The “Elite Cricket Centre” (ECC), a state-of-the-art cricket facility, was inaugurated in Melbourne, Australia, recently (08), offering a world-class indoor facility designed for players of all levels. The cricket facility was co-founded by former Sri Lankan international fast bowler and an ICC-approved high-performance coach, Prabath Nissanka, and a Cricket Victoria Premier Umpire, Ashan Hewawasam. According to the ECC, the centre features eight long run-up, international-standard training lanes with premium synthetic turf, four JUGS bowling machines, one Bola machine with auto-feeder and one leather ball machine to enhance precision and performance. Complementing the training experience are the Elite Power Hub gym,…
Posts published in “News”
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for a Rs. 400 wage increase for plantation workers and the transfer of uncultivated lands to empower them as small-scale tea estate owners. MP Premadasa said that the government has proposed to increase the current daily wage of plantation workers from Rs. 1,350 by Rs. 400, split equally between plantation companies and the government. While welcoming the increase, he emphasized that the amount should be higher and that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) believes a greater allocation is necessary. MP Premadasa acknowledged differing views on how the wage increase should be implemented, but stressed…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (14), compared to Thursday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 301.75, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 307. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 301.19 to Rs. 302.73, while the selling rate increased from Rs. 307.84 to Rs. 309.40. At Commercial Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 299.28 to Rs. 300.52 and from Rs.…
Justice for All, a non-governmental organisation, has called for the committee report containing recommendations for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to be made public. Issuing a statement, Justice for All said it has always consistently advocated for the complete repeal of the PTA. “We have seen news reports that the Committee appointed to draft the Act to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act handed over its report and the draft bill to the Minister of Justice. “The Prevention of Terrorism Temporary Provisions Act No. 48 of 1979 has universally been regarded as a draconian piece of…
Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has warned Parliamentarians to refrain from making inappropriate remarks and accusations targeting fellow members. The Speaker made this statement during the presentation of announcements to Members at the commencement of today’s parliamentary session. Addressing the Parliament, he further said that such behaviour has been noted frequently during Parliament proceedings in the recent past. Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne pointed out that this was disrespectful to the House and regrettable. Urging MPs to refrain from using unparliamentary language during proceedings, the Speaker requested the MPs to extend their support in this regard. (Newswire) The post Speaker calls out growing use…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lankan rubber gloves maker Dipped Products’ net profit was steady at 920 million rupees in the September 2025 quarter from a year ago, amid higher administrative cost, according to interim accounts filed with the stock exchange. Pre-tax profits at the Hayleys group unit were marginally down by 5 percent to 1.73 billion rupees. Group sales in the September 2025 quarter fell 0.4 percent to 21.2 billion rupees. It’s administrative cost rose 21 percent to 2.5 billion rupees in the quarter from the 2.1 billion rupees last year. Earnings per share for the September quarter were 1.54 rupees.…
The Sri Lanka Professional Principals’ Association has issued a statement today (14) clarifying facts regarding a principal of a primary school in the Eppawala area of Anuradhapura who was arrested with 1.185 kilos of heroin recently. The statement notes that although the arrested individual was identified as a “principal,” he is not a grade-holding principal in the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service. According to the Professional Principals’ Association, it has now been confirmed that the individual is an officer of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service, and that he was serving in an acting capacity. The statement further clarifies that the title…
ECONOMYNEXT – A consortium led by Canary Wharf Holdings Pte Ltd, a Singapore based company, said it signed an agreement with CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, to develop a 34-storey office tower. Colombo Gateway Tower One, will have 28,000 square metres of office space, spread over 28 floors. The building, to be located at Plot 01-10-04 of the Port City will also include retail and leisure facilities. The land was reclaimed from the sea by CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Chairman of Canary Wharf Holdings Pte Ltd, Sharhan Musheen, Xiong Hongfeng,…
ECONOMYNEXT – A Shrimp Industry Information System that provides real-time data and analytics has been launched in Sri Lanka by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, the Ministry of Fisheries and the National Aquaculture Development Authority, and funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. “The SIIS is more than a platform – it is an ecosystem that connects people, data, and innovation,” said Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “By leveraging smart technology, we can improve productivity, reduce disease risks, and strengthen livelihoods for coastal communities that depend on shrimp farming.” The SIIS will…
Australian Mainstream Media Highlights Sri Lankan Culture – Lankan Fest 2025 Marks a Historic Milestone Sri Lankan culture is gaining remarkable visibility across Australia, with increasing interest from major mainstream media channels. This year, 7 News Australia, one of the nation’s largest and most influential broadcasters, has featured a Sri Lankan cultural celebration marking a breakthrough moment for our community. Across Australia, dozens of Sri Lankan cultural events take place annually, showcasing food, dance, music, talent, and heritage. Yet only a handful ever reach national media attention. At the forefront of this growing recognition is Lankan Fest, one of Melbourne’s…
Eighteen out of 52 key state-owned enterprises in Sri Lanka have reported losses in the first six months of 2025, placing a renewed burden on the government and taxpayers, according to the Mid-Year Fiscal Report issued by the Ministry of Finance. The report shows that overall profitability in the state enterprise sector has narrowed sharply, with major entities such as the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), SriLankan Airlines and Lanka Sugar Company among the largest loss-makers. In 2024, the 52 enterprises collectively posted a profit of Rs. 280.7 billion during the first half of the year. In contrast, the figure for…
The National Election Commission has announced that Rasika Peiris has assumed duties as the new Commissioner General of Elections. Rasika Peiris assumed duties as the new Commissioner General of Elections today. He has been appointed to the position following the retirement of former Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake yesterday. (Newswire) The post Rasika Peiris assumes duties as new Commissioner General of Elections appeared first on Newswire.
Education professionals have expressed their opposition to the government’s proposed education reforms, including the extension of school hours until 2:00 pm. Addressing the media yesterday (13), President of the Education Professionals’ Association, Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thera, announced that an islandwide strike involving multiple trade unions is scheduled for December 12, demanding the withdrawal of these reforms. At the media briefing, the union emphasized that the government is moving forward with the proposed extension of school hours despite objections, even from unions that usually support the administration. Venerable Sumangala Thera noted that official circulars have already been issued regarding the proposed…
Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, has met with Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), Paul Kapur. Commenting on the meeting, Paul Kapur said the discussion at the US Department of State focused on trade and maritime security cooperation between the two countries. “Thank you to Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Samarasinghe for stopping by @StateDept. We discussed trade and maritime security cooperation to advance the peace and prosperity of both our countries and the larger Indo-Pacific region. – SPK” the US Department of State said in a…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has seen stronger demand for processed chicken leading a higher prices for day old broiler chicken, a top poultry group said, while farmers reduced layer chick purchases as egg prices dropped. “The Group recorded higher revenue during the quarter under review, primarily driven by stronger demand for Broiler Day-Old Chicks (DOCs) and continued growth in processed chicken sales,” Three Acre Farms, a unit of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Grain Elevators said. “However, increased volatility in table egg prices caused by market oversupply has led to a decline in demand for Layer DOCs. “Group profitability improved significantly during…
A 38-year-old Sri Lankan worker in Israel has been reported dead on Thursday night (13). According to Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel Nimal Bandara, the man from Galle had arrived in Israel two months ago for construction work. Ambassador Bandara further said that the death is currently being investigated by the INTERPOL branch of the Israeli police. The 38-year-old man came to Israel on a job offer from the Sri Lankan government, he added. (Newswire) The post Sri Lankan worker killed in Israel appeared first on Newswire.
The Chairman of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, S.J.M. Jayaratne, has come under fire for berating a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) female councillor, following the defeat of the local council’s budget yesterday. SJB councillor Nikini Ayodhya had filed a complaint with the Police following the incident. Speaking to the media, the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, an NPP councillor, said he was under immense pressure at the time of the incident. “I spoke a bit harshly. I also believe she is unsuitable to be a councillor. I am under immense pressure,” he said. Meanwhile, the SJB councillor told the media that she…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened at 305.50/306.00 to the US dollar in the spot market Friday, weaker from 305.50/90 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields opened broadly steady. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 was quoted at 8.90/95 percent, up from 8.85/90 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 9.35/40 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.40/50 percent, up from 9.40/45 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.55/58 percent, up from 9.54/57 percent. A bond maturing on 15.05.2031 was quoted at 9.75/85 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted…
Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera The 2026 budget proposal to uplift plantation workers through higher daily wages is a positive step. Yet the decision to grant attendance incentives directly from the government raises deeper questions about governance, equality and the autonomy of private enterprise. This article argues that fair wages must be ensured through law and tripartite consultation, not political intervention, to protect both workers’ dignity and private sector independence. The budget’s proposal aims to uplift the living standards of plantation workers by ensuring that they receive a fair daily wage commensurate with the value of their labour. The proposal,…
A hotel employee has been taken into custody by the Colombo Fort Police following a complaint lodged by a Dutch female tourist regarding the theft of foreign currency from her wallet. According to police, the incident occurred on the evening of 11 November, while the official complaint was filed at the Colombo Fort Police on 13 November. The complainant had been staying with another woman in a special guest room at a hotel within the Colombo Fort Police Division when she discovered that Dirhams and Euros amounting to approximately Rs. 330,000 in local currency had gone missing. Upon receiving the report…