Self-check-in services to be launched at BIA

SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services has planned to launch a self- check-in service at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for passengers of customer airlines ahead of the winter travel high season which is expected to bring over 300,000 tourists to the island in December alone.

Male, female MPs battle in Parliament

A male-female battle was witnessed in Parliament today with MP Sujeewa Senasinghe confronting female MPs Lakmali Hemachandra and Hiruni Wijesinghe over some remarks made on an earlier day.

Health Ministry fails to meet most sustainable development targets, Audit shows

The latest audit report from the National Audit Office shows that the Health Ministry has failed to report progress on 26 out of 42 sustainable development indicators assigned to it.

Field Marshal steps in to protect Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, has assured full security to the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday. The assurance came after Sri Lankan officials raised concerns following recent security incidents in Islamabad. Naqvi said the matter was personally discussed with Sri Lankan leaders.

Arrest warrant issued against former National Lotteries Board Director

The Colombo Additional Magistrate, Lahiru Silva, today issued an arrest warrant against former Director of the National Lotteries Board, Thusitha Halloluwa.

A wave of doctors’ strikes around the corner?

Sri Lanka’s public health sector is showing signs of deep unrest, with two major doctors’ unions warning that continued government inaction could soon lead to nationwide protests or even strikes.

Over 2700 govt. buildings lie idle

In what appeared to be another instance of multi-billion rupee waste of taxpayers’ money, more than 2700 government buildings, constructed in the past, remain abandoned or not being used properly, according to the budget speech delivered by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Charges against Daisy Forrest cannot be maintained due to dementia: Defense tells court

Defense counsel representing Daisy Forrest, the grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, informed the Colombo High Court that maintaining proceedings against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is baseless, as she is suffering from dementia.

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.

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.

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.

MP Archuna creates havoc in Parliament

MP Ramanathan Archuna created havoc in Parliament today by objecting the decision of the chair to allow Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra to raise a point of order.

Court orders expeditious release of 625 BYD vehicles held by Sri Lanka Customs

The Court of Appeal directed the Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) to expeditiously release 625 BYD vehicles detained by the Customs, subject to respective bank guarantees and corporate guarantees, as set out in a motion filed by the Sri Lanka Customs.

Probe into MPs’ use of unparliamentary language during yesterday’s sessions: Speaker

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne said an investigation will be conducted by the office of the Secretary General of Parliament regarding the use of unparliamentary language used by some MPs during yesterday’s sessions.

A Crisis of Confusion, A Failure of Growth

After listening to the 2026 budget speech, one thing became clear: this Government has no plan for economic growth.

Keratoconus on the rise: National Eye Hospital warns

Keratoconus, a progressive eye disorder that distorts vision, is increasingly being detected among Sri Lankans, including schoolchildren, the National Eye Hospital has cautioned.

PM Amarasuriya says age-appropriate sex education in the offing

Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya says discussions are underway to introduce an age-appropriate sex education programme in schools with the aim of protecting children from sexual abuse.

Govt. delivers progressive growth and reform oriented budget

After many decades, the government pulled off what was unthinkable for many by presenting a budget which ticks almost all boxes in its fiscal parameters while laying the foundation for a fully fledged digital economy powered by artificial intelligence and led by the private sector.

Cardinal blasts sex education move backed by foreign agencies

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has raised serious concern over what he described as an “inappropriate sexual education program” proposed for inclusion in Sri Lanka’s school curriculum next year.

Couple filming nude content for UK website arrested in Rajagiriya

A married couple who had uploaded nude videos of themselves to a subscription-based adult website in UK have been arrested by officers of the Nugegoda Divisional Children and Women’s Bureau.

Central Bank revises vehicle leasing limits

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has revised the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratios applicable for vehicle leasing facilities. According to the new guidelines, the maximum leasing percentage for commercial vehicles has been set at 70%, while the maximum for private vehicles has been limited to 50%.

Millions of dollars provided by ADB for renovation of drainage, solid waste disposal gone missing

More than USD 50 million provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for drainage and solid waste disposal have gone missing since 2010, Minister of Public Administration and Provincial Councils A.H.M.H. Abeyratana told Parliament yesterday.

President Anura Kumara’s Budget Speech 2026: Summary

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is currently presenting the Budget 2026 in Parliament, unveiling a series of allocations and reforms focused on economic stability, healthcare, digital transformation, and social welfare.

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.

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.

Sri Lankan pleads guilty, gets life for Ottawa family murders

The Sri Lankan man who pleaded guilty to killing a mother, her four children and a family friend in a gruesome mass stabbing in an Ottawa suburb in 2024 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

Inside the World’s Largest Visa Application Centre in Dubai

Inside Dubai’s Wafi City stands a place that quietly moves the world. The world’s largest visa application centre, operated by VFS Global, spans 150,000 square feet and processes up to 10,000 applications daily.

NPP Peliyagoda UC member resigns after husband’s arrest over drugs

The National People’s Power (NPP) Peliyagoda Urban Council member, whose husband and son were arrested for drug smuggling, has resigned.

Aswesuma beneficiaries should feel ashamed: Handunnetti

Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti yesterday said that those accepting Aswesuma benefits should be ashamed, describing it as “legal begging.”

Trillions spent on goods Sri Lanka can easily produce locally

Sri Lanka continues to spend trillions of rupees importing products that could easily be cultivated or produced locally, a costly trend that has persisted for over a decade despite the country’s rich agricultural potential.