Barcelona’s Sagrada Família becomes world’s tallest church

The Sagrada Família has become the tallest church in the world, after workers placed the first part of a cross at the top of its central tower.

Two injured in Kalawana shooting

A shooting incident occurred in the Kalawana area, reportedly stemming from a personal dispute.

Wellawaya magistrate suspended over alleged misconduct

The Judicial Service Commission has suspended the duties of Wellawaya Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake with effect from October 30, following a complaint by the Inspector General of Police.

Jagath Vithana says IGP expressed regret over his statement

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Vithana said Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya expressed regret over the statement he had made in Kandy.

Will never bow before political leaders who plunge country into political abyss: Kottahachchi

In the wake of a photo shared on social media, National People’s Power MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi said she will never bow before any political leader who plunged this country into political a abyss.

Sri Lanka Navy receives OBST firearms for maritime security operations

The Sri Lanka Navy received a set of firearms for Onboard Security Teams (OBST), as part of its maritime security operations project to provide services and facilities to foreign Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs).

Ex-Indian cricket captain Azharuddin sworn in as minister in Telangana

Congress leader and former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy’s cabinet on Friday.

971 arrested in nationwide drug raids under ‘Ratama Ekata’

A total of 971 suspects were arrested during 987 drug raids conducted across the country yesterday (30) as part of the national anti-narcotics operation ‘Ratama Ekata’, police said.

Former State Trading Chairman Hussein Bhaila arrested

Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation, Hussein Ahamed Bhaila, was arrested this morning by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly causing a loss of over Rs. 99 million to the government.

IGP in Parliament to discuss MPs’ security

Speaker Jagath Wickramarante decided to summon IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya to parliament for a discussion on the security of Parliamentarians.

Sri Lanka secures $90 Mn ADB loan for rural road development

The Government of Sri Lanka has successfully concluded discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to mobilize a loan of USD 90 million under the Second Integrated Road Investment Program (iRoad 2) – Tranche 5. The program aims to improve road transport efficiency by enhancing connectivity between rural communities and key socioeconomic centers, while strengthening the institutional capacity of national road agencies.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s former security officer granted bail

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today granted bail to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security officer, Neville Wanniarachchi, who had been in remand custody on suspicion of unlawfully acquiring assets and properties worth Rs. 28 million.

Weapon magazines found hidden at Jaffna University

Two weapon magazines were discovered on the University of Jaffna’s premises, hidden in the ceiling of the university library along with a roll of wire, police said.

India-Sri Lanka hold talks on power grid interconnection

A virtual meeting was held to discuss the implementation modalities of the India-Sri Lanka power grid interconnection. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, while the Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Government of Sri Lanka.

Free plastic shopping bags to be banned from tomorrow

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has announced that the free distribution of shopping bags used for carrying goods will be prohibited starting tomorrow (November 1).

Two arrested for supplying game meat to hotels near Wilpattu

Wildlife officers from the Kukulkatuwa beat office in Wilpattu National Park have arrested two suspects involved in an illegal racket supplying wild game meat to hotels and households in the Nochchiyagama area.

Health Minister urges Sri Lankan doctors abroad to return

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has called on Sri Lankan specialist doctors working overseas to consider returning home, citing a shortage of medical specialists in the country’s health service.

Patients face hours of standing amid severe congestion

Colombo Eye Hospital is facing unprecedented congestion and mismanagement, leaving patients many of them senior citizens struggling to access care in inhumane conditions.

Army using 73 government vehicles without formal approval

The latest audit report has revealed that the Army is using 73 vehicles owned by various government institutions, including ministries and departments, without formally taking them over.

Sri Lanka is the second most expensive country in South Asia to live in

Sri Lanka is the second most expensive South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) country to live with cost of living for an individual being $506 or Rs. 153,899 excluding rent to live a comfortable life according to Numbeo, a user-generated cost-of-living statistics website.

Customs revenue surpasses Rs. 2 trillion, sets historic record

Sri Lanka Customs has surpassed the Rs. 2 trillion mark in tax revenue collection this year, achieving a historic milestone for the government’s revenue department.

Xi to meet Canadian, Japanese leaders after Trump trade truce

China’s Xi Jinping will take centre stage at an annual gathering of Pacific Rim leaders in South Korea on Friday, holding talks with Canadian and Japanese counterparts after securing a fragile trade truce with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Andrew stripped of ’prince’ title and will move out of Royal Lodge

Prince Andrew is to lose his ’prince’ title and leave his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, following weeks of intense scrutiny over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

GMOA temporarily halts island-wide strike after talks with Health Ministry

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has temporarily suspended the island-wide strike that was scheduled to begin at 8.00 a.m. today, following successful discussions with health authorities.

CSE demutualisation awaits govt. policy on share split

The demutualisation of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is awaiting a final policy decision from the new government regarding its share allocation, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Record-breaking India upset Australia to reach World Cup final

Jemimah Rodrigues hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia on Thursday to set up a World Cup final against South Africa.

SL risks US$ 24mn rubber exports under EU deforestation rules: IPS

Sri Lanka risks losing around US$24.4 million in annual rubber exports to the European Union (EU) if it complies with the bloc’s new deforestation-free trade rules, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) cautioned.

TMC launches Northern Investment Summit 2026 to boost growth in North

The Management Club (TMC) yesterday announced the launch of Northern Investment Summit 2026 (NIS26), a major initiative to promote investment, entrepreneurship and regional growth in Sri Lanka’s

CSE Ends Mixed as Selective Buying Lifts ASPI

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed Thursday’s session on a mixed note, with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) ending in positive territory while the S&P SL20 edged slightly lower.

Trump shaves China tariffs in deal with Xi on fentanyl, rare earths

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and keeping rare earths exports flowing.