Sri Lanka starts work on national plan to improve care system

Sri Lanka has begun the first steps to build a stronger and fairer care system to better support families, workers, and communities. The move comes as the country faces a fast-growing older population and a rising need for quality care services.

Tourist on bicycle has narrow shave with leopard

A tourist riding on bicycle along the Galge road in Buttala who ignored the advise of a tourist guide transporting a tourist couple, to be cautious of wild elephants and leopards frequenting the road had encountered a leopard within a short distance.

MRIA’s operations cost 14 times higher than income in 2024

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has recorded an operating cost of Rs. 3,600.8 million, nearly 14 times higher than its operating income of Rs. 242 million, the 2024 audit of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) revealed.

2026 budget attuned to IMF programme to be unveiled today

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will present his government’s budget for 2026 in Parliament today, the second by him upon election to office, and it is expected to be aligned with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic reform agenda.

Three Sri Lankans attacked in chemical assaults in Israel

Three Sri Lankan nationals who were attacked have reported their experiences to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel, following a series of chemical-laced water cannon assaults targeting foreign migrant workers.

Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan’s assets worth Rs 11 crore attached in betting app case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan in connection with the investigation into betting platforms.

Sri Lankan pleads guilty, gets life for Ottawa family murders

The Sri Lankan man who pleaded guilty to killing a mother, her four children and a family friend in a gruesome mass stabbing in an Ottawa suburb in 2024 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

Mexico’s President Sheinbaum takes legal action after groping incident

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is pressing charges against a man who she said was “drunk” and harassed her on Tuesday, calling the incident “an assault on all women.”

Longer periods, fewer subjects, extended school days

The Education Ministry announced that under the new education reforms for Grades 1 to 6, starting next year, the duration of each subject period will be increased to 50 minutes, while the number of subject periods will be reduced to seven, and the school day extended to 2 p.m., Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said.

Inside the World’s Largest Visa Application Centre

Inside Dubai’s Wafi City stands a place that quietly moves the world. The world’s largest visa application centre, operated by VFS Global, spans 150,000 square feet and processes up to 10,000 applications daily.

After eight years behind bars, Court frees man sentenced to death

A man who had spent eight years in prison under a death sentence for drug trafficking was acquitted by the Court of Appeal, which found that the raid and recovery of productions in the case had not met the test of probability.

Locally manufactured school shoes to replace vouchers in pilot programme: Minister

The government will implement a pilot project to provide quality, locally manufactured school shoes to replace the vouchers currently given to schools with fewer than 250 students, Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti said.

Writ petitions by national cricketers: Court proposes administrative resolution

The Court of Appeal today proposed that the writ petitions filed by Sri Lanka National Cricket players challenging the classification of Sri Lanka’s national cricketers as employees of the national association Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) should be resolved with a meeting of the stake holders in the interest of the game of cricket.

Vijitha Herath to attend UNWTO General Assembly in Riyadh

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, will undertake an official visit to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from November 8 to 11, 2025, to attend the 26th Session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Supreme Court reserves verdict on appeals by seven in Vidya murder case

The Supreme Court today reserved its judgment in appeals filed by seven accused who were sentenced to death for the murder and gang rape of Sivaloganathan Vidya.

Tree falls on bus in Kandy, one killed, 10 injured

A man was killed and ten others injured when a pine tree fell over a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus plying from Kandy to Hewaheta at Halwatte this afternoon.

NPP Peliyagoda UC member resigns after husband’s arrest over drugs

The National People’s Power (NPP) Peliyagoda Urban Council member, whose husband and son were arrested for drug smuggling, has resigned.

GMOA confident Govt will resolve issues within health service

The Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, expressed confidence that the 2026 Budget is a positive step toward addressing the issues in the health sector and that the government will take the necessary measures to resolve them.

‘Ratama Ekata’ nets 980 drug suspects

Police conducted 1,053 anti-drug raids across the country under the ongoing ‘Ratama Ekata’ national operation, arresting 980 suspects yesterday.

Torrential rain causes flooding in Ratnapura

Low-lying areas in Ratnapura, Kuruvita, Elapatha, and Kiriella have been inundated this afternoon following more than 12 hours of torrential rain.

Qatar Airways sells entire Cathay Pacific stake for US$897 million

State-owned Qatar Airways has decided to sell its entire stake in Cathay Pacific Airways for about US$897 million (HK$6.97 billion), marking its complete exit from Hong Kong’s flagship airline.

Govt. boosts support for science and technology to build sustainable future

Science and technology are vital forces shaping Sri Lanka’s sustainable future, noting that the government is taking significant steps to enhance support for these sectors, Science and Technology, Professor Chrishantha Abeysena Minister said.

Cristiano Ronaldo plans to retire from football for family reasons

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will retire “soon”, admitting it will be difficult to bring his glittering career to an end as the 40-year-old has been planning his post-football life for some time.

Sri Lanka continues fight against leprosy, targets elimination by 2035

Although Sri Lanka successfully eliminated leprosy as a public health threat in 1995, new cases continue to emerge, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

’’What’s your skincare routine,’’ Harleen Deol asks PM Modi. His reply

As Prime Minister Modi met and commended the Indian women’s cricket team for their ’’remarkable resilience and comeback’’ in the World Cup, he was asked a cheeky question: What is his skincare routine?

Opposition calls for public views on budget

The opposition has decided to call for public opinion on the budget in order to ensure an effective debate.

Pre trial conference on Keheliya Rambukwella vaccine case to begin on November 26

The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar today ordered that the pre trial conference in the case filed by the Attorney General against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 others over the alleged purchase of substandard immunoglobulin vaccines using government funds, be commenced on November 26.

We are not here to topple the govt — We are here to awaken them” - SLPP

On the 21st of this month, we will take to the streets. Not to cause chaos. Not to overthrow the NPP government. But we are rallying because this government has stopped listening — and someone needs to remind them that power comes with responsibility.

Election for new Diyawadana Nilame at Sri Dalada Maligawa tomorrow

All arrangements have been finalized for the selection of a new Diyawadana Nilame for the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow (07).

Racket to sell ancient reservoirs and paddy lands in Anuradhapura: Farmers’ Union

A large-scale racket is currently underway to reclaim and sell ancient reservoirs and paddy lands surrounding the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union, Anuradha Tennakoon, told the Daily Mirror.