Education Ministry issues circular on Grade 6 admissions

The Ministry of Education has issued a new circular regarding the admission of students to Grade 6 based on the results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Chinese President meets Harini Amarasuriya in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, during her visit to China to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women.

Cabinet nod to import Ponni Samba

The Cabinet has granted approval for importers to bring in up to 520 metric tonnes of Ponni Samba rice per importer without the need for import permits.

Google to invest $15bn to build AI data hub in India

Google’s parent company Alphabet will invest $15bn (£11.29bn) to build an AI data hub in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state.

Easter Sunday attacks: Writ against Nilantha Jayawardhane fixed for support

A writ petition filed seeking an order to conduct a credible investigation and take appropriate action against Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardane for his alleged omission and serious dereliction of duty that led to the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019 was fixed for support by the Court of Appeal.

Motor Traffic services running normally, no disruptions

The Department of Motor Traffic announced that all services are proceeding normally without any disruptions, dismissing recent media reports of a technical glitch halting the services of several government institutions.

Police confiscate assets worth Rs. 3.9 billion from organized criminals

Police Media Spokesperson ASP F.U.K. Wootler said that assets valued at Rs. 3,902 million belonging to organized criminals have been confiscated following investigations carried out between 2021 and 2024.

Increased rainfall forecast in coming days due to atmospheric disturbances

The Meteorology Department warned of a high possibility of increased rainfall in the coming days as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is currently influencing the weather over the island.

Hats off to PUCSL for blocking power tariff hike: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today lauded the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for blocking the 6.8 per cent power tariff hike proposed by the government.

Former Navy Commander Ulugetenne granted bail

Former Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne, who was in remand custody in connection with the disappearance of a youth from Pothuhera, was granted bail by the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court today.

’’Bus Lalith” arrested in Dubai over criminal charges

Lalith Kannangara, widely known as “Bus Lalith,” a member of a criminal gang, has been arrested in Dubai.

WHO warns of contaminated India cough syrups

The World Health Organization on Monday issued a health advisory warning about three contaminated cough syrups identified in India, urging authorities to report any detection of these medicines in their countries to the health agency.

Court finds no grounds to grant anticipatory bail to Manusha Nanayakkara

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, seeking to be released on bail in the event of being arrested by the Bribery Commission.

Shashindra Rajapaksa granted bail after over 70 days in remand

Former Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa, who had been in remand custody over allegations of committing offences under the Public Property Act, was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Joint Opposition wins all seats in Thelikada Majuwana Cooperative Society

The Joint Opposition scored yet another victory when the group backed by them secured the Thelikada Majuwana Cooperative Society with six members being elected to the management.

CEB trade unions to suspend TU action

All trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have decided to suspend their trade union action that they had launched from September 4.

Gotabaya refutes any connection to controversial building in Kataragama

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa refuted recent media reports linking his name to a building near the Menik Ganga in Kataragama, stating that he has no connections whatsoever to the said property.

PUCSL decides not to increase electricity tariffs

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided not to increase electricity tariffs this time.

ETA mandatory for tourists arriving Sri Lanka from tomorrow

The Department of Immigration and Emigration today announced that all foreign nationals visiting Sri Lanka on tourism or business trips are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival from tomorrow (15).

Sri Lanka records 1.79M tourists in 2025 so far

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) announced that 1,788,235 tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2025 up to now, with 62,741 arrivals during the first 12 days of October 2025.

’SuwaSeriya’ cannot be changed without changing law: Harsha

SJB MP Harsha De Silva said if the name ’SuwaSeriya’ is to be changed from the 1990 emergency ambulance service, the law must be changed, and necessary accreditations must be obtained.

SL’s digital backbone under threat?

Several key online government services were hit by a sudden technical failure in the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC), raising alarm over a possible data breach that may have exposed sensitive citizen and official information.

Sri Lanka still in diplomatic talks to extradite underworld figures arrested abroad

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), with the assistance of Interpol, is engaged in diplomatic-level discussions to repatriate several Sri Lankan underworld figures who have been arrested overseas, the Daily Mirror learns.

Ishara Sewwandi arrested in Nepal

Five individuals, including the main suspect Ishara Sewwandi, wanted in connection with the murder of organized crime gang leader Ganemulla Sanjeewa, have been arrested in Nepal.

Laugfs Gas suspends Dubai unit after US sanctions

Laugfs Gas PLC announced on Monday its decision to temporarily suspend all commercial operations of its Dubai-based subsidiary, SLOGAL Energy DMCC, following its designation on a sanctions list by the US Treasury.

Stray dogs take over Karapitiya Hospital, posing serious health risk

The staff and patients of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle have been left vulnerable to an increasing number of stray dogs roaming freely within the hospital premises.

President holds discussion with plantation companies over workers’ daily wage

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a special discussion with representatives of plantation companies regarding the proposed increase in the plantation workers’ daily wage.

Tense situation after CEB trade union representative removed from discussion with Minister

A tense situation was reported this afternoon after a trade union representative of the Joint National Freedom Employees Union was removed from the discussion with Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and trade union leaders of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Colombo stock market ends mixed amid volatile trading

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a volatile trading session today, with the market oscillating between the 22,200 and 22,400 levels before closing with mixed sentiment. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) ended marginally higher, while the S&P SL20 dipped into negative territory, reflecting a divergence in investor sentiment across key sectors.

Economic Development Officer arrested over aiding, abetting bribe

An Economic Development Officer attached to the Niyagama Divisional Secretariat was arrested by the Bribery Commission for aiding and abetting the Housing Officer of the National Housing Development Authority to accept a bribe.