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Vice Chairman of China’s Sinopec Group, Lv Lianggong, assured Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, that construction of the new oil refinery in Hambantota will begin without delay. The pledge came during a meeting held at the ministry in Colombo today.

The proposed project, estimated at USD 3.7 billion, is expected to produce up to 200,000 barrels per day once operational. Lv Lianggong led a 10-member delegation to discuss the project’s progress and unresolved issues related to its implementation.

Lv Lianggong said support from Minister Herath had helped resolve many long-standing challenges. As a result, the project agreement was signed in January. He also outlined remaining concerns that need to be addressed and requested the minister’s intervention to ensure swift resolution, citing the importance of the project to both countries.

Minister Herath agreed to personally intervene to resolve pending issues promptly, highlighting the positive impact of foreign investment on Sri Lanka’s economy. Both parties committed to commencing the project without further delay.

The Sinopec delegation is also scheduled to meet with the Ministry of Power and Energy, the Board of Investment, and other relevant agencies today.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed the Government of Sri Lanka’s appreciation to China for the invitation to participate in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025 and for the warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation. She extended good wishes on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and noted that her first visit to China as Prime Minister provides an opportunity to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries, including in trade, investment, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Prime Minister acknowledged China’s role as a key driver of the global economy and innovation, and as a partner in poverty reduction, infrastructure development, human-capital development, and international cooperation. She outlined Sri Lanka’s vision “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” and briefed the Premier on national priorities to eradicate poverty, foster sustainability, advance digital transformation, and promote ethical governance, including the Clean Sri Lanka programme launched in January 2025.

On economic cooperation, the Prime Minister briefed the Premier on Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic stabilisation and growth trajectory, including recent progress in debt restructuring with the members of the Official Creditor Committee, and expressed appreciation for China’s constructive support. She welcomed continued cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting China’s role as a major development partner and noting ongoing and proposed projects that contribute to national and regional connectivity and socio-economic development. The Prime Minister outlined opportunities for enhanced trade and investment, including Sri Lanka’s proposal to establish a Packaging Hub in Hambantota under investment or public-private partnership modalities; potential cooperation to strengthen industrial development and follow-up to the May 2025 MoU on Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation. She also discussed measures to facilitate inputs for domestic production, including fertilizer supplies, and explored avenues to support Sri Lanka’s precious stones and jewellery sector in the Chinese market.

Further areas of collaboration in the education sector were discussed, including smart classrooms, scholarships, specialised master’s programmes for public officials, and donations of school-uniform material. Cooperation in agriculture, tourism, defence, and health was also covered. Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality, expressing continued support for the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and highlighting national efforts to promote women’s leadership, empowerment, equal opportunity, and protection from violence.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

2025.10.14

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is scheduled to leave for India tomorrow (October 16) on an official visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism announced.

The Prime Minister’s visit will span October 16 to 18, during which she is expected to engage in a series of high-level discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other senior officials.

During her visit, Dr. Amarasuriya will also deliver a keynote address at the NDTV Global Summit organized by NDTV and the Chintan Research Foundation on October 17. Her address will focus on the theme “Managing Disruptions in Uncertain Times,” reflecting Sri Lanka’s perspective on resilience and regional cooperation amid global challenges.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has refuted claims linking him to a building near the Menik Ganga in Kataragama, insisting that he does not own the property.

In a statement, Rajapaksa said certain media reports had falsely attributed ownership to him, despite a prior CID investigation confirming otherwise. He clarified that his name appeared only because an application for an electricity connection was submitted under “G. Rajapaksha” with an unclear signature.

The former President stressed that he has never had any interest in owning or maintaining property in Kataragama.

The property, located on Government reservation land, features a 12-room building reportedly constructed before 2010 with the help of military personnel. Investigations also revealed that a Navy officer previously assigned to Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had been occupying the premises.

• Getting enough high-quality sleep is essential for health and wellbeing but how do we know whether the sleep we are getting is meeting our needs?
• Now, a study has identified five distinct sleep profiles, linking brain activity and sleep quality with a number of different health and lifestyle outcomes.
• The researchers suggest that sleep profiles are linked to not only health and behavior, but also to the wiring and activity of the brain.

Do you have trouble falling asleep, or waking frequently during the night? It could be because of how your brain is wired, and may be affecting your mental and physical health, according to new research.

A study conducted by researchers in Canada and Singapore, using patient-reported sleep, health and lifestyle factors, as well as brain imaging, has identified five distinct sleep profiles.

The research, published in PLOS Biology, found that each of the profiles showed unique patterns of brain network organization, and was linked to different mental and physical health traits.

Valeria Kebets, PhD, co-first author of this study, who is currently manager of machine learning projects at the Applied AI Institute, Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, told Medical News Today that:

“The most important finding of our study is that sleep is multi-dimensional, and some of the profiles show that specific aspects of sleep are related to mental health or cognitive performance in a distinct way.”

Linking sleep patterns to health factors The researchers analyzed data from 770 healthy adults aged between 22 and 36 years of age from the WU-Minn Human Connectome Project (HCP), a study investigating the relationship between human brain circuits and behavior.

All participants filled in questionnaires about their lifestyle, mental and physical health, personality and objective measures of physical health and cognition. They also completed sleep health questionnaires to define different dimensions of sleep, including duration, satisfaction and disturbances.

In addition to the self-reported questionnaires, participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to identify neural signatures of their sleep profiles.

The researchers outlined their objective, saying that: “[I]n this study, we sought to take a multidimensional data-driven approach to identify sleep-biopsychosocial profiles that simultaneously relate self-reported sleep patterns to biopsychosocial factors of health, cognition, and lifestyle in the [healthcare professional] cohort of healthy young adults. We further explored patterns of brain network organization associated with each profile to better understand their neurobiological underpinnings.”

5 distinct sleep profiles related to mental and physical health traits

The researchers identified 5 profiles related to 118 biopsychosocial measures — spanning cognitive performance, physical and mental health, personality traits, affects, substance use, and demographics — as follows:

• Profile 1: generally poor sleep, with decreased sleep satisfaction, longer time to fall asleep, more sleep disturbances, and daytime impairment. This was linked to depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, internalizing behavior, fear, anger, and stress.
• Profile 2: higher complaints of daytime impairment without complaints of sleep difficulties, suggesting sleep resilience, linked to attentional problems, such as inattention, ADHD, low conscientiousness, fear, anger and stress.
• Profile 3: mostly characterized by the use of sleep medication. This was linked to worse performance in visual episodic memory and emotional recognition, but also to satisfaction in social relationships.
• Profile 4: insufficient duration of sleep (less than 6–7 hours per night), which was associated with worse accuracy and longer reaction time at multiple cognitive tasks, delayed reward discounting, language, fluid intelligence, and social cognition, as well as more aggressive behavior and lower agreeableness.
• Profile 5: sleep disturbances, such as multiple awakenings, nocturia (waking frequently to urinate), and breathing issues, as well as pain or temperature imbalance. This group tended to show aggressive behavior, worse cognitive performance, anxiety, thought problems and internalisation, and substance abuse. Kebets outlined the potential clinical significance of their findings, saying that:

 “The five profiles were found in a sample of healthy young adults that didn’t have a psychiatric diagnosis or disabilities, suggesting that they could be used as a marker for the development of future issues, and they can guide tailored interventions.”

Brain network connections linked to sleep profiles Each profile was associated with a unique brain-network organization, having distinct patterns of network connectivity within the brain.

However, the researchers emphasize that further research is needed to clarify the relationships between the sleep profiles and brain network connectivity.

“We found some patterns of brain connectivity that were specific to each profile, but overall we observed dysfunctional connectivity patterns in the brain networks that are responsible for motor and visual functions,” Kebets told us.

How to get the best night’s sleep: Expert tips The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source advise that getting enough quality sleep is essential for health and wellbeing. People aged 18 and over should aim for at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

But how can you ensure that you get enough quality sleep?

Experts suggest the following may help:

• exercise regularly — try to get 20-30 minutes of exercise a day, but do not engage in intense exercise too close to bedtime
• ensure that your mattress is comfortable and supportive — if it is old or not a good fit for you, this can lead to sleep issues
• limit alcohol consumption at night — although it can make you fall asleep faster, it can disrupt your sleep patterns and increase waking, snoring, and even sleep apnea
• avoid large meals and beverages close to bedtime, as these can cause indigestion and a need to urinate, which will disturb sleep
• try to go to bed and wake up at around the same time each day
• make sure your bedroom is a comfortable environment for sleeping in — keeping it cool (60–70 degrees Fahrenheit) and dark will help your sleep
• take time to wind down before bedtime, by meditating, reading a book, taking a hot bath or shower, or listening to music.

“General advice would be to keep good sleep habits — e.g., limit using your phone in the hour before going to sleep, limit alcohol/drug use, and have a regular bed time. Regularity is really key,” Kebets also told us.

“Sleep is central to your daily functioning — your mental health, your ability to think properly and memorize things, your mood and behavior. Don’t hesitate to talk about your sleep complaints (short sleep duration, sleep awakenings, long sleep latency, etc.) to your [family doctor] to have appropriate advice on the intervention that could help your specific issue.”

— Valeria Kebets, PhD

(Source - medicalnewstoday)

Underworld figure Lalith Kannangara, infamously known as ‘Bus Lalith’, has been taken into custody in Dubai.

Investigations reveal that he had been coordinating a Sri Lankan organized crime network while residing overseas.

Kannangara, who has been linked to multiple criminal activities, is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Sri Lanka’s underworld scene.

“I always felt that one day, Olagala Sir would come and arrest me,” said Ishara Sewwandi after her arrest in Nepal. “For seven months I was trapped there. I was tired of hiding. I even thought it would be easier to go back to Sri Lanka. But I knew I’d be arrested if I returned, so I stayed.”

Sewwandi, believed to be the main planner behind the murder of underworld leader Ganemulla Sanjeewa, was arrested on October 13 while hiding in a luxury house in the Thimi Park area of Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu. Four other people, including members of the underworld, were also arrested with her.

Gampaha Baba - Nugegoda Babee - Jaffna Suresh

The Operation

The arrest came after a three-day joint operation in Nepal, led by ASP Rohan Olagala of the Peliyagoda Crimes Division and Inspector Gihan de Silva of the Criminal Investigation Department. The mission was carried out with the help of Nepal Police , under the supervision of IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya and Senior DIG Asanka Karawita.

Information provided by underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme, who was earlier arrested, helped police find out where Sewwandi was hiding. Olagala and de Silva travelled to Kathmandu, met Nepalese officials, and planned the raid. They stayed in a house next door to Sewwandi’s hideout and started surveillance.

Their first arrest was Kennedy Bastianpillai, also known as “J.K. Bai”, who had helped Sewwandi escape from Sri Lanka. He had taken her by boat to India and then by train to Nepal, arranging her stay in a rented luxury home.

J.K. Bai

The Arrest Moment

When police finally entered the house, Sewwandi was shocked to see ASP Olagala. She sighed deeply and said, “Olagala Sir…” He replied calmly, “Ah, how have you been?” before arresting her with the help of a female Nepalese officer.

During questioning, Sewwandi revealed details about other members of Padme’s gang hiding in Kathmandu. Police later arrested three more suspects, including a woman named Thakshi from Chavakachcheri, who looked very similar to Sewwandi. Investigations showed that Sewwandi had planned to flee to Europe using a fake passport made under Thakshi’s name.

        Duplicate Sewwandi

Life on the Run

Police investigations revealed that after the February 19 killing of Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside the Colombo Court Complex, Sewwandi had gone into hiding in several areas—Colombo, Matugama, and Middeniya. She was suspected to have received help from underworld figure Sampath Manampeiri during this time.

Later, J.K. Bai helped her escape to India by boat, and then took her to Nepal by train, where he used his contacts to arrange a safe house.

Padme’s underworld gang had funded the entire escape. But after Padme himself was arrested in Indonesia, Sewwandi’s plans began to fall apart.

The Courtroom Killing

The murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, a well-known organized crime leader, took place inside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The attack was ordered by Kehelbaddara Padme and carried out by Commando Salindu, a former army soldier turned hitman. Salindu entered the court disguised as a lawyer and opened fire on Sanjeewa. Sewwandi, who was also disguised as a female lawyer, coordinated the local part of the plan.

After the shooting, Salindu was caught while trying to flee, but Sewwandi escaped and disappeared—until her arrest in Nepal seven months later.

The End of the Escape

Now, Ishara Sewwandi and her group are being held by Nepal Police, awaiting extradition to Sri Lanka. Her long escape ended just as she had once predicted.

“I always knew Olagala Sir would find me,” she had said — and he finally did.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced today (14) that the existing electricity tariffs will remain unchanged for the final quarter of 2025.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, PUCSL Chairman Prof. K. P. L. Chandralal said the decision was reached after reviewing public feedback and evaluating the methodologies used to calculate electricity costs.

He explained that, following these assessments, the Commission decided not to approve any tariff revisions for the next three months.

Earlier, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had proposed a 6.8% tariff hike for the quarter. However, the PUCSL opted instead to seek public opinion before finalizing its decision—ultimately concluding that no increase was necessary at this stage.

The Cabinet has approved the temporary import of up to 520 metric tonnes of Ponni Samba rice per importer without permits, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

The decision comes amid a shortage of Keeri Samba rice in the local market, with vendors reportedly selling it above the government’s control price. Ponni Samba GR 11, considered a close substitute, will be allowed for import to stabilize supply, the Minister said.

Minister Jayatissa noted that Sri Lanka consumes approximately 2.46 million metric tonnes of rice annually, with Keeri Samba accounting for about 10% of that total—around 246,000 metric tonnes.

Importation of Ponni Samba rice will be permitted from October 15 to November 15, 2025.

Responding to concerns that the import should be allowed much earlier, the Minister said that the decision was reached based on the harvesting patterns and market factors.

Across the island, consumers are feeling the squeeze as lime prices surge — with a half a lime now fetching up to Rs. 50 in certain shops.

According to market sources, wholesale prices at major economic hubs such as Dambulla and Keppetipola have surged to between Rs. 1,900 and Rs. 2,000 per kilo, pushing retail prices to unprecedented levels.

The sharp spike is being blamed on a severe shortage of supply, leaving traders scrambling to meet demand. Some vendors, desperate to cash in, are reportedly selling even unripe or blemished limes in bulk.

With fewer limes reaching the market and prices climbing daily, some sellers have resorted to a creative — if desperate — strategy: cutting limes in half and selling them by the piece.

In a country where a splash of lime is a daily ritual — from spicy sambols to evening tea — this “lime crisis” has many Sri Lankans rethinking every squeeze.

Former Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne, who had been held in remand custody in connection with a 2010 abduction and murder case, was released on bail today following his appearance before the Kurunegala High Court.

Ulugetenne was arrested over his alleged involvement in the abduction and subsequent killing of a man in the Pothuhera area in 2010.

The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Sri Lanka to Level 2, urging travelers to exercise increased caution. The advisory highlights ongoing risks of civil unrest, terrorism, and the presence of landmines in certain regions. Visitors are warned to avoid protests and crowded places, remain alert to their surroundings, and follow local authority instructions amid potential instability.

The update reflects heightened vigilance due to both domestic and global factors affecting travel safety in Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka has experienced persistent civil unrest since 2022, triggered by an economic crisis that sparked mass protests known as the "Aragalaya" or "The Struggle." Demonstrations have frequently turned volatile, with public demands for political resignations and accountability amid severe shortages of essential goods and services. Protesters continue to face restrictions and occasional violent clashes, making public gatherings and political environments highly unpredictable. These conditions contribute significantly to the travel risks cited in the U.S. advisory