The Hambantota International Port (HIP) says cargo volumes at HIP surged by 151% year-on-year, reaching 6,028,493 metric tons by September 2025 compared to 2,397,971 metric tons last year. Issuing a statement, HIP said that despite operational challenges after the lifting of local vehicle import restrictions, HIP optimised yard allocation, expanded manpower, and maintained regular productivity. In late 2024, the port invested USD 41 million in cranes, increasing container handling capacity to 1 million TEUs annually, it said. The HIP added that growth in LPG, bunkering, and vehicle transshipment further reinforces HIP’s position as a comprehensive multipurpose maritime hub. (Newswire) The…
The Sri Lankan Report
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he was immediately ending all trade talks with Canada, accusing it of misquoting former president Ronald Reagan in an advertising campaign against tariffs. “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED,” Trump said on his Truth Social network. “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs.” The latest extraordinary twist in relations between the North American neighbors comes just over two weeks after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Trump in the…
A smart bus stop, built at a cost of Rs. 700,000, has been declared open in front of the Dankotuwa Balika Maha Vidyalaya. The bus stop was declared open by Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody. It is reported that four such smart bus stops have been built across the Dankotuwa Town as of now. Watch : https://www.facebook.com/reel/1116179573966459 (Newswire) The post Minister opens smart bus stand built at a cost of Rs 700,000 appeared first on Newswire.
The body of an unidentified man has been recovered near the Adani terminal jetty at the Colombo Port on Thursday afternoon. Police said the victim, around 5 feet tall with partially long hair, was wearing blue denim trousers at the time of discovery. The decomposed body was taken to the Colombo National Hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination following a Magistrate’s inquiry. Investigations are continuing to identify the deceased. (Newswire) The post Body found near Colombo Port terminal appeared first on Newswire.
Four foreign tourists — two men aged 31 and 38 and two women aged 24 and 28 — were rescued from drowning off the Mirissa beach area on Thursday. Police said the tourists were caught in a strong current at Kotawila, within the Mirissa Police area, when lifeguards attached to the Police Lifesaving Unit acted swiftly to save them. They were given first aid on the beach after being brought ashore safely. (Newswire) The post Four foreign nationals rescued from drowning in Mirissa appeared first on Newswire.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has arrested seven suspects for operating and promoting an illegal pyramid scheme. According to police, the arrests were made on October 23 following an investigation launched on information received by the Inspector General of Police. The suspects, aged between 40 and 64, are residents of Ratmalana, Pannipitiya, Galnewa, Hokandara, Peradeniya, and Colombo 04. Further investigations are underway by the FCID. (Newswire) The post Seven arrested over illegal pyramid scheme appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 303.50/70 to the US dollar Friday, slightly recovering from 303.65/75 the previous day, while secondary market bond yields dropped on the 2028-2029 tenors, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 was quoted at 9.18/22 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 was quoted at 9.23/27 percent, down from 9.23/28 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.69/71 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.78/82 percent. A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 was quoted at 10.55/65 percent. The telegraphic transfer rates for the American dollar was 300.2000 buying, 307.2000 selling;…
Weather forecast for Friday; Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts today. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern and North Central provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Uva province and Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 1.00 pm. Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Western, Northern, North-central, North-western, and Southern…
An NBA player and coach are among dozens of people arrested as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal sports betting and rigged, mafia-linked poker games.
Women’s marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the Kenyan admitted to anti-doping rule violations.
Superb centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal powered India to a 53-run win over New Zealand and into the Women’s World Cup semi-finals on Thursday.
Lionel Messi has agreed a contract extension with Inter Miami which will see the Argentine superstar remain in Major League Soccer until the end of the 2028 season, the club confirmed on Thursday.
ECONOMYNEXT – Margin loans by Sri Lanaka’s banks have risen from 48 billion rupees to 60 billion rupees, from January to August 2025, Director of the Macroprudential Surveillance Department of the central bank, B H P K Thilakaweera said, indicating a rise of around 25 percent. Exposure of the banking sector to margin loans is still small compared to overall credit, Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Margin credit is also given by other market intermediaries. Sri Lanka’s stocks have soared as the economy recovered from the last currency crisis, along with strong demand for credit from a broad range…
Photo courtesy of The Hindu The conflict between Bangladesh’s indigenous people and the government has been portrayed as violence of an Islamic government against its minority ethnicities but while digging deep, it goes back to the ages of British ruling. The relationship between the government and the indigenous communities (collectively called Jumma or Pahari people) of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is defined by a long standing, multi-faceted conflict concerning land rights, regional autonomy and ethnic identity. This complex situation includes serious, internationally reported allegations of human rights abuses. The roots of the conflict are firmly planted in the colonial…
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara today assured that no underworld figures who were arrested will die in police custody.
The night mail train travelling from Badulla Railway Station to Colombo Fort derailed at the Kithelella Sub-Station tonight, the Railways Department said.
Sublime centuries from Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana fired India into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 courtesy of a 53-run victory (DLS) over New Zealand. The Indian openers both produced impressive knocks, making 122 and 109 respectively, as the hosts set New Zealand an imposing 341 for victory in 49 overs following a rain delay. That target was then revised to 325 from 44 overs following further rain. Roared on by a crowd of 25,166 in Navi Mumbai – the highest group stage attendance at any ICC women’s event – India’s bowlers were able to…
Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Achintha created history by winning the country’s first-ever Gold medal at the Asian Youth Games, clinching victory in the Boys’ 1500m event held in Bahrain on Wednesday (23). Achintha, representing St. Aloysius College, Ratnapura, clocked a personal best of 3 minutes and 57.42 seconds to secure the top spot. The Silver medal went to a Chinese athlete who finished in 3 minutes and 58.73 seconds, while the Bronze was claimed by a competitor from Hong Kong with a time of 4 minutes and 5.09 seconds. With Achintha’s triumph, Sri Lanka’s overall medal tally at the 2025 Asian…
Issues pertaining to the election of a Diyawadana Nimale at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, including the non-eligibility of women Divisional Secretaries to vote, is to be discussed in Parliament tomorrow.
A high-level meeting was held today (23 October) at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, jointly chaired by Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation, Janith Ruwan Kodituwakku and Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha.