The International Tourism Leaders’ Summit (ITLS) was held in Colombo yesterday (02), under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to mark the conclusion of a month-long series of activities held throughout September in parallel with World Tourism Day. The ITLS Summit, which included school competitions from provincial to the national level, research forums and industry expos, brought together Ambassadors, High Commissioners, stakeholders of the tourism industry and local as well as international scholars. Guided by the Ministry of Tourism, the programme was jointly organized by the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (AATEHM) of the University of…
The Sri Lankan Report
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s state-run National Savings Bank has given a 6 billion rupee dividend to the Treasury, a Finance Ministry statement said. National Savings Bank has reported a profit before tax of 28.5 billion rupees for 2024, and a profit before tax of 25.5 billion rupees for the first half of 2025, according to the statement. “This significant contribution has been made possible due to its operational excellence and good governance practices.” The official announcement of this contribution was handed over to Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma at the Ministry. Director General of the Department of National Budget, Jude Nilukshan,…
A cunning attempt by a Sri Lankan syndicate to use the identity of a child to obtain a Malaysian passport was foiled by the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department at UTC Pudu Immigration Office, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday (01 Oct), foreign media reported. Kuala Lumpur Immigration director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said in the 10.15 am incident, a Sri Lankan man came with a local woman claiming to be his mother to apply for a first-time child passport under the 10-year-old category, Bernama reports. “Suspicion arose when immigration officers noticed the man’s physical appearance was far older than the age…
Sri Lanka’s revenues jumped 27 percent in the first seven months of 2025, pushing the island nation into a primary surplus and helping foreign reserves recover to US$ 6.2 billion. However, Fitch Ratings warned
Former Sri Lanka rugby player and current assistant coach of the National Sevens team Rajeew Perera has received the nod to coach St. Peter’s College following the exit of Sanath Martis whose illustrious stint with the Peterites ended at the end of the 2025 inter school season.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s stock market hit a new record in the first half hour of trading on Friday when the All Share Price Index went beyond the 22,000 mark. The ASPI was up 0.26 percent, or 57.75 points, at 22,009.54; while the S&P SL20 was up 0.26 percent, or 16.01 points, at 6,164.22. Market turnover was 1.67 billion rupees. Most of this came from a crossing on Lanka Credit and Business Finance, which contributed 1.1 billion rupees. The stock was trading up 80 cents at 7.40 rupees. On Wednesday, Fitch Ratings confirmed Sri Lanka’s CCC+ sovereign rating saying external…
A Dutch court on Thursday ordered Meta Platforms to give Facebook and Instagram users an easier way to choose a timeline that shows posts in chronological order rather than being shaped by algorithms that track their activity and interests. The District Court of Amsterdam issued the preliminary injunction in summary proceedings, and it found that elements of both platforms violated the European Union’s Digital Services Act. Meta Ireland has two weeks to provide users with a “direct and simple” option to select a non-profiled timeline, the order in which posts and pieces of media submitted by other users is displayed.…
A 45-year-old man from Kandy was found dead in a luxury hotel in Colombo linked to a casino, authorities confirmed Thursday. Police said the man had checked in several days earlier. Hotel staff alerted police after noticing his room remained locked, and officers forced entry to discover him hanging. At an inquest, investigators said a note recovered from the scene suggested he had been distressed after losing a significant sum of money at the casino. His death is being treated as an apparent suicide, though further inquiries are underway. Local media reported that his identity has not been publicly disclosed…
Bangladesh kicked off their Women’s Cricket World Cup campaign in style, cantering past Pakistan’s modest 129 with seven wickets and 18.5 overs to spare in Colombo on Thursday.
A few showers may occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts today. According to the Department of Meteorology, mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere on the island. Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, in the Northern, North-central, North-western, and Central provinces, and the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts. Showers will occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle. Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be…
A hotel and several houses linked to public officials are under investigation by Sri Lanka’s Bribery commission as part of the first cases filed under the country’s new Proceeds of Crime law, Director General Ranga Dissanayake said. In total, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is examining four cases under the law, which gives the state power to confiscate assets if owners cannot justify how they were obtained. Unlike criminal trials that demand proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the law allows confiscation on the principle of a “balance of probabilities.” Suspects must demonstrate the legitimate source…
Liquor shops across Sri Lanka remained closed on Friday to mark World No Alcohol Day, in line with a directive issued by the Excise Department. The department said all licensed outlets were required to suspend retail sales of alcohol from the usual closing time on October 2 until the designated reopening time on October 4. The measure, announced by the Excise Commissioner General, was enforced nationwide. World No Alcohol Day is observed annually on October 3 to promote awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. (Newswire) The post Sri Lanka closes liquor shops for World No Alcohol Day appeared…
Sri Lanka has world-class tech talent capable of building AI-driven startups that can compete globally, but the country’s startup ecosystem remains “stuck at a prototype level,” hindered by limited venture capital,
International-level Sri Lankan para athlete Nuwan Indika secured a bronze medal yesterday (09) at the 12th World Para Athletics Championship 2025, currently being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India, from September 25 to October 5.
The Department of Examinations announced that the deadline for submitting applications for the 2025 GCE Ordinary Level Examination will not be extended under any circumstances.
At least two people were killed after an assailant drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard near a synagogue in England on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, British police said. Greater Manchester Police said the suspect, who was believed to be carrying a bomb, was shot after they rushed to the scene at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the Crumpsall district of the city in northern England.
India’s central bank has moved to expand the international role of the Indian rupee, allowing banks to lend and settle trade in the currency with neighbors Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. The Reserve Bank of India said that authorized dealer banks in India and their overseas branches can extend rupee-denominated loans to residents, businesses and financial institutions in the three countries for trade and related purposes. The RBI also said balances in Special Rupee Vostro Accounts — accounts used to facilitate trade settlement in rupees — can now be invested in corporate bonds and commercial paper, widening their scope beyond…
A cunning attempt by a Sri Lankan syndicate to use the identity of a child to obtain a Malaysian passport was foiled by the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department at the UTC Pudu Immigration Office this morning.
The quality of Pirivena education is expected to improve through ongoing education reforms, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its upward momentum, edging closer to the 22,000 mark as renewed investor sentiment pushed the market to fresh highs. Investor focus remained on upcoming quarterly earnings releases and dividend announcements, driving strong inflows into equities.