of a solid waste plant, the local government body, Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha, continues to dump garbage on the proposed site, residents allege. Located in the suburbs of Jaffna along the A9 road, the village is a fertile land with hundreds of acres of paddy and a protected environmental site where mangrove patches can be seen across the villages. Seasonal migratory birds also pass the location annually. more..

Oct 24 (ST) CID is trying to figure out the ownership of the two-storey building located within the Menik Ganga reservation in Monaragala. The building is reportedly in the name of a G. Rajapaksa–and former prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa has denied ownership. The investigation comes amid long-standing questions over how such a large structure was built in an environmentally sensitive zone. The construction, which began in 2007, drew the attention of multiple state agencies after more..

Oct 24 (FT) SL’s export sector continues to demonstrate resilience and steady growth during the period of January to Sept of 2025, recording total earnings of nearly $ 13 billion, up 7% from a year ago. In Sept 2025 alone, total exports, comprising both merchandise and services reached to $ 1.47 billion, a 12.33% growth from a year earlier. This performance highlights the strength of SL’s export sector and the effectiveness of more..

Oct 24 (AD) Eight suspects, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly attempting to steal over Rs. 20 million belonging to a private institution in Pettah by staging a fake robbery while an employee was transporting the money to a bank. The suspects were apprehended during a raid carried out by the Kelaniya Divisional Crime Investigations Unit, police said. Officers from the Kelaniya Divisional Crime Prevention Bureau had inspected a suspicious three-wheeler in more..

Oct 24 (TM) The illegally acquired assets valued at around Rs. 50 million, allegedly belonging to the organised crime suspect Pindinu Perera, also known as Kehelbaddara Padme, who was recently arrested in Indonesia, have been seized by the Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division. Accordingly, investigations have revealed that Perera had purchased several properties using proceeds from organised crime and drug trafficking. In order to prevent the sale, transfer, or disposal of more..

Oct 24 (FT) Dutch Trails, a homegrown travel company redefining eco-conscious tourism in SL, has been recognised at the Presidential Environment Awards 2025, presented by the Environment Ministry and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). The accolade acknowledges Dutch Trails’ exceptional contribution towards sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, and community development. The awards ceremony yesterday at the BMICH, was graced by Prez Anura more..

Oct 24 (FT) Virtusa Corporation, in partnership with CFC, a pioneer in insurance solutions for emerging risk and market leader in cyber, yesterday opened the doors to CFC’s 200-seat digital services hub in Colombo. The opening ceremony was attended by senior leadership from CFC and Virtusa including CFC Chief Operations Officer Matthew Glenville, Virtusa Corporation COO Venkatesan Vijayaraghavan, Managing Director – UK and Ireland Atul Gupta, and Senior Vice Presidents and more..

Oct 24 (FT) With SL grappling with an alarming rise in drug-related crimes and the growing influence of organised underworld networks, legal expert & former Human Rights Commissioner Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa has urged the Govt to consider reintroducing the death penalty on a temporary basis especially for notorious drug traffickers. He emphasised that if the Govt intended to control existing scale of drug menace, more..

Oct 24 (Island) A deceptive lull in underworld killings prompted the govt to brag that the ongoing crime-busting ops had yielded the desired results, and the Opposition, which kept a daily tab on shootings across the country, had been left red-faced. But it was shattered by a high-profile killing on Wednesday. Chairman of the Weligama PS Lasantha Wickremesekera (SJB) was shot dead inside his office in the PS building itself. The unidentified killer and his accomplice more..

Oct 24 (SO) Sri Lankans are not strangers to medical misinformation. Over the years, a number of shamans, indigenous doctors and Western physicians have come up with various products and therapies for diseases ranging from Covid-19 to cancer. A common feature of such individuals is that their product is plant based and for many Sri Lankans plant based is equivalent to safety and less harmful side effects. In recent weeks, wide publicity has been given to a nutraceutical product more..

Oct 24 (Island) We have come a long way as a nation. Once, the person regarded as the Father of the Nation D.S. Senanayake in 1944, stated that one critical measure of development must be the larder of the poorest of our households. Today, the measure has changed, now it is the buffet tables of the grand hotels that signify our state of development. Time of transition from social wealth passed onto capital wealth as a national goal, was rapid, it was brought about by changing more..

Oct 24 (CT) Cabinet has given the nod to the proposal to hold a Sri Lankan Day in December. Accordingly, a three-day programme will be held to promote unity and harmony among communities and the celebrations will see the participation and inclusion of all ethnicities, religions and regions of the country. Although the celebrations ring a bell of ethnicities and religions, supported further by the selection of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs to organise the event, more..

Oct 24 (CT) As Sri Lanka prepares for the next round of the European Union’s GSP+ review, key developments in trade, human rights, and governance are coming into sharp focus. Since 2017, GSP+ framework has been crucial in granting SL preferential access to the European market, particularly for textiles, rubber, spices, tea, and shrimp. This access, which reduces tariffs and enhances competitiveness, has supported more..

Oct 24 (CT) Democracy is not a spectator sport. It is hard work: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said as much, addressing students at her alma mater, Hindu College, New Delhi, during her maiden visit to India after assuming office two years back. In a way, it was an acknowledgement of the democratisation of her ruling NPP’s main JVP partner’s wholesale transformation from being a much-feared militant / terror group before her time. It was also Amarasuriya’s possible attestation of the more..

Oct 24 (DM) The divide between the rich and the poor has always been there in the United States, but it has become pronounced in recent months, say Ben Casselman and Colby Smith in a recent piece in The New York Times. “Wealthier Americans, buoyed by a stock market that keeps setting records, have continued to spend freely. Lower-income households — stung by persistent inflation and navigating a labour market that is losing momentum — are pulling back,” they say. more..

Oct 24 (TM) “If we embrace digitalisation and make it a practical reality, we can progress alongside developed nations. If not, we will be pushed further down,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in September, emphasising this Govt’s intentions of a digitised Sri Lanka. However, less than a month later, a host of key Govt websites and portals abruptly went offline, leaving thousands stranded unable to obtain critical e-services. more..