Sep 15 (AM) HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) has officially launched its new flagship CSR initiative, HNBGI Better Tomorrow, with a successful community clean-up event. This initiative marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and deeper community engagement. The clean-up targeted a neglected alley adjacent to Nawam Mawatha, a shortcut used daily by hundreds of commuters heading to the Slave Island more..

Sep 15 (FT) The Simplified VAT (SVAT) system is set to be discontinued effective 1 October. This decision will significantly impact many businesses, particularly exporters who rely on this system for upfront VAT refunds. EY Sri Lanka and Maldives Partner – Head of Tax Sulaiman Nishtar commented, “The discontinuation of the SVAT system by the Inland Revenue Dept represents a significant change that businesses will need to prepare for. This transition may lead to some uncertainty, more..

Sep 15 (NW) Governor of Uva Province, Kapila Jayasekara, has expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Muslim community following the tragic bus accident on the Ella–Wellawaya road that claimed the lives of fifteen individuals. Following the accident, Muslim religious leaders and community members from areas including Diyatalawa, Bandarawela, Welimada, Bakinigahawela, and Badulla had offered free funeral transport services to carry remains more..

Sep 15 (AD) A youth, who was arrested for allegedly defacing the World Heritage Site of the Sigiriya Mirror Wall (Kedapath Pavura) by the Sigiriya Police yesterday, has been remanded. The 21-year-old girl has been remanded until September 26 by the Dambulla District Judge Nilantha Wimalaratne. The suspect, a resident of Avissawella, is reported to have scribbled on the historic Mirror Wall using a hairpin while visiting Sigiriya with a group of others, said police. more..

Sep 15 (AD) SC today granted permission to hear an appeal petition filed by the parents of 11 youth who were allegedly abducted and disappeared in 2008 from Colombo and surrounding areas. Petition requests that the decision made by the Attorney General to remove former Commander of SL Navy Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda—who had been named as a suspect in the case—be declared invalid. more..

Sep 15 (AD) Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), Hemanta Samarakoon says the CAA has received information regarding the shortage of rice in the market. CAA Chairman expressing his views regarding the ongoing shortage of Keeri Samba and Samba rice in the country said through the issuance of a gazette notification, the govt has set a controlled price for rice, and if rice is being sold at prices exceeding that limit, CAA will take necessary legal action under existing more..

Sep 15 (DM) Referring to the large crowd that gathered to see former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa as he was leaving his Carlton House residence, former Prez Sirisena said he does not bring people. He made the remark while responding to a reporter’s question. Reporter: We saw a large crowd flock around Mahinda Rajapaksa. Hasn’t anyone come to see you as well? MS: No, no. I don’t bring people. Reporter: Which means, people are arranged, right? MS: I don’t bring people. more..

Sep 15 (TM) While the market appears to be acting on the belief that SriLankan Airlines will not be able to restructure its $ 175 million 7% Govt-guaranteed bonds, which matured on 25 June 2024, SriLankan remains adamant that it is not in a position to honour the bonds in full. A source with knowledge of the ongoing restructuring process of SriLankan Airlines’ bonds revealed that these bonds were now trading at around 105 cents more..

Sep 15 (NW) Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sunil Watagala on Sunday denied allegations circulating on social media that he had purchased a luxury residence at the Cinnamon Life complex. Watagala said the claims were false and intended to damage his reputation, adding that all his assets and liabilities have been properly declared in his official asset disclosures. “These fabrications are part of a coordinated smear campaign,” Watagala said in a statement. more..

Sep 15 (AD) An attorney representing Sampath Manamperi informed the Court of Appeal today that his client is prepared to surrender to the relevant Magistrate’s Court in connection with the discovery of two concealed containers in Middeniya, suspected to contain chemical substances used in the production of Ice. Following this statement, the Court of Appeal ordered the IGP to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of Sampath Manamperi after his surrender and more..

Sep 15 (FT) Interestingly, some in mainstream media last Saturday said, Shushila Karki former Chief Justice had been unanimously agreed upon by Gen-Z on Friday as PM of the Nepali Interim Govt, and was sworn in the same day. Wonder how Gen-Z, only a popular label given to a population between the ages of 15 and maximum 30 years, is largely flotsam and live on social media, decide unanimously on anything. Worst is, in accepting few unknown youth with no idea about more..

Sep 15 (FT) In a recent talk show titled Modern Talk hosted by Channel 7 television, successor to the former YA Television, the young talk show hostess Nimna Perera asked me whether the current central bank management had been doing its job properly in managing the economy. As a journalist, she was voicing the sentiments of the public openly in that talk show. There should not be objection to this approach because that is the duty of an anchor-woman by her viewers. more..

Sep 15 (DN) The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) has confirmed that the majority of chemicals discovered in Middeniya are essential precursors used in the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine (ICE). According to the NDDCB’s report submitted to the Western Province North Crimes Division, laboratory analysis revealed that 17 out of 20 collected samples contained substances commonly more..

Sep 15 (DM) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the current govt seeks revenge not only against the Rajapaksas but also against anyone perceived as a threat. ‘That is not a problem for us,’ he added. Speaking after moving from the official residence in Wijerama Mawatha to Carlton House, Rajapaksa said he remains happy regardless of circumstances and does not see challenges as problems. “I never thought this government would make me and other former presidents leave our homes, more..

Sep 15 (DM) A Security Officer at BIA was arrested by airport customs officers on Sunday morning for attempting to smuggle gold biscuits worth Rs. 215 million. The 54-year-old resident of Kadawala, Negombo, also serves as the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Security Services Organization. He was apprehended at 6:50 a.m. on September 14 while leaving the airport through the special business departures window. Customs officials said he had wrapped 51 24-carat gold biscuits—totaling more..

Sep 15 (TM) Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) urged the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) to take tougher action against the CEB, including withholding approval for electricity tariff revisions, until the CEB signs fuel supply agreements (FSAs) with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). ECA General Secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika said that CEB has repeatedly ignored directives to enter into FSAs more..

Sep 15 (NW) Ministry of Education has issued an announcement regarding examinations scheduled for 2026. The 2025 (2026) GCE O/L exam will be held from 17 to 26 Feb 2026. The GCE A/L examination is scheduled to take place from 10th August to 5th September 2026, while the Grade 5 Scholarship examination will be held on 9th August 2026. In addition, the announcement states that the 2026 GCE O/L examination will be conducted from 8th to 17th Dec 2026. more..

Sep 15 (SO) A number of judges facing allegations of misconduct are set to resign from the Judicial Service ahead of possible suspension, sources said, as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) intensifies its probe into complaints against members of the Judiciary. The resignations are to come amid growing concerns over the challenges of returning to the legal profession after being interdicted. In recent months, several Magistrates, District Court Judges & Additional District Court Judges have been more..

Sep 15 (AD) A total of 631 individuals have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in criminal activities and also over illicit liquor and drug-related offenses during a special island-wide operation conducted yesterday (13). As part of the operation, 25,774 persons were subjected to inspection. Police have identified 22 individuals directly linked to criminal activities while 332 suspects with outstanding warrants were arrested during the operation, police noted. more..

Sep 15 (DN) Sri Lanka will take on Nepal in the curtain raiser of the South Asian U-17 Football Championship 2025, organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), today at 7 pm under floodlights at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo. The two-week tournament, running from September 15 to 27, will feature seven nations – Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and host Sri Lanka – battling for regional honours. The tournament is divided into two groups. more..

Sep 15 (TM) SL’s vacant ministerial and presidential bungalows – prime properties in Colombo with significant historical value – remain in limbo, even as the Govt considers leasing them out. Despite discussions about repurposing these elite residences for embassies, NGOs, or int'l organisations, no Cabinet paper has yet been presented, according to Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath. He said that while the Govt was considering more..

Sep 15 (AD) The renovation of the Pettah Central Bus Stand is scheduled to commence this morning (15) under the patronage of Prez Dissanayake. Constructed in 1964, the Pettah Central Bus Stand is set to undergo a complete renovation after six decades. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 424 million. The renovation plan includes the installation of new restrooms, information and communication centers, upgraded security systems, and several other modern facilities. more..

Sep 15 (FT) Exporters are yet again faced with challenges as operational delays in the Port of Colombo have resulted in vessels omitting the Port of Colombo and going on to ports in India where their cargo is unloaded with minimal delay. These last-minute omissions by lines at Colombo leave exporters with no options, as the cargo destined for Colombo could be as late as two weeks from the original date. Last week, the vessel operator ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, more..

Sep 15 (FT) Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyaratna last Friday announced that the Govt has set an ambitious target of generating $ 6.5 billion in export earnings from four key agriculture crops—tea, coconut, rubber, and cinnamon by 2030. Addressing the 35th AGM of the SL Tea Factory Owners’ Association, Vidyaratna outlined govt’s long-term strategy to strengthen export agriculture despite recent economic & structural challenges. more..

Sep 15 (EN) Sri Lanka’s central bank bought US$ 142.5 mil from commercial banks in Aug 2025, taking the total so far this year to US$ 1,238.6 mil so far this year. In 2024, CB bought US$ 2020.4 mil in the same period with stronger deflationary policy and lower private credit. In late 2024 the central bank re-started inflationary policy through aggressive open market operations to mis-target the interbank rate, as private credit picked up, leading to sharply reduced collections in Nov and Dec. more..

Sep 15 (Island) The NPP has asked the SLPP why the latter did not vote against the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal Bill), which they lambasted, last week. NPP MP Dewananda Suraweera said that the 3-member SLPP parliamentary group should have opposed the Bill if the former governing party had genuinely believed that it was targeting their leader, former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. Both the SLPP and SJB walked out of the Chamber more..

Sep 15 (DM) Sri Lanka’s aggressive VAT reforms in 2024, a key component of its post-crisis fiscal stabilisation, single-handedly contributed to a 2.2% point increase in the nation’s poverty rate, a stark new report from the World Bank reveals. The report criticizes the country’s heavy and regressive reliance on indirect taxes and tables urgent proposals for a fundamental shift towards a more equitable system of direct taxation to ensure a sustainable and fair economic recovery. more..

Sep 15 (Island) Even just about a couple of decades ago, it was quite common to see our children fall victim to certain serious infectious diseases, over which we had very little control. Illnesses such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and typhoid were rampant and seemed to rule the roost. There were regular mass epidemics of some of these nasty diseases, which occurred with disconcerting regularity. more..

Sep 15 (FT) Trade Unions (TUs) affiliated to the CEB warned that they may escalate their industrial action to Stage 2 later this week – a move that could disrupt power supply as repairs would take longer due to the ongoing work-to-rule campaign. Union representatives also cautioned that, in the event of a system collapse similar to earlier this year, restoring operations would take longer because employees would strictly more..

Sep 15 (Island) When Marvan Atapattu was piling up mountains of runs for Ananda in school cricket, everyone knew he was destined for the big league. Much the same can be said of Kamil Mishara. To compare Marvan and Kamil may be chalk and cheese to some, but the common thread is that both were head and shoulders above their peers at school level. Off-field distractions stalled Mishara’s rise, but having learnt his lessons the hard way, he now looks cut out for the long haul. more..

Sep 15 (FT) Prime Lands Residencies PLC on Friday acquired over 1 acre of land on Station Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4, for Rs. 3.5 billion. In a disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange, Prime said the acquisition was via a public auction by Sampath Bank on the Lot Nos. 2, 3, and 4 in Survey Plan No. 4196 dated 8 January 2014 prepared by Licenced Surveyor T.D.K.R.P. Pathegama, bearing Assessment No. 25/3, (Part), containing in extent of 1A-0R-20.1P (180.IP). more..