Sri Lanka has officially launched bank-issued credit and debit card payments for bus fares, marking a major step toward modernizing public transport. The system was introduced this morning (24) at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center under the patronage of Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake. The rollout includes expressway routes connecting Makumbura with Matara, Galle, Badulla, and…
Colombo, November 21, 2025 – H.E. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, delivered a briefing at the Shangri-La Hotel on China’s new development blueprint outlined in the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Emphasizing the 15th Five-Year Plan’s focus on high-quality development, innovation, and green growth, Ambassador Qi highlighted how…
Sri Lanka has introduced a new programme to convert old fuel-powered three-wheelers into electric vehicles, Minister of Science and Technology Chrishantha Abeysena announced. The initiative aims to cut fuel costs, reduce emissions, and extend the lifespan of the country’s widely used three-wheeler fleet. According to Minister Abeysena, converting a petrol-powered three-wheeler to electric offers major…
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) plans to build a pool of 5,000 Sri Lankans with Japanese language training by 2026, according to Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe. He outlined the initiative during a meeting on the 19th between SLBFE leadership and senior representatives of Japanese companies currently employing Sri Lankan workers. The visiting Japanese…
The school cut-off marks for the admission of students to Grade 06 of schools based on the results of the 2025 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination have been released online by the Ministry of Education. According to the ministry, information regarding the cut-off marks for Grade 6 admissions in 2026 is available on the Ministry’s official…
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has emphasized that education is a collective endeavor with the power to unite societies politically, socially, and economically. She made these remarks in Colombo while addressing a regional conference focused on strengthening cooperation across Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific on the role of education in driving…
Sri Lanka will soon enforce controlled prices on a wide range of pharmaceuticals, with an official gazette notification to be issued shortly, according to Minister of Health and Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. The minister announced that price caps will be applied to 350 types of medicines, covering both drugs already registered in the country…
Sri Lanka’s economy recorded robust growth in October 2025, with both the manufacturing and services sectors expanding, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The Manufacturing PMI rose to 61.0, supported by broad-based improvements across all sub-indices. The Central Bank noted that business sentiment remains upbeat,…
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a public notice alerting both local and international audiences about a series of illegal pyramid and prohibited investment schemes operating under various company names and online platforms. Following an investigation conducted under Section 83(C) of the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988, the CBSL confirmed that…
Sri Lanka’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has recommended that the government explore the production of environmentally friendly paper bags as an alternative to polythene bags. The proposal comes as authorities consider imposing a charge on polythene bags at points of purchase. Committee Chairman MP Hector Appuhamy emphasized the need to…
