News

On the afternoon of September 24 (U.S. time), President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took part in bilateral discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his delegation at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York. The discussions focused on strengthening political and economic cooperation, promoting trade and investment opportunities, and exploring new avenues of collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and Australia.

A Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) office assistant has been arrested by the Walana Anti-Vice Unit on charges of selling heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice) to municipal employees.

According to police, the suspect had been operating from his office near Campbell Park, where he allegedly packaged and distributed the drugs to fellow council workers over a long period.

Following a tip-off, officers raided the premises on September 22 and seized more than 20 grams of heroin from his possession.

The 38-year-old suspect was taken into custody and later handed over to the Borella Police. He was produced before the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court, which issued a detention order while investigations continue.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held bilateral discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York on September 24 (U.S. time). The talks centered on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing economic cooperation, and advancing matters of mutual interest between the two countries.

Sri Lanka has been crowned the number one travel destination for October 2025 by global lifestyle and travel magazine Time Out, which recently released its annual list of the month’s must-visit spots.

The magazine highlighted the island’s year-round tropical warmth, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes, describing it as “a little bit of everything” for travelers. From sun-kissed beaches and misty hill-country trails to ancient ruins and thrilling wildlife safaris, Sri Lanka offers a perfect blend of experiences for every type of visitor.

Coming in close behind were Türkiye and New Mexico, celebrated for their vibrant autumn colors and lively seasonal festivals. Other destinations on the list include Valencia, New York City, the Philippines, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Timișoara in Romania, San Francisco, and Namibia.

Time Out noted that the selections were based on seasonal charm, cultural highlights, and unique experiences best enjoyed in October, giving travelers a curated guide to the world’s most enticing spots for the month.

Sri Lanka Police have introduced new telephone hotlines for the public to provide information regarding narcotics, covering all nine provinces.

Accordingly, information on heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ice), cocaine, cannabis, and other drugs prevalent in the Western Province can be reported directly to Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne via 071-8591991.

For the Southern Province, information can be shared with SDIG Kithsiri Jayalath on 071-8591992.

The dedicated contact numbers for other provinces are as follows:

Uva Province: 071-8592642

Sabaragamuwa Province: 071-8592618

North Western Province: 071-8592600

Central Province: 071-8591985

North Central Province: 071-8592644

Northern Province: 071-8592645

Eastern Province: 071-8592640

The police urge the public to make use of these numbers to assist ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking across the country.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly today (24) at 3:15 p.m. New York time, according to the Presidential Media Division.

The President arrived in the United States yesterday to attend the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. During his visit, he is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with the UN Secretary-General and several world leaders. In addition, he will meet with members of the Sri Lankan community living in the U.S.

Following his U.S. visit, President Dissanayake will undertake an official tour of Japan from September 27 to 30 at the invitation of the Japanese government.

While in Japan, the President is expected to meet the Emperor of Japan and hold talks on a range of important matters. He will also deliver remarks at a business forum in Tokyo attended by leading Japanese investors and corporate representatives.

Furthermore, President Dissanayake will participate as an invited guest of the Japanese government at “Expo 2025 Osaka.”

The Digital Task Force was appointed to facilitate education reform and that digitalization can bring a significant transformation to the education sector in the country, said Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the quarterly progress review meeting of the Parliamentary Digital Task Force for Education, held to inform Members of Parliament.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said digital education is a process that moves forward hand in hand with educational reforms and therefore the government has appointed the Digital Task Force for a three-year period to guide the digital education transformation, to develop policies and to outline the necessary steps to be taken.

She noted that, “Once we build the foundation of digital education and provide it to children, they will move forward on that path. Therefore, creating that foundation, structure, and policies for digital education and taking the required steps is something that must undoubtedly happen under our leadership. We greatly value your contributions toward this effort.”

A young woman has reportedly taken her own life by jumping into the Attanagalu Oya at Asgiriya, along the Gampaha–Minuwangoda Road.

According to police, preliminary investigations have revealed that the woman had leapt from the Attanagalu Oya bridge.

The deceased has been identified as a 21-year-old resident of Udugampola, Doranagoda.

The cause of the suicide has not yet been determined.

Police stated that search operations to recover the missing woman’s body are being carried out jointly by the police, the Navy, and local residents.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in the United States to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the afternoon of September 23 (U.S. time) at ONE Plaza in New York.

President Ramaphosa warmly welcomed President Dissanayake before the two leaders began bilateral talks. The discussions focused on further strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN and former Chief Justice President’s Counsel Jayantha Jayasuriya, along with several senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also attended the meeting.

Sri Lanka’s export sector has continued to demonstrate resilience and steady growth during the first eight months of 2025, recording total earnings of US$ 11,554.32 million.

This reflects a strong 6.61% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024, the Export Development Board (EDB) said in its latest report.

In August 2025 alone, total exports, comprising both merchandise and services reached to US$ 1,607.58 million, recording a 2.57 % year-on-year growth over August 2024. This performance highlights the strength of Sri Lanka’s export sector and the effectiveness of strategies implemented to broaden market access and enhance global competitiveness, the EDB said.

Commenting on the positive results, Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board (EDB), stated:

“This encouraging growth highlights Sri Lanka’s increasing integration into global trade and the success of our continued efforts to strengthen export competitiveness while diversifying market opportunities. Our exporters have once again demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in navigating evolving global challenges.

Exports exceeded US$ 1.6 billion in August alone, with cumulative earnings to over US$ 11.6 billion during the first eight months of 2025. These results reflect the strength, determination, and innovation of our exporters despite global uncertainties.

While we celebrate this progress, we remain mindful of the challenges ahead. With sustained efforts to enhance competitiveness and expand market opportunities, we are confident of reaching the export target set for 2025.”

In August 2025 alone, merchandise exports grew by 5.13 % year-on-year, reaching US$ 1,294.83 million, according to provisional data of Sri Lanka Customs including the estimates for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products. For the period January to August 2025, merchandise exports totaled US$ 9,092.85 million, reflecting 6.89 % increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Meanwhile, services exports have emerged as a key driver of overall export growth. In August 2025, earnings from services exports estimated to be US$ 312.75 million. Over the first eight months of the year, services exports are estimated to have increased by 5.57 %, totaling US$ 2,461.46 million.

This trend highlights the rising importance of Sri Lanka’s knowledge-based economy and its growing contribution to national export earnings, the report said.

The services export sector, comprising ICT/BPM, Construction, Financial services, and Transport & Logistics, continues to diversify Sri Lanka’s export portfolio and create high-value employment opportunities across the Island, it added.

(adaderana.lk)

The Sarvajna Relic Perahera Festival of Bomiriya Sri Vidyaloka Pirivena Maha Viharaya in the Nawagamuwa Police Division is being held from September 21 to 25.

Accordingly, the Sarvajna Relic Perahera will parade the streets tomorrow (25) at 7.00 p.m.

The procession will begin at the temple, proceed through Yakkala Junction along Route 697, pass by Koratota Temple, travel via Welihinda Road, return through Yakkala Junction, and finally reach the temple via Daham Pasal Mawatha.

Due to this event, motorists using these routes are advised to use alternative roads.

Alternative Routes:

• Vehicles traveling from Kaduwela (Wele Junction) towards Athurugiriya along Route 697 can turn south at Thoratota Junction and proceed to Athurugiriya via M.D.H. Jayawardana Mawatha.
• Vehicles traveling from Athurugiriya towards Kaduwela along Route 697 can turn south at Oruwala Junction towards Nawagamuwa. Light vehicles may also use the Wanduramulla Road and Sumanatissa Mawatha via Nawagamuwa to reach Kaduwela and Hanwella.

The Sri Lankan government has signed a major grant agreement with the European Union (EU) to launch a new project aimed at strengthening sustainable economic recovery through improved biodiversity and solid waste management.

On behalf of Sri Lanka, the agreement was signed today (23) by Dr. Harsha Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, and on behalf of the EU by Carmen Moreno, the EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

The project, jointly designed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Ministry of Environment, and the EU, will be funded with a grant of EUR 8 million from the EU, according to the Department of External Resources.

It will support biodiversity conservation by restoring degraded ecosystems, introducing targeted conservation strategies, and promoting sustainable land use practices.

At the same time, it will address the growing need for solid waste management systems, contributing to environmental protection and better public health.

This project is also in line with the government’s national policy statement “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, which highlights the urgent need to balance economic development with environmental sustainability.

The partnership with the EU marks an important milestone in strengthening efforts to build a greener, more balanced economy for Sri Lanka.