Sri Lanka news roundup for November 9: crime bill changes, airline loss, tax registration

Amendments to the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill were among the day's main developments. The government told the Supreme Court it would remove sections covering offences under the Excise Ordinance and amend copyright-related provisions under the Intellectual Property Act. Further discussions are expected on preventive detention orders and the Bail Act.

SriLankan Airlines posted a pre-tax loss of 35.6 billion rupees in the first three months of the 2026/27 financial year. Revenue rose to 82.8 billion rupees but expenditure climbed to 95.2 billion, with a 93 per cent jump in aviation fuel costs cited as the main cause.

The Inland Revenue Department said around four million Sri Lankans over the age of 18 have yet to register for a Taxpayer Identification Number, while clarifying that registration alone does not oblige anyone to pay tax.

The Colombo Municipal Council said legal action will be taken against unauthorised constructions that block drains in the capital. Meanwhile, former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared before the Central Crime Investigation Bureau to give a statement in a financial irregularities investigation concerning his former personal secretary, Sugeeshwara Bandara, who faces an allegation involving more than 220 million rupees; the allegation is not reported here as a proven finding.