Jul 29 (ST) Experts have called on the govt to create a centralised management system to manage fire safety departments which remain under the control of local councils. They have also pointed out that empowering firefighters to take legal action against those ignoring fire safety would also help reduce such accidents. The call for govt intervention has intensified after five people were killed after a fire in a helmet factory more..

Jul 29 (FT) DFCC Bank has introduced SL’s first ATMs and Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs) offering transactions in eight languages, enabling int'l visitors and local customers to withdraw or deposit cash in the language most familiar to them. Now available in the arrivals area of BIA and at DFCC Bank locations in Hiriketiya, Ella & Arugam Bay, the service offers English, Sinhala, Tamil, French, Chinese, Russian, Hindi & German, with a wider rollout across the bank’s countrywide network. more..

Jul 29 (DM) Jaffna Kings boosted their Lanka Premier League 2026 playoff hopes with a convincing 19-run victory over Colombo Kaps at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, powered by Ibrahim Zadran’s brilliant half-century and Dilshan Madushanka’s match-winning bowling spell. Zadran produced his best innings of the tournament, anchoring the Jaffna innings with a classy 95 from 65 deliveries. The Afghanistan opener combined timing and power, smashing 12 boundaries more..

Jul 29 (Island) The Buddha, in my humble opinion, has been one of the greatest revolutionaries in human history, if not the greatest. I know very well that some of my fellow Buddhists would, perhaps, be shocked and take strong exception to my using the term revolutionary in reference to the Buddha, for revolution has been tainted by the actions of some revolutionaries, especially those involving political or socio-economic change, as they have been associated with violence and bloodshed. more..

Jul 29 (FT) SL’s top blue-chip John Keells Holdings (JKH) yesterday said it posted stronger first-quarter earnings for FY2026/27, with growth led by its transportation, consumer foods, property and financial services businesses, although profitability continued to be affected by foreign exchange losses and weaker tourism due to travel disruptions arising from the Middle East conflict. Group revenue for the quarter ended 30 June increased 24% to Rs. 141.65 bil from Rs. 114.15 bil a year earlier, more..

Jul 29 (DM) CAA recently conducted 52 special raids targeting private hospitals and medical laboratories islandwide. Investigations had revealed numerous serious non-compliances relating to medical laboratory materials used for patient testing and treatment. A large quantity of unfit and expired medical laboratory items too were discovered. Items identified as unfit for use included blood glucose testing kits, various laboratory more..

Jul 29 (FT) Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (PickMe) said it has generated Rs. 22 billion in income for its network of independent driver and merchant earners during the first quarter of FY2026/27, up 50% from a year earlier. The platform contributed Rs. 773 million in national taxes during the quarter, maintaining strong operational momentum despite temporary fuel supply disruptions stemming from the Middle Eastern conflict. Company reported revenue of Rs. 2.5 billion for the quarter, more..

Jul 29 (GV) In May this year, the govt approved an inbound labour migration policy to hire foreign experts for jobs that Sri Lankans cannot fill. Since Sri Lanka is a major source country, its sudden policy shift to becoming a host country raises concern, especially when the existing outbound migration framework requires reform. The govt appears to be pursuing a dual pronged labour migration approach: bringing foreign experts into Sri Lanka to support local development and investment while more..

Jul 29 (Island) Politicians uphold the rule of law only when they are out of power. Their respect for the law and their love for democracy last only until an opportunity comes their way to savour power. Thereafter, they lay bare their true faces and bulldoze their way through; they even consider the Constitution an obstacle in their path. This is the name of the game in SL politics. Badulla HC yesterday sentenced SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri to one-and-ahalf years’ imprisonment more..

Jul 29 (TM) India’s donation of 500 litres of technical grade malathion comes at an important moment in Sri Lanka’s fight against dengue. Health authorities have acknowledged that the insecticide currently being used in fogging operations is proving less effective in some parts of the country, prompting the Ministry of Health to seek an alternative chemical for testing. We must acknowledge that the donation deserves appreciation. It reflects the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and India more..

Jul 29 (SO) SL is witnessing a worrying trend in the survival of its most iconic Big Cat. Between 2008 and 2024, researchers compiled records of 164 human-caused leopard deaths on the island. Prof. Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, Deputy Director at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that these recorded deaths are increasing and are mainly driven by the use of snares. more..

Jul 29 (DM) Two amendments to the Parliamentary Standing Orders (SO) were passed on April 7 allowing the COPA and COPE, to directly report to the CIABOC or the IGP when they find evidence of fraud, corruption or bribery during their deliberations, for taking necessary action regarding such matters. Accordingly, a new paragraph was inserted into SO 119(4) related to COPA, stating: “If the Committee on Public Accounts, in examining the reports presented to the Committee by the AG more..

Jul 29 (DM) Every govt begins its term with a familiar list of urgent priorities. The economy needs attention. Public services demand improvement. The cost of living weighs heavily on households, while businesses seek stability and confidence to invest. These are real and immediate concerns, and no responsible govt can afford to ignore them. But there is another question that deserves equal attention, even if it rarely dominates political debate. Are the decisions being made today more..

Jul 29 (TM) More than 7,000 families living around the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project have spent the better part of a decade watching their homes crack and their wells run dry. The project’s preliminary studies had been rejected by the ADB over adverse impacts before it was pushed forward regardless. The result was a nine-year delay, an additional $ 39 million in costs, and a scale of structural and more..

Jul 29 (DM) The degree of civilisation of a society can be judged by entering its prisons. This aphorism is sometimes attributed to the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky and sometimes to the French philosopher Voltaire. Whoever said it, it rings true. Describing the horrific overcrowding in our prisons is no longer necessary. Negombo calamity has done that better than anyone could. What is now needed is quick action to prevent a recurrence and thereby drag our civilisation out from the ditch. more..

Jul 29 (DM) Minister Ananda Wijepala’s recent statements in Kurunegala have rightly focused national attention on the drug menace. The commitment to treat drug users as individuals requiring medical and rehabilitative intervention rather than automatic imprisonment, while reserving strict enforcement for traffickers and distributors, is a necessary and welcome correction. The readiness to bypass inactive police stations, the emphasis on not ignoring intelligence, more..

Jul 28 (NW) Police today arrested members of several Kavadi dance groups participating in the annual procession of the Devinuwara Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, after they were found in possession of narcotics during a special morning operation. Authorities said that around 1,500 security personnel have been deployed to safeguard the procession, with all Kavadi groups scheduled to undergo instant checks. Arrests come against the backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding more..

Jul 28 (NF) Govt has decided to make several Presidential Mansions located across the country available for tourism investment projects. Accordingly, five Presidential Mansions are to be leased out on a long-term basis. Presidential Mansions located in Bentota, Kataragama, Mahiyanganaya, Embilipitiya & A'pura have been identified for long-term leasing to facilitate tourism investment projects. Govt stated that although several Presidential Mansions have been more..

Jul 28 (AD) Badulla High Court today sentenced SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri to one-and-a-half years’ imprisonment in connection with charges including wrongful restraint, assault, causing injuries, issuing death threats to two police officers, and causing bodily harm in 2019. The case was filed against MP Chaminda Wijesiri, his driver, and an officer attached to the Ministerial Security Division (MSD). more..

Jul 28 (NF) Allegations of external pressure being exerted to alter laboratory reports concerning substandard coal imported into Sri Lanka have been revealed before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Coal Transactions. The revelation was made by Saliya Panditharatne, a member of the Board of Directors of Lanka Coal Generation Private Limited, who testified before the commission. He informed the commission that several suspicious incidents had been reported, including more..

Jul 28 (NW) SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has vowed not to abandon Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, stressing that justice will be sought through the appeal process. Premadasa told reporters that while the judiciary must be respected, he believes Wijesiri will ultimately receive justice. “Chaminda Wijesiri is not only a pillar of strength for the Badulla District and the SJB, but also for the people of SL. He has fearlessly raised serious issues on behalf of citizens through his political more..

Jul 28 (EN) Sri Lanka has approved a proposal to designate the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the official regulator for Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), moving to bring crypto trading and digital asset platforms under formal oversight. Cabinet of Ministers greenlit the decision following a submission by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy. more..

Jul 28 (NW) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Transformation Committee has announced a series of cricket development initiatives aimed at improving coaching, umpiring, pitch preparation and player development across the country. Speaking at the committee’s monthly media briefing, Cricket Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny said the committee has prioritised three key areas in recent weeks — coaching, curating and umpiring standards. As part of the reforms, SLC has recruited two umpire more..

Jul 28 (EN) Cabinet has approved a proposal to award contracts worth approximately 15 billion rupees to construct the first phase of the Ruwanpura Expressway Project during 2026, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Project will be funded through local budgetary allocations already approved for the year 2026. Under this phase, RDA plans to complete the procurement process and select a suitable contractor to build the road stretch connecting Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya. more..

Jul 28 (AD) A SL thug has been jailed for less than three months for smashing a glass bottle over the head of a stranger on a Brisbane train. Saranees Sivakumar, 22, who was allowed to migrate to Australia as a child, and co-offender Baddeley Mawhinney were caught on CCTV carrying out the vicious attack on a city-bound Cleveland line train on April 25. Mawhinney was previously sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for his role in the attack, and Sivakumar faced Cleveland Magistrates more..

Jul 28 (TM) Australia has strengthened SL's disaster preparedness by donating two rescue inflatable boats to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), with disaster assessment drones set to be provided to National Building Research Institute (NBRI). The equipment, funded by the Australian Govt and procured through UNOPS, forms part of Australia's AUD 7 million humanitarian and recovery assistance package for SL. Rescue boats will help the DMC reach communities cut off by floods and more..

Jul 28 (FT) Total vehicle registrations moderated in June as lower registrations of two- and three-wheelers outweighed continued strength in the SUV segment, while several commercial vehicle categories recorded modest improvements, JB Securities said. Total vehicle registrations declined to 58,151 units in June from 62,776 in May. Despite the overall slowdown, it said passenger vehicle registrations remained resilient. more..

Jul 28 (EN) SL has approved the disposal of accumulated scrap metal belonging to the state-run SLTB for a total value of 195.89 million rupees, issuing procurement awards to six industrial bidders. Cabinet of Ministers greenlit the proposal to finalize the sales based on recommendations by the High-Level Procurement Committee. “The proposal to award the procurements for the disposal of the said scrap metal to the substantially responsive highest price bidders was approved by the Cabinet” more..

Jul 28 (DM) It is regrettable that some patients who require medical treatment and special attention as inpatients are returning home without being admitted to hospitals due to the current overcrowding, which has become a contributing factor in the increase in dengue-related deaths, Specialist Dr Chamal Sanjeewa said. He said hospitals are under severe pressure due to the rising number of dengue patients, with both govt and private hospitals exceeding their capacity to admit patients. more..

Jul 28 (DM) Five leading Presidents’ Counsel, including a member of the NPP Leadership Council and the Executive Council Lal Wijenayake, protested the govt’s move to extend the retirement age of judges by two years. Mr Wijenayake, flanked by four others, told a media briefing that the NPP leadership asked him to be silent about the move. “NPP as a party has not made any decision to extend the retirement age of judges. more..

Jul 28 (NW) Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath undertook an inspection tour of the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in the Philippines to assess the progress of Sri Lankan investments established there. Two leading Sri Lankan companies, Haycarb PLC and Jaindi Exports, have invested in projects within the PHIVIDEC zone, reflecting the growing confidence of Sri Lanka’s business sector in the Philippines’ investment‑friendly environment. Minister noted that the opportunities more..

Jul 28 (AD) Court today (28) directed the CIABOC to complete its investigation into former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe, who is facing multiple corruption-related allegations, and report its findings to the court. The case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today. Officials representing the Bribery Commission requested additional time to conclude the investigation and submit a progress report. Magistrate subsequently postponed more..