ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee depreciated further, closing at 309.50/60 to the US dollar in the spot market Tuesday, from 309.25/35 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed slightly down. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed flat at 8.35/45 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 8.80/90 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 closed at 9.40/45 percent. A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 closed at 10.22/25 percent, down from 10.22/26 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.37/42 percent. (Colombo/Dec16/2025)
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Sri Lanka’s Irrigation Department said spill gates of the Kaudulla Reservoir will be opened at around 5.00 p.m. today to manage inflows, with 500 cubic feet of water per second to be released into the Kawdulu Oya. The department said downstream conditions remain normal and no flooding is expected as a result of the controlled release. However, residents using low-lying areas and those living along the riverbanks have been advised to remain alert to possible changes in water levels during the release period. The release will be carried out under close monitoring as part of routine water management operations, the…
The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for heavy rain in the Eastern, Central, and Uva Provinces and the Polonnaruwa District. Per the advisory, effective from 08.30 am tomorrow (17) to 8.30 am on December 18, the prevailing showery conditions over the Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka are expected to continue further during the next few days due to the influence of the Easterly wave. Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places during this period. The public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by heavy rain, strong winds and strong…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a resolution to introduce legal provisions enabling Sri Lanka to ratify and implement the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on Eradicating Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (C190). Adopted at the 108th session of the International Labour Conference in 2019, C190 is the first international convention addressing violence and harassment in the workplace. The convention was presented to Parliament in May 2021 following a Cabinet decision earlier that year. According to the government, ratifying and executing the convention will help eliminate violence and harassment in both formal and informal work sectors, ensure…
ECONOMYNEXT – Colombo Dockyard and diversified financials pushed the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to close 0.17 percent higher on Tuesday recovering from the previous session’s subdued momentum, data on its site showed. The broader All Share Price Index closed up 38.48 points at 22,333.25. Meanwhile the more liquid S&P SL20 index climbed 0.31 percent, or 18.82 points higher to 6,071.12. Colombo Dockyard (up 10.25 rupees at 202.25 rupees), Commercial Bank (up 2 rupees at 200 rupees), Sampath Bank (up 1.50 rupees at 142.25 rupees), Melstacorp (up 1.50 rupees at 174 rupees), and DFCC Bank (up 1.75 rupees at 148 rupees)…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s CBC Finance, a unit of Commercial Bank of Ceylon, has listed 1.5 billion rupees of 11.5 percent debentures, the Colombo Stock Exchange said. CBC Finance raised 1.5 billion rupees on November 27 after its issue of 15 million listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable debentures was oversubscribed, according to a CSE statement. The debentures carry a tenure of five years and a fixed interest rate of 11.50% p.a. payable annually. They were priced at 100 rupees each, and are rated “BBB+(lka)” by Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited. “Through this debenture issue, we encourage investors to participate in the…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a local government agency and Japanese state firm to provide skill training for Sri Lankans in order to improve employability in Japan, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The MOU will be signed between Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) and Enterprise United Corporative (EUC) in Japan with the objective of increasing job opportunities in Japan through a secure, systematic, and formal procedure. The MOU will see providing internationally recognised technological and professional training alongside the education of technical subjects, the Japanese…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka Cabinet has approved a proposal to co-host Asian Regional Debt Management Conference in May next year, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said. The conference is hosted annually by the Asian Development Bank and it provides an opportunity for debt managers from the ADB’s member countries to share experiences in the field of public debt management, discuss challenges, and strengthen regional cooperation. The 2026 Asian Regional Debt Management Conference is planned to be held over a period of 4 to 5 days, consisting of surveys and technical workshops drawing attention to the debt management operations, challenges, and new approaches,…
A prostitution den operating under the guise of a massage centre was raided in the Kollupitiya area on Monday afternoon, police said. Officers attached to the Colombo South Division Criminal Investigation Bureau carried out the raid within the Kollupitiya Police Division, arresting one suspect for managing the establishment and six women for allegedly aiding and abetting the operation. The main suspect, a 40-year-old resident of Wadduwa, was taken into custody during the operation, police said. The six women arrested are Thai nationals aged between 29 and 36, according to police. Further investigations into the incident are being conducted by the…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a 200 million dollar loan to continue the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program (MWSIP) – Stage 2, the Ministry of Finance said. Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma and ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono signed the agreement at the Treasury. The loan will cover a part of the total project cost, the ministry said in a statement. “The objective of the project is to enhance agricultural productivity, farmer incomes, and climate resilience in the North Central Province (NCP).” The MWSIP-Stage 2 comprises of two components; 1) completion…
A businessman has been arrested at the Katunayake Airport for attempting to smuggle into the country a consignment of foreign whisky bottles valued at approximately Rs. 800,000. The suspect was arrested by officials of the Police Narcotics Bureau upon his arrival at the Katunayake International Airport early this morning (16). The businessman, a 28-year-old resident of Minuwangoda, had arrived from Dubai. He was arrested after attempting to smuggle in 69 bottles of whiskey that were concealed in his luggage. (Newswire) The post Businessman arrested at Katunayake Airport with illegal Whisky stock appeared first on Newswire.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Prasanna Gunasena, says Sri Lanka Railways is implementing a phased disaster recovery and restoration programme across the national railway network following recent extreme weather events. In a statement on social media, Prasanna Gunasena said the phased disaster recovery and restoration programme is being carried out to ensure the safe and gradual resumption of train operations in Sri Lanka. The Deputy Transport Minister further outlined the following details of the phased recovery process: 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗦 Approximately 595.24 km of railway track (about 40%) has been restored. Train services have commenced up to: Main Line – Rambukkana…
Protection of the State from Terrorism Act, No. of 2026: Observations from an information integrity perspective By Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa From the primary perspective of the integrity of information, and privileged communications, this bill’s forward presentation as a human rights improvement on the PTA obscures the reality that its core architecture, ranging from administrative detention, military powers, proscription regimes, and broad speech offences, replicates the essential features that made the PTA objectionable. Posted online four days ago, the bill is open to public input for a month. As journalist S. Rubatheesan wrote in the Sunday Times3, “Under the proposed Terrorism…
Legal action has been taken against a supermarket in Nalanda, Matale, for selling Keeri Samba rice at prices above the approved rate and misleading consumers by issuing bills under the false name “Lanka Basmati,” authorities said. The businessman admitted to the offence and was fined Rs. 110,000 by the Naula Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, officials said. Consumer affairs officials said the case was filed following an investigation into complaints that the supermarket was charging higher prices for Keeri Samba rice while misrepresenting the product on billing invoices. Authorities urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing essential goods and to carefully…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (16 Dec), compared to Monday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 305.34 to Rs. 305.57. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has also increased from Rs. 312.94 to Rs. 313.16. The Sri Lankan Rupee has also depreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Selection Committee has selected a 15-member women’s squad for the tour of India, which will feature a five-match T20 International series. According to an SLC statement, the Sri Lankan women’s team is scheduled to depart for India tomorrow (Dec 17). The T20I matches will be played on 21, 23, 26, 28, and 30 December 2025. The squad is as follows; The post Sri Lanka Women’s squad for India T20I Tour announced appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka´s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Himalee Arunatilaka, who is concurrently accredited to the Holy See, presented credentials to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, at a ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican recently (Dec 06). According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the Holy See in Geneva, the ceremony was attended by high officials of the Vatican, where non-resident Ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Moldova, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Liberia, Thailand, Lesotho, South Africa, Fiji, Micronesia, Latvia and Finland presented credentials. Welcoming the newly accredited Ambassadors to the Holy See during the Jubilee Year of…
The post Dhananjaya de Silva says the new indoor nets at the R Premadasa Stadium are “the biggest and best investment” Sri Lanka Cricket has made appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka’s young para athletes delivered a remarkable performance at the 3rd Asian Youth Para Games 2025 in Dubai, winning three gold medals and two bronze medals across track and field events. The Games, held from December 7 to 14, brought together over 1,500 participants from 35 countries. Sri Lanka’s team, led by Viruja Senila, comprised nine athletes who showcased resilience and talent on the international stage. The medal achievements of the Sri Lankan team are as follows: Dilmini Udumbara Kumarage – Discus Throw, Under‑17 Women’s (Category F40/41): Gold Medal Dilmini Udumbara Kumarage – Shot Put, Under‑17 Women’s (Category F40/41):…
Photo courtesy of IOM Sri Lanka’s latest natural disaster once again exposed deep structural weaknesses not only in disaster preparedness but also in governance economic resilience and regional connectivity. Amid this crisis India’s response stood out for its speed scale and restraint. India’s immediate humanitarian assistance extended across the entire island was not merely a gesture of goodwill. It reaffirmed India’s Neighbourhood First policy and its commitment to regional stability. More importantly India’s early intervention encouraged other countries to step forward with rescue support and essential supplies at a moment when Sri Lanka was already economically and institutionally weakened. For…