Nov 6 (DN) A brilliant all-round performance led by opener Vimoksha Balasuriya (62) and off-spinner Aseni Thalagune (5/10) powered Sri Lanka Under-19 Women’s team to a commanding 118-run victory over Malaysia in the third T20 match of the five-match series, played at the Colts Grounds yesterday. With this win, SL sealed the series 3–0, with two games still remaining, continuing their dominance throughout the tour. Batting first, SL U-19 Women posted a formidable 166 for 7 in 20 overs. more..

Nov 6 (FT) Top legal expert and National Procurement Commission (NPC) Member Dr. Asanga Gunawansa on Tuesday cautioned that Sri Lanka risks creating a maze of overlapping regulatory authorities and legal inconsistencies in its approach to public-private partnerships (PPPs) and procurement, unless urgent steps are taken to align and streamline its institutional framework. Speaking at a high-level forum in Colombo titled PPP: Partnership and Prosperity for People more..

Nov 6 (FT) National Development Bank (NDB) said it has delivered impressive profitability growth backed by sound core banking operational growth in the first nine months of 2025. NDB’s operating income and pre-tax profit expanded by 32.3% and 62.1% to reach Rs. 28.4 billion and Rs. 11.0 billion, respectively. CEO Kelum Edirisinghe said: “Our performance over the nine months’ period ended provides ample testimony to the consistent positive progress made across almost all aspects of more..

Nov 6 (FT) National Sales Average (NSA) of tea for October has declined Month-on-Month (MoM) though reflecting an increase Year-on-Year (YoY). NSA in Oct declined by Rs. 14.48 to Rs. 1,177.14 per kilo (by $ 0.07 to $ 3.87) as against September average of Rs. 1,191.62 ($ 3.94). In comparison to the October 2024 average of Rs. 1,172.15 ($ 3.99), was an increase of Rs. 4.99 and $ 0.12. Total NSA year to date was Rs. 1,161.99 ($ 3.87), a decline of Rs. 74.93 ($ 0.21) against more..

Nov 6 (DN) Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said that Lanka Sathosa has purchased over 70,000 kilograms of big onions from farmers as of Tuesday (4), and the private sector has also purchased significant quantities. However,the Minister said that local big onion production this year has reportedly quadrupled compared to last year. “To provide relief to local big onion farmers, the import tax on big onions has been raised from more..

Nov 6 (FT) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) recorded a 17.9% decline in net profit to Rs. 17 billion during the first six months of 2025, compared to Rs. 20.7 billion in the corresponding period of 2024, as falling global fuel prices and a stronger rupee reduced its turnover and cost base. CPC’s turnover fell by 19.3% to Rs. 439.5 billion from Rs. 544.3 billion a year earlier, in line with a reduction in the cost of sales to Rs. 377.9 bil, down 19.2% from Rs. 467.7 bil recorded in first half of 2024. more..

Nov 6 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal to utilise State funds to complete the remaining section of the Maharagama-Piliyandala road after the OPEC Fund for International Development loan was found insufficient to cover the full project cost. A loan agreement worth $ 50 million was signed with the OPEC Fund to upgrade 46 km of national roads in the Colombo District. Among these, the 6.7 km Maharagama-Piliyandala road was identified as the final project under the loan. more..

Nov 6 (AD) A Hingurakgoda Pradeshiya Sabha member representing the NPP has been arrested for allegedly obstructing duties of police officers. According to police, the councilor’s brother had earlier been arrested by the Hingurakgoda Police for interfering with the duties of an employee of the Ceylon Electricity Board. It is reported that the councilor later visited the police station and verbally abused and threatened the officers, demanding the release of his brother. more..

Nov 6 (DM) A principal of a primary school in the Eppawala area of Anuradhapura has been arrested for alleged involvement in heroin trafficking. The arrest was made during a raid carried out by the Anuradhapura Divisional CIU, following information obtained from a 30-year-old suspect who was taken into custody last week in the Nallamudawa Road area. Officers recovered 1 kg and 185 grams of heroin concealed behind a hotel reportedly owned by the school principal in Eppawala. more..

Nov 6 (Island) CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe yesterday said he, or senior representatives of the bank, could appear before Parliament to answer questions raised by the MPs. Dr. Weerasinghe said so in response to queries The Island raised about a reference made to the Central Bank during Tuesday’s proceedings at the COPF. “If our direct intervention could prevent delays in obtaining answers to questions raised by more..

Nov 6 (EN) Sri Lanka is working on 67 public private partnerships in spread through several sectors, Chief Executive of the National Agency for Public Private Partnerships, Sukakshana Jaywardena said. A PPP law which provides a legal framework for projects is now with the legal draftsman and after revisions including with feed back from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. After Attorney General’s approval is obtained, the govt will present it to parliament as soon as possible. more..

Nov 6 (AD) A youth, who was rescued after drowning in the Deduru Oya has succumbed while receiving treatment at the hospital, police stated. Accordingly, the death toll from the tragic incident has risen to five. Out of a group of ten people who came from Kiribathgoda to Chilaw for a recreational trip, five drowned while bathing in the Deduru Oya this evening (05). Although area residents attempted to rescue the individuals as they were drowning, only one person was rescued. more..

Nov 6 (CT) Govt has reversed its decision to proceed with the controversial elephant drive in Hambantota following widespread protests from environmentalists, community groups, and the filing of a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to halt the operation. After several days of public backlash, Ministry of Environment announced that it had not granted approval for the ongoing campaign to drive wild elephants more..

Nov 6 (AD) The NPP member of the Peliyagoda Urban Council, Disna Niranjala Kumari, has resigned from her position as a member of the council following the arrest of her husband and son on drug-related charges. Legal proceedings are currently underway regarding her husband and son, who are both in police custody. NPP councillor says she is personally shocked by this incident that occurred at a time when the NPP govt is focusing its full attention on curbing the drug menace in SL. more..

Nov 6 (FT) On Friday, all eyes will turn to Parliament as the President, in his dual capacity as the Minister of Finance, presents Sri Lanka’s Budget for 2026. This annual ritual is far more than a parliamentary formality — it is the single most watched economic event of the year. From the household in Jaffna to the factory in Katunayake, from the small trader in Galle to the banker in Colombo, everyone waits to see what the Budget will bring. Budget is where the Govt reveals its priorities more..

Nov 6 (FT) Taxation serves as one of the most powerful tools in shaping a nation’s economic destiny. Its purpose extends far beyond merely filling State coffers. A sound and just tax system is meant to foster economic growth, promote social equity, ensure fair distribution of wealth, and protect domestic industries from unfair foreign competition and dumping. However, when tax laws are misinterpreted, selectively applied, or exploited by powerful interests, the very objectives of more..

Nov 6 (AD) Thambuththegama Magistrate’s Court has issued a seven-day detention order permitting police to further question the NPP Peliyagoda Urban Councillor’s husband, who was arrested in Eppawala while in possession of heroin. Court today granted permission to detain and question the husband of NPP Peliyagoda UC member Disna Niranjala, who was arrested with heroin in Anuradhapura yesterday. Thambuttegama Magistrate’s Court granted permission to A'pura Division CID to detain more..

Nov 6 (AD) The wife of a principal arrested for the possession of heroin in A'pura, Disna Niranjala, who is a member of the Peliyagoda UC representing the NPP, has been identified as a relative of the large-scale drug trafficker and criminal known as Kosgoda Sujee. Police further stated that an investigation has been launched into the assets of the arrested principal. Husband of Peliyagoda Urban Councilor Disna Niranjala was arrested more..

Nov 6 (NF) The first phase of the third school term in government schools across SL will conclude tomorrow, marking the beginning of the end-of-year school holidays. The holiday period will run from Nov 8 to Dec 7, allowing students and teachers a break before the final phase of the term resumes. Meanwhile, the GCE A/L Exam is scheduled to take place from Nov 10 to Dec 5, a critical period for thousands of students preparing to enter universities and higher education institutions. more..

Nov 6 (AD) Supreme Court, which has concluded the hearing of the appeal petition filed by the defendants including Swiss Kumar, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the abduction, rape, and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in Jaffna in 2015, has reserved its judgment to be delivered at a later date. The case, which drew widespread public outrage at the time, was taken up before a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by CJ Preethi Padman Surasena, more..

Nov 6 (NW) Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, has accused think tank Advocata Institute of publishing what he claimed was a politically motivated and misleading analysis on the performance of SL’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Responding to Advocata’s recent claims that state enterprises continue to make losses, Abeysinghe alleged that the organisation’s data was fed by the political talk show Bai Thaksalawa more..

Nov 6 (AD) The Court of Appeal today suggested to the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue that it would be appropriate to hold discussions to resolve the matter concerning the Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) decision to impose an Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) on players of the SL national cricket team. The suggestion was made by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, when the writ petition filed by SL Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva and more..

Nov 6 (EN) SL and Bangladesh have agreed to deepen cooperation in maritime connectivity, trade, and green tourism as part of a renewed push to strengthen bilateral ties during the fourth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Colombo on Thursday. The meeting, held after eight years and co-chaired Foreign Secretaries of the both South Asian nations, discussed a wide range of issues spanning trade, investment, agriculture, education, digital economy, defense, tourism, and more..

Nov 6 (DM) Minister Sunil Handunnetti yesterday said that those accepting Aswesuma benefits should be ashamed, describing it as legal begging. Speaking at a public meeting, the Minister stressed that poverty eradication should not depend on long-term welfare schemes but on finding sustainable solutions. “Aswesuma beneficiaries should be ashamed. It is like begging legally. If we want to develop as a nation, we must move away from this dependency mentality,” Handunnetti said. more..

Nov 6 (AD) A decision has been taken by the Mannar Citizens Committee to continue its protest demanding that construction of wind power plants in the Mannar District be halted and that no permission be granted for mineral sand mining around Mannar Island. The protest launched by the residents of Mannar has now continued for nearly 100 days. Representatives of the committee stated that while they appreciate the govt’s decision not to proceed with any new wind power projects in Mannar, more..

Nov 6 (CT) GMOA stressed the need to include a comprehensive and sustainable programme aimed at revitalising the free health service, while addressing the issues faced by doctors and the hospital system, in the upcoming Budget 2026. GMOA Secretary, Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, observed that, amidst the country’s economic and political instability, over 2,000 doctors have already left SL due to inadequate salaries, more..

Nov 6 (NF) Police Life Saving Division reports that 230 individuals have lost their lives due to drowning across SL so far this year. The majority of the victims are young people. While tragedy struck many families, there was also hope — 195 lives were saved from drowning incidents during the same period, including 135 SL nationals and 60 foreign individuals, thanks to timely interventions and rescue efforts. However, the nation was shaken once again yesterday when five young men from more..

Nov 6 (NW) The US State Department has warned that the Diversity Visa (DV) 2027 entry registration period is not yet open, urging the public to ignore fraudulent online claims suggesting otherwise. In a statement, the depat said it is aware of individuals and services falsely claiming that DV-2027 entry is open or that they can increase a person’s chances of being selected. This is not true, the notice said. It added that official DV-2027 registration dates and any updates to the process will more..

Nov 6 (DM) Inside Dubai’s Wafi City stands a place that quietly moves the world. The world’s largest visa application centre, operated by VFS Global, spans 150,000 square feet and processes up to 10,000 applications daily. Here, technology meets diplomacy, precision meets empathy, and every passport tells a story of ambition. Within its glass walls, global mobility unfolds not as chaos, but as choreography, a living system powered by more..

Nov 6 (EN) UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) has helped 7 countries, including Sri Lanka, get US$ 5.8 million from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) to integrate biodiversity into agrifood systems and drive action under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). In SL, the funding will help with the prevention and control of invasive alien species for enhanced biosecurity. The projects will help the Cook Islands, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, SL, Türkiye more..

Nov 6 (Island) SJB has accused the NPP govt of creating a cartel of food importers at the expense of local farmers. Alleging that the politically connected, large-scale importers had access to inside information, such as imposition of duties/levies, SJB Matale District MP Rohini Kaviratne said the govt had given them free rein. Addressing a gathering, in Matale, recently, MP Kaviratne claimed that the govt had changed the import polices related to food items for the benefit of a few importers. more..

Nov 6 (EN) As SL prepares to unveil its 2026 budget on Friday this week, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake faces perhaps the most defining moment of his one-year old administration. The budget will be more than a fiscal plan. It will be a test of political credibility for a govt that came to power promising a clean break from the corruption, inefficiency, and economic mismanagement that plunged the country into its worst financial crisis in 2022. In SL, budgets are not viewed as more..

Nov 6 (Island) Dr. Saman Weerasinghe has been awarded the Order of Friendship (Orden Druzhby) by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, in Moscow. The honour, one of Russia’s highest civilian distinctions, recognises his decades of dedication to strengthening diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between SL and Russia. Russian Embassy said: “Dr. Weerasinghe is the only Asian recipient of the award in 2025, marking a proud milestone for SL’s global diplomatic presence. more..

Nov 6 (DN) Marking a significant milestone in SL’s journey to eradicate leprosy, the National Leprosy Conference commenced this morning at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, under the patronage of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The roadmap outlining the strategy to eradicate leprosy from SL within the next decade was launched during the event. Organised by Ministry of Health with the collaboration of more..

Nov 6 (CT) About 85% of the business community in Anuradhapura town has expressed their willingness to remove unauthorised structures attached to their business premises, said A'pura Mayor Navaratnaraja Karunaratne. He made this statement while responding to public concerns raised by councillors at the monthly meeting of the A'pura Municipal Council held on Tuesday. Mayor said that the Municipal Council had acted in the interests of around 85% of the business owners more..