Rugby and Cricket Blacklisted

In what may be another alltalk and no action or more talk and less action scenario, Deputy Sports Minister Sugath Tillekaratne revealed that 67 toplevel sportsmen and women from 11 sports have been involved in using banned performance-enhancing substances.

Germany to allow police to shoot down drones

Germany will grant police the power to shoot down rogue drones like those that have disrupted airports across Europe and that some European leaders have attributed to a hybrid war being waged by Russia.

Bribery Commission acted on political influence: Defence alleges

Sepalika Saman Kumari, former Director General of the Office for Reparations and current Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, was released on bail.

CSE pulls back after three weeks of bullish momentum

After three consecutive weeks of bullish performance, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a pullback, as investors opted to book profits following the recent market rally. The ASPI declined by 65.24 points (-0.29%) to close at 22,097.99, while the S&P SL20 fell 28.32 points (-0.46%) to 6,163.22, with a turnover of LKR 7.32 Bn.

’’Looking forward to participating in NDTV world summit’’: PM Harini

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya will take part in the NDTV World Summit when she arrives in India next week. This will be the 55-year-old South Asian leader’s first official visit to the country.

Monk begins hunger strike in Tangalle over MR’s security

Theripahala Siridhamma Thera of Rathupaswala commenced a hunger strike in Tangalle this afternoon (08) to protest the government’s decision to withdraw the security detail of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Long-distance bus quality test begins tomorrow

A pilot project to assess the quality of buses operating on routes exceeding 100 kilometers from the Bastion Road Passenger Bus Terminal is scheduled to commence tomorrow (09) morning.

Pavithra Fernando elected new President of Sri Lanka Rugby

Former Sri Lanka and Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club (CR & FC) captain Pavithra Fernando has been elected as the new President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR).

Govt launches new results-based framework for ministries

The government has rolled out a new Ministerial Results Framework for 22 line ministries and affiliated institutions to strengthen results-based management in the public sector over the period 2025–2029.

India finds serious testing lapses at pharma firms after cough syrup deaths

A state health official sticks a notice outside the Sresan Pharmaceutical factory whose Coldrif cough syrup has been linked to the deaths of 17 children in Madhya Pradesh, in Chennai, India, October 7, 2025.

Former Reparations DG Sepalika Saman Kumari granted bail

Sepalika Saman Kumari, former Director General of the Office for Reparations and current Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, was released on bail today.

Bombay High Court bars Shilpa Shetty from travelling to Sri Lanka

Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty has once again been stopped from leaving the country. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused her request to travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a YouTube event scheduled between October 25 and 29, citing pending fraud allegations worth Rs 60 crore.

Wildlife Office to be established at Mattala Airport

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of a dedicated Wildlife Department office at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota.

Denmark to ban social media for under-15s to protect children from ’unleashed monster’

Denmark will ban social media for children under 15, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced, accusing digital platforms of “stealing our children’s childhood.”

Cabinet approves Rs. 3 Bn airfield facility at Rathmalana Airport

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the construction of a new airfield facility complex at the Colombo International Airport in Rathmalana.

BIA records 14% rise in flight traffic in first eight months

Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has recorded a 14.4 percent increase in flight traffic during the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Namal accuses government of not taking vote on resolution adopted at UNHRC

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa today accused the government of not taking a vote for the resolution adopted without a vote at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Ministry additional secretary arrested over alleged corruption

Saman Kumari, former Acting Director General of the Office for Reparations and current Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, was arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Sri Lankan Swimmer Akalanka Among Australia’s Best

Akalanka Peiris, a Sri Lankan domiciled down under triumphed at the Australian National Short Course Swimming Championships 2025 and is likely to be the next big story of swimming in the island. In the process Peiris broke the Sri Lankan national record in the 100m Individual Medley with a time of 55.89 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 56.49 seconds.

MP Ravi Karunanayake raises Daily Mirror article in Parliament

MP Ravi Karunanayake today raised the Daily Mirror article titled “Threat of power cuts looms?” in Parliament, describing it as a national issue and urging the Power and Energy Minister to respond.

Ronaldo becomes first football billionaire with big Saudi contract

Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career has been a series of glittering firsts, from a record transfer to Real Madrid to scoring more competition goals than any man in history. He’s now notched up another huge win off the pitch: becoming the first billionaire player.

Move to ban planes flying over Parliamentary complex: Marikkar reveals

While revealing that there is a move to ban planes flying over the Parliamentary complex, Opposition MP S.M. Marikkar today urged the government to change this decision.

Supreme Court to hear Shani’s FR petitions over arrest in 2021

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the arrest of former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara and two other former CID officers in 2021.

New number plates to include seven safety features: Bimal

The new vehicle number plates will include seven safety features and six features have already been accredited by the Moratuwa University, Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today.

Parliament to debate transferring of Police Commission powers to IGP

Tomorrow Parliament is to debate the move to transfer Police Commission powers to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

US special envoy and Trump’s son-in-law to join Gaza peace talks in Egypt

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will join Gaza peace plan talks between Israeli and Hamas negotiators in Egypt on Wednesday.

Renowned singer and radio Actress Chandrani Gunawardana passes away

Renowned Sri Lankan singer, radio voice actress, and stage performer Chandrani Gunawardena has passed away at the age of 82.

Huge scam in driving licence printing: Minister

A huge scam has been uncovered in the printing of driving licences by a single private company for more than two decades, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

Controversial letter on LGBTQ tourism issued without consulting political authority: PM

In the wake of the controversy over promoting LGBTQ tourism in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman had issued a letter with regard to LGBTQ tourism without consulting the political authority.

CIABOC unveils digital case-file tracking system

In a landmark move to strengthen integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has launched a digital Case-File Tracking System to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of handling bribery and corruption cases in Sri Lanka.