New Zealand to open applications for two new seasonal work visas in December

The Government of New Zealand has announced that applications for two new seasonal visa categories will open on 8 December 2025, offering more opportunities for overseas workers during peak employment periods.

25 specialists leave annually, hospitals under strain: Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa says

Sri Lanka’s healthcare system is grappling with a growing shortage of specialist doctors, as around 25 leave the country each year, severely impacting hospitals across the island, warns Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance.

Tamim Rahman indicted over LPL fixing bid, ready to admit guilt

The Attorney General today filed indictments before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga against Tamim Rahman, the owner of the Dambulla Thunders cricket team, who is accused of attempting to influence a player participating in last year’s Lanka Premier League (LPL) to fix a match.

World Bank grants misused: Minister

Funds provided by the World Bank for entrepreneur development have been misused and given to relatives of former Ministers, Minister Samantha Vidyaratne told Parliament today.

Ravi questions legality of 2022 debt default

Former Finance Minister and MP Ravi Karunanayake has questioned the legality and accountability of Sri Lanka’s 2022 decision to suspend repayment of its external debt, calling on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to clarify whether the move was made without parliamentary sanction

SLPP MPs refuse official vehicles

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said he and his fellow SLPP MPs do not require the official cab vehicles allocated to them and have decided to hand over all three vehicles to the Ministry of Health.

Bus driver remanded over fatal Thalawa accident

The bus driver involved in the Thalawa Jayagaha accident has been remanded until November 18.

Colombo Mayor walks with vision-impaired group

Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar yesterday (11) joined a group of vision-impaired individuals to raise awareness about the daily challenges they face in navigating the city.

Apple to sell $230 iPhone pocket this week

Apple has partnered with Japanese luxury fashion house Issey Miyake to launch a 3D-knitted carrying bag for the iPhone that resembles a sock, a limited-edition accessory inspired by minimalist design.

NPP MP files complaint over false drug trafficking claims

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Chaminda Lalith Kumara has lodged a complaint with the Mirigama Police against social media posts alleging that he is involved in drug trafficking.

Most local bodies default on street lamp electricity payments: Minister

Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody told Parliament today that almost all local authorities, including the Colombo Municipal Council, have defaulted on paying electricity bills for street lamps.

1,000 Sri Lankan children await heart surgery

More than 1,000 children in Sri Lanka are currently on waiting lists for life-saving heart surgeries but a new partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Rotary Club of Colombo West aims to bring hope to some of them.

Former land ministers distributed state lands among relatives – Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath told Parliament today that several former ministers who previously oversaw the Land Ministry had distributed state lands among their family members and relatives.

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga arrested

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was arrested this morning (12) after appearing before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Prasanna Ranatunga arrives at Bribery Commission

Former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) a short while ago to provide a statement.

Global girl group Katseye have received ’thousands’ of death threats

The girl group Katseye say they have received multiple online death threats since they made their debut last year.

New chairman appointed to Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha

Sameera Danushka de Silva from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has been gazetted as the new Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, filling the vacancy created by the death of former Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera.

Turkish military cargo plane crashes with at least 20 on board

A Turkish military cargo plane carrying at least 20 people has crashed near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border, Turkey’s defence ministry has said.

President’s budgetary proposal deemed unlawful - COPF

The government is heading for trouble over the budget proposal to pay Rs.200 as a daily allowance for estate workers since such state revenue cannot be used to make payments for those employed by the private sector.

No security threat to Sri Lanka after explosions in India, Pakistan – Minister

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala has assured that there is no security threat to Sri Lanka in the wake of the recent explosions reported in India and Pakistan.

Protesters break into COP30 venue in Brazil

Protesters carrying signs reading ’’our forests are not for sale’’ broke through security lines of the COP30 climate talks on Tuesday night in Belém, Brazil.

You blocked then , you build now, Namal tells Govt

Delivering remarks during the budget debate, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and MP Namal Rajapaksa drew attention to the stark policy contrasts between the present government and its earlier positions when in opposition.

Innovative Granifrigor Grain Cooling System launched by Markspen

The Markspen Group in a bid to reduce post-harvest losses and provide greater economic benefits to local rice and grain farmers recently launched innovative German agritech device Granifrigor Grain Cooling Device, yet making a giant leap in the agro harvest sector.

All you need to know about the 2025 Ashes

The Ashes between Australia and England gets under way on 21 November down under.

Pakistan upstage Sri Lanka in first ODI as Agha and Rauf shine

Pakistan rode on a fighting century from Salman Agha and four wickets from Haris Rauf to beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening one-day international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last.

Facebook fraudster makes thousands by selling pages with stolen photos

A suspect who had created Facebook pages using women’s photographs and earned money through social media activities was produced before court today after being arrested by the Cyber Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department.

First-ever brown sugar retail network launched in Nugegoda

The Lanka Sugar Company, operating under the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development, today (Nov. 11) inaugurated its first-ever brown sugar retail network in Nugegoda.

A/L student injured after jumping from school building in Bambalapitiya

A 19-year-old Advanced Level student has been hospitalized after jumping from the third floor of her school building in Bambalapitiya this afternoon (11), according to police.

Ramith Rambukwella raises middle finger outside court

Social media erupted today after a video showed Ramith Rambukwella, son of MP Keheliya Rambukwella, raising his middle finger at reporters outside the Colombo High Court shortly after being served with indictments.