News
Home » NewsPresident meets US team amid FDI concerns
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is seen holding talks with a visiting 17-member US investors delegation at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The visit follows the release of a US State Department report raising concerns about challenges to foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka. See related story on Page 6.
Police charging fee for security at private events
Directive comes from Police Chief; BMICH asked to pay Rs. 3.2 million a month By Ranjith Padmasiri The Police Department has begun levying charges for providing security for commercial events, following a directive from the Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya. Police spokesman Minura Senarath told the Sunday Times that, in view of the costs [...]
Premier Harini to meet Xi and Modi this week during visits to China and India
By Damith Wickremasekera Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya will undertake two high-profile visits this week to China and India, during which she is scheduled to hold one-on-one talks with leaders of both countries. She’ll be in Beijing on Monday to attend the global women’s summit, on the sidelines of which she is scheduled to hold talks [...]
UNHRC seeks USD 3.8m to fund Lanka accountability project
By Chandani Kirinde The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is seeking US$3.8 million (about Rs.1.1 billion) to fund the Sri Lanka accountability project (OSLap) from October 2025 to September 2027. The project, which operates under the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is an evidence-gathering mechanism to develop possible strategies for [...]
Visiting US delegation to identify potential areas for investment
By Damith Wickramasekera A 17- member US investment delegation visiting Colombo will undertake field visits in the next two days to identify potential areas for investment in the country. These will include visits to areas such as Aurgam Bay, Trincomalee, and Colombo Port City, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Vijitha Herath said. He said [...]
Makeshift check-in counters under a marquee at BIA to meet arrival rush
With the technical evaluation of the two bids received for the expansion of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) still incomplete, the Airport and Aviation Authority Limited (AASL) is to set up additional check-in counters under a marquee to deal with an anticipated seasonal rush of visitors. The marquee will be provided by the Sri Lanka Tourism [...]
East Container Terminal’s full operations hampered by lack of vital equipment
By Namini Wijedasa The full operation of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s (SLPA) much-delayed East Container Terminal (ECT) is expected to be further hindered, as the procurement of essential port equipment called straddle carriers is not yet completed, industry sources told the Sunday Times. Bids were first called for straddle carriers—which are specialised, off-road vehicles [...]
CPC leads the way in highest failure rate and highest percentage of cancelled procurements
By Namini Wijedasa The Ministry of Finance has published detailed statistics about high-value procurements of over Rs. 200mn for 2022-24, showing that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) recorded the highest failure rate and the highest percentage of cancelled procurements across the monitored entities during the period. The statistics were released on the website of the [...]
AIA International Conference 2025
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) International Conference 2025 took place this week under the theme ‘The Art within Architecture’. Internationally recognised architects, along with local and international personalities, including key representatives from the AIA attended the sessions at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar were the guests [...]
US sanctions on Iran LPG trade flags Laugfs unit Slogal as ‘key player’
By Kapila Bandara A multi-billion rupee energy trader, owned by Colombo-Stock-Exchange-listed Laugfs Gas and registered in a tax-free zone in Dubai, felt the force of the Trump Administration’s multi-front campaign to choke off Iran’s revenue sources when the company was sanctioned this week as a key player involved in multiple shipments to countries including Yemen. [...]
Retired teachers urge President to resolve pension anomaly
By Padma Kumari Kankanamge The National Organisation of Retired Teachers and Principals (NORPT) has urged the government to resolve their pension discrepancies by first rectifying the salary anomalies affecting teachers and principals. NORPT members, some of them in their seventies and eighties, held a protest in Colombo on Wednesday and handed over a memorandum to [...]
‘Sudaa’ summoned over claim tying woman to Thajudeen’s death
YouTuber Sudaththa Thilakasiri has been directed to appear in court on October 28 by Mount Lavinia Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara in relation to a claim of harassment of a woman by linking her name in a programme relating to the death of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen. The court also directed that the YouTube channel and the TikTok [...]
Election Commission wins local and international awards
The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) received two awards last week , one from an international body and the other from within the country, strengthening its reputation both at home and global level. On Friday, October 3, the Election Commission was honoured with the award ‘Electoral Commission of the Year’ at the International Electoral [...]
CEB unions to decide on work-to-rule action after tomorrow’s meeting with Energy Minister
By Ishu Bandara The Ceylon Electricity Board Unions (CEBU) are set to take a decision on their work to rule and non cooperation trade union actions, following a meeting tomorrow with Energy Minister. The CEBU members yesterday met Minister Kumara Jayakody, and the four directors of the newly formed successor companies, the Joint Front representative [...]
Ranil’s media director’s wife passes away
Manoja Maduwanthi Karunathilaka (42), the wife of Shanuka Karunarathna, a Media Director to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, passed away yesterday after a brief illness. She served as an assistant manager at the People’s Bank head office She was the mother of Benoy and Sumihiri. Her remains will lie at Jayaratne Florists, Borella, from 9:00 a.m. [...]
Armed with grit vision impaired soldier breaks world record
R.W.Piyatissa, a soldier who lost his vision in the line of duty, set a world record when he walked from the Seenigama Devalaya to Battramulla, a distance of nearly 100 kilometres, to mark the 76th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army. The brave soldier who walked up to the War heroes Memorial on Parliament grounds [...]
Census report out on October 30
The full report on the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) of 2024 is expected to be released on October 30, Census and Statistics Director General K.M.D.S.D. Karunarathne said. The preliminary report was released on April 7.
MV X-Press Pearl Compensation Commission members named
By Ranjith Padmasiri Independent experts to the MV X-Press Pearl Compensation Commission have been named, the Supreme Court was informed this week. Accordingly, experts from the field of marine environment, coastal environment, marine biology, environmental law and fisheries have been named to the commission which is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Gamini Amarasekara. The [...]
UN body concerned with limited progress on disappeared persons’ whereabouts
The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) said this week that it is concerned about the lack of a comprehensive register of disappeared persons and the limited progress in clarifying their fate and whereabouts. The UN Committee which issued its findings on Benin, Montenegro and Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after reviewing the three States Parties [...]
Melco says US$100m casino investment fulfilled, revenues VAT exempt
By Kapila Bandara Melco Resorts & Entertainment, which opened the City of Dreams Sri Lanka casino in August, has invested Rs 30.2 billion in equity and loan capital in keeping with its undertaking of committing a minimum US$100 million, the company has reported in its financial filings. The casino developer, owner and operator describes City [...]
Healthy ageing key topic at 78th WHO Regional Committee meeting
Sri Lanka to showcase elderly care achievements as three-day meeting kicks off tomorrow Sri Lanka, with its rapidly-ageing population, will have the opportunity to showcase significant achievements in elderly care through the strengthening of primary healthcare, as the curtain rises on an important health meeting tomorrow (October 13) in Colombo. Sri Lanka will also put [...]
Three-day integrated environment programme in Thabbowa
In a move to address the human – elephant conflict a three-day integrated programme was launched at the Karuwalagaswewa Wildlife Office in the Puttalam District. The programme that ends today was carried out under the Clean Sri Lanka drive of the government and in line with the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and the new [...]
Laws protecting seniors to be updated to reflect changing needs
By Sajeniya Sathanandan New legislation will be drafted to coincide with the national policy on elderly people of Sri Lanka, a segment that is increasing. Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Dr Upali Pannilage told the Sunday Times that amendments had been proposed to the Protection of the Rights of Elderly Persons Act No. 9 [...]
Child drownings in swimming pools raise water safety questions
By Minaza Hassan The Police Marine Division’s Life Saving Unit has issued an urgent warning for improved safety measures in private and public swimming pools, following the tragic drowning deaths of three children in Colombo and Dikwella this week. In response to swimming pool accidents, Chief Inspector Mallika Arachchi of the Police Marine Division’s Life [...]
Tourism advocates pitch novel pathways to explore Sri Lanka
By Wasantha Ramanayake Sri Lanka could be the next leading biking destination, as it has already been recognised for the ‘Pekoe Trail’, which is all about tea, nature, culture, and travel, consultant Miguel Cunat told the 10th World Tourism Leader Summit held in Colombo recently. The Pekoe Trail was highlighted by TIME magazine as one [...]
Focus on community-led disaster readiness as country marks global day
By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe The government will amend the Disaster Management Act and launch a national sensitisation programme in selected high-risk districts to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness. In comments marking tomorrow’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara told the Sunday Times that the measures were aimed at [...]
Captures through the years
A Sunday Times reader has shared with us some old photographs that he has kept safely stored away. They depict some scenes from the life of Sri Lankans, some enjoying a day at the Peradeniya Gardens and others enjoying fireworks during a day of festivity. The photos also capture a misty morning at Udawattakele and [...]
50 Cub Scouts receive badges in Ampitiya
By L B Senaratne An enrolment of 50 Cub Scouts was held at Kandy’s Berrewaerts Royal College, Ampitiya recently. Chief guest Special Commissioner Sarath Kumarasinghe pinned the badges with Teacher-in-charge Chanani Weerakoon. Principal Chandrasiri Bandara said the Scout movement has been an immense strength in shaping the child to be good, help others, and be [...]
Katina pooja held at Dalada Maligawa, alms offered to monks
By L B Senaratne The katina pooja ceremony was held on Saturday at the Dalada Maligawa. Alms were offered to 86 monks from both the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters. The sermon on the merits of offering the katina cheevaraya to the maha sangha was conducted by the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter Ven Narampanawa Ananda [...]
Lunch sheets soon to be banned, shopping bags come with a price
By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe The use of lunch sheets will soon be completely banned, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman, Professor Tilak Hewawasam told the Sunday Times. He said an alternative, non plastic lunch sheet would be introduced. Professor Hewawasam also noted that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism which is included in the amendments to the [...]
Nuwara Eliya MC rejects plan to transfer city water supply to Water Board
The Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council (MC) has rejected a proposal made at the District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) meeting to hand over the city’s drinking water supply to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB). The issue was initially discussed at the DCC meeting on September 30. At the subsequent Municipal Council meeting, members pointed [...]
Loss-and-Damage Fund takes step toward operationalisation but critics say betrayal of climate-vulnerable nations
By Tharushi Weerasinghe The Global Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage concluded its seventh board meeting in Manila on Thursday, marking what officials called a crucial step toward operationalisation. However, civil society groups condemned the outcome as a betrayal of climate-vulnerable nations, which are still awaiting aid nearly three years after the fund’s creation. [...]
Raise up the small voices to get world leaders to stop the genocide in Gaza
Urgent call by Sri Lankan humanitarian aid worker of MSF By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Speak up, speak up – the small voices matter in giving voice to the voiceless men, women and children of Gaza who are facing apocalyptic conditions. Ask world leaders how they will stop the genocide in Gaza! This was the plaintive call [...]
Colombo Law Faculty hosts Indo-Lanka Environmental Law Week
By Tharushi Weerasinghe The University of Colombo’s Faculty of Law will host two regional environmental law programmes this month, bringing together students, judiciary members, policymakers, and academics from Sri Lanka and India to address environmental governance in South Asia. The initiatives, organised through the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP) in partnership with the [...]
Water projects driven by ADB nourish northern farmer lives and livelihoods
By Ishu Bandara The northern community, which suffered a long period of decline during the war with severe damage to livelihoods and infrastructure, is now finding relief through improved access to purified drinking water and sufficient irrigation for crops following two projects implemented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The ADB has played an important [...]