Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “News”

Sri Lankan MP falls victim to $2 million Gold Scam in Ghana

A court in Accra has granted bail to 11 people accused of defrauding Sri Lankan lawmaker Dr. Muhammed Hizbullah of $2 million in a fake gold deal, according to Ghanaian media reports. The accused — Abdul Rauf Adam, Alhmamoudi Saleh, Yaw Attah Antwi, Osman Suleman, Nhyiraba Dwamena Ra III, Benzcarl Dwamena, Sanfo Mubassir, Sallah Mammoudi, Ahmed Issah, Umaru Pafadenam and Salifu Suleman — were each released on bail of 500,000 Ghanaian cedis (about $33,000) with two sureties, one of whom must be a property owner, the Accra Circuit Court Eight ruled. Prosecutors told the court that the suspects conspired in…

Read the full article →

Ceypetco launches new lubricant distribution program for fishing harbours

Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody says the government is introducing a new mechanism to distribute high-quality Ceypetco lubricants at fishery harbours, beginning from the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour today (27). The initiative, launched by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in collaboration with the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation, aims to provide relief to the fishing community while ensuring transparency in the distribution process. Minister Jayakody said the government intends to reinvest profits earned through state enterprises to improve public welfare and infrastructure. He also announced plans to establish a system to ensure that the fuel subsidy reaches the fishermen directly, preventing…

Read the full article →

Petition seeks to void SLTDA letter on LGBTQ tourism project

A petition has been filed at the Court of Appeal requesting the invalidation of a letter issued by the chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) which reportedly grants permission for a tourism‑promotion project involving the LGBTQ community. The petitioners, led by Dr. Gundadasa Amarasekera and Dr. Vasantha Bandara of the Patriotic National Movement as respondents the Attorney‑General, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, SLTDA chairman Buddhika Hewawasam and the executive director of the NGO Equal Ground. The petition alleges that the SLTDA chairman sent a letter to the NGO’s executive director granting “no‑objection” status for the…

Read the full article →

Three Sri Lankan Ministers hold Q&A session with expatriates in London

Three Sri Lankan ministers met with Sri Lankans living in the United Kingdom during an open public Q&A session held in London on Sunday. Health and Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Women and Children’s Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj, and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara attended the event while on a visit to the UK for a Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme. The meeting, organised by the National People’s Power (NPP) UK branch, took place in Alperton and was open to Sri Lankans of all communities. Participants raised questions directly to the ministers on issues including governance, economic challenges, and the government’s policies.…

Read the full article →

Jaffna-born cyclist completes 10,000 km ride from Paris to Jaffna

Inoshan Sooran, a Sri Lankan-born resident of France, has successfully completed a 10,000-kilometer solo cycling journey from Paris to Jaffna, traveling through 13 countries including Germany, Turkey, and India. Beginning his journey on September 1, 2025, Sooran arrived in Jaffna on October 23, where he was warmly received by the Sri Lanka Army during a special welcoming ceremony. The journey, titled “From Paris to Jaffna,” aimed to promote Jaffna as a vibrant travel destination while fostering intercultural understanding and reconciliation. Sooran said that his mission was to highlight Jaffna’s rich traditions to the international community, promote tourism, and build stronger…

Read the full article →

Foreign holding in Sri Lanka rupee bonds reach near two-year high

ECONOMYNEXT – Foreign investment in Sri Lanka government securities reached its highest in almost two year as offshore investors continued to buy the island nation’s bonds in the last nine weeks, the Central Bank data showed. Foreign holdings in Sri Lanka’s treasury bonds reached 130.96 billion rupees (USD 436.6 million at 1$=300 rupees) as of October 23, its highest since November 16, 2023, the latest Central Bank data showed. Foreigners bought a net 606 million rupee (2.03 million US dollars) worth of government securities in the week ended on October 23, continuing the buying trend in the last mime weeks.…

Read the full article →

Kinniya receives safer transport option with ‘Gangaai’ ferry service

A new passenger ferry service named ‘Gangaai’ was officially launched today (27) at the Kurinchankerny Lagoon, providing safer and more reliable transport facilities for residents of the Kinniya area. The ferry service, operated by the Road Development Authority (RDA), has been introduced in parallel with the Kurinchankerny Bridge Project to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for commuters. The newly built ferry is equipped with modern safety features including life-saving equipment and advanced technology to enhance passenger security and comfort. According to officials, the introduction of the ‘Gangaai’ service will ease daily travel difficulties faced by residents and support local economic activities by…

Read the full article →

The India–EU FTA will bring a new era of partnership

The India-EU FTA hold potential to double bilateral trade every five years India and the European Union (EU), two of the world’s largest democracies representing nearly two billion people and contributing about 21 percent of global GDP, are poised to usher in a new chapter of global trade through a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As the world navigates through shifting trade patterns, geopolitical conflicts, and supply chain disruptions, the India–EU FTA stands out as a framework for equitable growth and strategic collaboration. It promises not only to boost trade volumes but also to deepen technological, investment, and institutional linkages…

Read the full article →

Web journalists urge Police to end media releases of suspect footage

The Professional Web Journalists Association has called on the Sri Lanka Police and authorities to halt the release of video footage of arrested suspects, warning that such practices undermine due process and damage public trust in the criminal justice system. In a statement, the association stressed that all arrests and investigations must be carried out strictly in line with the procedures established by law. It raised concerns over what it described as the coerced extraction of recorded statements, or “voice cuts,” from suspects after their arrest and the subsequent circulation of these clips on media and social media platforms. The…

Read the full article →

PM Modi Declares 2026 As ASEAN-India Year Of Maritime Cooperation

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday noted that the cooperation between India and ASEAN is growing rapidly in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security and blue economy and declared 2026 as ‘ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.’ While delivering opening remarks during the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, PM Modi said, “India has stood firmly with its ASEAN friends in every crisis. Our cooperation in HADR, maritime security, and the blue economy is growing rapidly. In light of this, we are declaring 2026 as…

Read the full article →

Sri Lanka signs $39mn bilateral debt restructuring deal with Australia

ECONOMYNEXT – The governments of Sri Lanka and Australia have entered into bilateral agreements on the restructuring of USD 39 million, in a move to restore debt sustainability and revamp its economy, the island nation’s Finance Ministry said. The signing took place on Monday (27) with Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma signing on behalf of Sri Lanka. The signed documents were officially exchanged between Suriyapperuma and Matthew Duckworth, High Commissioner Designate of Australia to Sri Lanka. “These agreements reflect the strong commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to conclude the external debt restructuring process in a timely manner, following the Memorandum…

Read the full article →

GREE AirTech Sri Lanka Wins Prestigious ‘Most Promising Award’ at GREE Global Conference

Adhil Anees, Managing Director, GREE AirTech receiving the award at the Global Conference Sri Lankan subsidiary claims top honor among strategic partners from over 100 countries, bringing global recognition to the island nation GREE AirTech (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of EverBright Holdings, one of Sri Lanka’s largest home appliance brands, has brought international acclaim to Sri Lanka by winning the “Most Promising Award” at the 5th GREE Global Strategic Partners Conference held in Chengdu, China. Competing against representatives from over 100 countries, GREE AirTech Sri Lanka’s recognition marks a significant achievement for the nation on the global business stage. Commenting…

Read the full article →