News Archive

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island

Atmospheric conditions are getting favorable for evening thundershowers in most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  5:46 am

Four arrested in Maharagama with 1.5kg of heroin and ‘Ice’

Four individuals, including a woman, have been arrested in Maharagama for the possession of 1.5 kilograms of heroin and 680 grams of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’), said police. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  9:14 am

Drowning incidents on the rise due to negligence - DMC

The number of fatal drownings in rivers, tanks and reservoirs has seen a sharp increase in recent times, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  8:27 am

President reviews final draft of 2026 Budget

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reviewed the final draft of the 2026 Budget proposals.

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  10:41 am

Donald Trump blasts Democrats as government shutdown becomes longest ever

US President Donald Trump accused “kamikaze” Democrats of being prepared to destroy the country as the government shutdown became the longest in history on Wednesday (Nov 5), eclipsing the 35-day record set during the Republican leader’s first term. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  5:48 am

Teen missing after being swept away by strong currents at Talalla beach

A youth, who was bathing at the Talalla beach had been swept away by strong currents, the Gandara Police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  7:52 am

Sajith backs India’s bid for permanent UN Security Council seat

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa has backed India’s long-pending bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, calling it a recognition of “global power realities” and that he will continue to support that effort. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  6:32 am

New taxes unlikely in 2026 budget, analysts suggest

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will unveil the national budget on Friday, emphasizing economic reforms to meet IMF targets critical to unlocking further financing from the global lender and attracting investment to revitalise growth. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  10:42 am

Case against Yoshitha and his grandmother fixed for pre-trial conference

The Colombo High Court today ordered that the case filed by the Attorney General against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grandmother, Daisy Forrest, alleging offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, be called for a pre-trial conference on November 12. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  11:05 am

Amazon recovers from disruption as user reports fall sharply, Downdetector says

Amazon website recovered for most users in the United States on Wednesday, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  7:31 am

US orders 10% flights cut at major US airports due to shutdown

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned there will be a 10% reduction in air travel capacity at 40 major airports in the US starting Friday morning, if the government shutdown continues. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  8:56 am

Fire at matchbox factory in Pallekele brought under control

The fire which broke out at a matchbox factory located within the industrial zone in Pallekele, Kandy last evening, has been brought under control, police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  5:47 am

980 arrested, over 3kg of heroin seized during island-wide anti-drug raids

A total of 980 individuals have been arrested during island-wide raids conducted yesterday (05) with the aim of eradicating narcotics from the country as part of the “Nation United – National Drive” campaign. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  9:52 am

Trump administration has revoked 80,000 non-immigrant visas, US official says

US President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked around 80,000 non-immigrant visas since its inauguration on January 20 for offenses ranging from driving under the influence to assault and theft, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  7:27 am

Second budget of NPP government to Parliament tomorrow

The second budget of the National People’s Power government is scheduled to be presented to Parliament tomorrow (07). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  7:06 am

Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan to reunite for Thalaivar 173

Superstar Rajinikanth is set to headline a new film, ‘Thalaivar 173’, which will be directed by Sundar C and produced by Kamal Haasan. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  10:41 am

PMK founder Ramadoss demands voting rights for Sri Lankan Tamils

PMK founder S Ramadoss has urged the Central and State Governments to take immediate steps to grant voting rights to Sri Lankan Tamils residing in Tamil Nadu. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  8:43 am

Philippines declares state of emergency after Typhoon Kalmaegi

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on Thursday after Typhoon Kalmaegi left at least 114 people dead and more than 100 missing in central provinces in the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country this year. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 6, 2025  11:04 am

Tsunami mock drill to be held in four districts today

A tsunami mock drill covering the entire island is scheduled to be held today (05) in conjunction with World Tsunami Awareness Day. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  7:21 am

India, Nepal lead push for South Asian energy integration

Officials from Nepal and India agreed to enhance cross-border electricity exchange and strengthen transmission infrastructure at the 17th Joint Technical Team meeting in Pokhara, Nepal. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  7:27 pm

At least three killed after UPS plane crashes in Kentucky, erupts into ball of fire

At least three people were killed and 11 injured after a UPS wide-body cargo plane crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, erupting into a massive fireball shortly after takeoff, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on Tuesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  6:46 am

NPP councilor’s husband arrested with over 1kg of heroin

A principal of a primary school in Eppawala, Anuradhapura has been arrested with over a kilogram of heroin, police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  6:30 pm

Sri Lanka gears to strengthen copyright law

A committee has been appointed to strengthen copyright law in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  7:57 pm

Suspect arrested with firearm and ‘Ice’ in Mulleriyawa

A suspect has been arrested with a firearm and a quantity of the narcotic substance ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) in the Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha area of Mulleriyawa. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  12:51 pm

China bans foreign AI chips from state-funded data centres

The Chinese government has issued guidance requiring new data centre projects that have received any state funds to only use domestically-made artificial intelligence chips, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  3:08 pm

Miss Universe president slams Thai director for Miss Universe Mexico ‘dumb’ remarks

Raul Rocha, the president of Miss Universe Organization, released a video on Wednesday condemning the actions of Nawat Itsaragrisil, director of Miss Universe Thailand, who was seen reprimanding Miss Universe contestants during a livestream on Tuesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  4:16 pm

Typhoon Kalmaegi kills at least 58 in the Philippines, heads toward Vietnam

At least 58 people were dead after Typhoon Kalmaegi left a trail of destruction in the central Philippines and continued to batter parts of Palawan island on Wednesday as it headed toward the South China Sea. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  8:50 am

Israeli minister slams New York mayor elect Mamdani as ‘Hamas supporter’

Israel’s diaspora minister on Wednesday slammed New York’s leftist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as a “Hamas supporter” and called on the city’s Jews to move to Israel following his victory. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  4:25 pm

Jaishankar meets Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, discusses ties and regional cooperation

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday met Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in New Delhi and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s progress and development under its “Neighbourhood First” policy. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  8:36 am

Four killed in separate road accidents over the past 24 hours

Four individuals, including two youths, have died in four separate road accidents reported from different areas across the island during the past 24 hours, police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  9:58 am

Bodies of four persons drowned in Deduru Oya found

Bodies of four persons who were reported missing after drowning in the Deduru Oya have been found, police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  6:58 pm

Zohran Mamdani elected New York City’s first Muslim Mayor

New Yorkers elected leftist Zohran Mamdani as their next Mayor Tuesday (November 4, 2025) broadcasters projected, on a day of key local ballots across the country offering the first electoral judgement of Donald Trump’s tumultuous second White House term. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  8:34 am

Submission of Income Tax Returns for the Assessment Year 2024/2025

The Department of Inland Revenue has issued a notice regarding the submission of Income Tax Returns for the assessment year 2024/2025. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  8:13 am

Eight arrested for illegal excavation of artifacts in Rideemaliyadda

A total of eight individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the illegal excavations carried out in the Urakote Kanda area of Rideemaliyadda this morning (05), allegedly in search of hidden treasures. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  4:37 pm

Popular South Indian actor Sarath Kumar arrives in Sri Lanka

Popular South Indian film actor Sarath Kumar arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (05). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  3:05 pm

No Ministry approval to drive wild elephants into forest reserves – Spokesperson

The Ministry of Environment has not granted approval for the on-going campaign launched to drive away wild elephants that have entered villages into forest reserves in Hambantota and Anuradhapura, according to a senior spokesperson of the Ministry. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  2:45 pm

Suspicious parcel found washed ashore at Katukurunda Beach

A parcel suspected to contain narcotics has been discovered washed ashore at the Katukurunda Beach, within the Kalutara South Police Division, this morning (05). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  9:38 am

CBSL Governor prepared to appear before Parliament to provide answers

If there are delays in providing answers to questions raised by Members of Parliament regarding Sri Lanka’s economy, Central Bank representatives are prepared to appear before Parliament and provide answers directly, Governor of the Central Bank Nandalal Weerasinghe has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  2:01 pm

Four missing after drowning in Deduru Oya

Four individuals have gone missing this afternoon (05) after bathing in the Deduru Oya, police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  5:37 pm

More details revealed on Ambalangoda shooting incident

Further information has been revealed regarding the fatal shooting of a businessman in front of the main public library belonging to the Ambalangoda Urban Council yesterday (04) morning. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  12:54 pm

10 arrested with narcotics at party organised through Facebook

A total of 10 individuals have been taken into custody along with narcotics during a raid conducted at a party which was organized through Facebook in Gorakana Panadura, police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  5:09 pm

Reddit added to Australia’s social media ban on under-16s

Popular forum site Reddit has been added to Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16 that starts next month. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  4:54 pm

Sri Lanka – UAE joint commission concludes in Colombo

The Second Session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates has been successfully concluded in Colombo. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  3:44 pm

38kg of cannabis seized in Kalpitiya

A stock of 38kg of cannabis has been seized during a search operation conducted in the Uchchamunai Lagoon in Kalpitiya by the Sri Lanka Navy. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  3:19 pm

Suspicious parcel found at Katukurunda Beach contains ‘Hashish’ worth over Rs. 30 mln: Police

It has been revealed that the parcel suspected to contain narcotics, discovered this morning (05) at the Katukurunda Beach within the Kalutara South Police Division, contains a stock of ‘hashish.’ MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  11:47 am

Typhoon death toll soars past 90 in the Philippines

The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines climbed past 90 on Wednesday as the devastating impact on hard-hit Cebu province became clearer after the worst flooding in recent memory. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  1:33 pm

Over 700 persons arrested in special police raids

A total of 736 individuals have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in criminal activities and also over illicit liquor and drug-related offenses during a special island-wide operation conducted yesterday (04). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  2:03 pm

8th China International Import Expo opens in Shanghai

The latest edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, opened on Wednesday in Shanghai. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  2:28 pm

Few showers expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Northern and Uva provinces and in Trincomalee district after 2.00 p.m., today (05), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  6:34 am

Head of UK’s richest family dies aged 85

The head of Britain’s richest family, Gopichand Hinduja, has died aged 85. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 5, 2025  11:19 am