Nov 24 (FT) 2026 National Budget focuses on growth while advancing development and debt sustainability. This was highlighted at a seminar on Impact of the Budget on the National Economy –Way Forward organised by the Organisation of Professional Associations of SL. Keynote Speaker was Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, while the panel of expert guest speakers consisted of former CB Deputy Governor J.P.R. Karunaratne, more..

Nov 25 (FT) CoPF has reviewed the financial performance of major revenue-generating agencies under the Finance Ministry for the period up to Sept 2025. The review was carried out last week when the Committee, chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, convened in Parliament. Senior officials from the Inland Revenue Dept (IRD), SL Excise Dept, and SL Customs presented updates on the progress of their respective institutions, outlining revenue performance and operational outcomes for the year thus far. more..

Nov 24 (FT) Govt is seeking to accelerate reserve accumulation, attract higher foreign investment, and maintain fiscal discipline to manage the rise in external debt repayments after 2028, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe told an online forum last week. He said SL’s external debt service will rise by about $ 785 million from 2028, making it essential to build a stronger reserve buffer ahead of those obligations. more..

Nov 24 (ST) The expenditure head of Ministry of Health & Mass Media was debated yesterday, where claims by opposition MPs regarding shortages of certain essential medicines were hotly disputed by the govt. Opening the debate for the opposition, SJB MP Dr Kavinda Jayawardena said the country was facing a crisis owing to a shortage of essential medicines. While 862 medicines were currently listed as essential medicines, there were shortages in more than 300 of them, he claimed. more..

Nov 24 (DM) As the first party to govern Sri Lanka outside the long-standing two-party system in generations, NPP ran on a bold platform: wiping out corruption, rebuilding the struggling economy, boosting investment in public education, passing a new constitution giving more power to the regions, scrapping harsh anti-terrorism laws, and ending decades of failed two-party rule. A year later, the record shows both real gains and troubling shortfalls that reveal an uncomfortable truth: more..

Nov 24 (Island) Trade unions representing school teachers and principals have resolved to launch a countrywide strike on 12 December. They accuse the NPP govt of continuing to ignore their problems and trying to railroad them into accepting its educational reforms, which they have rejected as ill-conceived. The school system is already grappling with various delays, and a strike by teachers and principals will make an already bad situation far worse. But the govt does not seem to care. more..

Nov 24 (Island) Digital transformation has become a cornerstone of modern economic growth, driving efficiency, productivity, and innovation across sectors. The integration of digital tools, automation, and AI has optimised operations in manufacturing, services, and public administration while enabling new business models, startups, fintech solutions, e-commerce platforms, and digital services. Digital payment system has facilitated seamless financial transactions for millions of small businesses, more..

Nov 24 (SO) Namal Rajapaksa is again facing scrutiny over the educational qualifications he used to enter the SL Law College. But at a gathering in Nugegoda on Friday, his supporters were unmoved. From former MPs to grassroots organisers from Dambadeniya, SLPP members said that these allegations were nothing new. Similar claims were made during the Yahapalanaya administration, they said, yet investigations more..

Nov 24 (DM) To mark World Fisheries Day 2025, SL and countries bordering the Bay of Bengal came together to celebrate the contributions of small-scale fisheries to coastal livelihoods, food security, and sustainable development. According to a communique by the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, this year’s celebrations are especially significant as they coincide with FAO’s 80th anniversary. FAO has dedicated eight decades to support sustainable fisheries, food security more..

Nov 24 (TM) SL woke up last Saturday to yet another tragedy, this time in Pahala Kadugannawa, when a landslide claimed several lives and left more injured. According to the DMC and other sources, 10 individuals were trapped under the rubble after the slope above a roadside shop gave way. The landslide crushed not only the small establishment but also several nearby vehicles, turning an ordinary day into a devastating reminder of the island’s vulnerability to natural disasters. more..

Nov 24 (TM) Amid concerns about recent media promoting home births, professionals have expressed strong reservations about SL’s readiness to facilitate such deliveries. WHO notes that SL’s maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births has been improving since 2019, with Family Health Bureau data indicating a drop from 47 in 2021 to 25 in 2023. UNICEF data shows an under-five mortality rate of 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, more..

Nov 24 (CT) Sri Lanka is facing a quiet but serious health warning. Leprosy, a disease many believed belonged to the past, is once again rising. It is happening at a time when our public health system is weak, medical services are strained, and national priorities are often misplaced. If we continue to ignore the warning signs, we risk allowing an old illness to grow into a new crisis. A recent review by the National Audit Office shows how serious the situation has become. more..

Nov 24 (DM) After one full year out of power, sections of the parliamentary opposition in our country are attempting to join hands to oppose the year old NPP govt. Today, Nov 21, a number of these political parties have called for a joint rally demanding that govt fulfils the plethora of election promises it made in the run-up to the Nov 2024 general election. Let’s face it; the govt has failed to implement most of its election promises. It promised to redraft the agreement signed by more..

Nov 23 (ST) With the main opposition, SJB, announcing well in advance that it would not be taking part, it posed a challenge for the collective of other opposition parties to gather a large enough crowd in Nugegoda for last Friday’s Maha Jana Handa (Voice of the People) anti-govt rally to make a political statement. Even several other parties, such as the National Freedom Front led by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa more..

Nov 23 (DM) A prominent Indian businessman, Mohan Suresh, has selected Sri Lanka as the destination for the wedding of his son, Jahraan Suresh, marking a significant boost to the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The lavish ceremony is scheduled to take place on 23 Nov 2025 at the Cinnamon Bentota Hotel, Bentota. Around 300 Indian guests are expected to attend the event, which is estimated to generate Rs. 350 million in revenue. The wedding presents a valuable more..

Nov 23 (NW) Emphasising that every citizen of the country must have the freedom to live while respecting all religious and cultural identities, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Govt will not allow SL to fall into any form of racist trap. He invited all parties to support the programme the Government is implementing towards this end. Prez made these remarks while attending a meeting held this afternoon (22) at the Prez Secretariat to brief representatives of Tamil & Muslim parties more..

Nov 23 (ST) Sri Lanka Customs, the most powerful revenue-generating agency and the country’s frontline guardian of imports and exports, is facing an escalating crisis of credibility despite recording its strongest fiscal performance in history. Customs revenue as of the first 10 months of 2025 topped Rs. 2 trillion. It has been reaching around Rs. 2,004 billion or 95% of the full-year target of Rs. 2,115 billion. more..

Nov 23 (AD) Another individual trapped in the Pahala Kadugannawa landslide has been found dead, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities to six. According to hospital sources and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), a total of ten individuals were discovered under the rubble following the landslide. Four survivors are currently receiving treatment in hospital, while the remaining six have been confirmed dead. Rescue operations have now concluded, authorities said. more..

Nov 23 (TM) Although gold prices in the world market have been on a downward trend amidst dimming likelihood of a further rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, the depreciation of the SL Rupee against the US Dollar has prevented local prices from falling in parallel with international rates. The gold prices in the local market remained volatile during the preceding week, fluctuating daily in either direction. “Over the past seven days, the prices have been moving in either direction daily. more..

Nov 23 (SO) An international development expert, policy advisor and researcher Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja said following a remarkable recovery from a very deep crisis in 2022, Sri Lanka’s recent Budget consolidates economic stabilisation and introduces a few markers for further growth – notably in trade, digitalisation and the Port City development. However, more decisive action is needed to embed a sustainable growth strategy and transform the economy to avoid future austerity programs. more..

Nov 23 (SO) Sri Lanka has much to offer travellers besides the sun and sand, with a growing demand for cultural immersion, adventure tourism. But it is crucial to actively promote Sri Lanka in Belarus to develop the travel market and boost tourism, said Deputy Director General, Marketing and International Affairs, CCO BELAVIA – Belarusian Airlines, Uladzimir Barkun. Ellaborating on the potential for tourism growth and the launch of direct flights between Mattala and Minsk, he said, more..

Nov 23 (ST) There’s one thing that never seems to change in Sri Lanka cricket (SLC). It’s not progress. It’s not new ideas. It’s the same old stagnation. It has gone on for so long that it now feels normal. Whether it is, the governing body or the national team, both have failed to evolve in any meaningful way. The consequences, unsurprisingly, are damning and increasingly difficult to ignore. Six uninterrupted years under the current more..

Nov 23 (TM) Sri Lanka Customs plans to issue regulations governing e-commerce imports in the near future. SL Customs Director Chandana Punchihewa said: “We had a meeting with several e-commerce platforms on Monday, where we announced that we would issue new regulations governing e-commerce.” He further stated that the formulation of regulations to govern e-commerce was essential considering that there was increased adoption of e-commerce by consumers with more..

Nov 23 (SO) Opening batsman Rehan Peiris of Royal College, Colombo will lead the Sri Lanka U-17 Team for the tour of Bangladesh in November-December. The team is scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on Monday and the tour consists of two three-day games and three one-day games. The SL U-17 Squad: Rehan Peiris (Captain – Royal), Arosha Sithumina (Devapathiraja), Chanul Kodithuwakku (Kingswood), Hirun Matheesha (Royal), Puljith Wathsuka (Devapathiraja), more..

Nov 23 (Island) Coca-Cola Beverages SL (CCBSL) has introduced its universal returnable glass bottles to SPAR SL, expanding their availability to consumers and offering greater choice in packaging in an environmentally friendly measure. The launch event took place on Oct 10 at the SPAR Supermarket in Thalawathugoda, where Pradip Pandey, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Beverages SL, and Kumar De Silva, CEO of SPAR Sri Lanka, jointly unveiled the returnable glass bottles. more..

Nov 23 (ST) Title holders Kandy Sports Club produced a powerful display to defeat Navy Sports Club by 44-14 in their SLR- Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League Tournament match played in Welisara yesterday. Kandy SC controlled every key area of the game and built their victory on fast wing attacks, steady scrummaging, and strong discipline, after leading 15-0 at halftime. Kandy SC collected 44 points from four tries, three conversions and a penalty, while the Sailors managed only more..

Nov 23 (TM) Negotiations are now underway between the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) over a multi-billion-rupee compensation claim related to delays in the East Container Terminal (ECT) project, even as the long-delayed terminal moves closer to full operational readiness, according to SLPA Managing Director Ganaka Hemachandra. He confirmed that more..

Nov 23 (EN) CEB is selling power to 5 million, or 70% of customers, at a loss, compared to generation cost, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said indicating that other customers are taxed to run the utility at break-even cost. The average cost at point of generation has been brought down to 19.20 rupees, he said. “The selling price for households that use 30 units or less was 4.50 rupees (down from 8 rupees in 2024 July),” Minister told parliament during the budget debate on his ministry. more..

Nov 23 (EN) For a country that prides itself on self-sufficiency, SL’s struggle to keep rice both affordable and available has become a recurring national drama. Long seen as the backbone of food security, the rice industry has weathered turbulent seasons — from erratic weather and disrupted harvests to sudden policy shifts and market shocks. In the latest Maha season, 701,453 hectares were cultivated, producing 2.7 million metric tonnes of paddy. Yet despite paddy dominating country’s farmland, more..

Nov 23 (TM) Managed by David Pieris Racing and Leisure Ltd., the motorsports arm of the David Pieris Group of Companies, SpeedBay is redefining motorsports in SL. As the first international karting track in South Asia built to International Karting Commission (CIK-FIA) standards, SpeedBay stands as the beating heart of the island’s fast-growing motorsports and leisure entertainment industry. Nestled in Bandaragama, this 1,217-metre state-of-the-art circuit has become more..

Nov 23 (Island) Sri Lankan motorists can expect a new benchmark in road performance and design with the official launch of globally acclaimed Vredestein Tyres in the country. Manufactured in Europe and recognised for advanced engineering and striking aesthetics, Vredestein enters the market with a full range of Passenger Car Radials, Ultra High Performance (UHP) tyres, and SUV tyres, offering options for daily drivers, premium vehicle owners, and sports car enthusiasts. more..