Aug 25 (FT) SL’s post-2022 macroeconomic trajectory has often been described as a textbook recovery. Single-digit inflation, a stabilised rupee, replenished central bank gross official reserves, and primary budget surpluses reflect the fruits of disciplined fiscal management under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Yet, macroeconomic stabilisation is merely the bridge out of insolvency; it is not an engine of long-term prosperity. As the grace periods of external debt restructuring more..

Aug 25 (FT) For many years, widening the tax base has been rightly recognised as one of the most important priorities for SL. A country cannot build a sustainable revenue system if a relatively small group of taxpayers continues to carry a large share of the burden. Bringing previously unregistered individuals and businesses into the formal tax system is therefore essential. The renewed public attention on Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) registration and the expanding role of TINs more..

Aug 25 (TM) SL could face a fresh threat of power cuts as the prevailing El Niño conditions push up electricity demand while reducing hydropower generation, PUCSL Chairman K.P.L. Chandralal warned. He said electricity demand could increase under the prevailing weather conditions, while hydroelectricity generation could decline if water sources begin to dry up. He warned that the combination of rising demand and more..

Aug 25 (TM) The body of an anaesthesiologist attached to the Badulla Teaching Hospital, who had been reported missing since 23 August, was found on a rock near Mapakadawewa in Mahiyanganaya yesterday (24). Police said the doctor had been on duty at the hospital on 23 August but was subsequently reported missing. Investigations found that the doctor’s car had been captured on CCTV cameras in the Meegahakiula area travelling towards Mahiyanganaya. more..

Aug 25 (NW) Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar has fixed Sept 22 to deliver its verdict in the case against 25 accused persons charged over the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks. 3-member High Court bench hearing the case announced the date on Monday (24). Attorney General has filed 23,270 charges against the 25 accused, including allegations of conspiracy, aiding and abetting the attacks, collecting arms and ammunition, and attempted murder under the PTA. more..

Aug 25 (FT) The Tourism Ministry has played down concerns surrounding Jewish Chabad Houses, noting the local Muslim community, in particular, has no objection to their presence, and warning that isolated issues were being amplified by parties seeking to disrupt tourism. Tourism Deputy Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe said he had discussed the matter with community representatives and the Minister about two weeks ago and more..

Aug 25 (Island) C. Sallay, mother of former Head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Major General (retd.) Suresh Sallay, has requested an opportunity to meet Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In a letter dated 23 August, she has urged the President not to extend her son’s detention. Sallay has been detained in terms of the PTA. Arrested in the last week of February this year, Sallay has been held on second detention order issued by Prez Dissanayake in his capacity as the defence minister. more..

Aug 25 (Island) Bar Association of SL (BASL), in a motion filed in the Supreme Court yesterday, suggested that Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena recuse himself from hearing petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment, which seeks to extend the retirement ages of superior court judges. The petitioners, BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and BASL Secretary Nalin de Silva, named the AG as the respondent in the motion filed under Articles 120 and 121 of the Constitution, more..

Aug 25 (DM) National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB) said the temporarily suspended water supply will be restored within the next few hours following the resolution of an emergency situation that affected water quality at the Kelani River water intake point. The emergency situation was resolved with the support of the tri-forces, according to the NWSDB. Following recommendations from the DMC, laboratory tests were conducted to assess the quality of more..

Aug 25 (ST) A 70 billion-rupee JICA-financed initiative to expand water supply from the Kalu Ganga has been restarted—one year after Japan resumed development aid to Sri Lanka and nearly 10 years since the project was launched. While the bid submission deadline is now September 16, 2026, the loan agreement for JPY 31,810 million (around Rs 66.14 billion rupees, at the prevailing conversion rate) was first signed in July 2017 under the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration. more..

Aug 25 (FT) Sri Lanka is facing a fresh export competitiveness challenge in the European Union (EU) as the recently concluded EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to give Indian products significant tariff advantages across several labour-intensive sectors, prompting calls for urgent action to protect the country’s market access and strengthen its competitive position. The issue was raised at a meeting between more..

Aug 25 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to accelerate projects being implemented by Provincial Councils using Rs. 102 billion allocated from the Govt’s Rs. 500 billion provision for the Ditwah disaster situation. The directive was issued during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday to review the progress of development projects being implemented by PCs under 2026 Budget allocations and preparations for the 2027 Budget, more..

Aug 25 (FT) SriLankan Airlines is making Mission ShakthiSAT possible for SL’s Official Student Representative, Seneesa Goonewardena, and ShakthiSAT (Devi) Ambassador for SL Dr. Sulochana Segera, by sponsoring their travel to India to participate in the groundbreaking project that will bring together young girls from 108 countries to design and build a satellite for the first time collaboratively. Seneesa Goonewardena was selected following a highly competitive more..

Aug 25 (TM) Although university students cannot be dealt with in the same manner as schoolchildren as they are adults, universities have been instructed to take all possible measures to curb drug use among students, Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said. He said that while the Govt is already paying attention to drug use among both school and university students, universities require a different approach as their students are adults and must take responsibility for staying more..

Aug 25 (ST) The annual donation of elephant costumes for the 2026 Kandy Esela Perahera was held at the Ran Awuda Mandapaya of the Sri Dalada Maligawa last Thursday (13), with the guidance of Diyawadana Nilame. The caparisoned elephants and tuskers who take part in the Kandy Esala Perahera showcase traditional motifs that celebrate the cultural splendour of SL. Sri Dalada Maligawa expressed its appreciation to everyone who contributed to prepare the costumes. more..

Aug 25 (TM) Both upcoming cultivation seasons can be successfully managed without difficulty if the Maha season is commenced early and without delay, according to Mahaweli Authority Director, Nilantha Dhanapala. He said starting the Maha season early would help conserve a portion of the available water, allowing the subsequent Yala season to commence by 15 March or in early April. more..

Aug 25 (TM) Colombo Port City has secured $ 2.1 billion in confirmed investments, while the Govt is targeting a further $ 4.1 billion in investments over the next five years, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated. The investment target would be supported by several major development projects currently being implemented within the Port City. These include two large-scale residential projects, a modern hotel and a convention centre. He said that the Colombo Port City was presented as more..

Aug 25 (FT) The new anti-money laundering (AML) regime widens potential criminal liability for bank managers and other financial-sector employees who knowingly handle or facilitate transactions involving illicit funds, Supreme Court Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz said. The remarks come against the backdrop of an ongoing FCID investigation into nearly $ 1 billion allegedly transferred overseas since 2023 under the guise of imports that did not take place. Four officials attached to four private commercial banks more..

Aug 25 (FT) More than 80% of the nearly Rs. 95 billion allocated for concessionary credit to micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) and agriculture in 2026 has been utilised, with the amount exceeding Rs. 75 billion by the early part of third quarter. Financing package covers enterprise development, disaster relief, agriculture, and paddy-related lending, with credit schemes implemented principally through State & Pvt banks. more..

Aug 25 (FT) Sri Lanka’s packaging industry is undergoing significant change as businesses face growing demands for sustainability, resource efficiency, innovation, technology and compliance with international market requirements. LANKAPAK 2026, SL’s premier int'l packaging exhibition, will bring together leading industry stakeholder from SL and overseas from 23 to 25 Oct at the BMICH. Organised by SL Institute of Packaging (SLIP) in collaboration with CDC Events, more..

Aug 25 (FT) National Chamber of Exporters of SL (NCE) is inviting exporters, manufacturers, aspiring exporters and other businesses interested in expanding into the Indian market to join an overseas exporters’ delegation to New Delhi and Mumbai from 24 Sept to 1 Oct 2026. India is one of SL’s most important trading partners and presents significant opportunities for expanding SL exports. In 2025, SL’s exports to India increased by 17.2% to approximately $1.04 billion, compared with more..

Aug 25 (DN) SL women cricketers departed to the UAE as they will begin their journey to defend the Women’s T20 Asia Cup title. Eight teams will compete across 15 matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from Aug 28 to Sept 13. The defending champions have been drawn in Group B alongside hosts UAE, Bangladesh and Indonesia. India, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong China are in Group A. SL women’s team once again will be captained by experienced all-rounder more..

Aug 25 (FT) Gamma Interpharm Ltd, has commenced exports of SL-manufactured pharmaceuticals to Cambodia, marking a key milestone in its six-decade journey and strengthening the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturing presence in regional markets. The company launched its first pharmaceutical exports to Cambodia on 14 Aug 2026 at its manufacturing facility, in the presence of stakeholders and employees. more..

Aug 25 (DM) SL consumers are spending less on branded goods and more on loose, generic products as inflation rises, according to the latest household panel data. Shift comes after a year in which branded spending had been recovering, following a period of deflation that set in after the 2022 economic crisis, when inflation topped 70%. Panel shows branded goods’ share of household spending rose from 38% in July 2025 more..

Aug 25 (Island) It appears that the die has been cast on the 22nd Amendment. Govt appears unshaken in its determination to ensure its passage into law. From the govt’s perspective, the 22nd Amendment and associated legislation, by increasing the tenure of all judges by two years, will give them the extra time to complete their existing cases. This will do away with the need to change judges midstream and have complex legal cases go back to the beginning, which has too often been the case. more..

Aug 25 (ST) Behold the majestic tusker that bears aloft on its back the sacred Sri Dalada and parades it annually on the winding streets of Kandy for ten nights at the Randoli Perahera, which began on August 18 and will reach its climax on Thursday night. Take a good look again at the majestic tuskers and the rest of the caparisoned elephants in the retinue that have become part and parcel of the spectacular pageantry held for over two thousand years on the island. This may, probably, more..

Aug 25 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to address a series of rallies across the country as part of a JVP/NPP reorganisation drive, according to media reports. A recent public opinion survey has indicated a sharp drop in the govt’s approval rating, and this may have prompted the JVP/NPP to launch a grassroots campaign. The Prez’s nationwide speaking or barnstorming tour, on the cards, can be seen as an indication of the govt limbering up for a possible referendum more..

Aug 25 (TM) In any functioning democracy, the cornerstone of representative governance is the power of the purse. Under constitutional frameworks and public financial management laws, it is Parliament that holds the purse strings. Citizens surrender their hard-earned income to the State on the explicit understanding that the legislature will act as a vigilant trustee. Parliament exists to ensure that every rupee collected from the public is managed with strict legality, spent efficiently, more..

Aug 25 (TM) Speaking in Parliament on 25 June, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed that investigations were underway into nearly $ 1 billion systematically siphoned out of the country through fraudulent trade and banking channels since 2023. Prez told the House that funds generated through organised crime, drug trafficking, and corruption had been laundered overseas via Telegraphic Transfers & advance payments more..

Aug 25 (DM) SL’s Jayewardene era contains a troubling chapter in which constitutional power and State machinery were deployed against rival Sirimavo Bandaranaike. If Jayewardene was determined to remove Bandaranaike from political life, it was not because he regarded her as incapable. On the contrary, he had acknowledged her abilities and achievements. In 1972, while Opposition leader and Deputy Leader of the UNP, he even suggested that he might leave the party more..

Aug 25 (CT) It has only been a few hours since your physical body was cremated, so allow me to write a note for you… Because you decided to go on your final journey in a very modest manner, without any state honors or funeral speeches, today the entire nation is talking about you, because there is so much to say about you… Let me add my part as follows… Starting with your song Ammavarune, I started loving your voice, perspectives, and character ever since I left home to become more..