Sep 10 (FT) Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has pledged that India would stand firmly with SL whenever the island nation faces a crisis, as he began his maiden visit to the country with an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Colombo on Tuesday. Singh, who is on a three-day official visit to SL, said the two countries shared close cultural and civilisational ties that provided a strong foundation for the continued development of bilateral relations. more..

Sep 10 (DN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake sought India’s fullest co-operation in the govt’s effort to combat the illicit drug menace when he met visiting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. Prez briefed the visiting Indian Defence Minister on the national programme recently launched by SL to combat drug trafficking. He stated that, as the Indian Ocean has become a hub for drug trafficking, SL expects India’s fullest support in its efforts more..

Sep 10 (Island) Jaffna District independent MP Ramanathan Aarchuna was given a final warning in Parliament yesterday and told that he would be expelled from the House if he continued to engage in unruly conduct and disrupt proceedings. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekera issued the warning after Aarchuna repeatedly interrupted NPP MP Najith Indika, who was speaking during a debate. Indika accused Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several other opposition MPs of misrepresenting. more..

Sep 10 (DN) It has been revealed at the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry (SPCoI) investigating allegations of fraud and corruption in coal transactions and power generation that the State incurred a loss of US$ 1,575,630 in the purchase of coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant during 2015-2016, when President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne served as Chairman of the Lanka Coal Company. Testifying before the Commission, former Power and Renewable Energy Ministry more..

Sep 10 (DM) World Health Organization (WHO) has presented a special official citation to Sri Lanka in recognition of two significant achievements in the country’s public health sector—sustaining malaria-free status and the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus for 10 consecutive years. The citation was presented by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa during the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, more..

Sep 10 (Island) Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Santosh Jha has said that security and defence were significant aspects in the Indo-Lanka partnership. Speaking to ANI in Colombo in the wake of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit, Jha said: “If you look at the last 2-3 years, the engagement between India and SL has acquired a new intensity. There is a regular exchange of ministerial-level visits from India to SL and from SL to India. We need to see this as part of that. more..

Sep 10 (NW) SL technology entrepreneur Sanjiva Weerawarna has raised questions over a Rs. 173.86 million consultancy contract approved by the Cabinet for an ADB-funded tourism development programme. Weerawarna described aspects of the consultancy arrangement as fishy and called on senior govt figures to look into the matter. Cabinet has approved the consultancy contract for the Sustainable Tourism Sector Development Programme, which is being implemented with a US$30 million ADB loan. more..

Sep 10 (Island) Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday urged the govt to disclose the three agreements signed with India on defence matters. Top FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda, of the breakaway JVP group, said that the seven MoUs signed in early April 2025 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Colombo hadn’t been presented to Parliament yet. “We have to examine the latest agreements against that background, ” Jayagoda said. Jayagoda pointed out that the declaration that more..

Sep 10 (TM) Sri Lanka must consider its other options before moving towards an IMF Standing-By Agreement (SBA), with the end of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) closing in on March of 2027; as entering into one would coincide with the SL’s Eurobond repayments starting in 2028, International Finance Corporation Country Manager Gregory Smith said, speaking at an event organised by DFCC recently. “If you do an SBA, in 2028, 2029, 2030, you’re going to start paying that back, more..

Sep 10 (FT) EDOTCO Services Lanka Ltd, has signed a $ 10 million investment agreement with the Board of Investment of SL (BOI) to accelerate the expansion of the country’s shared digital infrastructure. Coinciding with its 10th anniversary in the country, the company said the investment reflects EDOTCO’s continued confidence in SL’s long-term growth and digital future. Over the next 30 months, EDOTCO will deploy 130 macro towers, 300 multi-purpose smart lamp poles, and 650 energy sites, more..

Sep 10 (DN) Sri Lanka has made a remarkable start to the 2026 FISU World University Weightlifting Championships in Doha, Qatar, with Avindu Liyanagedara of the Uni of Sri J'pura winning gold in the men’s 60kg category and Nipun Dissanayake of Sabaragamuwa Uni claiming bronze in the men’s 65kg category. The medals mark a historic milestone for SL, as they are believed to be the country’s first at the World University Championships or Games in their more than 60-year history. more..

Sep 10 (DM) Officials say investments secured by the development have surpassed US$ 2bn, with the figure targeted to exceed US$ 4bn in the coming years. Opportunities pitched to UAE businesses spanned real estate development, financial services, regional headquarters and business continuity operations. UAE Minister of Foreign Trade says from immediate reconstruction needs to the immense potential of its logistics, technology, and tourism sectors, SL stands out as one of the most more..

Sep 10 (FT) Sri Lanka is targeting a sharp expansion in the economic contribution of its maritime sector, with the Govt seeking to increase it from around 2.5% of GDP currently to between 5% and 10%, Minister Anura Karunathilaka said. Addressing the Colombo Int'l Maritime and Logistics Conference held alongside the 15th anniversary of the Shippers’ Academy yesterday Minister said the Govt recognised the sector’s significant untapped potential and was determined to more..

Sep 10 (CI) Sri Lankan cricket is all too familiar with uncertainty brought about by selection committee shake-ups. And there were a few worrying signs during the first five months of SLC's new selection committee, which was appointed in May. Some notable decisions were the Test recall of Niroshan Dickwella, and the u-turn of Charith Asalanka being dropped from the T20 side before being recalled as vice-captain, and subsequently stand-in captain. more..

Sep 10 (TM) Govt is exploring alternative ways to develop and utilise the long-idle Oluvil Port on the Southeastern coast of SL, with about Rs 57 million being allocated annually for coastal protection and maintenance linked to the facility, to bring the Port back into productive use and unlock the economic value, Minister Anura Karunathilaka said in Parliament on Tuesday. Karunathilake said: “Govt is exploring the best alternative use of the long-idle Oluvil Port to operationalise more..

Sep 10 (TM) The United States has approved $ 15 million in financial assistance for the development of digital infrastructure at the Port of Colombo, according to US Federal Maritime Commission Chairperson Laura DiBella. DiBella said the funding has received approval from the US State Department and is expected to be officially announced once congressional approval is secured in the coming weeks. The announcement came during a meeting between a US delegation led by DiBella and more..

Sep 10 (FT) Sri Lanka is overbanked relative to regional peers and should brace for consolidation, 3A Ventures International Partner and Director – Asia Cyrus Daruwala told delegates at The CIO Confluence 2026: Beyond Digital – The Intelligent Banking Era. Daruwala is a senior financial services leader with more than 25 years’ experience across banking, insurance, and capital markets, including in the Middle East. “Sri Lanka is overbanked,” he said, more..

Sep 10 (FT) Sri Lanka is targeting a sharp expansion in the economic contribution of its maritime sector, with the Govt seeking to increase it from around 2.5% of GDP currently to between 5% and 10%, Ports Minister Anura Karunathilaka said. Addressing the Colombo Int'l Maritime and Logistics Conference 2026 under the theme Building a World around Us, held alongside the 15th anniversary of the Shippers’ Academy yesterday, Minister said the Govt recognised the sector’s more..

Sep 10 (FT) US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairperson Laura DiBella yesterday said SL must urgently seize its current window of opportunity to expand Colombo’s maritime and logistics hub by strengthening competition, reducing investment risks, and allowing businesses to take the lead. Addressing the 8th edition of the Colombo Int'l Maritime and Logistics Conference, she said the strategic importance of Colombo was growing as a significant transshipment point for US cargo more..

Sep 10 (FT) SL and Thailand have agreed to establish a formal framework for bilateral cooperation on labour migration, including an agreement to facilitate the employment of SL workers in Thailand. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the signing of a MoU on Labour Cooperation between the two countries, together with a supplementary agreement governing the employment of SL workers in Thailand. Minister Vijitha Herath said he would travel to Thailand on 14 Sept to sign the agreements. more..

Sep 10 (FT) George Steuart & Company’s Annual Founder’s Day Service was held on 14 Aug at St. Peter’s Church, Colombo Fort, marking the 191st year of SL’s oldest mercantile establishment. The Church’s association with George Steuart & Company dates back to its founding years, with Captain James Steuart and George Steuart, together with their families, maintaining close ties with the Church. Commemorative plaques honouring their families remain displayed within the Church to this day. more..

Sep 10 (FT) Sri Lanka yesterday invited investors, businesses, and institutions within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to explore the opportunity that Sri Lanka offers. The invitation was extended by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe during his remarks at the inauguration of the two-day Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, China under the theme Advancing High Quality Development, Embarking on a New Journey. more..

Sep 10 (Island) A small fish that vanished from SL’s scientific records for nearly 90 years has resurfaced in the waters of Jaffna, providing researchers with a remarkable rediscovery and fresh evidence that the Northern Province still holds significant, unexplored aquatic biodiversity. The Yellow-stripe Goby, Mugilogobius chulae (Smith, 1932), was recently found in the Karainagar area of Karaitivu Island during a biodiversity survey, almost nine decades after it was last scientifically more..

Sep 10 (Island) SL politicians are notorious for carrying out personal attacks instead of countering arguments. So, the JVP-NPP govt’s attack on the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association (CLA) in Parliament on Tuesday came as no surprise. The CLA, whose President Steven Thiru attended the recent Supreme Court (SC) hearing of petitions against the 22nd constitutional amendment (22A) bill, as an observer, has raised concern over several key issues, such as the rejection of a request for a full bench, more..

Sep 10 (DN) The United National Party (UNP) is a foundational institution in SL’s modern political history. For decades, it was a primary engine of governance, shaping the nation’s economic policies, institutional structures, and social frameworks. Established to build a broad national coalition, the party united diverse political factions and led Ceylon to independence from British rule. Over time, however, this dominant force saw its electoral sway decline substantially. more..

Sep 10 (ST) India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is paying his first visit to SL. He was due here in Sept 2023, but it was put off, whatever the reason. So now he is coming to see that we poor neighbours are doing what they promised to do when they signed those several MoUs during Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to our part of the world in April last year. It would seem to India that our leaders have been somewhat tardy in not briskly carrying out all those things mentioned in the seven MoUs more..

Sep 10 (DN) Supreme Court last week concluded hearings on petitions filed relating to the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution but the debate surrounding it was overshadowed by the arrest and detention of SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa. Both events are of great significance. The govt’s determination to enact the 22nd Amendment reflects its wish implement the key campaign promise of making the country’s justice system more efficient. more..

Sep 10 (TM) On the afternoon of 24 Aug, residents of Heiyanthuduwa saw something that no community should ever see in the water flowing through its paddy fields. It had turned a striking blue. They did not wait for an official inspection. They followed the coloured water for nearly one and a half kilometres and traced it to a drain connected to a private container yard on Samurdhi Mawatha. Watercourse runs through paddy land towards the Kottunna Oya and then, through Raggahawatta, towards the Kelani River. more..

Sep 10 (TM) When Rajnath Singh landed in Colombo this week, becoming the first Indian Defence Minister to visit SL since K C Pant did so in 1988, he arrived not merely as a dignitary paying a courtesy call, but as the representative of a relationship that has matured beyond the anxieties of its most difficult decades. As his 3-day visit draws to a close today, SL would do well to recognise what has actually been achieved, and why it matters. The three MOUs signed signed during Singh's talks with Prez more..

Sep 10 (DN) From the colonial era until the advent of the open economy in 1977, one of the reasons people listened to the wireless, or Radio Ceylon, was to find out what time it was. Around noon, the familiar announcement would come: “The time is twelve noon. Here is the news from the police.” Then came the little musical flourish: ting, tong, tong. The radio was not merely a source of news and entertainment; it was, in a sense, the country’s public clock. more..

Sep 10 (GV) The NPP’s spectacular win at the 2024 parliamentary elections has been seen by many as the political culmination of the aragalaya, which ousted the Rajapaksa dynasty and categorically rejected traditional political parties and their corruption. Still riding the euphoria of the aragalaya, Sri Lankans have high hopes. We expected a lot, especially because it was a rare occasion where the North and the South were visually united on the electoral map in their choice of govt more..

Sep 10 (CT) Namal Rajapaksa’s epilogue may already be taking shape. It is unusual for a politician’s legacy to acquire the atmosphere of a closing chapter before his fiftieth birthday. But dynastic politics accelerates both promotion and decline. The family name that opens every door can eventually become the weight that makes it impossible to walk through one. For the man so often called Namal Baby, the question is becoming uncomfortable: what remains of the heir when the public no longer wants the inheritance? more..