The Opposition Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), led by Mano Ganesan, voted in favour of the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget earlier today, along with MPs Palani Thigambaram, Jeevan Thondaman and V. Radhakrishnan. Explaining the decision, Ganesan said their support was based on confidence in the President’s commitment to deliver a daily wage of Rs. 1,750 for plantation workers. He said the wage increase must be applied uniformly across all three state-run plantation companies, the 22 Regional Plantation Companies, and smallholder estates operating in 12 districts. Ganesan noted that the TPA is not interested in scrutinising or debating the internal…
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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka parliament has passed a budget for 2026, speaker Jagath Wickramaratne said. The budget was passed with 160 voting for and 42 against. There were 8 abstentions from the main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), a party in the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) coalition, voted in favour of the budget. “We are supporting this budget because it has increased the plantation workers’ daily wage to 1,750 rupees,” Mano Ganeshan told the parliament. Anil Jayantha, Deputy Finance Minister, before the vote said the budget will further ensure the fiscal discipline in…
The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the 2026 financial year was passed in Parliament today with a majority of 118 votes. A total of 160 MPs voted in favour of the Budget 2026, while 42 MPs voted against it, and 08 MPs abstained from voting. Opposition MPs Mano Ganesan, Palani Digambaram, Jeevan Thondaman and P. Radhakrishnan voted in favour of the budget 2026. (Newswire) The post 4 opposition MPs vote in favour of Budget 2026 appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka’s state-owned enterprise (SOE) sector is once again under scrutiny as new fiscal data reveals persistent structural weaknesses, with nearly one-third of major state entities running losses in the first half of 2025. The Mid-Year Fiscal Report released by the Ministry of Finance paints the picture of a sector struggling under years of mismanagement, political interference and mounting liabilities—despite repeated restructuring efforts.
SJB councillor Nikini Ayodhya has decided to step down from politics, citing repeated alleged insults from Arachchikattuwa NPP Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman S.J.M. Jayaratne.
The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has categorically denied the media report that a decision has been made to abolish the 50% concession granted to the children of service personnel.
The Sri Lanka Medical Council has issued a notice urging medical professionals to adhere to the official guidelines on writing and recommending prescriptions. The Council emphasized that these guidelines are essential to ensure clarity and patient safety. According to the statement, complaints have been received from pharmacists and the public regarding unclear prescriptions issued by certain doctors. Such a lack of clarity has made it difficult to identify the correct medication, posing a threat to patient safety. The Council noted that the ethical conduct guidelines for medical professionals include specific instructions on how prescriptions should be written and recommended. These…
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) will abstain from voting on the second reading of the Budget 2026, Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam informed Parliament today. Addressing the Parliament, MP Shanakiyan said that the ITAK had decided a week ago to vote against the Budget 2026, as the government had failed to heed issues regarding the Tamil community. MP Shanakiyan said, however, the President had agreed to a meeting with the ITAK next week to discuss the party’s concerns. Stating that it is only a year since the government came into power, the MP said they have a few more…
The post “They always used racism to ensure their own survival” – President appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 8,000 million rupees of bonds offered on tap at the average rates set at an auction last week, bringing the total of bonds sold in the week to 88 billion, data from the central bank’s Public Debt Department showed. The debt office sold a 1 July 2030 maturity bond (LKB00530G018) at a weighted average yield rate of 9.56 percent. The debt office sold a 15 June 2035 maturity bond (LKB01035F159) at a weighted average yield rate of 10.69 percent. On Thursday, 80 billion rupees in 2030 and 2035 bonds were sold. Read more Sri…
The Court of Appeal ruled that the directives issued by the Returning Officers of the Kekirawa and Galnewa Pradeshiya Sabhas, requiring all nominated members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to be women, are arbitrary, irrational and unreasonable.
Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has been elected President of the revived Sri Lanka–Oman Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament. The revival meeting was held yesterday at Parliament under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, with Oman’s Ambassador Ahmed Ali Said Alrashidi attending as Guest of Honour. MP Ajith P. Perera was elected Secretary and MP Chathuri Gangani Treasurer. Both sides highlighted the long-standing bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Oman since 1981 and discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation in tourism, trade, labour and education. Ambassador Alrashidi also met the Speaker for further talks on strengthening parliamentary-level engagement. The post…
A male-female battle was witnessed in Parliament today with MP Sujeewa Senasinghe confronting female MPs Lakmali Hemachandra and Hiruni Wijesinghe over some remarks made on an earlier day.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 306.90/307.20 to the US dollar in the spot market Friday, weaker from 305.50/90 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed broadly steady. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.10/20 percent, up from 8.10/15 percent. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 closed at 8.95/9.02 percent, up from 8.85/90 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 closed at 9.43/49 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 9.44/50 percent, up from 9.40/45 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 closed at 9.54/60 percent, up from 9.54/57 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 10.20/26…
Cristiano Ronaldo may face a suspension at the start of next summer’s World Cup finals, assuming Portugal secure qualification, after receiving the first red card of his senior international career in Thursday’s shock defeat to the Republic of Ireland. The 40-year-old was dismissed in Dublin during Portugal’s 2–0 loss, a result driven by Troy Parrott’s first-half brace. Ronaldo initially received a yellow card just past the hour mark for catching defender Dara O’Shea with his elbow while contesting a corner. But after a VAR review, Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg upgraded the caution to a straight red, News.Az reports, citing foreign…
Railway security officers yesterday arrested a railway gate operator at the Uttarananda railway crossing in Kollupitiya for being under the influence of alcohol while on duty, Railway Spokesman Asanka Samarasinghe confirmed.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today accused the government of using the newly introduced Praja Shakthi programme as a political tool to expand what he described as JVP-led control across grassroots structures. Speaking at a joint media briefing held by opposition parties, Premadasa said the government promotes Praja Shakthi as a poverty alleviation and village development initiative, but the funding allocated is insufficient for such objectives. Instead, he alleged that the government is imposing higher tax burdens on the public while diverting state mechanisms to strengthen the JVP’s organisational network. He claimed the programme functions not as a social welfare initiative…
Mr. Christoph Dueker – Cluster General Manager, Anantara Kalutara Resort Avani Kalutara Resort Global hospitality leader Minor Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Christoph Dueker as Cluster General Manager for Anantara Kalutara Resort and Avani Kalutara Resort, effective September 2025. With more than 20 years of international experience, Christoph has worked with some of the world’s most respected luxury and lifestyle hotel brands across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Having started his career with Four Seasons, he has held senior management positions with Park Hyatt, Shangri-La, and Marina Bay Sands, among others. His leadership style combines strong commercial…
ECONOMYNEXT – Profits at Sri Lanka’s Hayleys Plc, which has interests in export, manufacturing, retail, logistics, leisure, and energy grew 35 percent to 2.39 billion rupees in the September 2025 quarter, from a year ago amid a surge in revenue, interim accounts show. The group reported earnings per share of 3.19 rupees for the quarter. During the six months up to end September, the company’s earnings were 5.20 rupees, on total profits of 3.9 billion rupees, which grew 23 percent. In the September quarter, Hayleys group revenues grew 13 percent, 138.9 billion; and cost of sales also grew at 13…
ECONOMYNEXT – Colombo Stock Exchange’s indices dipped after the opening bell for the second consecutive day, data on its site showed. Despite the indices’ recovery in the latter part of the session, they ended marginally down. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) fell 0.01 percent, or 1.71 points to 23,459.75 on Friday. The index was dragged down by some financial and capital goods stocks. Meanwhile, the more liquid S&P SL20 index closed 0.34 percent, or 22.22 points lower at 6,435.93. Top negative contributors to the ASPI were Melstacorp (down 3.75 rupees at 187.75), Sampath Bank (down 2.25 rupees at 148.00),…