Feb 20 (TM) Deputy CMinister Janith Kodithuwakku said that the Govt will continue to operate SriLankan Airlines under State control, stating that retaining ownership enables revenue from the airline’s operations to be used to service long-standing debt obligations. The minister said SriLankan is presently functioning as an operationally profitable entity, though its overall financial position continues to reflect losses more..

Feb 20 (EN) Sri Lanka will establish 7 new courts to clear a backlog of around 1.1 million civil and criminal cases, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said. These include 5 courts in the Aluthkade MCC building, he said, including civil high courts and commercial courts. What type of courts they will be depend on the case requirements, Nanayakkara said. “In most countries usually for every 1 million of the population there are about 40-60 judges, but we have only about 20.” more..

Feb 20 (EN) SL’s central bank has no plans to impose tighter loan to value ratio limits on gold loans, Deputy CB Governor Chandranath Amarasekera said. Gold prices have soared in world markets to around US$ 5,000 an ounce from 284 dollars around 2,000 when the Federal Reserve cut rates to push up inflation claiming there was deflation. Gold prices rose as much as US$ 5,500 and then collapsed and have since recovered to hover around US$ 5,000 an ounce. more..

Feb 20 (CI) One time is a shock. Two times, and the second to beat hosts SL at their own game, is Zimbabwe. Led by their canny bowling, Zimbabwe pulled SL back from a flying start to keep them to 178 on a sluggish Premadasa track. Their opener Brian Bennett, quickest scorer in their history, dropped anchor, stayed unbeaten like his team, and Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani did all the damage from the other more..

Feb 20 (FT) The High Court of Colombo has acquitted Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of SL (FCCISL) former Secretary General Samantha Abeywickrama, bringing to a close a longstanding criminal case relating to alleged financial misconduct. The case, filed under Section 391 of the Penal Code, concerned funds provided in 2007 for Abeywickrama’s official participation in an Asian Development Bank (ADB) workshop held in Bangkok, Thailand. more..

Feb 20 (FT) DealBook.lk, a new digital marketplace for corporate transactions in SL, has officially launched with a mission to connect global capital with high-quality private market opportunities across the country. The platform brings together institutional investors, family offices, strategic buyers, arrangers, sponsors, and founders on a single, curated marketplace designed to facilitate corporate deals across all sectors.DealBook.lk serves as a bridge between int'l and local investors more..

Feb 20 (DM) SL’s vehicle import valuation system needs urgent correction to prevent revenue leakages and restore fairness in the market, Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) said, warning that current duty assessment practices are creating structural distortions across the industry. In a statement, the CMTA called on authorities to recalibrate vehicle valuation and import processes, highlighting the automatic 15% reduction applied to the CIF value of used vehicle imports more..

Feb 20 (DM) Sri Lanka is set to launch an interim digital and public relations campaign with an investment of Rs. 2 billion, aiming to shift the tourism industry’s focus from mere arrival volumes to attracting high-yielding visitors. The campaign will run during the traditional off-peak season starting after April to sustain arrival momentum until the much-anticipated and long-delayed global promotional campaign officially launches by the end of this year. more..

Feb 20 (FT) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Executive Director Shri Ajay Kumar yesterday made a detailed case for expanding the use of the Indian Rupee (INR) in Indo-SL trade and investment, arguing that local currency settlement would narrow trade imbalances, reduce exchange rate risk, and lift tourism receipts. Delivering the keynote at the Association of Professional Bankers of SL (APB) 36th Anniversary Convention 2026, more..

Feb 20 (Island) During a recent panel discussion titled Security Environment in the Indo-Pacific and SL Diplomacy, organised by the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with Dr. George I. H. Cooke, Senior Lecturer and initiator of the Awarelogue Initiative, the keynote address was delivered by Prof Ken Jimbo of Kelo University, Japan. The report on the above states: “Prof. Jimbo discussed the evolving role of the Indo-Pacific and the emergence of its latest strategic outlook among shifting dynamics. more..

Feb 20 (Island) The JVP-NPP govt finds itself in an unenviable position over the Provincial Council (PC) polls, which have been in abeyance for nearly a decade. In the late 1980s, the JVP plunged the country into a bloodbath in a bid to prevent the establishment of the PCs, which it said would endanger the territorial integrity of the country. Today, it has a two-thirds majority in Parliament and its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the Executive President. more..

Feb 20 (DN) Barely into its second year in office, has the Govt received a shot in the arms since public optimism about national economic conditions has increased alongside strong approval ratings for the Govt, according to the latest Mood of the Nation survey conducted by Verité Research. After assuming office in 2024, the Govt took a cautious but decisive step proceed with the IMF- led economic reforms agenda. During the short time in office, the Govt encountered a myriad of more..

Feb 20 (CT) SL’s recent history shows how good governance affects sustainable development and enduring prosperity. Economic crises, a loss of public trust, institutional decline, and social unrest reveal this central truth: economic growth without ethical and effective governance remains unstable and exclusionary. Prosperity not grounded in good governance ultimately collapses under the weight of corruption, inefficiency, and injustice. UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) defines more..

Feb 20 (TM) In SL, four Districts (Hambantota, Jaffna, Matale, Ratnapura), representing four Provinces (South, North, Central, Sabaragamuwa), have 20% of households experiencing challenges due to inadequate food access with many of them not receiving support from the existing Samurdhi poverty alleviation programme while a substantial number of households with adequate food access were beneficiaries of more..

Feb 20 (GV) SL’s economy has undergone one of the most dramatic cycles in recent emerging market history, from sovereign default and severe shortages in 2022 to a stabilisation phase driven by reforms and external support. Not long ago, life in SL was defined by uncertainty about tomorrow. The economic crisis was not just a story of numbers; it was a lived experience that reshaped politics, strained households and forced the country to confront deep structural weaknesses. more..

Feb 20 (TM) From its inception till now, the Ambuluwawa Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Jayaratne Religious Centre and Bio-diversity Complex Trust Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Ambuluwawa Complex), has been mired in controversy. and allegations of irregularities and causing environmental harm. In May 1998, journalist Dilrukshi Handunnetti wrote about the nightmare of living next to Ambuluwawa, due to a development project that includes a cable car project. more..

Feb 20 (CT) Sri Lanka added another feather to its cap of International Endorsements for 2026, winning the People’s Choice Award in the Travel Photographer Of The Year awards. This was for a captivating image of the boy on a bus in Jaffna. Chosen by the public from all over the world out of 164 different photographs shortlisted from over twenty thousand images submitted to the Judges. The winning photographer in this category more..

Feb 20 (CT) Sri Lanka’s street dog population is estimated to be between two and three million. Although the number is contested as the censuses are largely conducted by private or non-government animal welfare organisations, it is undeniable that it is growing by the day. Even if it is claimed that the compiled statistics are exaggerated, the rapid rate at which the street dog population is increasing could technically mean a justifiable number is around the corner. more..

Feb 20 (DM) Few political promises generate as much public applause as cutting the privileges of politicians. In a country battered by economic collapse, tax hikes and austerity, any move to trim parliamentary perks appears morally justified. It is more so because the ruling NPP has portrayed politicians in a bad light, holding them responsible for all the ills the country is grappling with. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s decision to cut pensions, duty-free vehicle permits and more..

Feb 19 (DM) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn attention among SL social media users after a recent Instagram and TikTok video showed him in a casual street-side conversation with a SL comedian. In the video, Mamdani is seen walking and chatting with New York-based SL comedian Shenuque in a light-hearted exchange. During the conversation, the comedian asked the mayor, “My mom wants to know how can I be a good SL boy?” noting that many South Asian parents more..

Feb 19 (NW) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has made a special appeal to the President to grant a pardon to the individuals sentenced to death over the killing of former MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer. Fonseka urged that clemency be granted to the young men who were handed the death penalty in connection with the incident. He said that exempting such individuals from capital punishment could be carried out by the President with a single signature. more..

Feb 19 (NW) An opposition MP has tabled a motion urging the govt to make a humanitarian appeal regarding the detention of former Pakistani PM Imran Khan. SJB MP Ajith P. Perera submitted the adjournment motion in Parliament, citing concerns about Mr Khan’s health and wellbeing while in custody. The motion refers to what it describes as credible reports raising humanitarian concerns and calls on SL govt to engage more..

Feb 19 (AD) A total of 29,608 individuals were inspected yesterday (18) as part of the daily search operations carried out across the country, police stated. Issuing a statement, police said that these operations resulted in the arrest of 549 suspects. Police also confirmed that 26 individuals directly linked to criminal activities were identified during the search operations. Additionally, 519 individuals on outstanding warrants were apprehended, police stated. more..

Feb 19 (AD) Sri Lanka Army Spokesman, Brigadier Waruna Gamage, says steps will be taken to suspend the Sergeant attached to the Kuttigala camp in Embilipitiya, who was remanded on charges of covering up the death of a soldier who died after coming into contact with an unauthorized power line at the camp. The CID arrested four individuals, including the Army Sergeant, in connection with the incident on Monday (16), nearly a year after the soldier’s death. more..

Feb 19 (NW) Artificial intelligence should be harnessed to promote the cultural values and capabilities of humankind,” Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in his address during the Heads of State Session held alongside the AI IMPACT SUMMIT 2026 in New Delhi, India. Addressing fellow leaders, Prez said that if AI is limited to a few select languages and perspectives, it risks overlooking the world’s unique cultural diversity. more..

Feb 19 (AD) A stock of essential technical equipment worth Rs. 556 million has been provided to the Police Department by Minister Ananda Wijepala. The Public Security Minister symbolically handed over the relevant equipment to the IGP, Priyantha Weerasooriya, at the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs premises. It is stated that this is the largest allocation of funds spent in recent history to provide equipment to the Police Dept. Accordingly, the items handed over to more..

Feb 19 (EN) A report by the COPE found that state-owned National Savings Bank (NSB) has 7,972 million rupees in non-performing loans (NPLs), including a multi-million dollar facility to a foreign firm, its chair told parliament. “The investigation focused on the bank’s outstanding loan balances exceeding Rs. 5 million as of Sept 30, 2025. Under this category, out of a total of Rs. 96,046 million, approximately Rs. 7,972 million has been classified as non-performing loans,” more..

Feb 19 (NW) Litro Gas Lanka Ltd has assured the public that there will be no gas shortage, stating that sufficient stocks have been secured following a temporary supply disruption earlier this month. The company said recent concerns in the market were due to a temporary shortage of LP gas cylinders caused by an unexpected surge in demand combined with a two-day supply interruption on 14 Feb. Litro said immediate measures have been taken to restore normal distribution. more..

Feb 19 (AD) Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is scheduled to visit SL from Feb 19 to Feb 21. During his visit, Admiral Koehler will engage with SL govt officials and military counterparts to discuss shared values of advancing cooperation in maritime security, regional stability, and to enhance collaboration and interoperability. U.S. Pacific Fleet, the largest naval fleet command in the world, operates across half the globe, protecting vital sea lanes and more..

Feb 19 (NW) Former OIC of the Cyber Crime Investigation and Intelligence Analysis Unit of the CID, M.M.U. Subhasinghe, today expressed his regret in writing to civil activist and comedian Ms. Nathasha Edirisooriya at the Supreme Court regarding her arrest under the ICCPR Act. Attorney General’s Dept, appearing on behalf of the respondents, informed the court that the IGP will issue a set of guidelines via a circular to more..

Feb 19 (Island) Jaffna District MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has raised serious concerns over the conduct of the police following the fatal shooting of a teenager in Jaffna, warning that those accused of wrongdoing were often the very ones tasked with investigating it. The MP said so in responding to the incident at Allaipiddy, where a young boy was killed in police fire on a vehicle that had allegedly failed to comply with an order to stop. Ponnambalam said that the use of lethal force more..

Feb 19 (TM) Health authorities have reported a significant increase in rabies transmission linked to cats in SL, with most infections recorded last year attributed to household pets rather than stray dogs. According to the Ministry of Health, rabies, a nearly always fatal viral disease, can spread through bites or scratches from infected animals including dogs, cats, bats, mongooses, cattle and horses. Laboratory testing of animal brain samples shows a noticeable rise in rabies among cats. more..