Hot News
World’s biggest spiderweb home to more than 110,000 spiders discovered on the Albanian-Greek border
World’s biggest spiderweb home to more than 110,000 spiders discovered on the Albanian-Greek border
Researchers have discovered more than 111,000 spiders thriving in what appears to be the world’s largest spider web, deep inside a pitch-black cave on the Albanian-Greek border. MORE..
STF nab 03 suspects with large haul of heroin in Galle
STF nab 03 suspects with large haul of heroin in Galle
The Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested three individuals today (08) in possession of a large quantity of heroin during a raid conducted in the Seenigama area of Galle, police said. MORE..
Bail applications of Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando rejected
Bail applications of Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando rejected
The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has ordered the rejection of bail applications filed by former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who were convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment in the “carrom board case”, as both have filed appeals against their sentences. MORE..
2026 Budget Debate to begin today
2026 Budget Debate to begin today
The debate on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 is scheduled to commence today (08) and will continue for six days, until November 14. MORE..
James Watson, famous geneticist and Nobel Prize co-winner in the structure of DNA, dies at 97
James Watson, famous geneticist and Nobel Prize co-winner in the structure of DNA, dies at 97
James Watson, a renowned molecular biologist and one of the Nobel Prize winners for discovering the structure of DNA, died Thursday after a brief illness, according to a statement from his former employer. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island
The Meteorology Department states that showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. MORE..
US travelers scramble to adjust as airlines cut flights because of shutdown
US travelers scramble to adjust as airlines cut flights because of shutdown
Hundreds of flight cancellations spread across the U.S. on Friday as airlines began complying with the Federal Aviation Administration’s unprecedented order to reduce service nationwide because of the government shutdown. MORE..
One injured in shooting at Kotahena
One injured in shooting at Kotahena
A shooting incident has been reported in the Kotahena area in Colombo. MORE..
Our Power of People Party decides to extend its support to Govt.
Our Power of People Party decides to extend its support to Govt.
The Ape Janabala Party (Our Power of People Party) has decided to extend its support to the current government. MORE..
75,000 individuals to absorbed to the state sector - President
75,000 individuals to absorbed to the state sector - President
The state administrative system has been significantly weakened due to the lack of proper recruitment to fill vacancies in the public service for many years, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated. MORE..
2026 Budget: Projected revenue at Rs. 5.3 bln, Budget deficit 1.75 bln
2026 Budget: Projected revenue at Rs. 5.3 bln, Budget deficit 1.75 bln
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (07) presented the 2026 budget speech in Parliament, the second of the National People’s Power-led government. MORE..
President Anura Kumara’s full Budget Speech 2026
President Anura Kumara’s full Budget Speech 2026
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, presented his second Budget Speech in the Parliament today (Nov. 7). MORE..
| November 7, 2025 5:53 pm
Govt allocates Rs. 2 bln to establish new Inland Revenue Department complex
Govt allocates Rs. 2 bln to establish new Inland Revenue Department complex
The government has proposed to allocate Rs. 2,000 million to establish a new office complex for the Department of Inland Revenue after selecting a suitable location among the proposed sites and conducting a feasibility study. MORE..
Govt. proposes changes to Social Security Contribution Levy on vehicles
Govt. proposes changes to Social Security Contribution Levy on vehicles
The government has proposed to charge the social security contribution levy at the time of import or manufacture and sale of vehicles, and exempt it tax at the time of after-sales. MORE..
Govt. allocates Rs. 3.6 bln to expand SLTB long-distance bus fleet
Govt. allocates Rs. 3.6 bln to expand SLTB long-distance bus fleet
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, presenting the 2026 Budget, announced plans to strengthen the public transportation sector by adding 600 buses to the long-distance service fleet operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). MORE..
VAT registration threshold reduced to Rs. 36 million from Rs. 60 million
VAT registration threshold reduced to Rs. 36 million from Rs. 60 million
The government has decided to reduce the annual turnover threshold for the registration of Value Added Tax and Social Security Contribution Levy from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million. MORE..
VAT to be imposed on imported coconut oil and palm oil
VAT to be imposed on imported coconut oil and palm oil
The government has proposed to remove the Special Commodity Levy on imported coconut oil and palm oil and implement the general tax structure including Value Added Tax. MORE..
Total number of registered taxpayers increased by 300,000 in one year – President
Total number of registered taxpayers increased by 300,000 in one year – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the total number of registered taxpayers in Sri Lanka has increased by 300,000 as of September 30, 2025 compared to 2024. MORE..
Govt. allocates Rs. 100 mln to boost Sri Lanka’s blue economy
Govt. allocates Rs. 100 mln to boost Sri Lanka’s blue economy
The government has allocated Rs. 100 million to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential economic benefits of Sri Lanka’s blue economy, recognizing its vital role in national prosperity and sustainable development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated. MORE..
No vehicle permits for MPs in future – President
No vehicle permits for MPs in future – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the issuance of vehicle permits for Members of Parliament will not be issued in future. MORE..
Pradeep Nilanga Dela elected as Diyawadana Nilame of Dalada Maligawa for third term
Pradeep Nilanga Dela elected as Diyawadana Nilame of Dalada Maligawa for third term
Pradeep Nilanga Dela has been elected as the Diyawadana Nilame of the Kandy Dalada Maligawa for a third term. MORE..
Govt. proposes ‘A Safe Home for Every Individual’
Govt. proposes ‘A Safe Home for Every Individual’
The government has decided to implement a housing development programme in 2026 with a new approach encompassing all social groups facing housing issues. MORE..
Public servants to receive increased loan facilities and welfare benefits under Budget 2026
Public servants to receive increased loan facilities and welfare benefits under Budget 2026
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his 2026 Budget Speech, announced several new measures to provide financial and welfare benefits to public sector employees. MORE..
Rs. 110 billion allocated for second phase of public sector salary revisions – President
Rs. 110 billion allocated for second phase of public sector salary revisions – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, presenting the 2026 Budget, announced several key measures concerning public sector salaries and pensions to ensure sustainability and fairness within the system. MORE..
Govt. proposes facilities to care of street dogs and burial of pets in Kesbewa and Piliyandala
Govt. proposes facilities to care of street dogs and burial of pets in Kesbewa and Piliyandala
The government has decided to implement a pilot project in Kesbewa and Piliyandala with the aim of allocating facilities to take care of stray dogs and pets and also places for the burial and cremation of pets. MORE..