Sep 29 (DM) Cabinet has approved the award of the contract for Phase III of the Baseline Road Extension Project to Maga Engineering at a cost of Rs. 2.89 billion. The decision was taken following the recommendations of a High-Level Procurement Committee, which evaluated seven bids submitted under a national competitive bidding process. The project, proposed by the Minister of Transport, covers the development of a 0.86-km section from Kirulapona Junction to Dutugemunu Street more..

Sep 29 (FT) NDB Investment Bank (NDBIB) has been recognised as the Best Investment Bank in SL by Euromoney Magazine at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, securing the accolade for a 15th consecutive year. This latest recognition marks a remarkable milestone in NDB Investment Bank’s journey of nearly three decades of excellence in Sri Lanka’s capital markets. While NDBIB’s legacy has been built over 30 years through innovation, resilience, trusted partnerships and more..

Sep 29 (Island) Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi said that there were three major concerns regarding the Anti-Corruption (Amd) Bill 2026. Acknowledging the recent Supreme Court determination, in respect of the above-mentioned Bill, that three of the provisions were not consistent with the Constitution, requiring a special majority in Parliament, with one clause requiring approval by the people at a Referendum, more..

Sep 29 (NW) Cabinet has approved the purchase and installation of eight additional automated passenger clearance gates at the BIA, increasing the planned total number of gates to 12. Latest decision follows earlier Cabinet approval granted in May 2025 for the purchase and installation of four automated passenger clearance gates at the airport. Under the new plan, the automated clearance facility, which has so far been limited to SL nationals, is expected to be expanded to foreign more..

Sep 29 (DM) The Supreme Court today ordered former Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to pay Rs. 6.6 million to the Consolidated Fund after holding that he had violated the fundamental right to equality guaranteed under Article 12(1) of the Constitution by misusing a government vehicle for his personal benefit. The Court also directed Fowzie to publish a public apology in three newspapers over the misuse of public property. The publication is to include a photograph of the vehicle. more..

Sep 29 (AD) The govt will seek to bear the maximum possible share of rising fuel costs to limit the burden on the public as global oil prices continue to increase, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Minister said the Cabinet had approved a further Rs. 41 billion from the Treasury for fuel subsidies over the next three months. “The govt is trying to manage the situation by bearing the maximum possible share of the cost, more..

Sep 29 (NF) Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today after providing evidence online in connection with the long-running case concerning the disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan. The case is being heard before Jaffna Magistrate S. Lenin Kumar, who today ordered that further recording of evidence be continued on Nove 27. Rajapaksa had been issued notice in 2019 to appear before court and and provide evidence more..

Sep 29 (NW) Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has urged parents and guardians to exercise greater caution when sharing photographs and videos of children on social media, warning that such content could expose children to serious safety and privacy risks. The Ministry said the growing monetization of content on platforms such as Facebook has contributed to a rapid increase in photographs and videos of children being uploaded online, both with and without parental consent. more..

Sep 29 (FT) I have been visiting SL for decades. But my recent trip left me angry, exhausted, and deeply embarrassed. As a Sri Lankan Australian, I love exploring the country using public transport. But during my recent trips in July and August, it became crystal clear: our public transport isn’t just an inconvenience anymore—it’s a national crisis. Here’s what happened to me in just one week: Matara to Colombo Train: Jam-packed before it even arrived. I stood for five straight hours— more..

Sep 29 (FT) There is widespread interest in the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka in this country as well as abroad. This is especially so, after the widely disseminated comments by Ms Margaret Satterthwaite, the Special Rapporteur of the UN on the independence of the judiciary. The analysis contained in this article is being developed for publication in scholarly legal journals in the Commonwealth. The current version was written to cater to local interest. more..

Sep 29 (TM) Govt will not remove nearly one million families classified as extremely poor and poor from the Aswesuma welfare programme unless their incomes improve, despite an IMF condition requiring the two categories to be phased out by next year, Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa said. Around one million families currently classified as extremely poor and poor are receiving Aswesuma benefits, with families in two more..

Sep 29 (TM) An audit report for 2024 has raised serious concerns over repeated thefts of electrical cables, copper wires, streetlight poles and other equipment from Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, warning that the cost of repairing the resulting damage could exceed Rs 1.77 billion. 100 theft incidents were recorded on the Expressway between 2021 & 2023. Estimated value of 11 of these thefts was Rs 580 million, while the value of remaining 89 incidents had not been determined. more..

Sep 29 (FT) A property tax on houses proposed under SL’s IMF program has been deferred for another year, Prez Anura Dissanayake told a public rally. Prez said the tax would have fallen on houses built with the savings of people who had already paid tax on their earnings. He said that in the run-up to the elections, there had been fearmongering that a NPP Govt would take away people’s second houses. “Even at that time, there was an agreement that there would be a property tax. more..

Sep 29 (TM) Govt has ruled out introducing a minimum age for children to use digital devices for now, with the Women & Child Affairs Ministry saying it will instead focus on changing children’s screen-use behaviour through parental education. Ministry secretary Tharangani Wickramasinghe said Govt had identified parental guidance as a more effective way of influencing children than imposing min. age restrictions. more..

Sep 29 (IANS) India on Monday sent about three tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines to Colombo, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's public health system. Minister S Jaishankar said that a consignment of anti-tuberculosis medicines was sent to Colombo aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. "India remains committed to supporting SL's public health system. About 3 tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines were dispatched to Colombo today aboard an IAF C130J," more..

Sep 29 (NW) Regular train services between Colombo Fort and Peradeniya/Gampola will resume from the evening of Oct 2, following the completion of reconstruction work on the railway line damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Railway Dept said the railway line between Rambukkana and Gampola was damaged at 103 locations, including 36 large-scale landslides and 67 railway line washouts and rockfalls. The restoration work was carried out by the Roads and Industries Sub-Department of more..

Sep 29 (DM) Business Media International (BMI) Group has launched Ahasa TV, a new television channel dedicated to education, quality programming and family-oriented content, with the aim of offering SL viewers an alternative to the increasingly fragmented media environment. Announcing the launch at a gathering, BMI Group Chairman Nilanga Karunarathne said the new channel was conceived following extensive research & consultations conducted across the country. more..

Sep 29 (TM) SL’s yearly migration for employment as a percentage of departures fell to 7.2% in 2025, down from 8.1% in 2024 and a peak of 27.6% in 2022, according to the Central Bank. Departures of Sri Lankans for employment stood at 311,223 in 2025, slightly down from 314,670 in 2024, which remains the highest number through eight years in a row. The average number of migrant travellers for employment per day was 853 in 2025, compared with 862 in 2024 and 852 in 2022. more..

Sep 29 (NF) As wars, geopolitical tensions and humanitarian crises continue to reshape the global landscape, SL has presented itself as a nation determined to place humanity above conflict, with Minister Vijitha Herath delivering a powerful appeal for compassion, int'l law and dialogue on the world stage. Addressing the UNGA, Herath said SL, like many countries, is feeling the far-reaching consequences of conflicts more..

Sep 29 (PMD) The first programme to recognise the high achievers of the GCE A/L Examination 2025 under the President’s Fund’s district-level recognition programme for students who demonstrated outstanding performance at the examination was held today (26) in Kilinochchi. Launched in 2025 as a new initiative of the President’s Fund under the chairmanship of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the programme recognises, at district level, students who demonstrate outstanding performance more..

Sep 29 (Island) SLPP MP Chanaka Madugoda has asked Education minister and PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya what action will be taken against the principal of a school whose students attended a commemoration for Lt Col. Thileepan. He has also demanded to know why memorials to LTTE cadres are allowed to be erected in the North. Chanaka Madugoda has told Parliament that the govt should act against those responsible for involving schoolchildren in such events. more..

Sep 29 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday congratulated javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage on winning SL’s first Asian Games Gold medal in the event, pledging continued State support as the athlete turns his attention to the Olympics. In a post on ‘X,’ Dissanayake said Pathirage had made the entire nation proud. “On behalf of all Sri Lankans, I wish you continued success as you set your sights on the greatest prize of all: Olympic gold,” Prez said. more..

Sep 29 (Island) After all the euphoria of Headingley, SL’s men’s cricket team came crashing back to earth, suffering an embarrassing defeat in front of a capacity crowd at The Oval on Sunday. SL have been playing ODI cricket for more than 50 years and this was their fifth heaviest defeat in the format and their worst against England. Defeats hurt, but over the years good teams have used them as motivation to bounce back. With SL, however, there appears to be precious little light at the end of the tunnel. more..

Sep 29 (NW) A Bill proposing a new statutory framework for the governance of Sri Lanka Cricket has been published in the Gazette. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Bill proposes establishing SLC as a body corporate responsible for regulating, promoting and developing cricket in the country. It was published in a Gazette supplement dated Sept 25 and issued on Sept 28. Proposed board would have 14 members: 7 Independent Directors more..

Sep 29 (Island) SL’s leading hospitality training organisation, Institute of Hospitality (SL) will present International Hospitality Leaders’ Conference 2026 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo from 8 am onwards today. Over 200 senior industry leaders will converge in Colombo today for a full day confab, focused on one defining question: What changes should the SL hospitality undergo to remain competitive by 2030? Bringing together more than 200 hotel owners, General Managers, commercial leaders, more..

Sep 29 (FT) DHL Express has announced price adjustments that will take effect on 1 Jan 2027. “Int'l trade continues to create new opportunities for businesses, while supply chains are becoming increasingly interconnected and complex,” said DHL Express Country Manager for SL Dimithri Perera. “We remain committed to helping our customers navigate this evolving environment by investing in our global network, digital capabilities, security infrastructure, sustainable logistics solutions. more..

Sep 29 (FT) Bank lending against gold grew by more than Rs. 200 billion in the first six months of 2026. That was the second-largest increase of any sub-sector, only just behind financial and business services. Pawning loans rose Rs. 211.9 billion, or 23.6%, in the first half of 2026, from end-Dec 2025 to end-June, to Rs. 1.11 trillion. Lending by Licensed Commercial Banks to financial and business services rose Rs. 212.7 billion, more..

Sep 29 (FT) SL’s emerging luxury boutique hospitality sector has received a significant international endorsement, with W15 Hanthana Estate and W15 Ambuluwawa of the W15 Collection receiving recognition at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2026. The recognition was presented at the 33rd annual World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held at Crossroads Maldives on Sunday. Event brought together senior figures from int'l travel & tourism industry more..

Sep 29 (DN) SL women’s under-19 cricket team will embark on a tri-nation T-20 series in Pakistan from Oct 3. Bangladesh is the other country in the tournament. SL lasses left to Faisalabad yesterday. Before their departure, Lankan skipper Chamudi Praboda said that she is armed with a well balanced team and ready to take the challenge in the forthcoming Tri-Nation tournament. The 15-member Lankan women’s team is coached by Ruvin Peiris. Matches will be played in Faisalabad more..

Sep 29 (FT) Mintpay has partnered with the Curtin Colombo Student Guild (CCSG) to introduce Mintpay Vouchers as part of the rewards and benefits available to students at Curtin University’s Colombo campus. Under the partnership, CCSG will distribute Mintpay Vouchers at selected campus events and guild-led activities throughout the academic year, adding a practical rewards component to initiatives designed to strengthen student engagement and participation. more..

Sep 29 (FT) Sri Lanka has invited Malaysian businesses to actively collaborate with the strategically located Indian Ocean island nation to enhance the competitiveness of Malaysian corporates, establish strong and sustainable supply chains, and become key partners in SL’s next phase of growth. Speaking at the business networking event themed Business Beyond Borders, held on 22 Sept at the Commonwealth Club, Kuala Lumpur, to discuss trade and investment opportunities, more..