Nearly half of Sri Lanka’s Railways journeys delayed in 2024

The audit of the Department of Sri Lanka Railways for 2024 revealed that 49 per cent of train journeys (58,693 trains) were delayed last year, highlighting serious issues in the punctuality of train operations.

India clinch historic first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title

Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma guided India to a historic 52-run victory over South Africa which saw the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 hosts lift the trophy for the first time.

Government revenue climbs by nearly 25% in 1H, driven by tax reforms and vehicle imports

The government’s fiscal position strengthened significantly in the first half of 2025, with total revenue excluding grants climbing by 24.8 percent to Rs. 2,321.7 billion from Rs. 1,860.6 billion in the same period last year.

Vehicle import surge pushes September current account into deficit 

Sri Lanka’s external sector performance weakened in September 2025, with the country slipping into a monthly current account deficit after maintaining surpluses for eight straight months.

India beat South Africa to win first Women’s Cricket World Cup title

India have won by 52 runs. They have won the Women’s World Cup for the first time!

Verma, Sharma help India post 298-7 in Women’s World Cup final

Half-centuries by Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma helped India post a competitive 298-7 against South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final in Mumbai on Sunday.

Only 47% of inter-provincial buses inspected – Audit reveals gaps in quality checks

The audit report of the National Transport Commission (NTC) for the year ended 31 December 2024 has revealed significant shortcomings in the inspection of inter-provincial passenger transport services.

Four women, including Sri Lankan refugee, drown while playing at Chennai beach

Four women were washed ashore at Chennai’s Ennore beach on Friday while playing with the waves. One of them were a Sri Lankan refugee.

31 youths arrested with drugs at Mirihana concert

Thirty-one youths who attended a music concert in the Kimbulawala area, Mirihana, were arrested for possessing drugs, police said.

Rain delays Women’s World Cup final between India and South Africa

Rain and a wet outfield delayed the start of the Women’s World Cup final between India and South Africa in Mumbai on Sunday.

Six temple tills stolen from Sita Amman Kovil in Haggala

A theft has been reported at the ancient Sita Amman Kovil in Haggala, Nuwara Eliya, where six temple tills were broken into last night (01).

Nine people suffering life-threatening injuries after train stabbing in Cambridgeshire, police say

Nine people were being treated for life-threatening injuries after a series of stabbings on a train near Cambridge in eastern England, and two men were arrested in what Keir Starmer called an “appalling incident”.

Fire destroys tyre factory in Divulapitiya

A fire broke out at a tyre manufacturing factory in the Horagasmulla area, Divulapitiya, earlier today.

Former High Commissioner Kananathan Applauds Election Wins in Côte d’Ivoire and Zanzibar

Former High Commissioner Kananathan has conveyed his sincere congratulations to President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi of Zanzibar following their recent election victories, both securing strong mandates from their citizens.

No round measurements of onions: Lanka Sathosa clarifies

Lanka Sathosa has clarified that it does not measure the size of big onions when purchasing them from farmers through its collection centres.

New Zealand batter retires from men’s T20Is

New Zealand great Kane Williamson has announced he will retire from T20I cricket with immediate effect.

Navy seizes Rs. 5 Billion worth of drugs in deep sea operation

Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said that more than 350 kilograms of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (ice) have been found on a local multi-day fishing vessel seized by the Sri Lanka Navy in the deep sea area off the west coast.

Special help planned for schools in difficult areas under new education reform: PM

Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said special support will be provided to schools in challenging areas through the new education reform. She added that no problem is impossible to solve if the government, officials, and people work together.

Venerable Ampitiye Sumanarathana thera requests protection

Incumbent of Mangalaramaya in Batticaloa Venerable Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera has called on the President and Defense Secretary for immediate security, citing ongoing threats to his life.

Obama tells Democrats to push back against Trump’s ’lawlessness and recklessness’

Former President Barack Obama touted Democratic candidates for governor in two states at campaign rallies on Saturday, urging voters in next week’s election to reject what he called the “lawlessness and recklessness” of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Fuel train derails, disrupting main line operations

Train services on Sri Lanka’s Main Line were disrupted this morning (02) following the derailment of a fuel transport train, Sri Lanka Railways announced.

Maldives becomes the only country with generational smoking ban

The Maldives began implementing a smoking ban on anyone born after January 2007, becoming the only country with a generational prohibition on tobacco, according to its health ministry

Woman who falsely claimed to be SDIG’s sister remanded

A woman who falsely claimed to be the sister of a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) and obstructed the duties of traffic police officers in Gampaha has been remanded until November 3 by the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court.

A/L tuition classes prohibited from midnight of November 4

Conducting tuition classes targeting the 2025 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examinations will be prohibited from midnight of November 4, the Department of Examinations said.

Individual arrested with foreign-made pistol in Minuwangoda

A 39-year-old person was arrested while in possession of a foreign-made pistol, a magazine and 13 rounds of live ammunition at Peellawatte in Minuwangoda this morning.

45 rounds of live ammunition found in cinnamon estate at Udugama

Some 45 rounds of live ammunition for T-56 rifles were recovered while abandoned in a cinnamon estate in Aluthwatte in Udugama this afternoon.

CBK packing up to leave her official residence

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge will vacate her official residence at Independence Avenue Colombo within the next few days, the former President’s media unit said.

Regime changes in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal due to consequences of bad governance: India’s Security Adviser

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, speaking at a lecture on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, stressed the importance of strong governance in shaping nations.

Six arrested with local multi-day trawler for alleged narcotic smuggling

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested six suspects along with a local multi-day trawler suspected of smuggling narcotics on the high seas off the western coast of the island.

Woman arrested for obstructing police duties as shown on viral video

A woman who was seen arguing with the traffic police while obstructing their duties, as shown in a viral video on social media, has been arrested.