The Supreme Court has upheld the Colombo District Court’s ruling ordering the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL), commonly known as Lake House, to pay Rs. 500 million in damages to former minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe for defamation. The case stemmed from a November 2007 publication in Silumina, which carried two full pages of allegedly defamatory statements against Rajapakshe, then a Member of Parliament representing the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). The article followed his decision to cross over from the Government to the Opposition. In 2009, Rajapakshe filed a defamation suit in the Colombo District Court against ANCL and then-editor…
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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 302.80/90 to the US dollar on Tuesday, weaker from 302.59/62 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.28/33 percent, down from 8.30/42 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 8.70/81 percent, down from 8.70/85 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed at 9.23/28 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed flat at 9.67/71 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 10.50/62 percent, from 10.53/62 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.68/75 percent. (Colombo/Oct14/2025)
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and advance cooperation between Sri Lanka and China. The talks took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during Amarasuriya’s official visit to China, where she is attending the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women at the invitation of President Xi. The leaders reviewed progress on key agreements and initiatives stemming from the state visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake earlier this year. Discussions also focused on expanding collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Premier Amarasuriya expressing…
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is currently influencing the weather over the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island. Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Therefore, the general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and severe lightning during thundershowers. (Newswire) The post ITCZ influence : Red alert for Heavy rain for 9 districts appeared first on Newswire.
The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a National Operations Council to implement an urgent program titled “Ratama Ekata – National Operation,” aimed at eliminating the drug menace and rehabilitating those addicted to drugs through broad public participation. This proposal was presented to the Cabinet by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and has received official approval. The government states that the spread of dangerous drugs in the country has become a national crisis, and that many crimes are being committed around drug trafficking networks. It has been recognized that this threat must be eradicated through a national-level program involving strong political…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s first tender for battery energy storage system (BESS) on a BOT basis had received strong interest from investors, with a large number of vendors using Chinese batteries, sources with knowledge of he matter said. Bids ranged from slightly below 2 million rupees to 3 million rupees per MegaWatt per month, the sources said. The CEB called expressions of interest for 160MW of battery energy systems at multiple locations as build operate own (BOO) projects to stabilize the grid and absorb more renewable energy. Some locations had got up to 17 bids making the tender very competitive, sources…
ECONOMYNEXT – The Sri Lanka central bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit is to sign agreements with the FIUs of Vatican State and Mauritius to cooperate in the exchange of information related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing activities. Both proposals were approved by cabinet, minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters. “It was proposed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Holy See/Vatican City State on cooperation in the exchange of information related to combating money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing…
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa dismissed claims linking the recent Cabinet reshuffle to ongoing investigations into the controversial release of 323 containers by Sri Lanka Customs earlier this year. He was responding to questions on the change of Minister Bimal Rathnayake’s portfolio. He clarified that the probe into the container release, along with 14 similar past incidents, is proceeding independently and is unrelated to recent ministerial changes. “For a year, we have been managing these ministries and now have a clear understanding of their operations,” he said, adding that the government now has the opportunity to prepare its own budget and implement…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has made the purchase of brown sugar mandatory to the state agencies like the military, police, hospital and prison systems to help sell the products of state-run Lanka Sugar Limited, spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. Lanka Sugar was made with Sevenagala and Pelwatte sugar expropriated from private investor including stock market investors by the ousted Rajapaksa regime. Unsold brown sugar had been piling up at the factories not only due to high production costs compared to Brazil but also due to value added tax. White sugar is under a special commodity levy and not subject to…
The Ministry of Education has issued a circular related to the admission of students to Grade 6 based on the results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. According to the ministry, this circular can be accessed via the website www.moe.gov.lk. (Newswire) The post New circular for Grade 6 admissions issued appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to award the design, development, implementation and maintenance of a revenue administration system for the Excise Department to MillenniumIT ESP and Metropolitan Technologies, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “The Procurement Committee recommended the award of the contract to Millennium I.T.E.S.P (pvt) Ltd and Metropolitan Technologies (Pvt) Ltd for 1,310.94 million rupees – tax-free,” Jayatissa told reporters. The system will enable seamless data exchange, risk management, revenue balancing, enhanced transparency and accountability, he said. Three appeals were filed with the Procurement Appeals Board about the procurement, but were dismissed. (Colombo/Oct14/2025)
The Cabinet has approved the temporary import of up to 520 metric tonnes of Ponni Samba rice per importer without permits, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The decision comes amid a shortage of Keeri Samba rice in the local market, with vendors reportedly selling it above the government’s control price. Ponni Samba GR 11, considered a close substitute, will be allowed for import to stabilize supply, the Minister said. Minister Jayatissa noted that Sri Lanka consumes approximately 2.46 million metric tonnes of rice annually, with Keeri Samba accounting for about 10% of that total—around 246,000 metric tonnes. Importation of…
ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange closed up on Tuesday, data on its site showed. The All Share Price Index closed up 0.23 percent, or 51.49 points, at 22,372.57; while the S&P SL20 closed up 0.36 percent, or 22.07 points, at 6,229.44. Turnover was 5.74 million rupees. Diversified financials stocks contributed 1.47 billion rupees. WindForce contributed 308.9 million rupees in turnover. The energy firm announced that it had leased a land from the Sustainable Energy Authority to build a 100mw solar power plant. WindForce leases Sri Lanka SEA land for 100MW solar power project Top contributors to the ASPI were…
A country of just over 500,000 people, Cabo Verde have become the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup, after Iceland at Russia 2018. After a tense first half against Eswatini, Cabo Verde turned on the style after the break, with goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo and Stopira sparking scenes of joyous celebration at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde. Cabo Verde is the smallest nation to qualify for the tournament. Trinidad and Tobago previously held the record having competed at Germany 2006, reports FIFA. Cabo Verde qualified with a final flourish after being pushed all the way by…
ECONOMYNEXT – WindForce PLC said it had signed a 24-year land lease agreement for the Rividhanavi 100 MW solar power project with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority. The total rental value for the full lease term is 50 million rupees, WindForce said in a stock exchange filing. The leased premises are located in Kotiyagala, Siyambalanduwa, within the Monaragala District. “With the execution of this agreement, all key project-related contracts including the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Implementation Agreement, and Transmission Development Contract have been successfully concluded.” It was signed on October 10. “Accordingly, the effective date of the Rividhanavi Solar…
U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Time magazine, calling a cover photo that accompanied a feature on his Middle East peace deal “the Worst of All Time.” “Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time,” Trump wrote on Truth Social early on Tuesday. “They ‘disappeared’ my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird!” He went on to call the image “a super bad picture that deserves to be called out.” The…
The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and Galle and Matara districts today. Per the advisory, effective until 11.00 pm, red alerts have been issued to 09 districts and amber alerts to 14 districts. The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning activity. (Newswire) The post Lightning advisory : Red alert issued to 09 districts appeared first on Newswire.
A total of 5.7 million persons have been inspected from 01st January to 13th October 2025, Sri Lanka Police said. Addressing the media today, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said that inspections, including body checks and interrogations, were conducted during this period. He further said that 4802 wanted suspects were arrested during raids and special operations conducted daily, and that steps are being taken to initiate legal action against them. The Police Spokesman further revealed that assets worth Rs. 730 million belonging to organized criminals have been frozen so far this year. ASP Wootler said that assets worth Rs. 39.02…
A group of senior representatives from U.S. think tanks and the private sector met with the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, this week. This delegation, including investors from various U.S. states interested in investing in Sri Lanka, is particularly active in India and the broader Asian region. They expressed strong interest in food security, food processing industries, export sectors, and port operations. During the meeting, Minister Samarasinghe highlighted upcoming trade agreements, investment opportunities, and commercial prospects. He also briefed the delegation on the ministry’s efforts to ensure food security in the market and regulate…
Five individuals, including the main suspect Ishara Sewwandi, wanted in connection with the murder of organized crime gang leader Ganemulla Sanjeewa, have been arrested in Nepal.