A UK employment tribunal has ordered a KFC franchise operator in south-east London to pay nearly £70,000 in compensation after ruling that a manager, identified as a Sri Lankan Tamil, racially harassed an Indian employee. The case involved a KFC outlet in West Wickham operated by Nexus Foods Limited, where the tribunal found that the manager subjected the employee to direct race discrimination and harassment. According to tribunal proceedings, the complainant, Madhesh Ravichandran, an Indian national from Tamil Nadu, began working at the branch in January 2023. Within two months, he faced discriminatory treatment from his manager, Kajan Theiventhiram, who…
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The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into an inappropriate web reference found in a printed Grade 6 English language module, following public concern raised over the issue. The matter came to light after social activist Tilini Shalvin highlighted that a typing error appearing in three places in the newly introduced Grade 6 syllabus had redirected users to an unintended website, instead of the educational application referenced in the lesson. Subsequent checks by authorities confirmed that the incorrect reference directed users to a website catering to a gay audience, prompting concerns over the suitability of the content for school…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved allocating 5 billion rupees to give recovery loans to Cyclone hit businesses at 3 percent interest, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Micro businesses will get up to 250,000, small businesses one million and up to 25 billion rupees for larger businesses. The loans will be provided by commercial banks. The loans will have a three year payback and 6 months grace period. (Colombo/Dec30/2025)
ECONOMYNEXT – Colombo Dockyard and banking shares continued to push the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Price Index on Tuesday to close 1.49 percent higher, data on its site showed. The broader ASPI ended 313.56 points up at 22,445.89 while the S&P SL20 closed 1.22 percent, or 73.56 points higher at 6,111.35. Banks and retail shares continued to attract investor interest. The top contributors to the ASPI were Colombo Dockyard (up 21 rupees at 192.75 rupees), Melstacorp (up 7.50 rupees at 174.00 rupees), HNB (up 8.75 rupees at 399 rupees), Richard Pieris & Company (up 2.10 at 43.30 rupees),…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the installation of four new automatic passenger clearance gates at the departure terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) as part of ongoing efforts to modernize border control and improve passenger processing efficiency. The decision follows the successful installation of four e-gates at the arrival terminal, completed under a 1,170 million yen grant from the Government of Japan, through a cooperation agreement with the International Organization for Migration. The grant was part of the regional project, Preparation for Border Infectious Disease Control in Southeast Asian Countries. With installation set for 2026, the new e-gates are…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to construct residential quarters for teachers in 14 selected schools located in tea and rubber plantation areas across six provinces, in a move aimed at addressing the persistent teacher shortage and improving educational outcomes. The proposal, submitted by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya seeks to enhance human and physical resources in plantation sector schools, many of which are located in remote areas of the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern, and North Western provinces. A total of 864 schools serve students in these estates, the government said. Due to their geographic isolation, many teachers…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the expansion of Sri Lanka’s disaster relief loan program to cover all categories of entrepreneurs, including large-scale businesses. Under the new scheme, micro-entrepreneurs will be eligible for up to Rs. 250,000, small-scale businesses up to Rs. 1 million. Medium to large-scale entrepreneurs can obtain up to Rs. 25 million, all at an annual interest rate of 3%. The repayment period is three years, including a six-month grace period. The decision builds on the previously approved ‘RE-MSME’ loan scheme, which provided concessional working capital loans to micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises affected by recent disasters.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has sold 43.18 billion rupees in 2030 and 2037 bonds, after offering 50 billion, data from the public debt management office showed. 18.18 billion rupees of 01 July 2030 (LKB00530G018) bonds, of an offered 30 billion, were sold at an average yield of 9.80 percent. All 25 billion rupees of 01 July 2037 (LKB01237G019) bonds were sold at an average yield of 10.90 percent. The 2030 bond is available on tap. (Colombo/Dec30/2025)
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will sign an agreement with Israel to send more workers to the state which international bodies have said is committing a genocide against Palestinians and is building settlements illegal under international law. “The State of Israel has officially expressed its willingness to recruit Sri Lankan workers for employment in the commercial and service sectors in Israel,” minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters announcing cabinet decisions. The cabinet had approved the proposal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to sign Protocol ‘G’ under the agreement already signed between the two parties to enable the…
The Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha has allegedly assaulted the Secretary of the local council during a dispute over a development project. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday morning (30) at the Pradeshiya Sabha office, where a heated argument between the two escalated. The Secretary has been admitted to the Weththewa District Hospital for treatment following the alleged assault. The Secretary has lodged a formal complaint with the Matugama Police, who have since launched a full investigation into the matter. (Newswire) The post Matugama PS Chairman accused of assaulting Council Secretary appeared first on Newswire.
The England Men’s selection panel has named the squads for next month’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which includes three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), three IT20s, and a provisional squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka in February and March. Nottinghamshire seamer Josh Tongue has been selected in the IT20 squad for the first time. Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer is included in the provisional T20 World Cup squad but will miss the tour of Sri Lanka as he continues his rehabilitation with the England medical team following the left side strain…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated against the US Dollar today (30 Dec), compared to Monday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 305.88 to Rs. 306.12 Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has increased from Rs. 313.47 to Rs. 313.71 However, the Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, while it has changed slightly against Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
Johann Fernando, the son of former minister Johnston Fernando, was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) on Monday in connection with an alleged case of criminal misappropriation involving a lorry belonging to Sathosa. According to the Acting Police Media Spokesperson, the arrest relates to an ongoing investigation into the suspected misuse of the state-owned vehicle. Further investigations are underway, and legal action will be taken based on the findings. (Newswire) The post Johnston Fernando’s son Johann arrested by FCID appeared first on Newswire.
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, a Sri Lankan-born academic and the current President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, has been knighted in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours for his outstanding contribution to higher education and leadership in advancing inclusion. Born and educated in Sri Lanka, Professor Canagarajah pursued his higher education in the UK, earning his BA and PhD from the University of Cambridge. His academic career spans three decades, including senior roles at the University of Bristol before becoming Vice-Chancellor at Leicester in 2019. Recognised for championing access, equality and opportunity, he leads one of the UK’s most…
Photo courtesy of Spencer Manuelpillai Deforestation and the human-animal conflict have become dangerously intertwined as natural habitats shrink. Wildlife is continuously forced closer to human settlements. The numbers indicate a sobering picture. In 2024, the world lost 16.6 million acres of tropical primary rainforest at an alarming rate of four to five cricket fields a minute. By the end of 2025, the main drivers of this destruction became crystal clear. Commercial agriculture particularly for the production of commodities like soy, palm oil and cattle leads the devastation. Indigenous communities sustainably manage 25 to 28 per cent of the world’s land.…
Why commuters are choosing app-based rides over traditional three-wheelers The claim is becoming familiar once again. “They are running at a lower price than us, so we can’t survive,” sections of three-wheeler drivers say, as app-based passenger transport services continue to expand across Sri Lanka. “They charge only Rs. 270 to go to Pidurangala through their app, while we have to charge around Rs. 800. As a result, foreign tourists are choosing to travel with them, and we are unable to survive,” a protester said. In recent days, protests and complaints have resurfaced in several areas, with some three-wheeler drivers…
A session of the Galle Municipal Council turned heated today after opposition members clashed with ruling party members, accusing them of budget election fraud. Tensions rose immediately after the session began, as opposition councillors protested the presence of the municipal secretary and officials. Chanting “You stole our votes,” the councillors disrupted proceedings, making it difficult to continue the session. Despite the disruptions, the Mayor proceeded with the meeting according to council protocol. However, during the committee session, opposition councillors hurled water bottles toward the officials’ seating area, escalating the situation. The session was adjourned for 30 minutes, after which the…
Sri Lanka Police have announced a special traffic and security plan in Colombo on Dec. 31 to manage the large influx of people and vehicles expected for New Year 2026 celebrations, particularly around Galle Face Green. Significant traffic congestion is anticipated in central areas including Fort, Pettah, Slave Island, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, and Cinnamon Gardens. While normal traffic flow will be maintained initially, contingency routes will be activated in case of severe congestion, Police said. Under the alternate traffic plan: • Vehicles exiting Colombo via Galle Middle Road may be diverted through NSA Roundabout, Galle Face Road, and Baladaksha Mawatha…
Eighty-eight percent of those affected by Cyclone Ditwah have received the government’s Rs. 25,000 cleanup allowance, according to K.G. Dharmathilaka, Additional Secretary of the Disaster Management Division at the Ministry of Defence. According to state television ITN the payment is part of a broader relief program under the government’s rebuilding initiative, aimed at restoring and improving the lives of impacted communities. In addition to the cleanup allowance, the government is providing Rs. 25,000 per student to support schoolchildren in affected areas, the report said. Families whose homes sustained partial damage will receive Rs. 500,000, while those who lost both their…
Former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Akshu Fernando has passed away, drawing tributes from across the cricketing community for a career and life cut tragically short. International cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe confirmed the news in a tribute, describing Fernando as a talented cricketer and a “cheerful, friendly and thorough gentleman.” “Just heard the sad news that Akshu Fernando has passed away. He was truly a wonderful young man whose promising career was cut short by a cruel accident. A quality player for his school and his final club Ragama. It’s a sad day for all of us who knew him,” Abeysinghe…