News

Members of the opposition political parties, both minority and majority, have been making fun out a mispronunciation of two English words by a prominent Cabinet Member of a NPP government. The phrase that has been mocked at is “It’s a Big Kuchchan”, a mispronunciation of “It’s a Big Question”. It was the opening sentence of the Minister who was questioned about US president Donald Trump’s role at a panel discussion titled: ‘The Call Of Support Over Climate Change’ in India few months ago.

Many critics argued that the Minister made a big blunder by attending a forum in which the working language was English and messed it up. Some even went on to criticise that the politicians disgraced the entire country and even humiliated Sri Lanka’s age old standard of free education which was above many Asian countries. There was also an argument that the Minister could have taken a translator and answered the question in Sinhala so that a good translator could have done a far better job.

However, there were a number of those came in support of the Minister even as he was mocked by many. Among the arguments were that English is not Sri Lanka’s mother tongue and it should be OK to make a mistakes specially in pronunciation. Some went on to justify Minister’s mispronunciation with the argument that many Sri Lankans pronounce ‘Question’ simply ‘Kuekshan’ because we do not have ‘Q’ sound in Sinhala and Tamil alphabets.

Making a mountain out of a molehill, the Minister was mocked at by claiming that he pronounced ‘Question’ as ‘Kuchchan’ and over the last few weeks we saw some lawmakers nicknaming the minister with the same phrase.

Setting the mockery or mudslinging apart, government can learn a lesson from the bottom-line of what the critics say, checking whether the right people are at the right places or whether it is doing the right thing at the right time. When one seriously analyses the government’s conduct at the end of its one year, whether it is delivering what it promised or whether it is understanding what governance is “It is a Big Question”. We saw many progressive plans were presented during its run up to the last two elections, but how much has been achieved is a question to consider.

‘A big question’

We can understand the reality without going far from our own kitchens. Though we have recovered from the worst ever financial crisis three years ago, its a challenge for any middle income earning or below families to access the most essential basic human need - food - in Sri Lanka today. This is not luxury foods we are talking of but the basic three meals. For some of these families, the practice of eating out occasionally for a change has become an unreachable dream because if they do so, running the family the rest of the month would be an impossible task. At least three years after the economic crisis, there are families in Sri Lanka where parents go hungry to feed their children. Does the government know about this reality? “It’s a Big Question”.

Whatever said and done, human desire is such that we crave to please our taste buds. This may be why we see in several parts of Colombo and its suburbs people, especially the young, flock in queues to “Bing Chun” which is said to be serving tasty deserts, ice creams, bubble tea and many more. The tagline of the Chinese business started in Xinxiang City of central China’s Henan Province, is delivering delicious flavours at affordable prices. Speaking to the media, chairman of Bing Chun, Cheng Dong, said: “We plan to keep expanding in countries along the Belt and Road, bringing new Chinese tea drinks to more consumers,”. The chain now has more than 3000 stores around the world with 500 in Southeast Asia. Thus we see that, similar to many US based food outlet brands like KFC or McDonald’s, China too, is expanding its culinary market.

For most Sri Lankans right now, Cheaper and tasty food could be some relief especially at a time when they go through severe struggles.

Does the NPP government know about this? “It is a Big Question”!

(Government’s “Big Kuchchan” and people’s “Bing Chun”) 

A new ticketing counter offering discounted airfares for Sri Lankan migrant workers heading overseas has been opened at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) headquarters in Narhenpita, under a new government initiative.

The counter was declared open yesterday (16) under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra.

Through this new service, migrant workers can purchase air tickets at concessionary rates — significantly lower than regular market prices — for flights to any destination worldwide where they are employed.

The launch event was attended by Dr. B.S. Yalagama, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Employment, Kosala Wickramasinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency, Lal Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the SLBFE, D.D.P. Senanayake, General Manager of the Bureau, and Prasad Galappaththi, General Manager of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency, among other officials.

This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on Sri Lankan migrant workers and support their journey abroad with more affordable travel options — a step the Ministry describes as a practical boost to those powering the nation’s remittance economy.

Port City Colombo yesterday announced the completion of the first phase of its infrastructure development, a key milestone in Sri Lanka’s most ambitious urban development project to date.

The first phase includes critical linkages connecting the reclaimed land to the Colombo Municipal Council’s electricity and water supply systems as well as the city’s wastewater drainage network.

“This milestone marks an essential step in the progress of Port City Colombo and ushers in the next stage of development and future investments,” said Colombo Port City Economic Commission Chairman Harsha Amarasekera.

The commission serves as both the regulatory authority and single-window investment facilitator for the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Amarasekera asserted that the completion of the first phase comes at a time when Sri Lanka is regaining investor confidence, following the government’s reform drive under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

“This year has been a year of significant progress for Sri Lanka, as the government, under the IMF programme, has taken measures to strengthen policies that protect investments and has brought in reforms that enhance transparency, accountability and the rule of law, to ensure inclusive and sustainable economic expansion,” he said.

The first phase of the project, spanning infrastructure connectivity, utility integration and essential service readiness, sets the foundation for the next stage of construction and investment mobilisation. The focus now shifts towards attracting anchor investors for commercial, residential and lifestyle developments within the SEZ.

“Port City Colombo is one of the largest investment projects in Sri Lanka, mainly because it created a new physical structure that was not on the map before,” said Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma.

He acknowledged that while the completion of Phase 1 took longer than expected, it marks a defining opportunity for Sri Lanka to demonstrate its potential as a destination for “better foreign investments, business, trade, tourism and lifestyle”.

“We need to continue to work with the utility providers to complete the internal infrastructure of this project and ensure its success,” he added, stressing the importance of continued collaboration between the government and private stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Port City Colombo Project Management Unit Project Director retired Major General Udaya Nanayakkara noted the urban design concept focuses on sustainability and livability. He noted that the project aims to create a “walkable city”, with reduced traffic emissions, a clear road hierarchy and an underground system for utilities, elements designed to enhance environmental quality and efficiency.

The 12-kilometre internal road network within Port City Colombo will seamlessly connect the city’s northern and southern ends, improving mobility and accessibility while positioning the project as a central hub for South Asia.

The 12-kilometre road network within the Port City would also connect Colombo North and Colombo South effortlessly, while being a central hub for the South Asian region.

(Source  - Dailymirror)

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in several provinces and districts.

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in the Central, North-central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and North-western provinces and in Ampara district, the department stated.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, it added.

Accordingly, the general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The general public has also been requested to seek shelter, preferably indoors, to avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms, and also to refrain from using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

For emergency assistance, the public is requested to contact local disaster management authorities.

(Source - adaderana.lk)

Fifteen-year-old Ellanya Sivasubramaniam from Reading, Berkshire has been named among the top winners of the distinguished Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, the Tamil Guardian reports.

Her poem, The Girls Who Grow Antlers, was chosen as one of the Top 15 winning entries from an extraordinary 28,344 submissions spanning 135 countries — making the competition one of the most fiercely contested literary platforms for writers aged 11 to 17. The award is organised annually by The Poetry Society and supported by The Foyle Foundation.

Ellanya described the moment she received the news as “surreal” and deeply “affirming.”

“I’ll never forget getting the call on my way back from school — I was completely star-struck and could hardly believe it was real,” she recalled.

The winners were celebrated at a ceremony held recently at the British Library in London. As part of the prize, Ellanya will take part in an exclusive week-long residential writing course at The Hurst in Shropshire, where she will collaborate with other young poets and receive professional mentorship. Her poem will also be published in an anthology that will be distributed to schools and libraries across the UK next spring.

Now in its 27th year, the Foyle Young Poets Award continues to be a prestigious launchpad for emerging literary talent — with many past recipients later becoming acclaimed, published writers. This year’s submissions explored themes ranging from identity and language to politics, art, and belonging, with entries arriving from countries as diverse as Botswana, Fiji, Vietnam, Venezuela, and the UK.

By Reshni Shanya

Starting from midnight today (17), passengers flying out of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, will now be allowed to check in as early as four hours before their scheduled departure.

According to airport officials, the decision aims to improve passenger convenience and streamline airport operations, allowing for a more efficient and comfortable travel experience.

A flagship government initiative to procure 100 luxury low-floor buses under the 2025 Budget has ignited a storm of controversy, as mounting allegations suggest the tender may have been structured to favour a single dominant player in Sri Lanka’s motoring industry.

Valued at over Rs. 3 billion, the project aims to establish a “Metro Bus Company” to modernise urban transport on key corridors such as Kottawa-Pettah, Kadawatha-Pettah, and Moratuwa-Pettah.

While the government hails it as a milestone in public mobility and digitalised transport, procurement analysts and civil society groups are questioning whether the tender process was manipulated to restrict fair competition.

The row deepened when the share price of a flagship listed motor company which was among the bidders jumped sharply weeks after the government announced the tender for the purchase of buses. Political commentators and market analysts pointed out that the timing of the sudden surge seemed anything but coincidental, and claims were made that inside information could have been leaked prior to the official announcement of the tender release.

According to government reports, officials who took part in the preparation of the bid documents are now facing an internal investigation.

The most contentious point is a financial eligibility clause requiring bidders to have maintained an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 6 billion (US$ 18 million) during at least three of the past five years, alongside stringent balance sheet and liquidity conditions including a positive asset-to-liability ratio below 60 per cent, and working capital exceeding Rs. 3 billion or $ 9 million for two of the last five years.

Procurement specialists argue that such criteria are excessive and inconsistent with the project’s scale.

“Turnover thresholds should ensure competence, not exclude credible competitors,” one former senior transport ministry official said. “These requirements effectively rule out most local bus importers who have reliably supplied vehicles to the government in the past.”

The technical specifications have also drawn scrutiny. The bid requires manufacturers to have produced at least 750 buses annually over three of the last five years, exported to five or more countries, and obtained multiple ISO certifications.

While such standards may seem reasonable for international procurements, critics contend that the combined requirements form a narrow filter that aligns almost perfectly with the production profile of one specific manufacturer effectively precluding competition from other qualified suppliers.

(Source - thesundaytimes)

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, in New Delhi on 16 October 2025, during her first official visit to India as Prime Minister.

The discussions focused on further strengthening the multifaceted partnership between Sri Lanka and India, with emphasis on economic cooperation, connectivity, digital transformation, education. Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya appreciated the Government of India’s continued assistance in a wide range of development programmes in Sri Lanka, including projects related to trade, financial cooperation, and education. She also acknowledged India’s support to Sri Lanka during challenging times and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing cooperation with India as a close neighbour and longstanding partner in the region. Both sides discussed enhancing collaboration in digitalization, technology exchange, and innovation, key priorities under the Sri Lankan Government’s development agenda. The Prime Minister highlighted opportunities for Indian investment in Sri Lanka, particularly in manufacturing, infrastructure, education, and knowledge services, and expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in further strengthening bilateral trade.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

2025.10.16

Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake has arrived at the Mount Lavinia Police today to give a statement regarding an incident involving the threatening and obstruction of duties of a police constable at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises.

On 16 October, the Court of Appeal scheduled consideration of a writ petition filed by Wanninayake, seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with the alleged incident at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises. The petition is set to be heard on 10 November 2025.

Wanninayake, who was released on bail, also appeared before the Western Province South Crimes Division on 16 October.

He was granted bail by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

(Source - adaderana}

Sachila Chathnuka, a young entrepreneur from Galle, has made a remarkable impact on Sri Lanka’s car care industry with his brand "ShineMode", a mobile detailing service that brings next-level car care right to your doorstep.

"ShineMode" is far from ordinary. Sachila has elevated detailing to a higher standard by using world-renowned brands and even introducing some of them to Sri Lanka through his services, including Koch Chemie, Infinity Wax, Duel Auto Care, and more. His commitment to excellence has set a new benchmark for quality and results in the local industry.

While mobile detailing isn’t new globally, Sachila identified a major gap in Sri Lanka and filled it with genuine expertise, creativity, and passion. Through his ASMR and POV-style detailing videos, he allows anyone to witness ShineMode’s quality firsthand - every clip speaks louder than words.

At a time when most people settled for quick car washes, Sachila proved that quality work still holds more value than price. His journey has inspired a new wave of Sri Lankans to pursue perfection, appreciate real detailing, and even motivated a new generation of detailers to follow the same path.

(Source - Startup Sri Lanka)

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, today (Friday 17 October 2025) in New Delhi during her official visit to India.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, with particular attention to education reforms and development priorities.

Prime Minister Modi extended a warm welcome to Dr. Amarasuriya and appreciated her visit which adds fresh momentum to bilateral relations and the multi-faceted partnership that prevails between the two countries.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya shared with Prime Minister Modi, details of her poignant and inspiring visit to Hindu College, University of Delhi, where she had been a student on an ICCR scholarship in the early 1990s.

She also shared with the Prime Minister, the highlights of her visit to a model school in Delhi earlier in the day as a meaningful opportunity to observe innovative education practices.

Prime Minister Modi expressed support for Sri Lanka’s education reform agenda, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya shared Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and equitable education system addressing challenges faced by youth, especially school dropouts emphasising on the increasing need to also address social issues faced by male students in this regard.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed matters pertaining to the welfare of fishermen in both countries, and Dr Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of protecting the livelihoods and safety of fishermen on both sides.

Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to work together in partnership in the shared development journey of the two countries and reiterated support to Sri Lanka in advancing its Unique Digital ID initiative and strengthening digital governance. He also reiterated India’s continued support for development of the Sacred City Complex in Anuradhapura.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya stated that she conveys to Prime Minister Modi, the warm wishes of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka especially in the context of the auspicious festive season of Diwali.

Deepika Padukone, who continues to make global headlines for her career milestones, recently surprised fans after announcing that she is now the official voice of Meta AI across six countries.

Taking to Instagram, the Pathaan actress dropped a behind-the-scenes clip from a recording studio, where she was seen lending her voice for the project.

“Hi, I am Deepika Padukone. I am the new voice of Meta AI. So tap the ring and my voice will run out,” she said in the short video. The social media post was accompanied with the caption, which reads, "Okay, so this is pretty cool I think! I'm now part of Meta AI and you can chat with my voice in English across India, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand."

 Many called it a huge move for Indian tech, while others couldn’t get over how naturally her calm voice matched the AI’s vibe.

One user wrote, “Her voice is so soothing, perfect for AI!” while another commented, “Imagine getting advice from Deepika’s voice surreal!”

The 38-year-old star called the collaboration “pretty cool,” noting that users across India, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can now chat with Meta AI using her voice.

Fans quickly turned the announcement viral, dubbing it "a crossover between Bollywood and Silicon Valley."

On the professional front, Deepika has also kicked off filming for King alongside Shah Rukh Khan marking their sixth collaboration after Jawan.

(Source - hungamaexpress)