5,000 coconut trees to be destroyed to contain root wilt disease

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has decided to cut down and destroy around 5,000 coconut trees in the Matara District due to the rapid spread of the coconut root wilt disease, locally known as ’Weligama Wint’.

President condoles victims of Islamabad attack

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed deep sorrow over the attack in Islamabad yesterday, extending his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

President calls for swift implementation of Unique Digital Identity project

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized the need to expedite the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project and strengthen the nation’s overall digital economy framework to accelerate the country’s transformation into a modern, tech-driven economy.

Birth certificates to be delivered via post under new project

Sri Lanka today launched a pilot project to deliver national birth certificates directly to citizens through the Sri Lanka Postal Courier Service, the Department of Registrar General announced.

Prasanna Ranatunga released on bail

Former Minister of Tourism and Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga, who was arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, was released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

New political movement ‘Bahujana Balaya’ launched

A new political movement named Bahujana Balaya (People’s Power) was launched on Tuesday with the aim of uniting young leaders from across the political spectrum to promote citizen-centered governance.

Trump says United States doesn’t have talented people to fill jobs domestically

President Donald Trump told Fox News in an interview that aired Tuesday night the United States doesn’t have talented workers to fill jobs needed domestically, defending the H1-B skilled worker visa program.

Sri Lanka targets high-spending Luxembourgers for tourism

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, which is also accredited to Luxembourg, successfully organised a Sri Lanka Tourism Roadshow on 23 October 2025 in Luxembourg.

Will give farmers higher prices for onion, potatoes but consumers should bear the cost: Lalkantha

Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha, commenting on the crisis faced by potato and onion growers, said the government will ensure maximum support prices for them next time, but admitted that such a move would inevitably lead to retail price hikes, leaving consumers in the lurch.

New Zealand to open applications for two new seasonal work visas in December

The Government of New Zealand has announced that applications for two new seasonal visa categories will open on 8 December 2025, offering more opportunities for overseas workers during peak employment periods.

25 specialists leave annually, hospitals under strain: Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa says

Sri Lanka’s healthcare system is grappling with a growing shortage of specialist doctors, as around 25 leave the country each year, severely impacting hospitals across the island, warns Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance.

Tamim Rahman indicted over LPL fixing bid, ready to admit guilt

The Attorney General today filed indictments before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga against Tamim Rahman, the owner of the Dambulla Thunders cricket team, who is accused of attempting to influence a player participating in last year’s Lanka Premier League (LPL) to fix a match.

World Bank grants misused: Minister

Funds provided by the World Bank for entrepreneur development have been misused and given to relatives of former Ministers, Minister Samantha Vidyaratne told Parliament today.

Ravi questions legality of 2022 debt default

Former Finance Minister and MP Ravi Karunanayake has questioned the legality and accountability of Sri Lanka’s 2022 decision to suspend repayment of its external debt, calling on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to clarify whether the move was made without parliamentary sanction

SLPP MPs refuse official vehicles

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said he and his fellow SLPP MPs do not require the official cab vehicles allocated to them and have decided to hand over all three vehicles to the Ministry of Health.

Bus driver remanded over fatal Thalawa accident

The bus driver involved in the Thalawa Jayagaha accident has been remanded until November 18.

Colombo Mayor walks with vision-impaired group

Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar yesterday (11) joined a group of vision-impaired individuals to raise awareness about the daily challenges they face in navigating the city.

Apple to sell $230 iPhone pocket this week

Apple has partnered with Japanese luxury fashion house Issey Miyake to launch a 3D-knitted carrying bag for the iPhone that resembles a sock, a limited-edition accessory inspired by minimalist design.

NPP MP files complaint over false drug trafficking claims

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Chaminda Lalith Kumara has lodged a complaint with the Mirigama Police against social media posts alleging that he is involved in drug trafficking.

Most local bodies default on street lamp electricity payments: Minister

Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody told Parliament today that almost all local authorities, including the Colombo Municipal Council, have defaulted on paying electricity bills for street lamps.

1,000 Sri Lankan children await heart surgery

More than 1,000 children in Sri Lanka are currently on waiting lists for life-saving heart surgeries but a new partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Rotary Club of Colombo West aims to bring hope to some of them.

Former land ministers distributed state lands among relatives – Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath told Parliament today that several former ministers who previously oversaw the Land Ministry had distributed state lands among their family members and relatives.

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga arrested

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was arrested this morning (12) after appearing before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Prasanna Ranatunga arrives at Bribery Commission

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) a short while ago to provide a statement.

Global girl group Katseye have received ’thousands’ of death threats

The girl group Katseye say they have received multiple online death threats since they made their debut last year.

New chairman appointed to Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha

Sameera Danushka de Silva from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has been gazetted as the new Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, filling the vacancy created by the death of former Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera.

Turkish military cargo plane crashes with at least 20 on board

A Turkish military cargo plane carrying at least 20 people has crashed near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border, Turkey’s defence ministry has said.

President’s budgetary proposal deemed unlawful - COPF

The government is heading for trouble over the budget proposal to pay Rs.200 as a daily allowance for estate workers since such state revenue cannot be used to make payments for those employed by the private sector.

No security threat to Sri Lanka after explosions in India, Pakistan – Minister

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala has assured that there is no security threat to Sri Lanka in the wake of the recent explosions reported in India and Pakistan.

Protesters break into COP30 venue in Brazil

Protesters carrying signs reading ’’our forests are not for sale’’ broke through security lines of the COP30 climate talks on Tuesday night in Belém, Brazil.