Sri Lanka on Friday reaffirmed its firm support for the One China policy, reiterating that it recognises the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, in line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The assurance was conveyed during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, held amid discussions on possible Chinese assistance to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. Minister Herath expressed appreciation for China’s continued support to Sri Lanka, including assistance extended after recent adverse weather…
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Under the new education reforms, the Ministry of Education has today (2) issued guidelines on revising the school timetable for 2026 and the utilisation of academic staff. The post New Education Reforms : 2026 Circular issued appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has surpassed USD 1 billion through the export of coconut and coconut based products in the first 10 months of 2025, Industries Ministry said. Citing Export Development Board (EDB), the Ministry said the annual export revenue reached USD 1,033.9 million during the period from January to October 2025 with a 43.83 percent growth compared to the same period in 2024. “The uniqueness of this achievement is that instead of just exporting coconuts, more attention is being paid to value-added products,” the Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe’s office at the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development said in…
Sri Lanka Cricket said it has borne a cost of Rs. 1.7 billion for ongoing development work at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds in Colombo, which is being upgraded ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Sri Lanka Cricket conducted a media tour of the SSC Grounds today to brief journalists on the latest developments taking place at the venue in preparation for the tournament. The Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds will be one of the host venues of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and is scheduled to host five matches during the competition. The first match…
HelaGo, Sri Lanka’s emerging ride-hailing platform built on an open and fair operating model, has secured USD 1 million in seed funding to accelerate its expansion and introduce a new era of transparency and equality in the country’s mobility sector. The funding comes through a partnership with the David Pieris Group, one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most respected mobility conglomerates. This marks a significant milestone for HelaGo, as it is the first time the Helakuru ecosystem has accepted external funding in its 14-year journey. The infusion of capital and operational strength positions HelaGo to rapidly scale across Sri Lanka…
The South African Men’s selection panel has announced the 15-player squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in India and Sri Lanka from 07 February – 08 March. T20 International (T20I) captain Aiden Markram will lead the side, which includes maiden T20 World Cup call ups for Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, and Jason Smith. Kagiso Rabada returns to the T20I setup after missing the recent white-ball tour against India due to a rib injury. South Africa are drawn in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to ensure that all housing projects planned under the 2026 Budget allocations are completed within the stipulated timeframes and handed over to the public without delay. The President also emphasized the need to bring the monitoring and supervision of these projects under a single coordinating institution to ensure efficiency and accountability. The President made these remarks during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (02 Jan) with officials of the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) to review the planning and current status of housing projects, including the national housing programme titled “A…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 309.75/85 to the US dollar in the spot market Friday, weaker from 309.45/60 a day earlier, dealers said, while bond yields closed slightly lower. The rupee has weakened from 293.25/75 to the US dollar last year, amid record current account surpluses and improvement in budget, denying the usual scapegoats macro-economists point to after depreciating currencies. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed flat at 8.40/70 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed flat at 8.95/9.00 percent. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 closed at 9.00/05 percent, down from 9.00/10 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2028…
The government has taken steps to implement a modern, technology-driven Inventory Control System to ensure the swift and transparent delivery of relief assistance to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. A special discussion on the next phase of implementing this system was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, with officials from the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Defence, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), the Ministry of Digital Economy and the private technology firm Scienter Technologies participating in the meeting. With the intervention of the Presidential Secretariat, this newly introduced software system has been launched at the…
The Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, Kasun Munasinghe, a member of the Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been arrested by the Matugama Police. According to the Police, he was arrested on charges of obstructing the duties of the Secretary of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha. The local council Secretary had filed a complaint with the Matugama Police, stating that when she reported for duty this morning (02 Jan), the Chairman had forcefully occupied her office and had interfered with her official work. Based on the complaint, the Chairman was taken into custody this afternoon after providing a statement to…
Police say three more suspects have been arrested in connection with the fatal New Year’s Eve hit-and-run in Ambalantota, in which a police constable was killed at a roadblock. The officer was killed early Wednesday after being struck by a car whose driver failed to stop for inspection, police said. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. near the Walawa River bridge in Ambalantota, where police had deployed officers as part of islandwide operations to curb drunk driving during new year celebrations. Police Constable M. Sarath Kumara, attached to the Ambalantota Police Station, was conducting vehicle inspections when he signalled a…
Sri Lanka’s economy could see stronger-than-expected growth in 2026, driven by increased government spending on post-cyclone recovery, though it is still too early to assess the full impact, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Speaking during a televised program on the country’s economic outlook, Weerasinghe said that while initial projections estimated growth in the range of 4 to 5%, the additional stimulus from reconstruction efforts may push economic activity even higher, provided the funds are spent efficiently and without major delays. Weerasinghe noted that economic growth in 2023 had exceeded expectations, with growth nearing 5% by the third quarter.…
India has agreed to play additional T20 international matches during their tour of Sri Lanka in August as part of efforts to support relief and recovery work following Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Shammi Silva said. Speaking on the matter, Silva said the additional T20Is will be played when the India national cricket team tour Sri Lanka for their ICC World Test Championship series later this year. He said the decision was taken as a gesture of solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread damage across several parts of the country Silva further…
Police say a shooting that killed a 20‑year‑old youth in the Korathota Menikagara area of Nawagamuwa yesterday (01 Jan), had targeted associates of the underworld figure known as “Kudu Duminda” of Borella. According to Ada Derana, Police investigations reveal that it is suspected that the shooting was carried out by members of the rival faction linked to “Kudu Chathu.” A 20‑year‑old youth was killed, and two others who were with him were injured in the shooting that had taken place at a rented house in the Korathota Menikagara area between 9.30 and 10.00 pm last night. Three people were inside…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved amendments to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) listing rules to provide greater flexibility regarding the minimum public holding (MPH) requirement for companies listing through the introduction method, the regulator said. The flexibility is given to boost the share liquidity in the market under its one of 12 key strategic initiatives, the SEC said. “The amendments reflect a joint effort by the SEC and CSE, underscoring strong collaboration between the regulator and the Exchange to address evolving market needs while maintaining market integrity, transparency, and investor protection,” the SEC said…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on the first day of trading in 2026, provisional data on its site showed. The All Share Price Index was up 1.26 percent, or 286.15 points, at 22,910.46. The S&P SL20 was up 0.63 percent, or 38.57 points, at 6,195.95. Turnover was 5.1 billion rupees. Most of this came from capital goods stocks. Top contributors were ACL Cables (up 9.30 rupees at 99.10), Commercial Bank (up 2.25 rupees at 203.00), Access Engineering (up 2.70 rupees at 76.00), and DFCC Bank (up rupees at). Sierra Cables (up 1.90 rupees at 37.20) was…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated further against the US Dollar today (02 Jan), compared to Thursday (01 Jan). According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 305.83 to Rs. 305.73. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has dropped from Rs. 313.42 to Rs. 313.27. The Sri Lankan Rupee has also appreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post CBSL rates : Dollar selling rate moves to Rs. 313.27 appeared first on Newswire.
An individual has been arrested with a stock of gold items and electronic equipment illegally brought into the country, based on Army intelligence. Airport Police apprehended the suspect, a resident of Wellampitiya, who arrived from Dubai on 30 December 2025. He was found to be carrying gold, mobile phones, and computer equipment without paying customs duties. The suspect has been handed over to Customs for further investigations. (Newswire) The post Suspect arrested at BIA with gold, electronics smuggled from Dubai appeared first on Newswire.
A stock of 170 kilograms of heroin held as case material will be destroyed after completing the required court procedures, Police officials said. The narcotics were released following formalities at the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court and will be transported under heavy security to the Police incinerator in Puttalam, where the destruction process is scheduled to take place this afternoon. Police said the consignment is being moved under the protection of the Special Task Force, ensuring maximum security during transport and disposal. (Newswire) The post 170 kg of Heroin transported to Puttalam for incineration appeared first on Newswire.
Police state that a woman was killed in the Delpawatta area of Agalawatta, last morning (01 Jan), after being assaulted by her husband. The deceased was a 79‑year‑old resident of Delpawatta, Mahagama. Investigations have revealed that following a long-standing dispute, the husband had attacked her with a door bolt, leading to the fatal incident. The 84‑year‑old suspect has been taken into custody, while Agalawatta Police are conducting further investigations. (Newswire) The post 84 yr old husband kills 79 yr old wife in Agalawatta appeared first on Newswire.