The Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 commenced yesterday (12) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, attracting national and international attention to Sri Lanka’s economic reforms and investment opportunities.

Addressing the summit, the President highlighted emerging economic opportunities in Sri Lanka across several sectors, including port cities, renewable energy, tourism, communications and infrastructure.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment through transparent governance, the introduction of necessary laws and regulations, and the development of essential infrastructure. He further noted that these priorities have received due attention in the forthcoming Budget.

The President also emphasised the need to build a strong business community capable of establishing effective partnerships with foreign investors and invited the local business community to contribute to this effort.

The summit provides a platform to showcase Sri Lanka’s economic reform agenda and investment potential to both local and international stakeholders.

World Post Day – October 9 Today marks World Post Day. The theme for this year's World Post Day is “One Postal Network, Unlimited Possibilities.”

World Post Day was first celebrated on this day in 1969, a decision made by the participants of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) congress held in the Japanese capital of Tokyo. In 1874, representatives from 22 countries gathered in Bern, Switzerland, and signed a treaty establishing the General Postal Union. Four years after that momentous event, the General Postal Union was renamed the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which is the name of the international organization that exists today. In the 21st century, the UPU includes 189 countries of the world.

Through the postal service, not only does communication take place between people living in different regions of the world, but goods are also transported. Russia is one of the oldest members of the Postal Union. Today, 42,000 postal service centers and post offices are located across Russia's territory, and 99 percent of Russia's population has access to postal services. Today's post is vastly different from the letters handled in the 19th century. The range of services provided to customers has expanded significantly. Through this, post offices now handle the delivery of letters and parcels, mail-order trade, postal banking, e-commerce, and much more. Year by year, the range of postal services continues to expand.

In the present day, the technological revolution has also influenced the various transformations faced by traditional mail. E-mail has become a popular communication method used in almost all countries around the world. However, the post is still undergoing various technological methods, serving as a special communication channel that not only provides services to the people but also generates economic benefits.

Download Now 👇

Cabinet_Decisions_on_05.10.2026_E.pdf

The second phase of the special capacity development program organized by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media for regional, digital, and web journalists across the island was successfully held at the National Institute of Plantation Management in Athurugiriya.

Held over two days on September 21 and 22, 2026, the program saw the participation of a large number of journalists representing the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts. Senior officials from state institutions related to disaster management and veteran resource persons from the media field thoroughly educated the journalists on disaster preparedness, resilience, and ethical media reporting.

The Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, participated in this special occasion. The Deputy Minister also awarded certificates to the journalists who successfully completed the program and presented the training manual compiled for journalists.

Organized by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the first stage of the Colombo District program—part of the special training series on "Disaster Preparedness, Resilience, and Ethical Media Reporting" aimed at newsroom heads, regional journalists, and web journalists representing media institutions across the island—has been successfully concluded.

Held at the National Institute of Plantation Management in Athurugiriya, this program saw the participation of a large number of regional journalists and other media professionals representing the Colombo District.

Resource Contributions from State Institutions and Subject Experts

The first day of the program (September 16) was conducted by experts in the media and legal fields (affiliated with UNDP), while the second day (September 17) featured lectures and training sessions led by expert resource persons from the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters, Department of Meteorology, and the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).

Upcoming Programs for Other Districts

Following the successful conclusion of the second phase of the Colombo District program on September 21 and 22, the next phase of this training series is scheduled to be held for journalists in the Kurunegala District on September 29 and 30.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media has made all arrangements to continue this capacity development program series throughout the upcoming months of October, November, and December, covering several suitable districts across the island.

Under the national theme ‘A Rich Country – A Beautiful Life’, the ‘Punarudaye Puravara’ Local Government Week 2026 officially launches today (Sept 14), covering all local government systems across Sri Lanka. Organized and spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, this islandwide initiative will run through September 19.

The primary goal of the week is to break away from traditional bureaucratic frameworks to establish a people-centric, efficient, eco-friendly, and transparent local governance culture while directly engaging citizens in the administration process.

Daily Program Lineup:

• Monday, September 14: Mobile Services & Revenue Promotion Day

  • Focus: Bringing local government services closer to the public and expanding revenue streams.

  • Key Activities: Mobile service camps across various locations; collection of outstanding assessment taxes and stall rents using simplified payment methods (simplified forms and concessionary schemes).

  • Public Engagement: Collaborating with Divisional Secretariats, health sectors, and the Social Services Department to gather public ideas and complaints to incorporate into upcoming annual budgets.

• Tuesday, September 15: Public Utilities Day

  • Focus: Community infrastructure and marking International Day of Democracy.

  • Key Activities: Repairing and cleaning public locations including markets, weekly fairs, urban and children's parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, crematoriums, and clock towers.

  • Drought Response & Community Work: Repairing public wells and springs to combat ongoing dry weather conditions; conducting road beautification, street light maintenance, and community cleanup drives (Shramadana) with private sector and civil society participation.

• Wednesday, September 16: Environment & Tree Plantation Day

  • Focus: Environmental sustainability and marking International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

  • Key Activities: Awareness walks, seminars, and exhibitions involving students and the general public.

  • Green Initiatives: Waste management aligned with 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) concepts, goods exchange fairs, electronic waste collection, mangrove planting, bamboo planting along river and tank banks to prevent erosion, and promoting home gardening using domestic compost.

• Thursday, September 17: Health & Sanitation Day

  • Focus: Public health and marking World Patient Safety Day.

  • Key Activities: Cleaning hospitals, schools, government offices, and maternity clinics in partnership with MOH offices, the police, and volunteer groups.

  • Dengue & Rabies Control: Fogging and destroying mosquito breeding sites to curb Dengue and Chikungunya; administering anti-rabies vaccinations for dogs.

  • Medical Camps: Free general, eye, and maternity clinics, Ayurvedic clinics for the elderly, psychological counseling sessions, and blood donation drives.

• Friday, September 18: Literature, Education, Libraries, and Sports Day

  • Focus: Spiritual, intellectual, and physical well-being alongside September's Literary Month.

  • Key Activities: Book exhibitions, reader club promotions, honoring local creators, mobile library services, and online awareness sessions.

  • Sports & Fitness: Sports competitions, promotion of traditional games, and physical fitness programs conducted with regional sports associations, public bodies, and community members.

• Saturday, September 19: Awarding Certificates & Concluding Ceremony

  • Focus: Grand finale of the week-long program.

  • Key Activities: Awarding certificates and prizes to the winners of all competitions held throughout the week.

 Letters of appointment were awarded to the newly appointed Chairman and Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Foundation at the Ministry of Mass Media. The letters were officially handed over by the Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne.

Accordingly, Mr. Anuradha Wijekoon, an experienced former senior administrative officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS), has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and a Master of Business Studies (MBS) from the University of Colombo.

The other newly appointed members of the Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Foundation are:

• Prof. S. Bandara

• Mr. G. K. A. Pushpakumara

• Ms. U. L. N. S. Ariyapala

• Mr. V. P. Munasinghe

Handing over the letters of appointment, Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne stated that the primary responsibility of the new Chairman and the Board of Directors is to steer the Sri Lanka Foundation toward the new government’s strategic development direction, in line with the "A Thriving Nation - A Beautiful Life" policy framework.

The event was attended by Mrs. Nolini Balasubramaniam, Additional Secretary (Development, Information Research, and Policy) of the Ministry of Mass Media, along with executive officers of the ministry.

A special discussion was held on September 07, 2026, at the Digital Television Center to review the current progress and plan the future roadmap of Sri Lanka's Digital Television Broadcasting Project. The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Mr. Eranga Weeraratne, and the Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne.

The event was attended by Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, and Mr. Bandula Herath, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), alongside several senior officials representing the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Mass Media. Officials and technical advisors from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and other relevant institutions were also present

The 2026 CGN Sustainable Development Summit commenced today (September 7) at the Huaxia Hall of the Wuzhou Hotel in Shenzhen, China.

Delegates representing 14 countries and 65 journalists gathered for the occasion. The theme of this year's summit is “Green Energy Across Mountains and Seas, Forging a Shared Future Together.”

Senior executives from CGN (China General Nuclear Power Corporation) attended the event. Alongside the conference, green energy projects implemented by CGN across Malaysia, Laos, Kazakhstan, North Korea, France, Senegal, Namibia, and Brazil were also introduced.

Rumesh Tharanga entered the record books as the first and only Sri Lankan athlete in history to win a Diamond League final. Showcasing extraordinary skill in the men's javelin throw, Rumesh clinched the coveted Diamond Trophy early yesterday morning in Brussels with a throw of 89.04 meters.

By achieving the highest placing ever by a Sri Lankan in a global event organized by World Athletics, Tharanga has emerged as this year's standout javelin thrower worldwide, securing 12 victories out of his last 13 competitions.

The 23-year-old completed a highly successful Diamond League circuit, placing 1st in Rome with 92.62m, 2nd in Rabat with 85.97m, 1st in Doha with 88.68m, 1st in Lausanne with 88.14m, and ultimately securing the trophy in Brussels with an 89.04m throw.

Entering the Brussels final as the World No. 1 ranked athlete in javelin throw, his winning throw was notably 1.57 meters ahead of runner-up Dawid Wegner of Poland. Poland's Dawid Wegner placed second with 87.47m, Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott took third with 83.99m, Grenada's Anderson Peters finished fourth with 83.70m, and Kenya's Julius Yego came in fifth with 76.79m.

Rumesh, who previously won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, is now setting his sights on the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

Speaking after claiming the Diamond Trophy, the javelin champion expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan people for their continuous support throughout his journey.

“A vast number of people were blessing and supporting me. It truly gave me immense courage. Many people helped me along the way, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of them,” Rumesh Tharanga said.

The government has declared a three-day period of national mourning today (21), tomorrow (22), and the day after tomorrow (23) following the passing of the veteran musician, Dr. Nanda Malini.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has instructed all government institutions to fly the national flag at half-mast during these days