Nov 21 (NW) Ministry of Education has announced that 2024 A/L exam will be held as planned from Nov 25, to Dec 20, putting an end to speculation about a possible postponement. In a statement, the Ministry acknowledged receiving requests from various parties to delay the exam. However, it emphasized that all preparations, including the printing of question papers, establishing regional collection centers, and setting up examination centers, have already been completed. more..

Nov 21 (DN) The latest ICC rankings have seen some noteworthy shifts for Sri Lankan players. Maheesh Theekshana has climbed 6 places to 6th in the ODI bowler rankings after playing a key role in Sri Lanka’s 2-0 series win over New Zealand at Pallekele, their first in 12 years. He took 5 wickets for 78 runs, with 2 for 32 and 3 for 31 in the first and second matches, respectively. This performance earned him 650 ranking points and a career-high position. With 65 wickets to his name, more..

Nov 21 (DM) Senior Economist and former Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy expressed optimism about the completion of the third review of the IMF bailout package by mid-February next year, as stipulated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. An IMF mission is currently in SL, conducting the third review of the IMF bailout package. An update on the review is expected to be announced on Saturday, more..

Nov 21 (DM) According to the new govt policies, higher priority has been given to education, and school education should be implemented in a proper, systematic manner and according to a well-defined schedule, Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya said. She made these remarks while assuming duties as the Minister of Education at the Ministry today. Addressing the media, she said the need to create an environment where children can receive education happily is of importance. more..

Nov 21 (DN) Fielding was outstanding throughout the NZ series and our boys were really working hard and fielding specialist coach Upul Chandana did an excellent job said SL Skipper Charith Asalanka after the NZ ODI series at Pallekele. The silent hero of the Sri Lanka camp coach Upul Chandana who himself was one of the best fielders of former Sri Lanka team presently work hard with SL players. Especially during the second ODI at Pallekele Avishka Fernando took three outstanding catches more..

Nov 21 (AD) The stunning electoral sweep of the NPP led by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is an earthquake in Sri Lankan politics, says Erik Solheim, the former Norwegian peace facilitator in the island nation. The former diplomat also feels that the strong showing by the NPP in areas populated by Tamils, particularly in the north, marked a very strong call for a new start in ethnic relations in Sri Lanka. Solheim, who has interacted closely with many Sri Lankan leaders, however, warned that more..

Nov 21 (DM) In a move under the Army's restructuring plan, an 8-acre land of the Katkolam Army camp in the north will be returned to civilians, the Army said. The camp, operated by the 4th Sinha Regiment, is set to be disbanded as part of a broader initiative aimed at returning land occupied by the military to local residents. The Army is in the process of dismantling the camp’s infrastructure, which is located between Point Pedro and Kodikamam. more..

Nov 21 (Island) A sharp split in the Muslim vote in many parts of the country at the recently concluded general election has deprived both the SLMC and ACMC of parliamentary representation in several districts. None of the SLMC candidates who contested last week’s general election from the Puttalam, Trincomalee, Kurunegala and Vanni electoral districts on the SJB ticket, were returned. more..

Nov 21 (EN) India’s Adani group has been charged by US prosecutors alleging a plan to pay 250 million dollars in bribes to get solar energy contracts, and misleading investors when capital was raised from American investors. Chairman Gautam Adani, two executives of Adani Green Energy Limited, his nephew Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain are charged with misleading U S and international investors about their company’s compliance with antibribery and anticorruption practices, more..

Nov 21 (FT) A four-member committee has been appointed to investigate the appointment of UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake to one of the two National List slots allocated to the NDF. The committee, composed of Counsels Kumar Dunusinghe, Indika Weragoda, Yasas de Silva, and Prof. Vithanage, has been instructed to submit its findings within three weeks to NDF and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The controversy arose after NDF, which secured 3 Parliamentary seats more..

Nov 21 (TM) Election Commission (EC) defended its decision to gazette the name of former MP Ravi Karunanayake as a National List MP, following the controversy associated with the NDF National List seats. EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake emphasised that the EC's duty is limited to the administrative procedure of gazetting the names forwarded by party officials, regardless of internal disputes. more..

Nov 21 (FT) Political theory holds that the circulation of elites is imperative for the health of the body politic and society. The composition of the Prez Anura Dissanayake’s new JVP-NPP Cabinet, as that of the new Parliament, signals that a new elite has emerged and acceded to power and rulership. It faces the old dilemmas. Over a decade, Sri Lanka’s politics has displayed extreme electoral volatility manifested in swings of increasing amplitude. These began with 2015 when more..

Nov 21 (FT) With the recent General election victory of the NPP, SL has entered a new chapter in its history. This moment of transition offers a unique opportunity to address the deep-rooted issues that have plagued our governance, economy, and social fabric. The people of SL have spoken decisively, expressing their desire for change, transparency, and a fresh approach to leadership. This article seeks to advise the new administration on critical priorities, highlighting the mistakes of the past more..

Nov 21 (EN) The financial profiles of Sri Lanka’s banks will improve after a successful sovereign debt restructure proposed for local bondholders, Fitch Ratings said with the operating environment also linked to that of the sovereign. Prez Anura Dissanayake said he expected to wrap up ISB restructure by December and sign remaining bilateral debt restructure agreements soon. “Sri Lanka is close to completing its foreign-currency debt restructuring,” Fitch said. more..

Nov 21 (CT) Minister Bimal Rathnayake categorically rejected the criticisms that the NPP Govt’s Cabinet lacked inclusivity, while affirming that the Govt represented all Sri Lankans, regardless of ethnic, language or religious differences. Minister labelled the accusations as unfair and insulting of the NPP’s electoral mandate. He highlighted the fact that for the first time in 76 years, Sri Lankans of all communities set aside religious and cultural differences to vote as a unified nation, more..

Nov 21 (AD) Deputy Ministers of the new government have been sworn in this evening at the Presidential Secretariat. Accordingly, a total of 29 Deputy Ministers were sworn in before Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake today. New Deputy Ministers: Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando – Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Namal Karunaratne – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock; Wasantha Jayatissa - Deputy Minister more..

Nov 21 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared that will be no room for racial politics of religious extremism hereafter in the country. He made these comments while delivering the Govt’s Policy Statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament today. The President said that all the people who voted for the NPP and those who didn’t are citizens of the country and that fulfilling the needs and expectations of all these citizens is the responsibility of the govt. more..

Nov 21 (AD) Delivering the new govt’s policy statement, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the importance of public accountability, highlighting that the Parliament is no longer a concealed institution to the general public. “The Parliament is not a hidden cave anymore. Daily proceedings are open to public scrutiny. As representatives of the people, everything we do—how we speak, how we behave—is under their watchful eye.” more..

Nov 21 (AD) Former Ministers Ramesh Pathirana, Roshan Ranasinghe and Prasanna Ranatunga have arrived at the CID this morning, in order to provide statements pertaining to the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials. Meanwhile, former Minister Harin Fernando has reportedly informed that he will appear before the CID tomorrow to record a statement regarding the matter. more..

Nov 21 (EN) Asoka Ranwala was appointed as Speaker of SL’s tenth parliament, when it convened for the first time on Thursday. Dr Rizvie Salih was appointed as Deputy Speaker. Ranwala’s name was proposed by PM Harini Amarasuriya. It was seconded by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. Salih’s name was proposed by Health and Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, and seconded by Women and Children’s Affairs Minister Savithri Paulraj. There were no other contenders for the posts. more..

Nov 21 (EN) Sri Lanka will have a state share in energy, banking sector to direct the sectors and co-operatives will be developed to drive retail market, Prez Anura Dissanayake said. “We think the state should be represented especially in the energy sector, is a very sensitive area to the economy,” Prez said in his inaugural address to parliament. “Small changes in the energy sector gives deadly illnesses to the economy.” The Central Bank was the regulator of the financial sector. more..

Nov 21 (DM) Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move. He said tradition is being changed when he was asked to move. Sajith Premadasa who was named Opposition Leader had to sit at the corner of the front row because of Ramanathan's action. Parliament sources said the matter was reported to Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera more..

Nov 21 (NF) Former Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe officially announced his retirement from politics on Wednesday (20), stating that he would not be contesting any future elections. The announcement came after his visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, where he responded to media questions regarding his political future. When asked whether there was a possibility of his return to Parliament, Dr. Rajapakshe firmly declined. “No, I don't have such ambitions,” he said. more..

Nov 21 (EN) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake promised to prevent politicians using racism as well as communal and religious slogans to capture state power in future. Dissanayake’s NPP swept the parliament election held last week to record a landslide win with 159 seats in the 225-member parliament. For the first time in SL history, a political party was backed by all Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim & Catholic communities during more..

Nov 21 (AD) The STF has arrested two suspects along with over 3.5 kg of ICE drugs (crystal methamphetamine) and Rs. 11 million in cash during two separate raids conducted at Gonahena in Kadawatha and Dekatana in Dodampe. The arrests have been made during operations carried out last night (20) by officers of the Special Operations Command of the STF. During the time of the arrest, suspects were in possession of approximately 3 kg and 536 g of ICE, Rs. 11 million in cash more..

Nov 21 (EN) Ashoka Ranwala was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the 10th SL Parliament after his party, the ruling NPP recorded a landslide victory in the parliamentary poll last week. A chemical engineer by profession with a PhD degree, Ranwala has been in the Marxist JVP, which is the key coalition partner of the NPP led by Prez Anura Dissanayake, since his youth. He has served as the convener of the Trade Union Collective for Conservation of Fuel Resources and more..

Nov 21 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed confidence that the staff-level agreement on the third review of the IMF EFF arrangement for SL could be finalized and signed by Nov 23. Highlighting the critical role of economic stability, Prez underscored the importance of adhering to existing agreements. “We inherited a country already bound by an agreement with the IMF when we assumed office. more..

Nov 21 (DM) SriLankan Airlines has won the prestigious 2025 APEX Best Entertainment Award in Central/Southern Asia at the FTE APEX Asia Expo, held on 20 Nov, in Singapore. APEX Awards are entirely based on certified passenger feedback, with over a million flights across 600 airlines rated on experience metrics such as seat comfort, cabin service, entertainment, and meals for the 2025 awards. SriLankan Airlines additionally retained its status as a Four Star Major Airline more..

Nov 21 (PSA) This blog article explores the transition from militant to non-militant revolutionary politics in Sri Lanka, within the context of the Global South. It will examine the emergence of revolutionary consciousness, the political developments and declines, and the subsequent re-emergence of that consciousness in the form of democratic movements. Sri Lanka, located in South Asia, has been grappling with an ongoing economic crisis since 2022. more..

Nov 21 (AD) Delivering the govt’s policy statement in Parliament, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake today revealed key economic strategies aimed at driving development and fostering growth in SL. He announced that the 2025 Budget will be presented to Parliament in Feb 2025, with an interim Vote on Account scheduled in the beginning of Dec 2024. A significant focus of the Prez’s address was on measures to expand the IT sector, which he identified as a cornerstone of the country’s more..

Nov 21 (DN) Director General (DG) of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) of SL, Dr. Lalithadheera and High Commissioner (HC) of Sri Lanka to Singapore, Senarath Dissanayake visited the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) of Singapore on Friday (8) to gain insights into Singapore’s technical education sector and labour market dynamics. During the visit, the Deputy Principal of ITE College Central, Chong Leong Fatt delivered a comprehensive presentation on more..

Nov 21 (TM) The 2024 Parliamentary General Election which was held on 14 Nov, has meant that no less than eight former Sports Ministers had been unsuccessful in their bid to re-enter the House, with four being accommodated via the National Lists and the rest having contested outright for their respective political parties. A close study of the election results has shown that former Ministers Gamini Lokuge, more..

Nov 21 (DN) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is projected to post a profit after tax revenue in the excess of Rs. 19 billion, Harbour Master, SLPA Capt. Nirmal Silva said at the Voyage SL 2024 press event. He said that this profit could have further increased had they not invested in gantry cranes for their terminals. Tax for each Gantry Crain cost us around Rs. 980 million and these overheard had a negative impact on our profit margin. “Since SLPA is not a BOI venture we do not enjoy some of more..

Nov 21 (NIE) The international ferry service connecting Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu with Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka has been suspended for over a month due to monsoon. The ferry operator announced on Tuesday that a decision on resuming operations will be taken after December 18, depending on weather conditions and directives from the Directorate General of Shipping. “We have stopped the service due to monsoon and as per directions from the Directorate General of more..

Nov 21 (TM) A defaulted country can require more debt relief from its creditors than implied in the IMF programme without breaching good faith, IMF’s new guidelines on sovereign debt restructuring said. According to the guidelines, the IMF clarifies that a country can require more debt relief than implied by IMF programme parameters without breaching the good faith requirement. However, commenting on this, more..