Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament that Members of Parliament do not require vehicle permits, and that such benefits should instead be extended to professionals and skilled workers in the state sector to encourage them to remain in public service. Participating in the 2025 Budget debate, Premadasa said Sri Lanka is witnessing a growing brain drain due to low salaries, high taxes and lack of incentives for educated workers. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, presenting the 2025 Budget last week, announced that vehicle import permits will not be issued to anyone under the government’s fiscal discipline framework aimed at controlling expenditure…
The Sri Lankan Report
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) reported that air quality in several Sri Lankan cities reached slightly unhealthy levels over the past 24 hours, while most other areas remained within the moderate range. According to the NBRO, unhealthy air quality levels were recorded in Colombo 07, Jaffna, Kandy, Puttalam, Badulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that the Air Quality Index (AQI) will range between 44 and 108, with moderate levels expected across most cities. However, Colombo 07 and Puttalam are likely to continue experiencing slightly unhealthy air quality. The NBRO also noted that peak…
Ramith Rambukwella, son of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, was formally indicted today (11) before the Colombo High Court over allegations of illicit asset accumulation. The case was heard before High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal, where the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption presented the charges. Following the indictment, the accused was released on cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 1 million each. The court also ordered the collection of his fingerprints and called for a report. The charges stem from his alleged failure to disclose the acquisition of assets and funds valued at Rs.…
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed his condolences to the victims of a car explosion that ripped through a popular Delhi neighbourhood in India on Monday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. “Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, in a post on ‘X’. The blast took place near the city’s iconic Red Fort, a 17th-century monument and a symbol of India’s independence. Delhi…
Photo courtesy of HRW The year 2024 was a watershed for Sri Lanka with two national elections held in quick succession: a presidential poll in September and parliamentary elections in November. These were the first national contests conducted against the backdrop of a deep economic crisis and the mass citizen movement known as the aragalaya, which demanded sweeping political and economic change. Uniting Sri Lankans across class, ethnic and religious lines, the movement marked a rare moment of collective action against corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement. The NPP party, a left-leaning political alliance, captured the public’s imagination with its manifesto,…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (11), compared to Monday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from 301.55 to Rs. 300.95, while the selling rate has also dropped from Rs. 306.80 to Rs. 306.20. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have reduced from Rs. 301.60 to Rs. 300.90 and from Rs. 308.10 to Rs. 307.40, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 301.39 to Rs. 300.75,…
Sri Lanka Police report a noticeable increase in motorcycle and three-wheeler thefts across Colombo city and the wider Western Province in recent days. According to Police Spokesman, ASP Wootler, a significant number of complaints have been received regarding vehicles stolen while parked along public roads. He further said that a total of 10 motorcycles and 3 three-wheelers were reported stolen within the province on November 8 and 9. ASP Wootler said that in response, special investigation teams have been deployed to probe the incidents. (Newswire) The post Surge in motorcycle and three-wheeler thefts in Western Province appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s budget for 2026 maintains a ‘clear trajectory of policy predictability, fiscal consolidation, and disciplined debt management, continuing the stability required for Sri Lanka’s medium-term reform agenda, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has said. “This consistency is critical for sustaining a transformative growth trajectory that is underpinned by low inflation, stable interest rates and renewed investor confidence,” the chamber said in a statement. The chamber pointed out “the importance of converting recent fiscal over-performance into productive public investment”. “Well-directed and well-implemented capital expenditure especially in infrastructure, digital services, transport, tourism, energy, education, health and agriculture can form…
ECONOMYNEXT – The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) has said that there were several ‘positive and constructive’ aspects in the Government’s 2026 budget that reflect ‘commitment to sustainable development and transparency’. The proposals aligned with Sri Lanka’s commitments under the IMF reform programme and the National Policy Framework 2026–2030, focusing on revenue enhancement, broadening the tax base, improving public financial management, and state-enterprise reforms, the chamber said in a statement. It commended the focus on SMEs, and the government’s promise to restart stalled infrastructure projects, and expand investment flows. NCCSL President Anura Warnakulasooriya said the budget carries…
Sri Lankan leaders have expressed their condolences to the victims of the blast near New Delhi’s iconic Red Fort in India yesterday. Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath said Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. “Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi this evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” he said, in a post on ‘X’ on Monday. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said all should unite to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. “Shocked to hear about the terror attack in New Delhi.…
Photo courtesy of IPS The government’s 2026 budget outlines an ambitious and costly digitalisation agenda, allocating over Rs. 30 billion for a sweeping technological overhaul of the state apparatus. While presented as a leap towards efficiency, transparent governance and a modern digital economy, roseate presidential and official narratives hide major problems anchored to secrecy, the lack of essential legal safeguards and the absence of meaningful independent oversight. The concern is that digitalisation, far from being a simple modernisation effort, and while delivering significant benefits to society, could also lay permanent foundations for a powerful state surveillance architecture, fundamentally altering the…
The Colombo Divisional Crime Division has arrested five suspects in connection with a recent fatal shooting in Kotahena, in which a man was killed. According to the Police Media Division, investigations into the murder were launched by the Colombo Divisional Crimes Unit shortly after the incident, and the suspects were arrested on Sunday (09) and yesterday (10). During the arrests, authorities also seized a motor vehicle and a mobile phone in the Chenmani junction area in Jaffna along the A9 highway, believed to be linked to the crime. Three suspects are aged between 18 and 33, while the two female…
The Maldivian Police has confirmed that a large haul of narcotics was seized from the Sri Lankan vessel ‘Avishka Putha’ that was taken into custody after being found within the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone without authorization. Issuing a statement on the incident, the Maldivian Police said 355.9 kilos of suspected narcotics were seized from the vessel. The Maldivian Police further said that five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. According to the Maldives Police, 24 sacks containing 58.6 kilos of suspected heroin and 297.3 kilos of suspected ‘ICE’ narcotics were found in the vessel. The arrested suspects…
The National Eye Hospital has warned of an increase in eye disorder keratoconus, which results in distorted vision. Addressing the media, Consultant Cornea Surgeon Dr. Kusum Ratnayaka cautioned that the eye disorder is being detected in school children as young as eight years old. Dr. Ratnayaka further said that reports indicate that most patients fall between the ages of 10 and 40, with the disorder typically starting during the teenage or early adult years. Warning that those with a family history of the condition, frequent eye rubbing, allergic eye diseases such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis, or conditions like Down syndrome and…
Sri Lanka will look to extend their winning run in white-ball cricket when they take on Pakistan in a three-match ODI series, starting Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of Sri Lanka after 1.00 pm today, according to the Department of Meteorology. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Uva, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts. Showers may occur in the Northern province and in the Trincomalee district during the morning. Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the island. Winds will be North-westerly or variable in direction, and speed will be 20-30 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 40 kmph…
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says he had no prior knowledge of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s recent visit to India. Speaking on a talk show, Dr. de Silva said he was unaware of any details surrounding the visit or whether it had taken place on an official invitation from the Indian government. He said that media had reported it was an official visit. When journalists pointed out that a visit of such diplomatic significance should ideally include key figures such as a prospective Finance Minister, Prime Minister, or a member responsible for reconciliation in a future…
Pakistan’s Matches Shifted to Sri Lanka Amid Travel Restrictions.
Jannik Sinner began his ATP Finals title defence by sweeping aside a physically hampered Felix Auger-Aliassime in front of a passionate Turin crowd.
ECONOMYNEXT – Colombo West International Terminal, backed by India’s Adani Ports and Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings is off to a ‘spectacular’ start with volumes growing faster than new terminals can usually expect, Chief Executive Munish Kanwar said. The first two berths of the three-berth terminal is now in operation with eight ship-to-shore (STS) cranes which can take in two large big container vessels or one big and two smaller vessels. Fast Growth “We declared that we started a commercial operation in April this year and within a span of four months – which probably is a global record –…