The Yantra Labs team at 99x – Hasini Ariyapperuma, Madusha Mihiran, Pradeesha Hettiarachchi, and Dilshan Jayakody with Tonja Joseph, Embedded Systems Engineer at Norwegian Subsea 99x, a global technology services leader, continues to advance the frontier of innovation through its specialised 99x Yantra Labs team, focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT), embedded systems, and sensor-based applications. The team’s latest developments include use cases such as sensors that guide optimal solar panel placement, extending CCTV feeds to detect fire hazards, and several other bespoke customer engagements. Commenting on the team’s line of work, Sachith Perera, Chief Technology Officer – Product…
The Sri Lankan Report
Sri Lanka will enter into loan agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement the Sustainable Tourism Sector Development Programme (STSDP), following Cabinet approval of a proposal presented by the President. Negotiations have been concluded to obtain a total of USD 100 million, comprising USD 70 million from ADB’s concessionary general capital resources and USD 30 million from its regular capital resources, the government said. According to the Cabinet Spokersperson, both the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Attorney General’s Department have granted clearance for the loan facility. The ADB financing is expected to help strengthen Sri Lanka’s…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to complete the renovation of the remaining section of the Maharagama–Piliyandala road using government funds. The project involves the renovation and upgrading of the road section between the 2+000 km and 3+700 km marks. It is a part of a broader project financed through a US$ 50 million loan agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development, which was aimed at upgrading 46 km of national roads in the Colombo District, the government said. The Maharagama–Piliyandala road, spanning 6.7 km, has been identified…
Sri Lanka will secure a USD 30 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group to support the country’s Secure, Bearable and Sustainable Energy Project, following Cabinet approval of a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as minister of finance. The financing agreement aims to assist energy sector reforms and promote sustainability initiatives. According to the government, the loan facility will be extended to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) or its affiliated entities as a sub-loan. Negotiations with the IFC are in progress, and the project will be implemented under the financial…
Laboratory tests have confirmed that the material discovered in a Kandana home garden in September does not contain chemicals used in manufacturing crystal methamphetamine (ICE), state newspaper Dinamina reported, citing a senior police official. A report from the Government Analyst’s Department received by Kandana Police, states that the powdery substance contained no methamphetamine or precursor chemicals linked to ICE production, the newspaper reported. Police recovered more than 100 kilograms of the suspected chemical substances from the property during an investigation in September. (Newswire) The post Tests find no ICE chemicals in rocks from Kandana home – Dinamina appeared first on…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (04), compared to Monday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 300.70 to Rs. 300.71. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has also increased from Rs. 308.19 to Rs. 308.20. However, the Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, while it has depreciated against Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka welcomed 165,193 tourists in October 2025, marking a 21.5% increase compared to the same month last year. According to official data, total tourist arrivals for the first ten months of 2025 have reached 1.89 million. The highest monthly arrivals were recorded in January with over 252,000 visitors. Tourism authorities expect total arrivals to surpass two million by the end of the year, supported by growing air connectivity and new promotional campaigns. (Newswire) The post Sri Lanka tourism grows 21.5% in October — 1.89 million arrivals so far in 2025 appeared first on Newswire.
The government has decided not to approve any new wind power projects in Mannar beyond the three projects already planned, following concerns raised by residents over environmental and social impacts. According to the Cabinet paper, three projects were initially planned for Mannar Island — the Thambapavani wind power plant, which began operations in 2021, the 20 MW Windscape Mannar project, and the 50 MW Hayleys Fentons project, scheduled for completion in December 2025 and December 2026 respectively. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has informed the authorities that no further wind projects should be implemented on Mannar Island without the consent of…
Sri Lanka has approved a new two-year Road Protection Action Plan aimed at reducing the country’s growing number of road accidents and fatalities. According to police data, 118,697 road accidents were reported between 2020 and 2024, claiming 12,322 lives. The annual death rate has reached 11.2 per 10,000 people — exceeding the United Nations’ recommended safety limit for the current global action decade (2021–2030). The plan also addresses safety risks at unprotected railway crossings, which have caused nearly 400 accidents in recent years. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban…
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka, expressed humble respect to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, stating that Sri Lanka looks forward to strengthening its engagement with the Holy See under His Holiness’s esteemed leadership. Commenting on the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See, Minister Herath said Sri Lanka reflects with pride on the multifaceted engagement between both parties, particularly in the areas of religion, education, healthcare, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian cooperation. “I also take this opportunity to note the enduring support…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a policy decision to allow the recruitment of women to several key positions within the Sri Lanka Railways Department, for the first time in the department’s 165-year history. Until now, only men have been eligible for roles such as Railway Engine Driver, Train Controller, and Station Master. Women were first recruited to the post of Railway Supervisory Manager in 2012 and again in 2015. The new decision, made in line with the government’s current economic policies, aims to expand opportunities for women in public sector roles traditionally held by men, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda…
The One-Day National Identity Card (NIC) Issuance Service was officially launched in the North Western Province yesterday, at the Department for Registration of Persons provincial office in Kurunegala. The service was launched under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, marking a significant step forward in improving public convenience. Currently, provincial offices are operational in Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa, and Vavuniya, with the one-day NIC issuance service already functioning successfully at the Galle and Nuwara Eliya offices. With the launch of this new service, residents of the North Western Province will no longer need to travel to…
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, arrived in Sri Lanka today (04). According to the Foreign Ministry, he will be co-chairing the Second Session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates to be held this afternoon, together with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra. The UAE is one of Sri Lanka’s most significant trading partners in the Middle East, ranking as Sri Lanka’s 7th largest export destination in 2024. It also hosts the largest number of Sri Lankans in a single…
Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa today met Indian Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi, stating Sri Lanka must leverage its position and realise its full potential. Taking to ‘X’, MP Sajith Premadasa said during the meeting, Nirmala Sitharaman spoke with great warmth about SriLanka, calling the nation “blessed with every resource and human talent.” “Her words are a reminder that it’s up to us to leverage our position and realise our full potential. Grateful for her kind words and continued support to Sri Lanka,” he added. The meeting took place during Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to purchase 100 motorbikes and 50 three-wheelers for the Special Task Force (STF). The STF currently operates across 76 main camps, 23 sub-camps, and 14 special units nationwide. Officials noted that nearly 90 percent of the unit’s existing 314 motorbikes are over ten years old and frequently experience mechanical failures, hindering regular and precise operations. The new fleet — comprising 125cc motorcycles and tuk-tuks — aims to enhance the STF’s mobility and strengthen its capacity in combating narcotics and organized crime effectively and…
Billions of rupees of taxpayers’ money have gone down the drain as hundreds of government doctors have deserted their posts and forfeited their foreign training opportunities.
Sri Lanka is planning to open international tenders during the first week of next month, calling for bids for oil and gas exploration and development in the Mannar Basin, an official said.
A follow-up discussion aimed at strengthening mechanisms to further expedite the passport issuance process for overseas Sri Lankans was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (03). The meeting, chaired by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, was attended by officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Consular Affairs Division, ministry representatives, and heads of Sri Lankan diplomatic missions abroad. Discussions focused on updating the current passport issuance system, enhancing infrastructure, and identifying new methods to ensure accuracy and faster processing. Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said providing a more efficient and accessible service to…
The government has assured that no government or civilian data was compromised following the unexpected collapse of the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) in mid-October this year. Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) said the assurance was given by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, in Parliament recently in response to a question raised by Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake. According to the statement, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne had clarified that a technical issue brought on by a storage drive exceeding 100% utilization and initiating an automatic shutdown protocol was the cause of the incident, rather…
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Indian Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar to initiate immediate diplomatic efforts with the Sri Lankan Government to secure the release of all the detained fishermen. “I wish to bring to your kind attention the recent apprehension of 35 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu and their fishing boats by the Sri Lankan Navy,” Stalin informed Jaishankar in a DO (Demi-Official) letter on Monday. He explained that on Monday, the Sri Lankan Navy detained 31 fishermen from Nagapattinam along with their three mechanised fishing boats. On the same day, in a separate incident,…