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Sri Lankan National Arrested at BIA for Attempting to Smuggle Rs. 25 Million Worth of Kush Cannabis
A 29-year-old Sri Lankan national from Grandpass, Colombo, was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on October 28, 2025, for attempting to smuggle 2,523 grams of Kush cannabis into the country. The suspect had arrived on SriLankan Airlines flight UL…
Cabinet Approves Program for Productive Use of Abandoned and Underutilized Government Buildings
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a comprehensive program to address the underutilization of government-owned buildings, including those that are abandoned or partially constructed. This initiative aims to ensure these buildings are put to productive use for the benefit of…
Cabinet Approves Proposal to Submit Motor Vehicles (Drugs) Directive to Parliament
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to submit the Motor Vehicles (Drugs) Directive No. 1 of 2025 to Parliament for approval. This directive aims to address concerns regarding drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Under…
Cabinet Approves Proposal for Compulsory Seatbelt Use on Expressways
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to present amended regulations to Parliament, making the use of seatbelts compulsory for all passengers traveling on vehicles using expressways. This amendment is part of an effort to reduce the number of…
Three Suspects Remanded in Connection with Killing of Weligama PS Chairman
Three individuals arrested in connection with the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara have been remanded until October 30. The suspects were produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court today, October 28. According to police, those in custody include…
Major General (Retd) Nalinda Niyangoda Assumes Duties as Chief of National Intelligence
Major General (Retd) Nalinda Niyangoda officially assumed his duties as the new Chief of National Intelligence today, October 28, at the Ministry of Defence in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. He received his appointment letter from the Secretary of Defence, Air Vice…
SLMC MP M.L.A.M. Hizbullah Denies Claims of Being Deceived in Ghana Gold Deal
Sri Lanka’s Member of Parliament, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, has rejected media reports claiming that he was deceived in a gold business deal in Ghana. These reports were circulated by certain Ghanaian media outlets, which alleged that the former minister had fallen…
Amber Weather Advisory Issued for Strong Winds Across Several Provinces and Districts
The Department of Meteorology has issued an ‘Amber’ weather advisory for strong winds affecting several regions of Sri Lanka. The advisory, issued at 08:30 a.m. today, October 27, warns of strong winds of 50-60 km/h, which could occur intermittently across…
Indian National Arrested at Bandaranaike Airport with Heroin Worth Rs. 34 Million
A 32-year-old Indian national was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on October 26 for attempting to smuggle 2.832 kilograms of heroin, valued at Rs. 34 million, into Sri Lanka. The suspect arrived from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aboard SriLankan Airlines…
Sri Lanka Imports 3,500 Metric Tons of ‘Ponni Samba’ Rice to Address Shortage
Sri Lanka has imported a total of 3,500 metric tons of ‘Ponni Samba’ rice to address the ongoing shortage of ‘Keeri Samba’ rice in the local market. This decision was confirmed by Sri Lanka Customs, and the first consignment of…
Fatal Road Collision on Wellawaya-Thanamalwila Road Claims Life of Police Sergeant
A tragic road accident occurred along the Wellawaya-Thanamalwila main road in Adawelayaya, Wellawaya, when an army bus traveling from Thanamalwila collided head-on with a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction. The motorcyclist, a 36-year-old police sergeant from Rajamawatha, Wellawaya, sustained…
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced that electricity tariffs will remain unchanged for the upcoming quarter.
PUCSL Chairman Prof. K. P. L. Chandralal, speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, stated that after public consultations and a thorough review of electricity calculation methodologies, the commission decided not to increase tariffs for the next three months. Earlier,…
Government Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) has reported that three MRI scanners at the Colombo National Hospital are currently non-operational, leaving only one scanner in service.
GRTA President Chanaka Dharmawickrama stated at a media briefing in Colombo that this situation has caused serious disruptions to patient care services. He also highlighted that a kidney stone-breaking machine, purchased a year ago for the Kandy National Hospital, has…
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced the government’s approval of a Time-Based Tariff Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) integrated with Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (RTSPV) installations.
Under the new scheme, electricity discharged from battery storage systems during the night-peak period (6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.) will be purchased by the CEB at a rate of Rs. 45.80 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The initiative aims to encourage solar…
IMF Chief warns of growing AI divide and lack of regulation
Speaking at the opening of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings on October 13, Georgieva cautioned that the AI revolution is unfolding unevenly, with advanced economies such as the United States leading the way while developing countries risk falling…
The United States of America has updated its travel advisory for Sri Lanka, placing it under Level 2 – “Exercise Increased Caution.”
According to the U.S. Department of State, the updated advisory includes several new cautionary indicators for travelers. It urges visitors to remain alert due to potential risks related to unrest, terrorism, and landmines, particularly in areas that may experience instability.…
Officials of India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have seized drugs worth approximately Rs. 500 million that were illegally transported from Colombo to Bengaluru.
According to Indian media reports, three suspects, including a Sri Lankan national, have been arrested in connection with the operation. NCB officials stated that 45.4 kg of hydroponic cannabis and 6 kg of psilocybin mushrooms were seized from their possession.…
A special meeting with relevant officials is scheduled to be held today (14) to expedite the restoration of online government services disrupted by a technical issue affecting eight departments.
According to the Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy, the meeting will take place this morning to review progress and coordinate immediate recovery efforts. The Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) announced yesterday that due to a disruption in the…
Sri Lanka records over 62,000 tourist arrivals in first 12 days of October
Sri Lanka welcomed 62,741 tourists during the first 12 days of October, according to the latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). India continues to be the leading source market, with 18,299 visitors — accounting for…
‘Ishara Sewwandi’, the fugitive female suspect wanted in connection with the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ has been arrested in Nepal.
According to reports, four other suspects were also taken into custody during a joint operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka and the Nepal Police. The shooting occurred on February 19 at the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court…
The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber Advisory for sea areas extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota, and from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar.
The advisory, released at 9:30 a.m. today (26), will remain in effect for 24 hours until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (27). According to the advisory, these sea areas are expected to be rough or very rough, with strong gusty winds…
Colombo High Court Sets Pre-Trial Date in Namal Rajapaksa ‘Krrish’ Money Laundering Case
The Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed by the Attorney General against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa, over the controversial ‘Krrish’ project, be taken up for a pre-trial conference on December 18. When the…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Meets UN Secretary-General in New York
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in New York to attend the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, met UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters on September 25. According to the Presidential Media Division (PMD), Secretary-General…
🏉🇱🇰 SLR Elections: Can Rugby Break Free from the Godfathers’ Grip?
It’s showdown time in Sri Lanka Rugby. Two presidential hopefuls with deep rugby roots are on the ballot — but their records tell very different stories. 🔹 Candidate A: Backed by top-tier education and world-class sports qualifications, he promises vision,…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Arrives in New York for UNGA 80th Sessions
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has arrived in New York to attend the 80th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). His flight landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport at around 8:50 a.m. US time. Upon arrival, President Dissanayake…