Sep 4 (FT) National Commission on Women (NCW) is preparing policy reforms aimed at liberating women from unpaid domestic and care responsibilities, so they can participate more fully in the economy and in politics, NCW Chairperson Grace Asirwatham told the CoPF. Briefing the Committee, former Ambassador Asirwatham said the Commission’s mandate went beyond litigation and included a draft policy on unpaid work performed by women. Asked by MP Karunanayake more..

Sep 4 (TM) Maternal and foetal health could come under increasing pressure as the country grapples with the effects of the prevailing El Niño weather conditions, with extreme heat, drought, food insecurity and disease outbreaks potentially raising the risk of serious pregnancy complications, a leading obstetrician and gynaecologist has warned. Former President of the College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, more..

Sep 4 (ST) It was a chance remark by Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake on migrant workers that drew my attention. While revealing that a large number (around 300,000 Sri Lankans) go overseas for work annually, he said this could create problems owing to many skilled workers going abroad. “How do we meet the local demand for skilled workers,” was what Karunanayake was getting at. At any given time, there are 1.5 million Sri Lanka migrant workers overseas on short-term contracts more..

Sep 4 (Island) On the 4th of February every year, we raise the lion flag and speak of democracy. We speak of 78 years of self-rule. But honesty demands we ask: what kind of rule have we actually had? It was not democracy. Democracy is govt for the common good, constrained by law, informed by reason, and accountable to truth. What SL has had for 78 years is demagoguery — govt by manipulation, by party, and by passion. The dictionary defines demagoguery as more..

Sep 4 (TM) Every year, the release of the Grade Five Scholarship Examination results plunges the country into a collective psychosis. Within hours of the numbers appearing online, news feeds are flooded with cut-off mark tally sheets, photographs of jubilant ten-year-olds adorned with garlands, and boasts from proud parents. Yet, behind this loud digital parade lies a darker reality: thousands of shattered children weeping in silence, convinced they have failed their families, more..

Sep 4 (Island) Doomed are the nations that look on while rulers seek to perpetuate their grip on power through undemocratic means. John Stuart Mill famously observed in 1867: “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” Adolf Hitler established an authoritarian rule in Germany by throttling democracy, which enabled him to capture power, and the entire world suffered as a result. His rise to power followed Nazi Party’s victory at more..

Sep 4 (TM) The Bar Association of SL (BASL) has mounted an aggressive campaign against the proposed Constitutional Amendment to extend judicial retirement ages, framing the reform as an existential threat to the rule of law. Yet, in an expansive, one-hour-and-24-minute broadcast interview defending this stance, the leadership of the BASL committed a fatal omission: not once was it explained how or why extending a judge’s more..

Sep 4 (DM) Take a walk down the busy streets of Colpetty for instance and certain new establishments would surely grab your attention. From fancy-looking supermarkets to bubble tea shops, hotpot noodle restaurants and more, there’s just one thing that all of them have in common; the Chinese origin. What is common in each one of these establishments is the fact they are frequented by Sri Lankans. This is evident if one visits the bubble tea shops on a given day. more..

Sep 4 (CT) Former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed at a launch of a book titled Shouldering Two Wars written by Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, that it would be another war to start repaying debts in 2028, and it will be the real problem facing the country although it is not discussed within or outside the Parliament. Explaining further he said in 2028 our foreign reserves should be at the level of USD 15 billion according to the agreement with the IMF. At present we have USD 6 billion and it should be more..

Sep 4 (SO) For many people, a cancer diagnosis begins with a worrying lump, an unusual symptom or a persistent change that they can no longer ignore. At the Cancer Early Detection Centre (CEDC), those concerns can now be investigated free of charge — and, where necessary, patients can be moved swiftly into specialist care. Relocated from Narahenpita to the National Hospital in Colombo this February, more..

Sep 4 (GV) The publication of Rathuwevi Mihimadala, a book chronicling the life and political journey of veteran politician Vasudeva Nanayakkara, provides an appropriate moment not merely to celebrate an individual but to examine one of the longest and most complex political careers in modern SL history. There is little dispute that Vasudeva deserves a place in SL’s political history. The more difficult question is which Vasudeva should history remember? more..

Sep 4 (DM) Supreme Court on Tuesday took up for hearing 67 petitions regarding the Bill on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which seeks to increase the retirement age of judges of the Superior Courts. The determination on the Bill by the Supreme Court would be directly conveyed to the Speaker of Parliament within three weeks after its consideration, and the Speaker in turn would make it public during a Parliamentary sitting. Some of the 67 petitioners contended that more..

Sep 3 (NW) Dept of Wildlife Conservation has confirmed that investigations are underway into allegations of poaching inside Yala National Park’s Block V, following a video handed over to park officials earlier this month. Incident occurred on the afternoon of Aug 10 in the Veheragala area. A safari jeep driver who recorded the video submitted it to the Block V park warden the same day. Warden subsequently carried out inspections on Aug 11 and 12, but the suspect could not be located. more..

Sep 3 (NW) SL on Wednesday launched the Ceylon King Coconut Village national program, a major initiative aimed at transforming the country into a global hub for coconut exports. The launch took place at the Mahayaya Estate of the Coconut Cultivation Board in Kurunegala District under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. The program’s core objective is to establish 250 coconut villages across SL within three years, 75 villages in 2026, 80 in 2027, and 95 in 2028. more..

Sep 3 (IANS) Sri Lanka are reportedly set to suffer an estimated loss of at least USD 20 million after the ICC formally stripped the country of hosting rights for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, with India confirmed as the new venue for the six-team tournament in Feb 2027. The ICC Board ratified the relocation on Tuesday, bringing an end to SL’s hopes of staging the event and delivering a significant economic setback more..

Sep 3 (DM) Petrol cars with engine capacities below 1,000cc accounted for the highest customs revenue among vehicle imports in 2026, generating Rs. 137.4 billion, officials informed the Committee on Ways and Means. SL imported 316,000 vehicles as of June 30, 2026, generating Rs. 512.547 billion in tax revenue, according to information presented to the Committee. Motor vehicle imports accounted for Rs. 386.726 billion of the total tax revenue collected during the period. more..

Sep 3 (NW) Colombo High Court today ordered that the case filed against former Minister Wimal Weerawansa by the CIABOC be taken up again for further hearing on September 22. The case, which alleges that Weerawansa unlawfully acquired assets exceeding Rs. 75 million beyond his lawful income while serving as a minister, was called before High Court Judge Mohomad Mihail. After reviewing submissions, the Judge directed that the matter be recalled on the 22nd and ordered that more..

Sep 3 (DM) SL and India have taken steps to expedite the finalisation of a MoU for the development of the Kankesanthurai Port with Indian Govt support. A special discussion on the MoU was held this morning at the Ministry of Energy, Ports and Civil Aviation under the leadership of Minister Anura Karunathilaka. A delegation representing the Indian Govt, including Deputy HC of India Maitrey Kulkarni, participated in the discussions. more..

Sep 3 (NF) Former State Minister Arundika Fernando was questioned for approximately two and a half hours by officers attached to the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau today as part of an ongoing investigation. Police said Fernando arrived at the Bureau at 9 a.m. and departed at around 11.30 a.m. after providing a statement to investigators. The former State Minister had been summoned in connection with an investigation into his alleged associations with Shiran Basick, more..

Sep 3 (DM) Veteran artist and film technician Givantha Arthasad, who created Sri Lanka’s first animated cartoon film, has passed away at the age of 73. Arthasad died while receiving treatment at the Panadura Base Hospital. The brother of veteran film director Dinesh Priyasad, Arthasad is regarded as a pioneer in animation and special effects in Sri Lanka cinema and television. He created Dutugemunu, considered SL’s first animated cartoon film, which was released in 1979. more..

Sep 3 (NW) Police have questioned 10 employees of the Panadura Magistrate’s Court over the disappearance of two case files linked to organised crime and drug trafficking suspect Salindu Gunaratne, alias Kudu Salindu. Panadura Division Senior Superintendent of Police Nishan de Silva said investigators seek to determine how the files went missing from the court. The investigation follows a complaint made by the court registrar to Panadura South Headquarters Police on Sept. 1. more..

Sep 3 (FT) Sri Lanka’s export sector could face additional pressure in the coming months from dry weather conditions due to El Niño, particularly across agriculture-linked exports, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe warned. He said the tea, fruits, and vegetables, as well as any other crops sectors, could experience downward pressure as weather conditions deteriorate, with the potential impact compounded by the effects of El Niño. more..

Sep 3 (NW) The SL Foreign Employment Agency has announced a series of overseas job opportunities under a concession scheme, offering positions in Japan and the Middle East in addition to those already available in South Korea and Israel. Agency Chairman Ananda Lal Hettiarachchi said that 2,000 jobs are currently available in airport construction projects in Dubai, with applicants able to secure employment more..

Sep 3 (AD) Sri Lanka is emerging as an increasingly important destination for India’s growing tanker exports, underscoring the deepening maritime and industrial links between the two neighbouring countries. India’s tanker exports rose more than six-fold to about US$1.36 billion in the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, as Indian shipyards expanded deliveries of high-value maritime assets to markets across Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean region. more..

Sep 3 (DM) High Commission of SL in Pretoria held a tourism promotion event at the Rosebank Sunday Market in Johannesburg, showcasing Sri Lanka’s diverse attractions and travel experiences to an international audience. The event provided an opportunity to promote Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, wildlife, cuisine and range of tourism experiences to visitors from South Africa and other countries. Tourism promotional materials were distributed among visitors, more..

Sep 3 (TM) A complaint has been lodged with the CIABOC against a former Head of the FCID, alleging that a luxury apartment worth more than Rs 52 million was obtained as a bribe to suppress a money laundering case involving nearly Rs 7.2 billion. Complaint was filed by the Citizens’ Power Against Bribery, Corruption & Waste organisation, which has called for an investigation into the conduct of the former FCID Chief more..

Sep 3 (DM) SL’s women’s national cricket team has secured automatic qualification for the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027. SLC said the qualification was secured based on the team’s standing in the current qualification process for the tournament. The announcement comes after the ICC confirmed the arrangements for hosting the 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy. SL had been considered in connection with hosting the tournament but will not host the competition. more..

Sep 3 (AD) Engineering Council of SL (ECSL) has gazetted new regulations to formally regulate the Solar Power Systems Technicians profession, introducing mandatory vocational qualifications for those engaged in the sector. Under the new regulations, a minimum NVQ Level 3 qualification in the relevant field will be required for individuals working as solar energy technicians from Jan 1, 2028, to Dec 31, 2029. From Jan 1, 2030, technicians will be required to possess more..

Sep 3 (NW) The underground drainage system at the UNESCO‑listed Dutch Fort in Galle, regarded as one of the finest sewage and rainwater management systems built during the 17th‑century Dutch rule, is currently undergoing cleaning and restoration. The system, designed to automatically flush itself twice daily by harnessing the tidal and wave movements of the sea, was constructed in a strong arch shape using black stone and bricks. Officials note that it stands as a clear testament to more..

Sep 3 (NF) After three days of relentless racing, tactical battles and high-speed sprints across hundreds of kilometres of SL roads, it was SL Army cyclist Pathum Sampath who emerged victorious, claiming the overall championship of the inaugural Police Cycling Tour organized to mark the 160th Anniversary of the SL Police. The event, held for the first time, concluded successfully today after attracting some of the country's leading cyclists in a showcase of endurance, teamwork and more..

Sep 3 (NF) The wewas (irrigation tanks) have disappeared. The paddy fields have turned brown. The cattle wander in search of water. And in some villages, residents say even finding enough to prepare a simple meal has become a daily struggle. Across SL's dry zone, the prolonged dry weather is leaving behind a trail of devastation, damaging more than 8,000 acres of paddy cultivation in the districts of Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, more..

Sep 3 (Island) President of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) Rajeev Amarasuriya, at the farewell to Justice Rathanapriya Gurusinghe of the Court of Appeal, on 1 Sept, said that BASL was aware that the former Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, PC, had recommended Justice Gurusinghe for elevation to the Supreme Court. As far as the BASL was aware, that recommendation was still pending at the Office of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Amarasuriya said the BASL had reminded the Prez, more..