Feb 28 (ST) The 2026 amendments1 to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) Act are aimed at improving governance, streamlining oversight, and providing the regulatory certainty required for large-scale international investment. These amendments introduce a clearer, more predictable statutory framework for identifying, approving, and monitoring BSI, providing investors with greater certainty and transparency for large-scale and strategic capital investments. more..

Feb 28 (DM) The Colombo district consumer prices eased in February, as the prices of most food items fell while the non-food prices didn’t budge either way as the prices of petrol were cut. Consumer prices, measured according to the Colombo Consumer Price Index, came at 1.6% in the 12 months to Feb 2026, down from 2.3% through January. Prices measured on a monthly basis fell 0.9% in Feb 2026, after rising 0.6% in Jan more..

Feb 28 (Island) Sri Lanka’s digital payments revolution is gathering unprecedented momentum, with more than 260 govt institutions now integrated into the national digital payments ecosystem, marking a decisive shift toward financial transparency, efficiency and inclusion, officials said at a press briefing held at the Hilton Colombo Residences. The announcement coincided with the launch of the eighth edition of the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026 by LankaPay, more..

Feb 28 (DM) Emirates, the world’s largest international and most profitable airline, is continuing its global search for top-tier aircraft technical talent, with SL confirmed as its next destination. The airline will host information sessions in Colombo on March 10, 2026, for skilled and aspiring workshop technicians interested in joining its engineering workforce based at its hub in Dubai. The roadshow forms part of the Emirates group’s global recruitment drive to onboard 17,300 professionals more..

Feb 28 (ST) Electricity consumers, including industrialists, bakers, merchants, and homes, have expressed concern over the possible increase of electricity tariffs. CEB made a proposal to the PUCSL to increase tariffs on Monday, seeking a 13.56% increase in electricity tariffs for the second quarter from April 1 to June 30. The govt at the moment is in a dilemma, as the cost-reflective tariffs are an IMF condition. more..

Feb 28 (DN) Opener Nethula Edirimanne played a superb unbeaten innings of 150 as Ananda College closed the first day at 325 for 5 wickets in their 96th Battle of the Maroons against Nalanda College at the SSC Grounds yesterday. Edirimanne anchored the innings throughout the day, setting a new record for the highest individual score in the series, surpassing the 149* made by Nalanda’s Shantha Kalawitigoda in 1997. Ananda won the toss and elected to bat first. more..

Feb 28 (Island) Long jumper Madushani Herath and former national javelin record holder Sumedha Ranasinghe were among half a dozen athletes to have reached qualifying standads to make the national pool on day one of the Athletic Trials held at Diyagama today. ‎Former Nannapurawa MV, Bibila athlete Herath cleared a distance of 6.32 metres to win the long jump contest, some 18 centimeters clear of the target set for the first trial. ‎Distance runner Rasara Wijesuriya was more than more..

Feb 28 (FT) SL marked a milestone in its tourism and digital economy journey on Thursday with the ceremonial issuance of its first Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), officially welcoming Ukrainian national Darya Gordiyenko and her spouse Yaroslav Kovalchuk to the island. The event, organised by the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), was held at the Silk Route Arrival Lounge at the BIA. Officials described the issuance of the first visa as more than the launch of a new entry category, more..

Feb 28 (Island) JVP-NPP govt is practising the very antithesis of what it promised workers during its election campaigns. Pledging to look after workers’ interests, the JVP/NPP leaders said there would be no need for labour struggles under an NPP govt. But they are now emulating their predecessors who mismanaged labour issues and suppressed trade unions. The govt has locked horns with the GMOA. They are engaged in a contest of attrition, which is not likely to end any time soon, more..

Feb 28 (FT) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya this week reaffirmed SL’s commitment to deepening ties with India, stating that as the country moves towards sustainable growth, it welcomes investors and tourists who contribute to strengthening economic and cultural relations. She made the remarks while addressing a special celebration and dinner reception organised by the SL India Society to mark 77th Republic Day more..

Feb 28 (CT) Customs officers on Friday launched a trade union action over promotions and salary increments that have remained pending for six years. However, the work-to-rule campaign was later suspended following intervention from the President’s Office. Officers reported for duty wearing black armbands and vacated office premises from 12 noon onwards. By 12.30 pm, Customs offices were completely deserted, with no staff remaining on duty. Trade union representatives held a meeting more..

Feb 28 (AD) A three-month memorial almsgiving ceremony was held today (27) at Pamunupura, Batamulla, in remembrance of those who lost their lives due to the landslide that affected over five kilometres in Nelummala village, Minipe Divisional Secretariat Division in the Kandy District. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also participated in the event. The landslide, triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, claimed the lives of 31 individuals from 13 families in Nelummala village. more..

Feb 28 (CT) SL faces a mounting public health challenge as rabies continues to claim lives, with health authorities calling on the public to act without hesitation following any animal exposure. Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana from the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit issued a stark warning, saying the disease leaves absolutely no margin for delay once a person has been exposed. He made clear that once a patient begins showing clinical symptoms, survival becomes impossible. more..

Feb 28 (FT) Second Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between SL and Finland was held on 25 Feb in Helsinki, marking an important step in further strengthening the longstanding and cordial relations between the two countries and reflecting the enduring friendship that has characterised bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1954. A key highlight of the consultations was the signing of a MoU on the Establishment of a Political Consultation Mechanism more..

Feb 28 (DM) SL exporters could soon experience a measure of relief following a recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down the reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Although the US administration swiftly invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, to maintain the elevated duties, the transition is expected to lower SL’s overall effective tariff rate in the US market from more..

Feb 28 (AD) The Gampaha High Court has formally served indictments on a group of defendants, including former Minister Mervyn Silva and former state minister Prasanna Ranaweera, in connection with an alleged land fraud case. The case relates to the alleged illegal sale of state-owned property through the use of forged deeds. The two former parliamentarians, who had previously been released on High Court bail, appeared before the court today to be served the indictments. more..

Feb 28 (AD) CID has obtained a 90-day detention order to question former state intelligence chief Major General (Retd) Suresh Sallay, the police said. Former Head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay was arrested on Wednesday by CID officers in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Police said he was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) based on evidence related to the 2019 Easter Attacks Bombings. more..

Feb 28 (Island) SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa raised serious concerns over the Govt’s importation of substandard coal, warning that its use has resulted in inefficient electricity generation, increased equipment damage and significant financial losses to the State and consumers. He said the SJB had exposed details regarding the importation of inferior-quality coal, prompting what he described as an admission by Govt more..