Category: Lead Story
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to lead Sri Lanka delegation to 81st Session of the UN General Assembly
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath will lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from 27 to 30 September 2026. Foreign Minister Herath is scheduled to deliver Sri Lanka’s National Statement at the General Debate during the High Level Week on […]
U.S. Embassy Strengthens Sri Lanka’s Ability to Detect Maritime Sanctions Evasion
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, through the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction and in partnership with the Atlantic Council, conducted a three-day training September 9–11 in Colombo to strengthen Sri Lanka’s ability to detect and respond to maritime sanctions evasion that threatens U.S. security interests and legitimate global commerce. More […]
Fitch Upgrades Sri Lanka to ‘B-‘ from ‘CCC+’; Outlook Stable
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to ‘B-’ from ‘CCC+’. The Outlook is Stable. The upgrade reflects the implementation of macro-stabilization policies, underpinned by structural reforms, which have eased external financing risks and provide a degree of resilience to shocks. This is reflected by sharp improvements in fiscal and external […]
Supreme Court Clears 22nd Amendment Without Referendum, Exempts Incumbent CJ from 6-Year Term Limit
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has determined that the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature Amendment Bill do not violate core constitutional provisions and can proceed to a vote in Parliament without requiring a public referendum, according to an official announcement by the Speaker of Parliament. The Supreme Court ruled […]
Strengthening Ports and Logistics to Drive Sri Lanka’s Export Growth under NEDP 2026–2030
A high-level discussion on the implementation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 was successfully held at the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation on 15th September 2026, with a focus on strengthening the contribution of Sri Lanka’s ports and logistics sector to the country’s export growth. The meeting was chaired by Hon. Anura […]
HIP Hosts National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop led by MEPA
Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently hosted the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop, bringing together nearly 100 representatives from key public and private sector organizations to strengthen the district’s preparedness for marine oil spill incidents. Conducted by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) in line with Sri Lanka’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, the programme […]
Foreign Minister’s Visit to Thailand opens up 10,000 employment opportunities for Sri Lankans
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath concluded his official visit to Thailand from 14 to 16 September 2026, following an invitation from the Thai Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat. During the two-day visit, Minister Herath and Thai Minister of Labour Amornvivat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Labour Cooperation and […]
CFA Society Sri Lanka Brings Academia and Industry Together to Shape Future Finance and Investment Talent
CFA Institute, CFA Society Sri Lanka, employers and university partners at the industry–academia dialogue CFA Society Sri Lanka recently hosted a high-level industry academia dialogue on “Developing the Next Generation of Finance and Investment Talent in Sri Lanka,” bringing together representatives from leading employers, partner universities, CFA Institute and CFA Society Sri Lanka. Held in […]
Sri Lanka records 4.2 percent GDP growth for 2Q 2026
The GDP for the second quarter of 2026 at constant price (2015) has increased to Rs. 3,029,816 million from Rs. 2,908,570 million which was reported in the second quarter of 2025. The GDP growth rate for the second quarter of year 2026 has been reported as 4.2 percent positive growth. The overall Agricultural activities declined […]
Sri Lanka’s AI week needs authority budgets before agents get real power
Sri Lanka is preparing to make artificial intelligence more central to business, government, education, and the digital economy. Sri Lanka AI Week 2026, running from September 28 to October 4, is explicitly designed to turn AI ambition into measurable impact through policy discussions, enterprise transformation, an AI Expo, and a national AI engagement platform. That is […]
SL appeals to Human Rights High Commissioner to conclude country-specific mandates where national processes demonstrate progress
Addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on 08 September 2026 during the General Debate under the Agenda Item 2, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake emphasized that no Council mandate should be regarded as indefinite. The written update on human […]
Opinion: For the first time, an idea that needs several ministries has the right place to go—the NBFC
By Lalith Kahatapitiya The Cabinet’s announcement of 24 August carried more than an administrative decision. Read carefully, it has the power to become the turning point of Sri Lanka’s economy, if what it promises is built into the Centre from the start. What the Centre is for The Cabinet decision of 24 August creates a […]