Sep 10 (TM) Private bus owners noted that paying attention to increasing the road capacity is a key step in improving road safety, especially concerning buses. In the backdrop of the recent accident in Ella that claimed the lives of 15 persons who were on a bus, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association’s Chairperson Gemunu Wijeratne further said that drivers’ experience is also a concern. “Experience is necessary for drivers to more..

Sep 10 (NW) Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has issued a legal notice demanding Rs. 1 billion in compensation from Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sunil Watagala, citing defamation. The notice has reportedly been sent via registered post through Attorney-at-Law Sankha Karunaratne. In the notice, Namal Rajapaksa claims that a recent statement made by Deputy Minister Watagala at a media briefing in Homagama caused him reputational harm. more..

Sep 10 (Island) A special parliamentary committee, headed by the Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, was appointed to implement practical, immediate solutions to prevent elephants from being hit by trains. Based on the committee’s recommendations, Ministry of Environment and its affiliated institutions have begun implementing these practical solutions. As a step in this process, it was proposed that signboards with elephant more..

Sep 10 (EN) SL parliament passed a law to curtail entitlements of prez and past leaders of the country with a majority of 150 votes. President’s Entitlement (Repeal) Bill was brought before the Parliament to abolish the special privileges and lifelong benefits traditionally enjoyed by former presidents. The bill saw 151 votes in favour of it against a solitary vote. NPP-led ruling party promised to prune excess privileges of prez more..

Sep 10 (AD) Former Mayor of the Moratuwa Municipal Council Saman Lal Fernando, who was arrested by the CIABOC earlier today, has been remanded. He was remanded until Sept 23 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama. Former Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando was arrested at around 12:50 p.m. Bribery Commission stated the former Mayor has been arrested in connection with an allegation of causing losses to the govt by awarding road development more..

Sep 10 (NW) The wife of the late underworld figure Makandure Madush has submitted a letter to IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya, calling for an investigation into her husband’s death. The woman said that there is suspicion over his death while in Police custody. “It wouldn’t have mattered if he had been sentenced by the court and hanged. But it is an incident where he was murdered on the road like an animal. At the time, they said the other underworld gang’s motorcycle was found. more..

Sep 10 (AD) A financial allocation of Rs. 500 million has been set aside under the 2025 Secondary Education Sector Improvement Programme (SESIP) for the purchase of equipment and chemicals for science laboratories in 1AB and 1C category schools across the island. This will be a school-based grant, according to the Ministry of Education. Science Division of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training is currently in the process of transferring the allocated funds to more..

Sep 10 (DM) A protective embankment was constructed today at the 15th milepost on the Ella-Wellawaya main road, where 15 persons were killed and 18 others injured in a tragic bus accident last week, Uva Province Governor’s Counsel, Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara said. Accident occurred on the night of Sept 4 when a bus carrying Tangalle Urban Council employees and their families on a picnic plunged about 1,000 feet into a ravine. Governor Jayasekara noted that several more..

Sep 10 (CI) Veteran left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani has returned to the SL squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup after nearly a year-long injury layoff. Batter Imesha Dulani, who was dropped for the home tri-series against India and South Africa earlier this year, is also in the 15-member squad for the tournament in India and SL beginning on Sept 30. Teenagers Rashmika Sewwandi & Manudi Nanayakkara, more..

Sep 10 (CT) An OIC has lodged a complaint with the Peliyagoda Fraud Investigation Division, claiming he was defrauded of Rs 2.1 million by a constable who worked under him. The constable obtained Rs 2.1 million from the Inspector, who was attached to the Expressway Division, promising to provide a car in exchange for the cash. The constable, who was serving at the same Police station, informed the OIC that a vehicle belonging to one of his relatives could be purchased for Rs 3.2 million. more..

Sep 10 (AD) The opposition is prepared to bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker of House, General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara in Parliament. He made this statement when the Speaker announced his decision regarding the no-confidence motion submitted by the opposition against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara. MP Madduma Bandara further said that if the Speaker fails to safeguard the democratic rights of the opposition, a no-confidence more..

Sep 10 (AD) The list of former MPs who had placed their initial deposits to purchase houses from the Viyathpura Housing Complex have been revealed. Earlier, the Cabinet had approved to abolish the concessional payment scheme granted to former MPs. In July 2022, Cabinet approval was first granted to provide 101 housing units from the complex on a rental basis for one year to MPs who had lost their homes during the unrest of more..

Sep 10 (NW) SL’s judiciary took a step toward digitalisation on Tuesday as the Supreme Court launched a facility to accept case-related payments via debit and credit cards. System was inaugurated under the patronage of Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena at the SC premises in Colombo. It enables lawyers and the public to settle payments such as fines, case fees, stamp duties, and charges for certified copies through both card transactions and online platforms. more..

Sep 10 (NW) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa is set to vacate his official residence on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo, sources confirmed, after Parliament today passed the President’s Entitlements (Repeal) Bill with 151 votes in favour and one against. Measure, once signed by the Speaker, will become law, stripping away state-provided residences for former heads of state. Rajapaksa’s residence has been at the centre of the debate, with Prez Anura Dissanayake more..

Sep 10 (FT) Across South Asia, the weather now writes the headlines. One month parched, the next month a deluge. On a small island with big farming traditions, there is a calmer path that honours both the harvest and the river. The agricultural systems across South Asia are going through a significant change due to climate change. Our farmers, who are soldiers protecting the region’s food and nutrition security, have traditionally absorbed low prices to feed billions of not-so-rich citizens more..

Sep 10 (FT) More than 15 years have passed since SL’s armed conflict ended in May 2009. The years since have been difficult, but also marked by important progress. Successive Govts have pursued policies of reconciliation and accountability. Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), appointed in 2010, produced a comprehensive report in 2011 with recommendations on governance, reconciliation, and human rights. In 2016, Parliament established the Office on more..

Sep 10 (TM) During the interactive dialogue on the UN report on HR situation in SL at the 60th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, on Monday, a total of 43 countries spoke expressing solidarity with SL. These include Kuwait on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & UAE, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Philippines, Japan, Laos, Thailand, Vanuatu, more..

Sep 10 (FT) Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Acting Minister Arun Hemachandra yesterday said no Sri Lankan was reported harmed in Nepal in light of the violent unrest unfolding in Kathmandu and other parts of the country. Hemachandra said he had personally spoken with members of the Sri Lankan community in Nepal to check on their safety and wellbeing. There are 22 SL students in Nepal and a total of 99 nationals, including Embassy staff and residents. more..

Sep 10 (TM) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa revealed that Sampath Manamperi, who is accused of concealing two container loads of raw materials allegedly used to manufacture the drug crystal methamphetamine (Ice), which belong to organised crime suspect Kehelbaddara Padme, has been identified as a former Police intelligence officer. Dr. Jayatissa said that the absconding suspect has also been identified as a suspect in the murder of the former TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj. more..

Sep 10 (FT) The World Bank yesterday said Sri Lanka has made remarkable strides in stabilising its economy, undertaking one of the largest fiscal adjustments in its history, equal to nearly 8% of GDP over three years, and doing it faster than most countries. In a statement announcing the release of its latest diagnostic title SL Public Finance Review: Towards a Balanced Fiscal Adjustment, World Bank said that more..

Sep 10 (Island) Sri Lanka Core Group has told Geneva sessions that investigations into mass grave sites should be carried out in line with international standards and that journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations can operate freely and safely. The Core Group Statement on the Report of OHCHR on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka was delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer. The text of Iyer’s statement: more..

Sep 10 (Island) Gampaha Additional Magistrate Dhammika Uduwe Withana yesterday directed the Yakkala Police to evict all those who had forcibly occupied a Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) office at Salmal Uyana, Kirindiwela Road, Yakkala, and to hold the premises under police custody until the Gampaha District Court delivers a ruling on ownership. The OIC of Yakkala Police was instructed to remove the occupiers, bar re-entry, and ensure that office remains under police protection. more..

Sep 10 (ST) The Attorney General has decided to directly indict suspects arrested over 11 high-profile murders without subjecting them to non-summary proceedings. Those arrested over the murders include police officers and members of underworld groups. On a request by the CID, the AG has considered the extracts on these particular cases and decided to directly indict suspects involved in these murders in the high court without holding non-summary proceedings in magistrate’s courts. more..

Sep 10 (EN) SL parliament passed a resolution on the agreements signed between SL and the UAE early this year with a majority 163 votes against none opposing in the 225-member legislature. The agreement is for the promotion and protection of investments in SL by nationals of the UAE or by corporations, societies or other associations incorporated or constituted under the laws of that State. It was signed between the two nations on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of more..

Sep 10 (EN) Sri Lanka has repaid US$ 952 million to foreign creditors in the second quarter of 2025, picking up from US$ 406.6 million in the first quarter including a US$ 330 million sovereign bond, official data shows. In the second quarter, principal repayments to bilaterals picked up US$ 200 million from US$ 17 million in the first quarter. “On 24 March 2025, Sri Lanka concluded the restructuring process with the Govt of Japan” more..

Sep 10 (FT) Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in SL (AHK SL) yesterday hosted the SL-German Tourism Conference 2025 under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy’s (BMWi) Market Entry Program. The forum brought together German and SL industry leaders, Govt officials, and tourism professionals to discuss how SL can better position itself for German travellers. It also focused on encouraging partnerships and promoting sustainable more..

Sep 10 (DN) The signing of a MoU between the Govts of India and Sri Lanka for the construction of a building for the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Mannar District General Hospital as well as the supply of medical equipment was held at the Health and Mass Media Ministry, yesterday. The meeting between Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha marked the further strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. more..

Sep 10 (Island) Sri Lanka’s elephants are among its most powerful symbols of heritage and natural wealth. They are also one of the island’s most valuable economic assets, contributing directly and indirectly to tourism and rural livelihoods. Yet, the escalating Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) continues to extract a devastating toll on both people and elephants, underlining the urgent need for sustainable solutions. In a bid to draw fresh attention to this issue, Spa Ceylon, more..

Sep 10 (DN) Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa Central College lit up the second day of the 93rd Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship with a stunning performance in the Boys Under-20 400m Hurdles, setting a new meet record of 50.51 seconds at the Diyagama Stadium in Homagama yesterday. Akalanka slashed almost two seconds off the previous record to win the gold medal, as the Ritzbury-sponsored four-day championship produced 10 new meet records on the day. more..

Sep 10 (FT) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft Appropriation Bill for 2026 and cleared its publication ahead of being tabled in Parliament 3 Oct. The Budget Speech is scheduled for 7 Nov, with the Parliament debate the following day. The Bill, prepared by the Legal Draftsman’s Dept, has received clearance from the AG and will be published in the Govt Gazette more..

Sep 10 (Island) Fresh from a morale-boosting series win in Zimbabwe, SL are in the UAE sharpening their skills ahead of the Asia Cup, with their opening encounter against Bangladesh pencilled in for Saturday in Abu Dhabi. With the T20 World Cup less than six months away, this year’s Asia Cup will be staged in the shortest format too. SL, fittingly, are defending champions of the T-20 format, having last lifted the trophy in Dubai. The side flew straight from Harare after pocketing both ODI & T20 spoils. more..

Sep 10 (DN) Two Javelin throwers Sumedha Ranasinghe, Rumesh Tharanga and 400m women’s athlete Nadeesha Ramanayake left yesterday to take part in the World Athletic Championship which scheduled to be held from Sept 13-21 in Tokyo. Both javelin throwers Rumesh Tharanga and Sumedha Ranasinghe earned their spots for this major event through direct qualification, with throws of 86.50m and 85.78m,, following strong performances in domestic and regional competitions. more..