The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a highly volatile trading session, with the ASPI plunging 187 points during the first hour before staging a strong recovery by midday. Despite continued fluctuations throughout the afternoon, the index ultimately closed nearly flat, down just 1.71 points, as investors navigated sharp intraday swings. In contrast, the S&P SL20 declined 22.22 points, reflecting selling pressure on key blue-chip counters.
The Sri Lankan Report
A writ petition challenging the legality of an alleged endorsement by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) of projects aimed at promoting and developing LGBTIQ tourism in Sri Lanka was today fixed for hearing on February 10 by the Court of Appeal.
The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has asked the Defense Ministry to provide security for its officers who are cutting down 5,000 diseased coconut trees in the Matara District.
The second reading of the 2026 Budget was approved in Parliament with a majority of 118 votes, as 160 MPs voted in favour and 42 voted against.
Commuters will be able to pay bus fares using bank-issued credit and debit cards on buses fitted with ticket-issuing machines from November 24, 2025, Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake announced today (14).
British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick held discussions with Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva during a visit to the party’s headquarters in Pelawatta, Battaramulla.
A Sri Lankan man working in Israel has been tragically killed in a stabbing incident. The victim has been identified as K.K. Tharindu Shanaka, 38, a father of two from Batapola, Kondagala in Galle, who had arrived in Israel in September 2025 to work as a carpenter in the construction sector.
About 30 schools in Australia have been fully or partially closed after a warning over asbestos risks in children’s sand.
Ruwanthi Delpitiya, the newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, presented her Letters of Credence to President Ramchandra Paudel at a formal ceremony held at Rastrapati Bhavan in Kathmandu yesterday.
The All Ceylon Small Industries Association has raised alarm over the existence of between 400 and 500 illegal factories manufacturing substandard and banned lunch sheets used for wrapping food across the island.
Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced that the government has begun implementing plans to expand the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance fleet to 500 vehicles, with upgrades incorporating the latest global technologies to modernize emergency medical services.
Sri Lanka and the United States signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding today (14 November), boosting defence cooperation under the State Partnership Program (SPP). US Ambassador H.E. Julie Chung and Brigadier General Trenton Gibson signed for the U.S., while Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) represented Sri Lanka. Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) delivered the opening remarks. The agreement strengthens cooperation between the Montana National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard District 13, and Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces in joint training, disaster response, maritime security, cyber defence, and humanitarian assistance. Statement from US Embassy COLOMBO, Sri…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is rolling out 20 additional self check-in counters at its main Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) through the ground handling service provider of state-run SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier said in a statement. Airport and Ground Services, the sole ground services provider at BIA) is in the process of rolling out its self-check-in service for passengers of customer airlines ahead of the winter travel high season, which is expected to bring over 300,000 tourists to the island in December alone. “The initiative, made possible by the airline’s IT team, follows the installation of 20 new self-check-in kiosks…
Front row (L to R): Mr. Nilan Chandima – Food and Beverage Manager; Mr. Bandula Priyantha – Executive Chef; Mr. Ravi Kurukulasooriya – General Manager; Mr. Nelson Mayadunna – Financial Controller; Mr. Jayantha – Cluster Engineer.Back row (L to R): Ms. Dharani Sivam – Front Office Manager; Ms. Thilini Wijethunga – Human Resource Manager; Ms. Ahinsa D. Karunarathne – Sustainability Officer; Mr. Nalaka Hodarangala – Assistant Engineer; Mr. Sugath Karunananda – Executive Housekeeper. Royal Palms Beach Hotel (RPBH), Kalutara, proudly received the Silver Award under the Hotel Sector – Service Large Category at the National Cleaner Production Awards 2025, organised…
The Ilamkai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) will abstain from voting for the second reading of the budget, MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam told Parliament today.
SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services has planned to launch a self- check-in service at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for passengers of customer airlines ahead of the winter travel high season which is expected to bring over 300,000 tourists to the island in December alone.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala today refuted the allegations that a circular has been issued prohibiting the release of information on drug raids to the media after the arrest of National People’s Power (NPP) Urban Councillor’s husband for drug smuggling.
Passengers will soon have the option of paying bus fares using bank-issued credit and debit cards, with the new system set to take effect from November 24, 2025, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake announced in Parliament today. The facility will be available on buses equipped with electronic ticket-issuing machines, allowing passengers to swipe their cards instead of using cash. Minister Rathnayake said the move is part of ongoing efforts to modernise public transport and improve convenience for daily commuters. (Newswire) The post Sri Lanka to Roll Out Card-Based Bus Fare System appeared first on Newswire.
The southern Indian state of Karnataka, which is also home to some of the world’s biggest IT firms, has become the first in the country to offer paid menstrual leave to all working women in formal jobs.
The Opposition Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), led by Mano Ganesan, voted in favour of the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget earlier today, along with MPs Palani Thigambaram, Jeevan Thondaman and V. Radhakrishnan. Explaining the decision, Ganesan said their support was based on confidence in the President’s commitment to deliver a daily wage of Rs. 1,750 for plantation workers. He said the wage increase must be applied uniformly across all three state-run plantation companies, the 22 Regional Plantation Companies, and smallholder estates operating in 12 districts. Ganesan noted that the TPA is not interested in scrutinising or debating the internal…