NPP requests police to facilitate its rally in Tangalle: Opposition MP

The National People’s Power (NPP) has sought the assistance of the police to facilitate its rally to be held in Tangalle tomorrow, Opposition MP D.V. Chanaka alleged today.

UK reaffirms commitment to protect religious freedom in Sri Lanka

The United Kingdom has reiterated its continued support for religious freedom and the protection of the rights of all faith communities in Sri Lanka, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Seema Malhotra told UK Parliament.

Fleet of vehicle to be imported includes 700 other essential vehicles: Minister

The fleet of vehicles that the government is planning to import includes 700 other essential vehicles required for the Local Government institutions throughout the country, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said today.

Writ petition against alleged demolition of section of Trincomalee temple to be heard on December 16

The writ petition filed by the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee, Venerable Kalyanawansa Tissa Thera, seeking an order to prevent the demolition of a section of the temple premises, has been fixed for December 16 by the Court of Appeal.

‘When Media Minister quotes an unknown website, it shows the fear the govt has against us’ - Namal slams govt.

National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today called on the government to concentrate on fulfilling its long overdue pledges made to the public rather than focusing on spinning lies against the opposition members.

Submit list of SJB MPs who reject cabs: Bimal tells Madduma Bandara

Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake requested Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secrerty Ranjith Madduma Bandara to submit a letter with the names of the SJB MPs who do not require cab vehicles to be provided by the government.

Police warn against false reports on police clearance

The Sri Lanka Police have clarified that reports circulating in the media claiming that a character certificate from the Chairman of the Civil Security Committee is required to obtain a police clearance report are false.

China to suspend imports of Japanese seafood amid diplomatic row: Reports

China will again ban all imports of Japanese seafood as a diplomatic dispute between the two countries escalates, Japanese media report.

First kiss dates back 21 million years, say scientists

Humans do it, monkeys do it, even polar bears do it. And now researchers have reconstructed the evolutionary origins of kissing.

Namal Rajapaksa resigns from Committee on Parliamentary Business

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced today that MP D.V. Chanaka has been nominated to the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

Thumpane Pradeshiya Sabha launches probe into monkey detention incident

The Thumpane Pradeshiya Sabha has requested an investigation following reports of the violent detention of a group of monkeys at its premises in Kandy.

No more jeeps allowed in Yala, Wildlife Department warns

The Wildlife Department has rejected requests to add more safari jeeps to the Yala National Park fleet, citing threats to wildlife due to overcrowding.

Ayurvedic drug production hit by shortage of key medicinal plants

The Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals Corporation is facing a major production crisis due to a severe shortage of essential medicinal plants required for local Ayurvedic drug manufacturing.

SC grants leave to proceed with BASL’s FR petition on university ragging

The Supreme Court yesterday (18) granted leave to proceed with two Fundamental Rights petitions, including one filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), in relation to the tragic ragging and subsequent suicide of 23-year-old Charith Dilshan Dayananda, a second-year student of the Faculty of Technology at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

Namal dismisses degree allegations, vows rally response

National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Namal Rajapaksa today rejected claims circulating about his academic qualifications, asserting that all “slanders and insults” will be addressed at the SLPP rally in Nugegoda on the 21st.

Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhi Chief custodian arrested with wild animal meat

A special raid conducted by the Wildlife Department in Viharapalugama, Anuradhapura, led to the seizure of a large stock of wild animal meat, live tortoises and 14 tortoise eggs and the arrest of a prominent multi-millionaire custodian.

Commercial Bank first to launch Google Pay in Sri Lanka

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC is making history as the first bank in the country to collaborate with Google and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to enable Google Pay for its card holders as part of the Google Wallet launch.

Curacao become smallest nation to qualify for World Cup

The tiny Caribbean island of Curacao has become the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup after drawing with Steve McClaren’s Jamaica.

Trump praises Cristiano Ronaldo at White House dinner in rare US appearance for soccer great

President Donald Trump praised soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo during a White House dinner to welcome the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.

Two rare bat species found for the first time

Sri Lankan researchers have, for the first time, documented the presence of two rare free-tailed bat species Wroughton’s free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) and the East Asian free-tailed bat (Tadarida insignis) using advanced acoustic monitoring in tea plantations across the island.

30% of transgender sex workers trapped in drug addiction crisis: TET warns

The Trans Equality Trust (TET) has raised serious concern that between 25% and 30% of transgender sex workers in the country are addicted to drugs, including ice, heroin, marijuana and alcohol.

A snake causes commotion in Speaker’s office

A tense situation arose yesterday morning (18) at the Parliamentary office of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne after a snake was spotted inside the premises.

Deputy Minister Hemachandra to attend 4th EU-Indo Pacific forum in Brussels

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, will undertake an official visit to Brussels, Belgium, from 19 to 22 November 2025 to attend the 4th EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum.

Migrant Workers’ Fair to open tomorrow at Diyatha Uyana

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) will host the Migrant Workers’ Fair tomorrow (20) at the Diyatha Uyana premises in Battaramulla, featuring a wide range of products created by returning migrant workers.

No talks yet on recall of Thai elephants: Minister

The Sri Lankan and Thai governments have not held any discussions regarding the potential recall of two elephants gifted to Sri Lanka, Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Prasad said yesterday, assuring that the animals are in good health and have not caused any harm.

Kiwi solo traveller urges not to judge Sri Lanka by one man

A 24-year-old Kiwi woman travelling solo across South East Asia says she was left “on edge” after a man in Sri Lanka sexually harassed her and lewdly exposed himself while trailing her tuk-tuk.

Upcountry train services limited

Train operations on the Upcountry line have been restricted following a landslide between Ohiya and Idalgashinna Railway Stations. Services from Colombo are now running only up to Nanu Oya, while trains departing from Badulla are limited to Bandrawela.

SriLankan Airlines flights diverted to Mattala due to low visibility at BIA

Three SriLankan Airlines flights returning from Mumbai, Riyadh, and Guangzhou were safely diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this morning due to low visibility caused by heavy mist over the Katunayake area.

“Come and face the law” — President tells Basil

With uncertainty swirling over the return of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa for a court case, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (18) asked the former Finance Minister to “come and face the law.”

Committee appointed to probe MP Dayasiri Jayasekera’s conduct

A committee headed by Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih and comprising MPs Upali Pannilage and Ranjith Madduma Bandara has been appointed to look into the conduct of MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament today.