Three arrested over murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested three individuals in connection with the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera, police said.

India arrests man for stalking, touching Australian women cricketers

Indian police have arrested a man accused of stalking and inappropriately touching two Australian cricketers participating in the ICC Women’s World Cup, officials said on Saturday.

Energy Minister cancels extension of power Reforms DG granted by Ministry Secretary

In what appears to be an instance highlighting differences within the government, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakodi has cancelled the one-year service extension granted to Director General of the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat, Pubudu Niroshan, by Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala.

Trump raises tariffs on Canadian goods in response to Reagan advert

US President Donald Trump has said he is increasing tariffs on goods imported from Canada after the province of Ontario aired an anti-tariff advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan.

Big Ticket Sri Lankan Winner in Riyadh: Banker Wins 250gm Gold Bar After Seven Years of Trying

The Big Ticket Sri Lankan Winner in Riyadh has become the talk of the town after a 63-year-old banker, Mohamed Nalim, struck gold in the popular Big Ticket Abu Dhabi weekly e-draw. The long-time expatriate, who has been living in Saudi Arabia for nearly two decades, won a 250-gram 24-karat gold bar with ticket number 173160 — a dream come true after years of persistence.

Ministry warns of fake WhatsApp group misusing education reform title

The Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry has alerted the public to a fraudulent WhatsApp group operating under the name “Education Council to be formed through the New Education Reforms.”

Gazette issued allowing release of vehicles held at customs

A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued outlining new regulations for the release of vehicles currently held by Sri Lanka Customs.

King takes 7-18 as Australia thrash South Africa

Alana King returned the best figures in Women’s World Cup history as Australia hammered South Africa by seven wickets to set up a semi-final meeting with India.

Government has no control over law and order: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has voiced concern over the recent spate of killings across the country, warning that law and order appear to be slipping out of government control.

No decision yet on driving license fee revision: DMT Commissioner General

Depatment of Motor Transport (DMT) Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe has clarified that no final decision has been made regarding a revision of driving license fees this year.

Two Australian women cricketers ‘touched inappropriately’ in Indore

It is learnt that the concerned players were walking to a cafe at Khajrana Road, which is roughly three kilometres from their hotel when a motorcyclist committed the offence.

Rain or Shine, Gear Up for a Thrilling Weekend of Sport

As rain clouds drift across Sri Lanka this weekend, outdoor plans might be off — but that’s hardly bad news for sports lovers. From the Premier League’s late-night battles to India’s crucial ODI in Sydney and the roar of Formula 1 engines in Mexico, it’s shaping up to be a weekend tailor-made for staying in, curling up, and catching every moment of the global action.

AI job demand in South Asia, including Sri Lanka, surges 75% Faster: World Bank

The World Bank has highlighted a rapid rise in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) skills across South Asia, including Sri Lanka, noting that this trend is beginning to influence hiring patterns. Between January 2023 and March 2025, the share of AI-related job postings in the region more than doubled, increasing from 2.9% to 6.5%, growing approximately 75% faster than non-AI job listings.

Gayle named brand ambassador as LPL gears up for 2026 return

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) has appointed West Indies cricket icon Chris Gayle as the Brand Ambassador for its upcoming sixth season, scheduled for 2026.

Govt prioritises primary healthcare strengthening to tackle rising NCD threat

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has said that strengthening primary healthcare remains a core priority under the government’s health policy, as Sri Lanka works to curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Sri Lanka Navy launches rescue mission for distressed merchant ship

The Sri Lanka Navy vessel Samudura set sail on 24 October 2025 to rescue the crew of the merchant ship MV INTEGRITY STAR, which had encountered distress about 100 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka due to a technical fault in its main engines.

Strong winds, rough seas as depression forms in Bay of Bengal: Met Dept warns

The Department of Meteorology has issued an amber advisory for strong winds, heavy showers, and rough seas affecting the Bay of Bengal and eastern coastal waters around Sri Lanka.

Firefighting awareness holiday programme for children at Ratmalana Airport

Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka has announced a special one-day Fire Fighting Awareness Holiday Programme for children this December.

Overpriced drug purchases, unrecovered supplier payments raise concerns

An audit report has revealed major financial lapses at the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), including losses from overpriced medicine purchases and failure to recover money from suppliers.

SriLankan Airlines clarifies 2024/25 financial losses

SriLankan Airlines has issued a statement to clarify its financial performance for the 2024/25 fiscal year, following recent reports on its reported losses.

Will Sri Lanka experience a spate of political killings?

Opposition MP Jagath Vithane questioned as to whether Sri Lanka is going to experience a spate of political killings with the latest developments, including the killing of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman.

Why are we a nation that never develops?

For years Sri Lanka’s geographic location has been spoken about and even envied by many nations. Infact foreigners have always praised our natural resources, our lush greenery, our ideal location in the Indian Ocean and our warmth and friendship.

Sri Lanka on HIV alert: Over 150,000 at risk from unsafe sex, drug practices

Sri Lanka is facing a serious public health crisis, with more than 150,000 individuals engaging in unsafe sexual and drug-related behaviours, health authorities have warned. Experts fear that without immediate intervention, the country could see a sharp rise in HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the coming years.

Female Police Constables return lost wallet belonging to British tourist

Two female Police Constables attached to the Prime Minister’s Security Division have been commended for their honesty after returning a lost wallet belonging to a foreign tourist.

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, influential style icon, dies at 93

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, who brought glamour and elegance to a postwar revival in the country’s monarchy and who, in later years, would occasionally wade into politics, has died aged 93, the Thai Royal Household Bureau said on Saturday.

Prison overcrowding can’t be solved with hangings, says CPRP

In response to the Prisons Commissioner’s remarks that drug traffickers sentenced to death should be hanged, the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) yesterday criticised the statement, saying that executions are not the solution to Sri Lanka’s prison overcrowding.

Fire on ‘Rajarata Rejini’ train delays journey from Anuradhapura

A fire broke out on the ‘Rajarata Rejini’ train operating from Anuradhapura to Beliatta, the Railway Department confirmed.

Showers, strong winds expected during the day

The Meteorology Department has issued a weather warning, forecasting showers or thundershowers at times over Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern, Northern, and North Central provinces, as well as in Galle, Matara, and Trincomalee districts.

Minister urges prompt Muslim burial rites, calls for adherence to pre-COVID procedures

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath has addressed concerns over delays in performing Muslim burial rites, said that final rites should be carried out promptly.

Sri Lanka on track for 2026 NSW pilot

Sri Lanka is on track to pilot its transformative Trade National Single Window System (TNSWS) by end-2026, with full operations expected to commence in 2027.