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A day after returning from official visits to the United States and Japan, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met the Buddhist clergy in Kandy and addressed their concerns over LGBTQI tourism and corporal punishment. His visit also included attending the ceremony to present the scroll endorsing the appointment of the new Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter. [...]
Budget to put brakes on duty-free vehicles
Treasury official says move to suspend facility offered to public servants is linked to $7 billion foreign reserve target By Damith Wickremasekara The duty-free vehicle permits issued for public sector senior officials are unlikely to be revived in the upcoming budget, the Sunday Times learns. Already permits for some 23,000 officials have been held back, while [...]
CBSL’s intelligence unit seeks info from several countries over suspicious financial activities
Between January and June 2025, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has sent four requests for intelligence to the United Arab Emirates, three to Singapore, and two each to India, the United States, Hong Kong, the UK, and Thailand, according to the latest biannual statistics released by the Unit. The [...]
22 countries to co-sponsor resolution extending OHCHR’s mandate on Lanka
By Chandani Kirinde Twenty-two countries have signed up to co-sponsor the revised draft resolution to extend the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. The main sponsors of the draft resolution tabled in early September were the United Kingdom, Canada, [...]
Govt. backtracks on LGBTQI tourism push, corporal punishment ban
In the wake of strong criticism from the Buddhist and Catholic clergy, the government is backtracking on amending the laws dealing with corporal punishment and distancing itself from Sri Lanka Tourism’s support for a programme to promote LGBTQI tourism in the country. Both issues came to a head this week when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake [...]
Energy Minister’s request may delay CIABOC case against him
By Ranjith Padmasiri Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has sought permission from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to make a representation regarding the allegations against him over the misappropriation of funds while he was serving at the Fertiliser Corporation in 2015, a senior official said. The request had been made through [...]
Premawathi Manamperi case judge passes away
Judge M.W. Senanayake, who conducted the non-summary inquiry into the 1971 murder of beauty queen Premawathi Manamperi, passed away. He was 91. Mr Senanayake who passed out from the Law College in 1959 and assumed duties as a magistrate in 1968 and went on to serve as a judge of the Court of Appeal. Among [...]
AG to discuss X-Press Pearl compensation dispute with President
By Ranjith Padmasiri Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr) has sought an appointment with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss issues arising from the X-Press Pearl ship company’s refusal to pay the compensation payment ordered by the Supreme Court. The appointment has been sought after the Singapore-headquartered shipping company declared that it would not pay the [...]
MOHs’ musical treat marks Children’s and Elders’ Day
Celebrating World Children’s and Elders’ Day, a “music appreciation and family entertainment programme” organised by the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Office, Divisional Office No. 3, was held for the third consecutive year at the MOH Office premises in Campbell Parak, Borella. The event, chaired by MOH Dhammika Adikariwatta, was organised in collaboration with the [...]
Sri Lanka submits national climate change contributions to UN convention
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Sri Lanka has officially submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), outlining the country’s climate goals and actions from 2026 to 2035 under the Paris Agreement. The NDCs represent each country’s national pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to [...]
Book lovers brave rain
Despite yesterday’s downpour in Colombo, book-loving Sri Lankans turned out in their thousands to visit the BMICH book fair. Our photo shows the crowd braving the rain. Pic by Eshan Fernando.
Court nullifies interim order obtained by diplomat against Foreign Ministry
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Court of Appeal has dissolved an interim injunction preventing the removal of B.R.P.M.A. Devendra from the position of minister from Sri Lanka’s Counsel General office in Melbourne, Australia. Mr Devendra obtained an injunction against the implementation of a Foreign Ministry directive issued on August 15. The interim injunction was dissolved after [...]
Sri Lanka to undergo third money laundering, terrorism financing evaluation in 2026
By Namini Wijedasa Sri Lanka will start its third mutual evaluation on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) next year – and officials admit the stakes are high. The exercise is carried out in conjunction with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its regional affiliate, Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering [...]
We need international support to make drug raids a success: Police
By Ishu Bandara Recent raids across the country have resulted in the seizure of large stocks of weapons and ammunition, but Sri Lanka may need further international support to make it a success. ASP Rohan Olugala of the Western North Crimes Division of Police, who played a key role in arresting underworld gang leaders in [...]
Sri Lanka fish exports banned from US under Marine Mammal Protection Act
By S Rubatheesan Sri Lankan fisheries exports will be prohibited from entering the United States (US) from January 1 onwards since the government failed to ensure steps are taken for conservation of marine mammals as per the US legislation of Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), a US agency announced. According to the report of Comparability [...]
Obstructing the way forward
A protest organised by the Inter University Students Federation was held this week over a series of demands. Among them was what they called action taken against student leaders by the Sri Jayewardenepura University administration.
Legal fog obscures child punishment debate; Govt willing to amend the bill
By Sajeniya Sathanandan The government has expressed its willingness to consider amendments to the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill regarding corporal punishment, giving an opportunity for more views on the issue. There are many allegations against the bill, including the use of the word ‘humiliation’, which is found to be too broad. This ambiguity is seen [...]
China EXIM Bank’s Central Expressway loan interest triggers concern
By Minaza Hassan Interest imposed by China’s EXIM Bank for a loan covering a portion of the Central Expressway’s Kadawatha-Meerigama section came up at a panel of legislators when funding was discussed this Tuesday by the Committee on Public Finance. The loan, originally proposed at US$1 billion, has now been reduced to US$500 million and [...]
Snapback sanctions: Iran seeks Lanka’s help to counter “challenge” to international legal order
Iran is seeking Sri Lanka’s support to resist moves by the United States and the E3 – Britain, France, and Germany – to upend the international legal order, as the Islamic Republic has been slapped with sweeping sanctions connected to its nuclear programme ten years after they were lifted. Addressing a select group of journalists [...]
Video evidence facilities being set up for child victims
By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe More than 6,500 child-related grievances have been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) as of the end of August, and the authority has decided to establish nine video evidence recording units in provinces by 2026, enabling child-friendly procedures for testifying. Video evidence is now being recorded through units at Ragama [...]
Stoma Therapy Unit at Kalubowila: A boon for patients
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi No tamashas, the launch was simple—an awareness programme for health staff on the first floor and then the opening of the unit on the ground floor of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH), Kalubowila, with the lighting of a different kind of lamp recently. A boon for numerous patients who [...]
Misuse of kerosene subsidy by heavy vehicles sparks crackdown
Police ramp up inspections; CPC to introduce QR code for farmers and fisherfolk By S. Rubatheesan and Kasun Warakapitiya A large number of Sri Lanka’s heavy vehicles, including buses, run on hazardous fuel cocktails—mainly kerosene mixed with diesel and crude oil—in a cost-cutting move by operators, a Sunday Times investigation has found. Kerosene—heavily subsidised for [...]
Building a future of dignity and care for Sri Lanka’s elderly
Comprehensive support needed as 1 in 4 Sri Lankans to be over 60 by 2041 By UNFPA Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is facing a demographic reality that cannot be ignored: our population is ageing rapidly. By 2041, one in every four Sri Lankans is projected to be over the age of 60. This is not [...]
Higher education in crisis: Academics claim deficiencies deepen at state universities
By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe Due to the brain drain of lecturers, poor facilities and other issues, state universities are in crisis, placing the entire higher education system at risk of imminent collapse, academics claim. The issues were brought up during the one-day token strike by the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) this week. FUTA claimed [...]
Pest animals still plague farmers as census proves useless without follow-up
By Kasun Warakapitiya Residents of areas where wild animals abound complain that the crop pest census in March to count macaques and langurs, peacocks and giant squirrels, was a useless exercise, as there was no follow-up action. Macaques continue to raid houses in search of food and decimate their crops, but the authorities are yet [...]
Humans caused the problem
Taya F. Diaz, a former researcher and resident of the Polonnaruwa New Town area, suggested a way forward to resolve the problems caused by monkeys, while also claiming it could be tried with other pest animals. Authorities should listen to expert advice and recommendations, even if they are unpopular. Also, humans must accept they caused [...]
Concerns mount over birthrate drop: Dr Shafi says “Blame the system, not me”
By Kapila Bandara Sri Lanka’s majority has brought upon themselves the tragedy of a rapid decline in births, an experienced physician, who was vilified for thousands of ‘sterilisations’ and then cleared of charges, reminded his audience this week. In 2019, Dr Shafi Shihabdeen, a senior house officer at Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, was threatened with death, [...]
Celebrating every child on Children’s Day in Nuwara Eliya
The International Children’s day was marked by an event orgaised by the Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Thushari Tennakoon. The event was held for children with special needs at the Victoria Park in Nuwara Eliya. Pix and text by Shelton Hettiaarachchi.
Hailstorm, strong winds cause damage in Diwulapelassa, Teldeniya
By Prasad Rukmal A sudden hailstorm accompanied by strong winds caused extensive property damage in the Diwulapelassa area in Teldeniya on Friday (October 3), damaging around 30 houses and disrupting power and road access, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Diwulapelassa Police Station Police Inspector M D Deshapriya said several roads [...]
Unauthorised structure removal near Chilaw estuary temporarily suspended
By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe The Chilaw Police Headquarters has temporarily suspended the removal of unauthorised constructions near the Chilaw estuary mouth following a highly provocative crowd gathering. Nearly 500 people, including fishermen, reportedly confronted officials from the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) when they arrived on September 29 to carry out the operation. The structures, including [...]
Mi Oya sand smuggling operation busted
The Anamaduwa Police arrested two suspects and seized a lorry, boats, and other equipment in a raid carried out on an years-long sand smuggling operation along the Mi Oya in Maha Uswewa this week. The operation, active at Kolaniya Ferry and Waragolla Ferry, allegedly involved bribing high-ranking police officers. Smugglers used boats for dredging and [...]
Breast cancer – women surgeons urge early detection
CSSL goes pink to promote awareness By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Sri Lanka, chillingly, detects 4,500 ‘new’ cases of breast cancer among its women every year. Early detection of breast cancer prevents death and also severe illness – is the powerful message from three women surgeons this week, backed by their male colleagues. It is to [...]
Crimson Rose butterflies sweep across Mannar skies
By Malaka Rodrigo Lahiru Walpita, a wildlife enthusiast based in Mannar, often finds himself in the right place to make fascinating observations. Mannar, separated from India by just a 25-kilometre sea stretch, is well known as an entry point for migratory birds. But last week, Walpita witnessed something different—streams of Crimson Rose butterflies flying across [...]