Land Bank to be set up for industrial development, Minister

A land bank will soon be set up to acquire land suitable for industrial development, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnethi said.

Nigerian hacks Senior DIG’s WhatsApp, Rs. 400,000 defrauded

The Colombo Cyber Crimes Division informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate that investigations have been conducted into a Nigerian national suspected of hacking the WhatsApp account of a senior police officer and defrauding Rs. 400,000.

DMT suspends issuance of three-wheeler licences to foreigners

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) announced that it has temporarily halted the issuance of driving licences for foreign nationals seeking to operate three-wheelers in Sri Lanka.

Nalinda possessed by Ranil?: Ajith P. Perera

It appears that Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa has been influenced by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera told Parliament today.

Meta alerts young Australians to download their data before a social media ban

Technology giant Meta on Thursday began sending thousands of young Australians a two-week warning to downland their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram and Threads before a world-first social media ban on accounts of children younger than 16 takes effect.

Severe Triphosha shortage reported in maternity and children’s hospitals

A severe shortage of Triphosha has been reported in many maternity and children’s hospitals across the country, Federation of Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Unions Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

Helmsman who was on his phone when South Korea ferry ran aground, arrested

Arrests have been made after a ferry ran aground on rocks off South Korea’s south-east coast, according to media reports.

Special traffic plan for Opposition rally in Nugegoda

A special traffic plan has been implemented for the opposition rally scheduled at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda tomorrow.

Sajith wants MPs protected from snakes in Parliament

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged Speaker Jagath Wickremerathna to ensure that Members of Parliament are protected from snakes that enter Parliament.

UNICEF’s “Little Amaya – See Me, Hear Me” exhibit opens at Lotus Tower

Sri Lanka marked World Children’s Day and the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child with the official opening of Little Amaya – See Me, Hear Me, an immersive, interactive child-rights experience and art exhibition at the Lotus Tower.

NPP’s Tangalle UC budget defeated

The inaugural budget of the Tangalle Urban Council, which is under the control of the National People’s Power (NPP), has been defeated.

Order for LECO Chairman’s vehicle cancelled: Minister

The order placed for a vehicle for the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) Chairman has been cancelled and an inquiry has been launched into the order of the vehicle, Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said today.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Who Can Still Make It?

Who Has Already Qualified? With the latest round of matches, 42 of the 48 spots are now filled. Here’s the full breakdown by region:

Complaint lodged with Bribery Commission over 18 CPSTL TU members: Minister

A complaint was lodged with the Bribery Commission over an illegal payment of Rs. 1,067,000 to 18 trade union members of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., (CPSTL) as salaries and overtime payments, Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said today.

Sri Lanka among top 50 travel destinations for 2026

Sri Lanka has been named one of the “50 Best Places to Travel in 2026” by the magazine Travel + Leisure.

Yatiyanthota Pradeshiya Sabha 2026 budget defeated

The 2026 budget of the Yatiyanthota Pradeshiya Sabha, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), was defeated today by a margin of four votes.

Health authorities warn of rising misuse of antibiotics

Health authorities have raised alarm over the widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics, cautioning that such practices are accelerating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and could render common treatments for infections increasingly ineffective.

27 Indian fishermen repatriated from Sri Lanka

A group of 27 Indian fishermen were repatriated to India today, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said.

Smoking among schoolchildren on the rise: Expert

Smoking among schoolchildren is on the increase, according to Consultant Respiratory Physician Dr. Duminda Yasaratne.

No decision to change nurses’ uniform: Heath Minister

The government has not taken any decision to change the uniform of the nursing officers, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Pressure mounts on Govt. as Easter Sunday probe lacks results

The recent remarks made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament have cast doubt on the integrity of the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks after he revealed that critical evidence had gone missing, potentially hindering the ongoing probe.

Three nabbed at BIA with Rs. 40 million worth of ’Kush’

Three passengers were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night (19) after attempting to carry out of the airport a stock of ’Kush’ drugs valued at Rs. 40 million.

Sapugaskanda refinery to be developed on build, operate and transfer basis: Minister

The Sapugaskanda refinery development project, which will be on a build, operate and transfer basis (BOT), will begin soon, Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody told Parliament today.

Police to get DIG in charge of cyber crimes: Minister

The Sri Lanka Police will soon get a DIG in charge of cyber crimes, while a special division will also be established, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Upcountry train services remain limited due to landslide

Train services on the upcountry line remain limited today following a landslide between Ohiya and Idalgashinna, affecting routes from Colombo to Nanu Oya and from Badulla to Bandrawela, the Railways Department confirmed.

SL’s healthcare system can save roughly Rs. 3.32 trillion with Tobacco reduction strategies

Sri Lanka’s healthcare system has the opportunity save up to GBP 8.2 billion in around 30 years, through comprehensive Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), a medical expert on tobacco regulation declared recently.

Nearly quarter million vacancies to continue in state sector in 2026

Nearly a quarter of a million vacancies are set to remain unfilled across Sri Lanka’s public sector as the government moves to limit new recruitments to the bare minimum for the upcoming fiscal year (2026).

Sri Lanka targets 4 million tourists, US$8 billion revenue by 2030: Minister

Sri Lanka aims to attract four million tourists and generate US$ 8 billion in revenue by 2030, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced during the India–Sri Lanka Tourism Relations programme in Colombo, yesterday (19).

Sri Lanka seeks Indian investors, filmmakers to boost tourism

Sri Lanka is inviting Indian investors and film producers to explore new tourism ventures and film projects in the country, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday (19).

IRD records highest tax revenue in its history

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that it has achieved the highest tax revenue collection in its history, reaching Rs. 2,002,241 million as of November 17.