Englishman ordained at Vijeyananda temple

A British national Gareth Thompson (58), entered the order of Bhikkhus at Weliwatta Vijeyananda Pirivena temple by the name of Ven. Englanthaye Buddhdasa Thera.

NCOET officially inaugurated

The National College of Education on Technology (NCOET), Kuliyapitiya was officially inaugurated today (3) under the patronage of Prime Minister and Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Minster Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Saudi national sentenced for assaulting Sri Lankan Airlines flight attendant

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today imposed a three-month suspended prison sentence for five years and a fine of Rs.10,000 on a Saudi Arabian national who pleaded guilty to assaulting a Sri Lankan Airlines flight attendant on board a flight.

Sri Lanka hosts first aircraft emergency response workshop

Sri Lanka’s inaugural three-day joint workshop on emergency response for aircraft incidents in Sri Lankan airspace and waters commenced today (November 3) at 9:00 a.m. at the Civil Aviation Authority Auditorium in Katunayake.

Tsunami exercise in several coastal districts on Wednesday: DMC

The Indian Ocean Tsunami Exercise (IOWave25) is scheduled to be conducted in coastal districts of Batticaloa, Jaffna, Galle and Kalutara at 8:30 a.m. on November 5, 2025, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

CSE kicks off November on a positive note

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) started November on a strong footing, with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining momentum throughout the session. Despite a brief mid-session consolidation, the market closed higher, reflecting sustained investor confidence as buying activity picked up across key counters.

Traffic restrictions on Colombo-Kandy Road due to Central Expressway construction

The Police Media Division has issued a notice regarding traffic restrictions on the Colombo-Kandy main road due to ongoing work on the Central Expressway Project.

One-day service for NICs launched in North Western Province

The Department for Registration of Persons, in a notice to the public, announced that the one-day service operations of the North Western Provincial Office of the Department for Registration of Persons commenced today (3).

55,447 motor cars imported to Sri Lanka by October 14, reveals Customs

The Sri Lanka Customs revealed that 55,447 motor cars had been imported to Sri Lanka by October 14, 2025, generating Customs duties amounting to Rs. 474.26 billion.

Former Railways GM granted bail over unlawful reinstatement of suspended driver

Former General Manager of the Department of Railways, S.M. Abeywickrama, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over the alleged unlawful employment of a suspended train driver, was released on bail today by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Eastern terminal port jetty extended, future plans revealed

The jetty at the Eastern Terminal has been extended to 700 metres, with plans to further extend it to 1,000 metres, All Ceylon Ports General Employees Union General Secretary Niroshan Gorakanage said.

CAASL boosts search and rescue capabilities

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) is boosting the country’s search and rescue (SAR) preparedness through enhanced inter-agency coordination and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring timely and effective responses to aviation emergencies within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region.

Two former top officials arrested over corruption allegations

A former General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways and a former Executive Director of the Sri Lanka State Engineering Corporation were arrested this morning by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on alleged corruption charges.

IHPL Chaos: Cricketers held hostage by hotel staff in Srinagar

The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), a T20 cricket tournament taking place in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, involving local, national, and international players, has encountered significant challenges. Some players are stranded at a local hotel, and reports suggest that organisers have fled the Valley.

Ravi K to come up with proposals for budget

Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake is to present some budget proposals to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake before Friday.

Largest supermoon of the year to be visible tonight

The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies has announced that a supermoon will be visible tonight, appearing noticeably larger and brighter than a regular full moon.

Opposition organises pre and post-budget workshops for its MPs

The opposition has organised pre and post-budget workshops for its MPs, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka said today.

Suspect dies in police custody in Mahiyangana

A 46-year-old suspect, arrested on two court-issued warrants, fell ill while in the custody of Kandeketiya Police and died after being transferred from Kandeketiya Divisional Hospital to Mahiyangana Base Hospital on Sunday night (November 2).

Vatican’s Foreign Minister arrives in Sri Lanka

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago.

Woman who obstructed cops further remanded

The woman captured in a viral social media video obstructing and verbally abusing police officers on traffic duty in Udugampola has been further remanded until November 10.

Sajith Premadasa leaves for India

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa left for India today on an official three-day visit.

Police arrest 738 in special operation

The Police have arrested a total of 738 suspects during a special operation conducted yesterday, including 12 individuals directly linked to drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

Powerful 6.3 quake kills at least 10 in Afghanistan, scores injured

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, killing at least 10 people and injuring about 260, authorities said, with the death toll likely to rise.

Two arrested for verbally abusing a Bhikkhuni

Wattala Police have arrested two men for allegedly acting in a disorderly manner and verbally harassing a Bhikkhuni near the Rathnawali Temple in Kerawalapitiya, Wattala.

‘Wana Surakuma’ unit launched to protect Sri Lanka’s forests

The Ministry of Environment today inaugurated the Wana Surakuma Joint Operations Unit to safeguard the country’s precious natural forests.

Another girl engaged in higher studies commits suicide

The Galaha police have initiated a formal investigation of the death of a female student of Bellwood Aesthetic Studies Institute in Gampola whose body was found hanging from roof of a hostel on Saturday evening(01)

Six companies given green light to cultivate cannabis: Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera

Six companies have been given the green light to cultivate cannabis and had been given 66 acres for the project, a prominent monk said over the week end.

Proposal to extend school hours up to 4.30pm : PM

There is proposal to extend school hours until 4.30 pm, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya revealed over the week end.

Where Adam first stepped - A story Sri Lanka must tell!

It is an ancient belief that Adam was the first human on Earth, and he was sent down by God because he disobeyed His command. While Adam asked for forgiveness, some believe that God also wanted him to begin humanity on Earth. Although Adam was shocked, God decided to send him to a place that had the closest resemblance to Heaven.

Thousands of families still use open areas instead of toilets

Despite Sri Lanka’s impressive progress in hygiene and sanitation, more than 13,000 families still defecate in open areas such as forests and beaches, according to the Department of Census and Statistics.