News Archive

Showers expected in several provinces after 1pm

Showers or thundershowers will occur at most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m.

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  5:40 am

IMF chief says world lacks ethical, regulatory base to manage rise of AI

Countries around the world lack the regulatory and ethical foundations needed to manage the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Monday (Oct 13), urging civil society groups to “ring the alarm bells.” MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  6:48 am

‘Now the rebuilding begins,’ says Trump as he signs Gaza peace plan

US President Donald Trump and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey have signed a declaration for bringing peace to Gaza at a summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el- Sheikh. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  5:41 am

Foreign nationals eligible for free tourist visa must obtain ETA prior to arrival in Sri Lanka from Oct. 15

All foreign nationals eligible for free tourist visa must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival in Sri Lanka from 15 October. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  7:15 am

Will electricity tariffs increase?

The final decision regarding the revision of electricity tariffs will be announced by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today (14). MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  5:44 am

Officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) India have seized drugs worth around Rs 500 million illegally transported from Colombo to Bengaluru. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  7:02 am

New time-based tariff scheme for BESS approved

The government has approved the introduction of a Time-Based Tariff Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems integrated with Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic installations, the Ceylon Electricity Board said in a statement. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  6:24 am

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe to represent Sri Lanka at WTO Trade Policy Review in Geneva

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe is scheduled to attend the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Policy Review (TPR) of Sri Lanka, as well as the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  9:07 pm

Benjamin Netanyahu to attend summit in Egypt with Donald Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will attend Monday’s summit on ending the Gaza war in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, an Egyptian presidential spokesperson said. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  3:04 pm

Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt for innovation-driven growth research

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt won the 2025 Nobel economics prize for “having explained innovation-driven economic growth”, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  3:27 pm

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Northwestern provinces and in Mannar district, today (13), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  6:28 am

Mount Lavinia Police HQI transferred with immediate effect

The Police Headquarters Inspector (HQI) of Mount Lavinia, H.T.M. Thushara, has been transferred with immediate effect. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  10:34 am

Govt attaches great importance to relations with China: PM Harini

Sri Lanka-China relations boast a long history and bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results, said Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  10:00 pm

PM Harini reaffirms Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and equality

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls, and to translating principles into practical action for equality and dignity. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  12:32 pm

All 20 living Israeli hostages released by Hamas

Israeli media say a second group of 13 hostages has been handed over to the Red Cross in southern Gaza and is on its way back to Israel. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  1:38 pm

Trump says Gaza war has ended; Israel awaits release of hostages

The war in Gaza has ended and the Middle East is going to “normalize,” U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday as he flew to Israel, which was waiting for Hamas to release Israeli hostages as world leaders were gathering to discuss the next steps toward peace. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  6:36 am

78th session of WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia begins in Colombo today

The 78th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia will be held in Colombo from today (13) to 15 October 2025. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  10:04 am

Trump arrives in Israel as Hamas begins releasing hostages

US President Donald Trump has touched down in Tel Aviv as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire reached a pivotal point on Monday (Oct 13). MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  1:03 pm

New Secretary appointed to Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  4:26 pm

Trains delayed along coastal line

Train services on the coastal line have been delayed due to a mound of earth collapsing on to the railway tracks in the Magalkanda area of Beruwala, the Department of Railways announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  7:00 am

45 arrested by Navy for engaging in illegal fishing activities

The Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended 45 individuals involved in illegal fishing practices during a series of operations conducted between September 29 and October 7, 2025. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  6:08 pm

President holds special discussion on proposed wage increase for plantation workers

A discussion regarding the proposed wage increase for plantation workers was held this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the participation of representatives from plantation companies. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  8:25 pm

In bid to save shipyards, US set to charge fees on Chinese ships

An escalating trade war between China and the United States faces another flashpoint on Tuesday (Oct 14) when Chinese ships will be required to start paying a special fee to dock at US ports. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  8:40 am

34-year-old hacked to death by brother in Kurunegala

A person has been hacked to death with a sharp weapon allegedly by his own brother in the Galgamuwa area of Kurunegala. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  11:02 am

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in several provinces and districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  3:56 pm

Police seek to arrest senior attorney over incident at Mount Lavinia court premises

Police officers have visited the residence of the senior attorney connected to the incident in which a police officer allegedly assaulted an attorney within the Mount Lavinia court premises, in order to arrest him. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  7:57 am

Development officer in Niyagama arrested for aiding and abetting bribery

A Development Officer attached to the Niyagama Divisional Secretariat has been arrested today (13) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), on suspicion of aiding and abetting the acceptance of a bribe. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  4:57 pm

Foreign remittances reach $695 million in September

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has stated that Sri Lankan migrant workers sent a total of US $695.7 million in remittances to the country in September this year. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  9:25 am

Madagascar’s president has left the country after Gen Z protests: Officials

Madagascar’s president has fled the African nation, the head of the opposition and other officials said on Monday (Oct 13), the second time that young protesters have toppled a government in weeks of worldwide Gen Z unrest. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  8:38 pm

38 buses carrying Palestinian prisoners arrive in Gaza - with all living hostages back in Israel

Hamas has confirmed that the first of 38 buses carrying Palestinian prisoners from Israel has arrived in Gaza. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  3:18 pm

PM Harini meets China’s top political advisor in Beijing

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women has held discussions with China’s top political advisor Wang Huning today (13). MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  6:58 pm

SC rules police violated fundamental rights of bus owner by unlawfully arresting him

The Supreme Court has ruled that a group of six police officers, including the former Officer-in-Charge of the Kottawa Police Station, violated the fundamental rights of a private bus owner by unlawfully arresting him without just cause. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  7:25 pm

Landslide warnings issued for several areas in seven districts

Early landslide warnings have been issued for multiple areas in seven districts as heavy rainfall continues in parts of the island. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  9:40 pm

Police officer arrested over Mt. Lavinia court incident granted bail

A Police Constable who was arrested and remanded after allegedly assaulting an attorney within the premises of the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court on Friday (10) has been granted bail, a short while ago. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  11:17 am

SC to take up FR filed seeking an order to prevent mineral mining on Mannar Island

The Supreme Court has ordered that a Fundamental Rights petition filed seeking an order to prevent alleged illegal mineral mining on Mannar Island be called on February 10, 2026 for consideration. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  2:05 pm

Three vendors fined by Ratnapura and Matugama courts for selling goods at inflated prices

Three vendors who pleaded guilty to selling goods at inflated prices have been fined today (13) by the Ratnapura and Matugama Magistrate Courts. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  7:55 pm

Health Minister elected chair of WHO’s 78th South-East Asia Regional Committee session

The 78th session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia got underway in Colombo today, with Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa elected as chairman for a one-year term. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  6:28 pm

Ex-President Sirisena questioned for five hours by Bribery Commission

Former President Maithripala Sirisena appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (13). MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  2:36 pm

BMD certificate system, e-revenue license system and several online government services disrupted due to Lanka Government Cloud outage

Due to a disruption in the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC), several online services managed by various government organizations have been temporarily affected, the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  1:53 pm

Israeli lawmakers display ‘genocide’ poster during Trump’s speech, removed

Two Israeli lawmakers, Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, displayed poster reading ‘genocide’ during US President Donald Trump’s speech at the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, on Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  5:12 pm

Hamas publishes names of 20 Israeli hostages to be released

Palestinian group Hamas published on Monday the names of the 20 Israeli hostages to be released under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  11:24 am

Hamas hands over first seven hostages to Red Cross as part of Gaza ceasefire

Hamas released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday, the first to be released as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  11:49 am

Sri Lanka remains committed to working closely with BIMSTEC: FM

Sri Lanka remains committed to working closely with BIMSTEC to harness the potential of science, technology and innovation for regional prosperity and resilience, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  5:39 pm

Two killed in separate road accidents

Two individuals have died in separate road accidents reported in Pooneryn and Hungama areas yesterday (12), police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  8:22 am

Netanyahu nominates Israel’s ‘greatest friend’ Donald Trump for country’s highest award

Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that he has submitted Donald Trump’s nomination to be the first non-Israeli recipient of the Israel Prize - the country’s highest award. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  4:41 pm

Fire breaks out at building on Bauddhaloka Mawatha

A fire has broken out at a building located on Bauddhaloka Mawatha in Colombo. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  3:44 pm

Sri Lanka calls for global investment partnerships ahead of Economic and Investment Summit 2025

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra called for international business and investment partnership to be enabled during the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 to be held in Colombo in December this year. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  12:13 pm

President Trump lands in Egypt for peace summit

United States President Donald Trump landed in Egypt on Monday, where he will attend the Gaza ceasefire summit in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, according to the White House. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  8:02 pm

42 people killed as bus crashes on mountain road in South Africa

At least 42 people have been killed in a bus crash on a steep mountain road in South Africa, authorities have said. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  7:08 pm

Donald Trump touts ‘dawn of a new Middle East’ in address to Israeli parliament

US President Donald Trump has told cheering Israeli lawmakers that “this is the historic dawn of a new Middle East”, after helping to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 13, 2025  5:03 pm