Photo courtesy of Just Travel During the recent cyclone Ditwah disaster, we saw in real time how language discrimination against the Tamil speaking population was taking place. This was not only on social media but even official government websites failed to communicate critical weather and evacuation alerts in the Tamil language. While the discrimination against the Tamil people in state institutions is established time and again, its failure to reach a significant proportion of the population during an unprecedented disaster that affected the whole country is inexcusable. It is more disappointing at a time when the country expects more from…
The Sri Lankan Report
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange closed down on Monday, data on its site showed. The All Share Price Index was down 0.95 percent, or 213.49 points, at 22,294.77; while the S&P SL20 was down 0.62 percent, or 37.51 points, at 6,060.15. Turnover was 2.22 billion rupees. The ASPI was weighed down by Colombo Dockyard (down 36.75 rupees at 192), Singer (down 60 cents at 85.40 rupees), Commercial Bank (down 2.50 rupees at 198), Central Finance (down 7 rupees at 274.50), and DFCC Bank (down 2.50 rupees at 146.25). Speculative trading in Colombo Dockyard pushed up the market last…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (15 Dec), compared to Friday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 305.32 to Rs. 305.34. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has also increased from Rs. 312.91 to Rs. 312.94. The Sri Lankan Rupee has changed slightly against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
Longtime Hollywood star Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their Brentwood home Sunday in what police are describing as an apparent homicide. A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed the deaths Sunday evening. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” the family spokesperson said in a statement. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.” Los Angeles police were investigating the deaths as a homicide after the couple’s bodies were found at their home in the…
ECONOMYNEXT – The Sri Lanka Navy has an immense role in protecting the island nation, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told a commissioning and passing-out parade at the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy. “We are an island nation, we have a 1,340 kilometer coastline to safeguard, a maritime area 8 times the size of the country, and an area 21 times the size that we are responsible for,” Dissanayake said. “The Sri Lanka Navy has an immense task,” he told the forces and guests at the event. He commended the Sri Lanka Navy for its vital role in combating the…
The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development says the Industrial Disaster Support Centre (IDSC) has recorded 18,321 entries or inquiries as of today (15 Dec). According to the ministry, among these, 6,362 industries under the Ministry of Industries’ production sector have been affected, along with 7,510 micro‑enterprises, 6,256 small‑scale enterprises, 3,998 medium‑scale enterprises, and 557 large‑scale enterprises. To notify affected industries, the hotline 0712666660 was introduced, and the ministry had requested industry owners to provide relevant information to the system as soon as possible. This data submission must be completed before 2 pm tomorrow (16 Dec), and information can be…
Former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Dhammika Ranatunga has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of causing a financial loss of around Rs. 800 million to the State. The Bribery Commission said the arrest is linked to fuel procurement carried out during the 2017/2018 period, during Ranatunga’s tenure as CPC Chairman. Investigations have found that the alleged loss was incurred due to irregularities in fuel purchasing procedures, according to CIABOC. Further investigations are ongoing, and the suspect is expected to be produced before the court. (Newswire) The post Bribery…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met Takafumi Kadono, the Sri Lankan representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for a special meeting at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo today (15 Dec). MP Sajith Premadasa met with Takafumi Kadono with the aim of providing relief to the people affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. During the meeting, MP Premadasa expressed his gratitude to Takafumi Kadono regarding the Asian Development Bank’s provision of USD 100 million to uplift micro, small, and medium-scale entrepreneurs and businesspeople at a time when Sri Lanka went bankrupt. Subsequently, he informed Takafumi Kadono about the destruction…
The Ministry of Health and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) have launched separate probes into the deaths of two patients at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) in Angoda, after being administered an injection containing ondansetron. According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the patients were given Ondansetron, a prescription anti-sickness medication used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. Chairman of the NMRA, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, said a comprehensive probe has been launched to ascertain whether the deaths were caused due to the medicine. He further said that the Indian company that had imported the medicine has also been…
As the island slips into its most enchanting season, Heritance Hotels & Resorts invites you to celebrate where tradition meets vibrant locations, jungles veiled in mist, tea hills lit by sustainable ornaments, and coastlines glowing at golden hour. Across our Sri Lankan collection, the holidays unfold as generous tables, thoughtful rituals and moments that linger long after the last carol. At Heritance Kandalama, nature sets the rhythm with so much do. Greet the day with a guided climb and picnic at Aligala Rock, then drift into terrace high tea with lake-and-jungle views. Evenings bring spirited tastings by the pool and…
Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has proposed raising the Kotmale Dam by another 30 meters. Addressing the media, Patali Champika made the proposal to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation, K.D. Lal Kantha. “I would like to remind the minister that when the Kotmale Dam was built by the Swedish Government, the foundation was built in a way that the land could be raised by 30 metres. This means the dam will be capable of holding twice its capacity of water,” he said. Patali Champika proposed that the government obtain the relevant engineering expertise and foreign aid to…
The number of students dropping out before completing 13 years of education is on the rise, according to the Education Ministry’s Progress Report for 2025. The report attributes the increase in dropouts to multiple factors, including disparities in the distribution of human and physical resources, which have contributed to a breakdown of parental trust in the system. Despite government initiatives aimed at reducing economic barriers—such as the provision of free textbooks, uniforms, school meals, and insurance—many families continue to face significant financial burdens, the report said. Although Sri Lanka maintains a free education policy from the first year of schooling…
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath has expressed his condolences to the victims of the attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. “Deeply saddened by the attack at Bondi Beach. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Australia and reaffirm our strong opposition to terrorism in all its forms,” he said in a post on ‘X’. Two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday night, killing 15 people who ranged in age from 10 years old to 87. State health officials said at least 40 people remained…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Sarvodaya Development Finance said it had received central bank and board approval to list its High-Yield Subordinated Sustainable Bond on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. “The Board of Directors of SDF approved the dual listing of these Sustainable Bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, with the objective of enhancing international visibility,” the company said in a market filing. With all necessary regulatory approvals obtained including approval from Sri Lanka’s central bank, the company said it will proceed with the listing of the SDF High-Yield Sustainable Bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in due course. “This initiative aligns…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s budget deficit halved to 455.8 billion rupees in the 10 months to October 2025, down 57 percent from 1,060 billion rupees, official data show, while the current account showed a surplus for the second month. Tax revenues grew 34 percent to 4,033 billion rupees, and non-tax revenues also grew 18.6 percent to 302 billion rupees, taking total revenues to 4,336.2 billion rupees, up 33.2 percent. Current Account Surplus Current spending was 4,223 billion rupees up to October, lower than total revenues giving a 112.4 billion rupee surplus in the current budget, which is rare in Sri…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 309.00/25 to the US dollar in the spot market Monday, from 309.05/15 Friday, dealers said, while bond yields were broadly steady. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 was quoted at 8.95/9.00 percent, up from 8.93/98 percent. A bond maturing on 01.05.2028 was quoted at 9.00/05 percent, up from 8.97/9.02 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2028 was quoted at 9.05/15 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 9.35/40 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.40/50 percent, down from at 9.40/45 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at…
ECONOMYNEXT – Pushpika Janadheera, Managing Director of Dipped Products PLC, has been reappointed chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) at its 15th annual general meeting. SLAMERP is the industry body for the country’s value-added rubber products sector and represents manufacturers and exporters. The AGM also introduced the proposed office bearers for 2026 to 2027, including Dr. Eng. Sisira Ranatunga as Director General, Chinthaka Wegapitiya as Vice Chairman, Channa De Silva as Hon. Secretary, and Palika Chandrajeewa as Treasurer. “Our industry is navigating a challenging global environment, which highlights the need for collaboration,…
Google announced the rollout of a beta feature that allows users to hear real-time translations through headphones, as the company steps up efforts to enhance its translation and language-learning services. The new feature, available via the Google Translate app, provides live translations while preserving speakers’ tone, emphasis and cadence, making conversations easier to follow. “Whether you’re trying to have a conversation in a different language, listen to a speech or lecture while abroad, or watch a TV show or film in another language, you can now put in your headphones, open the Translate app, tap ‘Live translate’ and hear a…
The Indian government has donated a consignment of essential drugs and dry food items to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Police have issued a strong public warning urging citizens to remain vigilant against a surge in fraudulent phone calls carried out by organised scam groups posing as law enforcement officers and bank officials. Police said these fraudsters falsely identify themselves as officers from the Sri Lanka Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), or as bank representatives, in an attempt to intimidate and deceive members of the public. According to police, the scammers typically instil fear by claiming that the victim is under investigation for serious offences such as money laundering or financial…