Sri Lanka’s 3rd nanosatellite to be launched into orbit on Friday

Sri Lanka’s third nanosatellite, BIRDS-X DRAGONFLY, developed with technical contributions from Sri Lankan engineers, is scheduled to be launched into orbit on September 19 at 2.15 p.m. Sri Lanka time.

Positive sentiment drives CSE higher: capital goods sector dominates

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continued its bullish run for the second consecutive day, with the ASPI advancing 156.05 points (+0.76%) to close at 20,775.42, while the S&P SL20 rose 34.89 points (+0.59%) to 5,903.00.

350 megawatt added to national grid

The ceremonial synchronisation of the Kerawalapitiya “Sobadhanavi” 350 megawatt (MW) LNG Power Plant took place a short while ago, graced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Energy Engineer Kumara Jayakody.

Ex-Arsenal star Thomas Partey denies rape charges

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has denied raping two women and sexually assaulting a third woman.

Scheduled water-cut in Colombo cancelled

The 9-hour water cut scheduled in Colombo for tomorrow has been cancelled, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced today.

Warner Bros. to launch HBO max in Sri Lanka

Warner Bros. Discovery yesterday announced that its premier global streaming service HBO Max will launch direct-to-consumer in new markets across Asia Pacific on October 15, including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Adani-led Sri Lanka container terminal to double capacity ahead of deadline

India’s Adani Group and its partners are set to double the capacity of a $840 million container terminal in Colombo months ahead of schedule, despite relinquishing $553 million in U.S. funding, an executive at partner firm John Keells Holdings told Reuters.

Sri Lankan passport slips to 97th in Global Ranking

Sri Lanka’s passport has dropped one place to 97th in the Henley Passport Index 2025 Global Ranking, released on September 11.

Week-long mobile services for private and semi-public sector employees

Special mobile service programs will be conducted at all district and sub-labor offices from September 22 to 26, 2025, to assist employees in the private and semi-public sectors, the Labour Department announced.

Pothuhera–Rambukkana Expressway section to be ready before 2028

The Pothuhera to Rambukkana section of the Central Expressway is expected to be completed before the Kadawatha to Mirigama stretch, with work slated for completion by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April 2028, Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake said.

Sri Lanka becomes state party to UN convention on the law of the sea

Sri Lanka officially became a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Boundaries after submitting its instrument of ratification to the United Nations yesterday (16), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism announced.

Court sets date for Wimal Weerawansa assets case

Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne today ordered that the case against former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, filed over the alleged acquisition of assets worth more than Rs. 75 million, be taken up again for evidence on October 22.

Sri Lanka enters ‘new era’ under President Anura: Chinese Ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong extended warm congratulations on the resumption of construction of the Kadawatha–Meerigama section of the Central Expressway, said that Sri Lanka has entered a “new era” following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Nuwan Climbs to No.6 in ICC T20I Bowling Rankings

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has made significant progress in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, rising six places to secure the No.6 position.

Gammanpila’s petition against arrest to be heard on September 24

A writ petition filed by former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila, seeking an order to prevent his arrest by the CID over a recent statement he made to the media, was today fixed for September 24 by the Court of Appeal.

UNP decides to reinstate membership of those who joined SJB

The United National Party (UNP) working committee has decided to reinstate the membership of those who had joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) back in 2020.

U.S., SL Navy open state-of-the-art lab in Trincomalee

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy, officially opened a state-of-the-art English Language Lab at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee on September 15.

Sampath Manamperi surrenders to Court

Sampath Manamperi, who was wanted in connection with the discovery of two containers of chemicals suspected to be used in the manufacture of the drug “Ice” in the Middeniya area, surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today.

President reveals politicians’ links to underworld figures

Information has surfaced linking certain Members of Parliament and former ministers to underworld figures, some of whom were arrested recently in Indonesia, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Andy Pycroft removed from all Pakistan matches in Asia Cup

Richie Richardson will replace Andy Pycroft as match referee for Pakistan’s Asia Cup game against UAE after PCB’s protest to ICC, according to the board sources.

Kidney diseases claim 1,600 lives annually

Kidney diseases cause around 1,600 deaths in Sri Lanka each year, averaging five deaths daily, the Health Promotion Bureau said.

Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe concludes visit to China

At the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, completed a four-day official visit to Sichuan Province, China, aimed at deepening economic cooperation and enhancing bilateral trade relations.

CAA raids traders selling rice above controlled prices; Rs. 95 million in fines imposed

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has intensified raids across the country to crack down on traders selling rice at prices higher than the government’s maximum retail price.

Construction of Kadawatha–Meerigama highway section commences

The construction of the Kadawatha–Meerigama section of the highway officially commenced today (September 17) at 10:00 a.m., under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

YouTuber appeals RTI rejection on President’s domestic travel expenses

A YouTuber has submitted an appeal to the Designated Officer at the Presidential Secretariat against the decision of the Information Officer to reject the information he had requested under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, relating to the expenditures incurred for domestic travel and accommodation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the past 12 months.

Trade Minister faces questions over declared assets, wealth

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has come under fire in social media over his massive assets as said to have been declared in his declaration of assets and liabilities.

Possessing wealth not an obstacle to come to politics

Commenting on social media posts on Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe’s assets, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that possessing wealth is not an obstacle to come to politics, however, possessing undeclared assets is the issue.

Army finalizing major island-wide weapons audit

In the wake of mounting allegations linking some military personnel to organized crime, the Sri Lanka Army is in the final stages of conducting a comprehensive audit of all weapons and firearms stored at Army camps across the country, the Daily Mirror learns.

Pre-budget talks highlight risks of illegal electronic imports

During a pre-budget discussion on the automobile and electronic equipment industries held yesterday (16) at the Presidential Secretariat, stakeholders raised concerns about unregulated imports of electronic goods entering the country illegally, often bypassing tax payments through organized groups.

BYD roars back as SL’s vehicle market sees tepid growth

Chinese automaker BYD saw a dramatic 80 percent surge in vehicle registrations in August 2025, signalling a strong recovery after a temporary setback, according to CAL Research.