At least three persons, including a woman, have reportedly died, while four others have sustained injuries following a collision between an SLTB bus and a van at Mahena, Warakapola, along the Colombo–Kandy road, police said.

Officials of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) informed a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat that the main cause of the flash floods in Colombo yesterday (06) was the exceptionally heavy rainfall of approximately 129 mm within one hour.

The Excise Department has taken steps to close liquor outlets in several areas of the island tomorrow (08) in observance of the Deepavali festival.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for heavy rainfall in multiple areas across fourteen districts.

Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar has stated that the city’s drainage system, which was developed over the years to accommodate rainfall of approximately 30mm, was overwhelmed by the unusually heavy rainfall of 129mm recorded yesterday, resulting in flooding in several areas.

Manoj Muthukumarana, alias “Kaiwaru Muthu,” a suspected member of an organised criminal gang, has been remanded until November 19.

At least four persons are reportedly missing and feared drowned while bathing in a stream at Bevaraliya in Deniyaya, according to police.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya returned to Sri Lanka today (07), following her participation in the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 held in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber-level advisory for severe lightning affecting several areas across the island.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax will be revised through the 2027 Budget, which is scheduled to be presented to Parliament next week.

Two individuals have been taken into custody following a tense situation that arose during an attempt to stage a Satyagraha campaign by several Buddhist monks near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura.

A tense situation has reportedly unfolded at the ‘Dansal’ premises near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura, following an attempt by a group, including several Buddhist monks, to commence a ‘Satyagraha’ campaign.

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has stated that the government is currently drafting new legislation aimed at abolishing the manpower labour system operating in the country.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reported the highest rainfall of 146.6 mm in Thimbirigasyaya, followed by 125.5 mm in Mattakkuliya and 117.6 mm in Bopagama during the 24-hour period ending at 6.00 a.m. today (07).

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday that the Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $20 million for information about Iran's nuclear program.

In view of the Deepavali festival, which falls tomorrow (08), a special school holiday has been declared for next Monday (09) for all Tamil-medium schools in the Central, Uva, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

Police stated that a 50-year-old resident of Karadiyana, Piliyandala, was arrested in possession of 75 litres of illicit liquor (100 bottles) during a raid conducted in the Karadiyana area yesterday (06).

A foreign passenger attempting to smuggle a consignment of “Kush” and “Hashish” narcotics, valued at around Rs. 231.42 million, out of the country through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), was arrested in the early hours of today (07)