Jul 23 (NF) A suspected rivalry between Chinese groups operating in SL has erupted into a major criminal investigation after an alleged abduction inside Colombo Port City ended with the discovery of a Chinese national's body in a forested area of Eheliyagoda just hours later. Police investigations indicate that three Chinese nationals arrived at Colombo Port City at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday in a cab hired on a rental basis. more..

Jul 23 (NW) Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila. He held a brief discussion with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on advancing bilateral relations and cooperation. Minister Herath also met US Ambassador in India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor today, where talks centered on strengthening long‑standing bilateral ties, including trade. more..

Jun 23 (FT) President’s Office has announced the appointment of new members to the Finance Commission of SL. Its balanced composition is noteworthy. That the chairpersonship of the Commission has been conferred upon Noor Rizna Anees, a retired senior officer of the SL Planning Service with vast experience in senior positions within the Ministry of Finance, is welcome news. She had her schooling in the suburbs of Galle and entered the Uni of Peradeniya from where more..

Jun 23 (FT) Digital transformation in banking and finance—particularly in payments and remittances—has generated enormous excitement. It has moved both customers and the industry into a new era of convenience, speed and accessibility. The term digital finance itself emerged in the 1970s with the introduction of electronic funds transfers (EFTs). Today, it refers to the impact of digital technologies on the transformation of conventional banking and financial services into more..

Jul 23 (CI) Half-centuries from Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin helped Pakistan start their tour of SL on a winning note. After restricting SL to 210 for 9, thanks to Nashra Sandhu's 3 for 42, Pakistan got home with five wickets and seven overs to spare in the first women's ODI in Hambantota. Vishmi Gunaratne, reunited with captain Chamari Athapaththu at the top of the order, helped SL lay a solid foundation after they opted to bat. The hosts raced to 31 without loss in the first five overs. more..

Jul 23 (TM) Organised crime elements have allegedly become involved in a dispute surrounding the forthcoming Devinuwara Vishnu Devalaya Esala Perahera after the Devalaya's Basnayake Nilame, Thilina Abeyrathna allegedly delegated responsibility for organising the traditional Kavadi dance to an outside group. Further, concerns have been raised over his ability to fulfil ceremonial duties at both the Devinuwara Vishnu more..

Jul 23 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya says the Govt is moving ahead with plans to repurpose the Presidential House and former official ministerial bungalows for public and commercial use instead of using them as official residences. PM said it is the current administration’s policy not to occupy the Presidential House or the official bungalows previously allocated to ministers. Special programme is being implemented to maintain the properties and prevent them from falling into disrepair more..

Jul 23 (NW) A private hospital in Jaffna has been fined Rs. 3 million after admitting to overcharging patients for Full Blood Count (FBC) blood tests above govt-controlled price. Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said Venus Speciality Hospital (Pvt) Ltd, located in Kandarmadam on Palaly Road, had charged Rs. 550 for an FBC test despite the maximum permitted charge being Rs. 400. The violation was detected during a special inspection carried out by CAA officers on July 13. more..

Jul 23 (Island) Leaders of all Opposition parties are scheduled to meet today at the Opposition Leader’s Office, to discuss future action against the proposed extension of the retirement age of superior court judges, which, they describe, as growing threats to judicial independence. Special meeting has been convened by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa amid escalating tensions between the govt and the Opposition more..

Jul 23 (NF) Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court today ordered the release on bail of former Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne in connection with the case relating to the alleged abduction of 11 youths between 2008 and 2009. The former Navy Commander was released on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each. The case, filed before the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court, concerns allegations that several individuals, including Admiral Wijegunaratne, aided and more..

Jul 23 (TM) Agriculture Ministry is holding discussions at the moment to commence Maha season cultivation two weeks earlier than usual as a strategy to cope with the upcoming El Niño conditions. Deputy Minister Namal Karunarathne said that officials have already identified this as an appropriate method and are continuing discussions with other relevant parties before final confirmation. “With this approach, the necessity of supplying fertiliser/water at the correct time also arises. more..

Jul 23 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya said an efficient public sector supported by an accountable management accounting system is essential to secure SL’s sustainable development as the country seeks to consolidate its recovery from the economic crisis. Addressing the inaugural session of the CMA SL National Management Accounting Conference 2026 in Colombo on Tuesday, PM said sound management accounting had become a strategic necessity for both the public and more..

Jul 23 (DM) Cargills (Ceylon) PLC Deputy Chairman and Group CEO V.R. Page and the members of his immediate family have disposed of shares worth of about Rs.2.25 billion, according to a stock exchange filing. The disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) showed that V.R. Page, his spouse P.R. Page, daughter L.R. Page and son V.R. Page (Junior) sold a combined 3.57 million ordinary shares in Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, on July 21, at Rs.630 per share. more..

Jul 23 (Island) The mosquito that spreads dengue is tiny. The financial burden it leaves behind is anything but. As SL grapples with its worst dengue outbreak in nearly a decade, the country’s free public healthcare system is absorbing a mounting financial shock that experts say could run into billions of rupees, even as the human toll continues to rise. More than 76,000 dengue infections and 53 deaths have been reported so far this year, more..

Jul 23 (DN) Captain Kamindu Mendis’ fighting 58 off 42 balls went in vain as Jaffna Kings secured a thrilling five-run victory over Colombo Kaps in their Lanka Premier League match played at the Dambulla In'l Stadium yesterday. Chasing a target of 180, Colombo Kaps were struggling at 37 for three wickets after the powerplay before stand-in skipper Kamindu Mendis played a steady innings to keep their hopes alive. He scored 58 off 42 balls with three fours and two sixes. more..

Jul 23 (DN) Colombo Kaps captain Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lanka Premier League after sustaining a right hamstring injury, with Kamindu Mendis appointed as the acting captain for the rest of the tournament. Mendis suffered the injury while attempting a run during Colombo Kaps’ match against Kandy Royals at the SSC Grounds on July 19. He has since returned to the National High Performance Centre to begin his rehabilitation programme. more..

Jul 23 (FT) Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said the Govt has taken a significant step forward in strengthening the professional foundations of SL’s information technology (IT) sector with the Cabinet approving the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Computing SL (CICSL). Computer Society of SL (CSSL), established in 1976, has for five decades stood as the foremost and sole organisation representing professionals in the country’s computing sector. more..

Jul 23 (ST) The capital market regulator and the capital market operator with the Port City Colombo will be on an investment roadshow to Australia next month, but analysts said this may not be the best time. Market analysts say that there have been a Rs. 40- billion foreign outflow from the start of this year till now. “This may not be the best time to do a roadshow,” an analyst said. Australian funds now in the stock market are in the 11th position in terms of turnover, which shows that more..

Jul 23 (TM) The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is losing approximately Rs 20 million every day due to ticket revenue fraud committed by some of its employees, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament. He said the losses continued despite the Govt increasing salaries, safeguarding employee rights and allocating public funds to purchase new buses. "We have increased salaries, protected employees' rights and allocated more..

Jul 23 (DN) India Under-19s moved into a commanding position after setting SL Under-19s a massive target of 472 runs, with the hosts reaching 155 for four wickets at the close of the third day in the second four-day match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. India, who scored 411 in their first innings, declared their second innings at 208 for three, with opener Lakshya Ravichandani scoring an unbeaten century. Ravichandani remained unbeaten on 100 more..

Jul 23 (FT) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday said the loan-to-value (LTV) restrictions on lending for motor vehicles and gold-backed loans will remain in place as macroprudential measures. Responding to a question on whether the expected moderation in vehicle import of the vehicle import surcharge or would depend on the continuation of the tighter LTV limits, he said there is no indication that the Govt intends to change or suspend the surcharge. more..

Jul 23 (FT) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the Monetary Board’s proactive decision to raise policy interest rates by 100 basis points in May is beginning to produce the intended effects, with domestic demand, import growth, and credit expansion showing early signs of moderation. Board decided to keep policy rates unchanged this month to allow more time for the previous tightening to work its way through more..

Jul 23 (FT) Stronger corporate governance across Sri Lankan companies can help rebuild the country’s credibility with global investors, speakers told the SL Institute of Directors (SLID) Corporate Director Summit yesterday, arguing that boardroom standards have become a determinant of national investment competitiveness as much as corporate performance. Opening the Summit under the theme Future-Ready Sri Lankan Directors: From Compliance to Sustainable Growth, more..

Jul 23 (FT) National Development Bank (NDB) has announced its financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Despite the challenges arising from the fraud uncovered in April 2026, the bank delivered healthy results, driven by strong core banking operations, reflecting the resilience of its business model and the clarity of its strategic direction. The bank reported an operating profit before taxes on financial services of Rs. 9.5 billion for 1H 2026, after recognising more..

Jul 23 (FT) Lanka Realty Investments PLC has successfully completed the strategic transfer of its 50.88% controlling stake in On’ally Holdings PLC to Lee Hedges PLC for approximately Rs. 2.26 billion, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating a focused listed commercial property platform while enhancing financial flexibility across the Group. LRI PLC acquired its investment in On’ally Holdings PLC during a challenging period for the commercial property sector more..

Jul 23 (Island) Rumesh Tharanga’s rise to the pinnacle of world javelin throwing has given SL unprecedented confidence of securing a track and field medal at the Commonwealth Games, which gets underway on July 23 in Glasgow, Scotland. For the first time in the nation’s athletics history, a Sri Lankan heads into a major multi-sport event as the world’s leading performer in his discipline. Neither at previous Commonwealth Games nor at any stage in more than a century of SL athletics more..

Jul 23 (ST) During the hearing of the case against former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody it was revealed that an advance payment of Rs 8.8 million was paid to a company to carpet the warehouse complex of Ceylon Fertiliser Company Ltd, though no mention was made in the contract to make an advance payment. CIABOC has indicted the former minister on facilitating a private company to make undue financial profits and causing more..

Jul 23 (Island) National security in Sri Lanka continues to be understood too narrowly, as the capacity to detect threats, neutralise adversaries and maintain order through force and surveillance. The deadly violence at Negombo Prison, in early July 2026, which claimed 31 lives, most of them remand prisoners, has, once again, exposed the bankruptcy of this approach. Overcrowding at three to four times designed capacity is not an administrative inconvenience. more..

Jul 23 (SO) In a significant move to strengthen bilateral economic relations, India is promoting trade settlements between the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) instead of relying on the US Dollar. This initiative, part of India’s broader strategy to internationalise the rupee, gained momentum in mid-2026 through high-level discussions, roundtables, and banking arrangements between the two neighbours. For SL, still recovering from its 2022 economic crisis, more..

Jul 23 (Island) US Prez Donald Trump seems to think the world must do as he says and he is free to do anything. He now wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino, 56, to be the next UN Secretary General, according to internal media reports. Trump could not have found a better candidate for the job to further his own interests. None of the UN Secretaries-General have had the courage to stand up to the US, or to any other world power for that matter, but Infantino would be the most pro-American more..

Jul 23 (CT) North Karadana Wewila – Karadana Watta By-Road is only 1.5 kilometres long, yet for more than 50 families it has become a daily reminder that development in SL is often measured by visibility rather than necessity. For many Sri Lankans, a road is something they rarely think about. It is simply part of everyday life—a means of getting to work, taking children to school, visiting relatives or reaching a hospital in an emergency. But for residents of North Karadana Wewila more..