Jul 20 (CT) This is the first of two articles on the coconut sector based on a draft report released by the Plantation Ministry. This gives a brief overview of the sector and future plans, while the next includes plans by the Govt to develop a Northern Coconut Triangle. The coconut sector, a vital pillar of SL’s plantation economy, contributes approximately 6-7% of total exports and 1% to national GDP, sustaining the livelihoods of more..

Jul 20 (DN) Jaffna Kings the defending champions fought back to gain 5 wickets win with six balls to spare against Dambulla Sixes in their LPL cricket fixture played at the SSC grounds yesterday. It was a low scoring game which Dambulla Sixes was restricted to 130 all out in 19.3 overs while Jaffna Kings chasing their target lost their openers Avishka Fernando (15) and Kamil Mishara (9) during first power play with spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Vishwa Lahiru made early breakthroughs. more..

Jul 20 (TM) Though 22% of all containers processed through Sri Lanka's ports in the first quarter of 2026 were referred to Other Government Agencies (OGA) for mandatory inspections, only 13% were selected for intrusive examination by SL Customs, according to the Progress Report for end-March. “It is important to note that a significant portion of these referrals, specifically 22% of the total containers, is due to regulatory requirements enforced by Other Govt Agencies (OGAs),” more..

Jul 20 (NW) Lanka Premier League’s newly introduced Impact Player rule has come under scrutiny after teams used it to field five overseas players during the opening matches of the 2026 season, despite the tournament’s long-standing limit of four foreign players. The rule was introduced this season to add a tactical element to matches while also creating greater opportunities for local players. Under the new regulation, teams are permitted to make one tactical substitution during a match, more..

Jul 20 (DM) Govt is rapidly advancing a comprehensive digital economy blueprint designed to dismantle long-standing barriers to finance, with plans to introduce an artificial intelligence-powered horizontal lending rail that will connect micro-enterprises directly to mainstream credit markets, revealed Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the Prez on Digital Economy. Delivering the keynote speech at the launch of the Credit Information Bureau (CRIB) customer-focused mobile more..

Jul 20 (SO) The country has strengthened its capacity to respond to transboundary marine pollution caused by ships carrying hazardous cargo, fuel oil, marine diesel and plastic waste, and enhanced its capacity to pursue compensation for environmental damage, Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi said. He was responding to a question on whether the Govt had made any progress in strengthening its legal more..

Jul 20 (SO) For decades, minority politics in Sri Lanka has been shaped by a fundamental question: who speaks for communities that often feel unheard within the State? The political changes of 2024 appeared to offer a different answer, that a national political movement could move beyond traditional identity-based politics. Yet, the emergence of a new platform among Tamil, Muslim and Malaiyaha Tamil political parties suggests that the question of representation has not disappeared. more..

Jul 20 (Island) I am honoured to be invited to speak at the launch of Dr. Wickramaratne’s Constitutional Conversations. Dr. Wickramaratne, who has had a ringside view of the trajectory of SL’s Constitution for over three decades, writes not as someone who has merely studied constitutional events from a distance, but as one who has lived through them — experiencing at first hand the successes, hopes, fears, disappointments and the unfulfilled promises of the constitution-making process more..

Jul 20 (GV) The Tamil enemy and the Muslim enemy are passé, for now. It’s the turn of the Christian enemy, again. Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake heralded the change at the July 12 convention of the Joint Opposition in Kurunegala. “Venerable monks, (we) should stop being patient. I’m telling prelates and chief prelates, listen to this. The army commander’s tenure was over on 2 July… (It) was extended before. Now (it is) extended again. Who appoints the army commander? more..

Jul 20 (ISland) The Court of Appeal (CA) has granted bail to a man held on remand for about 15 years under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The CA overturned a Colombo High Court order refusing bail to the accused. Stressing that protracted pre-trial detention should not amount to punishment before conviction, and the presumption of innocence remains a cornerstone of criminal justice, the court ruled that there was an exceptional circumstance warranting more..

Jul 20 (TM) Crime scenes surrounded by black-and-yellow tapes are a common sight that most of us have experienced in real life or, at least seen on television. But have we ever stopped to think about what lies beyond these tapes and why they are there? These black-and-yellow tapes, commonly known as scene tapes or cordons, are placed around a crime scene to protect valuable silent evidences. more..

Jul 20 (ST) Before the deadly riots at the Negombo Prison on July 5th and 6th 2026 fade into statistics, a more serious consequence must emerge rather than the parliamentary Opposition filing yet another interminable no-confidence motion, this time against the Minister of Justice. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, those inhabiting opposition seats in the House fall well within that apt definition, notably but more..

Jul 20 (TM) The recent delay in launching SL’s first unified Gambling Regulatory Authority highlights a profound dilemma. Authorities missed their internal June target to roll out a comprehensive regulatory framework, citing the immense complexity of structuring a modern watchdog from scratch. While proponents of economic reform view this institutional pause with impatience, the delay is actually a structural necessity. For a nation historically balanced on the values of more..

Jul 20 (SO) For decades, Tamil-speaking communities in SL have pursued political representation through separate parties shaped by distinct histories, grievances and regional interests. The formation of a six-party platform bringing together the ITAK, SLMC, TPA, ACMC, DTNA & CWC marks an attempt to rebuild a common political space among these communities to advocate for their rights. While the parties hold differing views more..

Jul 20 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake continues to enjoy strong public support. In a country where trust in leaders has often been short lived, this is significant. According to the latest survey by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, his approval rating stands at 75.5%. That number reflects hope. It reflects a public that still believes change is possible. But in SL, popularity can fade quickly. People have seen leaders rise with promise before, only to fall when results did not follow. more..

Jul 20 (DM) George Orwell once wrote that in our age, there is no such thing as keeping out of politics, that politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia. Looking at SL’s present crop of leaders, it is hard to argue with him. None of today’s politicians comes close to the stature of a Senanayake, a Bandaranaike, or an N.M. Perera, a Kadirgamar or a T.B. Jayah. That such quality should have all but vanished from our political top tier seems almost to defy natural law. more..

Jul 19 (ST) New political alliances are all too common in SL, as has been the case since independence. Most such alliances have been driven by political expediencies rather than any genuine desire to achieve clear-out objectives in the interests of the public. The latest such alliance or collective platform launched this week brought together six parties that represent the country’s Tamil-speaking people, who include Tamils of more..

Jul 19 (AD) It has been decided to conduct the final rites of former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne with full police honors. Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler, stated that the late former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne would be accorded the standard police honors customarily granted to a retired IGP upon their passing. Accordingly, the final rites of former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne are scheduled to be held on July 20 with full police honors. more..

Jul 19 (Island) Friday’s shock death of former IGP Chandana Wickramaratne due to gunshot injuries on his chest was possibly due to an accidental discharge of his personal security officer’s pistol. Wickramaratne, who was kitted for his walk and waiting on the verandah for his wife to join him, was examining the PSO’s new weapon, knowledgeable sources said. The wife who was putting on her shoes inside the house heard a bang and found Wickramaratne fallen on the verandah. more..

Jul 19 (ST) Govt has decided to give extensions for selected public sector employees in senior and professional levels with a two-year service extension with the option of a further extension, a senior govt official said. This would cover medical consultants, those in the scientific services and specialised services which, in recent years, have seen a sharp decline in personnel. The measure is being taken to retain those in the state sector more..

Jul 19 (TM) CID had not been instructed to investigate the death of former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne as of Friday afternoon, with the inquiry instead being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station. A senior official attached to the CID, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the department had not received any instructions from the IGP to take over the investigation. “CID has not been instructed to investigate incident,” more..

Jul 19 (DM) House of Fashions owner and Managing Director Preethi Jayawardena has been arrested over an alleged Customs violation and remanded while receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo after developing a heart-related medical condition. Sri Lanka Customs officers arrested Jayawardena at his residence during a special investigation into a customs valuation issue. Customs senior official said Jayawardena developed a heart-related medical condition while more..

Jul 19 (ST) The economic repercussions of dengue in Sri Lanka are notably seen through sudden workforce absences, lost wages, and overwhelmed healthcare systems. Low workforce productivity leads to decreased daily output, and major income loss—especially for daily-wage earners and the informal labour sector. With a labour force exceeding 8 million, the blow to the economy due to dengue outbreaks is sharp, Softlogic Life Insurance CFO Nuwan Withanage said. more..

Jul 19 (SO) The latest report by the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) stated that SL has failed to fulfil its international legal obligations by not conducting prompt, independent and effective investigations into the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna and by failing to provide families of the victims with truth, justice and reparations. The report, titled Chemmani Mass Grave: We Are Still Searching, describes the site as one of SL’s most extensively documented cases of alleged enforced more..

Jul 19 (TM) Long-awaited India-backed Sampur-Kappalthurai transmission infrastructure project, a key component of SL’s renewable energy expansion and the planned Sampur Solar Park, is likely to be delayed after authorities decided to revise the project’s transmission capacity and seek fresh Cabinet approval before proceeding with part of the procurement process. NTNSP Chairman Nusith Kumaratunga said that the project’s more..

Jul 19 (ST) War risk insurance on cargo headed to West Asia has been withdrawn by insurance companies following discussions and notifications issued to exporters effective from this week. Former National Chamber of Exporters President and Imperial Teas Chairman Jayantha Karunaratna said that exporters are currently faced with a major issue of insurance cover on shipments to West Asia being removed by insurance companies. He noted that after they had already obtained insurance more..

Jul 19 (Island) A police constable has been suspended from service following an inquiry into allegations that he sat on the lap of a female police constable while under the influence of alcohol at the Makalugaswewa Police Station. Constable had reported for duty at a musical concert held at the Dambulla Gam Udawa Stadium on July 15 and later returned to the police station to resume duties. The constable allegedly sat on the female officer’s lap after after seeing her seated more..

Jul 19 (TM) Football fans in SL will have the opportunity to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final live on the big screen at Galle Face Green on Sunday night. Free public screening, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, will begin at 6 p.m., with organisers inviting fans to bring their national flags and join the celebrations. The event is open to the public at no cost and is expected to bring together football enthusiasts from across the country for the biggest match of the tournament. more..

Jul 19 (NW) SL Police and health authorities have launched a special islandwide programme to strengthen dengue prevention efforts and enforce legal action against those responsible for mosquito breeding sites, amid growing concerns over the spread of dengue. The initiative is being carried out jointly by the Ministry of Health, Public Health Inspectors and the SL Police to curb the spread of dengue across the country. The IGP has instructed OICs of all police stations to more..

Jul 19 (ST) Cricket Transformation Committee (CTC) running the gentleman’s game believes it has won valuable time from the ICC to complete sweeping governance reforms, but insists that its own ambition is to relinquish control and return the game to an elected administration at the earliest. Fresh from attending the ICC Chief Executives’ Meeting in Scotland, CTC Secretary Prakash Schaffter says the message from more..

Jul 19 (ST) As opposed to the previous edition of the Commonwealth Games, this time around SL may field a lesser number of participating athletes numbering to 40, and another 14 accompanying at official capacity for the Glasgow 2026 Games. But National Olympic Committee of SL will be cautious as ever following the scars left from Birmingham 2022, where 11 from the contingent of over 160 athletes, officials and others involved, decamped without a trace from games village. more..

Jul 19 (TM) Urban Development Authority (UDA) has received bids for all seven plots of land offered for logistics and associated development projects in Ekala. UDA Deputy Director General revealed that the UDA had invited proposals from interested investors for logistics and related development projects on its land in Ekala. This related to the remaining UDA land adjoining the 36-acre plot on which the Access Group had been granted approval to build a logistics park in 2022. more..