Nov 11 (TM) A farmer in rural Sri Lanka can borrow money on their phone in minutes. The app is simple, the cash arrives at a tap, and the reminders follow them everywhere. What it hides are the fees, the interest, and the harassment that begin when they fall behind. According to the World Bank, six in 10 of the country’s 1.65 million smallholder farmers already depend on informal lenders, largely because formal credit is so hard to reach. Online gambling works the same way: more..

Nov 11 (SO) Deepavali celebrates light over darkness. Of good over evil. Of fierce Shakthi (woman power) over toxic masculinity. The traditional pictures in Sri Lankan Hindu mythology to depict the story behind this shows Sathyabhama – the wife of Lord Krishna with her foot on the neck of the Demon King Narakasura. Males could not subdue him. So Krishna could not either. Therefore he handed the deed to Sathyabhama. In Hindu mythology, the demons are called Asuras. more..

Nov 11 (TM) It is no secret that a considerable degree of discontent has emerged within Sri Lanka’s Buddhist community, particularly among a significant section of the Buddhist clergy and the Sinhala Buddhist nationalist constituency. The situation, which intensified following the removal of the robes of the BBS organisation’s General Secretary, Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, has been further aggravated by more..

Nov 11 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake indulged in a two-step dance with opponents of the Organized Crimes Bill (OCB), when he pronounced this Thursday that his Govt was open to consultations and amenable to reasonable revisions to the draft. I say two-step in that, despite the appearance of major concessions being made in a familiarly choreographed presidential performance, this is not the case in reality. Prez said that, the period of time that a suspect is permitted to more..

Nov 11 (CT) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has reportedly declared that no member of the NPP is involved in bribery, corruption or fraudulent activity, adding that the party stands prepared to take disciplinary action should allegations against its members be substantiated. Congratulations, Minister. But congratulations must be accompanied by a warning. For nearly two years, NPP has occupied the commanding heights of Sri Lanka’s political establishment. more..

Nov 11 (SO) Former Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka has held the Ministry’s then Secretary, M.M.C. Ferdinando, responsible for the failure to unload two coal shipments imported during the rough-weather season in 2012, insisting that his role as Minister was confined to providing policy direction. Giving evidence before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating coal imports and related transactions, more..

Nov 11 (Island) The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the electoral system for Provincial Council (PC) elections has sought the views of several political parties on the electoral system to be adopted. Representatives of the EPRLF, EROS Democratic Front and EPDP recently appeared before the committee and presented their respective proposals, according to media reports. Appointed in Feb 2026, the PSC was initially required to submit its report within three months. more..

Nov 11 (DM) As in all other issues, NPP govt is attempting to put the blame for last Friday’s floods in Colombo city on the previous govts, especially certain mayors and ministers of former govts. Conversely, all Opposition parties and their supporters seem to be overjoyed by the floods, and are ridiculing the current govt as if this was the first major flashflood in the city. From our point of view, both parties are somewhat justifiable in their stance, while both share the blame. more..

Nov 10 (DM) A 2-judge-bench of the Court of Appeal today delivered a divided judgment in an appeal filed by former MP Hirunika Premachandra, challenging her conviction and three-year prison sentence in connection with a 2015 abduction case. When the matter was taken up for the delivery of the judgment today, Justice P. Kumararatnam announced that the appeal would be referred to President of Court of Appeal and taken up tomorrow. On July 22, 2024, Hirunika Premachandra was granted bail more..

Nov 10 (NW) ADB has approved $300 million in financing for two projects aimed at expanding and strengthening water supply and sanitation services across SL. The financing includes $200 million under the Climate-Resilient Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which will improve access to safe and reliable water supply services for more than 1.3 million people in Western & Southern provinces. Project will also improve sewerage and sanitation services for nearly 250,000 people in Jaffna more..

Nov 10 (DM) Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has formally demanded that the Attorney General take immediate steps to implement the directions issued by the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment on the MV X-Press Pearl disaster, warning that it may seek further legal remedies over alleged delays in giving effect to the ruling. In a letter of demand dated Nov 2026, addressed to AG Parinda Ranasinghe, more..

Nov 10 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to construct a new railway bridge across the Mahaweli River between Sarasavi Uyana and Peradeniya, with financial assistance from India. The bridge will be constructed on the Matale railway line as part of efforts to improve railway connectivity and develop an extensive suburban railway network covering the Greater Kandy area. Funding for the project will be obtained through an Indian Line of Credit intended for rehabilitation & development of railway more..

Nov 10 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to submit new regulations to Parliament aimed at strengthening disciplinary action against veterinary surgeons and veterinary practitioners found guilty of professional misconduct. Under the proposed regulations, SL Veterinary Council will be empowered to impose disciplinary measures, including temporary suspension or cancellation of professional registration and the issuance of warnings. The regulations also define more..

Nov 10 (DM) Cabinet has approved a proposal to introduce a household composting programme in Western & Southern Provinces under govt’s Clean SL initiative. Under the programme, selected streets identified by LG Authorities will be designated as zones where organic waste collection services will no longer be provided, with households instead required to manage biodegradable waste through composting. more..

Nov 10 (Island) Ministry of Digital Economy warned the public of a cyber scam involving fraudulent SMS and iMessage notifications falsely claiming to be from the SL Police Traffic Division and demanding payment of speeding fines, through fake GovPay links. Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, said the messages, circulating among the public, were fraudulent, and designed to obtain personal and financial information. He clarified that neither the Ministry nor any other govt institution had more..

Nov 10 (TM) The SLMC opposed the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) Bill, stating that it is more dangerous than the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), said the General Secretary of the SLMC, Opposition MP Nizam Kariapper. Commenting on the PSTA Bill and its potential consequences for the country, Kariapper stated that the said Bill, being lined up for enacting in Parliament, contains provisions that compromise the democratic norms and values more..

Nov 10 (DM) Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a 5-year MoU between the Uni of Jaffna and the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois Uni in the US to strengthen academic cooperation and research ties. The proposed agreement aims to promote academic excellence, knowledge sharing and friendly relations between the two countries through joint educational and research activities. Under the MoU, the two universities will explore opportunities for joint research, academic programmes, more..

Nov 10 (DM) Sri Lanka is set to conduct the maiden test flight of an electric, autonomous passenger drone tomorrow at the Colombo Port City premises, marking an initial step towards introducing passenger drone services in the country. The initiative follows discussions held in August between representatives of China's passenger drone manufacturer EHang and senior officials of the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation. The meeting was attended by Minister Anura Karunathilaka, more..

Nov 10 (TM) Fishermen in the North raised concerns over the gradual destruction of seabeds in the Northern waters, claiming that corals, seagrass, and other marine vegetation are being damaged due to irresponsible fishing practices with high technology by Indian fishermen. They claimed that Indian fishing grounds had reportedly become depleted already, with the destruction of marine resources being one of the reasons for more..

Nov 10 (Island) Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening security cooperation with SL amid an increasingly complex international security environment. The commitment was reiterated at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Colombo on Nov 5 to mark the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Self-Defence Forces. Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera and Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha were among those who attended the reception. more..

Nov 10 (TM) CWC Leader and Opposition MP Jeevan Thondaman said that President Anura Kumara had informed them that the lease of the State plantation lands earmarked for disposal would be extended, following objections raised by the Party over the Govt’s decision. Thondaman said that the CWC had formally conveyed its objections to the Prez regarding the proposed transfer of 117 hectares belonging to the State Plantations Corporation, 88 hectares under the JEDB, more..

Nov 10 (NW) Govt of India has agreed to provide a financial grant to SL to procure 100 new, fully equipped ambulances for the 1990 Suwa Seriya free National Emergency Ambulance Service. Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a MoU with India to obtain the grant, following a special request made by the SL govt. The agreement will be signed during discussions with the Indian Health Minister, who is scheduled to arrive in SL tomorrow. more..

Nov 10 (EN) Nearly a decade after 2016, are Sri Lankan households better off? The newly released preliminary results of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2025 provide an important insight into this question. Despite substantial increases in nominal incomes, the typical Sri Lankan household had less purchasing power in early 2025 than it did nine years earlier, as reported in the 2016 HIES. More strikingly, the decade has not affected households equally. more..

Nov 10 (NW) Family members of those injured in the Rambewa-Medawachchiya bus accident will be provided with lodging facilities, facilitated by the Anuradhapura District Secretariat, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. A total of 76 people were injured in the accident and admitted to several hospitals in the area, the minister said. Of them, 61 were admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where several patients have undergone orthopaedic surgery. more..

Nov 10 (CI) Pakistan piled on 434 runs and then their seamers removed SL's top three, to leave the visitors firmly on the back foot, still 320 runs behind at stumps on day two in Rawalpindi. At the crease were Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, on 22 and 40 respectively, as bad light brought about an early close to play at 4.20pm local time. The pair of Kamindu and Dhananjaya produced a counter of sorts in the final hour of play, putting on 49 off 62 deliveries, but SL will have their work cut out more..

Nov 10 (NW) Former National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Chairman Nishantha Ranatunga was arrested today over allegations of misusing public funds amounting to approximately Rs. 14.8 million to obtain security personnel and drivers for his personal use, according to the CIABOC. Bribery Commission states that Ranatunga is accused of causing the NWSDB to pay approximately Rs. 5.8 million to a private company for two security officers deployed at his more..

Nov 10 (NW) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa says the govt remains committed to transforming SriLankan Airlines into a profitable entity, adding that some progress has already been made towards achieving that goal. With tourist arrivals increasing, the govt aims to bring the national carrier to a position where it can operate without incurring losses, Jayatissa said. Exact financial allocation for the initiative would be outlined in Budget. more..

Nov 10 (TM) Sri Lanka has recorded that around four million citizens aged 18 and above, are yet to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and register with the IRD, Commissioner Nandana Kumara said. “At present, 13 million people have registered with the department to obtain TIN, while SL has a population of approximately 17 million people who are aged 18 and above. Accordingly, we have identified around four million additional individuals who need to register,” more..

Nov 10 (DM) MP Ravi Karunanayake has appealed to HSBC’s global leadership to reconsider its decision to close its Global Service Centre in SL warning that the move could affect thousands of livelihoods and limit employment opportunities for young people. In a letter addressed to the CEO of HSBC Holdings, Karunanayake called for an urgent dialogue to explore ways of retaining the bank’s operations in SL before the planned relocation becomes irreversible. more..

Nov 10 (TM) The responsibility to increase SL’s GDP growth potential rests with the elected parliament, as the Central Bank of SL is only tasked with the mandate of maintaining growth closer to expectations, through using monetary policy, CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said, speaking to the COPF recently. Responding to a query levelled at him regarding the CBSL’s scope on enhancing growth, more..

Nov 10 (ST) Colombo High Court has rejected a request to release former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd owner Arjun Aloysius without calling evidence from the defence over the alleged corruption case filed against them over the offer and acceptance of a luxury apartment at the Monarch apartment complex. HC Judge Mohamed Mihail rejected the request made by the defence after the prosecution concluded giving evidence in the case. more..

Nov 10 (AD) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has stated that no member of the NPP is involved in bribery, corruption or fraudulent activities, stressing that the party is prepared to take disciplinary action if any such allegations are substantiated. Minister Jayatissa made these remarks today in response to questions raised by journalists at the weekly Cabinet media briefing regarding a controversial statement recently made by Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal at a public event. more..