Sep 24 (NW) SL has sought to deepen its economic and development ties with Qatar, with discussions focusing on new investments, development assistance and expanded employment opportunities for skilled Sri Lankans during Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra’s official visit to Doha. During the visit, Hemachandra held separate discussions with the Qatar Chamber and Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), more..

Sep 24 (TM) Kings Hospital Colombo has marked a historic milestone in SL’s healthcare sector with the launch of the country’s first AI-powered hospital chatbot. This groundbreaking digital innovation is set to transform the way patients interact with hospital services, offering instant, intelligent, and user-friendly assistance around the clock. As the first of its kind in SL, chatbot reinforces Kings Hospital’s position as a pioneer in integrating advanced technology into patient care. more..

Sep 24 (DM) Sri Lanka and the UAE have discussed the ongoing UAE-India-SL tripartite initiative to develop Trincomalee as a regional energy hub, during a meeting between UAE Ambassador to SL Khaled Nasser Al Ameri and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rizvie Salih. The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Speaker at Parliament on September 23, with the discussions focusing on further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries. more..

Sep 24 (NW) The ITAK has sought an urgent meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a pardon and release for 26-year-old Sivarasa Anojan, who has been handed a death sentence in Saudi Arabia. In a letter addressed to Prez Dissanayake dated Sept 22, ITAK said it wanted to discuss the way forward in securing a pardon and release for Anojan and urged urgent action more..

Sep 24 (NW) The National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) has launched a new digital appointment system allowing the public to reserve dates and times for driving licence medical examinations free of charge. The new process, introduced today, is aimed at making it easier for applicants to obtain the medical certificate required when applying for a driving licence. Under the system, appointments can be reserved through two methods, online or by telephone. more..

Sep 24 (AD) The upgrade of Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating by Fitch Ratings from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-’, with a Stable Outlook, reflects the continued progress in macroeconomic stabilisation and reforms, says the Governor of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe. He stated that following the severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the restoration of macroeconomic stability has provided a stronger foundation for the next phase of development for the country. more..

Sep 24 (NW) Two retired female petty officers of the SL Navy have been remanded until Oct 5 over their alleged involvement in the abduction and disappearance of two women in Trincomalee during the war. Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M.S.M. Samsudeen ordered the two suspects to be remanded and directed that they be produced for an identification parade on Oct 5. The retired officers, who are residents of Chilaw and Haputale, were arrested when they appeared before the CID more..

Sep 24 (AD) The number of tourists that have arrived in Sri Lanka so far this month has surpassed 100,000. Sri Lanka welcomed 107,093 international tourists in the first three weeks of September, with India continuing to dominate the tourism market. India accounted for 32,536 arrivals, representing around 30% of all tourists who visited Sri Lanka during the month. The UK was the second-largest source market, recording 7,906 arrivals, while Australia ranked third with 7,393 visitors. more..

Sep 24 (TM) Health Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe has highlighted the need for a more standardised system for early childhood education, saying that the Government and the relevant institutions have a responsibility to ensure proper care for children during this important stage of their development. Dr Jasinghe said that while Sri Lanka has a free and formal school education system from Grade One, more..

Sep 24 (AD) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has warned the public regarding a fraudulent website that is misusing the name, official logo and photographs of the bureau to falsely promote free employment opportunities in Israel and collect personal information from prospective job seekers. In a statement, the SLBFE said that the fraudulent scheme may pose a serious cybersecurity threat and involves the unauthorized use of the bureau’s identity to impersonate institution. more..

Sep 24 (NW) SJB staged a protest near Parliament in Battaramulla on Thursday, calling on the govt to withdraw the proposed 22nd Amendment. The protest, held near Polduwa Junction, drew a sizeable crowd despite rainy conditions, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa joining SJB members and supporters. Protesters demanded that the govt withdraw the proposed constitutional amendment, which the SJB has strongly opposed, raising concerns over its potential impact on more..

Sep 24 (DM) Govt has launched a major programme to strengthen the resources available to wildlife officials responsible for maintaining SL’s 5,741-km electric fence network, as part of a long-term strategy to address the country’s human-elephant conflict. Initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, is based on the policy that effective management of the conflict requires frontline wildlife officials to be provided more..

Sep 24 (AD) Former Executive Director of Krrish Group and business personality Janaki Siriwardena, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission over an alleged Rs. 70 million bribery incident involving MP Namal Rajapaksa, has been remanded until Oct 6. She was arrested this morning by officers of the Special Investigation Unit of the CIABOC. Siriwardena is accused of allegedly providing Rs. 70 million to MP Namal Rajapaksa on three separate occasions in exchange for his assistance more..

Sep 24 (NW) Sri Lanka Customs has surpassed its revenue target for September ahead of the end of the month, collecting Rs. 199.348 billion against a monthly target of Rs. 195.596 billion. According to the latest figures, Customs had already exceeded the September target by September 22, collecting around Rs. 3.752 billion more than the amount targeted for the entire month. The performance comes as Sri Lanka Customs moves closer to achieving its overall revenue target for 2026. more..

Sep 24 (FT) In Sri Lanka, nine is not generally considered an auspicious number. Coincidentally, the word inflation has nine letters. But inflation, whatever the number attached to it, is hardly welcome by anyone—perhaps with the occasional exception of Donald Trump. And it certainly has nothing to do with the number nine. Inflation, in simple terms, is the rate at which the general level of prices of goods and services rises, reducing what money can buy over time. more..

Sep 24 (TM) A child born in 2010 will turn 21 in 2031. If the Tobacco-Free Generation (TFG) proposal becomes law, that young adult, and every Sri Lankan born after them, will never be able to buy a cigarette legally. It is a simple idea with a long horizon, and it deserves the Government's full backing. The proposal, prepared by the NATA with the support of medical bodies and civil society groups, remains a Cabinet paper. Cabinet should approve it without further delay. more..

Sep 24 (TM) Attorney General (AG), Parinda Ranasinghe Junior said his Dept would not appeal against the nine acquittals in the main Easter Sunday terror attacks criminal case concluded at the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on Tuesday. He said: "No, we won't" appeal the nine acquittals. Colombo Permanent High Court three-member Trial-at-Bar has ordered the confiscation by the State of all movable & immovable assets more..

Sep 24 (AD) Heavy showers exceeding 100mm are likely in some parts of southwestern Sri Lanka today as rainy conditions continue under the influence of a deep depression moving across the eastern coast of India. Met Dept, in its latest weather forecast said showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Northwestern Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts today. Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in these areas. more..

Sep 24 (TM) Govt has gazetted a new Bill titled the Protection of the State from Terrorism, proposing Legislation to strengthen the Legal framework for addressing terrorism and related offences. The proposed Legislation seeks to provide for the protection of SL’s national security and its people from acts of terrorism and other offences associated with terrorism, including specified acts committed both within and outside the country. The Bill also contains provisions aimed at more..

Sep 24 (FT) The IMF yesterday acknowledged the SL economy’s resilience, judging by 11 consecutive quarters of growth, but warned risk remains tilted to the downside due to external factors. “SL’s economy has proved remarkably resilient to successive shocks. Economic activity expanded by 4.2% in 2Q2026, marking 11 consecutive quarters of strong growth. However, SL continues to face downside risks from more..

Sep 24 (FT) IMF yesterday said Sri Lanka remains on track to return to international capital markets in 2027 or thereabouts and welcomed the sovereign rating upgrade by Fitch. “We still think SL is in a good trajectory to achieving this in 2027 or thereabouts. And that should be the goal, because every country needs to have a good ability to access funds, both in domestic markets, as it already has, as well as international markets,” IMF Mission Chief for SL Evan Papageorgiou told journalists more..

Sep 24 (FT) Sri Lanka this week welcomed global technology leaders as the Grand Finale of the Global CIO Forum 2026 was hosted at Cinnamon Life Colombo, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to position itself as a premier destination for digital innovation and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. The event brought together over 300 Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and ICT professionals from over 50 countries. more..

Sep 24 (AD) SJB is scheduled to stage a protest and demonstration this morning against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. The protest is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Polduwa Junction in Battaramulla. SJB General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the demonstration is being held in opposition to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which the party claims is paving the way for an authoritarian path. He also called on the public to join the protest. more..

Sep 24 (FT) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday recommended that Sri Lanka retain its 5% inflation target and current accountability band at the first statutory review of the target. The recommendation comes amid growing calls from some Government officials and independent economists for a lower target. IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou said the current target preserves the flexibility Sri Lanka needs amid high food and energy price volatility. more..

Sep 24 (FT) SL’s export sector has surpassed the $ 12 billion mark during the first eight months of 2026, reflecting a 4.26% rise from a year ago. “The growth reflects continued momentum in Sri Lanka’s export performance, with both merchandise and services exports recording positive growth during the period," said EDB CEO Mangala Wijesinghe. Merchandise exports increased by 3.63% to $ 9.41 billion, while more..

Sep 24 (Island) A special discussion on developing a joint national and regional programme to protect children and young people from the risks they face in the digital environment and on social media was held at the PM’s Office on Sept 21, under patronage of Secretary to the PM Pradeep Saputhanthri, with the participation of representatives of UNICEF & WHO. The discussion emphasised the need to implement future measures on child digital safety across three key areas. more..

Sep 24 (DM) SLPP MP Chanaka Madugoda urged the Govt to take action against those responsible for involving schoolchildren in a commemoration event for former LTTE cadre Thileepan in the North. Madugoda said schoolchildren had participated in the event while wearing their school uniforms and during school hours. “We would like to know from the Education Minister what action would be taken against the principal of the school concerned if an offence had been committed,” more..

Sep 24 (NW) Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna has urged Sri Lankans to be proud of the international achievements of Tamil-Canadian actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and called for an end to racist comments targeting her on social media. Speaking in Parliament, Archchuna said Sri Lankans should take pride in Ramakrishnan’s success, regardless of their ethnic background, while criticising what he described as racist comments made by some Sinhala social media users more..

Sep 24 (NW) A special parliamentary committee has proposed key policy changes and legislative amendments to streamline the process of obtaining driving licences for persons with disabilities following its inaugural meeting held in Parliament recently. The committee, appointed by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development, focused on expanding driving licence eligibility for individuals with visual and hearing impairments, introducing district level more..

Sep 24 (TM) Police clarified that although wearing seat belts is mandatory for passengers of vehicles travelling on expressways, certain categories of passengers are exempt from the requirement under regulations introduced in June of last year. DIG W P J Senadheera, who is in charge of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division, said that the exemptions are specified in a Gazette notification issued on 25 June 2025. more..

Sep 24 (IPS) SL economy has faced a series of external and internal shocks in recent years that weakened its long-term growth outlook. Despite defying post-crisis growth trajectories, fresh uncertainties from oil price shocks and climate-related risks suggest that the policy context to accelerate growth will be even more challenging. In this context, select policy recommendations to strengthen economic foundations toward higher, durable growth are set out in this article. more..

Sep 24 (ST) The SLMC has called for the inclusion of Muslims in state bodies, saying they must be recognised not merely as spectators but as equal participants in nation building. The party included the demand in a series of resolutions passed at its 32nd delegates’ conference held at the Hizbullah Cultural Hall in Kattankudy on Wednesday under the patronage of party leader Rauff Hakeem. The resolution stresses that the recognition of Muslims as equal participants in nation building more..