Foreign employment agency raided for operating despite licence suspension

The Special Investigation Unit of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has raided a foreign employment agency that continued to recruit workers despite its licence being temporarily suspended over allegations of fraud.

25 police officers transferred

The National Police Commission (NPC) has approved the immediate transfer of 25 police officers holding the rank of Inspector, including several Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of police stations and divisions.

ASPI pulls back amid subdued trading

The Colombo Stock Exchange saw a mild retreat on Thursday (21st November 2025), as the market gave back some of the previous day’s gains. The ASPI declined 122.24 points (-0.53%) to close at 22,982.72, while the S&P SL20 shed 17.57 points (-0.28%) to end at 6,364.61. Market volatility remained subdued, with lower trading volumes and turnover contributing to the gradual downward movement.

Plane crashes at Dubai air show, killing pilot

The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat plane used in the Indian Air Force, crashed at around 2.10pm local time (10.10am UK time) during a demonstration flight as a crowd of spectators watched on.

Eight arrested while attempting to sell ancient artefact for Rs. 50Mn

Eight suspects have been arrested for allegedly attempting to sell an ancient artefact identified as the “Ravana Gala” for Rs. 50 million to an Indian national.

Explosion at glue factory in eastern Pakistan kills at least 16

An explosion at a glue-making factory in Pakistan has killed at least 16 people and injured seven after it collapsed the factory and sparked fires in nearby homes, Pakistani media are reporting.

Woman files case claiming Sri Lankan cricketer is father of her child

A woman has filed a court case claiming that Sri Lankan cricketer Chamika Karunaratne is the father of her two-month-old child and has refused to take responsibility.

Upcountry train services restored

Train operations on the upcountry railway line, which were disrupted due to fallen trees and a landslide between Idalgashinna and Ohiya railway stations, have been restored, the Sri Lanka Railways Department said today.

Appeal Court affirms death sentences of five convicted over 152 kg heroin haul

The Court of Appeal today upheld the death sentences imposed on five individuals convicted of trafficking 151.341 kilograms of heroin in 2019, a consignment that was at the time the largest narcotic stock ever detected by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Grade 6 school cut-off marks for 2026 released

The Education Ministry has announced the Grade 6 school cut-off marks for 2026 admissions, based on the results of the 2025 Grade Five Scholarship Examination.

PM highlights the importance of education

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that education has the power to bring people together socially, politically, and economically, while allowing knowledge to be shared.

Power cut hits Joint Opposition rally

The Power supply breakdown was reported at the Joint Oppotition rally started which started in Nugegoda a short while ago.

Pro-govt. groups hang grass bundles implying participants are ’buffaloes’

Pro-government groups have hung bundles of grass in several areas around Dehiwala and Kohuwala, claiming that “only buffaloes” will attend the Joint Opposition public rally scheduled to be held in Nugegoda today.

Gomarankadawala PS Chairman dies

Chairman of the Gomarankadawala Pradeshiya Sabha, Ranga Prabath Dharmadasa, has died following an illness.

SC orders fresh inquiry into alleged deception of 22 Sri Lankan drivers sent to Dubai

The Supreme Court directed the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to immediately commence a fully fledged inquiry into complaints filed by 22 Sri Lankan drivers who alleged they were deceived after being sent for employment in Dubai.

Nugegoda ’brown sugar’ outlet becomes hot topic in Parliament

Amid various criticisms on the recently opened ’brown sugar’ outlet in Nugegoda, Deputy Minister of Industries Chaturanga Abeysinghe said the outlet has recorded sales exceeding Rs. 800,000 for nine days.

Sri Lanka targets 4.2 billion coconuts in 2026

Sri Lanka’s coconut sector is aiming for a major boost in its annual yield, targeting 4.2 billion high-grade coconuts as part of its production goals.

Three killed after 5.7 magnitude quake in Bangladesh

At least three people were killed and several injured after a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Bangladesh today.

Police remove loudspeakers near Nugegoda exam venue

Several loudspeakers placed around Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda have been removed by the police, following concerns that the noise could negatively affect students sitting for the A/L examinations.

Death toll from Indonesia’s Central Java landslides rises to 30

The death toll from landslides in two regions of Indonesia’s Central Java rose to 30 as rescue efforts continued, the country’s disaster mitigation agency said on Friday.

SJB suspends membership of candidate arrested in major drug bust

Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa said that the party has suspended the membership of a local council candidate arrested in connection with a large narcotics seizure off the southern coast.

Spain court orders Meta to compensate media for ’unfair competition’

The potentially landmark decision was centred on European Union law which obliges companies to obtain users’ consent to create lucrative personalised advertising from their data.

Kaudulla safari ticket scam: 10 Jeeps seized, wildlife officers suspended

A major ticket fraud operation involving safari jeeps at the Kaudulla National Park has been uncovered, leading to the arrest of several individuals and the seizure of 10 jeeps, Director General of Wildlife Conservation Ranjan Amarasinghe said.

Farmers, consumers hit by inaccurate crop data from Agriculture Dept.

Sri Lanka’s farmers and consumers are facing serious difficulties due to inaccurate data and forecasts issued by the Department of Agriculture, Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union Anuradha Tennakoon told the Daily Mirror.

MP Mohammed Faizal denies allegation of death threats

MP Mohammed Faizal in Parliament today denied the allegation by MP Ramanathan Archuna that he had threatened the latter with death.

Some state institutions will be reactivated with private sector assistance: Deputy Minister

A group of state institutions, including the Kahatagaha Mines, Lanka Mineral Sands and Laksala, will be reactivated with the assistance of the private sector, Deputy Minister of Industries Chathuranga Abeysinghe told Parliament today.

More than 5,000 suspects arrested for drug trafficking released on bail, 250 remain in custody

Out of more than 5,000 suspects arrested for drug trafficking, only around 250 have been remanded in custody by the courts, while the remainder have been released on bail, Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijeyapala said.

Air rifles to be issued to farmers to control macaque monkeys

The Department of Agriculture has decided to issue air rifles to farmers to protect cultivated land from macaque monkeys, and giant squirrels.

Information Department suspends media IDs for non-essential officials

The Department of Information has suspended the issuance of media identity cards to media secretaries of ministers and officials of government institutions.

MP Archchuna complains of death threats

Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna today alleged that a certain Muslim MP had threatened him with death at the members’ canteen in Parliament today.