Coconut prices surge as intermediaries profit from auction sales

The Coconut Cultivation Board has revealed that intermediaries are earning profits of around Rs. 40-50 by selling coconuts purchased at Rs. 134 for Rs. 180 at the coconut auction.

Strict new rules for alcohol tax payments

A new gazette notification has been issued amending the rules applicable to the payment period and levy of taxes on alcoholic products.

Jamaica braces for world’s strongest storm of 2025 as death toll rises to 7

Jamaica is bracing for the world’s strongest storm of 2025 after Hurricane Melissa was blamed for seven deaths across the Caribbean.

No egg donation at Castle Street Hospital for Women

Responding to recent media reports, Dr. Ajith Dantanarayana, Director of the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo, clarified that there is no ova (egg) donation programme currently in progress at the hospital.

Sri Lanka vehicle market to face unprecedented price hike if Govt. taxes industry further

The prices of all vehicle models in Sri Lanka could increase beyond affordable limits following the government’s proposal to impose a 15 per cent tax on vehicles, Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) Chairman Prasad Manage warned.

Sri Lanka, Interpol team up to tackle Chinese scam network

Sri Lanka has teamed with the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to curb scamming activities involving Chinese nationals who arrive here mostly on tourist visas and deport them back for legal action in terms of the Chinese law, a Minister said yesterday.

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya retires as Chief of National Intelligence

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya, Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), relinquished his duties at the Ministry of Defence yesterday upon reaching the age of 60 years.

SLNA rejects minister’s statement on Muslim nursing attire

The Sri Lanka Nurses’ Association (SLNA) has strongly opposed a statement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, allowing nurses to change their uniforms according to Muslim attire as they wish.

Canadian nabbed at BIA with Rs. 182.5 million worth of hashish

A 21-year-old Canadian national has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle a consignment of hashish valued at Rs. 182.5 million.

Tourist arrivals grow 21.8% in 26 days of October, attracting 137,876 tourists

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector demonstrated continued year-on-year growth in October, welcoming 137,876 tourists in the first 26 days of the month.

Sri Lanka advances efforts to ratify ILO convention on workplace violence

Sri Lanka is intensifying its efforts to protect workers’ rights and ensure safer workplaces by moving toward ratifying the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 190 (C190), the landmark treaty addressing workplace violence and harassment.

Ishani Apsara to officiate at King of the Ring in Sweden

Sri Lanka’s internationally acclaimed boxing referee Ishani Apsara has been selected once again to officiate at the King of the Ring Boxing Tournament, one of Europe’s most prestigious amateur boxing events, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 2 in Borås, Sweden.

Accra Court grants bail to 11 accused of defrauding Sri Lankan MP of $2 million gold scam

Modern Ghana - The Accra Circuit Court Eight has granted bail to eleven persons accused of defrauding a Sri Lankan Member of Parliament of USD2 million under the pretext of supplying gold.

Colombo Land Registry letter goes missing, court orders probe

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama yesterday directed the Cinnamon Gardens Police to conduct an investigation and report to court regarding an incident in which a letter contained in an official file of the Colombo Land Registry had allegedly gone missing.

Indian minister accused of victim blaming after Australian cricketers’ assault

An Indian minister’s comment that two female Australian cricketers, who were ’’touched inappropriately’’ last week, should’ve informed authorities before leaving their hotel has sparked a row with many accusing him of victim blaming.

Cameroon’s Biya re-elected at 92, opposition reports gunfire

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving ruler, secured an eighth term in office on Monday, vote results showed, as the main opposition challenger who has also claimed victory reported gunfire near his home.

Legal experts question police conduct over sharing of suspects’ videos

Legal experts have raised serious concerns over the conduct of the police in sharing videos of suspects on mainstream and social media following their arrests, warning that such actions could undermine ongoing investigations and future prosecutions.

Writ petition filed challenging endorsement of LGBTIQ tourism projects in Sri Lanka

A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal challenging the legality of an alleged endorsement by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) of projects aimed at promoting and developing LGBTIQ tourism in Sri Lanka.

ASPI Eases After Early Rally

The market closed in negative territory today, with both indices declining gradually throughout the session. Despite an initial 113-point surge in early trading, the indices lost momentum as profit-taking pressure intensified, leading the ASPI and S&P SL20 to close lower by the end of the day.

Belavia and Red Wings Airlines to begin winter flights to MRIA tomorrow

With the onset of the 2025 winter season, flights to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) will commence from tomorrow.

Opposition alliance is better, people can now defeat fraudsters altogether: Deputy Minister

Aligning of the opposition parties is better as people can defeat those involved in fraud and corruption altogether as a single group, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe said today.

Accurate data system must be maintained when selecting Aswesuma beneficiaries: World Bank

World Bank representatives have emphasised that an updated and accurate data system must be maintained when selecting eligible beneficiaries for the Aswesuma Social Security Programme.

Sri Lanka, Australia enter into bilateral agreements on external debt restructuring

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Australia have entered into bilateral agreements on external debt restructuring, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to restore debt sustainability and revamp its economy, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said.

Government ends political interference in foreign employment: Minister

The new government has ended the practice of political interference in providing foreign employment and introduced a transparent system to ensure only deserving candidates secure jobs abroad, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Argentina’s Milei wins big in midterms with ’chainsaw’ austerity

Argentina’s president Javier Milei has led his party to a landslide victory in Sunday’s midterm elections, after defining the first two years of his presidency with radical spending cuts and free-market reforms.

Shreyas Iyer out of ICU, condition stable after spleen injury

India batter Shreyas Iyer is ’’recovering well’’ in hospital after suffering a lacerated spleen while taking a catch in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

British national dies on Ella Rock while celebrating daughter’s birthday

A British national who arrived in Sri Lanka with his daughter to celebrate her 34th birthday died under mysterious circumstances in Ella, police said.

Jaffna among Lonely Planet’s top 25 cities to visit in 2026

Jaffna has been named one of the 25 best cities to visit in the world in 2026 by global travel publisher Lonely Planet.

Driver granted bail after a year in remand over murder of female lawyer

The Colombo High Court today granted bail to a driver who had been held in remand custody for over a year in connection with the killing of a 36-year-old female lawyer at her residence in Mirihana in 2024.

Connecting me with underworld is fishy: Jagath Vithane

Denying that he has connections with the underworld, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Vithane said today that the move by the police to connect him with underworld figure Mathugama Shan is fishy.