Tens of thousands of people, mostly students and workers, ​took to the streets across Italy on Friday to demand ‌higher wages and stronger public services, protest against the rising cost of living and oppose increased military spending.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed Sri Lanka today (31) from Bandaranaike International Airport to participate in the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

A programme to fix microchips on stray dogs to collect and maintain their information has been initiated under the intervention of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has announced that Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya will lead the Sri Lankan delegation to the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2026),

The Inland Revenue Department has announced that presenting a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) will be mandatory from tomorrow (01) when carrying out several specified transactions.

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has announced that online appointment facilities for obtaining services at its Narahenpita office will resume from November 2, 2026.

Based on intelligence received by military intelligence, a suspect has been arrested along with “Ice” (crystal methamphetamine) by the Panadura Division Crimes Investigation Bureau.

A Panama-flagged oil tanker carrying 27 Indian seafarers was struck by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, triggering a fire in its engine room and temporarily disabling the vessel. All crew members were safe and no injuries were reported, the government said.

A discussion on environmental issues affecting Muthurajawela, Negombo Lagoon and the Gampaha District was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The United States has approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, a critically-needed munition for defence against escalating Russian aerial attacks.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has stated that 18 districts across the island have been affected by adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’.

The National System Operator (NSO) has submitted a preliminary investigation report to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) regarding the island-wide power outage that occurred on October 17.

A 46-year-old woman has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in connection with an alleged online financial fraud involving Rs. 1.455 million.

Oil prices jumped more than 2 per cent on Friday and settled at their highest levels since the end of April, as traders braced for a potential escalation in the Iran war after the US midterm elections, with an attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz highlighting supply risks.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with an alleged financial fraud amounting to Rs. 59.65 million involving a private company.