JKH, BYD open SL’s largest body shop
JKH, BYD open SL’s largest body shop View(s):BYD and its authorised distributor John Keells CG Auto have opened the country’s largest purpose-built body shop and accident repair centre dedicated exclusively to BYD, and their premium sub-brand DENZA, located at Seeduwa, just north of Colombo (see picture). Hitad.lk has you covered with quality used or brand new cars for sale that are budget friendly yet reliable! Now is the time to sell your old ride for something more attractive to today's modern automotive market demands. Browse through our selection of affordable options now on Hitad.lk before deciding on what will work best for you!
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 19:42 UTC
‘Jai Jai’ or ‘Bye Bye” ICC?
‘Jai Jai’ or ‘Bye Bye” ICC? “I say, is it true that Sri Lanka saved the day for the conduct of the India-Pakistan cricket match which was caught up in politics?” asked Sammiya. Conducting a cricket match between the two longtime adversaries has often become a huge challenge given their political animosity and years of conflict. For the record, while the ICC is supposedly an independent body guiding world cricket, its influence is largely governed by India’s interest. Maybe Sri Lanka can be a venue for future India-Pakistan encounters in other fields of sport too.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 18:48 UTC
Reforming interest deductibility in Sri Lanka’s tax policy
Reforming interest deductibility in Sri Lanka’s tax policy By Charmaine Tillekeratne, Partner, Head of Tax, Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives FEATURE View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s economy stands at a crossroad, recovering from a profound crisis that exposed vulnerabilities in fiscal management, external debt, and growth strategies. Amid these challenges, one often-overlooked aspect of tax policy is the limitation on interest deductibility under Section 18 of the Inland Revenue Act No. The origins of this shift trace back to Sri Lanka’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, these templates, designed largely for advanced economies or multinational-heavy contexts, were adopted without sufficient customisation to Sri Lanka’s domestic realities. ConclusionSri Lanka’s tax policymakers must act decisively to resolve the conflict between fiscal caution and economic ambition.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 11:33 UTC
Central Bank cracks down on domestic dollar transactions
Central Bank cracks down on domestic dollar transactions View(s):The Central Bank this week cautioned against the rising tendency among residents of Sri Lanka to make domestic transactions using foreign currencies. This is seen as a flagrant violation of the law as highlighted by the Central Bank. It is mandated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. The Central Bank was unequivocal saying it has “not granted any authorisation for local merchants to receive payments” in this manner. The warning given by the Central Bank appears not only aimed at enforcing the requirement but also at conveying a message.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 10:54 UTC
No room for comfort as Sri Lanka’s real test begins
No room for comfort as Sri Lanka’s real test begins t20 wc 2026 View(s): View(s):If Sri Lanka are sitting pretty, relaxed and convinced that their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign is firmly on track, they are mistaken. Sri Lanka also enjoy the best net run rate among all 20 teams after two games, with a commanding 3.125 to lead Group ‘B’. However, these numbers and standings do not guarantee Sri Lanka a cakewalk into the Super Eights. With all teams having completed two matches, Sri Lanka sit top of Group ‘B’, narrowly ahead of Zimbabwe. Of the three contenders, Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, the team that best executes its plans on the day will advance.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 10:50 UTC
Mechanised beach seine method and related issues get closer scrutiny
Mechanised beach seine method and related issues get closer scrutiny View(s):By Sajeniya SathanandanGroups of beach seine fishers have ended their Satyagraha following undertakings of further studies to find a balanced solution to the use of tractor-mounted winches for ma-del (beach seine) fishing. The campaign involved seine fishers from several coastal areas, including Mullaitivu, Kokilai, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Kaluthara, Trincomalee, Negombo, and Mannar. They initially tried pulling nets directly with tractors in low gear, but this was banned by the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa due to concerns over beach erosion. Pulling nets from such great distances acts similarly to bottom trawling, scraping the seabed and destroying the marine environment. They see the use of tractors and winches currently being banned as a window of opportunity for comparative research.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 07:28 UTC
Debate pulls camps further apart
Debate pulls camps further apart View(s):Fishing has not only helped people in Negombo to maintain their main livelihood but also changed their lifestyles physically, spiritually and socially while attracting tourists with ma-del (purse seine) fishing. Ma-del fishing, with its own set of problems such as bycatch, has triggered protests over the use of winches and tractors to pull nets ashore. Liyanage Ranjan Fernando, 74, owner of Maha Paduwa Palangathure, said: “We lay our fishing nets only up to a distance of about one and a half miles from shore. First, the fishermen have difficulties in getting enough people to pull nets. Using tractors, they deprive our tourists of their golden chance of seeing our traditional method of fishing accompanied by age-old folk songs.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 07:21 UTC
UK Deputy PM here on Tuesday
UK Deputy PM here on Tuesday View(s):The United Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, will on Tuesday make a whistle-stop visit to Sri Lanka, where he will meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He will also sign an agreement on the Charter for the Global Campaign on Children’s Care. Mr Lammy will arrive on Tuesday morning and hold talks with the Sri Lankan leaders before participating in the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform event at the UN office. Mr Lammy will leave Sri Lanka on Tuesday evening. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 06:19 UTC
WNPS marks Wetlands Month with talks by two experts
WNPS marks Wetlands Month with talks by two experts View(s):The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) will mark World Wetlands Month with a timely lecture on wetland conservation - Wetlands of Sri Lanka: Traditional Wisdom, Society and Science in a Changing Climate on February 19 at 6 p.m. at the Jasmine Hall, BMICH. Drawing on the legacy of Sri Lanka’s ancient hydraulic civilisation, Dr. Amerasinghe will demonstrate how traditional tank cascade systems represented sophisticated ecological engineering. Prof. Uthpala A. Jayawardena in her lecture on ‘Safeguarding Sri Lanka’s Wetlands in a Changing Socio-Environmental Landscape’ will examine the complex pressures currently threatening wetlands; how traditional community-based management systems that once valued wetlands have gradually weakened in the face of rapid socio-economic transformation. Today, wetlands are frequently misunderstood as idle or unproductive lands, leading to their conversion for infrastructure, housing and commercial development. Together, the two presentations will demonstrate that successful wetland conservation depends on blending policy innovation with cultural values that recognise the true worth of these ecosystems.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 06:07 UTC
Biggest labour reform in decades, aims to modernise economy
Biggest labour reform in decades, aims to modernise economy By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The government is undertaking an ambitious overhaul of labour laws this year, with the objective of modernising, encouraging investment, and enhancing productivity. The changes are intended to streamline the nation’s outdated labour laws, enhance the coveted “Ease of Doing Business” ranking to attract foreign investors, and meet international best practice. The Labour Department is upgrading its database to ensure all workers are registered in a national, centralised, and digital system. Manpower agencies and contract labour are gaining legal status to enhance labour flexibility in accordance with contract labour legalisation, the official said. However the government’s proposals have met resistance from trade unions.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 05:55 UTC
South Africa sniff Super 8s entry
South Africa sniff Super 8s entry t20 WC 2026 View(s): View(s):Ahmedabad, India, AFP: Captain Aiden Markam’s unbeaten 86 and 4-40 by Marco Jansen led South Africa to a seven-wicket thrashing of New Zealand on Saturday to all but book their Super Eights berth at the T20 World Cup. South Africa ran riot in the six-over power play, racking up 83-1 to set up a comfortable chase of their 176 target. David Miller finished it off with a massive winning six to take South Africa to 178-3 with 17 balls to spare for their third win in three games. South Africa and New Zealand are still favourites to advance as the top two in Group D, though United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan retain an outside chance of going through. South Africa lost Quinton de Kock, for 20, and Ryan Rickelton, for 21 off a good catch in the deep by Daryl Mitchell, but Markram looked fluent.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 05:15 UTC
Mahinda, Dharmaraja and Taxila record first innings wins
At Ananda Mawatha: First innings win for Mahinda Ananda 258 for 7 (80) decl (Nethula Edirimanna 54, Ovin Perera 53n.o., Sharada Jayaratne 43, Daniru Ranasinghe 26n.o., Rashan Dilaksha 23; Arosha Udayanga 3/88) Mahinda (68-0 o’night) 346 for 8 (80) at close (Kavindu Nimsara 76n.o., Thevindu Rashmika 61, Gesandu Bisas 49, Randula Mabarana 39, Dineth Pehesara 31, Dulsith Dharshana 30; Ashinsa Naianayaka 3/83, Rashan Dilaksha 2/39) At Matara: First innings win for Dharmaraja Dharmaraja 157 all out (55) and 132 for 4 (34.4) at close (Tharindu Warnakulage 46, Kashyapa Dissanayake 31, Sashith Bandara 28n.o. ; Manuga Gamage 2/42, Vindila Chanuth 3/63) St. Thomas’ Matara (28-3 o’night) 128 all out (37.5) (Thathsara Dewmith 33n.o., Abdul Rasheed 22, Dinura Pawanji 21; Sumeda Prasad 6/47, Sashith Bandara 2/19) At Ambepussa: First innings win for Taxila Taxila Horana 233 all out (66.5) and 219 for 4 (54.2) at close (Sandith Ranaweera 86, Janiru Athulathmudali 61, Thilina Kumara 35) St. Sylvester’s (98-3 o’night) 211 all out (78.3) (Prabagaran Ishan 46, Nimesha Silva 37, Heshanjana Ranasinghe 23, Vidusara Ganegoda 22; Tenusha Thathsara 4/45, Janiru Athulathmudali 2/27, Rashab Nawanjana 2/46) At Campbell Park: Royal trail Wesley by 144 runs Wesley 214 all out (73.5) (Sehandu Athauda 47, Rashmika Amararatne 47; Himary Deshan 5/74, Ramiru Perera 3/73) Royal 70 for 0 (14.4) at stumps (Rehan Peiris 37n.o., Hirun Liyanaarachchi 30n.o.)
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 05:15 UTC
SLTA reveal Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League
SLTA reveal Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League TENNIS View(s): View(s):The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) announced the official establishment of the Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League (SLTPL), marking a significant new chapter in the growth and future of tennis in Sri Lanka. The inaugural edition of SLTPL will take place from April 22 to 25, bringing together Sri Lankan tennis players from across the island to a professionally governed, franchise-based competition. The league will feature eight city-based franchises, representing major regions across the country – Colombo, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Kurunegala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Negombo. The SLTPL has been created with a clear and singular vision – to establish a sustainable platform dedicated to the long-term development of tennis in the country. The competition officials will reveal details of franchises, players, partners, and broadcast details in the coming weeks.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 05:15 UTC
SriLankan Airlines gets Rs.25.2 bn capital infusion from the government
SriLankan Airlines gets Rs.25.2 bn capital infusion from the government View(s):SriLankan Airlines, which is scouting for a partner to either manage or invest in the debt-ridden state carrier, has received Rs. 25.2 billion through a capital infusion by the government in December 2025. Advertisements have also been placed to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall stepped down at the end of April 2025 to become the President of Philippine Airlines. The special shareholders’ meeting is to increase the stated capital of the company to allocate shares to the value of the latest capital infusion by the government. The Government has a 99.78 per cent stake, EPF 0.09 per cent and others 0.13 per cent.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 05:03 UTC
Keells Nexus introduces an all new Loyalty App
Keells Nexus introduces an all new Loyalty App View(s):Keells, in a customer experience with the relaunch of Keells Nexus, has introduce an all-new loyalty app. For 25 years, Keells Nexus has been at the heart of Sri Lankan retail, pioneering coalition loyalty and even introducing mobile-based loyalty as early as 2014. Today, Keells Nexus stands at over 2 million registered members, a reflection of the trust customers place in Keells and the brand’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the nation. “At the heart of Keells Nexus is a simple but powerful belief that life is better when we’re connected,” said Nilusha Fernando Head of Marketing, Keells Supermarkets & Senior Vice President, John Keells Group. “The ‘us’ in Nexus represents the families we serve, the communities we’re part of, and the everyday moments that matter.
Source:Sunday Times
February 15, 2026 04:47 UTC