News
Lanka to witness rare ‘Blood Moon’ on Sept 7
Lankans will be treated to a rare celestial spectacle next month when the Moon turns a dramatic shade of red during a total lunar eclipse, Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, Head of the Department of Physics at the University of Colombo, has told the media.
The eclipse, popularly known as a “Blood Moon,” will occur on the night of Sept 7 and will be visible across the island, provided skies remain clear. The total phase of the eclipse will last 82 minutes, with the Moon bathed in a deep crimson glow.
“This will be the last total lunar eclipse of the year, and Sri Lanka will have one of the best views,” Prof. Jayaratne, who also heads the Astronomy and Space Science Unit of the University of Colombo and chairs the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, said.
The eclipse will unfold as follows: the penumbral phase begins at 8:58 pm, partial eclipse at 9:57 pm, and totality at 11:01 pm The maximum eclipse is due at 11:42 pm, with the total phase ending at 12:22 am on Sept 8. The event will conclude at 2:25 am.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Prof. Jayaratne urged sky-watchers to find a spot with a clear eastern horizon to catch the full sequence.
Globally, nearly 85% of the population across Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and parts of the Americas will witness the event.
Locally, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute will stream a live webcast from Katubedda, while the Colombo University Astronomical Society will host a night-sky observation camp and photography session at the university grounds from 7.30 pm Prof. Jayaratne cautioned the public to check weather conditions and the Society’s website for updates before attending.
The Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development has recommended the establishment of Sri Lankan Standards, i.e. the import testing methodology for imported tires used for passenger cars and pneumatic tires for three-wheelers with the aim of ensuring a fair competitive environment for local
manufactures and ensuring consumer safety and security.
Taking into the said recommendations, “Import and Export (control regulations N0.08 of the 2026)” has been enacted to amend the existing regulations by means of the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2508/27 dated 2026-10-01, prescribing Sri Lanka standard 1212 for the import of passenger types (HS Code 4011.10.90) and Sri Lanka standard 1347 for the import of
pneumatic tires for three – wheeled vehicles (HS Code 4011.90.10).
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to submit the aforementioned regulations to Parliament for approval.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 02.06.2025 to introduce a new act to promote and providing legal provisions for facilitating the Public Private Joint Enterprises within Sri Lanka as well as the establishment of the National Agency for Public Private Partnership Joint Enterprises.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the relevant draft bill and the Attorney General has given his clearance to the said draft bill.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the said
draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit it to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Regulation, development and control of indigenous medical sector in Sri Lanka comprised of Ayurvedha, Sidhdha, Unani, Local Therapies are carried out under the provisions of Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961.
Although amendments were made to the act from time to time as per the requirements, the necessity of further amending the Ayurvedha Act has been identified to enable efficiently maintaining all activities of local medical field productively, further formalizing the regulation of the sector, taking actions to providing licenses applicable to export of local medicines, and achieving the progress and sustainable development goals in the local medical sector.
Based on the said factors, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to direct the Legal Draftsman to formulate a draft bill to amend the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961.
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 08 of 2026
Draft Bill of the Public Private Partnership Enterprises Act to be gazzetted
Amendment of the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961
Cabinet nod to amend the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute Act No. 9 of 1982
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
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