The Ceylon Teachers’ Union held discussions with the Secretary to the Ministry of Education this week, seeking urgent solutions to a series of professional issues affecting teachers and principals across the school system. The meeting, attended by senior ministry officials, focused on concerns arising from the current uncertainty surrounding the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill and its implications for school discipline, as well as the additional administrative burdens placed on teachers through various projects unrelated to teaching. According to the union, the discussions centered on several key matters: 1. Formulating new guidelines to ensure the protection of teachers when disciplinary action…
The Sri Lankan Report
A father of one has been sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing a 03-year-old child. It is reported that the 46-year-old man was sentenced after being found guilty of having sexually molested the child, who was his relative. The Homagama Magistrate’s Court had issued the verdict and had also imposed a fine on the suspect. The man is convicted of having lured the child under the pretext of riding a bicycle, sexually molesting the child near a well, and threatening to murder her if she disclosed the incident to her parents. (Newswire) The post Man sentenced…
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has clarified that the government was not in support of any special tourism promotions for the LGBTQ community. PM Amarasuriya acknowledged that a letter had been issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman, Buddhika Hewawasam, in this regard. She further said that the tourism minister has briefed the SLTDA Chairman on the government’s stance on the matter and has provided the necessary advice in this regard. “The letter itself states that any such event should be conducted after notifying the government and the relevant subject minister. This proves that the notice had been…
Electricity trade unions have intensified their ongoing work-to-rule campaign, expressing their non-cooperation with the government’s plans to restructure the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Speaking to the media, a trade union representative said a decision has been taken to refrain from cooperating with officials from the Ministry of Power, the CEB Director General, and officials involved in the restructuring process. “We will not participate in any of the discussions with these officials. We will refrain from taking part in any activities involving them. We have been engaged in this trade union action for over a month now. The government has failed…
From November 30, 2025, commuters will be able to pay bus fares using bank-issued debit and credit cards on buses equipped with ticket machines, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced. The minister said this initiative responds to a long-standing request from private bus owners and aims to modernize Sri Lanka’s public transport payment system. The system will initially cover routes where ticketing machines are already in use, with plans to expand across the country in phases. (Newswire) The post Swipe, Tap, Ride! Sri Lankan Bus Fares to go Digital appeared first on Newswire.
Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd officially commenced administrative operations today, marking the launch of a new entity dedicated to strengthening Sri Lanka’s urban public transportation system. Established as an urban transport service institution, Lanka Metro Transit aims to streamline and modernize public mobility across key city corridors through integrated and multimodal transport solutions. According to officials, the company is preparing to commence its transport operations by the middle of next year, with necessary infrastructure and operational frameworks now being finalized. (Newswire) The post Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd begins operations as new urban transport authority appeared first on Newswire.
Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says the shortage of driving licence cards will be resolved by 18th October. Addressing Parliament today, Minister Rathnayake acknowledged a shortage and crisis related to driving licences. “The same group has been involved in the driving licence business for nearly 28 years without the knowledge of the Motor Traffic Department. Financial misuse and corruption have taken place on a large scale due to this. Even former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa tried to resolve this using the military, and it still didn’t work out. As such, we intervened by halting this and introducing a new system,” he…
The signing of the agreement between Futurity and the IESL for Techno 2025. From left: Dimitri Abeyratne (Head of Business, Futurity), Supun Kaluarachchi (Co-Founder & Director, Futurity), Eng. Kosala Kamburadeniya (IESL President Elect & Chairman, Techno 2025), and Venuka Wijethunga (Co-Founder & Director, Futurity). Futurity (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka’s first AI-native research studio, announced its strategic partnership with the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) as the official AI Enablement Partner for Techno 2025, the country’s premier engineering and technology exhibition. The collaboration was formalized at a signing ceremony attended by senior representatives from both organizations, including Eng. Kosala Kamburadeniya,…
A tense situation arose in Parliament today (08) over the issue of police transfers. Addressing the Parliament, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka questioned the government about a process in which police transfers were reportedly being carried out by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), bypassing the Police Commission. Opposition MP Gayantha Karunathilaka urged that such practices be discontinued. Also speaking in Parliament, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, stated that since 2017, police transfers have consistently been handled by the Police Commission, and that delegating this authority to the IGP at this stage would be inappropriate. He further pointed out that 32 Senior…
The Police have warned Sri Lankan citizens returning from overseas of financial fraud related to car rentals. According to the Police, Sri Lankans returning from abroad are requested to remain vigilant when obtaining car rental services via online. They have been urged to verify details of the car rental company before making payments. The Police state they have received reports of fraudsters obtaining money, disconnecting their phones, and not providing the service. (Newswire) The post Police warn returning Sri Lankans of online car rental fraud appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union has written to the parliament’s sectoral oversight committee raising concerns on the way electricity reforms are being carried out. “The reform program is proceeding in a fragmented and ad-hoc manner, without an approved and transparent strategic roadmap,” the letter said. Fundamental decisions affecting national energy security, public finance, and institutional restructuring are being taken without due technical consultation or feasibility validation. The Union raised concerns over employee assignation, irregular extensions given to some workers and claimed that independence of newly set up unbundled companies were compromised by a committee. The full statement…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (08 Oct), compared to Tuesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 299.25, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 304.75. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 299.25 to Rs. 299.35 and from Rs. 305.75 to Rs. 305.85, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.02 to Rs. 299.12, while the selling rate…
Welcome to The Summit Kandy, one of the premier Kandy hotels, where luxury meets tradition in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Kandy, our hotel offers unparalleled comfort and convenience, making it the perfect choice for discerning travellers. When it comes to discovering the beautiful places to visit in Sri Lanka, The Summit Kandy serves as an ideal base. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Kandy Esala Perahera, one of the island’s most spectacular festivals. Witness traditional dancers, majestic elephants, and glittering processions as they illuminate the streets of Kandy with…
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has unveiled the Case-File Tracking System to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of addressing bribery and corruption-related matters in Sri Lanka. The Case-File Tracking System has been launched in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, with funding from the Government of Japan through the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB). The new system, inaugurated at CIABOC premises in Colombo, was launched in the presence of Justice Neil Iddawala, Chairperson of CIABOC; Mr. K.B. Rajapakshe and Mr. Chethiya Gunasekara, Commissioners of CIABOC; Mr. KAMOSHIDA Naoaki, Minister/Deputy Head of…
Gold futures prices topped $4,000 per ounce for the first time on Tuesday as investors continue to seek safe havens for their money, with the US government essentially shut down and widespread uncertainty around the economy. As of 9.10am ET, gold futures traded at $4,003 in New York. The going price for New York spot gold rose to $3,960.60 per troy ounce – the standard for measuring precious metals. Sales of gold can rise sharply when anxious investors seek secure investments amid times of turbulence or uncertainty. The asset – and other metals, like silver – had seen wider gains…
Public consultations regarding the electricity tariff revision proposal submitted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) conclude today. The consultation process, which began on September 18 and covered all provinces, is scheduled to hold its final session today, focusing on the Western Province. In accordance with Section 30 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009, the Ceylon Electricity Board submitted a tariff review proposal on 27th August 2025, covering the quarter of October–December 2025. The PUCSL states that the CEB requested a 6.8% tariff increase, citing rising costs in…
Sri Lankan content creator Lividul Witharana has become a creative force at New York Fashion Week in less than two years, capturing the vision of designers from more than 30 countries across four consecutive seasons. According to GoodPr, when Lividul Witharana first entered New York Fashion Week in February 2024, he was there to document the story of a single brand. Lividul’s path to Fashion Week began in Colombo, where he founded RADICALZ Private Limited and built a reputation for visual storytelling that resonated deeply within Sri Lanka’s creative community. By late 2023, he relocated to New Jersey, pursuing opportunities…
Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets rose to USD 6.243 billion by the end of September 2025. This marks a 1.1% increase compared to the USD 6.178 billion reported in August 2025. These figures are based on the most recent data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. (Newswire) The post Sri Lanka’s reserves rise to USD 6.24 Bn in September appeared first on Newswire.
Three suspects and a woman who allegedly assisted them have been arrested in connection with the double murder reported from the Waddigala, Ranna area under the Hungama Police Division, police said. The killings occurred early on October 7, when a man and a woman were found hacked to death inside a house in Waddigala. Following investigations by the Hungama Police and the Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Unit, officers arrested three male suspects and a female accomplice during operations carried out in Andupelena and Ranna areas on the same day. Police said the arrested suspects, aged 27 and 33, are residents…
A fisherman was killed after being struck by lightning in the Maggona Diyyalagoda area under the Beruwala Police Division early on October 7, police said. According to initial investigations, two fishermen who had ventured into the sea for a one-day fishing trip were struck by lightning. Nearby fishermen in another boat rescued the injured men and brought them ashore, after which they were admitted to the Beruwala Hospital. One of the victims, a 44-year-old resident of Godellawatta, Maggona, was pronounced dead upon admission. The other remains under treatment. The body has been placed at the Kalutara Nagoda Hospital mortuary for…