Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has called on Sri Lankans to strengthen unity and move forward as one nation, beyond ethnic and religious differences, in her Deepavali message. She noted that Deepavali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, while offering an opportunity to overcome hatred, jealousy and ignorance through wisdom and compassion. The Prime Minister also highlighted the festival's importance in promoting mutual understanding, harmony and solidarity among Sri Lanka's diverse communities. She extended her wishes for happiness, peace, good health and prosperity to Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world.

PM calls for unity beyond ethnic and religious differences in Deepavali message

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for collective efforts to uphold justice, protect people's rights and build a prosperous Sri Lanka, in his Deepavali message. He stated that the festival's message of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil was particularly relevant amid the country's current socio-economic challenges. Premadasa also urged people to draw inspiration from Deepavali to build a nation founded on religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity.

Sajith calls for collective efforts to bring positive change in Deepavali message

Sarvajana Balaya Leader and MP Dilith Jayaweera has stated that Deepavali reflects Sri Lanka’s values of inclusivity, humanity and harmony. In his Deepavali message, he noted that the festival symbolises the triumph of wisdom over ignorance and holds national significance for all Sri Lankans. He also extended his wishes to the Hindu community, expressing hope that the festival’s message of wisdom and harmony would help dispel the challenges faced by society.

Dilith Jayaweera says Deepavali reflects Sri Lanka’s values of inclusivity, humanity & harmony

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Level 1 and Level 2 landslide early warnings for several Divisional Secretariat divisions across eight districts due to heavy rainfall. Level 2 warnings have been issued for Nildandahinna and Walapane in Nuwara Eliya, and Ududumbara in Kandy. Level 1 warnings cover areas in Badulla, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Matara, Monaragala, Kandy, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts.The warnings will remain in effect until 8.00 p.m. tomorrow (8 November). Residents in the affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions issued by the authorities.

NBRO issues landslide warnings for eight districts

A special emergency response task force will be established under the leadership of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to coordinate responses to emergencies such as flash floods. The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat 6 November, following flooding in Colombo on 6 November. The task force will include representatives from the Tri-Forces, Police and relevant institutions, following instructions from Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. CMC officials informed the meeting that approximately 129 mm of rain had fallen within one hour, exceeding the drainage system's capacity of around 30 mm per hour. The meeting also identified blocked drains, improper waste disposal and unauthorised constructions as factors contributing to flooding. Short-, medium- and long-term plans to improve the drainage system will be developed.

Special emergency response task force to be established under Colombo Municipal Council

The Department of Meteorology has forecast showers or thundershowers across most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (8). Heavy rainfall of around 100mm is likely in some areas of the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, as well as the Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts. Showers may also occur in coastal areas of the Northern and Eastern provinces during the morning. The public has been advised to take precautions against lightning and temporary strong winds during thundershowers. Misty conditions are also expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early morning.

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

<ul><li>NSO insists it never requested a tariff hike</li><li>Rs. 117.3 b generation cost forecast under dispute</li><li>Dec. generation costs forecast to surge by 34%</li><li>Rs. 36.3 b for coal, Rs. 28.5 b for furnace oil generation</li><li>Minister questions PUCSL’s decision to proceed with tariff consultation</li></ul>&nbsp;A dispute has emerged between the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and the National System Operator (NSO) over a proposed electricity tariff increase for the final quarter of 2026, with the regulator’s financial assessment projecting a Rs. 4.4 billion revenue shortfall while the NSO maintains that no tariff revision is necessary and that the electricity sector will break even.The disagreement has raised questions over the financial projections used by the PUCSL to justify a proposed tariff adjustment, particularly after the NSO disputed reports that it had requested an increase and maintained that favourable rainfall conditions would offset the anticipated deficit.Speaking to The Sunday Morning, NSO Chairman Dr. Pradeep Perera categorically denied that the company had requested a tariff increase, explaining that the financial information submitted to the PUCSL consisted solely of electricity generation cost estimates.He stressed that under the new electricity sector legislation, the NSO was not responsible for requesting electricity tariff increases, with its role limited to submitting the necessary cost and generation forecasts for the regulator’s assessment.He explained that the original cost estimates were prepared using rainfall patterns and weather forecasts available during the preceding three months. However, subsequent rainfall significantly improved the country’s hydropower generation outlook, reducing the anticipated financial pressure on the electricity sector.&nbsp;Dr. Perera maintained that the additional hydropower generation would be sufficient to offset the projected shortfall, enabling the electricity sector to reach a break-even position without increasing consumer tariffs.&nbsp;The NSO Chairman’s clarification comes despite the PUCSL’s consultation document for the fourth-quarter electricity tariff review identifying a projected revenue deficit of Rs. 4.4 billion based on financial submissions from electricity sector licensees.&nbsp;According to the document, the total forecast cost of electricity supply for October–December stands at Rs. 157.3 billion, while anticipated revenue from electricity sales amounts to Rs. 154 billion.&nbsp;The resulting operating revenue shortfall of Rs. 3.3 billion increases to Rs. 4.4 billion when a further Rs. 1.1 billion deficit carried forward from the second quarter of 2026 is included.&nbsp;The consultation document states that the licensees’ submissions indicated the need for a 2.88% increase in electricity sales revenue to address the projected deficit.&nbsp;However, following its preliminary assessment, the PUCSL reduced the estimated required tariff increase to 1.46%, after excluding certain generation capacity costs and revising expenditure estimates associated with substandard coal used during the second quarter.&nbsp;While the PUCSL’s calculations indicate a revenue gap requiring recovery through electricity tariffs, the NSO’s position is that the improved generation outlook has effectively eliminated the need for such an adjustment.&nbsp;The disagreement also centres on whether the original financial submissions represented a formal request for a tariff increase or merely the cost forecasts that the NSO was required to provide under the new regulatory framework.&nbsp;The PUCSL’s own consultation document describes the figures as forecasts submitted by electricity sector licensees and identifies the required revenue increase based on those submissions.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka also questioned the PUCSL’s decision to proceed with a public consultation on electricity tariffs despite the NSO having communicated that no increase was necessary.&nbsp;Addressing Parliament on Thursday (5), the Minister maintained that available financial data and generation forecasts did not justify another electricity tariff increase during 2026.&nbsp;He criticised the regulator’s decision to conduct the public hearing, describing it as an unnecessary expenditure of public funds when the electricity sector institutions had already indicated that tariffs could remain unchanged.The Minister also questioned whether the decision to proceed with the consultation had been taken by the commission’s members or its officials.&nbsp;He said the NSO had informed the PUCSL through a letter dated 6 October that its projected generation costs had declined from Rs. 129 billion to Rs. 125 billion, removing the need for a tariff revision.&nbsp;Nevertheless, the PUCSL proceeded with its stakeholder consultation on Thursday (5), under the provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.36 of 2024, as amended, and the PUCSL Act No.35 of 2002.&nbsp;The commission’s published consultation material identifies the submitted bulk supply costs, generation forecasts, and revenue requirements as the basis for its quarterly tariff review.&nbsp;&nbsp;The NSO also reiterated during the consultation that it did not consider a tariff increase necessary, citing current reservoir storage levels and forecasts of favourable rainfall.&nbsp;According to the PUCSL consultation document, the NSO’s initial forecasts placed total electricity generation costs for the quarter at approximately Rs. 117.3 billion.&nbsp;Coal-fired electricity generation was projected to cost Rs. 36.3 billion, while furnace oil-based generation was estimated at Rs. 28.5 billion.&nbsp;The initial generation forecast also anticipated a sharp increase in electricity generation expenditure during December, primarily due to an expected decline in hydropower and other renewable energy generation.&nbsp;The NSO had forecast generation energy costs of Rs. 98.3 billion for the quarter, with December’s expenditure expected to be approximately 34% higher than that of the preceding two months.&nbsp;However, Dr. Perera maintained that subsequent improvements in rainfall had changed the generation outlook, reducing the need for more expensive thermal power generation and the resulting financial burden.&nbsp;The PUCSL’s preliminary assessment also highlighted several other expenditure concerns, including generation capacity payments, fuel pricing arrangements, and additional costs submitted by electricity sector institutions.&nbsp;The regulator excluded Rs. 1.1 billion in additional costs submitted by Electricity Distribution Lanka Ltd. relating to the Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project, on the basis that the expenditure concerned capital work in progress.&nbsp;It also removed an increase in generation capacity costs attributed to Electricity Generation Lanka and revised the estimated additional costs associated with substandard coal usage during the second quarter.&nbsp;These adjustments reduced the estimated tariff increase from 2.88% to 1.46%.&nbsp;The conflicting positions have raised questions over whether the PUCSL’s preliminary financial assessment adequately reflects the latest generation conditions and whether the projected Rs. 4.4 billion deficit will materialise.&nbsp;Under the existing tariff methodology, revenue surpluses or deficits arising from bulk electricity supply operations are adjusted two quarters later, meaning any unrecovered costs could potentially be considered during future tariff reviews.&nbsp;However, the NSO maintains that the anticipated improvement in hydropower generation will enable the electricity sector to cover its costs without requiring additional revenue from consumers.

Rs. 4.4 b shortfall: PUCSL, NSO at loggerheads

<ul><li>Offshore-registered firms among Port City’s 68 new strategic businesses&nbsp;</li></ul> Port City Colombo is broadening its international business footprint, attracting a diverse mix of companies incorporated in offshore financial centres, including the British Virgin Islands (BVI), as well as businesses from the United States, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;The latest group of 68 companies gazetted as secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSIs) has disclosed five-year investment commitments totalling approximately $ 166.87 million, reflecting growing interest in the Port City as a base for international business operations, particularly in Information Technology (IT), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and professional services.&nbsp;According to a technical analysis of the Port City gazettes dated 11 October 2026, the 68 companies were gazetted under Gazette Nos. 2483/18–85 on 10 April this year.The investment breakdown includes Bridge Stone Global Ltd., incorporated in the BVI, with a declared investment of $ 5 million, while Masterock Ltd. and Modern Mark Development Ltd., also incorporated in the BVI, have declared investments of $ 1.18 million and $ 100,000, respectively.&nbsp;The list also identifies a number of companies for which no parent company has been stated, including entities incorporated in Sri Lanka and overseas jurisdictions. These include Casa BPO Sdn. Bhd. of Malaysia, with a declared investment of $ 14.87 million; Ren XYZ Inc. of the United States, with $ 45 million; and Kodez Ltd. of Australia, with $ 1 million.&nbsp;Other entities without a parent company identified include Aurion Engineering LLC, incorporated in the US, with $ 600,000, and Pravy Consulting Inc. of Canada, with $ 100,000.&nbsp;The disclosure raises questions about the ownership structures and ultimate beneficial ownership of businesses entering the Port City ecosystem, particularly where the published investment breakdown does not identify a parent company. However, the absence of a stated parent company in the document does not, by itself, establish that a company has no ultimate beneficial owner or that its ownership is undisclosed to the regulator.&nbsp;IT and IT-enabled services account for approximately 55% of the secondary BSI disclosures, followed by BPO at around 20%. Advisory services, wholesale trade, logistics, and financial services account for the remaining 25%.&nbsp;The latest cohort forms part of a wider group of 180 secondary BSIs, representing 73.5% of the 245 entities recorded under the Port City licensing framework.&nbsp;Unlike primary BSIs, secondary businesses are not required to undertake land development within the Port City but can operate from leased office or business premises while enjoying tax and regulatory incentives available under the special economic zone framework.&nbsp;The investment list also includes businesses linked to international corporate groups, including Deloitte, Ansell, GAC Group, Qoria, KAL Group, Fortude, Eyepax, Intervest Holdings, and Orel IT Group.&nbsp;Among the largest disclosed investments are Ren XYZ Inc. at $ 45 million, Intelligent Optical Solutions PC Ltd. at $ 16.57 million, GAC Services Ltd. at $ 14.94 million, and Robotic Assistance Devices Lanka Ltd. at $ 12.53 million.&nbsp;Intervest Global Delivery Ltd., linked to UK-based Intervest Holdings, has declared $ 11.43 million, while Atlas Global BPO Ltd., linked to Singapore’s Suga Group, has declared $ 7 million.&nbsp;The technical analysis identifies 108 secondary BSIs gazetted before April 2026 and 68 in the April 2026 cohort. The $ 166.87 million investment total relates specifically to the latter group.&nbsp;Under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) Act No.11 of 2021, investments into the Port City, including land leases and corporate equity, must originate from designated foreign currencies sourced from overseas or through authorised offshore foreign currency accounts.&nbsp;The CPCEC functions as a single-window investment facilitator and conducts background checks on the origin and legitimacy of capital before granting licences or designating businesses as being of strategic importance.

Global firms drive $ 166.9 m in Port City investments 

Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda on Friday (6) accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of deliberately drawing public attention to only three issues in the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, while leaving its most dangerous provisions unmentioned.Speaking at a press conference in response to the President’s remarks on Thursday (5), Jayagoda said the offered concessions were cosmetic and diverted attention from the fact that the bill’s legal foundation departed from established criminal law.Addressing a special interfaith convention on Thursday marking one year of the Ratama Ekata national anti-drug operation, the President said that the 72-hour period a suspect may be held before being produced before a magistrate would be reduced to 48 hours.&nbsp;He said the bill would also be amended to remove provisions on tattoos and offences under the Excise Ordinance, and that the Government was willing to hold discussions with human rights organisations.Jayagoda said that under existing law a person could be arrested only on reasonable suspicion of an actual criminal act, whereas the bill was built on arresting people for their appearance and associations. He pointed to Clause 4(2), which he said covered communication over the internet; “knowing” association with gang members; dress, gestures, and slang; and frequenting certain places.He said that “the definitions are made completely vague” so that the authorities could deliberately misrepresent them when they needed to.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jayagoda added that the 48 versus 72 hours debate also concealed the detention powers in Clauses 20 and 21, under which detention orders could be issued for up to two months at a time and renewed up to a year. Under Clause 23, he said, a magistrate had no discretion once such an order was issued.“If a magistrate examines the case and concludes there are no sufficient grounds whatsoever to arrest the person under this act, the magistrate does not have the power to grant bail and release them. The powers belonging to the Judiciary have been hijacked by the Executive,” he said.On the pledge to review the 72-hour period, Jayagoda said legislation could not be shaped in such a casual manner. “You include a provision for 72 hours, and when people protest, you make it 48. Tomorrow you might ask, ‘Shall we make it 24?’ Who drafted this bill? Who takes responsibility for it? Why was 72 hours inserted in the first place?” he asked.Questioning why the President had singled out the Excise Ordinance, Jayagoda alleged that liquor manufacturers who had petitioned the Supreme Court included financiers of the National People’s Power. He said that offences under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and the Intellectual Property Act remained in the bill.He also noted that the President had said nothing regarding the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, which he said should be discarded, with the Prevention of Terrorism Act repealed.The controversial bill is before the Supreme Court, which began hearing 26 petitions challenging it on Wednesday (4) before a bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Abayakoon.Appearing for petitioner Malinda Seneviratne, President’s Counsel Romesh De Silva argued that the bill contradicted the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. He described the definition of “serious crime” as dangerous, saying it covered an intellectual property offence carrying a six-month sentence or a Rs. 500,000 fine. He also challenged provisions allowing the secretary of defence to issue detention orders at the request of senior Police officers and argued that the bill required approval at a referendum.Appearing for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris pointed to Clause 14(3), which he said would make it an offence to publish information on proceedings concerning a serious crime without court permission, preventing journalists from reporting such cases. He too said a referendum was required.Attorney-at-Law Suren Fernando argued that under Clause 19(4), a magistrate would have no option but to remand a suspect where no detention order was issued, reducing the magistrate to a “rubber stamp”. He also questioned the removal of magistrates’ power to grant bail, which would instead be vested in the High Court.

PM calls for unity beyond ethnic and religious differences i ...

Sajith calls for collective efforts to bring positive change in Deepav ...

Sajith calls for collective ef ...

Dilith Jayaweera says Deepavali reflects Sri Lanka’s values of inclusi ...

Dilith Jayaweera says Deepaval ...

NBRO issues landslide warnings for eight districts

NBRO issues landslide warnings ...

Special emergency response task force to be established under Colombo ...

Special emergency response tas ...

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall expected in par ...

Rs. 4.4 b shortfall: PUCSL, NSO at loggerheads

Rs. 4.4 b shortfall: PUCSL, NS ...

Global firms drive $ 166.9 m in Port City investments

Global firms drive $ 166.9 m i ...

Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill: FSP slams Prez’s selective amendm ...

Prevention of Organised Crimes ...

Sajith calls for collective efforts to bring positive change in Deepav ...

Sajith calls for collective ef ...

Dilith Jayaweera says Deepavali reflects Sri Lanka’s values of inclusi ...

Dilith Jayaweera says Deepaval ...

NBRO issues landslide warnings for eight districts

NBRO issues landslide warnings ...

Special emergency response task force to be established under Colombo ...

Special emergency response tas ...

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall expected in par ...

Rs. 4.4 b shortfall: PUCSL, NSO at loggerheads

Rs. 4.4 b shortfall: PUCSL, NS ...

Global firms drive $ 166.9 m in Port City investments

Global firms drive $ 166.9 m i ...

Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill: FSP slams Prez’s selective amendm ...

Prevention of Organised Crimes ...

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Sajith calls for collective efforts to bring positive change in Deepav ...

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NBRO issues landslide warnings for eight districts

NBRO issues landslide warnings ...

Special emergency response task force to be established under Colombo ...

Special emergency response tas ...

Heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

Heavy rainfall expected in par ...

Rs. 4.4 b shortfall: PUCSL, NSO at loggerheads

Rs. 4.4 b shortfall: PUCSL, NS ...