India-Sri Lanka hold talks on power grid interconnection

A virtual meeting was held to discuss the implementation modalities of the India-Sri Lanka power grid interconnection. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, while the Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Government of Sri Lanka.

Free plastic shopping bags to be banned from tomorrow

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has announced that the free distribution of shopping bags used for carrying goods will be prohibited starting tomorrow (November 1).

Two arrested for supplying game meat to hotels near Wilpattu

Wildlife officers from the Kukulkatuwa beat office in Wilpattu National Park have arrested two suspects involved in an illegal racket supplying wild game meat to hotels and households in the Nochchiyagama area.

Health Minister urges Sri Lankan doctors abroad to return

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has called on Sri Lankan specialist doctors working overseas to consider returning home, citing a shortage of medical specialists in the country’s health service.

Patients face hours of standing amid severe congestion

Colombo Eye Hospital is facing unprecedented congestion and mismanagement, leaving patients many of them senior citizens struggling to access care in inhumane conditions.

Army using 73 government vehicles without formal approval

The latest audit report has revealed that the Army is using 73 vehicles owned by various government institutions, including ministries and departments, without formally taking them over.

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.

Customs revenue surpasses Rs. 2 trillion, sets historic record

Sri Lanka Customs has surpassed the Rs. 2 trillion mark in tax revenue collection this year, achieving a historic milestone for the government’s revenue department.

Xi to meet Canadian, Japanese leaders after Trump trade truce

China’s Xi Jinping will take centre stage at an annual gathering of Pacific Rim leaders in South Korea on Friday, holding talks with Canadian and Japanese counterparts after securing a fragile trade truce with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Andrew stripped of ’prince’ title and will move out of Royal Lodge

Prince Andrew is to lose his ’prince’ title and leave his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, following weeks of intense scrutiny over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

GMOA temporarily halts island-wide strike after talks with Health Ministry

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has temporarily suspended the island-wide strike that was scheduled to begin at 8.00 a.m. today, following successful discussions with health authorities.

CSE demutualisation awaits govt. policy on share split

The demutualisation of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is awaiting a final policy decision from the new government regarding its share allocation, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Record-breaking India upset Australia to reach World Cup final

Jemimah Rodrigues hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia on Thursday to set up a World Cup final against South Africa.

SL risks US$ 24mn rubber exports under EU deforestation rules: IPS

Sri Lanka risks losing around US$24.4 million in annual rubber exports to the European Union (EU) if it complies with the bloc’s new deforestation-free trade rules, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) cautioned.

TMC launches Northern Investment Summit 2026 to boost growth in North

The Management Club (TMC) yesterday announced the launch of Northern Investment Summit 2026 (NIS26), a major initiative to promote investment, entrepreneurship and regional growth in Sri Lanka’s

CSE Ends Mixed as Selective Buying Lifts ASPI

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed Thursday’s session on a mixed note, with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) ending in positive territory while the S&P SL20 edged slightly lower.

Trump shaves China tariffs in deal with Xi on fentanyl, rare earths

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and keeping rare earths exports flowing.

Five excise officers arrested by CID

Five officers attached to the Narcotics Bureau of the Excise Department have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Rare wolf spider rediscovered after 40 years

A critically endangered spider, not seen in the UK for 40 years, has been rediscovered in a remote nature reserve accessible only by boat.

Two million people living with diabetes: Experts warn diabetic wounds deadlier than cancer

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has raised alarm over the growing number of diabetic patients in the country, revealing that at least two million Sri Lankans are currently living with diabetes, with around 40,000 developing new wounds each year.

GMOA to launch island-wide strike tomorrow

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to launch an island-wide strike starting from 8.00 a.m. tomorrow (31) in protest against ongoing issues in the health sector.

Sri Lanka’s child population declines as elderly numbers rise: Census 2024

Sri Lanka’s total population stands at 21.78 million, according to the 2024 Census of Population and Housing, with females making up 51.7% and males 48.3% of the population.

Rs. 26.5m in cigarettes found hidden in furniture from UAE

Customs officers have uncovered a large stock of smuggled cigarettes worth over Rs. 26.5 million concealed inside a shipment of furniture imported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sri Lanka suspends mandatory ETA requirement for visitors

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced that the previously mandated Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for all short-stay visitors (tourism and business) to Sri Lanka, which was to take effect from 15 October 2025, has been temporarily revoked until further notice.

Sri Lanka to get its first cosmetic product testing laboratory

The foundation stone for Sri Lanka’s first Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT) laboratory, dedicated to cosmetic product testing, was laid today under the patronage of Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development, Sunil Handunneththi.

TRCSL launches 1818 hotline to report drug-related activities

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has introduced a 24-hour hotline, 1818, to support the government’s new initiative to eradicate the threat of narcotics, titled “United as a Nation – National Drive.”

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.

President warns police officers linked to drug networks to leave or face removal

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today issued a stern warning to Police officers allegedly involved in drug trafficking networks, urging them to immediately withdraw or face disciplinary action.

18 Army athletes promoted for outstanding South Asian athletics performance

Eighteen Sri Lanka Army athletes were promoted to their substantive ranks in recognition of their exceptional performances at the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championship 2025 held in Ranchi, India.

Head monk found guilty of sexually abusing children

The head monk of a Buddhist temple in Melbourne, Australia has been found guilty of sexually abusing children aged as young as four.