Sri Lanka on track for 2026 NSW pilot

Sri Lanka is on track to pilot its transformative Trade National Single Window System (TNSWS) by end-2026, with full operations expected to commence in 2027.

No legal barriers to religious dress for Muslim nurses: Minister

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath has assured that there are no legal barriers preventing Muslim nurses from adhering to their religious dress requirements while serving in government hospitals.

No concrete plan yet for SriLankan Airlines despite mounting losses

The government has yet to firm up any plan for restructuring SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, but remains open to possible partnerships with the private sector to increase profitability, an official said yesterday.

Deadline for 2025 A/L and GIT exam amendments ends Oct. 31

The Department of Examinations has announced that the deadline for making amendments to names, medium, and subjects for the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination and the 2025 General Information Technology (GIT) Examination will end at midnight on October 31. The Department confirmed that no extensions will be granted beyond this date.

National Climate Finance Strategy for 2025 launched

The National Climate Finance Strategy for 2025-2030 was launched yesterday by the Finance Ministry and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Climate Finance Network project, which was funded by the UK government.

Sri Lanka wins three gold medals on SASAC opening day

Sri Lankan athletes Pasindu Malshan, Chamod Yodhsingha, and Shafiya Yamick won three gold medals for Sri Lanka on the opening day of the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championship (SASAC) 2025.

Time to change laws on election of Nilames in temples, devales

The election of a Diyawadana Niame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa and Basnayake Nilames of other devales came into the limelight in Parliament today with the Opposition calling for the change of traditions enabling women Divisional Secretaries to vote at the polls held to elect such Nilames.

Cyclone threat looms as Bay of Bengal system intensifies

The low-pressure area currently located over the southeast Bay of Bengal, to the northeast of Sri Lanka, is expected to intensify further and move west-northwestward, the Department of Meteorology said today.

BYD clarifies global vehicle recall does not affect Sri Lanka

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has clarified that its recently announced global vehicle recall does not apply to Sri Lanka, assuring local customers that no BYD models currently operating in the country are affected.

Six Sri Lankan seafarers repatriated from Eritrea

Six Sri Lankan seafarers who had been detained in Eritrea have been successfully repatriated to Sri Lanka through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Mission in Egypt and Eritrean authorities.

’’Was raped by cop 4 times’’: Maharashtra woman doctor’s suicide note on hand

A woman doctor, who was reportedly raped four times in five months by a police sub-inspector (SI), died by suicide at a district hospital in Maharashtra’s Satara on Thursday night.

Court delivers verdict in coconut theft murder case: Death sentence for first accused

Homagama High Court Judge Navarathna Marasinghe today sentenced a man to death after he was found guilty of killing another man using a metal rod used for plucking coconuts, following a dispute over the alleged theft of two coconuts.

Opposition MPs call for establishment of Independent Youth Commission

A group of Members of Parliament, led by former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, has called for the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament to propose the establishment of an Independent Youth Commission of Sri Lanka, aimed at empowering young people and restoring their confidence in the country’s democratic process.

Govt. dental surgeons to launch island-wide strike

The Government Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA) has announced an island-wide token strike on November 6, 2025, in protest over what it describes as the “ongoing administrative collapse” within the Dental Services Division of the Health Ministry.

Police deny withdrawal of security for Kirivehera Chief Incumbent

Sri Lanka Police today rejected media reports claiming that security assigned to Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, Chief Incumbent of Kataragama Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya and Chief Prelate of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, had been withdrawn.

76 long-term Army vehicles refurbished and deployed

Following the directives of Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo , 76 vehicles that had been out of service due to long-term use have been fully restored and added back to the Army fleet today (24 October).

Ex-Fisheries officer, minister’s staff arrested over job bribe

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested two individuals today in connection with allegations of soliciting bribes for government positions

Plans to regulate eateries catering to long distance bus passengers: Deputy Minister

The government has launched a programme to regulate wayside eateries that cater to passengers on long distance buses, Deputy Minister of Transport and High Ways Prasanna Gunasena said today.

MP Jagath Vithane says his life is in danger

Opposition MP Jagath Vithane told Parliament today that he is facing a death threat and it has been confirmed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as well.

Sri Lankan woman found dead In hotel In Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti

A 71-year-old Sri Lankan woman was found dead inside a hotel in Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti, officials said on Wednesday. The deceased woman has been identified as Kodgoda, the wife of Sunil Shanti De Silva, the officials said.

Teachers, principals warn of strike over extended school hours

The Teachers and Principals Trade Union Alliance has strongly opposed the government’s decision to extend school hours by 30 minutes under the proposed education reforms set to take effect in 2026.

Thai government moves to bring back 2 gifted elephants from Sri Lanka

The Thai government is set to hold talks with Sri Lanka on October 28 to bring back two elephants that were gifted by Thailand, following reports of poor living conditions and alleged mistreatment.

SL has informed OHCHR its objection on international mechanism on human rights issues: PM

The government of Sri Lanka has officially informed the Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) that it is opposed to an international mechanism to address human rights violations as such mechanisms create divisions among communities in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.

President Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

Changpeng Zhao, founder of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has been pardoned by US President Donald Trump.

COPF approves Budget 2026

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has approved the Budget 2026 despite pending clarifications on some expenditure heads.

CSE Slips Amid Profit-Taking After Consecutive Gains

After several consecutive sessions of upbeat performance, the market shifted to the red zone today, with both indices closing lower amid cooling investor sentiment. The session reflected a phase of profit-taking, following the strong rallies seen earlier this week.

Inclement weather conditions claim four lives

Inclement weather brought on by the depression located in the Southeast Arabian Sea has claimed four lives to date, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

Court awaits Customs’ decision on release of detained BYD vehicles

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that the stance of Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) regarding the release of detained BYD vehicles belonging to John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd - over a dispute relating to motor capacity, would be conveyed to court today (24), following consultations with the SLC.

Proposed Indo-Lanka bridge may open door to smugglers: Mahanayake Thera

Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said Sri Lanka is already facing the threat of smuggling of contraband goods and narcotics by sea and that it would worsen if the proposed bridge linking Sri Lanka and India was built.

Scientists causing environmental harm through inventions: Environment Secretary

Environment Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala said that, in general, scientists are contributing to environmental damage through their new inventions.