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General01 September 2026

Namal criticises government over youth issues

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has launched a scathing attack on the administration, accusing authorities of systematically dismantling the aspirations of the country's youth. Speaking at a divisional meeting in Jandure, Angunakolapelessa, Rajapaksa claimed that the current leadership secured support by making hollow promises regarding employment and vehicle imports, only to deliver widespread disillusionment.According to the opposition politician, young citizens who anticipated new jobs and affordable transport have instead encountered severe economic roadblocks and hostility. He alleged that graduates seeking employment have been met with state hostility rather than career opportunities, facing physical confrontation and reprimands when approaching authorities for help.Rajapaksa also drew attention to unfulfilled expectations surrounding vehicle imports, highlighting that young people had anticipated buying cars like the Honda Fit for around Rs. 1.2 million. He remarked that these expectations ultimately vanished into thin air, leaving prospective buyers empty-handed as officials walked back on feasibility.Insisting that the administration must answer for the mounting economic pressures placed on the younger demographic, Rajapaksa called on the government to account for its unfulfilled pledges and address the daily struggles facing the nation's youth.

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Namal criticises government over youth issues
General01 September 2026

Live grenade found near MP Kavinda Jayawardena’s home

An active hand grenade was recovered this morning (1) from a canal close to the residence of Member of Parliament Dr Kavinda Jayawardena in Weligampitiya, Ja-Ela.The explosive device was discovered by Ja-Ela Municipal Council workers while they were engaged in cleaning operations along the waterway. The workers immediately notified the Kandana police about the finding.Following preliminary inspections, bomb disposal unit officers removed the hand grenade from the scene to safely defuse it.

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Live grenade found near MP Kavinda Jayawardena’s home
General01 September 2026

Community Corrections act to be amended

The Cabinet has approved a proposal presented by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to publish the Community Based Corrections (Amendment) Bill in the Government Gazette, before hauling it over to Parliament for final approval.This legislative move targets the Community Based Corrections Act Number 46 of 1999, updating its provisions with the hope of finally allowing law enforcement to deal more effectively with repeat offenders. The initial nod for this much-needed update was actually granted during a Cabinet meeting on the 7th of April 2025.In accordance with that earlier directive, the bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has now successfully secured clearance from the Attorney General.

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Community Corrections act to be amended
General01 September 2026

New DMT Commissioner General assumes duties

Retired Air Vice Marshal Thushara Idunil Fernando of the Sri Lanka Air Force assumed duties as the new Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic today.The new Commissioner General commenced his official duties this morning at the head office of the Department of Motor Traffic located on Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05.Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Doctor Prasanna Gunasena also attended the event.The newly appointed Commissioner General began his duties following religious observances conducted by the Maha Sangha, led by the Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Most Venerable Kirinde Asaji Thera.

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New DMT Commissioner General assumes duties
General01 September 2026

'Kalu Malli' arrested in Dubai

Dubai authorities, acting on intelligence provided by the Sri Lanka Police, have arrested alleged organised criminal and drug trafficker Thushan Nethsara, alias "Kalu Malli".He is the brother of alleged organised drug trafficker Shehan Sathsara, alias "Dehibale".The arrested suspect is expected to be brought back to Sri Lanka within the next few days.

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'Kalu Malli' arrested in Dubai
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Barcelona land Gabriel Jesus for $11.6m

Barcelona land Gabriel Jesus for $11.6m

Barcelona signed Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal on Tuesday on a deal until 2029, after they were unable to pry Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.“Barcelona and Arsenal have reached a deal for the Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus,” said the Catalan club in a statement, with Spanish media reporting that they paid the Gunners about 10 million euros ($11.6m).Jesus arrives to bolster an attack weakened by the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres earlier this summer.Spanish champions Barca pursued Alvarez through the summer, but Atletico refused to negotiate with the Catalan giants.“I’m not offended,” said Jesus when asked how he felt about being Barca’s plan B after Alvarez.“I have the chance to be here at Barcelona. I had a chance 10 years ago, and life took me in another direction, but now I can be here, and it’s a dream for me.“I always want to do the best I can. I’m a guy who works hard, I know my qualities, but work, I think, always pays off.”Barcelona were prepared to end the transfer window without adding another number nine, with winger Raphinha scoring five goals in three games playing through the middle, but ultimately opted to bring in Jesus.“I was a little surprised we had the opportunity to get him,” coach Hansi Flick told reporters Monday after Barca thrashed Rayo Vallecano 5-2 in La Liga, which Jesus watched from the stands at Camp Nou.“I really love him. I like his style to play football. It fits with our style. I think he can help us a lot in the games.“For us, he can be important, so thanks to [sporting director] Deco because, again, he made an excellent job.”The 29-year-old Brazilian suffered a serious knee injury in January 2025, disrupting his career with Arsenal, where he was behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.He scored 32 goals at Arsenal in four seasons, after bagging 95 at Manchester City in the six years before that.“I’ve had a bit of a tough time these past two years, but apart from that, everyone knows my quality,” added Jesus.“I’m doing very well, very well physically,” he continued. “The knee is no longer a problem. I recovered very well and returned to playing very well with Arsenal.“My knee and my body are fine, I’m ready to give my best.”Jesus is Barcelona’s seventh signing of the summer, following Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu, Joao Cancelo, Rodri and Dominik Livakovic.-Al Jazeera

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Qatar still plans to host F1 and MotoGP

Qatar still plans to host F1 and MotoGP

Qatar is still planning to host ‌MotoGP and Formula One races in November despite uncertainty due to conflict in the region, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said on Tuesday.Formula One has said it ​will make a final decision in mid-September about the November 29 race at ​the Lusail circuit near Doha, with the season set to end in ⁠Europe if Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot go ahead.MotoGP is scheduled to race at ​the same track on November 8. The World Endurance Championship (WEC) has cancelled its October 24 ​round in Qatar."Qatar has been safe for months now. Our airport is 100% operational, including transit flights between Asia and Europe. If you visit Qatar, you will see we are back to normal life, ​so we’re really looking forward to hosting races again soon,” Al Mannai said in ​a Q&A issued by the QMMF."We are up and running and preparing for MotoGP and it’s the ‌same ⁠with our discussions with Formula One. Of course, there are things that we cannot predict. It’s difficult. We don’t know what’s going to happen. The situation has been fluid, even though it’s been really quiet so far. It depends on what happens in the ​next couple of months ​or so."For us, ⁠we cannot stop the plans. We have to be ready. We are taking it one step at a time to see the ​situation and assess. But so far, everything is good. Everything is ​a go-ahead.”The ⁠U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran started in February and has led to the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel. Washington has mainly held off from hitting Iran's major oil ⁠and gas ​infrastructure, a move Iran says would be met ​with devastating attacks against its Gulf neighbours.The Middle Eastern races are significant contributors to Formula One's revenues through hosting ​fees worth many tens of millions of dollars.-Reuters

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South Korea appoint former Spain coach Moreno as interim manager

South Korea appoint former Spain coach Moreno as interim manager

South Korea have appointed former Spain coach Robert Moreno as interim manager to lead the national team through November, the ​Korea Football Association (KFA) said on Tuesday.The 48-year-old will oversee ‌South Korea's next six matches as the KFA continues its search for a permanent replacement for Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down in June following the team's ​group-stage exit at the World Cup.Hong's appointment had come under ​scrutiny after the KFA abandoned a months-long search involving ⁠foreign candidates and appointed him following a brief meeting.The KFA board ​approved Moreno's appointment at a meeting in Cheonan, with his initial ​contract running until November 27. The KFA said it was the first time it had selected a national team manager through an open recruitment process."Coach ​Moreno already has a deep understanding of Korean football and impresses ​with enthusiasm, proposing various tactical alternatives," Power Enhancement Committee Chairman Hyun Young-min said ‌in ⁠a statement."After a tough process, I hope the Moreno squad, appointed through a challenging process, will play a role in turning the national team's atmosphere and improving performance."Moreno could remain in charge for ​the Asian Cup ​in Saudi ⁠Arabia beginning in January, subject to the team's performances during his interim spell, the statement added.South Korea ​are scheduled to face Ecuador and Uruguay in ​September before ⁠hosting Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October. The KFA is seeking to arrange two additional fixtures during the November international window.Moreno managed Spain in ⁠2019 ​during Luis Enrique's leave of absence ​and later held coaching roles at French side AS Monaco, Spain's Granada and Russian club ​FC Sochi.-Reuters

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Pakistan drop seven players and release head coach

Pakistan drop seven players and release head coach

Pakistan have responded to their series defeat by England by taking the extraordinary step of dropping seven players, calling up five uncapped players and releasing their head coach.After two one-sided defeats in the first two Tests, the tourists have revamped their squad and backroom staff for the third and final match of the series at Edgbaston.Five of the players dropped - Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad - have featured in the series so far, while Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar have been sent home without playing.A total of seven players have been called up. Batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have previous Test experience and join the quintet of uncapped newcomers.Spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, left-arm seamer Mohammed Imran Jr, wicketkeeper Said Baig and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah have all received call-ups.In addition, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul have been released to be replaced by Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke.The third Test in Birmingham begins on 9 September.Pakistan have been abject in the opening two Tests, losing the first at Headingley by an innings and the second at Lord's by 194 runs. They have been bowled out for less than 200 in each of their four innings.The response is remarkable. For a touring team to send home seven players and the head coach mid-series is unprecedented.Pakistan have a history of making eccentric decisions in the wake of defeats. On England's last tour of Pakistan in 2024, the hosts responded to losing the first Test, when England made a total in excess of 800, by playing the second Test on the same pitch in Multan.On that occasion, Pakistan used garden heaters and fans to dry the surface, to assist their spinners. The home side won the next two Tests to win the series 2-1.Now, among the seven players sent home are Salman, who captained in the first Test in the absence of the injured Babar Azam, then was dropped for the second.Also dropped is opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was criticised at Lord's for not attempting to bat in either innings after suffering a calf injury while fielding on the opening day.The sweeping selection changes come after the Pakistan team were surrounded by controversy during the second Test.At lunch on the first day, the Pakistan Cricket Board threatened to cancel the remainder of the match and tour because of an interview with the sons of Imran Khan that was broadcast by Sky.Imran, the former Pakistan captain and prime minster, has been in prison for three years on charges of corruption, which he denies.Pakistan ultimately completed the Test, with both captain Babar and head coach Sarfaraz denying any knowledge of a planned boycott.The tourists are also due to have an audience with King Charles at Clarence House this week.-BBC

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Barcola joins Liverpool from PSG in £123m move

Barcola joins Liverpool from PSG in £123m move

Liverpool have completed the signing of France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain for a fee worth up to £123m.PSG initially valued the 23-year-old at £145m, but Liverpool will pay an initial £106m plus £17m in potential add-ons.Barcola has signed a five-year contract to become the fifth new arrival at Anfield this summer, following the signings of winger Victor Munoz and defenders Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Ifeanyi Ndukwe."It took a long time but I'm really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play," Barcola said."I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League - it's one of my biggest dreams in my life."It is to do that and to stay in this team in the long term - that's why I signed a long contract – and I hope I can do it."Barcola, who will wear the number 29 shirt at Anfield, prefers to play on the left wing but can operate across the forward line.The France international will add depth to Andoni Iraola's squad following the departure of Mohamed Salah, the long-term injury absence of Hugo Ekitike, and the potential sale of Cody Gakpo.Last season, Barcola scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 49 games in all competitions for PSG.He featured in all eight of France's games at the 2026 World Cup, scoring three goals as Les Bleus reached the third-place play-off.Barcola joined PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m and won three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions Leagues, the French Cup twice, the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.The fee Liverpool have agreed to pay includes covering a solidarity payment PSG owe Lyon as part of the deal that took Barcola to Paris three years ago.-BBC

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Ceylinco General introduces world’s first dengue and chikungunya insurance cover

Ceylinco General introduces world’s first dengue and chikungunya insurance cover

Ceylinco General Insurance has introduced what it describes as the world’s first insurance protection specifically covering both dengue and chikungunya, offering financial assistance to individuals affected by the mosquito-borne illnesses.The new ‘Ceylinco Dengue Chikungunya Cover’ provides benefits of up to Rs. 250,000 for an annual premium of Rs. 2,000.With dengue and chikungunya continuing to pose significant health concerns in Sri Lanka, the new insurance solution is designed to help individuals and families manage financial pressures arising from hospitalisation, medical expenses and time away from normal day-to-day activities.“For the first time, we have also introduced and extended this insurance cover for patients seeking treatment at home,” said Ajith Gunawardene, Executive Chairman and CEO of Ceylinco General Insurance.A key feature of the cover is that it provides financial assistance whether the insured person is hospitalised or recovering at home.Under the home recovery benefit, policyholders receive Rs. 5,000 per day for up to five days during the first instance of recovery at home, providing a maximum benefit of Rs. 25,000. A further five days of coverage is available in a second instance, taking the total home recovery benefit to Rs. 50,000.Where hospitalisation is required at either a government or private hospital, the policy provides Rs. 10,000 per day for up to 10 days, with a maximum benefit of Rs. 100,000.An additional ICU benefit of Rs. 20,000 per day for up to five days is available if the insured person requires intensive care, providing a further maximum benefit of Rs. 100,000. Together, these benefits provide total financial protection of up to Rs. 250,000.The cover has no age limit an d is valid for one year, subject to a 21-day waiting period. The maximum duration of coverage per event is 10 days.The insurance solution can also be offered as a value-added benefit to customers of retail chains and other businesses, while employers can provide it as an additional employee benefit.Rex Gunathilake, Director and CEO of Ceylinco General Insurance, said dengue and chikungunya could affect anyone, while the financial impact of illness could add considerably to the stress faced by individuals and families.“With the Ceylinco Dengue Chikungunya Cover, we have focused on providing an affordable and practical solution that offers financial support not only when a person is hospitalised, but also while recovering at home. At an annual premium of just Rs. 2,000, we believe this cover provides an accessible way for more Sri Lankans to obtain financial protection against these illnesses,” he said.The Ceylinco Dengue Chikungunya Cover is available through Ceylinco General Insurance branches and its online platform, Ceylinco VIP HUB, making it accessible to customers across the country.The company said the new cover reflects its focus on developing insurance solutions aimed at addressing the evolving needs of Sri Lankan consumers.

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CSE closes marginally lower as construction activity strengthens

CSE closes marginally lower as construction activity strengthens

The Colombo Stock Exchange opened September on a marginally weaker note, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining 0.10% to close at 21,318.31.The more liquid S&P SL20 Index fell 0.39% to settle at 5,986.45, slipping below the psychologically important 6,000 level.With Tuesday’s performance, the ASPI is now down 5.77% year to date, while the S&P SL20 has declined 2.78% so far this year.Market breadth was slightly positive, with 102 counters recording gains against 97 decliners. The decline in the ASPI was mainly driven by John Keells Holdings, DFCC Bank and Dialog Axiata.Daily turnover amounted to Rs. 2.32 Bn, improving from the previous session but remaining well below the daily average turnover of Rs. 3.99 Bn.John Keells Holdings, Dialog Axiata and Ceylon Cold Stores led turnover during the session, while Capital Goods, Food and Beverages and Diversified Financials were the most active sectors.Meanwhile, activity in the construction sector continued to expand at a healthy pace in July, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data.The construction PMI rose to 61.4 index points in July from 60.0 in June, indicating a continued expansion in construction activity.The increase was supported by a sustained flow of construction work and a steady inflow of new projects. However, the sector continued to face input constraints, particularly a shortage of bitumen.The continued expansion in construction activity could provide a positive backdrop for construction-related counters on the stock market, particularly if the flow of new projects remains steady.

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Hayleys Fentons wraps up Wathupitiwala factory

Hayleys Fentons wraps up Wathupitiwala factory

Hayleys Fentons Limited has successfully wrapped up the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for Shield Restraint Systems (Pvt) Ltd in the Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone. Proving that, contrary to popular belief, speed and precision can actually coexist in large-scale construction, the projects division completed this complex, one-billion-rupee industrial build in a mere fourteen months following the laying of the foundation stone on the 7th of January 2025.Designed exclusively to manufacture premium safety restraint systems for the global automotive industry, the factory required highly specialised technical accuracy to meet unforgiving international standards. Handing over the facility on schedule firmly underscores the company’s disciplined planning and flawless management of rigorous technical and regulatory demands. Quite frankly, it establishes them as the strategic, reliable construction partner for foreign direct investments that demand absolute precision.Speaking on the swift completion of the project, Sujith de Alwis, Deputy Managing Director of Projects at Hayleys Fentons Limited, stated: "This project perfectly reflects the engineering and project management capabilities built by Hayleys Fentons Limited over the years. Constructing such a complex facility within the agreed timeframe in compliance with strict international standards confirms that the Sri Lankan construction industry's capabilities can compete with the highest international levels. We are proud to contribute to such an investment in Sri Lanka and to strengthen Sri Lanka's position in the global automotive supply chain."Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director at Hayleys Mobility Limited, elaborated on the operational realities behind the build: "To make such projects a success, formal planning beyond construction excellence, strict quality management, integrated coordination across many fields, and a commitment to international standards are essential. Delivering this premises on time demonstrates our project execution strength and further solidifies Hayleys Fentons' position as a reliable partner for foreign direct investments and large-scale industrial projects coming into the country."Ultimately, this milestone elevates the reputation of Hayleys Fentons Limited as a trusted partner capable of pulling off world-class, high-tech constructions that actively bolster Sri Lanka’s industrial foundation. For further details on their upcoming projects, listeners can visit www.hayleysfentons.com or dial 0112 102 102.

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NSB Group posts Rs.22.5 bn operating profit in 1H 2026

NSB Group posts Rs.22.5 bn operating profit in 1H 2026

National Savings Bank Group (NSB) recorded resilient core banking performance during the first six months of 2026, supported by stronger net interest income, a notable expansion in fee-based earnings and continued growth in loans and advances.The Bank reported total operating income of Rs. 45.8 billion for the period, an increase of 3.1% compared with Rs. 44.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. Net operating income increased by 2.3% to Rs. 49.1 billion from Rs. 48 billion reported a year ago, providing a stable foundation for the Bank’s operations and customer-focused growth agenda.Net interest income rose by 5.5% year-on-year to Rs. 44.2 billion, compared with Rs. 41.9 billion in the first half of 2025. This improvement was supported by a 4.7% reduction in interest expenses to Rs. 54.5 billion, despite a marginal moderation in interest income to Rs. 98.6 billion.The Bank also achieved substantial growth in fee-based earnings. Net fee and commission income increased by 37.0% to Rs. 1.40 billion, from Rs. 1.02 billion a year earlier.Profit before Tax (PBT) amounted to Rs. 22.6 billion, compared with Rs. 24.1 billion in the first half of 2025, while profit after tax stood at Rs. 13.4 billion, compared with Rs. 14.7 billion. The moderation in profitability principally reflected higher operating costs and the lower contribution from trading and derecognition gains. Personnel expenses increased to Rs. 13.8 billion from Rs. 11.5 billion, while other operating expenses rose to Rs. 4.3 billion from Rs. 4.1 billion.Despite these pressures, the Bank preserved a substantial earnings base and continued to invest in the people, systems and service capabilities required to improve operational resilience and the customer experience.Income tax for the period amounted to Rs. 9.14 billion, while VAT and the Social Security Contribution Levy on financial services together exceeded Rs. 7.29 billion.National Savings Bank Chairman Dr. Harsha Cabral PC said: “The first-half results reflect the resilience of NSB’s core business model and the enduring confidence placed in the Bank by generations of Sri Lankans. Our priority remains the prudent stewardship of public savings while supporting productive economic activity, financial inclusion and sustainable national development.”NSB’s total assets increased by 2.1% during the first six months of the year to Rs. 1.87 trillion, from Rs. 1.83 trillion at end-December 2025. Loans and advances recorded a strong 9.1% expansion to Rs. 601.01 billion from Rs. 550.83 billion, demonstrating the Bank’s continued support for the financing needs of individuals, households and eligible institutional customers within its mandate.Deposits, the principal source of funding for NSB, increased by 1.5% to Rs. 1.63 trillion from Rs. 1.61 trillion. The sustained growth in the deposit base reflects continued public confidence in the Bank and provides a stable platform for its savings-led business model.The Bank’s financial position remained sound, with total shareholders’ equity increasing by 4.1% to Rs. 123.91 billion from Rs. 119.05 billion. Retained earnings rose by 12.4% to Rs. 52.34 billion, further strengthening the Bank’s capacity to support future growth and absorb potential shocks.Acting General Manager/CEO of National Savings Bank, Rohana Bandara Weerakoon, said: “Our focus is on translating the Bank’s trusted savings franchise into sustainable customer value. The growth achieved in lending, fee income and shareholder’s equity is encouraging. We will continue to strengthen digital access, service quality, cost discipline and risk management while delivering on NSB’s national mandate.”  

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New Media Solutions wins Gold, 2 Silvers at Dragons of Sri Lanka

New Media Solutions wins Gold, 2 Silvers at Dragons of Sri Lanka

New Media Solutions (Pvt) Ltd has been recognised at the Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026, taking home a Gold Award in the Marketing Discipline category for Softlogic Life Insurance PLC’s Health Score campaign and two Silver Awards in Public Relations and Content Creation for Unilever Sri Lanka / Closeup’s Break the Barriers campaign.The Health Score campaign for Softlogic Life Insurance PLC focused on encouraging greater awareness around health and wellbeing through a consumer-focused approach to healthier living. International cricket legend Jonty Rhodes was a key part of the campaign, bringing his strong association with fitness and an active lifestyle to the initiative and helping the campaign connect with a wider audience.For Unilever Sri Lanka and Closeup, New Media Solutions led the public relations and content creation work for Break the Barriers, a campaign that invited Sri Lankans to share personal experiences of overcoming barriers for love. Conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English, the campaign received more than 1,000 submissions, covering experiences around distance, language, family expectations, cultural differences, disability and fear.From these, 100 stories were selected for publication in Sri Lanka’s first crowdsourced love story book, with selected stories also reproduced in Braille.The campaign used reading and writing communities, social media creators, podcasts, short-form video, youth outreach and contributions from established writers to encourage participation. New Media Solutions also managed the public relations surrounding the book’s publication and launch at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, securing more than 100 earned media placements across online, print, radio and television in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The campaign was recognised with Silver Awards in both the Public Relations and Content Creation categories.Nilupa Liyanage, Managing Director, said, “Winning one Gold and two Silver Awards across two client campaigns is a strong reflection of the breadth of work delivered by our teams. We are grateful to Softlogic Life Insurance PLC, Unilever Sri Lanka and Closeup for their trust and partnership in bringing these campaigns to life.”Head of Digital and Operations Kavindu Wijesekara said, “The content strategy was designed around participation. We worked with different communities, creators and formats because each audience needed a relevant way to engage with the campaign. Every piece of content had a clear role in encouraging people to contribute.”Manager – Client Servicing, Banura Abeywickrema, added, “The success of both campaigns came from close collaboration with our clients, partners and teams. We are grateful to all our clients for their continued trust and to everyone who contributed to bringing these campaigns from strategy through to execution, with each team playing an important role in delivering the final work.”Picture: Kisura Senanayake, Banura Abeywickrema (Manager, client service), Kavindu Wijesekara (Head of digital and operations), Tumal Ranaweera

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CSE rebounds despite record foreign outflows

CSE rebounds despite record foreign outflows

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed positively in August 2026, with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) rising 1.0% month on month to 21,339 points. The more liquid S&P SL20 index also gained 1.2% to 6,010 points.Average daily turnover increased significantly to Rs.3,602 million in August from Rs.1,855 million in July, reflecting stronger investor activity during the month.CT Holdings led market turnover in August with Rs.11,927 million across 20.8 million shares, followed by Commercial Credit & Finance with Rs.11,058 million from 108.7 million shares and Cargills (Ceylon) with Rs.8,414 million from 12.7 million shares.The three counters collectively accounted for around 45.9% of total market turnover during the month.However, the market recorded a record net foreign outflow of Rs.19,460 million in August, accounting for 19.3% of total market turnover, according to CT Smith Securities.Despite the overall foreign outflow, United Motors Lanka recorded the highest net foreign buying during the month at Rs.1,026 million, followed by Melstacorp at Rs.240.1 million and Seylan Bank Voting at Rs.197.6 million.Meanwhile, notable net foreign selling was recorded in Commercial Credit & Finance at Rs.9,576.2 million, Cargills (Ceylon) at Rs.4,070.9 million and RIL Property at Rs.2,700.8 million.The August performance marked a positive month for the CSE in terms of index movement and turnover, despite the significant foreign investor selling pressure.

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Fans aim for Vulcan salute record on Star Trek Day

Fans aim for Vulcan salute record on Star Trek Day

Hundreds of Star Trek fans are set to gather at London's Science Museum to try and set the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous Vulcan salute.The gesture, made famous by Leonard Nimoy's character Spock, involves raising the hand with the middle and ring fingers parted. It first appeared in a 1967 episode of the TV series.The record attempt will take place on 8 September, known amongst fans as Star Trek Day.Glyn Morgan, principal curator at the museum, said: "For 60 years, Star Trek has connected bold storytelling with big questions about science, technology and what might be possible in the future, themes that sit at the heart of the Science Museum."If verified by an adjudicator, the attempt would set a new world record, as none currently exists in the category.Morgan added the south Kensington museum was also glad to invite fans to a final opportunity to experience the Star Trek Warp Trail, which is included in the event ticket, following a popular Star Trek Lates earlier this year.Among the trail exhibits are chief engineer Scotty's uniform, worn by Simon Pegg in the 2009 film Star Trek, and Admiral Jean-Luc Picard's uniform, worn by Sir Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: Picard, which ran from 2020 to 2023.Star Trek has produced many TV series and films since launching in the 1960s, including TV series The Next Generation, which starred Sir Patrick and Deep Space Nine and Voyager, which starred Kate Mulgrew.-BBC

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Ex-Crips leader found guilty in 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur

Ex-Crips leader found guilty in 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur

Former gang boss Duane "Keffe D" Davis has been found guilty of orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur - the first conviction in a cold case that has intrigued hip-hop fans for nearly 30 years.The jury found Davis guilty of one count of murder with a deadly weapon for the rap superstar's death in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on 7 September 1996.Clad in a black suit, the 63-year-old stood impassively in the Las Vegas court as the verdict was read, before saying he would appeal. Shakur's relatives held hands, some hugging and crying.Shakur was 25 when he was slain at the height of his career as one of rap's most influential voices. He has sold more than 75 million records worldwide.Prosecutors had argued during the trial that although Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips street gang, did not fire the gun that killed Shakur, he ordered the shooting and supplied the gun that his nephew Orlando Anderson used to open fire.They told the court that Davis had planned the shooting as retaliation after Anderson was involved in a fight with Shakur and the rapper's crew in Las Vegas just hours earlier.For 30 years, the case remained one of America's most famous cold cases, spurring countless conspiracies - but never a conviction, until now.Shakur's murder happened at a time of intense rivalry between the East Coast and West Coast rap scene and amid gang feuds between the Bloods and Crips, which had deep roots within hip-hop at the time.His family appeared emotional in court, his sister embracing a prosecutor after the verdict was read while others sat crying nearby.Outside, devoted fans of Shakur were crying and cheering.The key evidence in the case were Davis' own words, where he repeatedly and publicly acknowledged being inside the white Cadillac from where the deadly shots were fired.He had told authorities about his role in Shakur's death during a secret 2008 police interview related to the death of fellow rapper Notorious B.I.G., real name Christopher Wallace.Davis elaborated further on his role in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend.But his book and media interviews voided a protective agreement he had established with authorities that had blocked any criminal charges being filed, with the court ruling his police interview could be used in the murder trial against him.In closing arguments, prosecutor Binu Palal told jurors to take Davis at his word and find him guilty.For years, he argued, Davis had been telling people "that he is responsible for Tupac Shakur's murder" through documentaries, his memoir, podcasts and a police interview."He's the shot caller - in every instance in every iteration he's the leader of the South Side Crips," Palal told the jury."When you have the shot caller sitting shotgun when shots are fired, there's no doubt he's responsible."Throughout the trial, Davis' defence team tried to persuade jurors that his comments were fiction - bravado and exaggeration intended to sell books and make money.In closing arguments, his lawyer Michael Sanft urged the jury to discredit his client as a liar who just told tales to sell books."There's no proof," he told the jury.But within hours of the jury being handed the case on Monday, they reached a guilty verdict.Just before the court emptied out, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny set Davis' sentencing for 13 October.While reading out some procedural steps in the case, Davis appeared to interrupt by raising his hand."I would like my stuff," he told the judge, mentioning some personal items including his phone.He continued: "I would like to appeal this matter."The judge explained that this could happen after sentencing.-BBC

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US singer D4vd's celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case

US singer D4vd's celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case

The celebrity lawyers hired to represent US musician D4vd in his upcoming murder trial have withdrawn from his case.The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been appointed a public defender to mount his defence for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, whose remains were found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to his address.Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to the murder charges in Los Angeles court on Monday.A judge determined last month that he will stand trial for murder. Prosecutors have alleged he stabbed the teen after years of sexual abuse, before dismembering her body.A pretrial hearing is set for 19 October.Lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said in a statement to BBC that the court granted their request to withdraw from the case and has appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's to represent the singer.The statement said that it D4vd "qualified for appointed counsel"."We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges," they said. "We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office has taken over the representation and that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him."Berk, who led the defence team, has previously represented US actor Mel Gibson and film mogul Harvey Weinstein, as well as singer Britney Spears and actress Lindsay Lohan.In a statement, deputy public defender Walid Kandeel said Burke "is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence"."We are committed to providing him with that defense," he said.Burke had already entered a not guilty plea to charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse.He returned to court on Monday to have the charges against him formally read and re-entered the plea.The murder charges include special circumstances linked to financial gain that could make Burke potentially liable for the death sentence.Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez because the teen had threatened to reveal his relationship with a minor and destroy his multi-million dollar music career.Evidence read in Los Angeles court during the preliminary hearing showed threats she made against him on 22 April 2025, stemming from arguments about his friendship with another girl."I swear to GOD I will kill u", one expletive-laden text from Hernandez read, followed by a threat to strangle him and tell her dad lies about him. "i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything," the text went on.The following day, Hernandez went to Burke's Hollywood home in an Uber he had sent to pick her up.Prosecutors alleged that Burke stabbed her once she arrived.-BBC

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‘The Dog Stars’ crashes with $8M opening weekend

‘The Dog Stars’ crashes with $8M opening weekend

“The Dog Stars” couldn’t beat the heat during the dog days of summer and melted down over its opening weekend.Disney and 20th Century’s “The Dog Stars” opened to just $8 million domestically from 3,330 locations for a fifth-place finish. The post-apocalyptic thriller, which cost more than $80 million to produce, has not sat well with critics or audiences, receiving a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and just a “C+” grade from CinemaScore polls.“The Dog Stars” is poised to lose tens of millions in its theatrical run, making it one of director Ridley Scott’s biggest misfires. The poor opening harkens back to Scott’s 2021 film “The Last Duel,” which opened to just $4.7 million in October of that year against a budget of about $100 million. The historical drama was also released by 20th Century, but it was received much better by critics. Scott, best known for classics like “Gladiator” and “Alien,” reached his box office peak in 2015 with “The Martian,” which grossed $630 million worldwide and earned seven Oscar nominations, including best picture.“The Dog Stars” brings an up-and-down summer to an end for Disney. While the studio hit big with “Toy Story 5” ($1.12 billion) and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” ($692 million), it also fielded misfires like the live-action “Moana” ($308 million against a $250 million budget) and “The Mandalorian and Grogu” ($345 million against a $165 million budget). Hard to imagine Disney is worried, considering “Avengers: Doomsday” is waiting in the wings for what will surely be a box office blowout in December.“The Dog Star” stars Jacob Elordi as Hig, a lonely apocalypse survivor with a canine companion. After he picks up on a mysterious broadcast signal, he is determined to track the source. Other cast members include Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney and Benedict Wong.This weekend’s other major newcomer, “Coyote vs. Acme,” landed in third place after grossing an estimated $13.5 million domestically from 3,575 screens. The live-action-animation hybrid was abandoned by its original distributor, Warner Bros., for tax credits, enraging sectors of the film community. Ketchup Entertainment saved the title back in March of 2025 and slated it for a theatrical release.“Coyote vs. Acme” sees “Looney Tunes” favorite Wile E. Coyote take the Acme Corporation to court after its products failed him one too many times in his pursuit of the Road Runner. Cast members include Will Forte, Lana Condor, John Cena, Tone Bell, Martha Kelly, Luis Guzmán, P.J. Byrne and John Early. Dave Green directs with a script from Samy Burch.At No. 1, again, was Sony and Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” It earned $22.2 million through Sunday, dropping just 44% from last week’s earnings. That figure pushes the superhero epic’s domestic total to a staggering $891 million.“Brand-New Day” is on the cusp of two major box office milestones. After surpassing $936 million, it will become the highest-grossing movie of all time at the domestic box office. That record currently belongs to 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” When it clears that benchmark, “Spider-Man” will be on its way to becoming the first movie ever to hit $1 billion in North America alone.Universal’s “The Odyssey” continues to impress. The Greek epic took second, earning $14.6 million through its seventh weekend at the domestic box office. That puts Chris Nolan’s blockbuster at a North American haul of $564 million.Sony’s “Insidious: Out of the Further” made $10.1 million (a 60% drop) in its second weekend for a fourth-place finish. Those earnings put the horror sequel’s domestic revenues at $43 million. It’s a great start, considering the film only cost about $18 million to produce.-Variety

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Tom Holland becomes third highest-grossing actor of all time

Tom Holland becomes third highest-grossing actor of all time

Tom Holland has spent a big part of his career swinging through New York as Spider-Man. Now, the actor is making headlines for a very different kind of record. His latest Marvel outing, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is continuing to pull in huge numbers worldwide, adding another major milestone to Holland’s increasingly impressive box-office run.The film has been having quite a weekend at the box office, staying firmly ahead of the competition in North America and adding millions to its global haul. The numbers have also helped push Holland into an elite position among Hollywood’s highest-grossing actors.At 30, Holland has become the third highest-grossing actor of all time, according to the latest figures. He currently trails only Zoë Saldaña and Scarlett Johansson. The milestone also reportedly makes Holland the youngest actor to break into the top three.Much of Holland’s box-office strength has come from his role as Peter Parker in the Marvel franchise. His latest Spider-Man film has given that record another significant boost, with the superhero movie continuing to perform strongly several weeks into its theatrical run.Spider-Man: Brand New Day held on to the No. 1 position at the North American box office for the fifth weekend in a row. The film earned an estimated $22.2 million from theatres across the US and Canada during the latest weekend.That additional business took the movie’s worldwide earnings to approximately $2.33 billion.The latest global figure has also put Spider-Man: Brand New Day ahead of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way Of Water. The latter finished its theatrical run with around $2.32 billion worldwide. With its current $2.33 billion haul, Brand New Day now sits third on the list of the highest-grossing films in global box-office history.The current top five are led by Avatar, which has earned $2.92 billion worldwide. Avengers: Endgame follows with $2.79 billion, while Spider-Man: Brand New Day is at $2.33 billion. Avatar: The Way Of Water stands at $2.32 billion, followed by Titanic at approximately $2.25 billion.The film has also been doing serious business closer to home. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has collected roughly $891 million domestically in North America.-News 18

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‘New Girl’ reunion is not happening: ‘there are no scripts,’ says creator Liz Meriwether

‘New Girl’ reunion is not happening: ‘there are no scripts,’ says creator Liz Meriwether

“New Girl” isn’t coming back anytime soon.Despite recent claims by Max Greenfield, who played Schmidt on the hit Fox sitcom, that he has read “amazing” scripts for a reunion, show creator Liz Meriwether insists, “There are no scripts.”I caught up with Meriwether at the Season 1 finale screening of her latest hit series “Furious” on Thursday night at the DGA in West Hollywood.“I don’t even have the scripts written for the things that I need to have scripts written for,” said Meriwether, who is adapting Britney Spears’s memoir “The Woman in Me” for a movie to be directed by Jon M. Chu and produce by Marc Platt.Greenfield set off speculation about a “New Girl” reunion in late July when he said during an appearance on “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle,” “As far as I know, it’s happening. I’ve seen scripts, they’re amazing.”Meriwether responded to Greenfield’s claim with a very tongue-in-cheek video on Instagram. “Max told everybody that there’s amazing scripts of a ‘New Girl’ reunion that I’ve written. Um — and just an update on that — the scripts were pretty good until everybody just started giving me notes on every little thing,” she cracked, before listing changes all of the stars of the show requested.For now, Meriwether told me, “I’ve honestly been enjoying this thing, whatever this is, that’s like this back and forth between the cast and me, and I think this is the show and I feel like maybe in the world of the internet…maybe the show is just this, these little videos, maybe that’s the reunion. I don’t know.”“New Girl” ran for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018.Greenfield eventually clarified his remarks exclusively with Variety, joking that he was confused because a reunion of sorts is happening. The cast, including Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris, Hannah Simone and Damon Wayans Jr., will reunite at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in Los Angeles on Oct. 10 to receive the Rising Phoenix Award. Greenfield serves as host of the gala.The Rising Phoenix Award will recognize the series’ theme of starting over and people who make starting over possible.As for the Spears biopic, Meriwether said she can’t say much because it’s too early in the process: “It’s really interesting because I haven’t written a movie in a long time, so that’s been part of the process is just trying to think in a two-hour story as opposed to like an eight-hour story, which is what I’ve been used to doing.”She has yet to meet the “…Baby One More Time” hitmaker. “I would love to,” Meriwether said.Source - Variety

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