The government has decided to establish an operations committee comprising officials from both the public and private sectors to take swift and coordinated measures to promote sports tourism in Sri Lanka.

Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced the initiative during a special meeting held today (16) at the Ministry of Tourism, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sri Lanka Cricket, and several national sports federations.

The discussion centered on strategies to attract international visitors by hosting and promoting major national and international sports events, including cricket, rugby, and football tournaments. Officials noted that Sri Lanka already draws thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators annually for various sporting activities.

Sri Lanka’s growing popularity for surfing, white-water rafting, mountaineering, cycling, and marathons was also highlighted as an opportunity to expand the sports tourism segment. According to officials, around 40 cricket matchesare scheduled for the first four months of next year, alongside numerous other events.

However, participants pointed out that the tourism potential of sports events remains underutilized, prompting the decision to form the new operations committee to link sports with broader tourism promotion efforts.

Minister Herath emphasized that sports tourism is a key component of Sri Lanka’s long-term tourism strategy.

“The new committee will help identify the unique potential of this sector and guide future development initiatives to position Sri Lanka as a leading sports tourism destination,” he said.

The committee will also develop strategies to connect the sports and tourism industries, enhance international promotion, improve infrastructure, and provide policy guidance for the sector’s sustainable growth.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The Sri Lanka Police Headquarters has issued a public alert urging citizens to exercise caution when obtaining loans via the Internet or mobile applications, following a surge in complaints about fraudulent and exploitative lending practices.

According to the Police, numerous entities are currently advertising instant loans online and through mobile platforms, often promoting them with misleadingly attractive offers. In some cases, individuals have received unsolicited phone calls encouraging them to apply for loans that purportedly require no collateral.

However, police reports indicate that many borrowers have fallen into severe financial distress after taking such loans without properly reviewing interest rates or repayment conditions.

Daily complaints reveal that some borrowers are being charged exorbitant interest rates, while others face harassment from lenders, including frequent phone calls and defamatory social media posts aimed at shaming those unable to make timely payments.

In response, the Sri Lanka Police, together with the Non-Banking Financial Institutions Supervision Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), conducted a joint investigation. Findings confirmed that many online lending entities are not regulated by the Central Bank.

The CBSL has since announced that measures are being taken to bring such operators under proper regulatory oversight.

The Police urged the public to obtain loans only from institutions licensed and regulated by the Central Bank, warning that unregulated lenders pose serious risks of financial exploitation.

Citizens are advised to report any suspicious or unethical lending activities to their nearest police station or visit the official Central Bank website for guidance and verification.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Sri Lanka’s continued progress under its economic reform program, noting that the country is experiencing strong growth momentum following its recovery from a deep financial crisis.

At a regional economic outlook briefing, Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, and Thomas Helbling, Deputy Director, provided updates on Sri Lanka’s economic performance and reform efforts.

Helbling stated that Sri Lanka is now reaping the rewards of program implementation after enduring a severe recession.

“After a deep recession during the crisis, Sri Lanka has now implemented the program and is benefiting from very strong growth — 5% last year, with an estimated 4.2% this year and next year, going toward a potential growth rate of around 3%,” he said.

He emphasized that continued implementation of IMF-backed reforms is essential to sustain the recovery.

“The key advice is to continue with program implementation, realize the full benefits of the reforms, and ensure that growth remains on track. For Sri Lanka, it’s important to stay on the path of stabilization,” he added.

Helbling further highlighted the importance of fiscal consolidation, state-owned enterprise reform, and sound institutional frameworks to maintain macroeconomic stability and ensure long-term success.

Echoing his remarks, Srinivasan said Sri Lanka has made remarkable progress compared to just a few years ago.

“Sri Lanka has come a long way from where it was. Our message is to stay the course. The country has already done the difficult part — by continuing with reforms, it will continue to see the benefits,” he said.

The IMF officials also stressed the need to strengthen governance and public investment management while maintaining fiscal discipline. Helbling acknowledged “impressive progress” in meeting structural benchmarks, including electricity pricing reforms and cost recovery measures.

Both officials reaffirmed the IMF’s support for Sri Lanka’s reform path, emphasizing that staying committed to reforms is crucial to ensure sustained growth, fiscal stability, and economic resilience.

Sri Lanka Customs has announced that it recorded its highest-ever single-day revenue of Rs. 24,918 million on October 15, 2025.

According to official data, the cumulative revenue collected by the department up to that date stood at Rs. 1,867 billion.

The Director General of Customs stated that, given the current pace of revenue collection, the annual target of Rs. 2,115 billion set for 2025 is expected to be surpassed with ease.

The department attributed this strong performance to improved operational efficiency, enhanced compliance measures, and higher import volumes during recent months.

Redbridge, Essex: The UK Committee of the National People’s Power (NPP) hosted a high-level meeting between Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister for Environment, MP Anton Jayakody, and a group of UK-based environmental activists, academics, and sustainability enthusiasts.

Minister Jayakody focused on Sri Lanka’s current and future environmental priorities. Topics covered included deforestation, biodiversity conservation, elephant protection, renewable energy, water purification, sanitation, and sustainable waste management. The meeting aimed to provide clarity on how Sri Lanka’s environmental strategies align with economic policy and explore opportunities for international collaboration.

UK participants expressed strong support for the NPP-led government’s environmental agenda, noting growing international confidence in its transparent governance and commitment to tackling corruption. Attendees emphasised that this renewed trust provides a solid foundation to establish an international support group focused on Sri Lankan wildlife and environmental initiatives and pledged the formation of a wildlife committee to lend global support to Sri Lanka’s environmental initiatives.

The meeting marked a significant step in strengthening ties between the Sri Lankan government and its global SriLankan community towards developing sustainable partnerships for the betterment of Sri Lanka’s environment.