Watawala Tea has removed its recently released short film titled “Him, Her and Them” following public criticism that it promoted LGBTQI themes. In a statement, the company said the film was intended to portray “the everyday emotions of family life and the balance between strength and sensitivity,” but acknowledged that “it has been interpreted in ways we never intended.” The brand said it regretted any discomfort or concern caused to consumers and announced that the film had been taken down from all its platforms “out of respect for the shared values that unite Sri Lankan families.” Watawala also thanked those…
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At least 160 people have been killed and 8,050 injured in incidents of political violence across Bangladesh since the interim government assumed office 13 months ago, according to a report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). The human rights watchdog revealed the figures in its latest report, shared with the media through a press release today (14 September). As per the HRSS report, despite the political transition following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and assumption of power by Interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, the country has seen little improvement in political violence…
New Delhi: International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva praised India’s ‘bold economic and structural reforms’ – from revised direct and indirect tax laws to the mass rollout of a digital payments ecosystem and the conceptualisation and integration of a digital social identity (i.e., the Aadhaar) – on the first day of the global financial body’s semi-annual gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors “I’m very big on India because of the boldness of their reforms. For example, everyone told India that digital identity on a mass scale could not be done… but India proved them wrong,” she said Monday.…
New clashes erupted early on Wednesday between Pakistani and Afghan forces at the joint border, with both sides accusing the other of having begun the hostilities. The fighting comes amid tensions caused by Pakistani accusations that Afghanistan is harboring anti-Pakistan militants, with Islamabad calling on the Afghan Taliban administration to take action against them. The Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, for their part, deny that such militants are sheltering in their country. Afghanistan has made similar accusations against Pakistan. What sparked the fighting? According to the Pakistani military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the “Afghan Taliban resorted to cowardly attacks at four locations in Spin Boldak…
The government has appointed new secretaries to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. W.W.S. Mangala, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Planning Service, has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation. Mangala previously served as the Director General of Planning (Disaster Management) at the Ministry of Defence. Meanwhile, W.M.D.T. Wickramasinghe, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. Wickramasinghe previously served as the Additional Secretary to the…
Former minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara says a false social media post claiming he had died had been circulating today, prompting several phone calls inquiring about the rumour. “They even included my birth year and the current year. At first, I just laughed,” Nanayakkara said at a media briefing. He said further review suggested the post may have been politically motivated. “When I looked into it, I saw the name ‘National People’s Power’ above the post. That led me to believe it was created by someone opposing the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or the National People’s Power,” he said. Nanayakkara also noted that…
Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake, who appeared before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court concerning the recent alleged altercation incident at the court premises, has been released on bail. The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Gunaratne Wanninayake, releasing him on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each. Gunaratne Wanninayake arrived at the court today over the incident related to the alleged altercation with a Police Constable at the Mount Lavinia court premises on 10th October. The Police constable was arrested and remanded last week over allegations that he assaulted Gunaratne Wanninayake following an argument related to removing a vehicle from the court…
Sri Lanka is witnessing the positive outcomes of a steady and predictable policy environment with a stronger-than-forecast recovery in economic output with GDP growth continuing apace at 4.9% in the first half of 2025. While improved macroeconomic fundamentals are underpinning this cyclical recovery, the momentum on growth and its sustainability will rely increasingly on underlying productivity and efficiency gains in the economy. At this mid-point of Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery, a critical question is what the source of such productivity gains will be. Reforms to tackle rigidities in land and labour markets or opening up to trade and investment help…
The U.S. Embassy confirms the Level 2 advisory on Sri Lanka is unchanged, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva said, adding that Sri Lanka is safe and thriving. Taking to ‘X’, MP Harsha de Silva said that the advisory was a routine update and that no new risks had been mentioned. “Some media misreported old information. Tourism is booming, nearing 2018 highs! Come enjoy our culture & beauty,” he added. Also addressing the matter, the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance said that the US Department of State has reaffirmed its advisory with no change in overall risk. The Alliance pointed out that…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has been arrested by the island nation’s anti-graft commission over misappropriation of his power in depriving Israel employments in agricultural sector, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said. Later he was released by the court when produced by CIABOC. Former Minister Nanayakkara in 2023 said that around a thousand new job opportunities have opened up in Israel’s agricultural sector and the people were recruited under his ministry. The CIABOC in a statement said Nanayakkara has abused his powers and deprived those who were to leave for…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 302.95/303.00 to the US dollar on Wednesday, weaker from 302.80/90 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.30/35 percent, up from 8.28/33 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 8.70/75 percent, down from 8.70/81 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed at 9.25/35 percent, up from 9.23/28 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 9.70/75 percent, up from 9.67/71 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 10.50/65 percent, from 10.50/62 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.70/73…
Five suspects have been arrested by the Police Special Task Force in connection with the haul of narcotics discovered by the Sri Lanka Navy while drifting off the southern coast yesterday. According to police, the boat used for the smuggling operation has also been taken into custody by the Police STF. Among the drugs seized yesterday (14), authorities found 670 kilograms of ICE narcotics, 156 kilograms of heroin, and 12 kilograms of hashish. (Newswire) The post Five arrested over haul of narcotics seized in the South appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s All Share Price Index closed 0.36 percent lower while the S&P SL20 dropped 0.43 percent ending a somewhat volatile session, data on its site showed. The broader ASPI rose 80.29 points to end at 22,292.28; while the more liquid S&P SL20 declined 26.70 points, at 6,198.82. Top contributors to the fall of the ASPI were Sampath Bank (down 2.00 rupees at 146.25), HNB (down 4.25 rupees at 392.75), Melstacorp (down 2.00 rupees at 191.00), John Keells Holdings (down 0.20 rupees at 21.50) and C T Holdings (down 11.75 rupees at 657.00). Market turnover was 5.6 billion…
Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake has appeared before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court concerning the recent alleged altercation incident at the court premises. It is reported that Gunaratne Wanninayake has arrived at the court today with the President of the BAR Association of Sri Lanka, Rajeev Amarasuriya. Gunaratne Wanninayake was ordered to appear in court over the alleged altercation with a Police Constable at the Mount Lavinia court premises on 10th October. The Police constable was arrested and remanded last week over allegations that he assaulted Gunaratne Wanninayake following an argument related to removing a vehicle from the court premises. He was…
The United National Party (UNP) has issued a special statement affirming its commitment to protecting Sri Lanka’s democratic multiparty system by calling on all political parties to unite on a common platform. The UNP said that safeguarding the multiparty system requires preserving the identity and policies of each political party while working collectively toward democratic goals. The UNP called on all parties to support this principle. As part of this effort, the UNP also expressed willingness to work in unity with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) by bridging existing differences between the two partiesm. The UNP confirmed its participation in…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 27.2 billion rupees of Treasury bills, of an offered 77.5, with yields flat across maturities, data from the state debt office showed. The 3-month yield was unchanged at 7.52 percent, with 15 billion rupees of bills offered and 4.41 billion sold. The 6-month yield was unchanged at 7.89 percent, with 35 billion rupees offered and 18.74 billion sold. The 12-month yield was unchanged at 8.02 percent with 27.5 billion rupees offered and 4.04 billion bills sold. 102.41 billion bids were received. All three bills are available on tap at the weighted average yield. Settlement…
A potentially serious incident was narrowly avoided at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Friday morning when a fox entered the wheel assembly of a Fits Airlines flight arriving from Sri Lanka. The aircraft, carrying over 200 passengers, landed shortly after 2am. According to airport authorities, the fox suddenly ran onto the runway and became entangled in the landing gear during touchdown. The pilot’s swift response and technical skill ensured the aircraft was safely brought to a halt. Ground personnel promptly removed the animal, and the plane was guided off the runway without further complications. Multiple airport officials confirmed the incident…
The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber Advisory for heavy rain affecting the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, Uva, and North-Western provinces, valid until 8:30 a.m. on October 16. According to the advisory issued at 3:00 p.m. today (15) by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge) and current atmospheric disturbances near the island are influencing Sri Lanka’s weather conditions. Showery conditions are expected to intensify over the next few days, with heavy showers exceeding 100mm likely in several areas within the affected provinces. The public has been…
The newly appointed Consul General of Sri Lanka, H.W. Dulmith Waruna, officially assumed duties at the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan, Italy, recently (02). According to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan, in his capacity as Consul General, he will oversee the regions of Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d’Aosta, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. On this occasion, the staff of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan extended a warm welcome to the Consul General, marking the commencement of his official responsibilities. Addressing the staff, the Consul General emphasized the importance of…
The Court of Appeal today(15) dismissed the writ application filed in 2018 concerning the resettlement of Muslims in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. The writ petition had been filed by Public interest litigation activist, Nagananda Kodituwakku and senior journalist Malinda Seneviratne. According to MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s Media Office, the matter, which had been pending for nearly seven years, saw repeated delays in conclusion despite several directives from the court. Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah, appearing on behalf of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, argued that the case lacked merit and had been pursued primarily for media publicity rather than legal grounds. He requested the court…