Nov 7 (AD) Thailand has approved plans to recruit workers from Sri Lanka to address labour shortages, with an initial target of 10,000 workers following a bilateral labour agreement signed earlier this year. Julapun Amornvivat, labour minister, said on Friday that the Foreign Workers Management Policy Committee had approved the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers under an existing MOU between the two countries. more..

Nov 7 (Island) Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) is calling on the authorities to test a reported claim that Sri Lanka could be losing more than US$50 million a year in foreign exchange through Colombo Port charging arrangements before any changes are made to the rules that exporters rely on. The claim was made by the Ceylon Freight & Logistics Association (CEYFFA), whose General Secretary, Inam Caffoor, raised it at a press conference reported in the Sunday Island more..

Nov 7 (DM) The slide in oil prices after the Democrats’ sweep of the US Congress and a hung parliament in Israel is set to trim SL’s fuel import bill and ease pressure on the rupee and interest rates, provided progress towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz holds, First Capital Research (FCR) said. Following the escalation of US-Israel operations against Iran earlier this year, “2026 has become a year in which geopolitics has driven the pricing of risk,” research arm of Janashakthi Group more..

Nov 7 (Island) The Communist Party of SL has warned that ‘Israel and other foreign powers are planning to establish spaceports on Sri Lanka’s East Coast’ and claimed ‘the NPP govt is getting involved in US space domain activities’ (The Island, Oct 29). Whether these warnings warrant serious consideration or not, certain immutable facts relating to SL’s policy of a neutral state cannot be ignored. One such fact that has guided this govt is its foreign policy of neutrality requires more..

Nov 7 (FT) Daraz Sri Lanka will launch its 11.11 Big Boss Sale on 10 November at 8 p.m., bringing shoppers deals across electronics, fashion, beauty, groceries and home essentials. Running through 21 November, Daraz’s biggest sale of the year brings together more than 120 brands and 11 banking and finance partners, with voucher savings, card discounts and flexible payment options. The campaign opens with Brand Rush Hour, from 8 p.m. on 10 November to 2 a.m. on 11 November. more..

Nov 7 (ST) Vehicle owners have flagged low-grade and counterfeit motor spare parts as a major concern as the govt proposes periodic fitness tests for transport vehicles. Nimal Ameresekere, secretary general of the Association of Container Transports (ACT), said the proposed move would be rendered useless without addressing root causes. At present, there is not much regulation for spare parts. When asked, SL Standards Institute (SLSI) more..

Nov 7 (FT) Jinasena Ltd, has launched its Fire and Safety Projects Division, marking a strategic expansion into the fire protection and safety sector. The move extends the company’s established engineering expertise into SL’s commercial, industrial & institutional infrastructure, with a comprehensive range of fire detection, protection and suppression solutions. Jinasena Ltd, Managing Director, Shani Jinasena said: “Responsible building and infrastructure development has always more..

Nov 7 (TM) Diplomatic goodwill must be matched by appropriate facilities, veterinary care and sustained professional management. After all, our shared natural history and future are at stake. India and Sri Lanka have long drawn upon their shared history, religious traditions and strategic geography to strengthen their relationship. Yet one dimension remains relatively unexplored: their natural heritage; the two countries share similar wildlife and environmental conditions. more..

Nov 7 (Island) Those who welcomed the 2024 regime change, hoping that the new govt would do everything possible to improve their lot, must be gnashing their teeth. Powerful rice millers have become a law unto themselves, determining prices according to their whims and fancies, with the govt doing precious little to rein them in. Importers of essential commodities do as they please. State institutions are no better. They too fleece the public. Fuel prices are revised arbitrarily and more..

Nov 7 (FT) My article, Beyond the Robe: Sangha, Rule of Law and Monastic Accountability, published on Saturday, 24 October examined the relationship between Buddhist monastic discipline, institutional responsibility and the rule of law. Subsequently the Daily FT reported that the UNP has demanded an immediate Presidential pardon for Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera. This would be the second Presidential pardon, that the UNP will be associated with. more..

Nov 7 (DN) Proposed development of the Anuradhapura Sacred City has emerged as a subject of intense public and political debate. Questions are being raised about its objectives, implications and impact on the country’s religious and cultural heritage. While the Govt maintains that the initiative is part of a long-standing effort to preserve and develop the ancient city through an integrated heritage programme, opposition groups and more..

Nov 7 (DM) People across the world were glued to the media to see the outcome of the U.S. midterm elections. The US, as the global economic powerhouse with unmatched military might, can make an impact across the world with just a stroke of the pen. The Israeli-U.S. war on Iran left countries such as SL reeling, with little choice in the matter. It was a bitter experience. Prez Donald Trump was tested for his actions at the midterm elections. What happened to his party was not merely a more..

Nov 7 (DM) The midterm election results were more of a wake-up call for both Democrats and Republicans than merely a means of sending new members to the US legislature. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken through the ballot box more loudly than the voices of dissent that erupted in Paris and other major European cities weeks ago. In Paris, the youth-led protests reflected public anger against politicians and turned unruly. In the US, however, it was a silent and more..

Nov 7 (TM) Missing financial records, some of them a decade old, are holding up the Govt’s plan to shut down its dormant State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), with only one company closed more than a year after the Cabinet gave the exercise a 12-month deadline. An official attached to the Finance Ministry’s SOE Reform Unit (SOERU) handling the closures said that a State company he identified as the Natural Resources company was more..

Nov 7 (TM) The Speaker of Parliament is traditionally regarded as the guardian of the dignity, impartiality and integrity of the Legislature. They are expected to stand above party politics, protect the rights of both Govt and Opposition Members and ensure that Parliamentary rules apply equally to everyone. Hence, it becomes a major embarrassment at the august House when the Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne faces a no-confidence motion containing 50 allegations more..

Nov 7 (FT) Among the many expectations placed on a national Budget, taxation policy occupies a particularly important position. This consideration assumes even greater significance in a country where the prevailing tax rates are already relatively high, placing a considerable burden on individuals, households and business alike. The legitimacy of taxation rests not merely on the authority of a Govt to impose taxes, but on the reasoning, fairness and public purpose behind such decisions. more..

Nov 8 (NW) National Council for Road Safety has increased the financial assistance provided to victims of hit-and-run accidents and their families, with compensation for fatalities raised to Rs. 500,000. Under the revised scheme, which came into effect on Jan 1, 2026, the maximum compensation payable to the dependents of individuals killed in hit-and-run accidents has been doubled from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 500,000. Financial assistance for individuals who sustain more..

Nov 8 (NW) CIABOC has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that a document containing handwriting attributed to MP Namal Rajapaksa has been referred to the Govt Analyst for examination as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial Krrish property transaction. The matter was revealed when the case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama on Friday. Rajapaksa, who has been granted bail in Krrish case but remains in remand custody more..

Nov 8 (NW) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says the Catholic Church is currently studying the govt’s proposed anti-terrorism legislation to identify any shortcomings or concerns. Cardinal Ranjith said the proposed legislation, which is intended to replace the existing PTA, is being examined with the assistance of legal experts. “The govt has now presented the proposed legislation to society, and we are currently studying it,” more..

Nov 8 (GN) Sri Lankan-origin Mitchell Perera, a well-known figure in the UAE's off-roading and camping community and a veteran marshal at Gulf News' annual Fun Drive, died in Dubai on Wednesday, his family confirmed. Popularly known as Mitch, he was 59. He died after battling complications following open-heart surgery on Aug 14, the family said. Mitch is survived by his wife and son, who live in Germany, and his elderly parents in Sri Lanka, who are aged 85 and over 90, respectively. more..

Nov 8 (NW) Drug relapse rates among individuals completing rehabilitation programs in SL have dropped significantly. Speaking on the progress of individuals reintegrating into society over a two-year aftercare period, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Amith Isc stated that 45.18% of individuals who completed rehabilitation between Jan 1 and Oct 30, 2026, remained free from dangerous drug use. This marks a 13.74% -point improvement compared to 2025, more..

Nov 8 (NF) Election Commission (EC) says it has identified the SLFP as a party facing an internal dispute. The Commission stated that several factions of the party were summoned before the EC today and questioned regarding the matter. Those present included Dayasiri Jayasekara, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Duminda Dissanayake. A political party facing an internal dispute cannot submit nominations more..

Nov 8 (AD) India has relaxed passport and visa requirements for several categories of foreign nationals living in the country, including certain Pakistani citizens, religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, SL Tamils and Tibetans. Indian govt has also simplified identification and travel requirements for Indian, Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens travelling between the three neighbouring countries. The changes were notified by India's Union Ministry of more..

Nov 8 (NW) A total of 27 wire snares, several hunting weapons and three kilograms of meat have been discovered during a special raid conducted in the Palagala area of Kekirawa under the nationwide Hasthi Sena operation. The raid was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to protect wild animals, including elephants, and prevent illegal hunting activities. During the operation, officials discovered 1.5 kg of meat along with hunting equipment at one location, while a trap gun and more..

Nov 6 (NW) SL film Bambaru Avith (The Wasps Are Here) was screened in Amsterdam, Netherlands, as part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between SL and the Netherlands. The special screening was held on Nov 1 at the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, in collaboration with the National Film Corporation of SL. The event was attended by representatives of the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, Culture & Science, diplomats, more..

Nov 6 (DM) Nearly 550 tourists from Poland arrived in SL aboard three special charter flights operated by Polish airline Enter Air at the BIA this morning, marking the start of the 2026/2027 European winter tourist season. Three Boeing 737 aircraft arrived from Katowice, Poznań and Warsaw, with the flights landing at 6.51 am, 7.40 am and 9.40 am, respectively. A special welcome ceremony featuring traditional SL cultural performances was organised at the airport to greet the visiting tourists. more..

Nov 6 (EN) Sri Lanka household expenditure rose sharply to an average of 116,191 rupees per month in early 2025, driven largely by higher market prices, official data showed. DCS reported that nominal average monthly household expenditure surged 84.1% from 63,130 rupees in 2019. Median monthly household expenditure climbed from 47,544 rupees in 2019 to 94,057 rupees in 2025. more..

Nov 6 (NW) Department of Meteorology has issued an amber warning for severe lightning in several parts of Sri Lanka, effective from 1.00 p.m. today (6) until 1.00 a.m. tomorrow (7). According to the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur in several areas, particularly across parts of the Northern, North Central, Western, Eastern, Uva, Southern and Sabaragamuwa regions, as indicated in the warning map. more..

Nov 6 (FT) SL loyalty and customer engagement technology company CH17 has taken a significant step towards international expansion with the establishment of Channel17 Systems Ltd, in Nepal, marking its first overseas market operation under its own brand. The development represents more than geographical expansion. It opens a new avenue for int'l recognition of SL-developed proprietary Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology, particularly in the specialised fields of more..

Nov 6 (NW) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has questioned whether billions of rupees allocated by the Treasury for fuel subsidies are providing sufficient relief to the public, calling for greater transparency in the utilisation of govt funds. Speaking in Parliament on Friday, MP raised concerns over rising fuel prices, the profitability of CPC and financial burden faced by ordinary citizens. more..

Nov 6 (FT) JAT Holdings has recorded Group revenue of Rs. 7.01 billion for the six months ended 30 September 2026, representing a 36% year-on-year increase, supported by growth across its local businesses and a higher contribution from international operations. Local revenue increased by 14% to Rs. 4.56 billion, primarily supported by the emulsion category, while foreign operations revenue increased by 115% to Rs. 2.45 billion, reflecting improving business conditions in Bangladesh more..

Nov 6 (AD) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has stated that there is currently no fuel shortage in the country, despite a reduction in fuel distribution by certain private companies. CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said that the CPC continues to supply fuel through its filling stations to mitigate the situation. Rajakaruna emphasised that the CPC has sufficient fuel reserves and that distribution operations are continuing without interruption. more..