31 arrested in Nuwara Eliya during long weekend

Police in Nuwara Eliya have arrested 31 individuals, aged 18 to 35, from various parts of the island, on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs during the long weekend, police said.

Train derails near Ihala Kotte, disrupting upcountry line

An intercity express train traveling from Kandy to Colombo Fort at 3:00 pm derailed near Ihala Kotte Railway Station today, the Railways Department said.

Air China flight safely diverted to Shanghai after battery fire in cabin

An Air China flight turned into a scene of panic on Saturday when a lithium battery packed inside a passenger’s hand luggage suddenly caught fire mid-air. Flight CA139, which was travelling from Hangzhou to Seoul, had to make an emergency diversion to Shanghai-Pudong Airport after thick smoke began billowing from the overhead compartment.

Police report mandatory for election nominees, Says Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has announced that a police report will be mandatory for anyone seeking party nominations in the upcoming elections, to verify whether candidates have any involvement in drug-related or organized crime activities.

Stronger ground-level engagement needed for women and children, says Minister

Minister of Women and Child Affairs Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj has emphasized the need for stronger ground-level engagement to improve the lives of women and children in Sri Lanka, stating, “We must become even more active on the ground for the betterment of women and children in our country.”

Twelve injured in school bus accident in Ragama

A bus carrying a group of schoolchildren from Sapugaskanda met with an accident near the Batuwatte Railway Station in the Ragama Police Division this afternoon (19).

Millions join anti-Trump ’No Kings’ protests across US

Huge crowds have taken part in ’’No Kings’’ protests against President Donald Trump’s policies in cities across the US, including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles.

Belarusian national arrested for cultivating cannabis in Akmeemana

A Belarusian national has been arrested by the Galle District Crime Division for cultivating cannabis inside a rented house in the Akmeemana area.

Consumer Affairs Authority collects over Rs. 27.8Mn in fines for overpriced bottled water

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has collected more than Rs. 27.8 million in fines over a six-month period by taking legal action against vendors who sold bottled drinking water at prices above the approved rates.

Spanish town bans black cat adoptions during Halloween

The Spanish town of Terrassa in north-eastern Catalonia has temporarily banned the adoption of black cats from animal shelters to prevent potentially sinister ’’rituals’’ during Halloween.

PM returns after official visit to India

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya returned to Sri Lanka last night of (18) following an official diplomatic visit to India, airport officials at Katunayake International Airport confirmed.

Re-scrutiny results of grade 5 scholarship examination released

The Department of Examinations has announced the release of the re-scrutiny results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination held on August 10.

Yevan battles for Euroformula Glory at Monza; Motopark team-mate Stack takes win

Sri Lankan racer Yevan David showcased impressive skill in the opening Euroformula race at Monza, starting from pole position and engaging in an intense battle at the front.

Asia Rugby Sevens 2025 – Men Storm Semis, Women Falter

The Sri Lanka men’s team showcased their dominance on Day 1 of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025, cruising into the cup semi-finals at the Colombo Race Course Ground.

Zimbabwe to feature in Pakistan tri-series after Afghanistan pull out

Zimbabwe will feature in next month’s Twenty20 international tri-series in Pakistan after Afghanistan withdrew over political tension with the host country, officials said Saturday.

Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens 2025 – Day 1 Action Photos

The deciding grand finale leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series kicked off yesterday (18) at the Colombo Racecourse Grounds.

Fire at Dhaka airport cargo terminal forces flight delays, diversions

Flights out of Bangladesh’s main airport were delayed or diverted on Saturday after a major fire broke out in the cargo terminal, officials said.

Man arrested with elephant pearls worth over Rs. 30Mn

A man has been arrested in the indigenous village of Mahiyanganaya with a stock of elephant pearls valued at over Rs. 30 million, officials said.

Rain-hit Pak v NZ WC match resumes

The Women’s Cricket World Cup encounter of Pakistan v New Zealand, hit by rain, resumed a short while ago at R. Premadasa Stadium

Pakistan to hold talks with Afghanistan in Qatar after latest strikes

The Afghanistan Cricket Board told AFP that three players who were in the region for a domestic tournament were killed, revising down an earlier toll of eight.

Russian ‘cancer vaccine’ still in early stages: SL health authorities

Sri Lankan Health authorities have cautioned against sensational claims surrounding Russia’s so-called cancer vaccine ‘Enteromix’, saying it remains at a pre-clinical stage and has yet to prove its effectiveness through scientific validation.

Police probe after flower garland found on photo of Mirihana Police female OIC

A special police investigation has been launched into an unusual incident where a flower garland was found placed around a photograph of Chief Woman Police Inspector Varuni Keshala Bogahawatta, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Women and Children’s Bureau at the Mirihana Police Station.

Thailand ex-PM Abhisit reinstated as conservative party leader

Thailand’s oldest political party voted on Oct 18 to reinstate as its leader a conservative ex-premier who led the country during a bloody military crackdown on “Red Shirts” protesters.

23,000 MT of imported salt held at port over quality and deadline violations

A stock of 22,950 metric tons of imported salt, valued at over Rs. 910 million, has been detained by Sri Lanka Customs after being found non-compliant with national standards and imported after the government’s permitted deadline, according to Customs sources.

Heavy rain to lash island till month-end

The adverse weather condition is expected to continue across most parts of the country until the end of the month, the Department of Meteorology said.

Safe-haven rush pushes gold to glittering new peak in SL

Gold prices in Sri Lanka surged to an all-time high on Friday, shattering previous records as investors worldwide flock to the precious metal amid growing economic uncertainty.

Three Afghan cricketers killed in attack: cricket board

Afghanistan have pulled out of a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month after three local cricketers were killed in an attack, the country’s cricket board said on Friday.

No legal action yet in 12-year-old National Museum artefact theft

Twelve years after the theft of 221 valuable artefacts from the Colombo National Museum, the case remains unresolved, with the Attorney General’s Department yet to file charges against the accused, according to the latest audit report of the Department of National Museums.

Sri Lankan sisters from Australia grace Asian Colombo Sevens

The stage is set for the second leg of the Asian Rugby Sevens which kicks off today at the Race Course ground in Colombo taking in both the men’s and women’s segments with two sisters from Australia likely to grab the attention of local fans like bolts from the blues.

Plans Underway to Bring Back Rugby Crowds

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is set to embark on a major transformation in its domestic league structure with plans to introduce a Grand Final to conclude the season, aligning with global rugby trends.