The Ministry of Sports has announced that the “Lanka Ride 2025” Cycling Tour, organized for the first time in history, will be held from 18- 20 December 2025. The media briefing to announce the Cycling Tour, which is jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Lake House Group, Department of Sports Development, and the Cycling Referees’ Association, was held today at the Sports Ministry yesterday (12). The event was attended by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, Director General of the Department of Sports Development V. Premachandiran, Chairman of the Cycling Referees Association Upul…
The Sri Lankan Report
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has reflected on the long and complex history of cricketing ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, drawing parallels between past security challenges and the current situation involving the Sri Lankan team in Islamabad. Writing on Wednesday, Latif recounted Pakistan’s 1994 tour of Sri Lanka, where the team played three Tests and three ODIs amid heavy clashes between government forces and the LTTE. After the second Test in Colombo, a bomb blast and curfew forced the cancellation of the third Test. Despite the danger, the Pakistan team remained in Colombo. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision, taken…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (13), compared to Wednesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 301.25 to Rs. 301.35, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 306.50 to Rs. 306.60. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 301.25 to Rs. 301.45 and from Rs. 307.75 to Rs. 307.95, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 300.85 to Rs.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Profits at Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank grew 4 percent from a year ago to 7.5 billion rupees in the September 2025 quarter, amid falling net interest income but strong fee income growth, interim accounts showed. The bank reported earnings of 6.41 rupees for the quarter. In the nine months to September Sampath Bank group reported earnings of 19.7 rupees, on total profits of 23.1 billion rupees. Interest income grew 3 percent to 47.4 billion rupees in the September 2025 quarter, interest expenses grew at a faster 9 percent to 27.3 billion rupees and net interest expense fell 3…
The Executive Director of the South Centre Dr. Carlos Correa has observed that the current protectionist policies of the major western powers may paradoxically strengthen cooperation among developing countries, creating new opportunities for the ‘Global South’ to reshape the global economic order through strategic approaches and regional collaboration. Referring specifically to the confrontational U.S. trade policies driving unexpected shifts among emerging economies, he noted that “The US is helping India and China to come closer, and if India and China work together, the global economy and politics could change dramatically.” Dr. Correa, a leading authority on international trade, innovation, and…
A committee report containing recommendations for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) has been presented to Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara. The report was handed over by President’s Counsel Rienzi Arsakularatne, who served as the chairperson of the committee. According to the Justice Ministry, the final draft bill proposes new anti-terror legislation to replace the Prevention of Terror Act. (Newswire) The post PTA repeal committee recommendations handed over to Justice Minister appeared first on Newswire.
The Castle Street Hospital for Women has confirmed the birth of conjoined twin girls at the hospital earlier this week (10), it was reported. According to the Hospital Director, Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana, the mother, a 29-year-old woman from Pannala, delivered the twins via Caesarean section. One baby weighed 2.2 kg, and together the twins weighed 4.4 kg, with both reported to be in stable health. The twins are joined at the abdomen, and a separation surgery is scheduled to take place at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in approximately three months. Following their discharge, the twins will be admitted…
President Donald Trump late Wednesday night signed a funding bill that will end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The House passed the bill by a 222-209 margin earlier in the evening. The Senate passed the bill on Monday. The legislation will fund the government through Jan. 30 and provide funding for some government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year. President Donald Trump has signed the legislation ending the government shutdown that spanned 43 days. The House passed the funding measure earlier in the evening, after eight Senate Democrats broke with their party to advance the package…
A high-level meeting to evaluate the progress of releasing privately owned lands in the Jaffna and Palali areas currently under military use took place at the Parliament Complex on Tuesday (11). The meeting was jointly chaired by Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku. According to a Ministry of Defence statement, the discussion was held to accelerate the government’s efforts in resolving land-related issues, a cornerstone of the national reconciliation process. Key matters discussed included finalizing boundary re-alignments,…
The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court granted bail to former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, in connection with a corruption-related investigation yesterday, on medical grounds and a lack of evidence by the Bribery Commission, it was reported. The Bribery Commission arrested Prasanna Ranatunga for causing a loss of over Rs. 04 million to the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation during his tenure as Minister of Tourism and Aviation in 2021. It is reported that during a bail hearing, his counsel had informed the court that Ranatunga’s life could be at risk if he were unable to consume regular meals. The suspect’s counsel informed the…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened at 304.75/85 to the US dollar in the spot market Thursday, weaker from 304.60/65 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields opened steady. An auction of Rs.80,000 million Treasury Bonds was going on. A bond maturing on 15.10.2028 was quoted at 9.00/05 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.42/47 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.55/56 percent, down from 9.55/62 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 10.20/22 percent, down from 10.20/25 percent. The telegraphic transfer rates for the American dollar was 301.1000 buying, 308.1000…
Photo courtesy Yolanda Foster I have just returned from Sri Lanka where conversations with disappearance activists left me deeply unsettled. Barely a month after Sri Lanka presented its report before the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) in Geneva, families once again gathered in Seeduwa to show that international pledges have meant little without political will at home. Despite recent government assurances to strengthen domestic accountability mechanisms and provide reparations, those working closest to the issue told a different story. More than four decades since the first mass disappearances, families are still waiting for truth, for recognition and for justice.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Galadari Hotels (Lanka) PLC said it the reopening of its Colombo city hotel is expected to be in the second quarter of 2026. The hotel had been closed for refurbishment. Last November the company entered into an agreement with Dubai UAE restaurant operator Soho Hospitality Corporate Service Provider – FZCO to manage its Above Eleven restaurant. Galadari Hotels entered into agreements with its parent, Dubai-based Galadari Brothers LLC and Mashreq Bank PSC to get a 73.4 million Dirham loan (20 million dollars) to fund the refurbishment. (Colombo/Nov12/2025)
A suspect has been remanded for allegedly misusing the name of veteran film director Sanath Abeysekara to solicit sexual bribes from women. The individual was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and presented before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (12). Investigations revealed that the suspect had created a fake Facebook account impersonating Sanath Abeysekara and contacted aspiring actresses, claiming to offer film roles, while demanding money and sexual favours. Director Sanath Abeysekara had filed a formal complaint with the CID, leading to the suspect’s arrest. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court remanded the suspect until November 17 pending further legal…
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa says the upcoming anti-government rally in Nugegoda on November 21 aims to remind the government of the promises it made to the people. Addressing the media after a meeting at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s party office on Flower Road, Colombo, Rajapaksa said that several opposition parties are participating in the discussions. “In the past, discussions were held within the SLPP, but today we met with the United National Party (UNP) to ensure the success of the rally,” he said. He added that the rally is intended to hold the government accountable and…
Showery weather is expected to further intensify over the Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces over the next few days, according to the Department of Meteorology. As such, showers may occur at times in the Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur in the other areas of the island after 1.00 pm. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. Meanwhile,…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Pakistan Cricket Board Media Release PCB announces revised schedule for ongoing ODI series with Sri Lanka and upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament Lahore, [13th Nov, 2025] — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced changes to the schedule of the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as the upcoming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. The decision to revise the schedule was made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match requirements. Under the revised schedule, the remaining…
Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured that every possible measure is being taken to safeguard the national cricket team in Pakistan, following security concerns triggered by a recent suicide bomb blast in Islamabad, State Media reported. The President held discussions with SLC Chairman and head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and instructed the team to continue the tour while working closely with Pakistani authorities to ensure maximum protection. Defence Secretary Sampath Thuiyakontha also spoke directly with Pakistan’s top security officials, resulting in strengthened security deployments around the team, including special protection at their hotel. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s planned 75,000 in new recruitments announced in the budget is mostly for skilled grades, and there are plans to ‘rightsize’ the bloated public sector over time, Deputy Minister for Industries Chathuranga Abeysinghe has said. “I think we first have to admit where we are, because it’s been bloated up, not in the levels of executives and skills grades,” Deputy Minister Abeysinghe told a post-budget seminar organized by Deloitte. “Mostly, it’s bloated up at the bottom tier, because previous governments wanted to give jobs to people who voted for them. “What we are trying to do is…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Hatton National Bank group which also includes an insurance unit reported profits of 11.03 billion rupees for the September 2025 quarter, up 53 percent backed by both fund and fee-based income. The group reported earnings 19.30 rupees per share for the quarter. For the nine months to September, earnings were 58 rupees per share, on total profits of 33.4 billion rupees, which grew 46 percent. At group level, net interest income grew 12 percent to 29.1 billion rupees with interest income rising 10 percent to 60.8 billion rupees and interest expenses rising 8 percent to 31.7…