Oct 28 (NW) Minister of Industries Sunil Handunnetti says a new Investigations and Raids Unit will be established within the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of SL’s mineral resources. The announcement was made during a special discussion held today at the GSMB headquarters in Nawala, attended by officials of the Bureau and the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development. more..

Oct 28 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to submit the Motor Vehicles (Drugs) Directive No. 1 of 2025 to Parliament for approval. Under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, when a police officer suspects a person of driving under the influence of drugs, it is legally permissible to refer that person to a government medical officer. However, provisions have not been issued to determine the method and manner in which such an investigation could be conducted, more..

Oct 28 (AD) SLMC MP M.L.A.M. Hizbullah has rejected media reports claiming that he was deceived in a gold business deal in Ghana, as reported. Former minister noted that several media outlets have published reports claiming that Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah was deceived in a gold business deal that was allegedly reported by Ghanaian media. “We completely reject these claims and firmly state that there is absolutely no truth to more..

Oct 28 (NW) This week, a high-level delegation from the Parliament, led by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, is visiting the UK. Four-day visit, facilitated by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and funded by UK Int'l Development, focuses on institutional frameworks and practices that promote transparency, accountability, and effective legislation. The delegation includes Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, Ministers Nalinda Jayatissa, Harshana Nanayakkara, more..

Oct 28 (AD) Major General (Retd) Nalinda Niyangoda, who was appointed as the new Chief of National Intelligence, has officially assumed duties today at the Ministry of Defence in Sri J'pura Kotte. He received his letter of appointment from the Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha, yesterday. With over 35 years of distinguished service, including in the SL Armoured Corps (SLAC), Major General Niyangoda is a well-rounded and accomplished more..

Oct 28 (AD) The govt has decided to establish four high courts in Colombo 7 with immediate effect. The decision has been taken after the requirement to establish several new high court premises with immediate effect has been identified to execute the activities entrusted with the Ministry of Justice and National Integration as per the Anti – Corruption National Action Plan (2025 – 2029). Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has more..

Oct 28 (DM) Belavia – Belarusian Airlines, national carrier of the Republic of Belarus, launched direct flights between Minsk and Mattala today, marking a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between Belarus and Sri Lanka. The weekly flights will operate every Tuesday: Minsk → Mattala – Departure: 02:10, Arrival: 14:00. Mattala → Minsk – Departure: 16:00, Arrival: 23:30. The inaugural flight, operated by an A330-200 aircraft with a 281-seat capacity, arrived at Mattala at 1:50 p.m., more..

Oct 28 (NW) The SL Police have launched a special investigation into the Police officers involved in the arrest of the suspect wanted over the murder of the Weligama PS Chairman, Lasantha Wickramasekara, it was reported. The probe has been launched, focused on the recording and publishing of video footage on social media of the arrest. He further said that the IGP has focused special attention on the matter and has instructed the probe to be conducted under a special investigation unit. more..

Oct 28 (FT) The alluring façade of capital accumulation in the global core economies conceals a cruel reality. Its sustained prosperity is predicated on the vast systematic appropriation of labour and resources from the Global South’s peripheries and semi-peripheries. In the contemporary world, this colossal appropriation of value is orchestrated primarily through the mechanism of unequal exchange in international trade. Core states and firms leverage their overwhelming more..

Oct 28 (FT) I was invited to make the Guest Speech on The role of Govt in a market economy at the 10th Peradeniya International Economic Research Symposium jointly organised by the Department of Economics, Uni of Peradeniya and the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration of Transilvania Uni of Brasov, Romania on 11 September. This article is based on my presentation at the symposium. Since independence, SL followed a protected, import-substitution-led, more..

Oct 28 (Island) Legal sources faulted the police for questioning the suspected assassin of Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickremesekera (SJB) on a road at Nawinna, Maharagama, on Sunday evening. Authoritative sources acknowledged that such unprofessional conduct, on the part of law enforcement authorities, could undermine the investigation into the high-profile hit. Police identified suspect as Nuwan Tharaka, more..

Oct 28 (DN) A new gazette notification has been issued amending the regulations governing the payment of taxes and levies on alcohol production in SL. The gazette, issued by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Financial Planning and Economic Development, takes effect from today. The new regulation makes it mandatory for all license holders to pay their respective taxes on or before the due date, as stipulated under Sec 22 of excise ordinance. more..

Oct 28 (DM) SL’s tourism sector demonstrated continued year-on-year growth in October, welcoming 137,876 tourists in the first 26 days of the month. This figure represents a robust 21.8% increase, compared to the 113,189 arrivals recorded during the equivalent period in 2024. This positive monthly performance has contributed to a cumulative total of 1,863,370 tourist arrivals for the year as of Oct 26, 2025. On a year-to-date basis, the industry has seen a 16.6% expansion more..

Oct 28 (EN) Sri Lanka has run a surplus in the current account of the budget in the nine months to Sept 2025, as total revenues exceeded current spending, a fiscal rule known easily achieved before positive inflation targeting known as the golden rule of budgeting. Tax revenues increased 32.5% to 3,563 billion rupees by Sept 2025, and non-tax revenues rose 14.8% to 264 billion rupees, Finance Ministry data showed. more..

Oct 28 (CT) A group including PNF Convener Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara filed a petition before the Court of Appeal yesterday, seeking an order to nullify a letter issued by the Chairperson of the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) approving a tourism promotion project aimed at the LGBTQ+ community in SL. The petitioners, including the organisation’s secretary Dr Wasantha Bandara, named Attorney General, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, SLTDA Chairperson Buddhika Hewawasam, more..

Oct 28 (DN) Two SL women’s cricket officials Michell Pereira and Nimali Perera are among the match officials at the forthcoming women’s Cricket World Cup semi finals. ICC announced match officials for the women’s World Cup semi finals yesterday. Michell Pereira is named as the match referee of the second semi final between Australia and India which will be held on 30th at Navi Mumbai while SL umpire Nimali Perera is named for this game as the fourth umpire. Former Colts cricketer Michell more..

Oct 28 (NW) A court in Accra has granted bail to 11 people accused of defrauding SL lawmaker Muhammed Hizbullah of $2 million in a fake gold deal. The accused — Abdul Adam, Alhmamoudi Saleh, Yaw Antwi, Osman Suleman, Nhyiraba Ra, Benzcarl Dwamena, Sanfo Mubassir, Sallah Mammoudi, Ahmed Issah, Umaru Pafadenam and Salifu Suleman — were each released on bail of $33,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be a property owner, Accra circuit court ruled. more..

Oct 28 (Island) SL concluded the South Asian Athletics C'ship in second position of the medals table with a tally of 40 medals including 16 golds in Ranchi, India on Sunday. ‎‎Shafiya Yamick’s 200 metres triumph, which earned her the third gold of the meet and the men’s 4×400 metres relay victory (3:05.12s) capped a memmorable c'ship for SL. ‎‎It was a huge opportunity for both the seasoned campaigners and the up and coming athletes including several schools athletes at the end more..

Oct 28 (TM) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) stated that while it is firmly of the view that the physical and mental punishment of children should stop, it should however be done with due attention to alternatives to maintain discipline among children. Speaking on the proposed Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, HRCSL Commissioner Nimal G. Punchihewa said that merely introducing new laws to punish those more..

Oct 28 (FT) Opposition parties, including the SLPP, SLFP, UNP & NFF, announced the launch of a joint campaign against the Govt, beginning with a large rally in Nugegoda on 21 November. Leaders of the alliance said they plan to hold a series of rallies across the country as part of the movement. They compared their collaboration to the coalition of forces that united against Adolf Hitler during World War II, saying the campaign would symbolise a united stand for the country’s future. more..

Oct 28 (FT) Criticising a video, which shows Police officers publicly questioning the suspect of Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara's murder, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris has warned that such acts would not help prosecution once the trial commences. Writing on Facebook, the former Bar Association of SL (BASL) President urged that arrests and criminal investigations must be conducted strictly in accordance with the procedure established by law. more..

Oct 28 (TM) Vehicle importers expressed concern that vehicle prices may rise across the board following the upcoming Budget. Explaining that import duties are generally imposed on 85% of the value of a vehicle due to a discount given to local importers, SL Vehicle Importers’ Association’s Chairperson Prasad Manage said that there is information to believe the 15% exemption may be removed following the upcoming Budget for 2026. He said that such an eventuality would cause more..

Oct 28 (Island) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, along with a group of ministers and officials, visited the solid waste management project on Sunday [26]. Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, Members of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Asitha Niroshan, Aruna Panagoda, Dewananda Suraweera, Ajith Gihan, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Gayan Janaka, and Faizal Mohamed, as well as the District Secretaries of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, and Puttalam, local representatives, residents of the area, more..

Oct 28 (TM) Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Buddhist Sect stated that all relevant parties are in agreement that female Divisional Secretaries (DS) too should be provided with the opportunity to cast their vote in the upcoming election of the Diyawadana Nilame by making the necessary amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance (Vihara Devalagam Act). Secretary of the Supreme Sangha Council – Asgiri Chapter, more..

Oct 28 (ST) Colombo HC Judge Mohamed Mihal has ordered NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa to inform the court before December 1 which of the documents presented by the prosecution he intends to accept. In this case, filed by the CIABOC, Mr Weerawansa is accused of acquiring assets worth nearly Rs. 75 million in excess of his lawful income. The prosecution this week handed over 72 proposed admissions related to the case to the defence. Prosecution had handed over all documents more..

Oct 28 (TM) Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) claimed that hospitals across the country had purchased blood glucose test strips at higher prices in 2022 and 2023, while stocks worth nearly Rs. 219 million remained unused and eventually expired at the Medical Supply Division (MSD). MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that a recent audit report revealed that the expired blood glucose strips, procured under the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 Emergency more..

Oct 28 (FT) SL plans to raise $ 11.26 billion through Sovereign Green and Blue Bonds by 2030 to finance renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and other climate-related projects aligned with its 2050 carbon net-zero target, according to the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025-2030 (NCFS). NCFS notes that the Finance Ministry has already drafted a Sovereign Green/Blue Bond Framework and engaged an int'l rating more..

Oct 28 (FT) UNDP SL Resident Representative Azusa Kubota has urged the Govt to move swiftly to turn its climate ambitions into concrete action by mobilising large-scale financing and strengthening coordination across public and private institutions. She said this at the launch of the National Climate Finance Strategy on Friday. She said SL’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), submitted last month, reflect a higher level of ambition to cut emissions, enhance more..

Oct 28 (NF) The 2025 ABU Media & Culture Days Summit, held at Stein Studios in Ratmalana, brought together leading media leaders, policymakers, and innovators from Europe and the Asia-Pacific to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on global media. Hosted by the Maharaja Media Network and the Capital Maharaja Group, the event marked the first time the prestigious summit was held in SL. Themed Risks, Challenges and Opportunities of AI for Media, more..

Oct 28 (FT) Christell Luxury Wellness has made history as the first SL aesthetics centre to win the Wellness Clinic of the Year award from the entire Asia Pacific region at the prestigious GlobalHealth Aesthetics and Wellness Summit, Conference and Awards 2025. The annual summit this year in Singapore convenes Asia’s leading aesthetics and wellness professionals under one roof, bringing together the region’s industry thought leaders at the forefront of expertise and innovation. more..

Oct 28 (FT) As global fashion evolves toward a more conscious, culturally grounded, and innovation-driven future, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SL (MBFWSL) 2025 returns under SL Design Festival (SLDF) banner, continuing a journey that connects SL’s creative talent to the region and the world. Two and a half decades ago, when SL’s design story was still unwritten, AOD began shaping a creative movement that would transform the island’s future. What started as an experiment in design edu more..