Nov 27 (PMD) Minister K.D. Lalkantha stated that the govt will consider farmers’ proposals on introducing a guaranteed price for maize based on production costs, govt intervention in purchasing harvests and establishing an appropriate mechanism for the process. He made these remarks during a meeting held this morning (26) at the Presidential Secretariat with a group of maize farmers. He further noted that attention is being paid to purchasing maize at a minimum of Rs. 140 per kg more..

Nov 27 (CT) The Govt plans to auction the 5G spectrum by 23 December, aiming to generate over Rs 9 billion in revenue and enable telecom companies to launch 5G services, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne told Parliament yesterday. Highlighting the significance of the move, he noted that this would be the largest spectrum auction in the country’s history. He made these observations while joining the Committee Stage Debate on the 2026 Appropriation Bill, more..

Nov 27 (AD) The number of deaths reported owing to adverse weather conditions across the country in the past few hours has increased to 39, DMC noted. A further 10 persons have sustained injuries while 14 individuals are reported missing, the DMC added. According to latest estimates, over 4,000 persons residing within 79 divisional secretariat areas in 17 districts have been affected owing to heavy rains, flooding & gusty winds more..

Nov 27 (AD) Parliament is scheduled to convene tomorrow morning for a brief session lasting only thirty (30) minutes, while no sitting will be held on Saturday (29). The Department further stated that Parliament will meet on December 1 and 2 to continue the ongoing budget debate, with proceedings running until midnight. It was earlier announced that Parliament sittings scheduled for tomorrow (28) and Saturday have been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. more..

Nov 27 (DM) A woman arrested over the death of a street dog allegedly run over intentionally in Pannipitiya has been remanded until Dec 9 by the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate issued the order on Tuesday after the suspect, a resident of Delgahawatta, was produced before court. According to police reports submitted to court, the street dog — which lived near Alubogahawatta Road, close to Pannipitiya Vidyalaya junction — died on Nov 14 after being struck by a car more..

Nov 27 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the President’s Fund to provide Rs. 1 million in compensation for each individual who died as a result of the emergency disaster situation caused by heavy rainfall, including floods and landslides. Accordingly, the President’s Fund has approved Rs. 1 million in compensation for each disaster fatality and has made arrangements to swiftly provide this payment to the relatives more..

Nov 27 (Island) The economic impact of the Treasury Bond scam had not been assessed, PM Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament. The Prime Minister said the Central Bank of SL had filed cases in the Colombo District Court seeking to recover losses from Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. Investigations into profits generated through the scam were being conducted by the CID, under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, with the Supreme Court recently granting permission to proceed, she added. more..

Nov 27 (CT) Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara, yesterday, ordered that two suspects, including the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Batticaloa Divisional Intelligence Unit, be further remanded until 10 December. The suspects are accused of conspiring to mislead the investigation regarding the killing of two Police officers in Vavunathivu, an incident that occurred prior to the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019. CID arrested the individuals under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. more..

Nov 27 (DM) It is assumed that the famous bond scam of 2015 has cost more than 7 billion to the Central Bank (CB) and EPF though the total impact on it to the national economy is yet to be computed, Parliament was informed yesterday. “The impact of the bond scam on the national economy is currently under review. An investigation has not been conducted in this regard although ten years have passed since the scam. Results of a complete assessment of the matter will be conducted more..

Nov 27 (SLN) In a display of naval cooperation, three warships representing Bangladesh and India made port calls in Colombo on 25 and 26 Nov, for the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025, scheduled to be held on 30 November. The visiting ships were welcomed by the SL Navy in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions. SL Navy is hosting this capstone event in celebration of its proud 75th anniversary. Warships from Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan & Russia are also scheduled to more..

Nov 27 (DM) Serious security lapses have been reported in SL prisons, with 995 prisoners or suspects escaping custody over the past six years, and 554 of them still not rearrested, according to a recent audit. The audit highlights that it is the duty of the Prisons Dept to ensure the security and protection of all prisoners and remand inmates under the jurisdiction of SL courts, while also rehabilitating and socialising them as responsible citizens. more..

Nov 27 (EN) The Japan-Sri Lanka Committee on Business Environment discussed the issues faced by investors when they met this week, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said. The second Japan-Sri Lanka Committee on Business Environment was convened on Thursday (27) at the Board of Investment (BOI) of SL. Representatives from the Embassy of Japan, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), more..

Nov 27 (DM) Pathum Nissanka has officially climbed to the top of SL’s T20I batting records, becoming the nation’s highest run scorer in the format. His rise from a promising young opener in 2021 to the leading figure of SL’s T20 batting unit in 2025 reflects a steady, disciplined and impactful journey. Across 77 matches and 76 innings, Nissanka has scored 2,326 runs, surpassing every Sri Lankan who has played the format before him. He averages 32.30 with a strike rate of 126.89, more..

Nov 27 (AD) Dept of Meteorology announced that the deep depression which had formed near the SL coast in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone a short time ago today. Cyclone has been named Ditwa. The name was suggested by Yemen and refers to the Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island, known for its distinct coastal ecosystem. World Meteorological Org (WMO) and UN ESCAP Panel on more..

Nov 27 (NW) A Bell 212 helicopter of the SL Air Force (SLAF) has rescued three persons who were trapped on the rooftop of a two-storey building in Mahawa due to floods caused by prevailing inclement weather. It is reported that the three persons were trapped on the building’s roof in Ella, Mahawa due to the flood situation owing to the overflowing Deduru Oya. The rescue was carried out by a team attached to the SLAF Ratmalana camp while flood victims have been safely rescued more..

Nov 27 (AD) Dept of Irrigation has issued a warning of a potential flood situation within the next 48 hours in low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River Basin. According to the Dept, heavy rainfall received since last night (26) across several upstream catchment areas has resulted in the release of water from most of the major reservoirs in the Mahaweli River Basin. Therefore, the Irrigation Dept cautions that significant flooding may occur in low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River within more..

Nov 27 (FT) Whilst the dust settles down on the Budget 2026 with many points of view expressed, the key point missed out was how Sri Lanka can become a 6% plus economy in the next three years or have a forex earning of $50 billion annually. Let me explain. I remember one of my bosses in the UN once stating that strong annual plans tend to have a few strategic initiatives to make a significant impact to the top line. What he meant was that, if the objectives to be met are clear, more..

Nov 27 (FT) As someone who was on the Nugegoda stage with his wife ten years ago on 18 February 2015, and as the guy who read out Mahinda Rajapaksa’s message to the nation from the Nugegoda platform, and indeed as the person who initiated and convened the process of Opposition political discussion after Mahinda’s 2015 defeat that resulted in the decision to hold the Nugegoda rally (a decision taken, as chronicled by Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, over a working dinner at more..

Nov 27 (FT) CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said SL’s gross official reserves are expected to climb to the highest level recorded since the height of the economic crisis by the end of December, whilst expressing confidence that the country will comfortably meet its reserves target under the IMF program. He said the final month of the year traditionally brings stronger foreign exchange inflows through export conversions, more..

Nov 27 (NW) GCE A/L 2025 exam scheduled for today and tomorrow has been postponed due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions and the resulting disaster situation across the island. The announcement was issued by the Commissioner General of Examinations, Indika Liyanage, requesting all media institutions to inform candidates accordingly. The Dept of Examinations said the decision was taken in the interest of student safety, as heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding more..

Nov 27 (NW) The low-pressure area southeast of SL has intensified into a depression and is centered near latitude 5.9°N and longitude 82.6°E, about 210km southeast of Batticaloa. It is very likely to move nearly north-northwestwards and intensify further into a Deep Depression during the next 12 hours. Due to the influence of this system, prevailing heavy showers and strong winds over the island are expected to continue further. General public is kindly requested to be attentive about future more..

Nov 27 (CT) In a significant move to expedite the delivery of justice for the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, the long-running trial has shifted into an accelerated phase, with proceedings now scheduled to be heard daily at a newly-designated Court Complex in Colombo 7. The inaugural sitting at the new premises commenced yesterday at 1:45 p.m. before a Trial-at-Bar Bench chaired by HC Judge Navaratne Marasinghe. more..

Nov 27 (CT) Illegal Assets Investigation Division has seized property and assets valued at over Rs 250 million belonging to the notorious organised criminal Shehan Sathsara, alias Dehi Bale Malli. The suspect, who is currently in hiding abroad, is alleged to be heavily involved in serious crimes within the Southern Province, including homicides, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling. The seizure includes a luxury house and land situated near Dikwella Divisional Secretariat, more..

Nov 27 (FT) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is set to remit Rs. 5 billion to the Consolidated Fund this year, marking a significant increase in its contribution following a sharp rise in profitability under the new administration. According to a statement issued by the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry, State-owned entity has generated a net profit after tax of Rs. 39 billion as of 31 Oct 2025, reflecting an improvement of nearly Rs. 12 billion compared to the previous year. more..

Nov 27 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will attend the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2025 on 2 Dec, during which he will join The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairperson Bingumal Thewarathanthri for an on-stage conversation aligned with the Summit’s theme – Gateway to Growth – Asia’s Emerging Opportunity. The conversation is expected to give participants a clearer sense of how the Govt views the next phase of economic rebuilding, pressures shaping more..

Nov 27 (Island) A heated exchange erupted in Parliament yesterday when SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa challenged PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya over her recent claim that the govt had not promised to allocate 6% of GDP to education immediately. Premadasa reminded the House that Dr. Amarasuriya had been a prominent figure in the 2012 protests, demanding 6% of GDP for education. “Do you remember when the Prime Minister wore a T-shirt calling for 6% for education? more..

Nov 27 (ST) Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) will be taking over the import and export facilitation process of Board of Investment (BOI) companies as part of a pilot project from May 2026. SLC Director General Seevali Arukgoda said that the entire import and export clearance will be handled by them. “We only intend taking over the operations aspect which happens when raw materials arrive and upto the time this is used in more..

Nov 27 (DN) Opener Pathum Nissanka produced a superb batting display, scoring an unbeaten 98 off 58 balls as Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe by nine wickets in their T20 Tri-Series fixture played in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The win keeps Sri Lanka’s hopes alive in the tournament and ends their five-match losing streak in T20Is. It also means Sri Lanka head into their final group match against Pakistan today (27) knowing that a victory will secure their place in Saturday’s final. more..

Nov 27 (FT) People’s Bank has reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 43.7 billion for the nine months ended 30 Sept 2025, delivering the best-ever results in the institution’s history. With seven out of 10 Sri Lankans banking with People’s Bank and one out of every five retail and business loans in the country originating from the bank, this exceptional performance reinforces its position as the most trusted and influential financial services provider in Sri Lanka, it said in a statement. more..

Nov 27 (NW) Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne has denied allegations raised in Parliament claiming a conflict of interest involving companies linked to him securing major govt contracts. The allegations were made by SJB MP Prasad Siriwardhana, who claimed that two companies – Omobio (Pvt) Ltd and Eimsky Business Solutions (Pvt) Ltd – in which Weeraratne holds shares and previously served as Chairman, had obtained key contracts related to national digital transport and tolling systems. more..

Nov 27 (CI) The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo will get floodlights and other upgrades in preparation for the Men's T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosts with India in February and March next year. Although the SSC has occasionally hosted daytime limited-overs internationals - especially women's games - Colombo's day-night games have all been played at Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium), which in any case is the highest-capacity stadium in SL. more..