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The national campaign calling those addicted and dealing with dangerous drugs to quit their practices, in a bid to eradicate the drug menace in the country was launched this week. Our main picture shows a banner on display outside the Cinnamon Gardens’ Police station while inset shows a sticker campaign in Colombo. Pix by M.A. [...]
Friday’s Budget: Tax net to be expanded
By Damith Wickremasekara The annual budget for next year to be presented on Friday will have incentives for exporters and small and medium industries and relief on essential items while the government would introduce measures to expand the tax net by bringing in sectors that continue to evade tax payments. A government source said that [...]
Coppers to get cash to buy boots and uniforms, no more problematic tenders
New salary structure also on the cards By Ishu Bandara Police officers are to receive a cash allowance to purchase their own uniforms and boots, following the government’s decision to cancel the problematic tenders for their supply, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told the Sunday Times. He said the decision was made to ensure that [...]
Census shows drop in population increase rate
By Kapila Bandara Malaiyaha Tamil population in Sri Lanka, a people once known as the ‘plantation Tamils’ or those of ‘recent Indian origin’, has dropped to 600,000 plus from more than 830,000 the 2024 census has found. Nearly half of them are in Nuwara Eliya, or slightly above 300,000, data this week from the 2024 [...]
20 Judicial Officers, including HC Judge, sacked or interdicted over misconduct
By Ranjith Pathmasiri Twenty officers of the Judicial Service Commission including a High Court judge, magistrates and district judges have been removed from their duties. Of these seven have had their services terminated while the others have been interdicted or sent on compulsory retirement. The HC judge in question is facing an inquiry before Supreme [...]
4 leading building contractors blacklisted for the first time in highways sector
By Namini Wijedasa The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development this week blacklisted four leading building contractors, debarring them from participating in tenders for periods of between three years and six months. It is the first time such action has ever been taken in the highways sector. M/s Consulting Engineers & Contractors (Pvt) Ltd [...]
“We’ll not charge for sili-sili bags” say shop owners
By Dilushi Wijesinghe Many shop owners claimed that they would continue handing out polythene bags to shoppers free of charge despite the special directive calling for charges to be applied to them starting yesterday. “How can I charge someone five rupees for a bag?” questioned Anura, a shop owner at the Kollupitiya market. “It’s good [...]
Elephant drive a ‘repetition of a historical mistake’, say conservationists
By Malaka Rodrigo Hambantota has been one of the worst-affected areas for human–elephant conflict (HEC) in recent years and as a response, authorities have planned a major elephant drive to chase away herds from several problem zones. According to Nihal Galappaththi, the National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament for Hambantota, the operation will be [...]
Bribery Commission probes misuse of Mahapola funds during time of former trade minister
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has opened an investigation on the misuse of Mahapola scholarship funds. The alleged misuse of funds is reported to have taken place during the period of former Trade Minister Nalin Fernando who is currently in jail after being convicted for corruption charges. The [...]
Civil Aviation Authority advertises 15 vacancies ahead of ICAO audit
By Namini Wijedasa The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has advertised 15 critical vacancies, including air safety and oversight personnel, ahead of a crucial audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) scheduled to take place in the next 24 months. Among the posts that the CAASL expects to fill are senior civil [...]
VIP condolences on the passing of Thai Queen Mother
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe signed the condolence book at the Embassy in Thailand in Colombo opened for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, who passed away on October 25. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath too signed the condolence book at the Embassy of Thailand. He extended the condolences from Sri Lanka to the Royal Family, [...]
Hope for patients as ‘greats’ in the field of combating NCDs gather in Colombo
Knowledge-sharing and dealing with region-specific challenges will be highlights at 4th South Asia Forum for Clinical Development With the dangers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) hovering across the globe including South Asia, giants in this field, both local and international, will gather in Colombo next Thursday and Friday (November 6 and 7). Robust discussions, knowledge-sharing and [...]
Herd of elephants pay ‘scholarly’ visit
By Prasad Rukmal A herd of wild elephants that had strayed out of the Randenigala Wildlife Sanctuary caused damage to the Knandakepu Ulpatha Primary School in the Badulla District yesterday morning (November 1), police said. According to the Kandaketiya Police, the herd of four elephants had entered the school premises from the rear boundary in [...]
Dental surgeons to launch islandwide token strike demanding director’s removal
By Sajeniya Sathanandan The Government Dental Surgeons Association has announced it will proceed with an islandwide token strike on Thursday, November 6, despite government claims that it has provided sufficient solutions to resolve the outstanding issues. “We have sort of given some solution. They know what we have done; there are no grounds for them [...]
Census captures rising elderly segment and changes in ethnic picture
By Dilushi Wijesinghe The 2024 National Census by the Department of Census and Statistics, reveals a rapidly ageing population and notable ethnic shifts. While the country continues to grow numerically, these structural changes present challenges for economic planning, social policy, and regional development. Sri Lanka’s population has grown from 20.359 million in 2012 to 21.781m [...]
Kalpitiya smugglers and security forces nexus stir resident anger
By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe Smuggling of narcotics, pharmaceuticals, agro chemicals, and consumer goods by sea through the north western coastal belt is increasing, local authorities and residents have said, noting that security is failing. There is a decades-long history of criminal activity along the coastal belt involving fishermen and fishing vessels. But it has now [...]
Local bodies try to battle out loan sharks in North and East
By S Rubatheesan A villager from Kurumpachchi, Manmunai of Batticaloa, obtained a loan of Rs. 200,000 from an individual last year at a daily high-interest rate for emergency purposes, as he couldn’t access credit from lending institutions. He was charged Rs 3.2 million as interest alone for a year. Unable to repay the interest and [...]
Unresolved issues: Teachers and principals protest
The National Organisation of Retired Teachers and Principals on Friday staged a protest in Chenkaladi, Batticaloa, demanding that the government resolves their pension discrepancies. Similar protests were earlier held in Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha, Galle and Kurunegala. (Pic by Padma Kumari Kankanamge)
The Eye Hospital in a sore situation
By Ishu Bandara The infrastructure projects at the National Eye Hospital (NEH) have been further delayed due to technical issues and the need to comply with laws and regulations, causing increased inconvenience to elderly patients who visit the hospital daily from all parts of the country. Last week, concerns were raised about overcrowding and the [...]
Court orders CID to verify invitation sent to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for UK trip
By Ranjith Pathmasiri Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera told the Colombo Fort Magistrate that the Attorney General’s Department will seek the assistance of the United Kingdom under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters to verify the authenticity of the invitation extended to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend the graduation ceremony at the University [...]
Budget presents healthy fiscal outcomes for first time in decades
By Kapila Bandara Sri Lanka’s budget 2026, supported by a solid fiscal performance for the first time in decades, is poised to build on the hard-earned macroeconomic stability and work towards resilient, long-term, inclusive economic growth, while holding course on fiscal consolidation and providing relief, including for the needy. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is [...]
The crusade against narcotics gathers full force across the land
By Sajeniya Sathanandan The fight against narcotics has shifted to a national emergency, integrating the armed forces and civilian efforts through different mechanisms to eliminate the threats of drug trafficking and addiction under a unified national mission. The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) under Director Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) H.M.C.P. Herath has drawn plans to [...]
Korea-backed initiative modernises Sri Lanka’s forensic infrastructure
By Ishu Bandara Sri Lanka has launched one of its largest nationwide missions against drug trafficking. When authorities discovered containers with suspicious, unidentified chemicals believed to be used in narcotics production, the findings sparked public concern and raised doubts about the country’s capacity to test such substances, as laboratories remain ill-equipped. To address these concerns, [...]
Government launches nationwide drive to eradicate narcotics trade
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake vowed to eradicate the narcotics trade, the scourge of which is destroying the country’s economy and society, while schoolchildren and young people continue to fall victim to drugs. “The drug trade has long been fostered with the support of politicians and certain state officials, but the government has now ended the [...]
Uva Paranagama Uma Oya bridge in perilous condition
By K R Rajamanthri Villagers are requesting government authorities to renovate the 160-year-old bridge across Uma Oya in Uva Paranagama. The arched iron bridge is in a dilapidated condition with decaying planks, posing a risk to those using it. Ironically, the area is considered a tourist attraction though no steps are taken to ensure the [...]
Collapsed bridge in Welimada disrupts daily life
By K Rajamanthri One year after part of the bridge over Uma Oya, close to the Welimada town, got washed away, villagers are still waiting for a response from authorities, expecting the bridge to be restored. The Welimadagama village and the Sudharshanaramaya temple were linked by the bridge, and it was also an alternative road [...]
Tourists in train trap
Pix and text Nayananda Buwaneka Passengers and residents in the areas around Pattipola and Idalgashinna railway stations claim that the Ministry of Tourism and the Railway Security Department have not shown sufficient concern for the safety of passengers, both local and foreign, who hang from train doors to enjoy the scenic views. They say such [...]
Big onion farmers face crisis amid new Government purchasing standards
By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa Farmers engaged in big onion cultivation are facing an unprecedented crisis this season, alleging that the government is planning to discourage them entirely and halt local cultivation from the next season onwards. The dispute began after Lanka Sathosa displayed large banners announcing that the government would purchase locally grown big onions [...]
Man arrested with illegal exotic turtles
By Kasun Warakapitiya The flying squad of the Department of Wildlife Conservation has arrested a man for illegally importing and keeping exotic turtle species this week. Among those illegally held turtles were two Snapping turtles, two Red eared sliders and a couple of Indian black turtles. The DWC said that they arrested the suspect who [...]
Government’s speed to buy 1,775 diesel double cabs leaves bidders in the dust
By Namini Wijedasa The government’s multi billion-rupee tender to buy 1,775 diesel-powered double cabs will close on Tuesday – 7 working days since it was first advertised – after the Finance Ministry refused to change its terms. According to a letter issued by an Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, seen by the Sunday [...]
AG tells Police to follow legal procedure during arrests
By Ranjith Pathmasiri Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has advised the Police to follow the procedures laid down by the law when carrying out investigations and arrests of suspects linked to drug related offences. The directive was given when the IGP and several senior police officers were summoned by the AG amidst claims that suspects arrested [...]
Physical and verbal abuse break children and damage their self worth
By Minaza Hassan Generations of parents believe physical punishment is an effective method, however, scientific evidence consistently proves the opposite and research shows it causes serious psychological harm, said psychotherapist Varuni Fernando. Studies, including Sri Lankan research from the early 2000s, have found that around 70% of children have experienced corporal punishment, said Ms. Fernando. [...]
Going that extra mile for his students: One teacher for all 9 O/ Level subjects
By Jayani Madawala From Meemure in the Theldeniya educational zone comes an inspiring story of a committed teacher at the Galamuduna Kanishta Vidyalaya. Recently this under-resourced school in this remote area gained some media publicity after four of the five students who sat for the 2024 O/ Levels got commendable results, all due to the [...]
Seven pitch their credentials for lay custodian role at Dalada
By Shane Seneviratne Seven candidates are in the fray for the Diyawadana Nilame role of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth in Kandy) in the election to be held next Friday at the Senkadagala Bauddha Mandariya hall. The winner will be in office for 10 years. Outgoing Diyawadana Nilame, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara [...]
They are back: Watch out for the exhausted that need help
By Malaka Rodrigo The season of migratory birds has begun in Sri Lanka, bringing an array of colourful visitors from across Asia and Europe. Over the past week, there have been several reports of exhausted migratory birds struggling to complete their journey. In one striking case from Kalubowila, an Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura) a [...]
Rajarata uni builds up capacity to mould tech workforce with ADB support
By Ishu Bandara Aiming to strengthen Sri Lanka’s technology based workforce, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided US$145 million in funding to four Sri Lankan universities under the Science and Technology Human Resource Development Project. The Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL) received US$36.9m to establish a state-of-the-art faculty of technology complex, which will [...]