News Archive

Colombo stock market cap crosses Rs. 8 trillion for first time

The total market capitalization of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) crossed the Rs. 8 trillion mark for the very first time in history today with an impressive 40.48% year-to-date (YTD) growth. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  7:21 pm

Motor Traffic Dept. confirms no disruptions to its services

The Department of Motor Traffic states that its operations are continuing without any interruptions. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  1:41 pm

Suspected narcotics haul recovered from southern seas brought to Tangalle Harbour

UPDATE: The 51 packages discovered floating in the seas off the southern coast, recovered by the Sri Lanka Navy and brought to the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour, have been confirmed to contain ‘ice’ (crystal methamphetamine), hashish, and heroin, according to the Sri Lanka Navy. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  9:02 pm

Special meeting today to expedite restoration of online government services affected across 8 departments

A special meeting with relevant officials is scheduled to be held today to expedite the restoration of online government services that were disrupted, impacting eight departments. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  8:51 am

Court dismisses anticipatory bail application by Manusha Nanayakkara

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, seeking release prior to a possible arrest by the Bribery Commission. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  10:47 am

Ex-President Gotabaya clarifies media reports on Kataragama building

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa states that certain media outlets have incorrectly reported that a building constructed by another individual near the Menik Ganga in Kataragama belongs to him. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  11:54 am

Underworld figure ‘Bus Lalith’ arrested in Dubai

Notorious underworld figure Lalith Kannangara, also known as ‘Bus Lalith’, has been arrested in Dubai. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  12:36 pm

PM Harini holds talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is in Beijing for the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  12:27 pm

Trump ‘looking forward’ to Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire deal at ASEAN summit, Malaysia says

U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Malaysia on October 26, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Tuesday, adding that he was “looking forward” to witnessing a ceasefire deal between Southeast Asian neighbours Thailand and Cambodia. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  2:45 pm

Easter Sunday attacks: Court to hear petition on commission recommendations against Nilantha Jayawardena

The Court of Appeal today (14) ordered that a hearing be held on March 24, 2025 to examine the facts of a writ petition filed requesting that instructions be issued to the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police...MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  1:58 pm

US Travel Advisory for Sri Lanka updated

The United States of America has updated its travel advisory for Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  7:38 am

Over 62,000 tourists arrive in first 12 days of October

The number of tourists who arrived in the country in the first 12 days of October stood at 62,741, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  9:20 am

Israel says it opens fire on suspects in Gaza, local authorities report six killed

Israel’s military said it opened fire on Tuesday to remove a threat posed by suspects who approached its forces in the northern Gaza Strip, and health authorities in the enclave said at least six Palestinians had been killed by Israeli fire. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  4:53 pm

President directs officials to fully utilize funds allocated for this year’s dev projects

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that state officials have a vital responsibility as the key intermediary mechanism in ensuring that the benefits of government development projects reach the people. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  6:42 pm

China says will ‘fight to the end’ in US trade war

China said on Tuesday it was ready to “fight to the end” in a trade war with the United States after President Donald Trump said he would impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on the world’s second-largest economy. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  8:09 am

No change in electricity tariffs for next three months – PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided not to amend the existing electricity tariffs for this quarter. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  11:10 am

What you need to know as Microsoft ends Windows 10 support

Microsoft will cease customer support for its operating system Windows 10 on Oct. 14 and is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  8:52 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 today. MORE..

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

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

The Government of Sri Lanka has announced that, effective tomorrow (October 15), all foreign nationals eligible for a free tourist visa must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival in the country. MORE..

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

Several packages suspected to contain narcotics recovered in southern seas

A number of packages suspected to contain narcotics have been recovered by the Sri Lanka Navy while floating in seas off the Southern coast. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  12:07 pm

‘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

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

‘Ishara Sewwandi’ arrested in Nepal

‘Ishara Sewwandi’, the fugitive female suspect wanted in connection with the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ has reportedly been arrested in Nepal. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  7:49 am

Heavy showers above 100mm expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (14), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

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

Phone numbers of Australia PM and Donald Trump Jr publicly listed on website

The private phone numbers of several high-profile figures including Australia’s Prime Minister and Donald Trump Jr have been published on a US website. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  12:59 pm

Constable involved in Mt. Lavinia court incident transferred to Piliyandala Police

The police constable involved in the incident with a lawyer at the Mount Lavinia Court premises has been transferred from the Mount Lavinia Police Station to the Piliyandala Police Station. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  11:07 am

Local gold price hits another all-time high, price of 22-carat sovereign surges to Rs. 337,600

The price of a 22-carat gold sovereign in Sri Lanka has surpassed Rs. 330,000 for the first time today (14). MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  10:47 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

Three MRI scanners at Colombo National Hospital out of service?

Three MRI scanners at the Colombo National Hospital are currently non-operational, the Government Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  10:27 am

Shasheendra Rajapaksa granted bail

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, who was arrested and remanded by the Bribery Commission on allegations of offenses under the Public Property Act. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  12:17 pm

Taylor Swift net worth surpasses $2 billion following ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ album success

Taylor Swift’s net worth surpassed $2 billion by October 2025, with financial growth attributed to her latest album “The Life of a Showgirl” and additional major projects. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  3:40 pm

Indian officials seize drugs worth Rs 500 million trafficked from Sri Lanka

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

Cabinet approval to import Ponni Samba rice due to Keeri Samba shortage

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to allow rice importers to import up to 520 metric tons of Ponni Samba rice per importer without permits, as an alternative to Keeri Samba, which is reported to be in short supply in the local market. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  3:36 pm

Ex-Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne granted bail

The Kurunegala High Court has granted bail to former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), Admiral (Retired) Nishantha Ulugetenne.

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  11:35 am

Madagascar’s military takes power, says colonel

Madagascar’s military has taken charge of the Indian Ocean island, an army colonel said on Tuesday, after President Andry Rajoelina fled abroad during a standoff with youth-led protesters and security forces. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  9:49 pm

‘Ratama Ekata’ National Operation to combat drug menace gets Cabinet nod

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to establish a National Operational Council to implement an emergency rapid program titled “Ratama Ekata – National Operation,” an initiative which aims to eradicate the drug menace and rehabilitate drug addicts through broad public participation. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  4:03 pm

Cache of ammunition found near school in Thalawa

A stock of live ammunition and empty cartridges has been discovered near Mudunegama Maha Vidyalaya in Thalawa, earlier today (14). MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  11:41 am

At least 44 people dead after torrential rains in Mexico

At least 44 people were killed in Mexico after days of heavy rains and flooding, the government said on Sunday. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  9:46 am

Police reveal how Ishara Sewwandi fled to Nepal

Ishara Sewwandi, who is wanted as a main suspect in the murder of organized crime gang member Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, was arrested in Nepal following a special operation carried out in that country, under diplomatic assistance, Police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | October 14, 2025  2:39 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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