Feb 17 (TM) Two suspects were arrested at the BIA, the island’s main entry point, last week for allegedly attempting to smuggle 436 Anthurium plants into Sri Lanka from Thailand. Officials from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit and the Biodiversity, Cultural, and National Heritage Protection Division discovered the plants concealed inside their luggage, in a case authorities say highlights a broader trend of illegal imports of more..

Feb 17 (ST) When Prez Trump made his audacious outburst of 21st-century imperialism one night in Venezuela’s capital, some leaders near and far quickly wrote finis to their illustrious careers. The contributions of some to their nations were hardly illustrious, but who was to know unless the nations’ auditor-general and assorted diggers into their family vaults went to work on what was felt? But one week later, when the obstreperous leader of the world power detected other parts of the globe more..

Feb 17 (SO) While temple bells and rhythmic chants of Om Namah Shivaya will fill the air, beneath the surface of this religious fervour lies a sophisticated astronomical and physiological phenomenon. Maha Shivaratri—the Great Night of Shiva—is arguably the most scientifically significant festival in the Vedic calendar. It marks a moment when the planetary alignment offers a literal boost to the human body. Maha Shivaratri is not a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar because more..

Feb 17 (SO) As SL moves from economic stabilisation towards recovery, its international relationships are entering a new phase. For the UK, the emphasis is no longer primarily on aid, but on deeper collaboration in education, skills development, climate financing and trade. British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick said recent economic improvements, including the sharp fall in inflation and a stable political more..

Feb 17 (DM) Nearly four years after the violence that scarred Sri Lanka on 9 May 2022, Gampaha High Court has delivered one of the most consequential verdicts arising from the Aragalaya period. Twelve individuals have been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of former SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his police bodyguard in Nittambuwa. The judgement marks a dramatic legal response to a day that spiralled from political provocation into nationwide anarchy. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on Sunday had decided not to appear before courts island-wide on Monday in protest over the fatal shooting of attorney-at-law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife W.A. Nisansala in Akuregoda. Their decision to keep away from courts seems to be aimed at pressing the govt to take decisive action in eradication of crimes, especially those related to gun violence. Although one might question why the lawyers did not take any such drastic action more..

Feb 16 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that the Pakistan Interior Minister’s visit, together with the arrival of the Pakistan national cricket team in SL, has further strengthened the long-standing friendship between SL and Pakistan. Prez made these remarks while Pakistan Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, met with Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning at the Presidential Secretariat. The President expressed his appreciation to the PM of Pakistan for more..

Feb 16 (AD) Deputy PM of the UK, David Lammy is scheduled to arrive in SL tomorrow. The visit will reaffirm the UK–SL partnership while the Deputy Prime Minister is also expected to witness the UK’s humanitarian response to Cyclone Ditwah in SL. During the visit, the Deputy PM is scheduled to meet Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake for discussions covering economic cooperation, reconciliation, humanitarian priorities and SL’s engagement with the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform more..

Feb 16 (FT) Sri Lanka’s aviation sector delivered its strongest performance in years in 2025, signalling a broad-based recovery in passenger traffic, airline connectivity, and regional airport utilisation as the country continued to emerge from its economic crisis. AASL said the country’s airports handled 10.2 million passengers during the year, supported by operations from 46 airlines linking SL to 72 destinations across 34 countries. more..

Feb 16 (NW) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to PM Narendra Modi placing four requests before the Union govt for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils living in the State. Mr. Stalin requested the Union govt for rescinding earlier administrative instructions that barred the consideration of citizenship applications from SL Tamils. Mr. Stalin, in his letter, sought to flag the matter, which he termed was of profound humanitarian, constitutional & national importance concerning SL Tamils, more..

Feb 16 (TM) Colombo High Court (HC) today postponed the case against MP Namal Rajapaksa related to the alleged Krrish deal until 19 Feb. The delay was ordered as lawyers across SL decided to abstain from court duties today in protest. Despite the boycott, Rajapaksa was present in court when the case was called. The next hearing has been scheduled for 18 Feb. The case, filed by the Attorney General (AG), accuses Rajapaksa of misappropriating Rs. 70 million received from more..

Feb 16 (NW) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha has clarified that recent claims regarding a tax hike on vehicle imports are largely misleading tactics used by sellers to create public fear. He explained that rather than introducing a brand-new tax, the govt has simply shifted the point of collection for the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) from the point of sale to the initial customs stage. “So, fear is being created in society more..

Feb 16 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya warned against attempts to undermine the govt’s reform agenda by inciting racism, stating that women have often been among those most affected by such divisions. Addressing the Mannar District Women’s Meeting held in the Adambal area, PM said the govt would not allow divisive forces to derail progress and urged women to take a leading role in sustaining social and political change. “We will not allow attempts to cripple govt’s progress by promoting racism,” more..

Feb 16 (AD) Train services on the Colombo–Puttalam railway line, which were suspended due to the damage caused by the Cyclone Ditwah, have resumed earlier this morning. Railway Dept announced that the Puttalam line would be fully reopened today, with trains operating along the line from Colombo Fort to Puttalam. Train services on the Puttalam line were temporarily suspended due to damages caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Services were later extended in several stages up to more..

Feb 16 (DM) The govt has announced the minimum prices at which the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) will purchase paddy from farmers for the 2025/2026 Maha season. PMB Chairman Manjula Pinnalanda said the Board will purchase Nadu paddy at Rs. 120 per kilogram, Samba paddy at Rs. 130 per kilogram, and Keeri Samba paddy at Rs. 140 per kilogram. He said the move is aimed at ensuring farmers receive a fair and stable price for their harvest while supporting the country’s paddy production. more..

Feb 16 (NW) Lawyers staged a protest march in Colombo today over last week’s double murder in Akuregoda. The protest, led by the Bar Association of SL (BASL), began at the Supreme Court Complex and proceeded to the BASL Head Office. “This must be the final killing,” President of the BASL Rajeev Amarasuriya said addressing media. BASL had summoned its members to Colombo yesterday to decide on further action in response to the killing of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawarachchi more..

Feb 16 (FT) Inside a crowded hall at the SL Girl Guides Association in Colombo 7, M.M. Safwan stood still, smiling politely with the attendees of a photography exhibition and screening of Amid the Villus documentary. His family’s story is a part of the Saturday’s event itself. Memories of the North, marked a significant moment in the country’s post-war reflection. It was a space to witness the stories of the Northern Muslims who were forced to more..

Feb 16 (Island) Global SL Forum (GSLF) Yasas Dharmadasa said that UK Deputy PM David Lammy who is due to visit Colombo tomorrow played a significant role in imposing sanctions on ex-military chiefs, including Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and former Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva. Alleging that Lammy had pushed for punitive actions on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes allegations, Dharmadasa said that the NPP owed more..

Feb 16 (DM) Comprehensive security and special arrangements have been put in place for the GCE (O/L) Exam 2025 (2026), which will be held from Feb 17 to 26, Dept of Examinations SL announced. This year, 451,463 candidates comprising 382,249 school applicants and 69,214 private candidates will sit the examination at 3,545 centres across the country. To ensure efficient coordination, 531 coordination centres and 33 regional assembly centres have also been established. more..

Feb 16 (TM) Ministry of Labour has announced plans to consolidate 12 existing labour acts into four, introducing modern provisions for flexible working hours, digitalisation, and women’s employment. Secretary to the Labour Ministry, S.M. Piyatissa said the current legal landscape, which comprises approximately 50 acts enacted across different time periods, has become a labyrinth of inconsistencies that fails to address more..

Feb 16 (DM) The GMOA has decided to further intensify its ongoing trade union action, a move that is increasingly disrupting public healthcare services and posing a threat to the national health system while inconveniencing patients. In a fresh move starting Wednesday (18), regional health officials will also abstain from submitting crucial data to the database of the Health Ministry required for the functioning and coordination of the national health sector. more..

Feb 16 (AD) A low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal sea area to the south east of Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology stated. The low-pressure area is around 930km from Pottuvil, according to the latest estimates. Due to its influence, heavy showers or thundershowers, strong winds of about 50-60kmph, and rough seas can be expected, the Met. Department noted. The Meteorology Department said it is constantly monitoring the behavior of the system. more..

Feb 16 (NW) The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on Saturday warned of what he described as a growing disintegration of family life in Sri Lanka, saying the erosion of marriage poses a serious threat to society. Addressing devotees at the annual feast at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kalutara, the Archbishop said the collapse of family structures in the country was spreading like a dangerous epidemic. Emphasizing that the family is the smallest unit of society, more..

Feb 16 (AD) Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), has arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago. She will be in Sri Lanka from Feb 16 to 18, according to a top IMF official. During her visit, she will meet with govt authorities and key stakeholders, observe firsthand the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, and discuss ways in which the IMF can support recovery efforts and contribute to building a more resilient future for all Sri Lankans. more..

Feb 16 (TM) Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has revealed plans to invite fresh Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under multiple service categories for the comprehensive and holistic development of the Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA). Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku revealed that they were looking to cancel the EOI process commenced by the previous regime for a passenger operator at the MRIA. more..

Feb 16 (AD) A total of 817 local and foreign individuals who have been sentenced to death are currently held in prisons across the country, Ministry of Justice and National Integration has stated. According to the 2025 Progress Report, as of Sept 30, 2025, there were 811 local prisoners on death row, comprising 792 men and 19 women. The report further revealed that five foreign nationals and one individual convicted of a terrorism-related offence are also among those sentenced to death. more..

Feb 16 (DM) Reaffirming his plan for investment in the aviation business, SL’s leading mill owner Mithrapala Lankeshwara said that he would fly to the United States tomorrow to finalise the purchase of yet another aircraft for commercial purposes in SL. Lankeshwara said that he would be examining the aircraft manufactured by Robinson Helicopter Company in the US. It is a leading helicopter manufacturing company in the world. “I will share more details after I return,” he said. more..

Feb 16 (EN) Central Bank is expecting to push up the annual rise in cost of living towards its controversial 5% floor rate in the second half of 2026, according to a monetary policy report. “Inflation is projected to accelerate gradually and is expected to move towards the 5% target by H2-2026,” report said. “This increasing trajectory can be broadly attributed to the gradual recovery in demand conditions, while the expected more..

Feb 16 (DM) While condemning the assassination of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawaarachchi and his wife, lawyers of the NPP urged the govt to accelerate its efforts to restore public safety and the rule of law. They said in a statement that they expect that the NPP govt, elected for the dignity and well-being of all citizens, will fulfil its responsibility. “We vehemently condemn this attack launched against a community dedicated to voicing and defending the rights of citizens, more..

Feb 16 (AD) Members of the Buddhist clergy should respond with equanimity to allegations directed at them by certain sections of society, the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thero stated. Thero emphasized that rather than reacting with agitation, it would be more timely and prudent to remain silent, noting that the truth would eventually prevail. The Thero made these remarks while attending a felicitation ceremony held to honour his service at more..

Feb 16 (FT) in 1976, the late Felix Dias Bandaranaike initiated the legislation that would provide a person who had retired after serving in the national Legislature for a minimum period of five years with a pension during his or her lifetime. Parliamentary Pensions Act No.1 of 1977 is applicable to any SL citizen who had served in the Legislature since July 7, 1931. A person who has served for the minimum period in the aggregate is entitled to a monthly payment of more..

Feb 16 (FT) Recently, a popular science writer and social activist had posted on X his frustrating experience with a leading private bank in SL. Naming the bank, he said that SL banks may use digital marketing hype but in practice, they are still very much paper-based taking cover behind regulations issued by the Central Bank. His woe had been that when he wanted to add an account to his portfolio of accounts as an existing customer, the bank had insisted that he should fill a paper more..