Wednesday 11 November 2026Wed 11 Nov 2026
Rohan Jayatunga criticizes Sri Lankan travel agents for imposing a 2.5% surcharge on credit card payments, deeming it an unfair and unlawful penalty. He argues this practice contradicts the government's policy to discourage cash transactions and is unique to travel agents. Jayatunga urges authorities to prosecute agents charging this surcharge and hopes the government will ban it.
Trinity College and Zahira College are set to rekindle their historic rugby rivalry this weekend, a fixture steeped in over a century of tradition. The rivalry began in 1924, with Zahira famously achieving the first-ever victory against Trinity in 1932, though it faced interruptions when Zahira suspended its rugby program in 1974. This upcoming match is more than just a game; it's a celebration of a significant chapter in Sri Lankan schools rugby history, with both teams entering in impressive form.
SC Jaffna Kings have assembled a powerful and balanced squad for Lanka Premier League Season 6, combining proven Sri Lankan talent, experienced international performers, and high-impact associate players. The team is anchored by Local Icon Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Overseas Icon Shakib Al Hasan, providing strong batting, all-round ability, and leadership. Further strengthened by players like Dunith Wellalage, Taskin Ahmed, Avishka Fernando, and David Wiese, the squad aims to be a formidable contender in the tournament running from July 17 to August 8.
Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga won a historic gold medal at the Ostrava Golden Spike Athletics Meet in the Czech Republic, becoming the first athlete from his country to claim a title at this prestigious event. He secured victory with a throw of 86.57m, continuing an impressive international season that has seen him achieve a global ranking of third in the world. Tharanga, who previously made headlines with a 92.62m throw in Rome, is now poised to compete in upcoming major events with an aim to win an Olympic medal.
The article highlights a prevalent tendency in Sri Lanka to attribute degenerate activities to the West. It uses the idiom "all garbage ends up in Beira Lake" to describe how some individuals still point fingers at Western influence when discussing societal ills. This blame stems from a deeply ingrained belief that all bad actions and sins originate from the Western world.
Sri Lanka's government revenue collection is outperforming expectations, achieving over 50% growth. This success has seen the nation's tax to GDP ratio double to more than 15%, a significant recovery from below 8% during its economic crisis.
Fitch Ratings has indicated that banks in Sri Lanka and other emerging markets are facing outlook strain. This strain is attributed to potential negative macroeconomic effects stemming from the Iran war and oil price risks. Specifically, these risks are reflected in the sector outlooks for banks in both Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding an ongoing probe into his recruitment to the Sri Lanka Navy. Hours later, the Colombo Magistrate's Court granted him bail. He was released on three personal bails of Rs. 5 million each, but a travel ban was imposed, preventing him from leaving the country pending further proceedings.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered the arrest of former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa for allegedly misappropriating funds from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. He is accused of diverting Rs. 7.8 million, allocated for promotional activities, to distribute 12,000 T-shirts during an election campaign in 2014. Meanwhile, the Bureau's former Managing Director, Rumi Jaufer, was released on bail but prohibited from traveling overseas.
The Sri Lankan rupee's spot rate against the US dollar is currently around 334.50/335.00. Concurrently, bond yields have experienced a sharp decline. The telegraphic transfer rate for the rupee is reported at 329.75 for buying and 338.75 for selling.
Stock trading for Sri Lanka's Hela Apparel Holdings has been suspended. This action was taken as the company is currently undergoing a process of debt restructuring.
Global and local experts recently convened in Colombo to strategize how Sri Lanka can unlock greater value from its significant mineral resources, particularly mineral sands, by shifting from raw exports to higher-value processing and manufacturing. The government's new minerals policy aims to transform the nation into a competitive mineral processing hub, leveraging its deposits of ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and rare earth elements to meet rising global demand for critical minerals. This initiative is projected to generate substantial export earnings and skilled employment, contingent on transparent regulation, consistent policy, and strong environmental governance to attract necessary investment.
Sri Lanka's Softlogic Life is set to acquire a 60% stake in Bangladesh's Diamond Life Insurance for $1.9 million. This strategic move marks Softlogic Life's entry into the Bangladeshi life insurance market.
Sehandu Dulneth Fernando of D.S. Senanayake College is representing Sri Lanka at the prestigious World Cadet Chess Cup in Batumi, Georgia, competing in the Under-10 category. He earned his place after an outstanding performance at the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship. A consistent performer, Sehandu has a strong international record, including a 10th place finish at the 2023 World School Chess Championship. He has also qualified for the upcoming Asian Youth Chess Championship in China.
Ananda College Rugby defeated St. Thomas’ College in a Schools Rugby League encounter at Rajagiriya, ending a 23-year wait for victory over the Mount Lavinia outfit. This triumph marks a remarkable resurgence for Ananda, who returned to Division ‘A’ after a lengthy absence and have become one of the most competitive teams in the 2026 season. Despite consistently challenging stronger opponents and earning admiration for their fearless approach, Ananda was denied a place in the Cup Segment due to several narrow defeats in the opening weeks. Many rugby followers agree that Ananda deserved to be among the Cup Segment contenders based on their performances, which highlight the significant progress of the coaching staff, management, players, and supporters.
The Golden Jubilee of the historic 1976 ANCL All-Island Schools Football final between St. Joseph Vaz College and St. Patrick’s College was recently celebrated, bringing together former players and well-wishers from around the world. The event, themed “Football Beyond Victory,” focused on friendship, unity, and excellence, culminating in a commemorative match where St. Joseph Vaz College veterans secured a 2-0 win. This successful reunion highlighted the enduring bonds forged on the field and led to plans for a continued sporting fellowship, with St. Patrick's College offering to host next year's encounter in Jaffna.
Newcomer Royal Central College Polonnaruwa secured their third win in the Under 17 inter-schools limited overs cricket tournament by defeating Vidyartha College Kandy by five wickets. In a separate fixture, Royal College Colombo also triumphed, beating Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda by eight wickets. During this match, Royalist Sandul Abeywardena delivered a standout performance, claiming five wickets for 17 runs, including a hat-trick.
Wadduwa Central College and Sri Sumangala Balika NS were crowned the boys' and girls' Under-20 Elle champions, respectively, at the Kalutara Divisional tournament. Wadduwa Central defeated Pothuwila M.V. in the boys' final, while Sri Sumangala Balika triumphed over Wadduwa Central in the girls' final. The tournament, organized by the Kalutara Zonal Education Office, concluded on June 3 at the Wadduwa Public Ground, featuring 20 boys' and 14 girls' teams.
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I am sorry, but the article content was not provided. Please provide the text of the English-language Sri Lankan news article so I can summarize it for you.
Sri Lanka has launched an ambitious five-year National Export Development Plan (NEDP) aiming to nearly double its export earnings to $36 billion by 2030. Developed by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board with support from the Asian Development Bank, the plan seeks to transform the country into a competitive logistics and knowledge-intensive export hub. Policymakers stressed that export diversification, competitiveness, and the implementation of structural reforms, including digitalization and human capital development, are crucial for sustained economic recovery and overcoming past inconsistencies. The success of the plan is seen as vital for generating non-debt foreign exchange and strengthening reserve buffers.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced a slight depreciation today against the US Dollar and other major foreign currencies. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the average buying price of the US Dollar increased to Rs. 330.0254, and the selling price rose to Rs. 339.9083. These figures are based on Telegraphic Transfer rates from licensed commercial banks in Colombo. The Rupee's decline also extends to currencies such as the Australian and Canadian Dollars, Euro, Sterling Pound, and Swiss Franc.
Sri Lanka's economy grew by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2026, an increase from the previous quarter and the highest first-quarter growth since 2021. This expansion occurred despite significant challenges, including the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and renewed geopolitical tensions. All major economic activities—Agriculture, Industry, and Services—contributed positively to this growth. The recovery was supported by increased import volumes facilitating domestic production and strong performance in sectors like construction, mining, and financial services.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has slightly depreciated against the US Dollar today (16) compared to yesterday (15). The Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported an increase in both the buying and selling prices of the US Dollar, with the buying price rising from Rs. 326.34 to Rs. 328.29 and the selling price from Rs. 336.58 to Rs. 338.22. Additionally, the Rupee also weakened against other major foreign currencies such as the Australian and Canadian Dollars, Euro, Sterling Pound, and Swiss Franc.
India has expressed serious concerns over Sri Lanka's inordinate delays in clearing over 1,000 pharmaceutical import licenses, alleging undue pressure on Indian companies to reduce Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) through informal price controls. This practice, which ignores compliance and logistics costs, is creating non-tariff barriers that threaten medicine availability and deter Indian suppliers from the Sri Lankan market. India suggests Sri Lanka adopt a balanced, transparent pricing framework, similar to global best practices, to ensure sustained medicine supply and quality.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated slightly against the US Dollar today, compared to last Friday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's official exchange rates, the US Dollar's average buying price decreased from Rs. 331.4206 to Rs. 326.34, and its selling price fell from Rs. 341.3641 to Rs. 336.58. This strengthening trend extends beyond the US Dollar, with the Rupee also gaining value against other major foreign currencies such as the Australian and Canadian Dollars, Euro, Sterling Pound, and Swiss Franc.
Ads Store is bringing global organizational culture authority Arthur Carmazzi to Colombo for the first time to conduct "Reset the Brain," an immersive leadership, team, and cultural alignment seminar. This full-day event, aimed at CEOs, MDs, and business leaders, will take place on June 19, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at The Monarch Imperial. Participants will receive benefits worth USD 2,841, including a complimentary Colored Brain Assessment. Organizations registering ten or more participants will also receive a free OCEAN Culture Diagnostic and a one-hour strategy session. For reservations, contact 070 478 0033.
Sri Lanka defeated West Indies by 37 runs, defending their 194 for 6 to level the series 1-1 with one match remaining on Sunday night. Dasun Shanaka scored 58 off 24 balls, including a 19-ball fifty that equalled his own record for fastest Sri Lanka men’s half century in T20Is, while Kamil Mishara remained unbeaten. Their 103-run partnership off 42 balls propelled Sri Lanka from 88 for 4 in the 13th over to 194 for 6. Sri Lanka's spinners then sparked a West Indies collapse, taking six wickets for 32 runs after West Indies were 89 for 2, with Dushmantha Chameera closing the match with three wickets for 9 runs as West Indies were all out for 157.
Sri Lanka is preparing to launch a new National Export Development Plan for 2026–2030. This ambitious initiative aims to significantly boost the country's exports, targeting a total of $36 billion by the year 2030. The plan was developed by the Export Development Board with crucial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Wednesday 11 November 2026Wed 11 Nov 2026
