The 13th newly built post office under the current government was officially opened to the public in Kaithady, Jaffna, marking another step in the ongoing postal modernization programme.

Constructed at a cost of 28 million rupees, the Kaithady Post Office was declared open under the patronage of Minister of Health and Media Nalinda Jayatissa. 

The facility, equipped with modern amenities, was built using allocations from the 2025 Budget, which earmarked 600 million rupees for new post office buildings after nearly a decade without such investment.

The foundation stone for the Kaithady Post Office was laid on September 17, 2025, and construction has now been completed. During the opening ceremony, Minister Jayatissa presented a personalized stamp bearing the image of the late Arumugan Suryakumaran, who donated the land for the project, to his wife Suryakumaran Dayapari and son Suryakumaran Mayuran.

The Minister also highlighted that the Kaithady Post Office is expected to generate a monthly income target of 1 million rupees, serving nearly 4,000 families directly and more than 10,000 families through its two sub‑post offices. In addition, it will provide services to 33 government institutions, 7 hotels, and 34 private sector organizations in the region.

Minister Jayatissa emphasized that post offices are no longer limited to traditional services such as selling stamps or sending letters, but are evolving with modern technology to support economic activities, including the distribution of goods produced by households and small‑ and medium‑scale industries across the island. He noted that the postal service can play a vital role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s economic development through its reliable delivery network. (Newswire)

The post New Post Office declared open in Kaithady, Jaffna appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (21), compared to last Friday, with the US Dollar selling rate dropping to Rs. 335.00. 

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has decreased from Rs. 327.10 to Rs. 326.68.

The selling rate has also decreased from Rs. 336.12 to Rs. 335.70.

The rupee has changed slightly against a basket of currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire)

The post CBSL rates: US Dollar selling rate drops to Rs. 335 appeared first on Newswire.

The Irrigation Department has extended flood warnings for the Kuda Ganga sub‑basin of the Kalu River and the Gin Ganga basin for another 24 hours, citing continued rainfall and rising water levels in the affected regions.

The Department said the warnings, originally issued on September 20 under reference No. DI/Hydro/103(V), remain in force due to persistent risks of flooding. 

Residents living in flood‑prone areas and motorists traveling through these regions, particularly on by‑roads, have been strongly advised to exercise extreme caution.

Flood warning for Kuda Ganga:

The flood warning (Notice No. 01), issued under my reference No. DI/Hydro/103(V) at 9:30 a.m. on September 20, 2026, for the Kuda Ganga sub-basin of the Kalu River, is hereby extended for the next 24 hours.Residents in these areas, as well as motorists traveling on the roadways within this region (particularly on by-roads), are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution regarding this situation.  Disaster management authorities are requested to take the necessary measures in response to this extended warning.

Flood warning for Gin Ganga:

The flood warning (Notice No. 01), issued under my reference No. DI/Hydro/103(V) at 12:30 p.m. on September 20, 2026, for the Gin Ganga basin, is hereby extended for the next 24 hours. Residents in these areas, as well as motorists traveling on the roadways within this region (particularly on byroads), are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution regarding this situation. Disaster management authorities are requested to take the necessary measures in response to this extended warning. (Newswire)

The post Flood warnings extended for Kuda Ganga and Gin Ganga appeared first on Newswire.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the United States from Wednesday to Friday, Beijing’s foreign ministry has confirmed.

In an official statement on Monday, the ministry said Xi would visit the US from September 23 to 25.

The trip – Xi’s first state visit since 2015 – will also mark his second face-to-face meeting this year with US President Donald Trump, as the world’s top two economies seek to stabilise a relationship tested by trade, technology and national security disputes.

According to Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Monday, Xi was visiting at the invitation of the US president.

Xi would “have an in-depth exchange of views with Trump on major issues concerning bilateral ties and world peace and developments”, Guo said at a regular press conference.

“The exchange of visits by the two presidents within the span of half a year will mark a milestone of historic significance,” Guo said, stressing the importance of head-of-state diplomacy in Sino-US relations.

Beijing pledged to enhance dialogue with Washington under a framework of “constructive strategic stability” to manage differences and bolster global peace and prosperity, the spokesman added.

Xi and Trump last met in Beijing in May, a summit that ended with a pledge to pursue a “constructive relationship of strategic stability”.

In the United States this week, the two leaders are expected to discuss trade, technology and other areas of friction, with artificial intelligence (AI) likely to be among the top issues on the agenda.

In a rare presidential gesture, Trump will personally greet Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday ahead of a two-day summit in Washington, the US has confirmed.

The state visit begins on Thursday with a State Floor arrival ceremony at the White House and a Rose Garden military review, followed by sit-down talks.

The East Room state dinner later will be attended by top US executives including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple chief Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Musk, Huang and Cook were among more than a dozen top American executives who accompanied Trump on his May 13-15 state visit to China.

On Friday, Trump will host Xi for a private White House tea followed by a tour of the National Archives before the Chinese leader departs.

The South China Morning Post reported earlier this month that Beijing was considering sending a group of top executives from the technology, electric vehicle and aerospace sectors to accompany Xi on his visit to Washington.

The selection was being modelled on the US business delegation that accompanied Trump to Beijing in May, sources told the SCMP.

One source familiar with the planning said both sides were treating every aspect of the visit as a matter of reciprocity – including the composition of the business delegation.

On Sunday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng met in New York for a final round of discussions, agreeing to establish a dialogue on artificial intelligence and to put into operation a bilateral trade body.

Both sides agreed in May to launch an intergovernmental dialogue focused on AI safety and governance, though no formal talks on this track have been publicly confirmed.

Washington accuses Chinese companies of obtaining advanced AI capabilities through the unauthorised extraction of US models and has been closely watching how Chinese firms gain access to advanced chips.

Beijing has rejected the allegations as groundless, warning that any attempt to use such claims to curb China’s technological development or constrain its AI sector could trigger retaliation.

The AI friction comes as both sides try to preserve a fragile trade truce struck after Trump and Xi met in Busan, South Korea, last year.

A fresh wave of economic disputes is also testing relations.

In recent months, Washington has expanded its blacklist targeting alleged forced labour in China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, banned Chinese robotics and power inverters, and sanctioned Chinese firms doing business with Iran – prompting swift retaliatory sanctions from Beijing.

Last month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Washington to help “remove interference and overcome obstacles” to high-level exchanges during a meeting with US ambassador David Perdue in Beijing.

And in a phone call with US counterpart Marco Rubio last week, Wang said that the two sides should “send a positive message that China and the United States are committed to advancing a constructive relationship of strategic stability and jointly promoting world peace and development” – echoing the core outcome of the May presidential summit.

Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Xi has sought to reinforce China’s diplomatic position through a series of international engagements, most recently at the Brics summit in New Delhi.

Addressing the summit on September 12, Xi called for deeper cooperation on AI and indirectly criticised US policies as he promoted China’s vision of a more inclusive approach to global governance.

Trump and Xi could meet in person two more times this year – at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in south China’s Shenzhen in November and the Group of 20 summit in Miami in December. (SCMP)

The post Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visit to US this week, Beijing confirms appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Transformation Committee has outlined a series of reforms, including reducing the number of top-tier domestic clubs, introducing four-day cricket, restructuring coaching and improving financial management.

In a statement issued on September 21, the committee, appointed on April 29, said it had completed drafting a new Sri Lanka Cricket Constitution within two months and submitted it to the government, which is taking steps to present it to Parliament.

Key reforms outlined by the committee include:

* Reducing Major Tier A clubs from 14 to 10 over the next two years, while retaining 12 Tier B clubs.

* Extending the Major Club Tier A League Tournament from three days to four days to better prepare players for Test cricket.

* Introducing a structured domestic calendar with appropriate rest periods and revamping schools cricket.

* Appointing a national curator and bringing international venue curators under SLC’s direct employment.

* Appointing new district and provincial coaches and reviewing the High Performance Centre.

* Recruiting former ICC umpires Lyndon Hannibal and Ruchira Palliyaguruge to improve umpiring standards.

* Restructuring sports medicine with the assistance of Dr. Alex Kountouris and introducing a sports psychologist for the national men’s team.

* Introducing professional development programmes for women cricketers.

* Cutting expenditure by withdrawing from unnecessary legal proceedings, discontinuing unnecessary consultancy arrangements and streamlining staffing and coaching structures.

The committee also said it had taken steps to provide redress to employees and clubs it said had been unfairly penalized in the past.

It said further measures would be introduced as the transformation process progresses, with the objective of rebuilding Sri Lanka Cricket into a world-class organization. (Newswire)

The post What We Have Done So Far”: Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Gives Progress Update appeared first on Newswire.

The Irrigation Department reports that significant rainfall has been recorded across much of the wet zone, including the districts of Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale districts and the Western, North Western, and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. 

Director of Irrigation, L. S. Sooriyabandara said that although rainfall has slightly reduced compared to previous days, showers continue. 

He further said that as of this morning, the upper areas of the Kelani River received between 100 mm and 125 mm of rain, while many other river basins recorded 50 mm to 80 mm during the past 24 hours.

Heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm the previous day caused water levels in the upper reaches of the Gin River and Nilwala River to rise, creating a risk of minor flooding in Baddegama, Udugama, Akuressa, and Thalgahagoda. 

The Kuda River, a tributary of the Kalu River, has also risen at Millakanda, nearing minor flood levels. Meanwhile, water levels of the Kelani River at Hanwella, Lenkos, and Avissawella remain high.

Water levels of the Mahaweli River at Nawalapitiya and Peradeniya, as well as the Attanagalu Oya, have decreased, but all rivers remain close to risk thresholds. 

Sooriyabandara further noted that the total capacity of reservoirs under its management currently stands between 34% and 35%, with most reservoirs located in the dry zone where rainfall has been limited.

However, rainfall in the upper basin of the Mahaweli River has significantly raised water levels in reservoirs such as Kotmale and Polgolla.

The Director of Irrigation strongly cautioned the public against entering flooded areas for water sports or other activities, stressing that such actions are extremely dangerous. (Newswire)

The post Irrigation Dept warns heavy rainfall raises flood risk in wet zone districts appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lanka Police today issued a public advisory urging citizens to safeguard their financial information amid a rise in online scams linked to the growth of digital transactions.

Police cautioned that hackers can exploit carelessness to steal money and stressed the importance of following simple safety measures:

• Maintain confidentiality: Never share ATM PINs, banking passwords, or OTPs (One‑Time Passwords) with anyone, including family or friends. Banks will never request these details.
• Protect OTP access: Do not disclose OTP numbers received on mobile phones, as they act as the key to accounts.
• Monitor card use: Ensure transactions are done in front of you and avoid allowing cards to be taken away at shops or restaurants.
• Keep CVV secret: Do not reveal the three‑digit CVV number on the back of cards.
• Activate alerts: Set up SMS alerts to receive immediate notifications of any deductions from accounts.

The advisory emphasized that the safety of money lies in the hands of account holders themselves, urging the public to use digital platforms securely and responsibly. (Newswire)

The post Don’t hand scammers the keys: Police issue fresh online scam warning appeared first on Newswire.

The “ViYASA” National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC), established under the Presidential Secretariat, will be officially declared opened tomorrow (22) with the aim of removing administrative and regulatory barriers among state institutions related to investment and industry, and accelerating approval processes.

Conceived as a direct initiative of the President, the centre is designed to bring about a positive transformation in the industrial sector. 

It will serve as a single point of contact to resolve issues faced by entrepreneurs when starting or maintaining businesses, while coordinating with relevant state institutions to provide essential facilities.

The NBFC has been set up at Building No. C‑80, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Colombo 07, and will operate under the leadership of Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Seewali Arukgoda.

The opening ceremony will be held under the patronage of Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi, with the participation of Presidential Secretary Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. 

At the event, the official website nbfc.presidentsoffice.gov.lk will also be launched. (Newswire)

The post “ViYASA” National Business Facilitation Centre to open tomorrow appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka records the highest unemployment rate among highly educated youth in the Asian economies highlighted in a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) analysis.

According to the IMF chart, unemployment among Sri Lankans aged 15–24 with post-secondary education is around 43%. The comparable rate is about 42% in India, 36% in Bangladesh, and below 20% in several other economies shown.

Sri Lanka’s overall youth unemployment rate is also high at around 22%, compared with an overall unemployment rate of about 4% across all age groups.

Among people of all ages with advanced education, Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate is around 6%, far below the rate recorded for educated youth.

The IMF said the pattern highlights difficulties faced by young graduates entering labour markets, including mismatches between qualifications and available jobs.

The IMF defines youth as people aged 15–24 and advanced education as post-secondary education. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka’s educated youth unemployment among highest in Asia: IMF appeared first on Newswire.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met the family of Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, who is reportedly facing a death sentence in Saudi Arabia, at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo on Monday (21).

Anojan’s father, Thambiraja Sivarasa, mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, and brother, Sivarasa Hamsithan, attended the meeting to discuss his situation and efforts to secure his release.

During the meeting, Premadasa contacted the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Sri Lanka by telephone to inquire about Anojan’s case and the possibility of securing his release.

He also contacted Anojan, who is being held in a Saudi prison, to inquire about his well-being.

Premadasa subsequently spoke to the secretary of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek information on the government’s efforts to secure Anojan’s release.

The opposition leader assured the family that he would make every possible effort to secure Anojan’s release, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously confirmed that it was closely following Anojan’s case and engaging with Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels. However, the ministry has not officially confirmed reports that he has been sentenced to death. (Newswire)

The post Sajith Speaks to Anojan in Saudi Prison, Assures Family of Support appeared first on Newswire.

By Ajith P. Perera, Attorney at Law Member of Parliament, Member, Constitutional Council 

The 22nd Amendment would raise the Court of Appeal ceiling from 20 to 25 judges, including its President. The Judicature Amendment Bill would raise the High Court ceiling from 110 to 120. Adding previously recorded vacancies gives the following calculation. 

The constitutional danger is not the appointment of 40 judges as such. The danger arises when a large number of judicial positions are created or filled within an exceptionally short period and the appointments are concentrated in the hands of the President. Such a process can alter the composition of the judiciary for many years and may create the functional equivalent of court packing, even if each individual appointment is formally lawful. 

The Government should not proceed with judicial expansion until it explains how the additional judges will be selected, why these numbers are necessary and what prevents political preference from shaping the bench. The central question is whether the manner, timing, scale and selection mechanism of approximately 40 appointments could allow the political executive to reshape the judiciary within a short period. That danger a politically controlled restructuring of the courts is the risk Parliament must confront. 

BASL concerns over High Court and Court of Appeal Appointments 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka’s concern goes directly to the appointment process. In a letter to the President reported on 31 December 2025, BASL questioned departures from seniority in promotions involving judicial officers and judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal. 

BASL called for transparent, fair appointments and promotions. It urged that seniority remain the basis for promotion until objective, defensible merit guidelines existed, subject to recognised demerit or other objectively identifiable compelling circumstances. 

That warning exposes a fundamental accountability problem. If merit justifies passing over a candidate, the standards for judging merit must be known. Otherwise, the public cannot distinguish professional assessment from preference. The answer must be a published procedure that can be applied consistently, not an assurance that the right people will be chosen. 

The IMF identified the same institutional weakness 

The IMF’s 2023 Governance Diagnostic Assessment separately identified an absence of clear, transparent procedures for senior judicial selection. Paragraph 285 of the assessment also reported no documented criteria supporting judicial promotion, transfer and career progression, while noting extensive responsibilities concentrated within a small JSC structure. This finding predates the present administration. It identifies an inherited vulnerability that the Government has a responsibility to address before expanding 2 appointments. The IMF recommended clearer criteria for recruitment, promotion and dismissal, alongside protection for institutional independence. The 2025 IMF review also noted plans to collate and review existing judicial conduct guidance furthermore. 

The Speaker shut the door on scrutiny 

The transparency controversy had already reached Parliament. On 21st November 2025, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, myself, and several other Members of Parliament submitted a motion for a select committee to examine the JSC’s exercise of appointment, promotion, transfer, dismissal and disciplinary powers.The proposed inquiry asked whether decisions followed the Constitution and relevant rules, whether reasons were recorded and communicated, and whether extraneous considerations had influenced decisions. 

On 9 January 2026, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne ruled the motion out of order. He said parliamentary oversight of JSC operations would violate the constitutional separation of powers and judicial independence. The motion therefore preceded the BASL letter reported in December; its rejection followed that warning.

In my view, however, the Speaker’s decision to rule the motion out of order was wrong. Judicial independence should not place the Judicial Service Commission beyond legitimate parliamentary scrutiny. Article 4(c) of the Constitution itself provides that the judicial power of the People shall be exercised by Parliament through courts, tribunals and institutions created or recognised by the Constitution or by law. Scrutiny is not interference. If Parliament, which derives its authority from the sovereignty of the People, cannot question the transparency and accountability of the JSC, then who can? Judicial independence must protect the judiciary from improper influence, not shield the institutions governing it from legitimate questions of accountability. 

The court packing risk posed by the proposed 22nd Amendment must be understood against this background: an expansion of judicial appointments while questions about the transparency of selection remain unresolved and parliamentary scrutiny has been rejected. 

Vacancies Cannot Become a Political Opportunity 

My considered view is that vacancies were allowed to accumulate so appointments could later be made in bulk. The figures alone cannot prove that motive. However, the President’s reference to the Easter Sunday High Court Trial and promotion consequences does not, in my view, justify the delays. The four reported Supreme Court vacancies separately require a clear explanation: when did they arise, what prevented appointments and why did the delays continue? 

The consequences are already visible. Justice Dhammika Ganepola retired on 8 May 2026 without elevation to the Supreme Court despite four vacancies, a concern expressly raised by BASL. Justice Rathanapriya Gurusinghe also retired without elevation despite a recommendation from former Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, according to BASL’s President. Experienced judges thus retired while opportunities for appointment remained. 

In my view, this sequence deepens the suspicion of an ulterior motive and demands a direct answer from the President. A concentrated wave of appointments can shape the courts for years, even where each appointment satisfies formal requirements. Delays in filling judicial vacancies must not become a political opportunity to reshape the judiciary through appointments made in bulk. 

Judicial independence belongs to the institution 

Judicial independence is not merely the independence of individual judges; it is also the institutional independence of the judiciary from the political branches of government. 

A government need not instruct a judge how to decide a case to threaten that independence. Political influence over the selection process can affect the institutional balance before a case is heard. That is why safeguards must operate before appointments, rather than depend on proving interference afterwards. 

Court packing has a global playbook 

Venezuela shows how expansion can become capture 

Venezuela supplies a particularly relevant warning. In 2004, legislation expanded its Supreme Court from 20 to 32 members. Human Rights Watch reported that the governing coalition filled the 12 new seats and 5 existing vacancies, describing the process as court packing. 

The lesson for Sri Lanka concerns that combination. New seats, accumulated vacancies and politically influenced selection can enable a rapid restructuring. The comparison is about the danger of that mechanism; it does not establish that Sri Lanka has already reproduced Venezuela’s outcome. 

Argentina and Roosevelt reveal the same temptation 

In Argentina, President Carlos Menem expanded the Supreme Court from 5 to 9 members in 1990. Human Rights Watch records that allies filled the new openings, producing what became known as an “automatic majority”. Court size became an instrument of political advantage. 

Roosevelt’s 1937 proposal could have expanded the US Supreme Court from 9 justices to 15 after the Court struck down major New Deal measures. The expansion failed in Congress. It remains a warning that administrative explanations can accompany attempts to change judicial composition.

Poland: Changing Who Chooses the Judges

Poland’s 2017 reforms shifted the selection of 15 judicial members of the National Council of the Judiciary to Parliament, created new Supreme Court chambers and lowered the retirement age. The Venice Commission warned that approximately 40% of Supreme Court judges could leave, with replacements appointed through a newly constituted council dominated by political appointees. 

Hungary: Clearing Seats, Controlling Succession 

Hungary’s 2012 changes abruptly reduced judges’ mandatory retirement age from 70 to 62. The Venice Commission estimated that between 225 and 270 judges, including many senior officeholders, would retire within a short period. It found no convincing justification for forcing out a generation of serving judges. 

A six month moratorium on judicial appointments compounded the concern. The Commission considered that this appeared intended to channel new appointments including court leadership positions through the new system, giving the newly elected President of the National Judicial Office a central role. Hungary therefore illustrates why the timing of vacancies and the arrangements for filling them deserve scrutiny alongside changes to court numbers.

Explain the Expansion Before Approving It 

The Government must explain why five additional Court of Appeal judges and ten additional High Court judges are necessary, and how those numbers were determined. Parliament and the public are entitled to see the workload figures, vacancy records and reasons supporting the proposed increases. 

BASL’s concerns and the IMF’s findings make transparency in appointments particularly urgent. The Government should explain how it proposes to address those concerns, while respecting the distinct constitutional responsibilities of the President, the Judicial Service Commission and the Constitutional Council. 

Parliament should not approve an expansion of judicial appointments while fundamental questions about their necessity and the transparency of selection remain unanswered. 

The Government’s Term Will End. Its Appointments Will Remain. 

BASL has called for transparency. The IMF has identified weaknesses in judicial selection. The proposed parliamentary inquiry has been rejected. Against that background, expanding the opportunities for appointment before addressing the safeguards is a constitutional risk the country should not accept. 

The Government must publish the justification for expansion, account for the accumulated vacancies and establish clear selection criteria. Parliament should insist on those answers before approving additional seats. The public is entitled to know how those entrusted with administering justice are chosen. 

A concentrated wave of appointments can shape the judiciary long after this Government leaves office. By the time the consequences become clear, the opportunity to prevent them may have passed. 

No government should be allowed to turn a temporary parliamentary majority into enduring influence over the courts. The judiciary must remain strong enough to hold accountable the very people who appoint its judges.

The post Court Packing, Sri Lankan Style Constitutional Implications for the Independence of the Judiciary appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka’s javelin champion Rumesh Tharanga has expressed gratitude to those who offered financial assistance to purchase javelins following the recent damage to his equipment, but urged that such generosity be extended to other athletes across the country.

In a statement, Tharanga noted that while he will receive replacement javelins from the company responsible for the destruction, many other athletes are forced to spend their own money to buy essential equipment. He said that he had received offers of support enough to purchase 100 javelins, but urged the same assistance to be offered to other athletes in Sri Lanka.

“Please extend that love to other athletes of our nation, because it is difficult to pursue sports in Sri Lanka,” he said.

Tharanga emphasized that he has not accepted money or even a single rupee from anyone, clarifying that his appeal was to highlight the struggles faced by talented athletes from families experiencing financial hardship. 

He added that he intends to undertake a significant initiative following the ongoing 2026 Asian Games. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka’s javelin star Rumesh Tharanga urges support for fellow athletes appeared first on Newswire.

The Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka has announced that the practical examinations for the 2026 General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) will be conducted island‑wide for candidates who sat the written papers earlier this year.

According to the schedule, practical tests for Dance (Oriental and Bharatha), Music (Oriental, Carnatic, and Western), and Drama and Theatre (Sinhala, Tamil, and English) will be held from September 24 to October 3, 2026. 

The practical examination for Engineering Technology will take place from September 30 to October 10, while Home Economics will be conducted from October 10 to October 20. The Bio‑Systems Technology practicals are scheduled between October 17 and October 21.

The Department confirmed that admission cards for school candidates will be sent to the principals of their respective schools, while private candidates will receive admission cards by post to the address provided in their applications, prior to the commencement of the examinations. 

In addition, candidates will be able to download admission cards from the Department’s official website starting seven days before the practical examinations begin.

For inquiries, the Department of Examinations can be contacted via hotline 1911 or through telephone numbers 0112785922, 0112784537, 0112786616, and 0112784208. Queries can also be directed to gcealexam@gmail.com. (Newswire)

The post 2026 GCE Advanced Level Practical Examinations schedule announced appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Education announced today that the responsibility for decisions on school operations during the prevailing adverse weather has been entrusted to provincial education authorities.

As of 9.00 am today (21), provincial officials informed the Ministry that 35 schools in the Central Province, along with one school each in Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Western Provinces, amounting to a total of 38 schools, will remain closed.

The Ministry stated that these closures are precautionary measures taken to safeguard students and staff, while allowing provincial authorities flexibility to respond to local weather developments. (Newswire)

The post 38 schools closed amid adverse weather appeared first on Newswire.

The MetroCoast Ratmalana Bus Depot was officially declared open today, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s drive toward modern, comfortable, and reliable urban transportation.

The newly launched depot is part of the Lanka Metro Transit initiative, aimed at strengthening urban mobility with improved facilities and dependable services. 

“A new chapter in modern, comfortable, and reliable urban transportation begins,” Lanka Metro Transit said, announcing the opening of the new depot. (Newswire)

The post Ratmalana MetroCoast Bus Depot declared open appeared first on Newswire.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today issued a warrant to arrest and produce before court former Minister and leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), Wimal Weerawansa, after he failed to appear for proceedings.

Weerawansa had been summoned as a suspect in connection with a 2016 protest staged during the visit of former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Al Hussein to Sri Lanka, where demonstrators obstructed roads around the United Nations office at Thummulla, Colombo.

Due to his absence, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the warrant.

A short while later, however, Weerawansa appeared before the court. 

His lawyer, Manjula Pathiraja, explained that his client had been delayed because of a breakdown in his vehicle, preventing him from arriving on time. The lawyer requested that the warrant be recalled.

Chief Magistrate Bodaragama noted that such a request must be made through a formal motion tomorrow, leaving the warrant technically in place until then. (Newswire)

The post Wimal Weerawansa arrives in court after arrest warrant issued appeared first on Newswire.

SJB Parliamentarian Prasad Siriwardana has claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will face imprisonment after the current government leaves office in 2030, accusing him of allowing the misuse of public funds and failing to ensure accountability.

Siriwardana alleged that the President could face legal consequences over a reported cyberattack on the Finance Ministry that resulted in the loss of $2.5 million in public funds.

“Once this government is removed from power in 2030, Anura will definitely go to jail,” Siriwardana said.

He claimed that Dissanayake, who also serves as finance minister, should be held accountable for the reported financial loss, alleging that the President had failed to act appropriately in response to the cyberattack

The MP drew comparisons with the imprisonment of former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, referring to remarks he attributed to the director general of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Siriwardana argued that the former minister’s conviction over the distribution of goods using public funds during an election period had established a precedent for holding public officials accountable for the misuse of state resources.

He claimed that a similar principle could apply to Dissanayake over the reported cyberattack, predicting that the President would face imprisonment in 2030

The MP said he was not suggesting that the opposition would personally seek to imprison the President, but argued that the legal precedent could result in such an outcome

Siriwardana also accused Dissanayake of failing to take responsibility during previous political alliances and alleged that he had used corruption-related investigation files for political purposes.

He claimed that files collected through investigations conducted during the administration of former President Maithripala Sirisena had been used to negotiate political arrangements with individuals accused of corruption.

The MP further criticized the government’s taxation policies, alleging that it was collecting substantial revenue from businesses, workers and farmers without demonstrating sufficient accountability in public spending.

He said the President could no longer avoid responsibility for governance and called on the public to question the administration’s handling of state finances.

The Finance Ministry confirmed in April that hackers had breached its systems in connection with the $2.5 million loss. It said complaints had been lodged with law enforcement agencies and disciplinary proceedings initiated against several officials. (Newswire)

The post SJB MP claims President AKD will Face Jail over alleged Mismanagement of Public Funds appeared first on Newswire.

The Speaker of Parliament has received the Supreme Court’s determination on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, the Speaker’s Office confirmed in a statement today.

It is reported that the confidential opinion of the Court will be formally announced in Parliament tomorrow (22). The determination was conveyed to the Speaker following the conclusion of hearings earlier this month.

The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Judicial Reforms Bill were presented to Parliament on August 18 by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. 

In response, more than 65 petitions were filed challenging the Bills, which were taken up for hearing on September 1 before a five‑judge bench presided over by the Chief Justice.

The hearings concluded on September 2, with the bench stating that its determination on the constitutionality of the Bills would be referred to the Speaker.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Business Committee has scheduled the debate on the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill for September 24 and 25, setting the stage for a crucial discussion on the proposed reforms. (Newswire)

The post Speaker receives Supreme Court determination on 22nd Amendment appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lankan Rupee has changed slightly against the US Dollar across commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (21), compared to last Friday, with the selling rate at Rs. 335.

According to Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 326.75, while the selling rate is also unchanged at 336.00.

At NDB Bank, the buying rate has decreased from Rs. 327.00 to Rs. 326.50, while the selling rate has also reduced from Rs. 336.00 to Rs. 335.50.

People’s Bank reports that the buying rate remains unchanged at Rs. 326.92, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 335.03.

At Commercial Bank, the buying rate has increased from Rs. 324.09 to Rs. 325.09, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 334.00 to Rs. 335.00.

At Sampath Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 326.50 to Rs. 327.25, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 334.25 to Rs. 335.25. (Newswire)

The post Dollar rate today: US Dollar selling rate at Rs. 335 appeared first on Newswire.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and the Law Council of Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the legal professions of the two countries. 

According to a BASL statement, the agreement was formalized in Seoul, Republic of Korea, during the 39th LAWASIA Conference. The MoU was signed by Tania Wolff, President of the Law Council of Australia, and Rajiv Amarasuriya, President of the BASL.

Founded in 1933 and headquartered in Canberra, the Law Council of Australia is the leading national body representing the legal profession in Australia. It represents more than 107,000 lawyers through affiliated law societies, bar associations, and “Law Firms Australia.” The Council plays a central role in representing the Australian legal profession on both national and international issues, promoting justice, access to justice, and the advancement of the law.

The agreement seeks to promote cooperation and exchange programmes between lawyers in Sri Lanka and Australia, while also facilitating the sharing of legal information and resources between the two professional bodies. 

It is underpinned by the mutual commitment of both parties to the rule of law, and to safeguarding the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary. (Newswire)

The post BASL signs MoU with Law Council of Australia at LAWASIA Conference appeared first on Newswire.