Securing Sri Lanka’s seabed sovereignty
Securing Sri Lanka’s seabed sovereignty By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The government is compelled to enter the “blue economy” race for deep-sea minerals and the intensifying geopolitical competition over seabed resources in the Indian Ocean as it is of strategic importance, several maritime experts and hydrographers emphasised. He noted that while Sri Lanka had an early start in seabed charting, a “lack of strategic foresight and leadership” had taken the wind out of the sails. It has allowed regional competitors like China to commit significant resources to mapping the Indian Ocean seabed, he disclosed. Sri Lanka claims the area falls within its extended continental shelf submitted to the UN, causing the ISA to put India’s application on hold, he revealed. While countries like China and India have been actively mapping the Indian Ocean’s seabed, Sri Lanka’s efforts have been referred to as “reactionary” and lacking a long-term strategic plan.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 18:16 UTC
Charles Henry De Soysa commemoration
Charles Henry De Soysa commemoration View(s):The 190th birth anniversary commemoration of the philanthropist and founder of Princeand& Princess of Wales Colleges’, Charles Henry De Soysa, will be held on March 3. Thereafter the statue will be garlanded by two children of family members and the head prefects of the two schools. The wreath laying and garlanding ceremony will begin at the statue at 4 pm. All family members and well-wishers are most welcome and your participation is anticipated. The ceremonies at the school and in Moratuwa will be conducted on the morning of March 3 (Monday).
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 18:16 UTC
Deficient marketing, regulation cited over lower tourist spend
Deficient marketing, regulation cited over lower tourist spend View(s):By Wasantha RamanayakeSri Lanka’s tourism sector saw tourist arrivals rise in 2025, but average spending per tourist dropped, according to official data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Contributory factors such as exchange rate volatility and the global economy, decreased tourist spending per day worsening the gap, said Professor Suranga de Silva of the Colombo University. Lower tourist spending stems from more low spending tourists and short stays coupled with economic pressures and competition from Thailand and Vietnam, says Professor Suranga de Silva. Russian tourists spend an average of US$200 only second to the daily average spending of British tourists. The average stay of the Russian tourists is 10 days versus five days for Indian tourists, they said.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 18:16 UTC
Thousands attend St Anthony’s Feast in Katchatheevu
Thousands attend St Anthony’s Feast in Katchatheevu View(s):S. Rubathessan in KatchatheevuAn unprecedented 13,000 devotees, including 4,000 Indian pilgrims, took part in yesterday’s annual St Anthony’s Feast on the Katchatheevu islet. For the first time in decades, over 8,000 Sri Lankan devotees visited from across the country, including Negombo, Thalai Mannar, Kalpitiya, and the North. Hundreds waited for hours to board the limited commercial ferries, prompting the Navy to step in to transport the remaining devotees. This island embodies the spirit of St Anthony, and stands for unity, peace, and reconciliation,” he said. Though at least 5,000 Sri Lankan devotees were expected, over 9,000 attended, with some travelling on their fishing boats from faraway locations.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 18:16 UTC
LankaPay’s Awards honours Payment Technology Innovation
LankaPay’s Awards honours Payment Technology Innovation By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):LankaPay, Sri Lanka’s National Payment Network, announced the 8th edition of the LankaPay Technnovation Awards, recognised as the first and only awards competition in Sri Lanka dedicated to payment technology innovation, setting a national benchmark for excellence in digital payments. The theme for this year’s awards is “Inclusive FinTech,” which aims to honour financial institutions, FinTech companies, and government entities that have boosted access to financial services across the country through innovative digital payment solutions. The awards ceremony is scheduled for March 24 at Cinnamon Life, with Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, serving as the Chief Guest. The LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026 celebrate those who have contributed to financial inclusion, empowering individuals and businesses while fostering a more inclusive digital economy, Chairman of the panel of judges Rajeeva Bandaranaike said. “These awards help to raise the bar and enable secure, faster and better digital services.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 18:16 UTC
Lanka’s losing captain’s silly point sparks backlash
Lanka’s losing captain’s silly point sparks backlash View(s):Following Sri Lanka’s disastrous exit from the Super Eight round of the World T20, social media has exploded with criticism and mockery of the country’s cricket team. However, after two horrendous defeats against England and New Zealand, Sri Lanka was left with playing only for their pride against Pakistan yesterday. Both the team and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board have been targeted by fans for mockery. Former President Sirisena was no stranger to the Health Ministry, having served as Health Minister himself. “Former leader of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka, he is a true friend of our nation.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 11:15 UTC
Two local banks to merge with state banks – Fitch
Two local banks to merge with state banks – Fitch View(s):Fitch Ratings said this week that it believes the Central Bank’s (CB) reintroduction of a consolidation framework for the banking sector is broadly positive for sector credit profiles. Sri Lanka’s banking sector comprises 19 domestic banks, of which 13 are licenced commercial banks and the remainder licenced specialised banks. The current consolidation plan targets licenced banks with assets below Rs. “We believe mergers are most likely to be credit-positive when smaller banks combine with larger, more established banks. Consolidation could also improve cost efficiency through branch rationalisation, which may ultimately support banks’ profitability and reduce costs for borrowers,” Fitch said.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 09:39 UTC
Grama Niladharis pause protest for promotions, daily Rs. 2,500 fee guarantee
Grama Niladharis pause protest for promotions, daily Rs. Grama Niladhari Union secretary Wijerathne said, “Since 2013, when we first identified this issue, 24 ministry secretaries have come and gone. In the meantime, while the Grama Niladhari picketing has been put on hold, the boycott of disaster duties remains in force. Even when there are floods, there are no boats for the Grama Niladhari, but we still did the work.”The alliance union is demanding a daily allowance of Rs. The unions say that billions are at risk, while Grama Niladhari officers are blamed for mistakes.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 08:29 UTC
NSBM Green University Welcomes the 2026 Newest Intake with Grandeur
NSBM Green University Welcomes the 2026 Newest Intake with Grandeur View(s):NSBM GreenUniversity,Sri Lanka’s premier degree-awarding institute, ceremoniously welcomed its newest undergraduate intake for 2026 with an inspiring inauguration ceremony held on 23rd February at its iconic green campus. The keynote speakers shared words of wisdom and inspiration, encouraging students to embrace academic excellence, leadership, and innovation throughout their university journey. This new intake opens doors to over 50 degree programmes, including NSBM’s own degree offerings and internationally recognised foreign degree qualifications delivered in partnership with top-ranked global universities, alongside four foundation programmes. To date, NSBM Green University has produced over 23,000 graduates and currently hosts more than 13,000 undergraduates, reaffirming its position as Sri Lanka’s most sought-after higher education destination—guided by a national mission and driven by a global vision. For further information:Ms. Kalni Peiris-Head of Marketing, NSBM Green UniversityEmail:kalni.p@nsbm.ac.lkShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 08:18 UTC
New Zealand Education Fair 2026
New Zealand Education Fair 2026 7th March at Galle Face Hotel Colombo and 8th March at Queens Hotel Kandy View(s): View(s):Organised by Thames International – the leading agent forNew Zealand education inSri Lanka – supported by Education New Zealand (New Zealand Government Agency)The New Zealand Education Fairs will be held on Saturday the 7th March from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo and Sunday the 8th March from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm at the Queens Hotel, Kandy. With the participation of over 20 institutions this is the biggest New Zealand education fair and you are cordially invited to attend this event. The fairs are supported by Education New Zealand and you will have the opportunity to discuss your New Zealand journey with senior officials of Education New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand. New Zealand School of Education (NZSE) – NZSE is your Category 1 New Zealand Education hub for IT, Digital Media, University Preparation, Business, Healthcare, Security & Retail. The event is organised by Thames International Educational Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd, the pioneer in New Zealand Education in Sri Lanka; supported by Education New Zealand (New Zealand Government Agency).
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 08:18 UTC
Parliament committee discusses extending teacher exam deadline
Parliament committee discusses extending teacher exam deadline View(s):The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, which met this week in parliament, discussed the possibility of providing opportunities to graduates who obtained their degree certificates after 10.02.2023 to sit for the competitive exam for the recruitment of graduates to the Sri Lanka Teaching Service for 2026. The participants said that this group has also exceeded the age limit for the open competitive exam; they have now had to retire from their current positions in the public service. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who attended the committee, asked the officers present to consider extending the date. The committee also considered and approved the annual reports of the Sabaragamuwa University, the Gampaha Wickramarachchi Indigenous Medical University, and the Wayamba University for the years 2022, 2023. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 08:18 UTC
SLAS exclusive domain in public service dismantled in SC ruling
SLAS exclusive domain in public service dismantled in SC ruling View(s):The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement this week, has ruled in favour of personnel from the All-Island Services being selected for public sector positions that were till now in the exclusive domain of officers from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS). Nawaz and Kumudini Wickremasinghe gave the judgement after considering a fundamental rights petition filed on behalf of four groups of public servants belonging to the All-Island Services – the Sri Lanka Planning Service, Sri Lanka Ayurveda Medical Service, Sri Lanka Agriculture Service and Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service. This service minute contains, inter alia, a list of 381 posts which only officers of the SLAS shall be entitled to hold. The respondents included past and current members of the Public Service Commission as well as several ministry secretaries. The ‘All-Island Services’ include the Sri Lanka Engineering Service, Sri Lanka Administrative Service, Sri Lanka Planning Service, Sri Lanka Scientific Service, Sri Lanka Agriculture Service, Sri Lanka Accountants Service, Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, Sri Lanka Animal Production and Health Service, Sri Lanka Medical Service, Sri Lanka Architecture Service and the Sri Lanka Ayurveda Medical Service.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 06:56 UTC
Outdated quarantine laws stifle SL agriculture growth
Outdated quarantine laws stifle SL agriculture growth By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):Archaic quarantine laws are deterring the Sri Lankan agricultural sector from achieving its full potential. The South American Leaf Blight (SALB), caused by the fungus Microcyclus ulei, is a highly destructive quarantine disease of rubber trees confined to the Americas. It posed a significant threat to Sri Lanka’s rubber industry in the 1950s, as local clones are susceptible. He said that this restricts the local farmers from relying on the low-yielding, traditional crop varieties. “They get advice from certain fertiliser companies about compounds and blends which are the best nutrients for their crops.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 05:04 UTC
NDB reports all-time high earnings last year
NDB reports all-time high earnings last year View(s):National Development Bank’s profit after tax in 2025 reached an all-time high of Rs.11 billion (2024: Rs. 1.4 billion, Rs. 0.7 billion and Rs. Their commitment has strengthened our franchise and deepened relationships across retail, SME, and corporate banking segments. 707.2 billion, reflecting an 11.9 per cent growth from Rs.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 05:04 UTC
Focus on brain health and brain drain
Focus on brain health and brain drain View(s):ASN President on integrated neurology for transformative outcomesBy Kumudini HettiarachchiIt was not only brain health but also humanity to the fore as the 19th Annual Congress of the Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists (ASN) was inaugurated in Colombo on Friday evening with eminent experts in attendance. An MRI of the brain, however, revealed a glioblastoma – an aggressive brain tumour which needed urgent neurosurgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Moving onto brain drain, Dr Keshavaraj said that over the last 19 years, ASN has grown to 81 Life Members, with 61 (78%) serving locally. Of the 91 Associate Members, only 38 remain in Sri Lanka, creating the highest rate of brain drain of neurologists. “Therefore, the Sri Lankan odyssey in paediatric epilepsy surgery serves as a global blueprint for medical advancement in developing nations.
Source:Sunday Times
March 01, 2026 03:19 UTC