Landslides and rockfalls block key roads in Badulla as heavy rains continue

Continuous heavy rainfall across the Badulla district has triggered multiple landslides and rockfalls, blocking several roads and causing significant property damage, Badulla District Secretary Panduka Sri Prabath Abeywardena said today (18).

Sack with suspected narcotics found on Bentota beach

A sack suspected to contain narcotics was found on the shores of the Bentota beach this morning, police said.

Gambling Regulatory Authority Act to take effect from December 1

The government has decided to implement the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act from December 1, 2025, following a Gazette notification issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Get maximum benefit from Colombo Security Conclave: Ravi K tells government

Sri Lanka should get the maximum benefit from the Colombo Security Conclave, which is a joint programme of several countries in the region, including India, the Maldives and Mauritius.

Special cyber crimes division to be set up in police: Minister

A special cyber crimes division is to set up soon within the police, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Elderly cinnamon peeler falls into honeytrap, stripped of valuables by drug-addict couple

A 58-year-old elderly man from the Nikaweratiya area employed as a cinnamon peeler in Hakmana, who met a 22-year-old young woman at Galle and had a casual talk and soon fell in love with her. The onlookers might have presumed that they were father and daughter.

SriLankan Airlines wins best food and beverage award at 2026 APEX awards

SriLankan Airlines has been recognized for excellence in its in-flight dining, winning the Best in Food and Beverage award for the Central/South Asia region at the 2026 APEX Awards.

Sluice gates opened at Deduru Oya and Polgolla reservoirs amid heavy rain

The Irrigation Department has announced that two sluice gates of the Deduru Oya Reservoir have been opened due to ongoing heavy rainfall. Each gate was opened by one foot, releasing 1,400 cubic feet of water per second.

Men in Sri Lanka have higher suicide rates than women

Men in Sri Lanka continue to suffer from diseases such as depression and anxiety, thus leading to a higher suicide rate, which is 27 per 100,000 males and five per 100,000 females with an overall suicide rate of 15 per 100,000 population, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Is Sri Lanka sacrificing its entrepreneurs for short-term gain?

The government’s recent budget, with its well-intentioned promise to build a more equitable society, has brought a familiar refrain: higher taxes on businesses. The new mandate, which subjects every business with a monthly turnover of 3 million LKR to an 18% VAT, is presented as a progressive tool. The objective is noble to fund social programmes and provide a financial lifeline to our most vulnerable citizens.

Health authorities warn of Chikungunya spread in Matara

The Health Entomology Officers Association has issued a warning about the ongoing spread of Chikungunya in the Matara area, which has affected both health workers and the general public over the past several months.

Couple swept away by flash floods

A married couple was reportedly swept away by flash floods in the Kandepuhulpola area of Boralanda, Welimada, following heavy rains last evening (17).

Foreign woman sexually harassed by three-wheeler driver in Kandy; Suspect arrested

Soon after the arrest of a 23-year-old man for exposing himself and attempting to sexually harass a female New Zealand tourist in Thirukkovil, another incident involving the harassment of a foreign woman has been reported in Kandy.

Hamas rejects UN Gaza resolution, says international force would become party to conflict

Hamas rejected the United Nations Security Council’s passing a US-drafted resolution endorsing US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, saying it fails to meet Palestinians’ rights and demands and seeks to impose an international trusteeship on the enclave that Palestinians and resistance factions oppose.

Mihintale chief incumbent blames Government for Trincomalee temple incident

The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, has strongly criticized the government over the incident at the Bodhiraja Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya in Trincomalee, claiming that the warning signs were clear before the current administration came into power.

Industry warns of productivity fallout from 2026 estate wage hike

The government’s latest decision to raise the plantation workers’ wages has been made without any consultations with the industry personnel, a senior representative of the plantation sector said while asserting the move could impact the output.

FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: What Sri Lankan Fans Need to Know

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, the qualification picture is becoming clearer as nations across every continent scramble for their place at the expanded 48-team tournament. Co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, the competition will feature more teams than ever before — and as of now, 32 countries have already sealed their spots.

Pakistan Begin T20I Tri-Series Tonight vs Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi

Hosts open week-long event as Sri Lanka await; Nissanka nears major milestone.

Sri Lanka could have reached 3 million tourist arrivals, if BIA terminal had been expanded: Deputy Minister

Claiming that some 30 to 40 Winter Charter flights have to be cancelled within a week due to the delay in expansion of the passenger terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe said today if those flights could have been accommodated, Sri Lanka could have reached the target of 3 million tourist arrivals this year.

Sri Lanka still to come to agreement with U.S. on reciprocal tariffs: Minister

Sri Lanka is yet to reach any final agreement to be inked with the United States on reciprocal tariffs, and discussions are still underway regarding the matter, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Woman killed in shooting at Meetiyagoda

A woman was killed in a shooting incident reported at Dombanwila in Meetiyagoda today, Police said.

Air India to resume flights to China after nearly six years

Air India said on Monday it will resume New Delhi-China flights starting February 2026, nearly six years after suspension, as recent diplomatic steps are seen as cautiously reopening bilateral links.

Sri Lanka gets USD 300 million support from ADB

Sri Lanka has signed loan agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to receive USD 300 million. The funds will support three main programs to strengthen the financial sector, improve the economy, and develop tourism.

Police have violated the Constitution: Amarapura Nikaya Mahanayaka Thera

Mahanayaka Thera of the Amarapura Chapter, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithrimurthi Thera, in a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed his dismay at the incident at the Bodhiraja Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya in Trincomalee.

1938 toll-free Women’s Helpline receives 2,182 complaints on violence against women

A total of 2,182 complaints related to violence against women have been reported from November 2024 to October this year through the 1938 toll-free Women’s Helpline operated by the National Committee on Women (NCW) under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

President assures GMOA’s proposals, requests will be considered in due course

A discussion between the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat where the President noted that the proposals and requests presented by the Government Medical Officers’ Association will be considered in due course.

All detained BYD vehicles released, Court of Appeal informed

The Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) today informed the Court of Appeal that all BYD vehicles previously detained by the Department have now been released, in line with the agreement reached between the parties at the earlier hearing.

Dasun Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka for Pakistan tri-series

Sri Lanka will field a side under the leadership of Dasun Shanaka for the upcoming tri-nation series in Pakistan, after captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando were ruled out due to illness.

Joshua to fight YouTube star Paul in December

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will fight YouTube star Jake Paul in a professional bout on 19 December.

Bangladesh urges India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, aide

Bangladesh’s interim government on Monday urged India to immediately extradite deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, hours after a special tribunal sentenced them to death in absentia for ’’crimes against humanity’’.