Mar 9 (FT) Cricketer turned investor-cum-entrepreneur Aravinda de Silva last week made a compelling case for a further reduction in lending rates whilst reiterating his strong belief in SL’s potential to do better. “The interest rates need to come down further. Just because the interest rates have been at an all-time low, doesn’t mean that we have to remain at that,” Aravinda argued during his remarks at an investor forum more..

Mar 9 (Island) Sri Lanka stands at a geopolitical crossroads where geography is both its greatest asset and its most vulnerable liability. Sitting astride the Indian Ocean’s critical east-west highway, the waters, south of Dondra Head, channel nearly 30% of the world’s maritime trade. This route is the arterial vein connecting Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Yet, as tensions flare in the Middle East and great power competition intensifies, Sri Lanka finds itself guarding a highway it does not own, more..

Mar 9 (Island) JVP-NPP govt came to power, promising to play a messianic role and cleanse SL politics, but a dirty coal procurement deal has blackened its reputation. Its leaders and propagandists are unashamedly trying to obfuscate the issue of procuring low-quality coal and causing huge losses to the ailing economy. They have made a fresh attempt to muddy the water by asking for further testing of the low-grade coal, which has already caused a loss of about Rs. 9 billion more..

Mar 9 (ST) The escalating conflict in West Asia and its impact on the country dwarfed all other topics in Parliament as lawmakers tried to keep pace with fast-moving developments in a war that had unexpectedly come to SL’s own doorstep. Opposition MPs had questioned the govt during the start of the Wednesday’s parliamentary proceedings on reports of an Iranian vessel being in distress near SL waters off Galle. Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed the matter, identifying the Iranian vessel as more..

Mar 9 (GV) In late 2025, as economic anxieties deepened and global climate warnings grew louder, a tropical storm formed over the Bay of Bengal and intensified into what would be known as Cyclone Ditwah. The storm moved across SL’s northern and eastern regions bringing torrential rainfall, severe flooding, landslides and widespread infrastructure damage. The numbers were staggering: approximately $4.1 billion in losses – nearly 4% of national GDP – 2 million people affected more..

Mar 9 (TM) Three months after Cyclone Ditwah triggered devastating floods and landslides across SL, thousands of families remain displaced, with many still living in temporary shelters, camps, overcrowded homes, and rented rooms as the State struggles to move from emergency relief to long-term resettlement. In Haggala and Rendapola in Nuwara Eliya, 23 estate families displaced by landslides are still living more..

Mar 9 (SO) The Indian Ocean, once celebrated as a Zone of Peace, has been transformed into a graveyard of metal and a crucible of high-stakes diplomacy. On the morning of March 4, 2026, the quiet serenity of the waters just 65 Km South of Galle, was shattered by a huge explosion (equivalent to 200 tons of TNT) that will be remembered as the first major submarine-on-surface-ship engagement of the 21st Century. The sinking of the IRIS Dena, an Iranian frigate, more..

Mar 9 (DM) At a time when global tensions are rising between US, Israel and Iran, the last thing a small country like Sri Lanka needs is to be dragged into someone else’s war. Yet worrying reports have emerged that pressure may have been exerted by the US on the SL govt regarding the handling of Iranian sailors and citizens whose bodies are currently in the country. If such reports are accurate, they raise serious questions about sovereignty & respect for independent nations. more..

Mar 9 (SO) With the industrial renaissance that began in Europe in the 18th century, huge factories producing goods spread rapidly. Although their workers had to work more than 12 hours a day, they did not receive adequate wages or even a living wage. They were also deprived of professional rights. During this era, women workers were employed in large numbers in the textile and clothing industries. more..

Mar 9 (TM) SL’s national security thinking has long been shaped by a brutal land war. For nearly three decades, the country’s military posture, budgets, and instincts were forged in the crucible of internal conflict. That made sense then. But, it does not make sense now. At a recent Pathfinder Foundation event, Admiral Jayanath Colombage put it bluntly. Our military was designed and developed throughout a three-decade-long civil conflict. But now we have come a long way from 2009 until 2026. more..

Mar 9 (DM) We are not sure exactly why, but cricket is like a religion here. So wrote W. Lewis Amselem, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Colombo, in a cable to Washington on Sept 13, 2002, logged in the WikiLeaks database. The observation was made in passing, almost as an aside, yet it captured something profound about the subcontinent’s relationship with a bat-and-ball game that has long ceased to be merely a sport. Religion, at its core, is a system of beliefs, practices, and more..

Mar 8 (ST) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake had the unenviable task of walking the diplomatic tightrope this week when SL was unexpectedly thrust into the middle of the ongoing conflict engulfing West Asia, commonly referred to even here as the Middle East, and the Gulf States. Initially, it seemed that SL had pulled off a diplomatic coup by playing peacemaker in the middle of warring parties by giving refuge to Iranian sailors more..

Mar 8 (TM) SL has secured fuel stocks until the end of August, ensuring continuity of supply despite growing tensions in the Middle East. According to the CPC, orders have been placed to cover requirements through August, in addition to long-term tenders already arranged by the Govt. CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage said that the country currently had sufficient stocks of diesel, petrol, crude oil & naphtha to last until end of April under prevailing consumption patterns. more..

Mar 8 (TM) There are no immediate or direct risks to Sri Lanka’s food security arising from the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, the Ministry of Trade has stated. However, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for a comprehensive study to assess the potential impact on the SL economy should the conflict continue for an extended period. Trade Ministry Secretary K.A. Vimalenthirarajah noted that the ongoing conflict did not pose a direct threat to Sri Lanka’s food security. more..

Mar 8 (TM) Ministry of Defence rejected foreign media reports which claimed that the US had pressured Sri Lanka not to return rescued Iranian sailors to Tehran following recent maritime incidents in the Indian Ocean. “There is no truth to the claims that the US Govt or the US Embassy have applied pressure on SL to refrain from returning the sailors to Iran and no such dialogue has taken place,” Dy Minister Aruna Jayasekara said, more..

Mar 8 (EN) SL’s official remittances rose 33% to US$729 million in Feb 2026 with the rising trend continued from 2024. The February inflows from the foreign workers come after the island nation saw a record monthly remittance in December last year, which also witnessed the historical annual high worker remittances of US$ 8,076.2 million. The inflows from SL workers abroad rose 32% to US$1,480.1 million in the first two months of this year compared to the same period last year. more..

Mar 8 (ST) The Treasury has left out a salary increase for the three Commissioners and the Director General of CIABOC, despite the COPF recommending salary hikes for the last two years. With Parliament set to debate a resolution over cadre and salary structures of the Commission on March 17, the recommendations were left out for a third time by the Dept of Management Services under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning & Development. more..

Mar 8 (EN) SL is moving to consolidate its industrial regulatory framework by merging three key state agencies into a single entity, Minister Sunil Handunnetti said. “We have identified three primary agencies required for industrial activities. We are working to integrate them and streamline operations in order to make work much easier,” he said. “We are also in the process of establishing a new body called the SL Industrial Transformation & Innovation Authority (SITIA) in place of the above,” more..

Mar 8 (AD) Sri Lankan powerlifter Ransilu Jayathilake has made history by winning a gold medal at the Arnold Sports Festival held in the United States, marking a significant milestone for SL in the competition’s 37-year history. Competing in the 120KG Pro category, Jayathilake secured the victory by successfully lifting 320 kg in the deadlift event, delivering a record-setting performance and becoming the first Sri Lankan to win gold at the prestigious int'l strength sports competition. more..

Mar 8 (AD) Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the govt is handling the recent vessel incident involving Iranian personnel in accordance with international law, and does not intend to support any side in the incident. Responding to questions at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi about a reported U.S. operation against an Iranian vessel near Sri Lankan waters and whether the Iranian personnel would be repatriated to Iran, more..

Mar 8 (ST) With shipping lines halting operations to the Gulf region as the conflict escalates, containers headed for the region continues to be stacked up at the Ports of Colombo and Hambantota. At present the congestion that existed previously at the Colombo port is being cleared with 80% of the yard in use. Vessels continue to off load containers meant for the Gulf region with 2000TEUs recorded by Friday and this is expected to continue to increase as more shipping lines continue to call over more..

Mar 8 (NW) A special meeting of the Food Policy and Security Committee was held at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the possible impact of the current conflict situation in the Middle East region on SL’s supply of essential goods and food security. The meeting was chaired by Ministes K.D. Lal Kantha and Wasantha Samarasinghe. Attention was focused on maintaining adequate stocks of essential food items for the public, particularly in view of upcoming festive more..

Mar 8 (NW) International Women’s Day has been celebrated annually across the world on 8 March for over a century. In SL, the role of women in the economic, political, social and cultural spheres is distinctive and significant. While this day serves to recognise and appreciate the immense responsibilities borne by women across all these sectors, & to reflect in particular on women’s rights, freedom and security, I believe that such recognition cannot be confined to a single day. more..

Mar 8 (SO) Sri Lanka’s recently set up National Credit Guarantee Institution Ltd (NCGIL) has set a clear institutional target of ensuring that no less than 20% of its total guarantee exposure is directed towards women-owned enterprises. NCGIL CEO, Jude Fernando said that this formal allocation benchmark reflects a measurable commitment rather than a symbolic act. “As at the end of Dec 2025, NCGIL has approved guarantees totalling Rs. 939 million to 244 women-led MSMEs, more..

Mar 8 (ST) SL tourism authorities and the industry have made efforts to assist travellers in the country amidst the West Asia crisis as the destination believes going forward there could be an immediate 20% drop in arrivals. War is expected to immediately witness a 20% drop in arrivals as numbers plunged from around 8500 to 6000 per day, SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said. At the time of the war broke out a majority of tourists more..

Mar 8 (ST) Sri Lanka is currently in discussion with its key oil suppliers and govts in a bid to ensure the stability of supplies from April onwards. Sri Lanka currently has sufficient stocks of fuel to last a month with refined oil available upto April and crude oil stored upto June, CPC Chairman D.A. Rajakaruna said. Colombo has the capability of storing fuel adequate for just a month, he said adding that at the moment authorities are in discussion with the 14 oil suppliers to the country. more..

Mar 8 (TM) SL Tea Board (SLTB) has announced that the process of obtaining Geographical Indication (GI) certification for Ceylon Tea is nearing completion. SLTB Chairman Rajpal Obeyesekere stated that the application submitted to secure GI status in the European Union (EU) had made substantial progress. However, the process has experienced slight delays due to the need to address clarifications requested by the relevant authorities. “So far, the process is still ongoing. more..

Mar 8 (ST) SL’s disappointing exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marked by a string of underwhelming performances, and has laid bare several weaknesses within the national side. While shortcomings in batting, bowling and fielding were evident throughout the campaign, another worrying factor that surfaced was the team’s lack of optimal fitness. The issue became particularly glaring as a number of key players were sidelined due to more..

Mar 8 (ST) S. Thomas’ College will once again take on their arch-rivals Royal College in the 147th Battle of the Blues, scheduled to be held on March 12, 13 and 14 at the SSC, Colombo. Etched with rich traditions, passion and unparalleled history, this legendary encounter stands as the second-longest uninterrupted school cricket series in the world — a testament to the unwavering camaraderie and sporting spirit between two of Sri Lanka’s leading educational institutions. more..

Mar 8 (ST) Following his match-bag of 12 wickets earlier, a spirited and match-winning knock by all-rounder Murali Thison helped Jaffna Central College make a fine comeback to record a 3-wicket win over traditional rivals St. John’s College, Jaffna in the 119th Battle of North big match concluded at the Jaffna Central ground yesterday. Murali, who claimed 5 for 39 in St. John’s first innings of 119 with his left-arm fast bowling, continued the perfect form to snatch 7 for 78 when more..

Mar 8 (ST) India face New Zealand on Sunday in Ahmedabad looking to become the first side to lift the T20 World Cup for a third time but under huge pressure with the weight of a nation on their shoulders. Standing in the way of Suryakumar Yadav’s side are a team who have already upset the odds with a thumping nine-wicket win over the previously unbeaten South Africa to reach the final. NZ believe, after Finn Allen’s record 33-ball century in the semi-final in Kolkata, more..

Mar 8 (TM) Colombo District Court Judge G.L. Kannangara on 18 Feb declined to impose an interim injunction on the SL Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (SLBFF) as sought by its now-suspended former National Consultant and one-time medal-winning bodybuilder Niranjan Kumara. The athlete was imposed a 10-year ban by the sport’s domestic governing body last June after finding him guilty of seven charges out of eight while violating provisions of the SLBFF Constitution and more..