Nov 8 (TM) Concessions will be granted for home solar battery systems through the 2027 Budget, Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament. He said that Prez would announce the concession scheme on 12 Nov when he presents the budget. The announcement comes amid recurring power interruptions and a debate over whether rooftop solar is destabilising the national grid. It has drawn criticism from more..

Nov 8 (NW) Passenger drones are currently undergoing test flights at Colombo Port City ahead of an official demonstration scheduled for Nov 11. The trials are being conducted as part of preparations to introduce electric passenger drone technology in SL, with video footage showing a drone being tested in Port City area. Initiative involves Chinese aviation technology company EHang Holdings, which specialises in electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) aircraft. more..

Nov 8 (Island) A one-day training programme on inclusive disaster recovery and access to Govt services was held for members of the Colombo District Inter Religious Committee (DIRC), focusing on strengthening community preparedness and ensuring vulnerable groups are not excluded from disaster assistance. Titled Inclusive Recovery and Access to Govt Services Following Cyclone Ditwah, the programme was held on Nov 3 at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and more..

Nov 8 (TM) In a riposte to lingering criticism of the dependence on origin players in the national side, Sri Lanka Football Team Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi maintained that the side managed by him had true SL blood. He made this retort during a pre-tournament press conference held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday (4), ahead of the 15th Tecno SAFF Championship which kicked off on Friday (6), with Sri Lanka set to face Bhutan in their first match at 7.30 p.m. SLT on Sunday (8). more..

Nov 8 (TM) Sri Lanka is in the process of appointing a National Trade Negotiation Committee to undertake the preliminary domestic work required for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with initial activities potentially commencing in January. Ministry of Trade Secretary K.A Vimalenthirarajah said that the Govt was currently focusing on establishing the committee, which would prepare the groundwork necessary before negotiations on prospective trade agreements could proceed. more..

Nov 8 (TM) As Sri Lanka prepares for Budget 2027, Opposition political parties are raising questions over the Govt’s economic priorities and its ability to deliver meaningful relief to the public amid continued cost-of-living pressures and concerns over economic growth. While the country has made progress towards macroeconomic stability, the challenge of translating these gains into tangible improvements in living standards more..

Nov 8 (Island) Formal-sector gross wages, on the EPF-based index, rose 131.8% between Jan 2017 and March 2026, ahead of the 114.9% rise in consumer prices. Employees are still worse off. After 8% EPF, PAYE/APIT (PAYE became APIT in 2020) and inflation, only someone starting near LKR 100,000 a month is ahead, by 7.1%, and the loss deepens with pay to −17.0% at LKR 1 million. The cause is the tax schedule. Wage growth is identical for everyone here, inflation erodes more..

Nov 8 (ST) My dear JR, I am writing to you after I was reminded that just the other day, the 30th anniversary of your passing was commemorated. There was hardly any noise about it, only a simple ceremony at the centre that bears your name attended by your nephew, Uncle Ranil and other family members. Come to think of it, you are one of the few leaders who had nothing named after you except the centre you donated. The Senanayakes have a school and a samudaraya or tank and more..

Nov 8 (ST) The alarming claim that 12,000 children have been arrested for drug-related offences in Sri Lanka over the past year has been repeated across the media, fuelling concerns about the country’s youth and the growing reach of narcotics. But the figures, released under the Government’s A Nation United drug eradication programme, demand closer scrutiny. For when the numbers are examined, the picture is rather different. An internal presentation by the Police Narcotics Bureau to more..

Nov 8 (Island) Several former ministers are in the news albeit for the wrong reasons. Colombo High Court has given ex-minister Prasanna Ranatunga until 1 Feb, 2027 to settle the remaining Rs. 9 mil out of a 25-mil-rupee fine in an extortion case. His conviction stems from a 2015 incident, where he allegedly threatened a businessman, demanding Rs 64 mil and obtained Rs. 15 mil. Former Chief Minister Maheepala Herath has paid Rs. 1.17 mil to settle the cost of excess fuel that more..

Nov 8 (ST) The Russian ambassador to SL, Levan S. Dzhagaryan who called on Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne this week handed over an official invitation for him to visit Russia. The invitation was handed over on behalf of the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation V. Matvienko. “The invitation highlights the importance of further strengthening sustainable, trust-based and more..

Nov 8 (TM) The recent controversy over a sponsorship of approximately Rs. 104 million provided by the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) for an international broadcasters’ summit has sparked a political debate. Some are questioning this particular sponsorship, while others are pointing to similar sponsorships provided in the past. However, the political arguments are taking our attention away from a much bigger economic problem. The real question is not whether more..

Nov 8 (SO) With the Budget 2027 presentation scheduled this week, there’s much anticipation of relief for the masses with Prez Dissanayake promising more tax cuts in the Budget. The pledge leaves an awkward question as to how the Govt will square it with the revenue targets agreed under the ongoing IMF programme. Addressing a recent public event, the President repeated that his administration had introduced no new taxes since taking office and promised further relief more..

Nov 8 (TM) When Prez rises in Parliament on Thursday (12) to deliver Budget 2027 as Minister of Finance, he will be presenting the NPP Govt’s third full budget. The first, in February 2025, came from a Govt still finding its feet after a vote on account had kept the State running; the second, last November, from an administration that had steadied the economy and was eager to move from stabilisation to growth. more..

Nov 8 (TM) On Thursday (12), Prez Dissanayake, who is also Minister of Finance, will present the NPP Govt’s third full Budget. After the Vote on Account that kept the State running in early 2025, the Govt delivered its maiden Budget that February and its second last November. The honeymoon, therefore, is over, and Budget 2027 will be judged less on promise than on purpose. Expectations are high, and understandably so. Colombo consumer inflation reached 8.3% in October, more..

Nov 8 (SO) SL’s Budget 2027, to be presented in Parliament on Nov 12, comes at a critical juncture in the country’s economic recovery. Having moved away from the brink of economic collapse, SL now faces the more demanding task of translating the gains of stabilisation into tangible improvements in the lives of its people. The economic indicators tell a story of considerable progress. Growth has resumed, foreign reserves have improved and public finances have strengthened. more..

Nov 7 (NW) Minister Vijitha Herath has defended the government’s sponsorship of the 63rd Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly, saying it was aimed at promoting SL’s tourism industry through international media networks rather than supporting a private television channel. Minister said the decision to host the 2026 summit in Sri Lanka had been made at the ABU General Assembly held in Türkiye in 2024, more..

Nov 7 (DN) Deputy Minister Dr.Anil Jayantha Fernando said Rs.98 billion has been allocated by the govt so far to provide fuel subsidies and that the possibility of continuing these subsidies beyond the coming month is currently being examined. He said that since the onset of the conflict in the Middle East, appropriate measures have been taken to secure fuel supplies and maintain price stability and that fuel prices are adjusted monthly in accordance with the fuel pricing formula. more..

Nov 7 (NW) A Cabinet paper has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers to reclaim the management of SL Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) in Malabe under the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe informed Parliament yesterday (5). Minister said the govt had investigated details regarding the institute over the past two years after coming into power, leading to complaints being lodged with CIABOC and CID. more..

Nov 7 (FT) Nearly 30 years since the project was first mooted, the National Single Window for Trade, an online portal intended to replace duplicated paper filings to Customs, quarantine, port and other agencies with a single submission, went live this week with two export sectors admitted and no timetable published for the rest. A private sector exporter created the first Customs Declaration (CusDec) through the platform on launch day more..

Nov 7 (NW) A group of 10 airport managers from Airport and Aviation Services (SL) (pvt) Limited (AASL) will travel to India for a specialised capacity-building programme at the Indian Aviation Academy in New Delhi. According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the programme will be held from Nov 16 to 27, 2026, providing participants with an opportunity to learn international best practices in the aviation sector and exchange professional expertise. more..

Nov 7 (FT) Export-oriented manufacturers can obtain tax concessions on imported raw materials and machinery under the Temporary Importation for Export Processing (TIEP) scheme through the Industry Ministry, Minister Sunil Handunnetti said. The facility is aimed at supporting businesses engaged in manufacturing goods for overseas markets by reducing the tax burden on inputs and equipment required for export production. Responding to a question during his more..

Nov 7 (Island) SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday accused the Govt of interfering in the legislature by pressuring the Opposition to amend the no-confidence motion submitted against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Premadasa said the Opposition had been informed that the motion would be taken up for debate only if certain clauses were amended, describing the move as unconstitutional. He said the Opposition had the right to submit a no-confidence motion & determine its contents, more..

Nov 7 (NW) A 50-year-old specialist surgeon attached to the Polonnaruwa Hospital was killed in a road accident involving a car and a tipper truck in Minneriya on Friday. The accident occurred in the evening near the 39th km post on the Polonnaruwa-Habarana Road. The car, travelling from Minneriya towards Habarana, collided with a tipper truck approaching from the opposite direction. Both drivers sustained injuries and were taken to the Habarana Hospital, where the car driver more..

Nov 7 (FT) Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has challenged Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s commitment to amend the proposed Organised Crime Act, arguing that the changes he outlined are merely superficial and fail to address the fundamental threats the legislation poses to democratic rights and civil liberties. FSP Edu Secy Pubudu Jayagoda said Prez’s remarks at a meeting with religious leaders at Temple Trees more..

Nov 7 (DM) In a rare move that prioritises an offender’s reformation and rehabilitation over a lengthy custodial sentence, the Court of Appeal has reduced a 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed on a young man convicted of raping his girlfriend when she was under 15 years of age to two years, taking into consideration that he was only 19 at the time of the offence and is now a married father of a young child. A two-judge Bench comprising Justices P. Kumararatnam and more..

Nov 7 (AD) Heavy rainfall occurred across the island this evening (6), resulting in the inundation of roads in several areas, including in and around Colombo city, causing disruptions to traffic movement. Police report that severe traffic congestion has developed on several major roads in Colombo—including the area from Kollupitiya along Galle Road, as well as in Borella, Maradana, and Armour Street. It is reported that vehicular movement has been hindered due to several roads becoming submerged more..

Nov 7 (NW) The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) inaugurated the newly renovated Open Air Theatre at Viharamahadevi Park today (6) featuring upgraded amenities designed to better support artists, performers and audiences. Led by Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar and municipal officials, the project places a strong emphasis on improving the backstage experience. Key upgrades include the refurbishment of dressing rooms and attached washrooms, which have been equipped with more..

Nov 7 (TN) Sri Lanka delivered a timely warning ahead of their upcoming Test series against Pakistan, registering a convincing 142-run victory over the PCB Patrons XI in their three-day warm-up match at the Islamabad Club Oval on Friday. Chasing a challenging target of 254, the PCB Patrons XI were dismissed for just 111 in 27.1 overs, falling well short of the required total as Sri Lanka’s bowlers produced a clinical performance. Keshara Nuwantha spearheaded the visitors’ attack, more..

Nov 7 (ST) SL’s solar industry has warned that new regulations could undermine private investment, threaten jobs and make solar installations less attractive to users, following the discontinuation of net metering and net accounting schemes for new rooftop connections. A Ministry of Energy directive on Sept 11 requires new connections and extensions of existing agreements to operate under the net plus scheme. more..

Nov 7 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday recovered from a sharp early trading slide to close on the up and extend a rally into a fourth session. During the week, ASPI gained 5.44% and the active S&P SL20 was up 5.2% as the market gained over Rs. 381 billion in value. Yesterday, ASPI ended up 0.52% or 109.35 points at 21,239.65 and S&P SL20 gained 0.26% or 15.50 points to 6,045.38. Turnover was over Rs. 2.8 billion on nearly 112 million shares traded. Foreign investors were net sellers on more..

Nov 7 (NF) SL authorities have delivered a major blow to organized crime with the arrest of notorious underworld figure and alleged drug trafficker Manoj Muthukumar, better known as Kaivaru Muthu, following his deportation from Sharjah. The CID took the suspect into custody at BIA in the early hours of Friday after he was deported to SL from the UAE. International Red Notices had been issued for Muthukumara's arrest, leading to his detention in Sharjah for more..