Aug 16 (SO) 72 years have passed since the historic uprising of workers against a govt that broke its election promises and cut essential concessions. The special significance of what is commonly known as the ’53 Hartal lies in the fact that it marked the first time the Left and the working class demonstrated their militancy against a capitalist Govt. This occurred just five years after the so-called freedom granted by British more..

Aug 16 (DM) At the Nov 2024 elections, the NPP won a supermajority. The party secured 159 seats in the 225-member Parliament. The NPP’s victory included winning all electoral districts other than the Batticaloa district. It also won the most seats in the Jaffna District, making it the first non-Tamil political party to win that district. The SJB led by Sajith Premadasa -- presently the largest party in the opposition -- came in a distant second winning a mere 40 seats. more..

Aug 16 (CT) In the times of every day stresses and strains, news that a Govt authority is about to dig deeper into history to come up with unique expositions of eternal glory to the land should be seen as what it all is worth for. News that the research unit of the Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) is preparing to recover 19 aircraft believed to have been hidden by King Ravana in any of the 25 short-listed locations across SL should pep up national morale when it is needed the most. more..

Aug 16 (DM) Aug 5, 2025, was not just another date in SL’s calendar. It was a moment when the nation was forced, however reluctantly, to look again at one of its darkest, most unhealed wounds. In Jaffna, families of the disappeared gathered at the Ariyalai Siththupaththi Hindu Cemetery to view personal items unearthed from the Chemmani mass graves. On display were fragments of clothing, shoes, jewellery, and everyday possessions, more..

Aug 16 (DM) The statement made by PM Harini Amarasuriya on the controversial SupemeSAT satellite popularly known as Chichi’s Rocket has put the leaders of and the supporters of the NPP in a tight spot. It was totally conflicting to the stance maintained first by the JVP for the past 13 years and later by the NPP, resulting in giving ammunition to the Opposition, especially to the SLPP. PM, quoting BOI reports, stated that state funds have not been utilised for satellite project by SupemeSAT, more..

Aug 16 (DM) The countries of South Asia, with the demographic dividend of the highest proportion of youth in the region, is also experiencing a significant increase in their elderly population. What is more worrisome is that this trend is happening at a relatively earlier stage of economic development compared to Western countries. SL happens to have the oldest ageing population in the region, with current estimates of 2023-24 suggesting over 17% of its population above the age of 60. more..

Aug 15 (DM) There is a sinister move to allow gender transformation and allow homosexuality in Sri Lanka by certain organisations with the blessings of some political leaders, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said. Cardinal Ranjith said certain international organisations with the blessings of some political leaders are carrying out a programme to allow young people to announce sexual transformation after obtaining a certificate from psychiatrists. more..

Aug 15 (PMD) A review on the implementation of the 2025 budget allocations for the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, together with preliminary discussions on the 2026 budget proposals, was held today at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During this discussion, the allocations made in 2025 to eight institutions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the current status of the related projects were reviewed separately. more..

Aug 15 (AD) Singapore’s X-Press Feeders has hit back at the Sri Lankan Supreme Court’s order to pay $1bn within a year over the 2021 X-Press Pearl casualty, warning the decision tramples on due process, scapegoats its crew, and poses a dangerous precedent for global shipping. The feeder giant accused the court of effectively convicting the vessel’s master and local agents before trials have concluded — more..

Aug 15 (NW) Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake says a bonus will be granted to profit-making bus depots of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). Minister said that the profit-making business model for this purpose had been formulated. He pointed out that the Hatton depot could easily make profits, but is facing obstacles due to unnecessary issues. Minister Rathnayake further clarified that the bonuses will be paid directly to profit-making bus depots only and not the SLTB. more..

Aug 15 (CT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised that the Govt will take necessary measures to ensure dependable bus services for rural villages, even if such routes operate at a loss. He said the State must be prepared to bear the cost, as these services remain essential to the daily lives of rural residents. The President made these remarks yesterday morning (13) during a pre-budget discussion for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, more..

Aug 15 (NW) Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has slammed the govt and its allies for attempting to destroy his political image by twisting his recent comments on India. In a video message, MP Harsha de Silva said that the govt and its allies are claiming that he has betrayed the nation and should apologize, just for stating in Parliament that India should not be mocked. “Why did I say what I said? Because India is currently facing a difficult more..

Aug 15 (DM) A tense situation was reported in Maharagama when police attempted to remove a hut set up by a group of Jana Aragala Sandanaya members to distribute hand bills. Banners were displayed in the hut against agreements signed by the govt with India and the IMF agreement. Jana Aragala Sandanaya had organised a protest campaign in Maharagama which included distribution of hand bills and a signature campaign. Police informed the protestors that more..

Aug 15 (FT) SL Salt Producers’ Association called on the Govt to urgently enforce the country’s packaging regulations on imported salt products and to release 400 containers of salt currently held at the Colombo Port for the past 45 days. Chairman Ganaka Amarasinghe said the industry has been struggling to maintain safe stocks due to successive adverse weather conditions. “Heavy rains during the Yala season in late 2023 and again in the Maha season of 2024 severely disrupted production more..

Aug 15 (Island) Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the aim of the govt is to strengthen the country’s economic stability by developing vocational education. PM made these remarks during a media briefing at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, regarding the upcoming Sri Lanka Skills Expo 2025. With the aim of reducing youth unemployment in Sri Lanka, the exhibition will be held for the third time on Oct 10 and 11 more..

Aug 15 (CT) Anti Malaria Campaign (AMC) has expressed serious concerns regarding the lack of awareness about the prophylactic treatment offered to prevent contracting malaria while travelling overseas. Consultant Community Physician at the Anti Malaria Campaign (AMC), Dr. Indeewarie Gunaratna pointed out that this is currently a key issue faced by the AMC, as most of the malaria cases diagnosed are in locals who have travelled to malaria-endemic countries and contracted more..

Aug 15 (TM) Prisoners’ rights activists alleged that the existing system for providing medical treatment to prison inmates has been crippled by corruption and irregularities, resulting in inmates with legitimate medical needs facing inadequate treatment, while those with financial and political power are able to obtain Prison Hospital facilities even without a legitimate need. Committee for Protecting the Rights of more..

Aug 15 (DM) Eight individuals, including the wife of a DIG of Police based in Colombo, were arrested yesterday by A'pura Police for allegedly digging for treasure in a rock cave on a property near a temple in the Shravasthipura, Thibirikadawala area. The suspects are men and women aged between 35 and 58, residing in Badulla, Maligathenna, Padavi-Sripura, Giradurukotte, Warakapola and A'pura. They were arrested following information received by the police that they were engaged in more..

Aug 15 (SM) The recently held Swarna Shree Kite Festival 2025 along the Negombo beach has drawn flak over several shortcomings. There had been no proper plan in place to manage waste or traffic. Local hotel operators claimed that the festival’s poor planning had caused serious disruptions to the tourism industry as well. Notably, volunteers, including military personnel had launched a massive beach cleanup only a week earlier, only for the festival to leave it littered once again. more..

Aug 15 (DN) National Commemoration Ceremony and Advisory Workshop for National Breastfeeding Month was held recently under the patronage of Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa at Water’s Edge, Battaramulla. The Health Ministry has declared August as National Breastfeeding Month in SL. The initiative complements the global observance of World Breastfeeding Week from Aug 1–7 each year, more..

Aug 15 (DM) Saliya Saman, the former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer, has been banned from all cricket for five years. An ICC anti-corruption tribunal found him guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) anti-corruption code. The ban is backdated to September 13, 2023, when Saman was provisionally suspended, as one of eight people - all associated with the Pune Devils franchise in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament - charged with breaching the code. more..

Aug 15 (CT) Young men and women planning to marry are being urged to undergo a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test prior to marriage to determine whether they are carriers of thalassaemia, Deputy Director General of Health (Non-Communicable Diseases), Dr. Champika Wickramasinghe said. He highlighted the importance of public awareness during a national commemoration organised to mark International Thalassaemia Day. The event took place recently at Bluesky Hotel in Kurunegala more..

Aug 15 (AD) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, claims that certain groups are attempting to artificially create a shortage of Keeri Samba raw rice in the country. Minister said that while there is no general shortage of rice in the market, there is a concern specifically regarding the Keeri Samba variety. “If there is any issue in the rice market at present, it is only the shortage of Keeri Samba. Therefore, if we decide to import, it will be limited to a substitute variety for Keeri Samba. more..

Aug 15 (DM) The first-ever gem-related website in Sri Lanka was officially launched today in Ratnapura during the inauguration of the Gem and Jewellery Exhibition 2025 by PM Harini Amarasuriya. The official website — www.gemcityratnapura.com, aims to promote SL’s gem and jewellery sector globally, providing a platform for trade, information, and industry networking. Addressing the event, PM said that SL is strengthening links with international gem and jewellery associations more..

Aug 15 (EN) SL’s gross domestic product is projected to grow 4.5% in 2025, central bank said in a monetary policy report, as the agency missed its 5% inflation target. The latest forecast for GDP for the 2nd quarter of 2025 is expected to be robust, continuing the positive momentum observed in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, the agency said. “As per the currently available information, economic growth for more..

Aug 15 (EN) Swap contracts between SL’s central bank and domestic market participants have continued to rise as reserves were shown with derivative contracts. SL’s gross official reserves (some of which also contain fiscal balances from the IMF and other disbursements which are used to repay debt), and monetary reserves built by the central bank from current inflows with deflationary policy. Sri Lanka gross reserves which hit US$ 6,531 million in March fell to US$ 6,144 mil by July more..

Aug 15 (AM) The UNP has lodged a strong protest with the Indian High Commission in Colombo regarding a special 3-page-supplement published in local print media to mark India’s 79th Independence Day. The matter was raised during a high-level meeting of senior UNP officials, which was also attended by several former diplomats. The discussion centred on the content of the supplement, prepared and distributed to local newspapers under the supervision of the Indian HC. more..

Aug 15 (AD) Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has passed away at the age of 57. He had reportedly passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. Born on 22 June 1968, Lohan Evindra Ratwatte was a prominent SL politician. He had previously served as the State Minister of Gem and Jewellery Related Industries and as State Minister for Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation. more..

Aug 15 (NW) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son Namal Rajapaksa were seen visiting the private hospital in Colombo, where former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte had passed away this morning. Former State Minister had passed away at the age of 57 while receiving treatment at the hospital. Paying tribute to the late Lohan Ratwatte, former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa said his demise was a significant loss to the nation, especially to the Kandy District. more..

Aug 15 (AD) It was revealed today that the temperature and humidity-controlled agricultural storage complex in Dambulla, which was recently inaugurated by Indian PM Narendra Modi, had received an electricity bill of Rs. 8,409,000 even before the commencement of its operations. This disclosure was made during an inspection visit to the facility by a group of politicians including former MPs. It was also reported that the electricity supply to the facility has been disconnected due to more..

Aug 15 (FT) Time is ticking off. And it is ticking off on SL’s human rights and accountability front. In Geneva. In less than a month from today, the question of promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in SL will come up for consideration at the UNHRC in Geneva. The 60th session of the Council, that is to convene from 8 Sept to 8 Oct 2025, would discuss the question under Item 2 of its agenda: Reports of the Office of High Comm. for Human Rights (OHCHR). more..

Aug 15 (FT) The JVP led NPP Govt of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake known as AKD, has been in the saddle for close upon a year now. Given the JVP-NPP’s 159 MPs and the victories registered in the local authority polls, the chances of being dislodged from the saddle soon seem remote. Yet many opposition leaders seem to think otherwise. These hopes are hinged around two possibilities. Some are hopeful that the economy will eventually deteriorate, resulting in a crisis situation more..