CCTV to be fixed on public transport to prevent gender based violence: Minister

CCTV cameras will be fixed on public transport, including school vans, to prevent gender based violence, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

Retired judge among victims of expanding int’l online fraud scheme

A retired Sri Lankan judge has become one of the latest victims of an international online fraud ring that has been operating for more than two years, officials confirmed.

Sri Lanka to feel the pinch of global fuel price hike

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is in assessment of the current hike of global fuel prices, triggered by multiple factors including sanctions on Russia, an official said.

Electronic bus fare payment system to launch tomorrow

The programme to introduce electronic card payments for bus travel will be officially launched from tomorrow(24) at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre.

Leading Indian businessman chooses Sri Lanka for son’s grand wedding

A prominent Indian businessman, Mohan Suresh, has selected Sri Lanka as the destination for the wedding of his son, Jahraan Suresh, marking a significant boost to the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Appeal Court affirms death sentences of five convicted over 152 kg heroin haul

The Court of Appeal today upheld the death sentences imposed on five individuals convicted of trafficking 151.341 kilograms of heroin in 2019, a consignment that was at the time the largest narcotic stock ever detected by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Are NPP-led local bodies in a fix amidst budget defeats?

A series of recent budget defeats across several Pradeshiya Sabhas—many controlled by the governing National People’s Power (NPP), has raised concerns about the stability and functioning of local government bodies.

China studying aid project to provide Sri Lanka with electric buses: Ambassador

China is studying an aid project to provide Sri Lanka with a fleet of electric buses, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, said yesterday. He noted that this marks a new phase of cooperation between the two countries.

DMT suspends issuance of three-wheeler licences to foreigners

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) announced that it has temporarily halted the issuance of driving licences for foreign nationals seeking to operate three-wheelers in Sri Lanka.

Order for LECO Chairman’s vehicle cancelled: Minister

The order placed for a vehicle for the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) Chairman has been cancelled and an inquiry has been launched into the order of the vehicle, Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said today.

Pressure mounts on Govt. as Easter Sunday probe lacks results

The recent remarks made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament have cast doubt on the integrity of the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks after he revealed that critical evidence had gone missing, potentially hindering the ongoing probe.

IRD records highest tax revenue in its history

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that it has achieved the highest tax revenue collection in its history, reaching Rs. 2,002,241 million as of November 17.

Probe 90% complete in case against Ranil Wikremesinghe: AG tells court

The Attorney General yesterday informed Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara that investigations into the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, over the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in State funds, will be completed within a month and that steps will thereafter be taken to institute proceedings before a higher court.

No more jeeps allowed in Yala, Wildlife Department warns

The Wildlife Department has rejected requests to add more safari jeeps to the Yala National Park fleet, citing threats to wildlife due to overcrowding.

“Come and face the law” — President tells Basil

With uncertainty swirling over the return of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa for a court case, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (18) asked the former Finance Minister to “come and face the law.”

Easter Sunday attacks evidence destroyed, but govt will find mastermind: President

Evidence related to the Easter Sunday attacks has been destroyed, but that will not stop the government from uncovering the truth behind the carnage, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Govt approves night duty for women in hotels

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an amendment to the Shop and Office Servants (Regulation of Service and Remuneration) Act, allowing women over 18 years of age working as food and beverage servers in commercial hotels and restaurants to be employed during night hours, after 6 p.m. and before 6 a.m.

Is Sri Lanka sacrificing its entrepreneurs for short-term gain?

The government’s recent budget, with its well-intentioned promise to build a more equitable society, has brought a familiar refrain: higher taxes on businesses. The new mandate, which subjects every business with a monthly turnover of 3 million LKR to an 18% VAT, is presented as a progressive tool. The objective is noble to fund social programmes and provide a financial lifeline to our most vulnerable citizens.

All detained BYD vehicles released, Court of Appeal informed

The Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) today informed the Court of Appeal that all BYD vehicles previously detained by the Department have now been released, in line with the agreement reached between the parties at the earlier hearing.

Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death

Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in abstentia by a court in Dhaka for crimes against humanity over a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

Sri Lanka’s greatest threat to tourism is us!

Last week, Sri Lanka went viral and sadly, for all the wrong reasons. A friend sent me a video that was spreading rapidly on Instagram. It showed a female tourist driving a tuk-tuk in the Arugam Bay area, filming herself, most likely for TikTok. Minutes into her ride, she said she was being followed by a local man on a motorbike. When she pulled over, he stopped too and walked right up to her while the camera was still rolling.

Man arrested after video of tourist harassment goes viral

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man sought over an incident involving a foreign tourist in Thirukkovil, after a video of the harassment went viral on social media.

Doctors to limit key services islandwide from tomorrow

Doctors in all hospitals across the country will limit several key services from tomorrow (Monday, 17), including issuing prescriptions for medicines to be purchased from external pharmacies and recommending laboratory tests to be done at private facilities.

Arugam Bay alleged sexual assault: Police hunt suspect

Pottuvil Police are appealing to the public for assistance in locating a suspect involved in an alleged sexual assault of a foreign woman in the Arugam Bay area on October 25.

Lalith Pathinayake’s acting role ends as NPC makes new appointments

The National Police Commission has approved the appointment of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne as the Senior DIG in charge of Police Administration.

Second reading of Budget 2026 approved; three opposition MPs voted in favor

The second reading of the 2026 Budget was approved in Parliament with a majority of 118 votes, as 160 MPs voted in favour and 42 voted against.

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.