Rs. 2,000 Million proposed to support rural bus services

The 2026 budget proposal includes an allocation of Rs. 2,000 million to support the continuation of essential bus services in areas where passengers face hardships due to reduced operations.

Rs. 1,000 million allocated for new drinking water projects

The government has allocated Rs. 1,000 million to address urban and rural drinking water needs across the country.

Mahapola Scholarship to be increased

Presenting the 2026 Budget in Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Mahapola Scholarship will be increased by Rs. 2,500, bringing the total monthly allowance to Rs. 10,000.

Govt allocates Rs. 1,000 million for elephant conflict control

The government has allocated an additional Rs. 1,000 million to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to complete the construction of electric fences and undertake related measures to control human-elephant conflict.

Estate workers’ daily wage to increase by January 2026

The daily wage for estate workers will be increased from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750 by January 2026.

First digital ID card to be issued by March 2026

Presenting the 2026 Budget in Parliament today, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Sri Lanka’s first digital national identity card will be issued by March 2026.

President claiming credit for PFM Act: Harsha

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is claiming credit for the change in economic management brought about through the Public Financial Management Act, which was introduced in early 2024, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said.

Nine top organised criminals behind Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder plot, CID reveals to court

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that nine prominent organised criminals were allegedly behind the plot to murder Ganemulla Sanjeewa.

Budget 2026; Inflation to be maintained below 5%

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presnting the Budget - 2026 in Parliament, pledged to maintain inflation below 5 percent and accelerate the country’s post-crisis economic recovery.

US $ 1.3 billion spent on vehicle imports so far this year

Sri Lanka has spent US $ 1.3 billion on vehicle imports by October 31, this year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

7 Percent Growth Targeted – President

“The government is working with the target of achieving 7 percent economic growth,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Sri Lanka records US$ 823 million in FDI by September – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka has achieved US$ 823 million in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) by September this year.

SriLankan Airlines debt to be restructured this year: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the US $ 210 million debt component of SriLankan Airlines would be restructured this year.

Over 200 flights delayed at Delhi airport after glitch in air traffic system

More than 200 flights were delayed at Delhi airport, one of the world’s busiest, after an air traffic control messaging system suffered a technical problem, India’s airport authority and a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Justice S. Thurairaja sworn in as Acting Chief Justice

Supreme Court Justice S. Thurairaja was sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (07).

Fuelling the Digital Economy

Mahinda Rajapaksa will not attend opposition rally: Namal

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will not take part in the opposition protest rally scheduled to be held in Nugegoda on November 21.

Police Canine Division on standby to assist school-level drug inspections

The Police Official Canine Division is on standby to assist school-level drug inspections if requested by the principals of schools, Police said.

Liquor store sealed for selling alcohol on Poya Day

A retail liquor store (Excise RB 04) in Ja-Ela has been sealed by excise officers for selling alcohol on Poya Day, in violation of excise regulations.

Cabinet approves 2026 budget

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the budget for 2026, the Government Information Department said.

AI-powered chatbot introduced to strengthen vocational education support

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot to make vocational education information more accessible to students.

Former President appears before Bribery Commission

Former President Maithripala Sirisena appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to provide a statement this morning.

Principal suspended after drug arrest

The North Central Provincial Education Director has decided to suspend the principal who was arrested with a large stock of heroin.

Plastic loops in main canals, waterways in Colombo to prevent blocking on rainy days

Plans have been afoot to implement a project under the Clean Sri Lanka Initiative to erect plastic loops in main canals and waterways in Colombo city to collect plastic and polythene as a solution to the blocking of waterways on rainy days.

Elon Musk’s $1tn pay deal approved by Tesla shareholders

Tesla boss Elon Musk has had a record-breaking pay package that could be worth nearly $1tn (£760bn) approved by shareholders.

CEB plans solar-powered EV charging stations with incentive tariffs

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is set to introduce a new project to install Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations that will utilize excess solar energy generated across the country, while offering fast-charging facilities with an incentive tariff, CEB Deputy General Manager (Business & Operational Strategy) Noel Priyantha said.

Hype of activities in P’ment for budget

Hype of activities were witnessed in the Parliamentary complex yesterday with cleaning and colour washing for the budget which is to be presented today.

Sri Lanka starts work on national plan to improve care system

Sri Lanka has begun the first steps to build a stronger and fairer care system to better support families, workers, and communities. The move comes as the country faces a fast-growing older population and a rising need for quality care services.

Tourist on bicycle has narrow shave with leopard

A tourist riding on bicycle along the Galge road in Buttala who ignored the advise of a tourist guide transporting a tourist couple, to be cautious of wild elephants and leopards frequenting the road had encountered a leopard within a short distance.

MRIA’s operations cost 14 times higher than income in 2024

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has recorded an operating cost of Rs. 3,600.8 million, nearly 14 times higher than its operating income of Rs. 242 million, the 2024 audit of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) revealed.