Is Sri Lanka in the dark if tsunami strikes again?

Amidst the Tsunami Exercise (IOWave25) scheduled in several coastal districts today, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Maj. Gen. Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd.) yesterday revealed that all 77 Tsunami Early Warning Towers in the country are not operative at the moment.

Schengen visa appointments only through VFS Global

The German Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced that, effective from November 3, 2025, all appointments for Schengen visa applications must be made through a new online system operated by VFS Global.

Cabinet nod to halt new wind power projects on Mannar Island

Cabinet of Ministers have decided to agree to the President’s directive not to implement the wind projects without the consent of the people living in the Mannar Island.

Former Finance Secretary Charitha Ratwatte arrested

Former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Senior Advisor to the former Prime Minister, Charitha Ratwatte, was arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Taxpayers’ money go up in smoke as docs abandon service

Billions of rupees of taxpayers’ money have gone down the drain as hundreds of government doctors have deserted their posts and forfeited their foreign training opportunities.

Sri Lanka ready to tap Mannar Basin’s $267Bn oil and gas potential

Sri Lanka is planning to open international tenders during the first week of next month, calling for bids for oil and gas exploration and development in the Mannar Basin, an official said.

Saudi national sentenced for assaulting Sri Lankan Airlines flight attendant

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today imposed a three-month suspended prison sentence for five years and a fine of Rs.10,000 on a Saudi Arabian national who pleaded guilty to assaulting a Sri Lankan Airlines flight attendant on board a flight.

55,447 motor cars imported to Sri Lanka by October 14, reveals Customs

The Sri Lanka Customs revealed that 55,447 motor cars had been imported to Sri Lanka by October 14, 2025, generating Customs duties amounting to Rs. 474.26 billion.

Woman who obstructed cops further remanded

The woman captured in a viral social media video obstructing and verbally abusing police officers on traffic duty in Udugampola has been further remanded until November 10.

Nearly half of Sri Lanka’s Railways journeys delayed in 2024

The audit of the Department of Sri Lanka Railways for 2024 revealed that 49 per cent of train journeys (58,693 trains) were delayed last year, highlighting serious issues in the punctuality of train operations.

Six temple tills stolen from Sita Amman Kovil in Haggala

A theft has been reported at the ancient Sita Amman Kovil in Haggala, Nuwara Eliya, where six temple tills were broken into last night (01).

Woman who falsely claimed to be SDIG’s sister remanded

A woman who falsely claimed to be the sister of a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) and obstructed the duties of traffic police officers in Gampaha has been remanded until November 3 by the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court.

Regime changes in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal due to consequences of bad governance: India’s Security Adviser

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, speaking at a lecture on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, stressed the importance of strong governance in shaping nations.

Opposition MPs security is now in President’s hand?

In the wake of controversy surrounding the security of opposition MPS in Parliament, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya has informed the Opposition MPS that the matter involving their security will be referred to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Public Security Minister for further action.

Fuel price revised: Petrol 92 reduced, super diesel increased

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision in fuel prices, effective from midnight today.

CID seeks 90-day detention order for arrested lawyer

The Criminal Investigation Department today informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that it intends to seek a detention order to further detain, for a period of 90 days, the female lawyer who was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting those involved in the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa.

Jagath Vithana says IGP expressed regret over his statement

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Vithana said Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya expressed regret over the statement he had made in Kandy.

Former State Trading Chairman Hussein Bhaila arrested

Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation, Hussein Ahamed Bhaila, was arrested this morning by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly causing a loss of over Rs. 99 million to the government.

Sri Lanka is the second most expensive country in South Asia to live in

Sri Lanka is the second most expensive South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) country to live with cost of living for an individual being $506 or Rs. 153,899 excluding rent to live a comfortable life according to Numbeo, a user-generated cost-of-living statistics website.

Handunnetti’s FR against alleged sugar fraud fixed for January

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Minister Sunil Handunnetti, while he was in the opposition, seeking an order to recover Rs. 15.9 billion from those responsible for the alleged sugar fraud that occurred during sugar imports in 2020, was today fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

Trial begins in case against former State Minister Diana Gamage

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanaga S. Bodaragama today commenced the examination of evidence in the case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department against former State Minister Diana Gamage, who is accused of submitting false information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration in order to obtain a passport and remaining in Sri Lanka without a valid visa.

Billions in dues from medical officers who quit service

The Auditor General has called for urgent action to recover bonds, fines, overpaid salaries, allowances, and loan balances amounting to over Rs. 1.2 billion from medical officers who had breached their agreements and left government service as of October 31, 2024.

GBS Technology breaks silence on Auditor General’s eVisa report

In response to the Special Audit Report issued by the Auditor General’s Department on the Online Visa Issuance Methodology of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, GBS Technology Services Pte Ltd clarified that as the prime contractor, they agreed with the Department of Immigration and Emigration to collect and remit to the Department the visa revenues.

Hired killers available for cash or drugs

Recent police investigations have revealed that the majority of shootings reported across Sri Lanka were carried out by hired gunmen, many of whom had no connection to the victims.

Court issues warrant on MP Jagath Manuwarna for failing to appear before court

Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara today issued a warrant on Parliamentarian Jagath Manuwarna for failing to appear before court in connection with two cases filed in 2008.

IMF projects 3.1% economic growth for Sri Lanka in 2026

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Sri Lanka’s economy will grow by 3.1% in 2026, reflecting a gradual return to its long-term trend, officials said.

Saudi national assaults SriLankan Airlines crew mid-flight

A Saudi national aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL266 from Riyadh to Colombo was caught on video assaulting a member of the cabin crew following a heated argument mid-air.

Viral airport video of SLBFE official and woman from 2023: Chairman

A viral video circulating on social media showing a conversation between a Sri Lankan woman and an official of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) at the Bandaranaike International Airport is from 2023, SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe clarified.

Cabinet approves four new high courts in Colombo 7

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of four new high court premises in Colombo 7 with immediate effect. This move aims to support the Ministry of Justice and National Integration in executing its activities under the Anti-Corruption National Action Plan (2025–2029).

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.