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Mobile users levied 20.3% tax on data, 38% on voice calls, TRC confirms
Mobile users levied 20.3% tax on data, 38% on voice calls, TRC confirms
Mobile phone users are required to pay a 20.3% tax on internet services and a 38% tax on regular voice calls, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has stated. MORE..
Major Green Card change proposed: No PR if immigrants likely to become dependent on govt
Major Green Card change proposed: No PR if immigrants likely to become dependent on govt
The Trump administration on Monday proposed giving immigration officers authority to deny permanent residency to lawfully present immigrants who use Medicaid or other food and housing assistance programs, arguing that “government benefits should not incentivize immigration” and that immigrants should be “self-reliant.”
Three SriLankan Airlines flights diverted
Three SriLankan Airlines flights diverted
Three international flights scheduled to land at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning have been diverted due to dense fog that significantly reduced visibility. MORE..
Budget 2026: Expenditure heads of Ministries of Public Administration and Labour to be debated today
Budget 2026: Expenditure heads of Ministries of Public Administration and Labour to be debated today
The expenditure heads of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the Ministry of Labour are scheduled to be debated in Parliament today (19). MORE..
Ronaldo attends White House meeting between Trump and Saudi crown prince
Ronaldo attends White House meeting between Trump and Saudi crown prince
Portugal’s soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday attended a White House meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. MORE..
Deputy FM Arun Hemachandra to attend EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum in Belgium
Deputy FM Arun Hemachandra to attend EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum in Belgium
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra is scheduled to leave for Belgium today (19), to attend the Fourth EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and services sectors expand in October
Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and services sectors expand in October
Sri Lanka’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for October 2025 recorded growth in both manufacturing and services sectors. MORE..
Train services along upcountry line restricted to Nanu Oya due to derailment
Train services along upcountry line restricted to Nanu Oya due to derailment
Train operations along the upcountry railway line are restricted to the Nanu Oya station due to a derailment, Sri Lanka Railways Department stated. MORE..
US Congress approves release of Epstein files
US Congress approves release of Epstein files
The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress voted almost unanimously on Tuesday to force the release of Justice Department files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an outcome President Donald Trump had fought for months before ending his opposition. MORE..
Education holds power to unite people politically, socially and economically – PM Harini
Education holds power to unite people politically, socially and economically – PM Harini
Education is a process of sharing collective knowledge and has the power to bring people together politically, socially and economically, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. MORE..
Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island
Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island
Several spells of showers are expected in the Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces today (19), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Donald Trump hosts Saudi crown prince Salman for pomp-filled, deal-making visit
Donald Trump hosts Saudi crown prince Salman for pomp-filled, deal-making visit
President Donald Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday, with the Saudi de facto ruler seeking to further rehabilitate his global image after the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and deepen ties with Washington. MORE..
Ex-President Mahinda to attend Nov. 21 Nugegoda rally
Ex-President Mahinda to attend Nov. 21 Nugegoda rally
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to participate in the rally organized by opposition parties led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), on 21 November. MORE..
| November 18, 2025 9:35 pm
US keen to expand defence cooperation with Sri Lanka - US Envoy Julie Chung
US keen to expand defence cooperation with Sri Lanka - US Envoy Julie Chung
The State Partnership Program (SPP) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Montana National Guard and the Ministry of Defence—signed on November 14 reinforces the shared commitment to transparency and trust, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has stated. MORE..
Govt. seeks structured programme to resolve issues faced by potato farmers
Govt. seeks structured programme to resolve issues faced by potato farmers
A discussion aimed at formulating a systematic programme to address the challenges of local potato farmers was held this morning (18) at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..
Namal accuses Govt. of ignoring professionals when preparing 2026 Budget
Namal accuses Govt. of ignoring professionals when preparing 2026 Budget
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) held a meeting today (18) with Namal Rajapaksa, the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). MORE..
Expenditure heads of Defence and Public Security ministries passed by majority vote
Expenditure heads of Defence and Public Security ministries passed by majority vote
The expenditure heads of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs were passed by a majority vote in Parliament this evening. MORE..
Couple shot dead in Unakuruwa, Tangalle
Couple shot dead in Unakuruwa, Tangalle
A couple has been killed in a shooting incident reported in Unakuruwa Tangalle, police stated. MORE..
| November 18, 2025 7:29 pm
Israeli PM Netanyahu calls for Hamas’ expulsion from the region, after UN vote
Israeli PM Netanyahu calls for Hamas’ expulsion from the region, after UN vote
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday called for Hamas to be expelled from the region, a day after the U.N. Security Council endorsed President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war that offers the Palestinian militant group amnesty. MORE..
Landslide early warnings issued for several districts
Landslide early warnings issued for several districts
Early landslide warning have been issued for several districts of the island owing to the prevailing heavy rain experienced in parts of the island. MORE..
President to call for report on recent Trincomalee incident from Public Security Ministry
President to call for report on recent Trincomalee incident from Public Security Ministry
A report will be called from the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security on the recent Trincomalee incident, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated. MORE..
| November 18, 2025 5:49 pm
Teacher arrested in connection with sexual abuse of Moratuwa school student remanded
Teacher arrested in connection with sexual abuse of Moratuwa school student remanded
A teacher, who was taken into custody in connection with the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old student, has been remanded. MORE..
Showers to reduce from tomorrow: Met. Dept.
Showers to reduce from tomorrow: Met. Dept.
The low pressure area located around Sri Lanka is gradually moving away from the island and therefore the showery weather condition over the country is likely to reduce from tomorrow (19), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Writ filed seeking order to prevent demolition of portion of Trincomalee Sambuddha Bodhiraja temple
Writ filed seeking order to prevent demolition of portion of Trincomalee Sambuddha Bodhiraja temple
A writ petition has been filed in the Court of Appeal requesting the issuance of an order to prevent the demolition of a portion of the Trincomalee Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya. MORE..
Gazette to be issued imposing price control on 350 types of medicines
Gazette to be issued imposing price control on 350 types of medicines
Controlled prices have been set for a wide range of medicines and relevant gazette notification will be issued shortly, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has announced. MORE..