Migrant Workers’ Fair to open tomorrow at Diyatha Uyana

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) will host the Migrant Workers’ Fair tomorrow (20) at the Diyatha Uyana premises in Battaramulla, featuring a wide range of products created by returning migrant workers.

No talks yet on recall of Thai elephants: Minister

The Sri Lankan and Thai governments have not held any discussions regarding the potential recall of two elephants gifted to Sri Lanka, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Prasad said yesterday, assuring that the animals are in good health and have not caused any harm.

Kiwi solo traveller urges not to judge Sri Lanka by one man

A 24-year-old Kiwi woman travelling solo across South East Asia says she was left “on edge” after a man in Sri Lanka sexually harassed her and lewdly exposed himself while trailing her tuk-tuk.

Upcountry train services limited

Train operations on the Upcountry line have been restricted following a landslide between Ohiya and Idalgashinna Railway Stations. Services from Colombo are now running only up to Nanu Oya, while trains departing from Badulla are limited to Bandrawela.

SriLankan Airlines flights diverted to Mattala due to low visibility at BIA

Three SriLankan Airlines flights returning from Mumbai, Riyadh, and Guangzhou were safely diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this morning due to low visibility caused by heavy mist over the Katunayake area.

“Come and face the law” — President tells Basil

With uncertainty swirling over the return of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa for a court case, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (18) asked the former Finance Minister to “come and face the law.”

Committee appointed to probe MP Dayasiri Jayasekera’s conduct

A committee headed by Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih and comprising MPs Upali Pannilage and Ranjith Madduma Bandara has been appointed to look into the conduct of MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament today.

Landslide derails upcountry train, Services limited to Nanu Oya

Train services on the Upcountry line have been limited to operate only between Colombo Fort and Nanu Oya after a landslide caused the night mail train from Badulla to derail at both Ohiya and Idalgashinna Railway Stations last evening.

School Development Officers will be made teachers after court verdict: PM

Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Minister and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said future teacher appointments will be made only after court proceedings conclude and a verdict is delivered, ensuring the process aligns with the Teachers’ Service Constitution.

Pakistan Snatch Thriller Win After Zimbabwe Fightback

Pakistan survived a major scare to chase down 148 and beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening match of the tri-series, thanks to Usman Khan’s unbeaten 37 and Mohammad Nawaz’s late heroics.

Trinco temple clash: ‘Don’t question clergy power’ – Gnanasara Thera

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera today issued a strong warning that the authority of the Buddhist clergy must not be challenged, following unrest in Trincomalee linked to the removal of a Buddha statue and an enforcement operation by the Coast Conservation Department.

Garden Painting Party to brighten Malabe this Sunday

Art enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxing, creative escape are invited to the Garden Painting Party this Sunday at the Malabe Island Tea & Ceylon Coffee Club.

Mahinda Rajapaksa to join opposition rally in Nugegoda

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to take part in the rally in Nugegoda, organized by opposition parties led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on November 21.

New low pressure system may affect Northern Sri Lanka

The Department of Meteorology has said that the current low pressure area over Sri Lanka is moving away, and its impact on the weather is gradually reducing.

Writ petition filed to prevent demolition at Trincomalee Buddhist temple

The Chief Incumbent of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee, Venerable Kalyanawansa Tissa Thera, has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent the demolition of a section of the temple premises.

Easter Sunday attacks evidence destroyed, but govt will find mastermind: President

Evidence related to the Easter Sunday attacks has been destroyed, but that will not stop the government from uncovering the truth behind the carnage, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Medical specialists meet President, express frustration over solutions

Representatives of the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today to discuss a series of long-standing issues affecting medical specialists.

Defence Ministry expenditure head approved

The Defence Ministry’s expenditure head was approved today by a majority of 92 votes, with 101 MPs voting in favor, while 9 MPs representing Tamil parties from the North and East voted against it.

Shooting in Tangalle kills couple

A 68-year-old man and his 59-year-old wife were shot dead in Tangalle this evening, in a brazen attack that has shocked residents of the coastal town.

Market pullback deepens as selling resumes

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed another weak trading session on Tuesday (18th November 2025), with the ASPI declining 172.02 points (-0.72%) to close at 23,051.66, extending its pullback from the all-time high of 23,769.5. Market sentiment remained cautious as investors continued to lock in profits, while selective buying emerged in fundamentally strong counters amid the broader market correction.

Cloudflare down latest: Websites such as Twitter not working amid technical problems with the internet

Parts of the web appear to have stopped working amid a technical problem at Cloudflare.

NPP secures Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha

The National People’s Power (NPP) secured control of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha today with the election of P.K. Premaratne as chairman, in a vote supervised by Western Province Local Government Commissioner Sarangika Jayasundara.

Namal criticizes Govt for ignoring professionals in 2026 budget planning

National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Namal Rajapaksa, has criticized the government for disregarding the concerns of professionals and the public, following a meeting with the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

AWC accuses authorities of inhumane confinement of Monkeys in Thumpane

The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has accused authorities of state-sanctioned animal cruelty in Thumpane, alleging that large groups of monkeys have been kept in cages for days without food or shelter.

Plane carrying Congo minister, 20 others bursts into flames; skids off runway

A chartered Embraer ERJ‑145LR carrying Democratic Republic of Congo mines minister Louis Watum Kabamba and around 20 others onboard skidded off the runway and caught fire at Kolwezi Airport on Monday.

Google boss warns ’no company is going to be immune’ if AI bubble bursts

Every company would be affected if the AI bubble were to burst, the head of Google’s parent firm Alphabet has told the BBC.

Babar Azam fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Pakistan player Babar Azam has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Severe lightning alert issued for multiple districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued a severe lightning advisory for the North-Western, Western, Southern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces, effective until 11:30 p.m. today.

Over 6,700 cybercrime cases reported; 35 involve children

Over 6,700 cybercrime incidents have been reported in Sri Lanka over the past eleven months, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) said.

Special committee to be appointed for restructuring tri-forces: Deputy Minister

A special committee will be appointed next year for the restructuring of the tri-forces, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Rtd) Aruna Jayasekara said today.