Saudi Post (SPL) has issued a commemorative postal stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan officially presented the stamps to the visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath during the bilateral meeting held between the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on 09 November 2025. Minister Vijitha Herath expressed sincere appreciation to the Government of…
The Sri Lankan Report
ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo Stock Exchange’s (CSE) All Share Price Index continued its losing streak for a third session, data on its site showed. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) fell 1.01 percent, or 236.07 points to 23,223.68 on Monday. The index was dragged down by some financial and capital goods stocks. Meanwhile, the more liquid S&P SL20 index closed 0.40 percent, or 25.93 points lower at 6,410. Top negative contributors to the ASPI were Ceylinco Holdings (down 465.50 rupees at 3,030.00), Senkadagala Finance (down 124.00 rupees at 1,300.00), Bukit Darah (down 88.50 rupees at 1,010.50 rupees), Commercial Bank (down…
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya joins participants partners and organizers for a group photograph at the GEW Sri Lanka 2025 Sri Lanka officially launched Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2025 under the inspiring theme ‘Together We Build,’ commencing a nationwide celebration of innovation, inclusion, and economic empowerment. Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is an annual worldwide movement celebrating innovators and entrepreneurs, promoting creativity, collaboration, and economic growth. This year, Sri Lanka continues the island’s engagement as part of the global network, with ICTA once again serving as the National Host Organization. ‘Together We Build’ champions the initiative to unite Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has announced maximum retail prices (MRP) for 350 drugs, including common medications for blood pressure, and some cancer medications, effective immediately. These include common medications for blood pressure, worm treatment and long term medications such as those for epilepsy, and even some cancer medications. “Some patients don’t follow the prescribed medication dosage because the drugs are expensive; for example if a drug has been prescribed to be taken for a week they take it only for 3 days,” the NMRA’s Dr Ananda Wijewickrema told reporters. “Our aim is that by ensuring…
Rajasthan Royals have appointed former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara as their new head coach for the upcoming IPL season, while he will also continue as the franchise’s Director of Cricket. The 2008 IPL champions announced the move in an official post on X on Monday, releasing a short video set to a popular Rajinikanth movie song. The clip introducing Sangakkara has since gone viral, drawing wide reaction from fans across India and Sri Lanka. Sangakkara, who has been part of the Royals’ setup as Director of Cricket, will now take on the dual role as the franchise looks to…
ECONOMYNEXT – 80 percent of children in Grade 3 and 8 in Sri Lanka show a lack in standardized mathematics and literacy skills, making them unemployable, UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Emma Brigham has said. “That means they can’t go on to enter the workforce, and Sri Lanka simply isn’t able to compete with other countries that have really experienced graduates,” Brigham said on the latest episode of UNplugged, a series done by the United Nations Sri Lanka. “Unfortunately, the education sector not receiving the investment that it needs, so then the sector cannot keep up with all of the sort…
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 18 NOVEMBER 2025 Issued at 2.00 p.m. on 17 NOVEMBER 2025 The low pressure area over the island continues to persist and cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northwestern, Southern and Uva provinces and in the Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Misty conditions can be expected…
Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Dhaka for crimes against humanity over a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year. A three-judge bench of the country’s international crimes tribunal convicted Hasina of crimes including incitement, orders to kill, and inaction to prevent atrocities, carried out as she oversaw a crackdown on anti-government protesters last year. Reading the verdict to the court, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder said the “accused prime minister committed crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters and lethal weapons”. Hasina had pleaded not…
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has called on all Tamil members of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP), including Trincomalee MP and Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra, to resign immediately over the government’s response in relation to the recent issue of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee. A tense situation was reported yesterday after a group attempted to place a Buddha statue at a Dhamma school in a temple in the area last night. The Police were deployed to contain the situation, after which the statue was removed from the site. Addressing the Parliament today, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala…
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) says the country has surpassed the two-million mark in foreign tourist arrivals for 2025. According to the SLTDA, the milestone was reached with the arrival of a British couple on Monday, marking another positive step for the recovering tourism sector. Sri Lanka has recorded steady growth in arrivals throughout the year, driven by improved flight connectivity, promotional campaigns, and increasing interest from key markets such as India, the UK, China, and Germany. Tourism remains one of Sri Lanka’s top foreign-exchange earners, and officials expect arrivals to continue rising during the peak winter season.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong has reaffirmed China’s readiness to work closely with Sri Lanka to diversify reserves, reduce exchange-rate risks, and promote mutually beneficial financial cooperation, the island nation’s main business chamber said. China has been pursuing the internationalization of the renminbi (RMB, also called the Chinese yuan or CNY) since the late 2000s as a deliberate long-term strategy to reduce its dependence on the US dollar, enhance global trade efficiency for Chinese firms, and elevate Beijing’s financial influence. Key milestones of RMB internationalization include the launch of offshore RMB clearing centers, starting with Hong…
Sapphire Residences, an architectural masterpiece redefining Colombo’s skyline was unveiled to the media at an exclusive walk-through event. The development located along the prestigious Galle Face Ocean front ushers in a new era of ‘Ultra Luxury Vertical Living’ and positions Sri Lanka as a world class destination for luxury residences. Developed by WelcomHotels Lanka (Private) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Hotels Limited and part of the globally renowned ITC Group, Sapphire Residences sustainability centric design offers an unparalleled residential experience, combining elegant design, world class amenities and lifestyle. Situated between the ocean and Beira Lake, the development’s distinctive…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka energy firm Vidullanka has acquired a 30 percent equity stake in SAFE Power International (Pvt) Ltd for 225 million rupees. The company entered into a share purchase agreement with Arinma Power (Pvt) Limited to acquire the stake on November 14. “SAFE Power International (Pvt) Ltd has secured all approvals and agreements required to develop a 10MW wind power project in Alankuda, Puttalam,” according to a stock exchange filing. “The investment forms part of Vidullanka’s ongoing strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and does not result in Vidullanka PLC obtaining control of the company.” (Colombo/Nov17/2025)
Former Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Anura Walpola, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission earlier today, has been released on bail. The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court released Walpola on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each. He was arrested for allegedly recruiting an employee without following due process, despite circulars having been issued on the recruitment procedure. Anura Walpola is accused of having unlawfully recruited K. Dulani Anupama as Assistant Director of the Geological and Mines Bureau in 2020. Walpola is said to have made the appointment without obtaining approval from the Office Management Committee and…
A Bangladesh court convicted ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity on Monday, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year. The prosecution had sought the death penalty for Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan. It did not recommend any penalty for a third suspect – a former police chief who became a state witness and pleaded guilty. Hasina and Asaduzzaman were tried in absentia for crimes against humanity for the killing of hundreds of people during a student-led uprising in July and August of 2024.…
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has announced that it will take strict disciplinary action against party members who supported the National People’s Power (NPP) during the recent budget approvals in local government bodies. Issuing an official statement, the SLFP confirmed that it has already temporarily suspended the party membership of those who voted in favour of the NPP. The SLFP further stated that it has begun seeking explanations from the concerned members and will proceed with further disciplinary measures based on their responses. (Newswire) The post Disciplinary action against SLFP members who backed NPP budgets appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (17), compared to last Friday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 301.91 to Rs. 303.15. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has also increased from Rs. 309.61 to Rs. 310.85. 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 Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for severe lightning in the Southern and Uva provinces, and the Kalutara and Ratnapura districts today. Per the advisory, effective until 11.30 pm today, red alerts have been issued to 07 districts and amber alerts to 16 districts. Warning that there may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, the public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning activity. (Newswire) The post Lightning advisory : Red alert issued to 07 districts appeared first on Newswire.
At least 42 may have died when a bus full of Indian Umrah travellers hit a diesel tanker near Medina on Monday (Nov 17) morning, local media in Saudi Arabia reported. Most of the victims of the horrific accident are believed to be Indian citizens, some reportedly from Hyderabad. The Telangana government said it has reached out to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for information. In a brief statement, officials confirmed that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has asked authorities in New Delhi to stay in close contact with embassy staff and track developments. Reports suggest that the accident occurred near…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the police intervention during a tense situation at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara in Trincomalee yesterday, warning of fueling communal tensions. Citing Chapter Two of the Constitution, which grants Buddhism a foremost place while ensuring respect for other religions, he emphasized that the temple, established in 1951 and registered with the Department of Buddhist Affairs in 2010, holds legal status as a place of worship. MP Premadasa condemned the police for issuing orders regarding the placement of Buddha statues and the construction of Dhamma school buildings, warning that such actions could fuel communal tensions.…