Sep 9 (ST) For Jaffna, a region long scarred by war and neglect, the promise of a state-of-the-art cricket ground feels like long overdue recognition. But beneath the ground-breaking ceremony and soaring rhetoric lies a familiar question–can SL afford another expensive white elephant, or is this truly an investment into healing and development? Cricket in Sri Lanka has always been more than just a sport. more..

Sep 9 (DN) West Indies under 19s recorded thrilling two wickets win with two balls to spare (DLS method) against SL under 19s to level the series 2-2 in their fourth youth ODI played at Coolidge cricket grounds Antigua on Sunday. SL Under 19s invited to bat first scored 182 all out in 39.3 overs while opener Dimantha Mahavithana top scored 34 in 53 balls with 3 fours and a six. Shaquan Belle was the most successful bowler taking 4 for 35 while Zachary Carter & Brendon Boodoo shared 2 wts each. more..

Sep 9 (DM) One would wonder if our politicians really want to eradicate crime, given the irresponsible statements they make about crime before the television cameras, irrespective of the party they are affiliated to. They always politicise the violent incidents or drug related incidents, implicating their political rivals or opponents. When a group religious fanatics went berserk on the Easter Sunday of 2019, killing nearly 300 people, in three churches and three star-class hotels, more..

Sep 9 (TM) SL’s law enforcement community has many allegations levelled against it. Growing out of a colonial Police foundation, and plunged into cold war era, counter-insurgency and anti-communist operations in the ’70s, the island’s mainstream law enforcement agencies have long been criticised for abuse of power, politicisation, inefficiency, collusion with criminal elements and acting with impunity. The ills and the merits of the domestic law enforcement agencies have been well discussed and more..

Sep 9 (ST) The hushed awe with which solemn reverence was paid to this UN-made law as it was placed on the statutory tabernacle of faith and worshipped thereafter as the iconic Act that would ensure religious and racial harmony not only in Lanka but all over the world has now been met with a cacophonous protest that it revolts freedom of expression. The good side of the Act is that it firmly puts the brakes on the spread of religious bigotry and minimises the hatred and more..

Sep 9 (TM) The Govt, which has now been in office for nearly a year and has been actively trying to engage with the international community to address long-standing human rights, reconciliation, and accountability issues, continues to come under criticism for its continued use of draconian laws. The Govt has stood its ground emphasising concerns about sovereignty, crime prevention, and ongoing reforms, which it claims necessitate the use more..

Sep 9 (CT) Mr. President, High Commissioner, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I speak to you on behalf of the Govt of SL at a time when my country has embarked on a historic journey towards transformational change. This journey is about democratic governance, human rights, inclusive economic growth and national unity. In March this year, 3 months after the NPP Govt assumed office, I addressed the High-Level Segment of this Council and outlined the clear vision of the Govt to more..

Sep 9 (CT) A major step towards SL’s movement towards energy sustainability took place with construction beginning for the Rividanavi solar power park, which takes place in line with the country’s push towards meeting 70% of its energy demand using renewable energy alone. It is laughable that SL, one of the smallest polluters in the world is minimising its greenhouse gas emissions with renewable energy projects when even reducing even 1% of emissions from more..

Sep 9 (SO) In his first year as Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala has found himself at the centre of some of Sri Lanka’s most pressing debates, from tackling organised crime and drug networks to addressing police reforms, promotions, and allegations of political interference. In this wide-ranging interview, Minister reflects on recent high-profile operations, the challenges of depoliticising the police, and his vision for more..

Sep 9 (DM) Sudath Mahadivulwewa’s latest film direction My Red Comrade won the Golden Lotus Award for the Best Feature Film at the 7th South Asian Film, Arts and Literature (SAFAL) International Film Festival. The festival which celebrates South Asian film, arts, and literature, highlighting powerful stories, bold voices, and cinematic brilliance, awarded Mahadivulwewa’s second film direction which discusses about the loss of an artistic human being in a social backdrop more..

Sep 9 (Island) The recent historical record of the political centre-right is not particularly impressive. To define the centre-right in this contemporary period, it may be distinguished from the traditional conservatism of D.S. Senanayake, whose philosophy more closely resembled Stanley Baldwin’s One Nation conservatism than the neoliberal turn of his successors. The UNP was conceived as a liberal-conservative party. Senanayake and his contemporaries more..

Sep 8 (AD) Last week’s bus accident on the Ella–Wellawaya road occurred due to the negligence of the driver, according to DIG of Traffic, Indika Hapugoda. Hapugoda stated that the driver lost control of the bus, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a precipice. The accident took place on Sept 4 near the 24th milepost on the Ella–Wellawaya main road. The bus was transporting a group of Tangalle MC staff members and their families, who were returning from a leisure trip. more..

Sep 8 (CT) SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa said the party is considering legal action against what he described as the Govt’s continuous smear campaign. Speaking at a press conference held at SLPP Headquarters, Rajapaksa challenged the Govt to disclose details of 323 containers allegedly released, including the goods they contained. He accused the Govt and Police of unfairly targeting the SLPP by linking recent statements to a Pradeshiya Sabha candidate. more..

Sep 8 (ICG) The election of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sept 2024, and the landslide parliamentary victory of his NPP alliance two months later, ignited hope throughout SL. Elected on a mandate to eliminate the widely reported large-scale corruption, nepotism and abuse of power that contributed to the country’s economic collapse in 2022, NPP appealed to voters in large part because it lacked experience in office and was distant more..

Sep 8 (AD) Equipment used by officers in field operations, along with items resembling official police uniforms have been found buried on a plot of land in Middeniya, where chemicals believed to be imported for the production of ‘Ice’ were previously discovered, police stated. Officers attached to the Middeniya Police Station conducted a search and excavation on the land, uncovering several hidden items today. Among the findings were, police sportswear, gear used in field operations by more..

Sep 8 (FT) In a ground-breaking moment for regional aviation and tourism, the first-ever direct chartered flight between Bhutan and SL has been officially launched. Operated by Bhutan’s national carrier Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair) and chartered by Bhutan-based Routes and Journeys, this historic milestone promises to open new opportunities for cross-cultural travel and tourism development. The inaugural flights are scheduled to operate from Paro to Colombo on 19 Dec 2025, more..

Sep 8 (TM) Sri Lanka’s commercial occupancy has risen above 70% by the end of July, signalling stronger demand as Colombo land prices have surged over 11% in the first half of the year. Most properties now have over 70% commercial occupancy with flexible pricing as deflation increases the purchasing power of people. Properties such as the East Tower at Seylan Towers by Seylan Developments and HQ Colombo by more..

Sep 8 (NW) Former Parliamentarian Nimal Lanza was granted bail by the Negombo High Court today. Lanza was arrested after surrendering to the Kochchikade Police last week over an alleged assault and unlawful entry during a protest in 2006. He was remanded till September 12 after being produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court. The order was issued today after considering a revision application filed challenging the Negombo Magistrate’s court order to refuse bail. more..

Sep 8 (NF) Following the conclusion of his official term, Pradeep Nilanga Dela has been reappointed as the Acting Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. The decision was made with the consent of the Mahanayake Theros of both the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, the two highest monastic orders in SL. Dela’s previous term officially ended at midnight on Sept 7, 2025, marking the completion of his tenure as the Chief Lay Custodian of more..

Sep 8 (NW) The SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has partnered with The Barn House Sri Lanka to introduce Whispers of Ceylon, a novel wedding and engagement offering, in a strategic move to attract the growing Polish tourism market. According to the SLTPB, this initiative, launched on 24th Aug 2025, with a Polish couple, aims to position SL as a premier destination for high-end European weddings by blending indigenous customs with luxury and eco-conscious hospitality. more..

Sep 8 (TM) SJB, alleged that the Govt-led restructuring process of the CEB appears to be arbitrary and that no step has been taken to ensure the wellbeing of CEB employees. SJB MP and attorney Ajith P. Perera said the Govt’s announcement that the CEB will be restructured into four institutions and that those unwilling to join these institutions have the opportunity to retire with a compensation of up to Rs. 5 million, he claimed: “However, the letter issued to the employees more..

Sep 8 (Island) The Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) has released its report on the violent events in Digana, and surrounding areas, in March 2018, stressing that the attacks on the Muslim community were premeditated rather than spontaneous reactions to local tensions. The report, made public on 1 Sept 2025, calls for a wide-ranging set of reforms across law enforcement, education, and govt institutions to prevent more..

Sep 8 (TM) A group of former JVP politicians are preparing to form a movement to demand the return of their salaries and allowances as Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), Provincial Council (PC), and Parliamentary representatives, which they claim were taken by their Party. Retired MPs’ Collective’s Secretary and former JVP MP Pemasiri Manage said that he has formally requested Parliament to provide details of all salaries and allowances paid to him between 2004 and 2010, during more..

Sep 8 (NW) Police say the stock of a chemical substance that was found in Kandana was placed as decorative rocks in the garden of a house. The chemical substance, suspected to be used in the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), was also found disposed of in an adjoining land. Over 100 kilos of chemical substances were found in the property in Kandana following Police investigations into a suspect, currently in custody. It is reported that the stock of chemicals more..

Sep 8 (TM) The Govt will address concerns raised by the Catholic Church and community about the controversial Katchatheevu tourism project. This, as the Govt has reiterated its commitment to move forward with the project. Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake said that the Govt would take steps to address the concerns of the Catholic community regarding more..

Sep 8 (TM) The People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA) urged the Govt to reveal the names of all the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) that it is planning to shut down, alleging that the Government has not been fully transparent about the decision and its implementation. The alliance’s member Duminda Nagamuwa expressed these concerns while addressing a media briefing yesterday (7), where he highlighted that the Govt announced the names of only nine of these institutions. more..

Sep 8 (AD) Dr. Palitha Rajapaksha attached to the Badulla Teaching Hospital has been summoned before the Public Service Commission for a disciplinary inquiry. This is in connection with a statement he made regarding the recent shortage of medicines at state hospitals. Dr. Palitha Rajapaksha stated that he is currently at the Public Service Commission following a summons issued through the Ministry of Health. Dr. Palitha Rajapaksha was commended for discharging his duties more..

Sep 8 (DM) The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the state’s failure to adopt and implement adequate measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. A 3-judge bench comprising Justice Janak De Silva, Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Justice Sampath Wijeratne after considering the submissions, allowed the petition to proceed. With this order, it paves the way for a full hearing on the merits of the case, more..

Sep 8 (NW) The Kala Wewa Back to the Elephants project was successfully carried out over three days in the floodplains surrounding the Kala Wewa National Park, in line with the govt’s Clean Sri Lanka national programme. According to the govt, the tender grass that usually grows in these areas and serves as vital food for elephants has been destroyed due to the spread of invasive plant species, including common water hyacinth, across several tank beds in North Central Province. more..

Sep 8 (AD) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today presented the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the 60th session of the UNHRC in Genève. Through the report, Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk urged the SL govt for the establishment of a dedicated judicial mechanism, including an independent special counsel, to handle cases involving alleged human rights violations more..

Sep 8 (NF) Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB) has announced new restrictions on the transportation of mineral sand during school hours, effective from Sept 7. According to GSMB Director General Deepani Weerakoon, mineral transport vehicles will now be prohibited from operating between 6:30 am and 7:45 am, and again from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on school days. During these hours, trucks must be parked in designated areas with adequate roadside space to avoid more..

Sep 8 (NW) The driver of the SUV who narrowly escaped the deadly bus accident near Ella recently says the bus came like a decorated pandal with lights, at lightning speed, before colliding with his vehicle and plunging into a ravine. Crash occurred on the Ella–Wellawaya main road near the 15th milepost on Sept 4, killing 15 people and injuring 18. Police said moments before the tragedy, the bus carrying municipal employees returning from a Nuwara Eliya excursion struck a luxury SUV more..