Engine driver who allegedly knocked down 7 elephants faces legal battle

Filing a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court, a group of environmental activists has sought an order calling for disciplinary and legal action against a 67-year-old engine driver who has allegedly been involved in seven separate elephant fatalities on the Batticaloa–Colombo railway line.

Land dispute delays Demodara Nine-Arch Bridge lighting project

The long-awaited lighting project at the Demodara Nine-Arch Bridge, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic tourist attractions, has been delayed due to objections from private landowners, the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) said.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s case Prosecution objection prompts court review of defence medical evidence

The Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara yesterday ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to continue its investigations and submit all related reports in the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of state funds by undertaking a private visit to London under the guise of an official tour.

UN watchdog accepts complaint against UNHRC’s accountability mechanism on Sri Lanka

The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has formally confirmed that it has reviewed a complaint concerning the UN Human Rights Council’s external accountability mechanism on Sri Lanka and has “taken appropriate action.” The acknowledgment was issued to one of the complainants on 23 October 2025.

Is threat of Malaria spread looming?

Probe launched against police officers over video recording Weligama shooting suspect’s arrest

The Special Investigation Unit has launched an investigation against the police officers who were involved in video recording the suspect who was arrested over the Weligama Chairman’s shooting, Police Spokesman F. U. Wootler

Love turns to fraud: couple guilty of fake marriage ad scam

A married couple who had defrauded a man of nearly Rs. 300,000 by publishing a false newspaper advertisement claiming they were seeking a groom for their daughter, pleaded guilty before the Colombo Chief Magistrate

Court directs Customs to expedite vehicle scanning process

The Court of Appeal yesterday directed Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) to take immediate steps to have the detained vehicles scanned using the equipment imported by the petitioner company, John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd, in

Sri Lanka vehicle market to face unprecedented price hike if Govt. taxes industry further

The prices of all vehicle models in Sri Lanka could increase beyond affordable limits following the government’s proposal to impose a 15 per cent tax on vehicles, Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) Chairman Prasad Manage warned.

Cyclonic storm developing over Bay of Bengal

Cyclonic storm developing over Bay of Bengal is to bring more than 75mm of rain to six provinces namely Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North, North Central and North Western provinces in the coming days, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Sri Lanka to lose two more Thai-donated elephants over mistreatment

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, Thai media reported.

Court directs expeditious release of vehicles imported under Cross-Border LCs

Sri Lanka Customs and other relevant authorities have been directed to expedite the release of several vehicles imported under Cross-Border Letters of Credit (LCs), following undertakings and guarantees tendered before the

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.

OPD visits outnumber population sixfold: Minister

Sri Lankans seek outpatient treatment from government hospitals at a rate nearly six times the country’s total population each year, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa revealed yesterday, citing official

Scientists causing environmental harm through inventions: Environment Secretary

Environment Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala said that, in general, scientists are contributing to environmental damage through their new inventions.

Security detail of Kirivehera Chief Incumbent withdrawn ?

Two police officers who had been assigned to provide security for Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Kataragama Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya and Chief Prelate of the Ruhunu Magampattuwa, have been withdrawn from their duties and reassigned to the upper and lower terraces of the temple premises, sources said.

Piumi Hansamali says ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ may have used her skin cream

Model Piumi Hansamali says she met underworld leader ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ only once, during a Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration held in Dubai in April 2022. In a facebook post she said that, Padme attended the event with his wife and children, and they took photographs together.

‘Rotumba Amila’ suspected to be behind the Killing

Dubai-based underworld leader Amila Sepala Ratnayake, alias “Rotumba Amila,” is suspected of orchestrating the assassination of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, a senior police officer said yesterday (22).

What’s wrong with national security? asks Sajith

What has happened to the national security if the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman is shot at while conducting his public day in the council premises, questioned Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in parliament yesterday.

An incident of gang warfare : Minister

The killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera is an incident of gang warfare which is currently prevailing in the country, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday.

Flu wave sweeps through schools, children hit hard

Health officials have raised the alarm over a dramatic rise in Influenza A and B infections sweeping through Sri Lanka with children among the worst affected.

Severe weather strikes; flood threat looms

The Meteorology Department has issued a warning as harsh weather conditions are expected to lash out across the island in the coming days, with a threat to damaging homes and affecting people’s livelihoods. With two deaths already reported, officials warned that the dangerous conditions will continue for the next few days, with heavy rain, strong winds, and floods expected in many areas.

Sewwandi assisted in killing in hope of going to Europe

Ishara Sewwandi, arrested for her role in the murder of underworld figure “Ganemulla Sanjeewa,” told investigators that she assisted in the killing in the hope of being sent to a European country, police sources said.

“President Sajith Premadasa”?

“As I sat here listening to these public questions, it occurred to me — are these questions being directed to President Sajith Premadasa?” Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa asked, highlighting what he described as the growing public frustration with the government.

Spike in panic attacks reported among young women and schoolgirls

Health professionals have raised concerns over a rising number of panic attack cases reported among young women and schoolgirls across the country, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Assistant Secretary Dr. Palitha Rajapaksha said.

Vegetable prices set to rise due to inclement weather

Inclement weather conditions that are prevailing in Sri Lanka currently will increase vegetable prices, a trader in the Manning Market said yesterday.

Govt. to fast-track bond scam probe under new unit: Minister

Claiming that some major scams including Central Bank Bond scam are in the hands of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday the newly established Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division would facilitate and expedite investigations into such major financial crimes.

Man arrested with intoxicant tablets valued Rs.100Mn smuggled from India

A consignment of more than 359,000 intoxicant tablets was seized in transit, and a suspect was arrested during a raid at Mandimuruppu yesterday.

The end of Socialism in Sri Lanka

Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the pallbearer at the funeral of Socialism in Sri Lanka. In the coffin lay the Communist Party, LSSP, NLSSP, MEP — and the JVP itself.

Adverse weather conditions destroy vegetable cultivations

Additional reports by Prasad Rukmal and Ramesh Madushanka Rains coming down in torrents has destroyed vegetable cultivations in the Badulla District, it was reported yesterday.