Six students hospitalized, 20 arrested following clash at Ruhuna University

A clash between second- and third-year students was reported at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, leaving six students hospitalized and 20 others in police custody, authorities said.

Nearly Rs. 30 mn traffic spot fines paid through GovPay within two months

Nearly Rs. 30 million has been earned from traffic spot fines paid through the GovPay digital payment platform within two months in the Western Province and the stretch between Dambulla and Anuradhapura, Chairman of the Task Force on Digital Affairs of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry, Harsha Purasinghe said today.

’I wonder whether I am President Sajith Premadasa’: Sajith

’’Sometimes I wonder why people come to me with issues they face whereas they have given a mandate to a government to resolve their problems,’’ Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

President seeks swift completion of university degrees

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called on the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) to develop a comprehensive plan to address delays in university degree programmes and improve the overall functioning of higher education institutions.

Four upcountry train services cancelled tomorrow due to adverse weather

Rail services on the Upcountry route will be disrupted tomorrow morning as four trains have been cancelled due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

Zelensky ready to join Trump-Putin talks if invited

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would be ready to join Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at a proposed summit in Hungary if he were invited.

Orionid meteor shower to peak early tonight

The Orionid meteor shower will be visible in Sri Lanka tonight and into the early hours of tomorrow, astronomy experts said.

Video of a couple being questioned by Police raises concerns

A video showing a doctor and an engineer being questioned at Panadura Police Station has sparked public outrage and drawn sharp criticism from legal experts.

Amazon internet outage hits major websites and mobile apps such as Snapchat. Here’s what we know

Some of the world’s biggest apps and websites, such as Amazon, Google, Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, and Canva, have been hit by a major internet outage.

Shoppers to pay for plastic bags, containers from Nov. 1

From November 1, shoppers across the country will need to pay for plastic bags and containers at stores, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) announced, in a move aimed at reducing single-use plastics.

Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division launched

A new Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division was inaugurated this morning (20) at the old Police Headquarters in Colombo, under the patronage of Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala.

Nandalal Weerasinghe wins “A Grade” in global recognition

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has been awarded the “A Grade” by Global Finance magazine at the 2025 World’s Best Central Bank Governors awards, held alongside the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington.

Several train services cancelled following landslide on upcountry line

Seven train services, including night mail trains, will be cancelled tonight due to a landslide on the Upcountry railway line, the Railways Department announced.

Valvettithurai massacre survivors file USD 15 Mn reparations claim

Survivors and relatives of victims of the 1989 Valvettithurai massacre have submitted a formal reparations claim to the Sri Lankan Office for Reparations, seeking USD 15 million (around LKR 4.5 billion) in compensation for the killings and destruction carried out by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) 36 years ago.

Two youths run over by lorry during Deepavali celebrations in Talawakelle

Two youths were seriously injured after being run over by a speeding lorry while lighting firecrackers in the centre of Talawakelle town early on Sunday (20), police said.

SJB MP Rohana Bandara decides to keep away from party activities

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohana Bandara said today that he has decided to keep away from party activities due to an internal issue.

Flood warning issued for low-lying areas along Deduru Oya

The Irrigation Department has warned of a possible flood situation in several low-lying areas along the Deduru Oya valley, following considerable rainfall in the upper and middle catchment areas as of 5.00 a.m. today.

Digital spot fines for traffic offences launched in Southern Province via GovPay platform

Spot fining for traffic offences in the Southern Province will be implemented through the GovPay digital payment platform starting today, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) W.P.J. Senadeera said.

Bolivia elects centre-right Rodrigo Paz as president

Bolivians have elected Rodrigo Paz of the centre-right Christian Democratic Party (PDC) as their new president, ending almost 20 years of governance by the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party.

Govt. still uncertain on KKS Port development under US $ 62 million Indian grant

Despite the offer of over US $ 62 million grant by India, the government has not yet firmed up its decision on the development of the Kankesanthurai Port, an official said yesterday.

30-hour water disruption to hit parts of Galle

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 30-hour water cut affecting several areas in the Galle District from 8:00 a.m. today (20).

Adverse weather conditions destroy vegetable plantations in Badulla

Rains coming down in torrents has destroyed vegetable plantations in the Badulla District, it was reported yesterday.

Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division to begin operations

The Sri Lanka Police to set up a new unit, Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division (PCID), to investigate property acquired through criminal activities, today.

Suspect arrested with over 9kg of Kush

A person has been arrested in the Grandpass area of Colombo for the possession of 9 kilograms and 555 grams of Kush narcotics, police said.

EU’s sustainability laws drive Sri Lanka to revives organic farming

Ahead of the European Union’s plans to introduce more sustainability-related laws, Sri Lanka has decided to ramp up measures to promote the organic cultivation of fruits and vegetables targeting the export market, an official said yesterday.

Train services on Kelani Valley Line resumes

Train operations on the Kelani Valley Line have returned to normal this morning (20) following yesterday’s derailment between Kosgama and Avissawella railway stations.

Seven long-distance trains on upcountry line cancelled

Seven long-distance train services on the Upcountry Line have been cancelled tomorrow (21) following the derailment of the Kandy–Colombo Fort intercity express train near Ihala Kotte Railway Station this evening.

Train derails on Kelani Valley Line; services restricted to Kosgama

A train travelling from Colombo Fort to Avissawella derailed between the Kosgama and Avissawella Railway Stations at around 6.45 p.m. today, the Railways Department confirmed.

Israeli military launches attacks on Gaza, ceasefire under strain

The Israeli military said it launched air strikes and artillery fire at targets in southern Gaza on Sunday, dimming hopes that a U.S.-mediated ceasefire would lead to lasting peace as Israel traded blame with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Ihala Kotte derailment: Night mail trains cancelled

The Railways Department has announced the cancellation of the night mail trains from Colombo Fort to Badulla and from Badulla to Colombo Fort following a train derailment near Ihala Kotte Railway Station earlier today.