Government loses millions as athletes flee: Court imposes travel ban

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today issued a travel ban against ten athletes who had travelled to the 2022 Commonwealth Games but failed to return to Sri Lanka, allegedly causing a financial loss to the government.

Heavy rains cause traffic congestion in Colombo

Severe traffic congestion has been reported across several areas in Colombo following heavy rains this evening.

Woman arrested with replica made from leopard skin

Wildlife officers arrested a woman in Wathurugama, Gampaha, after discovering a replica made using leopard skin during a sudden raid conducted on October 16, following a tip-off received by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Heavy rainfall over 100mm on the cards

The Meteorology Department has warned of showers in most parts of the island with heavy rainfall exceeding 100mm expected in several areas.

Army Paralympic gold medalist dies in train accident

A Sri Lanka Army officer and Paralympic gold medalist, Warnakulasuriya Amila Prashan, has died after being hit by a train in the Madurankuliya area.

Sri Lanka secures $106.9 Million from ADB

The Government of Sri Lanka has secured financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the Strengthening Integrated Health Care and Governance for Universal Health Coverage Program.

Severe lightning warning issued for several provinces

The Department of Meteorology has issued a severe lightning advisory for the Central, North-Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, and North-Western provinces, as well as the Ampara District, effective until 11:00 PM today.

Penal Code (Amendment) Bill will not be enacted if people reject it: President

Commenting on the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to ban corporal punishment, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the government will not enact in Parlaiment any Act which the people do not agreed to.

Allowance paid to teachers in rural schools to be increased in upcoming budget: President

Steps will be taken in the upcoming budget to increase the allowance paid to teachers in rural schools, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Magnitude 6.1 quake hits southern Philippines

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake jolted southern Philippines on Friday (Oct 17), the United States Geological Survey said, a week after two powerful quakes hit the country.

Delhi University’s Hindu College honours PM Harini Amarasuriya with new research lab

In recognition of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya’s academic and public achievements, Hindu College, University of Delhi, has inaugurated a new research facility named the “Harini Amarasuriya Social & Ethnographic Research Lab.”

MR’s former security officer further remanded

Neville Wanni Arachchi, the former security officer of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was further remanded till October 31 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today.

BIA extendes check-in for departures

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) announced today that passengers departing from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will be allowed to check in four hours before their scheduled departure.

Bears kill seven people in Japan this year as attacks hit record high

The number of people killed by bears in Japan this year has reached a record high, the country’s environment ministry has said.

Local gold prices soar amid global rise

The price of gold in Sri Lanka has risen sharply, following increases in the global market.

Death penalty sought for Bangladesh’s ex-leader Sheikh Hasina

Prosecutors in Bangladesh have demanded that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina be put to death over a deadly crackdown on student-led protests last year that ousted her from power.

Man killed, daughter injured in Wennappuwa accident

A tragic accident occurred this morning near Gorak Gas Handiya on the Wennappuwa New Road when a van carrying schoolchildren collided with a motorcycle, killing the motorcyclist.

Last surviving member of first team to scale Everest dies aged 92

Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the first expedition to successfully scale the summit of Mount Everest, has died in the Nepali capital Kathmandu, aged 92.

National Action Plan to curb human-elephant conflict: AG

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that a National Action Plan is currently being prepared by the authorities for the mitigation of the human-elephant conflict in the country.

Courts allowed to work on holidays to clear pending court items by year-end

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has instructed all High Court judges and judicial officers that pending court production items must be cleared by December 31, 2025, as per Circular No. 422 A.

Around 25,000 people disabled due to road accidents

Nearly 25,000 people suffer severe, long-term injuries each year as a result of road accidents, health officials have pointed out.

Engineer abandoned Port Access Elevated Highway project to drag 2 more years

Delays to the completion of the Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH) which would link Colombo City Centre and Katunayake Expressway (CKE) via the port has faced further delays with the Engineer Representative abandoning the project.

Sewwandi hid for three months in Matugama and Middeniya under female bodyguard protection

Ishara Sewwandi, the suspect accused of disguising herself as a lawyer and supplying the revolver used in the courtroom assassination of underworld figure “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, had spent three months in hiding in Matugama and Middeniya under the protection of female bodyguards, before she left for Nepal, police investigations have revealed.

Birds to decide on Renewable Projects previously offered to Adani

Ahead of fresh tenders to be called for the two renewable energy projects previously offered to India’s Adani company, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) has sought to undertake a bird collision avoidance study, an official said.

Trump says he will meet Putin in Hungary for Ukraine talks after ’very productive’ call

US President Donald Trump says ’’great progress’’ was made during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, with the pair agreeing to face-to-face talks in Hungary.

Several Coast Guard ships remain inactive for years, Audit finds

An audit report has revealed that several Sri Lanka Coast Guard vessels remain inactive for years, while others await costly repairs or disposal.

India sees rupee bonds as next step in deepening Lanka ties

In a significant signal of deepening economic ties, India is actively considering pathways to enable Sri Lankan entities, including the government and commercial businesses, to issue bonds denominated in

Economic activity strengthens ahead of year-end demand

The continuous growth in economic activities was seen further from the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for September which showed persistent expansion in both manufacturing and services sectors which

Drug addicts to get jobs after rehabilitation: Watagala

The government has planned to introduce a mechanism to recruit drug addicts for employment in government and private sectors after giving them vocational training on completion of the rehabilitation programme, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala said today.

COPE slams CIDA for harassing staff, spending Rs. 15Mn on Court Case

The Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) has found fault with the Construction Industries Development Authority (CIDA) for harassing workers on personal grounds and for incurring exorbitant expenses for lawyers appearing in a court case filed against an employee attached to the institution.