The leader of the Sarvajana Balaya and Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera, in his Deepavali message, has stated that the festival symbolizes the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, while highlighting its significance in promoting inclusivity, humanity and harmony among all Sri Lankans.

Multiple loud booms were heard ​in ​the Saudi capital Riyadh ⁠shortly after ​Civil Defense ​issued an early-warning alert of a ​potential threat, ​a Reuters witness said, ‌as ⁠hostilities between the kingdom and Yemen's ​Iran-aligned ​Houthis ⁠persisted.

A Sri Lankan woman who had left for Saudi Arabia for overseas employment has remained missing for 14 years, according to reports from the Ambanpola area.

A strong 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook central Japan early Sunday (Nov 8), injuring dozens of people, shattering windows and disrupting train services, officials and local media said.

Investigations had been initiated by the Uppuveli Police and the Matara Police Special Task Force Camp into an incident in which an unidentified gunman had opened fire on two individuals travelling in the rear of a hired three-wheeler heading towards Kappalthurai Junction, and fled the scene.

A group of protesters, including Buddhist monks, continue to stage a Satyagraha campaign despite a court order directing them to vacate the sacred area surrounding the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

Marking Deepavali, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has highlighted the festival’s philosophical significance in overcoming oppression and injustice, noting that its underlying message is particularly relevant amid the current socio-economic challenges faced by the country.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in her Deepavali message, has stated that the festival symbolizes “the light over darkness and good over evil,” while providing an opportunity to dispel hatred, jealousy and ignorance and embrace wisdom and compassion.

Israel's president on Saturday chose Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, to try to form ​a new government following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power.

A gunman believed to have been inspired by far-right ideology has killed six people and injured more than a dozen others in an attack in the busy centre of Poland's second largest city.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his Deepavali message has extended his greetings to the Hindu community, highlighting the festival’s significance as a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Showers or thunder showers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m, today (08), the Department of Meteorology said.

Due to the prevailing heavy rainfall, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide early warnings under Levels 1 and 2 for several Divisional Secretariat Divisions across eight districts.

The Department of Irrigation has taken steps to open two additional spill gates of the Deduru Oya Reservoir by one foot each, following an increase in the volume of water flowing into the reservoir.

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.