Oct 27 (DN) Diplomatic Corps accredited to SL commemorated International Diplomat Day 2026 at the Indonesia’s Embassy in Colombo on Saturday (24). The event brought together more than 150 participants representing over 21 diplomatic missions, UN, and SL’s Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry, along with family members and other guests. The gathering reflected diplomatic community’s more..

Oct 27 (Island) Chemmani mass grave site has today become a focus of public concern in the North and a challenge to the govt’s credibility among the Tamil people. After months of excavation and the recovery of more than 580 human skeletons, a report by SL’s leading forensic archaeologist, Prof Raj Somadeva, has concluded that the site bears greater similarities to a formal burial ground than to clandestine burial sites with signs of criminal activity and non-conventional burial. more..

Oct 27 (ST) Two key bills to amend the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance were passed in Parliament on Thursday. The main purpose of the two bills, according to the Govt, is to enable authorities to more efficiently combat drug trafficking while also protecting the human rights of suspects arrested on charges of drug possession. They were passed with amendments and without a vote. Opposition MPs, though, questioned whether the govt had a coherent strategy to control more..

Oct 27 (SO) The controversy surrounding Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera emerged as one of the most contentious political issues in SL last week. In an unusual turn of events, figures from across the political spectrum rallied around what they described as the right to the robe. From Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera to Wimal Weerawansa, from Rajitha Senaratne to Lakshman Kiriella, and from Ven. Samantabhadra Thera to Sajith Premadasa, an array of voices converged on more..

Oct 27 (Island) Former Minister A.H.M. Fowzie has published an apology in a govt-controlled newspaper for having misused a state vehicle while in power. He has done so in compliance with a Supreme Court (SC) order. The case concerned an SUV donated by the Netherlands for disaster-management activities. Fowzie used the vehicle for personal purposes, and state funds were spent on its maintenance while he was Minister of Disaster Management. SC also ordered him to pay Rs. 6.6 million to more..

Oct 27 (SO) Sri Lanka’s economic difficulties are pushing more people towards investment schemes promising attractive returns, but the desire to make money quickly could leave unsuspecting investors facing financial ruin, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Siri Hettige said. “Due to the economic problems currently facing the country, more people are turning to such activities,” Prof. Hettige said, highlighting more..

Oct 27 (TM) When the US ordered its own diplomats and their families out of a country, it was acting on intelligence the rest of the world did not see. Last week, Washington ordered non-emergency govt staff & their families to leave Saudi Arabia, citing Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, India is working to bring home some 3,000 Umrah pilgrims. SL’s response, however, as we reported on Sunday, is simply that no Sri Lankan has been reported affected. more..

Oct 27 (DM) Sri Lanka has won many battles throughout its history, but one of its biggest challenges remains defeating the racism that has divided its people. Education Ministry’s proposed introduction of Social Harmony as a subject for senior students in state schools, with the subject becoming compulsory for A/L students, offers an opportunity to address this problem at its roots. Under the leadership of PM Harini Amarasuriya, this is a welcome initiative that could help shape more..

Oct 27 (SO) For 421 people in SL prisons, an unpaid fine of between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000 stands between them and freedom. They are among 1,454 prisoners currently behind bars because they cannot settle court-imposed fines, according to Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. The figures bring into focus the link between poverty and imprisonment, raising questions about the consequences of financial hardship in more..

Oct 27 (GV) Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill gazetted on October 6 proposes a new legal framework to combat organised criminal groups by implementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and strengthening law enforcement powers in investigation, detention and prosecution. Bill contains several positive safeguards that we were not seen in some earlier security legislation, including requirements to notify relatives of detained persons, access to more..

Oct 27 (DM) On 10th Aug 1950, a young wild bull at Panamure broke through one-inch wire ropes, and when the gate of the kraal was finally opened for him, he ran out towards the forest, stopped, and turned back to rejoin his herd. He could have escaped alone. He chose not to. Within hours he was dead, shot in front of several hundred people. Few Sri Lankans today know his story. Yet in his time that single rifle shot echoed around the world. Seventy-five years later, shooting of Tusker more..

Oct 26 (DM) Three police officers attached to the Homagama Police Station have been suspended with effect from October 26 following the death of a suspect in police custody, Police said. The suspended officers include two Sub-Inspectors serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Branch and the OIC of the Anti-Corruption Raids Unit, along with a Police Constable. The 29-year-old suspect, a resident of Moonamalewatta, Kiriwaththuduwa, was arrested by Homagama Police on Oct 25 more..

Oct 26 (NW) Litro Gas Lanka says steps are being taken to distribute 700,000 domestic gas cylinders across the country by tomorrow, in response to high market demand. The company stated that measures have been taken to accelerate gas distribution to meet increasing consumer requirements. The vessel GOODWILL arrived in Sri Lanka on Oct 24 carrying 3,900 metric tonnes of gas, in addition to a shipment that arrived on Oct 22 and another shipment scheduled to arrive today. more..

Oct 26 (NW) Activist Wasantha Mudalige has accused officers attached to the Homagama Police Station of brutally assaulting a 29-year-old man who died after being taken into police custody on October 25. The deceased, identified as Ishara Harsha Kumara, a resident of Kiriwaththuduwa, was arrested during a drug-related investigation. Mudalige alleged that the young man had been assaulted inside the police station more..

Oct 26 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has congratulated Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his reported election victory, describing it as a victory against corruption, division and political dishonesty. In a post shared on his official ‘X’ account, Prez said the people of Brazil had achieved more than an electoral victory. “Today, the people of Brazil did not just win an election; they defeated the forces of corruption, division and political lies,” he stated. more..

Oct 26 (DM) All necessary arrangements, including security, were made for Thai Deputy PM Supajee Suthumpun during her visit to SL, and the visiting delegation expressed its sincere appreciation to the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the assistance provided, Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament. Herath made these remarks while responding to SJB MP Prasad Siriwardana’s criticism over the govt’s handling of Suthumpun’s visit. “This is Parliament, not the Mirigama tuition class,” more..

Oct 26 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has held discussions with representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Colombo over concerns surrounding the govt’s proposed anti-terrorism and organised crime legislation. The meeting focused on the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, particularly their implications for fundamental rights, more..

Oct 26 (NW) US Navy ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) arrived at the Port of Colombo today for its second visit to SL this year, as part of a routine port call. According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in SL, the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship previously visited Colombo in June 2026. The Embassy stated that the visit highlights the longstanding partnership between the US and SL navies and their shared commitment to strengthening maritime security across more..

Oct 26 (NW) SL Railways has launched a new programme to carry out major repairs on three S11-type trains in collaboration with the Govt Factory Dept, at an estimated cost of Rs. 25 million per train. Initiative, introduced this year, aims to strengthen railway services through cooperation between govt institutions while reducing the maintenance workload at the Ratmalana Main Railway Workshop. Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena inspected the ongoing repair work at the Maligawatta Railway Yard more..

Oct 26 (NW) Any Police officer wearing the official uniform is authorised to take legal action against traffic offenders under the Motor Traffic Act, ASP F.U. Wootler has clarified. Addressing the media, the Police Spokesman said that the authority to take action over traffic violations is not limited to officers attached to the Traffic Police. He explained that any Police officer in official uniform can initiate legal action over traffic offences, even when carrying out duties alone. more..

Oct 26 (DM) Right to Information (RTI) Commission has ruled that a private bank operating under a licence issued by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka falls within the definition of a public authority under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016. The decision was delivered in an appeal filed by Udara Ranasinghe, a customer of SANASA Development Bank (SDB Bank), seeking information on how the interest rate applicable to his loan had been reviewed. more..

Oct 26 (SO) Female public sector employees giving birth to twins will soon be entitled to an additional 42 Govt working days of full-pay maternity leave, while those giving birth to triplets or more will receive an additional 84 working days, under the latest amendments to the Establishments Code approved by the Cabinet. The amendments to Section 18 of Chapter XII, Volume I of the Establishments Code provide enhanced more..

Oct 26 (Island) Police have warned the public to exercise caution when forming relationships with strangers through dating apps. This warning follows a rise in financial scams involving fraudulent mobile apps. Police have warned that such applications, which may appear to be legitimate, could contain malicious files capable of compromising mobile phones and stealing online banking details. Once installed, the malicious applications could allow scammers to obtain usernames/passwords more..

Oct 26 (NW) Chamari Athapaththu has joined the Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 season as an overseas replacement player. Athapaththu will replace England international Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The 36-year-old SL skipper, currently ranked sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings, brings extensive international experience to the defending champions ahead of their season opener more..

Oct 26 (TM) SL’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet has grown from about 30,000 in Sept 2025 to more than 100,000 by June 2026, but the country still has no system to track, collect or recycle used EV batteries, Auditor General (AG) has found. The findings are in the AG’s Environmental Audit Report on Electric Vehicle Usage, Post-Usage Management and Environmental Impact Assessment in Sri Lanka. Report covers 2020 to 2025. more..

Oct 26 (TM) GMOA has warned that dengue cases could rise again amid prevailing rainy weather conditions. Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe of the association stressed the need to take preventive measures to curb a potential resurgence of dengue. Noting that intermittent rainfall has been experienced since the beginning of this month, he said the prevailing conditions could lead to an increase in dengue cases. Entomological data had also indicated a rise in mosquito and mosquito larval densities. more..

Oct 26 (NW) The Supreme Court has ordered the release on bonds of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and three other respondents, while imposing overseas travel bans on them over their failure to fully pay court-ordered compensation in connection with the importation of substandard medicines. The order was issued by a 3-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, following the consideration of a motion filed by TISL. more..

Oct 26 (NW) NBRO has issued landslide early warnings for eight districts across SL due to the prevailing heavy rainfall. According to the latest advisory issued today, landslide warnings have been issued for the Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts. Level 3 (Red) evacuation warnings have been issued for six Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Ratnapura District, including Ratnapura, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, Elapatha more..

Oct 26 (DM) Police are pursuing criminal charges against the bus driver involved in the collision between a bus carrying students and a train at a railway crossing in Habaraduwa, which left 13 students injured. DIG of Traffic Control W.P.J. Senadheera said the accident occurred around 2.15 p.m. yesterday (25), when a group of 63 students, parents and teachers from a private educational institution in Kottawa was returning from a visit to a museum in Koggala. more..

Oct 26 (AD) Sri Lanka’s total exports recorded a year-on-year growth of 5.04% during the first nine months of 2026, reaching US$ 13.61 billion compared with US$ 12.96 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting continued growth in both merchandise and services exports. According to the latest export performance figures, merchandise exports increased by 5.35% to US$ 10.76 billion during Jan–Sept 2026, up from more..

Oct 26 (AD) Naufar Maulavi has been sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo Special Trial-at-Bar after being found guilty of four charges relating to the illegal possession of a firearm, live ammunition, detonators and other materials used in the manufacture of explosives.vThe case was filed following the discovery of the weapons and explosives-related materials at the Lactowatta estate in Wanathawilluwa in 2018. Maulavi and more..

Oct 26 (NW) Sri Lanka and Romania have held discussions on expanding employment opportunities for SL workers and strengthening cooperation to ensure their welfare and wellbeing. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions took place during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra and Romania’s Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Petre-Florin Manole, in Bucharest today. more..