Nov 10 (TM) Fishermen in the North raised concerns over the gradual destruction of seabeds in the Northern waters, claiming that corals, seagrass, and other marine vegetation are being damaged due to irresponsible fishing practices with high technology by Indian fishermen. They claimed that Indian fishing grounds had reportedly become depleted already, with the destruction of marine resources being one of the reasons for more..

Nov 10 (Island) Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening security cooperation with SL amid an increasingly complex international security environment. The commitment was reiterated at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Colombo on Nov 5 to mark the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Self-Defence Forces. Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera and Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha were among those who attended the reception. more..

Nov 10 (TM) CWC Leader and Opposition MP Jeevan Thondaman said that President Anura Kumara had informed them that the lease of the State plantation lands earmarked for disposal would be extended, following objections raised by the Party over the Govt’s decision. Thondaman said that the CWC had formally conveyed its objections to the Prez regarding the proposed transfer of 117 hectares belonging to the State Plantations Corporation, 88 hectares under the JEDB, more..

Nov 10 (NW) Govt of India has agreed to provide a financial grant to SL to procure 100 new, fully equipped ambulances for the 1990 Suwa Seriya free National Emergency Ambulance Service. Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a MoU with India to obtain the grant, following a special request made by the SL govt. The agreement will be signed during discussions with the Indian Health Minister, who is scheduled to arrive in SL tomorrow. more..

Nov 10 (EN) Nearly a decade after 2016, are Sri Lankan households better off? The newly released preliminary results of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2025 provide an important insight into this question. Despite substantial increases in nominal incomes, the typical Sri Lankan household had less purchasing power in early 2025 than it did nine years earlier, as reported in the 2016 HIES. More strikingly, the decade has not affected households equally. more..

Nov 10 (NW) Family members of those injured in the Rambewa-Medawachchiya bus accident will be provided with lodging facilities, facilitated by the Anuradhapura District Secretariat, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. A total of 76 people were injured in the accident and admitted to several hospitals in the area, the minister said. Of them, 61 were admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where several patients have undergone orthopaedic surgery. more..

Nov 10 (CI) Pakistan piled on 434 runs and then their seamers removed SL's top three, to leave the visitors firmly on the back foot, still 320 runs behind at stumps on day two in Rawalpindi. At the crease were Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, on 22 and 40 respectively, as bad light brought about an early close to play at 4.20pm local time. The pair of Kamindu and Dhananjaya produced a counter of sorts in the final hour of play, putting on 49 off 62 deliveries, but SL will have their work cut out more..

Nov 10 (NW) Former National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Chairman Nishantha Ranatunga was arrested today over allegations of misusing public funds amounting to approximately Rs. 14.8 million to obtain security personnel and drivers for his personal use, according to the CIABOC. Bribery Commission states that Ranatunga is accused of causing the NWSDB to pay approximately Rs. 5.8 million to a private company for two security officers deployed at his more..

Nov 10 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa says the govt remains committed to transforming SriLankan Airlines into a profitable entity, adding that some progress has already been made towards achieving that goal. With tourist arrivals increasing, the govt aims to bring the national carrier to a position where it can operate without incurring losses, Jayatissa said. Exact financial allocation for the initiative would be outlined in Budget. more..

Nov 10 (TM) Sri Lanka has recorded that around four million citizens aged 18 and above, are yet to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and register with the IRD, Commissioner Nandana Kumara said. “At present, 13 million people have registered with the department to obtain TIN, while SL has a population of approximately 17 million people who are aged 18 and above. Accordingly, we have identified around four million additional individuals who need to register,” more..

Nov 10 (DM) MP Ravi Karunanayake has appealed to HSBC’s global leadership to reconsider its decision to close its Global Service Centre in SL warning that the move could affect thousands of livelihoods and limit employment opportunities for young people. In a letter addressed to the CEO of HSBC Holdings, Karunanayake called for an urgent dialogue to explore ways of retaining the bank’s operations in SL before the planned relocation becomes irreversible. more..

Nov 10 (TM) The responsibility to increase SL’s GDP growth potential rests with the elected parliament, as the Central Bank of SL is only tasked with the mandate of maintaining growth closer to expectations, through using monetary policy, CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said, speaking to the COPF recently. Responding to a query levelled at him regarding the CBSL’s scope on enhancing growth, more..

Nov 10 (ST) Colombo High Court has rejected a request to release former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd owner Arjun Aloysius without calling evidence from the defence over the alleged corruption case filed against them over the offer and acceptance of a luxury apartment at the Monarch apartment complex. HC Judge Mohamed Mihail rejected the request made by the defence after the prosecution concluded giving evidence in the case. more..

Nov 10 (AD) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has stated that no member of the NPP is involved in bribery, corruption or fraudulent activities, stressing that the party is prepared to take disciplinary action if any such allegations are substantiated. Minister Jayatissa made these remarks today in response to questions raised by journalists at the weekly Cabinet media briefing regarding a controversial statement recently made by Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal at a public event. more..

Nov 10 (FT) SL has made considerable progress in restoring macroeconomic stability following its unprecedented economic crisis. Fiscal consolidation, improved revenue mobilisation, debt restructuring and the rebuilding of foreign exchange reserves have helped restore confidence in the economy. These achievements must be protected. However, economic stabilisation is not the same as economic transformation. A country can improve its fiscal accounts while continuing to face more..

Nov 10 (FT) SL’s 2027 Budget Speech is scheduled for 12 Nov. After years of economic hardship, public expectations are understandably high. Families want relief from living costs, better employment, reliable public services and greater confidence in the future. Discussion has focused particularly on public sector salary increases. Fair remuneration matters, but a more fundamental question must guide the Budget debate: Will the govt’s decisions produce lasting improvements in people’s lives? more..

Nov 10 (DN) The Govt is planning to introduce a series of amendments to the controversial Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, including the removal of provisions relating to media reporting of serious crimes and excise offences, Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday. Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing for the Attorney General, told a 3-judge Supreme Court bench that the proposed changes more..

Nov 10 (DM) Professionals, including doctors and salaried employees, have called on the Govt to introduce a fairer tax structure, arguing that the existing system places an excessive burden on people earning a monthly salary. GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said revisions made to the tax policy last year were insufficient and that further measures were necessary to address the concerns of professionals. Welcoming President's decision to disclose certain Budget proposals more..

Nov 10 (NW) The newly upgraded Dr. Neville Fernando Memorial Air Force Hospital in Malabe, renovated with the contribution of the Sri Lanka Air Force, was officially inaugurated today (9). The hospital was declared open following an invitation extended by Commander of the Air Force, Bandu Edirisinghe. The event featured the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, followed by an inspection tour of the hospital premises. This initiative follows the approval of a joint Cabinet paper more..

Nov 10 (FT) Central Bank has barred the Ernst & Young (EY) partners who audited National Development Bank (NDB) from carrying out any further banking audits and forced the lender to reconstitute its Board audit committee, after a Rs. 13.6 billion fraud ran for three years before being uncovered once the 2025 accounts had been certified. “We have already taken action against the auditors,” Director of Banking Supervision R.R. de Silva more..

Nov 10 (Island) Prison authorities yesterday suspended the production of inmates from three Colombo prisons before courts following the detection of measles cases among prisoners. Consequently, inmates from Colombo Remand Prison, Welikada Prison and Magazine Prison were not brought before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, Colombo HC and Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Nov 9. The suspension was a precautionary measure intended to prevent more..

Nov 10 (FT) Building on the longstanding economic relationship between India and SL, the Colombo Port City Investor Forum, held at the Hyatt Regency, Chennai, on 4 Nov, explored new avenues for investment, enterprise and cross-border business partnerships. Hosted by the Deputy High Commission of SL in Chennai, in collaboration with Port City Colombo (PCC), the forum brought together over 200 participants, including business leaders from real estate, financial services, more..

Nov 10 (FT) In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, professional success requires more than technical knowledge and managerial experience. Organisations need leaders who can think strategically, communicate with confidence, inspire teams and navigate change. Developing this mindset is becoming an essential investment for businesses seeking sustainable growth. Recognising this need, FTZ Toastmasters Club presents Moulding the Mindset to Mastery, more..

Nov 10 (Island) The CoPF has called for an independent regulatory body to oversee fuel pricing and safeguard fair competition among petroleum suppliers. The matter came up during a committee meeting chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday at the Parliamentary complex, where members examined disparities in fuel procurement costs between the CPC and private distributors. Officials pointed out that while the CPC meets part of the country’s fuel demand through its refinery, more..

Nov 10 (NW) SJB MP Nalin Bandara has clarified the circumstances surrounding the detention of 39 drones brought from Singapore, insisting that the items were legally declared to SL Customs and were intended for his son’s business. Bandara said he and his wife had travelled to Singapore and returned to SL with a consignment of small camera drones and microphones for a business operated by his son. more..

Nov 10 (TM) GMOA will stage a protest outside the Colombo National Hospital today, demanding solutions to several issues affecting doctors and the country's healthcare system. GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr Chamil Wijesinghe announced this at a media briefing, stating that representatives from the Association's District branches across the country are expected to gather in Colombo. He clarified that the protest would not involve a trade union (TU) strike and that routine medical services more..

Nov 10 (Island) A total of 107,829 dengue cases have been reported across SL so far this year, with 81 deaths attributed to the disease, the NDCU said. Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases at 22,502, followed by Colombo with 20,799 cases and Kandy with 8,803 cases. July recorded the highest monthly number of dengue cases so far this year, with 29,964 cases reported during the month. 1,577 cases had been reported during the first few days of November alone. more..

Nov 10 (DM) Maris Stella College, Negombo, and Nimala Maria Convent, Tudella, emerged as the overall boys’ and girls’ champions respectively at the 55th Sir John Tarbat Junior Athletics Championship 2026, held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Diyagama. The event was conducted by the SL Schools Athletic Association (SLSAA). Maris Stella College secured the overall boys’ championship with 68 points, finishing ahead of St. Benedict’s College & St. Peter’s College, more..

Nov 10 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that construction work of the cricket stadium in the Mandaitivu area of Jaffna is set to resume next week. SLC further stated that all required approvals and certifications have been obtained and the process of awarding contracts for the remaining construction work has been finalised. Meanwhile, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage visited the Mandaitivu stadium site on Sunday and inspected the present status and the progress more..

Nov 10 (DN) It has been revealed at a meeting of the COPE that the total amount to be recovered from lecturers who have breached agreements and bonds and stayed abroad across the entire university system could currently be nearly Rs. 30 billion. COPE emphasised to the officials the necessity of establishing a formal mechanism to recover these funds from individuals who have breached their bonds and stayed abroad, more..

Nov 10 (FT) SL’s banking sector Credit-to-Deposit Ratio (CDR) has exceeded 70% for the first time in three years, reaching 74.0% by end June 2026 and surpassing its long-term average, with the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) flagging credit growth outpacing deposits and a widening credit gap as potential sources of systemic risk. In its recent Financial Stability Review 2026, CBSL said financial intermediation, the channelling of deposits into loans by banks, strengthened during review period more..

Nov 10 (FT) Women’s Chamber of Industry & Commerce (WCIC) successfully concluded IGNITE 2026, its flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative, bringing together 100 female university undergraduates from 17 universities across SL for a transformative day of learning, inspiration and practical business exposure at The Kingsbury, Colombo on the 31 Oct. Now in its second year, IGNITE has rapidly established itself as a premier platform for nurturing the next generation of more..