Female Police Constables return lost wallet belonging to British tourist

Two female Police Constables attached to the Prime Minister’s Security Division have been commended for their honesty after returning a lost wallet belonging to a foreign tourist.

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, influential style icon, dies at 93

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, who brought glamour and elegance to a postwar revival in the country’s monarchy and who, in later years, would occasionally wade into politics, has died aged 93, the Thai Royal Household Bureau said on Saturday.

Prison overcrowding can’t be solved with hangings, says CPRP

In response to the Prisons Commissioner’s remarks that drug traffickers sentenced to death should be hanged, the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) yesterday criticised the statement, saying that executions are not the solution to Sri Lanka’s prison overcrowding.

Fire on ‘Rajarata Rejini’ train delays journey from Anuradhapura

A fire broke out on the ‘Rajarata Rejini’ train operating from Anuradhapura to Beliatta, the Railway Department confirmed.

Showers, strong winds expected during the day

The Meteorology Department has issued a weather warning, forecasting showers or thundershowers at times over Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern, Northern, and North Central provinces, as well as in Galle, Matara, and Trincomalee districts.

Minister urges prompt Muslim burial rites, calls for adherence to pre-COVID procedures

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath has addressed concerns over delays in performing Muslim burial rites, said that final rites should be carried out promptly.

Sri Lanka on track for 2026 NSW pilot

Sri Lanka is on track to pilot its transformative Trade National Single Window System (TNSWS) by end-2026, with full operations expected to commence in 2027.

No legal barriers to religious dress for Muslim nurses: Minister

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath has assured that there are no legal barriers preventing Muslim nurses from adhering to their religious dress requirements while serving in government hospitals.

No concrete plan yet for SriLankan Airlines despite mounting losses

The government has yet to firm up any plan for restructuring SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, but remains open to possible partnerships with the private sector to increase profitability, an official said yesterday.

Deadline for 2025 A/L and GIT exam amendments ends Oct. 31

The Department of Examinations has announced that the deadline for making amendments to names, medium, and subjects for the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination and the 2025 General Information Technology (GIT) Examination will end at midnight on October 31. The Department confirmed that no extensions will be granted beyond this date.

National Climate Finance Strategy for 2025 launched

The National Climate Finance Strategy for 2025-2030 was launched yesterday by the Finance Ministry and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Climate Finance Network project, which was funded by the UK government.

Sri Lanka wins three gold medals on SASAC opening day

Sri Lankan athletes Pasindu Malshan, Chamod Yodhsingha, and Shafiya Yamick won three gold medals for Sri Lanka on the opening day of the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championship (SASAC) 2025.

Time to change laws on election of Nilames in temples, devales

The election of a Diyawadana Niame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa and Basnayake Nilames of other devales came into the limelight in Parliament today with the Opposition calling for the change of traditions enabling women Divisional Secretaries to vote at the polls held to elect such Nilames.

Cyclone threat looms as Bay of Bengal system intensifies

The low-pressure area currently located over the southeast Bay of Bengal, to the northeast of Sri Lanka, is expected to intensify further and move west-northwestward, the Department of Meteorology said today.

BYD clarifies global vehicle recall does not affect Sri Lanka

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has clarified that its recently announced global vehicle recall does not apply to Sri Lanka, assuring local customers that no BYD models currently operating in the country are affected.

Six Sri Lankan seafarers repatriated from Eritrea

Six Sri Lankan seafarers who had been detained in Eritrea have been successfully repatriated to Sri Lanka through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Mission in Egypt and Eritrean authorities.

Ceylon Motor Show

’’Was raped by cop 4 times’’: Maharashtra woman doctor’s suicide note on hand

A woman doctor, who was reportedly raped four times in five months by a police sub-inspector (SI), died by suicide at a district hospital in Maharashtra’s Satara on Thursday night.

Court delivers verdict in coconut theft murder case: Death sentence for first accused

Homagama High Court Judge Navarathna Marasinghe today sentenced a man to death after he was found guilty of killing another man using a metal rod used for plucking coconuts, following a dispute over the alleged theft of two coconuts.

Opposition MPs call for establishment of Independent Youth Commission

A group of Members of Parliament, led by former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, has called for the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament to propose the establishment of an Independent Youth Commission of Sri Lanka, aimed at empowering young people and restoring their confidence in the country’s democratic process.

Govt. dental surgeons to launch island-wide strike

The Government Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA) has announced an island-wide token strike on November 6, 2025, in protest over what it describes as the “ongoing administrative collapse” within the Dental Services Division of the Health Ministry.

Police deny withdrawal of security for Kirivehera Chief Incumbent

Sri Lanka Police today rejected media reports claiming that security assigned to Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, Chief Incumbent of Kataragama Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya and Chief Prelate of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, had been withdrawn.

76 long-term Army vehicles refurbished and deployed

Following the directives of Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo , 76 vehicles that had been out of service due to long-term use have been fully restored and added back to the Army fleet today (24 October).

Ex-Fisheries officer, minister’s staff arrested over job bribe

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested two individuals today in connection with allegations of soliciting bribes for government positions

Plans to regulate eateries catering to long distance bus passengers: Deputy Minister

The government has launched a programme to regulate wayside eateries that cater to passengers on long distance buses, Deputy Minister of Transport and High Ways Prasanna Gunasena said today.

MP Jagath Vithane says his life is in danger

Opposition MP Jagath Vithane told Parliament today that he is facing a death threat and it has been confirmed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as well.

Sri Lankan woman found dead In hotel In Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti

A 71-year-old Sri Lankan woman was found dead inside a hotel in Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti, officials said on Wednesday. The deceased woman has been identified as Kodgoda, the wife of Sunil Shanti De Silva, the officials said.

Teachers, principals warn of strike over extended school hours

The Teachers and Principals Trade Union Alliance has strongly opposed the government’s decision to extend school hours by 30 minutes under the proposed education reforms set to take effect in 2026.

Thai government moves to bring back 2 gifted elephants from Sri Lanka

The Thai government is set to hold talks with Sri Lanka on October 28 to bring back two elephants that were gifted by Thailand, following reports of poor living conditions and alleged mistreatment.

Nature Through Young Eyes