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Home » NewsTwo remembrance days; two stories
Two remembrance days were marked this week — one, the Il Maha Viru Samaruma, which the JVP held to honour its cadres killed in the 1971 and 1987–89 insurrections, and the other by the Sri Lankan armed forces in memory of troops who died in the line of duty—including those who died in the two [...]
Ranil’s case: CID team heads to UK, bypassing AG
Objective: verify authenticity of Wolverhampton University invitation to former president; AG’s dept kept in the dark By Ranjith Padmasiri A five-member Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team has left for the UK to probe the authenticity of the invitation letter allegedly sent by the University of Wolverhampton to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, but the visit has [...]
NMRA caps prices of 350 drugs; penalties for overpricing
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority has published the maximum retail prices (MRP) of 350 medications, calling on the public to report to the regulator any individual or institution that sells these products at higher prices. The move comes after the Court of Appeal on Wednesday lifted an interim injunction that had prevented the NMRA or [...]
AG upholds supremacy of PFMA over ACA
The Attorney General has ruled that all state financial transactions must follow the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA). The AG’s opinion has been conveyed to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, who sought a clarification from him on whether it is the Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) or the PFMA that prevails when it comes to governing recruitments and funding [...]
Semi-judicial body to protect investors
By Damith Wickremasekara The government has proposed to set up a National Investment Protection Council—a semi-judicial body comprising retired judges—to mediate, investigate and resolve disputes between the state and investors prior to legal action by aggrieved parties. The proposal will be part of an Investment Protection Act, which is to be introduced in Parliament within [...]
Health Ministry spares substandard drug suppliers; no compensation for victims
The Health Ministry has failed to claim compensation from suppliers of substandard drugs, specifically concerning the prednisolone acetate eye drops, which resulted in 12 patients at the Nuwara Eliya hospital suffering allergies and becoming vision-impaired. This was revealed in a National Audit Office (NAO) report annexed to the Health Ministry’s 2024 annual performance report presented [...]
SDIG Dharmaratne and other Senior DIGs among those transferred
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne has been transferred from the post of Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province to the post of Senior DIG in charge of Police Administration. Earlier Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake was in charge of Administration in addition to being DIG Central Province. Meanwhile Senior DIG [...]
Medical report on Daisy Forrest’s dementia requested
By Ranjith Padmasiri Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Janaka Bandara this week requested the Colombo High Court to order that a report by a full medical board be obtained regarding claims that suspect Daisy Forrest has been suffering from dementia since 2016. He noted that though her lawyers claim she has been suffering from the illness [...]
Middeniya containers: Court calls for full report by Govt. Analyst
The Walasmulla Magistrate Court ordered the Government Analyst’s Department to conduct a full analysis and submit a comprehensive report to the court regarding the Middeniya containers with suspected narcotics. An initial check claimed the presence of narcotic substances in the detections made on September 6. On November 12, the court ordered the Government Analyst to [...]
Lankadeepa former Chief Editor among media veterans felicitated at Presidential media awards
The Presidential media awards 2025 organised by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media was held this week at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre. Daily and Sunday Lankadeepa former Chief Editor Siri Ranasinghe was among former editors, senior journalists as well as veterans in the media field who were recognised for their contribution to the media. [...]
AG’s officers adopt resolution, rejecting separate Public Prosecution Office
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Attorney General’s Department Legal Officers’ Association yesterday unanimously resolved to strongly object to the creation of an Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – separate from the Attorney General’s Department. The resolution was passed at the special general meeting of the association, a statement issued by its secretary Mihiri De [...]
Junior National Law Conference aims to rejuvenate the legal profession
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Junior National Law Conference (JNLC) 2025 concluded at the Jetwing Hotel, Negombo this weekend, drawing junior lawyers, senior practitioners and members of the judiciary for discussions on challenges facing early-career attorneys and reforms needed within the profession. Addressing the gathering, Attorney-General Parinda Ranasinghe described the conference theme, “Raise the Bar,” as [...]
Investigation underway regarding Ranatunga’s alleged threat to 5 brokering firms: CIABOC tells court
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this week informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate that an investigation is underway about five brokering firms that were reportedly threatened by former Minister Prsanna Ranatunga who faces allegations of misappropriating public funds and causing a loss to the state. Mr Ranatunga was [...]
Kirinda drug detection: Boat used to transport Ice seized in Tangalle along with 5 suspects
By Ishu Bandara The boat used to transport ‘Ice’ in the Kirinda drug detection case was apprehended at the Tangalle harbour yesterday evening by the Police Narcotics Unit, leading to the arrest of five more suspects. The five suspects and the seized boat will be produced in the Tissamaharama Court tomorrow. According to Police Narcotics [...]
Special workshop of the UNP’s women’s political wing
A special workshop of the United National Party’s women’s political wing “ Eksath Lak Wanitha Peramuna” was held yesterday morning at the Sirikotha Party headquarters. Discussions on strengthening the party’s women associations as well as the joint opposition rally on November 21 were held at the workshop held under the leadership of party leader and [...]
Government’s tax collection exceeds IMF target
The government outperformed the targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on quarterly tax revenue collection, bringing in billions of rupees through vehicle imports and other tax avenues, but recorded a lower capital expenditure, a Parliamentary Oversight Committee has observed. The achievement was noted in the Committee on Public Finance’s (COPF) report on the [...]
President, Ministry secretary prevented from attending COP30 due to budget debate; SL misses out on bargaining power
By Tharushi Weerasinghe Sri Lanka’s participation at COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, will centre on its recently submitted Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0. The conference opened last week in Belém, Brazil, marking the 30th gathering of negotiators, world leaders and experts to discuss global climate action. Environment Ministry Secretary Dhammika Patabendi said the [...]
East Container Terminal delay: Contractor demands Rs. 4b compensation
The delay in the construction of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port has prompted the contractor to claim Rs 4,227 million as compensation, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) was told. This was revealed during extended discussions at a COPE meeting this week. At the meeting presided over by COPE chairman Dr Nishantha [...]
Public sector understaffed: Report flags 248,000 cadre shortfall
By Sandun Jayawardana The 2025 Public Sector Cadre Information Report, which has been tabled in Parliament, reveals widespread staff shortages in many key areas of the public sector. According to the report compiled by the Department of Management Services of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the total approved public sector cadre comprises [...]
Most pleased with ‘people’s budget’, watching for policy outcomes
By Ishu Bandara As the budget proposals for 2026 are being absorbed by Sri Lankans before their implementation, reactions have been flowing in with expectations and concerns. Among the concerns is the transparency of the proposals, as revenue measures are not clear, though most expenses have been detailed. Nalin Liyanage, who worked for 20 years [...]
Unions weigh pluses and minuses of budget proposals
By Kasun Warakapitiya Trade unions have expressed mixed reactions to budget proposals, with some claiming that their respective sectors have been neglected while others are satisfied. The government remains steadfast on the proposals, regardless of diverging opinions. The Sunday Times also observed there are more allocations for the state sector employees, yet benefits were less [...]
JKH vehicle trading business books Rs 2.5b profit on sales of 6,000 cars
By Kapila Bandara John Keells Holdings’ vehicle trading business has reported an after-tax profit of Rs 2.415 billion in the second quarter of the financial year 2025-2026 and sold more than 6,000 vehicles over two quarters. This is its share of the profit from the 50% owned subsidiary, JKCG Auto (Private) Limited, which has “a [...]
When Colombo’s nocturnal guardians come ashore to protect nesting turtles
By Malaka Rodrigo Colombo is a centre for wildlife enthusiasts who are often drawn by the ocean’s calming rhythms, meeting at seaside restaurants and bars along the Wellawatte–Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia beachfront. The plight of sea turtles could be among the topics they discuss, but one would rarely imagine that just beyond those lively venues, on the [...]
Pumpkin harvest goes unsold
Pix and Text by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa Pumpkin farmers are asking the government to provide them a fair price for their harvest or get their pumpkins sold overseas. The farmers said that they at least expect the government to sell their produce overseas if they fail to create a local market for their produce. Currently, [...]
“No more foreign potatoes” chant farmers of Welimada
By K R Rajamanthri Potato farmers in Welimada protested, calling on the government to stop import of potatoes to create a market for their produce. The all island potato farmers association held the protest in front of the Keppetipola dedicated economic centre on Monday. The farmers residing in Boralanda, Welimada gathered at Kappetipola state bus [...]
Namal Oya scheme farmers unhappy that fertiliser subsidy not issued on time
Paddy farmers of the Namal Oya scheme in Digamadulla have voiced concern over the government’s failure to provide the fertiliser subsidy at the right time. They said it has been a month since the decision was taken to issue the fertiliser subsidy, but authorities have failed to issue the stocks so far. The farmers said [...]
Commuters demand more counters at Dematagoda Railway Station
By Amarajeeva Rajakaruna Railway commuters using the Dematagoda Railway Station have urged the Transport Ministry and railway authorities to increase the number of counters during rush hours. They said that with only one counter operating at the Dematagoda Station during evening rush hours, the commuters have to remain in long queues to obtain their train [...]
Nuwara Eliya District secretariat holds cultural event
A cultural event organised by the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat and the respective Divisional secretary offices was held recently. The District Secretary Thushari Tennakoon addressing the event said one of the objectives of the event was to extend support to the drug eradication programme launched recently. Pix by Shelton Hettiaarachchi
The ill winds of North can turn noxious, warn scientists
By S. Rubatheesan In the past week many people in the North, especially the elderly and other vulnerable groups, have been experiencing breathing difficulties as the North-East monsoon brought heavy showers. The reason: The prevailing poor air quality. On Thursday (13), the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Jaffna increased up to 62- classified as moderately [...]
NJC slams Sajith’s support for 13A; explains why it should be opposed
The National Joint Committee (NJC) has expressed disappointment over Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s statements—which he made during his recent visit to India—that he would fully implement the controversial 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution when he is elected to power. In a statement issued by the NJC’s co-presidents, Lieutenant General Jagath Dias (Retd) and [...]
Sri Lanka’s Science Week: A sneak peek to the future
As people across the globe celebrated World Science Day for Peace and Development on November 10, Sri Lanka extended the occasion into a full Science Week, using the opportunity to spark public interest in science, encourage innovation, and highlight the critical need to strengthen the country’s scientific capacity. Across the island, ministries, universities, schools and [...]
Floating library takes harbour at Galagedara Primary School
By L. B. Senaratne A ‘floating library’ has been established at the Galagedera Primary School with a trawler from Trincomalee which was a gift to the school. The principal of the school, Captain Welivita Heenagama said that this could be the only floating school library in the country.
Reckless, deadly drivers prompt scrutiny of trainers and licensing
By Minaza Hassan Road traffic accidents have become deeply normalised in Sri Lanka where the Police have recorded nearly 120,000 crashes between 2020 and 2024, causing more than 12,000 deaths, and an annual average of over 20,000 crashes and over 2,000 fatalities, making them routine incidents rather than preventable tragedies. So far this year, more [...]
A trade and consumer issue: Underground polythene makers defy regulations
By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe Despite the issuance of various gazette notices and regulatory measures over the years, the illegal production and distribution of polythene and other banned plastics continues unabated throughout Sri Lanka. According to environmental experts and civil society organisations this menace has been allowed to continue due to inconsistent policy implementation, weak institutional coordination, [...]
Bring about a National Policy beneficial to humans & wild elephants before the next Dry Season
Urgent plea to the President from former DWC DG, Dr Sumith Pilapitiya, to safeguard the tank-bed grasslands during the Dry Season By Kumudini Hettiarachchi An urgent plea is going out to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to drive a National Policy for Water Management in reservoirs with grassland-dependent elephants, which would benefit both farmers and the [...]
Activists see futility of shelters and instead want to stop dumping of dogs on streets
By Kasun Warakapitiya Animal rights activists are sceptical of the proposal in the budget to introduce services and facilities to take care of street dogs as well as burial and cremation of pets. The proposal is being seen as impractical and as an initiative which would be used to create an animal-loving image of the [...]
Lovelorn lioness Dora now doting mom of three
By Rekha Tharangani Fonseka The captive lioness deprived of its mother’s affection has found maternal felicity with three cubs of her own. The Hambantota Ridiyagama Safari Park’s well known lioness Dora was rejected by its mother Lara from birth, so that zookeepers had to intervene and hand-raise the delicate cub. However, under the care of [...]