Newspaper
The Island
India’s first Hydrogen train to be launched soon
India’s first hydrogen trainset is ready for its official launch. Recently, this train has cleared load tests and is set for final commissioning. The Ministry of Raiways has plans to run 35 Hydrogen-powered trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage” on various heritage/hill routes.
2 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Automobile trainer Isuru Gunasekara Recognised at Asia Miracle & Pinnacle Awards
Isuru Gunasekara has been honoured as the Best Automobile Training Lecturer of the Year at two leading award ceremonies: the Asia Miracle Awards 2025 and the Pinnacle Awards 2024.
1 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Sri Lanka striving to win back investors on world stage
At the recent Invest Sri Lanka Investor Forum held at Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Director Ray Abeywardena set the tone with a powerful message: “Sri Lanka is not merely a story of recovery, it is a story of transformation.”
1 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Siyapatha Finance expands its network with opening of 55th branch in Ambalangoda
Siyapatha Finance PLC, a fully owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank, has further strengthened its islandwide presence with the inauguration of its 55th branch in Ambalangoda.
1 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Sanasa Life Insurance launches mobile app for renewal officers
SANASA Life Insurance continues to enhance its digital footprint through innovative solutions.
1 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Alaska summit: No deal agreed at Trump-Putin meeting but land swap for ceasefire still on the table
Hours before meeting Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Donald Trump said he wanted to see a ceasefire in Ukraine and was “not going to be happy” if it wasn’t agreed on. The US President apparently left Alaska on Saturday with no such agreement in place.
4 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Sinner to face Alcaraz in Cincinnati final
Jannik Sinner will play Carlos Alcaraz in a final for the fourth time this season after both players secured straight-sets wins in their Cincinnati Open semifinals.
2 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Himalayas may not be pristine anymore!
Study shows presence of toxic metals in clouds
1 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
Trump seeks to hold trilateral summit as early as 22 August
US President Donald Trump has told European leaders after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he wants to arrange a trilateral summit with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as soon as August 22, US media reported.
1 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
HNB Assurance and SMIB partner to expand bancassurance reach
HNB Assurance PLC, recognized as Sri Lanka’s Best Life Bancassurance Provider for five consecutive years by Global Banking and Finance Review, has entered a strategic partnership with the State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB), marking the beginning of a bancassurance collaboration.
1 min |
August 18, 2025
The Island
US Navy littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara to arrive in Colombo today
The US Embassy yesterday announced the visit of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) to the Port of Colombo today (16 August).
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Journalism in Bangladesh still fighting for its voice
Following the mass uprising of 2024, many in Bangladesh thought that a fresh dawn would emerge over the nation's long-troubled media landscape. The overthrow of an oppressive regime provided a glimpse of hope for increased press freedom, accountability, and an end to years of political and legal persecution of journalists.
4 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Fears of starvation in Myanmar as UN warns of 'disaster'
Aid agencies are warning of starvation in war-torn Myanmar's Rakhine State, with the World Food Programme (WFP) making an urgent appeal for more donations to avoid a \"full-blown disaster\", BBC has reported.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Govt. apartments, over 40 years old, in Colombo District, to be refurbished
Plans are underway to redevelop government apartment complexes in the Colombo District that are over 40 years old, National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) officials told Parliament's Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Damsath, Sahansa Under 14 champions
Damsath, Sahansa Under 14 champions
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Remittances jump by 19.5% in first 07 months
Sri Lanka's foreign exchange remittance earnings have surged by 19.5% in the first seven months of 2025, compared to the same period last year, latest Central Bank data shows.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Modi exhorts people to work for a Prosperous India
Celebrating 79th Independence Day
3 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Lohan Ratwatte passes away
Former State Minister and parliamentarian Lohan Ratwatte has passed away at the age of 57 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo, family sources said on Friday.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Sri Lanka to start National AI Fund
Sri Lanka is launching a National AI Fund with an initial investment of Rs 100 million (US$ 333,000) aimed at nurturing local innovation and adding significantly to the US$15 billion digital economy targeted by 2030, according to a report published by Biometric Update.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Dedicated WhatsApp number to complain directly to IGP
The Police yesterday rolled out a dedicated WhatsApp number (071 859 8888) enabling the public to lodge complaints and flag urgent issues directly with IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Five Chinese who attempted to enter Sri Lanka to commit cyber fraud deported
Five Chinese nationals were detained at the BIA, Katunayake, on Wednesday (13) after authorities confirmed they attempted to enter Sri Lanka to commit cyber fraud, officials said. Steps have been taken to deport the group.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Sahasdhanavi clarifies power plant tariff, stresses vital role in energy security
Sahasdhanavi Ltd has responded to recent discussions on its power plant’s levelised tariff, emphasising its importance in Sri Lanka’s energy stability as per the approved Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP).
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Nestlé advances regenerative agricultural practices in the coconut value chain via Nestlé Coconut Development Plan
As part of the Nestlé Coconut Development Plan — the 'Good Food Good Life' company partnered with the Coconut Cultivation Board of Sri Lanka (CCB) to conduct a two-day training programme for coconut farmers.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Sampath Bank records robust year-on-year growth of 32 percent
Sampath Bank recorded a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs 24.4 Bn and a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 14.7 Bn for the first half of 2025, marking a robust year-on-year growth of 32% across both metrics compared to the same period in 2024. The Sampath Group reported a PBT of Rs 26.0 Bn and a PAT of Rs 15.6 Bn, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 32% at both PBT and PAT levels.
2 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
'ComBank creates history in Q2 as first private sector bank with assets of Rs. 3 trillion'
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has become the first private sector bank in Sri Lanka to surpass Rs. 3 trillion in assets, a milestone achieved in the second quarter of 2025 on the back of solid growth in key indicators at Group and Bank level in the six months ending 30th June.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
JAT continues momentum to FY 2025/26 with 20% PAT growth in Q1
JAT Holdings PLC, a leading Sri Lankan conglomerate in the manufacturing and coatings industry, announced its financial results for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, reflecting a stable and promising start despite external market challenges.
2 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Geneva talks on global plastic pollution treaty collapse without a deal
Global talks to develop a landmark treaty to tackle plastic pollution have once again failed to reach an agreement, despite efforts late into the night to strike a deal.
2 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Public Finance Committee approves Gambling Regulator Bill
The Committee on Public Finance has approved the Bill to establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority, setting the stage for an independent body to oversee Sri Lanka’s betting and gaming industry.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Over 5,000 rounds of ammunition found in tank
Galenbindunuwewa Police have recovered a cache of 5,038 rounds of ammunition of varying calibre from the Getalawa tank.
1 min |
August 16, 2025
The Island
Interest in Combank stocks enlivens CSE as ASPI crosses 20,000 points for the first time
The CSE started on a dull note but subsequently brightened up, mostly pushed by interest in banking stocks, especially by a Commercial Bank post interim results announcement yesterday.
2 min |