Govt. inaction stalls local pharma growth, SLPMA warns

The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (SLPMA) urged the government to create a level playing field for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers to compete with imported pharmaceutical products.

Tourist arrivals continue momentum in February

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka continue to maintain momentum, with over 115,000 visitors entering the country within the first 13 days of February.

SSC on the verge of losing first-class status

Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), one of Sri Lanka’s topmost cricket-playing domestic clubs, are in a spot of bother as they are on the verge of losing their first-class status after their lacklustre performance in the ongoing Major Club three-day cricket tournament.

Ella bush fire spreading

Huge boulders in the Rock Hill forest reserve have cracked and are at risk of rolling down onto the Ella-Wellawaya main highway due to the intense heat of the bush fire in the forest reserve that has spread for more than two days.

Sri Lanka Army personnel below rank of Major asked to hand over passports

All Sri Lanka Army personnel below the rank of Major have been instructed to hand over their passports to their respective Regiments.

Can Asalanka make Test return after stellar ODI show?

Charith Asalanka led the Sri Lanka ODI team to a thumping 2-0 win over Australia after the home team had been embarrassed in Galle in the Test series by Steven Smith and co.

Tissa Attanayake withdraws from committee appointed to confer with UNP

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organiser Tissa Attanayake said he has withdrawn from the committee appointed by party leader Sajith Premadasa to confer with the UNP.

Groom dies on horse moments after dancing at baraat, bride faints

BHOPAL (Times of India) : A 27-year-old groom collapsed and died while still sitting on a mare in MP’s Sheopur district on Friday night.

President reviews final draft of 2025 Budget

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed the final draft of the 2025 budget ahead of its presentation in Parliament tomorrow (17).

Drug trafficker, wife extradited to Sri Lanka

A drug trafficker and organised criminal, along with his wife were brought back to Sri Lanka after being arrested abroad.

Ranil mets Jaishankar at Indian Ocean Conference

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.

Naval personal arrested over missing T-56 since 2021

A Naval personal has been arrested in the Ilukhena area of Kuliyapitiya for possessing a T56 firearm that went missing from a Navy armory in 2021.

At least 18 killed in New Delhi station crush

A crush at New Delhi Railway Station has left at least 18 people dead and a further 10 injured.

Canadian woman arrested at BIA with Rs. 360 Mn ’hashish’

A foreign woman was arrested at Katunayake Airport with a consignment of ’’hashish’’ worth approximately Rs. 360 million.

Sri Lankan duo caught smuggling foreign currency in India

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at Kempegowda International Airport in India arrested three passengers including two Sri Lankans attempting to smuggle foreign currencies worth Rs 2.12 crore.

NPP MP injured in road accident

Jaffna District National People’s Power (NPP) MP K. Ilankumaran was injured in a road accident earlier today at Chavakachcheri in Jaffna, police said.

PHI arrested for accepting Rs. 200,000 bribe to renew hotel license

A Public Health Inspector (PHI) was arrested by the Bribery Commission for accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000 to renew a hotel’s license.

No issue with Harsha: Sajith

Talking of his decision for retaining the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Colombo District leadership for himself in addition to his party leadership, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said he has no issue with MP Harsha de Silva.

Sri Lanka likely to be warmer than before in March, April

Sri Lanka, currently facing dry conditions, is expected to last for the next two weeks with low rainfall expected afterwards, and there is a possibility of temperatures being higher than the previous year during March and April an official from the Department of Meteorology said.

Ranil, Maithri once again in common political discussion

Former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with other party leaders in the opposition, have met to discuss the current political situation of the country and the way forward.

Govt. seeks report from NGO Secretariat on USAID funding

In the midst of controversy over USAID funding in Sri Lanka, the government has sought a report from the National NGO Secretariat in this regard, a Minister said yesterday.

Inflation set to climb this year, expected to peak in mid-2026: CBSL

Sri Lanka’s inflation is expected to increase “sizeably” in the third quarter this year (3Q25), with the possibility of it hovering around 2 percentage points above the inflation target in mid-2026, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said in its monetary policy report that was released yesterday.

Less buying intensity at Colombo Tea Auction this week

The Colombo Tea Auction this week saw less buying intensity, due to a combination of relatively higher volumes for the time of year and qualitative factors, a report from Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said.

Market activity rises but yields hold their ground

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has announced a T-Bill auction totaling LKR 115.0Bn, scheduled for 19th Feb-25. CBSL aims to raise LKR 25.0Bn from 3M, LKR 60.0Bn from 6M, and LKR 30.0Bn from 12M T-Bills respectively. Today, the secondary market experienced a volatile trading session, marked by strong buying interest among market participants. As a result, secondary market trades witnessed high trading volumes, however the yield curve remained broad

Experts renew call for tax ombudsman to improve trust in system

The need for a tax ombudsman in Sri Lanka sparked renewed calls from experts this week, who advocated for the establishment of the position to improve trust, fairness and efficiency placed on the tax system.

Navin Dissanayake appointed Vice Chairman of UNP

Former Minister of Sports, Tourism, and Plantation Industries, as well as former Governor of the Sabaragamuwa Province, Navin Dissanayake has been appointed as the Vice Chairman of the United National Party (UNP).

MullenLowe and Unilever Sri Lanka make a big impact at the Effie’s

MullenLowe secured major wins at the prestigious Effie Awards Sri Lanka 2024, taking home ‘Agency of the Year’ and ‘Brand of the Year’ for Unilever’s Close-Up.

Pope to be admitted to hospital

Pope Francis will be admitted to hospital in Rome to undergo treatment and tests for bronchitis, the Vatican has said.

New National Sports Council appointed

Minister of Sports Sunil Kumar Gamage appointed the new National Sports Council today (14).

Türkiye extends official invitation to President

The Republic of Türkiye (Turkey) has extended an official invitation to President Anura Kumara Disanayake for an official visit to Türkiye in April this year, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.