The leader of the United Republic Front Patali Champika Ranawaka has claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake granted presidential pardons to 285 people convicted by the courts on Independence Day in 2025 and another 49 in 2026.

Investigators have received credible information suggesting that Shiran Basik, described as a major drug trafficker who was arrested following his deportation from Dubai, may also have been involved in illegal arms trafficking, the Court of Appeal was told today (19).

Sri Lanka Customs officers have seized a consignment of narcotics worth more than Rs. 67.53 million during a special operation conducted at the Colombo Central Mail Exchange.

Sanjaya Samarasinghe, the private secretary to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

A woman and a child were injured after a car collided with two other vehicles before veering off the road and crashing into them in the Wattakkaliya area along the Chilaw–Colombo main road.

The Foreign Ministry has clarified the Deputy PM of Thailand, Suphajee Suthumpun visited Sri Lanka in a private capacity to attend the enshrinement ceremony, following criticism by the UNP over the alleged failure to provide appropriate diplomatic courtesies during her visit.

European governments on Monday advised citizens travelling to France to avoid large crowds and exercise caution, warning of a deterioration in security conditions after thousands were arrested and shops looted in protests over the weekend.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a special expert committee to investigate all aspects of the death of the tusker Kawanthissa, which occurred in the Siyambalangamuwa area of Galgamuwa on or around October 16.

Officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) have recorded a statement lasting approximately four hours from Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero.

The sudden drop in output from a generator at the Norochcholai Power Plant was identified as the direct cause of the island-wide power outage that occurred at 11:43 a.m. on October 17, officials said.

Oil prices slipped on Monday as investors booked profits from the multi-month highs hit at the end of last week, with the focus remaining on the potential for the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine to alter the global oil supply-demand balance.

The PUCSL has granted permission to impose one-hour power cuts from today (19) if the National System Operator (NSO) is compelled to implement demand management measures due to insufficient electricity generation following the unavailability of the Lakvijaya Power Station.

The two main suspects arrested in connection with the shooting of the tusker Kawanthissa have been remanded until October 28.

The UNP has criticised the present government over its alleged failure to provide diplomatic courtesies and security to Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Suphajee Suthumpun during her recent visit to Sri Lanka, describing the incident as evidence of the government’s immature foreign policy.

The National System Operator (NSO) has requested the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and the Ministry of Energy to implement one-hour power cuts across four zones in Sri Lanka over three days, starting today (19).

The government is deeply saddened by the death of the Tusker Kavanthissa, a national treasure who sustained severe injuries from gunshot wounds, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated.

Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila has filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal challenging a court order prohibiting protests in the Colombo Fort area.

The Speaker of House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (19) endorsed the certificate on the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, officially enacting it as the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2026, the Department of Communication of Parliament announced.