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The World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) has lifted the ban it imposed on Sri Lanka Anti-doping Agency, taking into consideration the amendments to the Act to be in compliance with the regulations of the international agency.

In its latest communication to the Director General, Sri Lanka Anti-doping Agency (SLADA), the international agency states that with the recommendations of the independent Compliance Review Committee, WADA’s executive committee has taken the decision to remove SLADA from the list of non-compliant signatories with immediate effect. The communication points out that the executive committee reached the decision following the steps taken by Sri Lanka to enforce the relevant amendments to the anti-doping legal framework to be inline with WADA’s Code. Earlier, on 19 August, WADA announced that SLADA is non-compliance with the international code highlighting several technical facts.

On 7 October, Sri Lanka Parliament passed the Bill to amend the Convention Against Doping in Sports Act No.33 of 2013. The amended Act, Convention Against Doping in Sports Act No.21 of 2025, aligns SLADA’s anti-doping legislation with international standards as stipulated by WADA.

“The International Anti-doping Agency, being responsible for maintaining uniformity in anti-doping standards in sports, does bring regulations on any country to comply with the international standards. Non-compliance to WADA standards may result in countries being non recognised at international sports competitions,” pointed out SLADA Director General (DG) Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya. Non-compliance with the WADA Code does not restrict countries from participating and winning competitions. “Being in compliance with the world standards enables Sri Lanka sports personnel to be well-recognised internationally, giving them more scope for successful achievements,” Dr. Pilapitiya added, further commenting on the current situation. 

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Several sound amplification systems installed around the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda have been removed by police, following concerns that the noise could disturb students sitting for the A/L examinations.

Despite the removal, authorities have issued special guidelines for a public rally scheduled for today (21) at 2:00 p.m. in Nugegoda, restricting the use of loudspeakers and other sound equipment to ensure minimal disruption.

The death toll from landslides in two regions of Indonesia’s Central Java rose to 30 as rescue efforts continued, the country’s disaster mitigation agency said on Friday.

Some 21 people remain missing after landslides triggered by torrential rain struck the city of Cilacap last week and the Banjarnegara region over the weekend, the agency said.

Rescuers found 7 more bodies in Banjarnegara, the worst-affected area, on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 10 with 18 still missing, Abdul Muhari, the agency’s spokesperson said in a statement late on Thursday.

Dozens of houses were damaged, seven people injured, and more than 900 residents evacuated following the landslide there, Muhari said.

At least 700 rescuers including police and military personnel continue to look for the missing, using excavators to speed up the search, he added.

“We face several obstacles in the search, particularly with landslide ponds filled with debris and continuously flowing waters also risks new landslides due to rains,” Muhari said.

In Cilacap, rescuers found four more bodies this week bringing the death toll to 20 with three people still missing, Muhari said.

Authorities have extended search operations there until next week, and nearly 400 residents have been evacuated.

Indonesia’s wet season started in September and will continue until April, according to the weather agency, raising the risk of floods and extreme rainfall in many areas.

( Source : adaderana.lk)

China has signalled a fresh expansion of its development presence in Sri Lanka, with Beijing now studying a proposal to supply a fleet of electric buses to the island.

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, speaking at the 2025 China Aid Training Alumni Reception in Colombo, described the initiative as part of a “new starting point” in bilateral relations one shaped by recent high-level visits and renewed progress in stalled infrastructure projects.

But as Colombo weighs the offer, concerns are mounting over whether the country’s chronically loss-making public transport system particularly the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB)—is structurally prepared to operate and maintain a modern electric-bus fleet without deep reforms.

According to the Ambassador, China is reviewing the electric-bus project at Sri Lanka’s request. The proposal aligns with Colombo’s long-term goals of cutting fuel imports, reducing urban pollution, and modernising an ageing bus fleet that is widely criticised for overcrowding, delays, and frequent breakdowns.

Electric buses would reduce operational fuel costsdiesel accounts for over 35% of SLTB’s recurrent expenditure and its efficiency could improve service reliability if managed under a disciplined maintenance regime.

China’s experience in clean-mobility technologies, from large-scale EV deployment to advanced battery systems, adds to the attractiveness of the offer.

Yet the numbers paint a stark picture.The SLTB has recorded annual operating losses exceeding Rs. 45–50 billion in recent years, burdened by overstaffing, outdated fleets, and politically driven fare controls.

The enterprise operates more than 6,000 buses, many well past their service lifespan, with availability rates frequently falling below 50%.

Introducing a fleet of high-value electric buses into an organisation with such structural weaknesses raises major risks. Electric buses require specialised charging infrastructure, battery-management systems, and trained technicians none of which the SLTB currently possesses. Without operational reforms, experts warn that Sri Lanka could end up with expensive assets underutilised or rapidly deteriorating, repeating past failures in donor-funded transport upgrades.

Ambassador Qi highlighted broader Chinese-supported progress, from the resumption of work on the Central Expressway to near-finalisation of the Sinopec energy project. He pointed to expanding human-resource exchanges, with nearly 1,000 Sri Lankans trained in China across sectors from agriculture to disaster management.

He also noted opportunities arising from China’s new Five-Year Plan, growing outbound tourism, and sustained technological advances in AI, hydrogen energy, and biopharmaceuticals. Beijing frames these developments as pathways for mutual gain especially for Global South partners navigating geopolitical uncertainty.

But for Sri Lanka, still grappling with debt restructuring, the key concern is whether acceptance of the electric-bus programme deepens long-term dependency or supports sustainable modernisation.

The Chinese proposal arrives at a moment when public dissatisfaction with transport services is at a peak. Buses are overcrowded, unreliable, and unsafe, especially for women and schoolchildren. Any move toward electric mobility could mark a turning point  if paired with governance reforms, transparent procurement, and a clear financial plan.

The real test will be whether Sri Lanka can leverage Beijing’s offer to fix its transport system—or whether it risks repeating a cycle of costly assistance without lasting reform.

The first public rally organized jointly by several opposition groups against the government—based on 21 key issues—is scheduled to be held today (Nov. 21) in Nugegoda.

The rally, titled “The Great Voice of the People Against the Deceptive Malima Government’s Foolish Rule,” is being organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and is set to begin at 2 p.m. at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda.

According to the organizers, the protest is being held on the basis of 21 grievances, including:

• The suspicious release of shipping containers
• The failure to reduce fuel prices as promised
• The failure to reduce electricity tariffs by one-third
• Protecting the “rice mafia”
• Increasing the tax burden
• Undermining the nation's dignity
• Favoritism toward political allies
• Corruption involving ministers’ and MPs’ assets
• Failure to provide jobs for graduates and qualified youth
• Pushing farmers into hardship
• Escalating cost of living
• Undermining the rule of law
• Spreading hatred
• Politicizing everything
• Destroying local culture
• Disregarding war heroes
• Forming friendships with separatist groups
• Entering into fraudulent agreements
• Being exposed for making false statements
• Failing to serve the country
• Having no future plan for the nation
• The SLPP states that the rally’s purpose is to pressure the government to fulfill its promises.

SLPP General Secretary, Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam, said that the rally is being held to push the government to honor the commitments it made to the people.

Commenting on the event, MP Namal Rajapaksa said:

“A strong public opinion is rising in the country—that this government has become one that lies endlessly, cannot work, and is incapable of delivering results. The opposition has a responsibility to awaken the government and remind it of its obligations. We are fulfilling that responsibility.”

Provincial correspondents report that large numbers of buses from regions such as Kandy, Anuradhapura, and Badulla departed early this morning to attend the rally.

Organizers say that around 270 buses from various areas have already left for Nugegoda. Former Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena stated that many buses are also expected from Galle, Matara, Hambantota, and Kalutara districts. He added that buses using the expressway will be departing after 11 a.m. today.

Sri Lanka has moved a step closer to concluding its long-delayed external debt restructuring after the Government and SriLankan Airlines announced yesterday that they had reached an agreement in principle with a majority bloc of international bondholders to restructure the airline’s US$175 million Government-guaranteed bond maturing in June 2024.

The announcement ends months of uncertainty surrounding the treatment of the carrier’s debt—a key component of the country’s wider restructuring of US$210 million linked to the airline. President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake had assured Parliament during the 2026 Budget presentation on 7 November that this final portion of external commercial debt would be settled by the end of 2025.

In a statement, SriLankan Airlines said it held restricted negotiations with six members of the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders between 23 October and 19 November. These members collectively control about 55% of the outstanding Notes. The talks were supported by financial adviser Lazard and legal counsel Norton Rose Fulbright, while the Bondholder Group was represented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

The agreement remains conditional on Cabinet approval and non-objection from both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lanka’s Official Creditor Committee, as it forms part of the country’s broader debt workout framework. Once implemented, officials say the deal will help restore normal relations with external creditors while giving the airline room to stabilise its operations.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Sarath Ganegoda welcomed the development, noting that the airline can now “look to the future with greater optimism.” He thanked bondholders for adopting a “pragmatic approach” that avoided a damaging confrontation. “Our island nation depends on a reliable national carrier for economic recovery,” he said.

Under the agreed parameters, the Government will be discharged from its guarantee once the restructuring is completed. The deal includes a 15% haircut on total claims, with the remaining balance to be settled through a mix of cash and medium-term Government Bonds carrying a 4% interest rate.

Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma described the breakthrough as a “new step toward normalising external relations,” adding that the deal would raise the completion rate of Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring to 99%. He expressed confidence that the agreement would support Sri Lanka’s credit rating recovery and pave the way for a return to global capital markets.

The transaction will be executed through a dual structure: a US$60 million cash tender offer and a bond exchange offer linked to the existing 2028 Sri Lankan Government 4% sovereign bond. Tendering bondholders will receive payment at 85% of their total claim value, while remaining holders may exchange their Notes for Government Bonds amortising between 2026 and 2028. Any non-participating Notes will be mandatorily exchanged at a reduced rate of 75% of the total claim.

The restructuring will only proceed once an extraordinary resolution is approved by at least 75% of voting bondholders. The Bondholder Group will also receive an agreed work fee for its negotiation efforts.

Both the Government and SriLankan Airlines expressed hope that the transaction can be finalised before year’s end, marking a crucial milestone in the country’s path toward long-term debt sustainability.

Sri Lanka has intensified its diplomatic efforts to secure the continuation of the European Union’s GSP+ trade concession, with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra meeting EU officials in Brussels this week.

The talks, held with Bernd Lange Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the International Trade Committee (INTA), and EU GSP+ Rapporteur focused on strengthening bilateral trade cooperation and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s access to one of its most valuable export privileges.

According to an official statement, the meeting centred on the future of the GSP+ scheme, which offers Sri Lankan exporters preferential access to the EU market by reducing or eliminating duties on over 6,000 product categories.

 Hemachandra outlined the country’s ongoing economic stabilisation drive, including steady progress under the IMF programme, improved sovereign credit ratings, and renewed investor confidence.

He also emphasised the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance key conditions tied to GSP+ eligibility.

The discussion further highlighted the arrival of a Fairtrade business delegation in Sri Lanka this week. The delegation’s visit is expected to create new opportunities for organic and Fairtrade-certified producers, enabling them to build long-term relationships with leading European retailers and distributors.

Officials believe this could boost Sri Lanka’s value-added exports at a time when the country is seeking stronger and more sustainable foreign exchange inflows.

Beyond the diplomatic messaging, the push to retain GSP+ carries far-reaching economic implications. For Sri Lanka, the benefits are clear: the scheme enhances export competitiveness, especially for apparel, fisheries products, rubber-based goods, and emerging organic produce.

With nearly a third of Sri Lanka’s exports destined for the EU, the preferential tariff system has helped local industries maintain their foothold against global competitors.

However, the arrangement also comes with challenges. GSP+ is conditional upon the implementation of 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, and good governance.

While successive governments have pledged compliance, periodic EU reviews often highlight areas requiring further reform. Critics argue that the pressure to meet EU benchmarks can, at times, strain domestic political consensus especially on sensitive governance and legal reforms.

At the same time, overreliance on GSP+ raises concerns about long-term export resilience. Economists caution that Sri Lanka must diversify its markets and upgrade its industrial capabilities rather than depend exclusively on tariff concessions that may not be permanent.

A potential loss of GSP+ would significantly impact export earnings and employment, particularly in the apparel sector, which employs hundreds of thousands of workers primarily rural women.

Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s position, Hemachandra told EU officials that the Government remains fully committed to meeting international standards in labour, environmental and ethical manufacturing practices. Strengthening cooperation with the EU, he said, will support the country’s industries, workers, and broader national development goals.

As Sri Lanka navigates its economic recovery, securing the continuation of the GSP+ facility remains a strategic priority. The Brussels meeting marks another step in the country’s efforts to safeguard crucial export access while working toward deeper trade and development cooperation with the European Union.

Sri Lanka’s licensed finance companies (LFCs) are being pushed toward a decisive shift in their business model, as economic recovery now hinges on industrial expansion rather than the consumption-heavy credit patterns that defined the past decade.

The Lanka Rating Agency (LRA), in its latest sector review for 2025, warns that unless LFCs redirect capital toward production, they risk losing relevance in an economy attempting to rebuild its export base and generate sustainable jobs.

According to LRA analysts, the sector’s sizeable asset base, strengthened risk-management frameworks, and improving capital buffers place LFCs in a position to influence the country’s next phase of growth.

But this will require moving beyond familiar ground such as vehicle financing and personal loans and stepping into investment-oriented segments industrial modernization, project lending, supply-chain finance, and working capital for export manufacturers.

Such a reorientation, the Agency argues, is not merely desirable but necessary. Sri Lanka’s firms are under pressure to climb the value chain, raise productivity, and compete more aggressively in regional markets.

 “LFCs can become catalysts for capital formation if they redirect credit to activities that generate foreign exchange and long-term employment,” the report notes.

 A transition toward outward-oriented lending would also strengthen corporate balance sheets at a time when businesses must scale to survive.

Financial data for 2025 shows that the industry is entering the New Year with stronger fundamentals, creating room for this strategic shift. Regulatory capital stood at approximately Rs. 433 billion in the first quarter of FY25/26, supporting a robust capital adequacy ratio of about 22%well above minimum regulatory thresholds.

Sector assets reached nearly Rs. 2.28 trillion, growing at an annual compound pace close to 8%. The gross non-performing loan ratio fell sharply to 8.3%, from 13.6% a year earlier, reflecting improving credit quality.

Profitability has also stabilised: LFCs posted Rs. 69.4 billion in PAT in FY24/25 and Rs. 18 billion in the first quarter of FY25/26.

However, vulnerabilities persist. Sector liabilities expanded 29.1% year-on-year, pushed up by a 76% surge in borrowings, and liquidity pressures remain.

 A significant share of deposits and loans mature within 12 months, creating rollover risk. LFCs are also exposed to commodity volatility after the gold-backed loan portfolio jumped 30% in FY24/25, driven by a 34% rise in global gold prices. Roughly half of long-term assets are still funded using short-term deposits an imbalance that leaves institutions sensitive to interest-rate shocks.

The Central Bank’s consolidation pathway also looms large. Under the NBFI Master Plan, finance companies must reach a minimum stability score of 60 by 2027 to function independently, pushing weaker firms toward mergers or exit. Currently, the 12 largest LFCs control nearly 80% of industry assets, with loans and advances amounting to Rs. 1.75 trillion, or 76.6% of total assets.

Despite these pressures, the LRA maintains that the sector has the structural capacity to support a shift toward an investment-driven growth model if it can commit to industrial project finance and manage its balance-sheet risks with greater discipline.

For policymakers seeking to revive exports and rebuild productive capacity, the evolution of the LFC sector may determine whether Sri Lanka’s recovery becomes durable or slips back into consumption-driven volatility.

Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a strong public warning against individuals and social media influencers who promote investment advice without being formally registered or licensed, as regulators intensify efforts to curb the rapid rise of online financial scams.

The regulator stressed that investment recommendations shared through digital platforms—whether presented as tips, predictions, or guidance must not be made without proper regulatory approval.

“Social media content that amounts to investment recommendations must not be made without proper basis and without being a Registered Investment Advisor or a body licensed by the SEC,” the Commission said, noting that unauthorized advisors will face severe penalties.

The watchdog reiterated that violations of the SEC Act are prosecutable before the High Court, with offenders facing fines of not less than Rs. 10 million, imprisonment of up to ten years, or both. According to the regulator, these measures are essential to protect small investors who are increasingly exposed to unverified and often misleading online content.

The SEC highlighted that many inexperienced investors have been misled by self-styled online “experts” who promote unsolicited stock tips through platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

Authorities warn that some of these individuals engage in manipulative practices that can distort market behaviour, while others misuse the credibility of social media to draw people into high-risk or fraudulent schemes. The trend, the SEC noted, has resulted not only in significant financial losses but has also weakened public trust in regulated financial markets.

Reinforcing the SEC’s warning, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has raised red flags over a new online pyramid scheme operating under the name “SGO/sgomine.com”.Following investigations, the Central Bank confirmed that the entity is conducting and promoting a prohibited scheme in violation of the Banking Act.

The regulator reminded the public that pyramid and Ponzi schemes often disguised as cryptocurrency platforms, trading apps, or digital investment opportunities are illegal, and both the operation and promotion of such schemes are criminal offences.

The Central Bank also released an updated list of entities determined to be engaged in prohibited pyramid-type activities, including Tiens Lanka Health Care, Best Life International, Mark-Wo International, Global Lifestyle Lanka, Fast3Cycle International, OnmaxDT, Sport Chain app, MTFE App and related groups, Fastwin, Fruugo Online App, Qnet/Questnet, Ride to Three Freedom, Era Miracle, Beecoin App, The Enrich Life, Windex Trading, Smart Win Entrepreneur, Net Fore International/Netrrix, Pro Care and several other affiliated entities.

Regulators have urged the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid falling prey to schemes promising extraordinary returns with little or no real economic activity.

Both the SEC and CBSL emphasised that legitimate investment opportunities are always conducted through licensed institutions, and encouraged the public to verify credentials before acting on any financial advice shared online.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe Flies to Chennai for MP Jeevan Thondaman’s Wedding

Former President and United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe departed from Katunayake Airport early this morning (21st), bound for Chennai, India. He was accompanied by his wife, Maithree Wickremesinghe, for the journey. According to airport officials, the couple arrived at Katunayake Airport in the early hours and boarded SriLankan Airlines flight UL-121 at 08:40 a.m.

The Wickremesinghes are travelling to India to attend the wedding celebrations of Parliamentarian Jeevan Thondaman, the only son of the late minister and former leader of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), Arumugam Thondaman.

Jeevan Thondaman’s wedding is set to take place on the 23rd of this month in Chennai, India. His bride, Seethai S. Nachiyar, comes from a politically-involved family in India and is professionally a medical doctor.

The ceremony is expected to draw a host of political figures from both Sri Lanka and India. Invitations have reportedly been extended to former presidents, including Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa, among other prominent leaders.

Following the wedding celebrations in Chennai, Jeevan Thondaman is scheduled to return to Sri Lanka, where a public reception will be held in Colombo and at the CWC headquarters in Kotte for friends, supporters, and party members to offer their blessings to the newlyweds.

Sri Lanka's Motor Traffic Department (MTD) is pushing forward with a major digital transformation to enhance public service efficiency, curb corruption, and improve convenience for citizens.

This move is part of the broader government initiative to modernise public services through digitalisation. However, the project faces significant hurdles, including outdated systems, slow progress, and resistance from certain  corrupt officials.

The MTD has introduced online services for vehicle registration, license renewals, and fee payments, aiming to streamline processes.

Despite the promises of a more efficient system, the digitisation effort, initiated in 2018, has been hampered by procurement delays and administrative inefficiencies.

Senior officials attribute this to red tape behavior within the tender board and the slow pace of the procurement process, which has been further complicated by official changes in previous governments.

One of the core challenges lies in the inefficiency of the existing system, which has not been updated in two decades. Senior officials often retire or are transferred before projects are completed, leading to inconsistent decision-making and delays.

Furthermore, the system’s infrastructure is not capable of supporting modern technological advancements, which has led to over-reliance on external vendors, and in some cases, the abandonment of projects altogether.

In 2016, the MTD initiated a tender for a new system called e motoring, aimed at improving vehicle registration and motor vehicle transfer processes.

However, despite being awarded to a local company in 2018, the project’s implementation has been postponed repeatedly due to issues such as unsuitable office space for the system’s deployment and administrative red tape,

The original office building was deemed unfit, and the relocation of the department to a new facility has faced delays, further stalling progress, a high official of the MTD said.

Internal resistance from a few corrupted MTD officials, some of whom benefit from the outdated system, has also contributed to the project’s failure.

Allegations of corruption and fraudulent practices have emerged, with investigations by the Bribery Commission leading to the suspension of several officials.

The current system’s poor organisation and lack of proper archiving of vehicle registration documents have further facilitated malpractices.

Despite these challenges, the current MTD Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasingha has made strides in implementing some reforms.

Recently, the department began scanning and archiving vehicle registration documents to improve record-keeping.

Although the full e motoring system is still pending approval, these initial steps are intended to clean up existing processes. Additionally, the Commissioner plans to continue the system's rollout in the current Narahenpita building, rather than relocating as previously suggested.

Despite these hurdles, the department has seen some success. The Commissioner has managed to increase the department’s revenue even in the face of restrictions on vehicle imports.

 He has also worked to reduce the backlog of over 950,000 pending driving license applications, clearing 95 percent of it.

Looking ahead, the MTD is planning to launch an e Driving License system, which will be accessible via mobile phones, and introduce a new system to track traffic violations through demerit points, which will allow for real-time fine payments by offenders.

While the road to full digitisation remains fraught with challenges, the MTD is taking significant steps to modernise its operations and improve service delivery.