Nov 3 (SO) The killing of Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera, known as Midigama Lasa, on Oct 22, shocked the country. The police reacted quickly. They launched a major operation and arrested the main suspect, the alleged assailant, in Nawinna, Maharagama, on October 26, 2025. This was seen as a big win for the police. But that success quickly turned sour. A video showing more..

Nov 3 (DM) The second time in two months the Opposition parties have announced they are forming an alliance against the govt, this time with a title for it. The Alliance, Maha Jana Handa or Voice of the People is to hold its first rally on Nov 21 in Nugegoda, a venue where many anti-govt campaigns kicked off in the past. The highly successful Mahinda Sulanga campaign by NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa and PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila was also launched at the same more..

Nov 3 (CT) The recent report that some 2,200 Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) staff have applied for voluntary retirement is a warning flag for the island’s services and infrastructure. The list includes engineers, accountants and hundreds from the Generation Division. If this pattern continues, the CEB will shrink its workforce by roughly 10 per cent and lose a large share of its experienced engineers; a loss the board itself says could cause operational trouble at power stations. more..

Nov 3 (CT) The world is stepping up to fight the drug menace, which is crippling human development across multiple dimensions. SL is intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, taking a structured and measured approach that emphasises law enforcement, rehabilitation, and public cooperation. The government has launched a national operation targeting traffickers, users, more..

Nov 3 (DM) Public transport is, in a way, a yardstick that measures the level of a country’s socio-economic development. In the developed world, people rely heavily on well-structured systems that include monorails, light rails, low-floor buses, high-capacity electric trains, and trams- all designed for efficient urban mass transportation. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s public transport sector today stands as one of the most visible symbols of the country’s decaying public systems. more..

Nov 3 (TM) Beginning 1 November, Sri Lanka took a notable step toward addressing a persistent environmental problem in the country, the excessive use and careless disposal of single-use polythene shopping bags with handles. The government’s decision to direct vendors to mandatorily charge consumers for these bags marks a new phase in the country’s efforts to reduce plastic use and waste. As expected, the new rule has sparked debate in markets across the country. more..

Nov 2 (ST) A group of opposition parties that first came together to condemn the arrest of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in August, announced plans this week to hold a joint anti-govt rally in Nugegoda on November 21. The rally will be titled Maha Jana Handa (The Voice of the People). The parties involved, which include the UNP, SLPP, SLFP led People’s Alliance (PA) and PHU, this week called on all those who are opposed to more..

Nov 2 (ST) Twenty officers of the Judicial Service Commission including a High Court judge, magistrates and district judges have been removed from their duties. Of these seven have had their services terminated while the others have been interdicted or sent on compulsory retirement. The HC judge in question is facing an inquiry before Supreme Court Justice Janaka de Silva. The termination of duties has been done following inquiries held into public complaints more..

Nov 2 (NW) The owner of a foreign employment agency in Maharagama has been remanded until November 14 over allegations of defrauding more than Rs. 740 million from job seekers by promising employment opportunities in Romania. The CID told the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court that around 470 complaints had been lodged with the SLBFE against the suspect agency. The bureau had later referred the complaints to the CID for investigation. The suspect, who surrendered to court through more..

Nov 2 (TM) Sinopec oil refinery project, which marks the largest-ever Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka’s history, is finally in its last stages, with the final agreements between the Chinese State-owned energy giant and the Board of Investment (BOI) now being finalised. Once these agreements are signed, construction on the multibillion-dollar oil refinery in Hambantota is expected to begin. more..

Nov 2 (SO) The Training of Trainers (ToT) program conducted by the National Institute of Education (NIE) to prepare schools for Education Reforms 2026 has been completed, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura Seneviratne said yesterday. The initiative, a key step in implementing the reforms, was designed to equip senior educators and master trainers with the skills to guide classroom teachers in adopting the new activity-based, modular learning system. more..

Nov 2 (AD) A significant increase in total govt revenue excluding grants has been recorded during the first half of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024. The report shows that the total government revenue excluding grants in the first half of 2025 has increased to Rs. 2,321.7 billion, reflecting a growth of 24.8%, compared to Rs. 1,860.6 billion reported in the same period of 2024. Tax revenue has made the largest contribution to the increase in state revenue. Accordingly, tax revenue more..

Nov 2 (ST) Police officers are to receive a cash allowance to purchase their own uniforms and boots, following the govt’s decision to cancel the problematic tenders for their supply, Minister Ananda Wijepala said. He said the decision was made to ensure that officers receive the necessary attire without further delay, as the procurement process had been stalled due to irregularities and administrative concerns. “The police officers have not received their shoes and their issuance more..

Nov 2 (ST) Many shop owners claimed that they would continue handing out polythene bags to shoppers free of charge despite the special directive calling for charges to be applied to them starting yesterday. “How can I charge someone five rupees for a bag?” questioned Anura, a shop owner at the Kollupitiya market. “It’s good if they can ban shopping bags once and for all, but we need to have an alternative. But I can’t charge my customers five rupees for a bag” he said. more..

Nov 2 (Island) More than 1,500 schools across SL have been earmarked for closure under proposed education reforms, sparking outrage among the trade unions of teachers and principals. The move, which, unions claim, is being carried out at the behest of the IMF, has drawn widespread opposition from educators, parents, and students. According to the Teachers and Principals Trade Union Alliance, a total of 1,508 schools, more..

Nov 2 (Island) The East India Holdings, parent company of International Distillers Ltd, announced its partnership with The Management Club to support the Northern Economic Summit 2026, scheduled for January in Jaffna. Janek Jayasekara, CEO of International Distillers Limited, outlined the conglomerate’s vision for the North, emphasizing that the initiative transcends conventional corporate sponsorship to reflect a deeper commitment to balanced national progress. more..

Nov 2 (SO) Northern and Eastern regions are in the limelight following many years of turmoil due to a three-decade war that ravaged the regions completely. Many entrepreneurs from both regions determined to go global and position their products in the international market are in the fray at this year’s Presidential Export Awards held for the 17th time on Dec 11 at the BMICH. “We have seen keen interest and increase in the number of entrepreneurs small, medium and large in N&E competing more..

Nov 2 (DM) Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, General Secretary of the BBS, stated that Muslim women should be allowed to access health services while wearing the hijab, but opposed the wearing of the niqab and burqa. Thera said that as Sinhalese nationals, it is wrong to oppose the hijab, which allows women to be identified, but garments covering the entire face, such as the niqab and burqa, should be discouraged. He explained that while the hijab does not conceal identity, more..

Nov 2 (EN) Sri Lanka’s construction sector expanded in September, registering a value of 67.6 on a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank. This was “the strongest increase in activity observed since late 2021,” the central bank said. “Survey respondents reported that nearly all types of construction projects are now becoming available, with road rehabilitation projects in particular, driving a further increase in the New Orders index in September.” more..

Nov 2 (TM) The Govt has announced a new policy aimed at strengthening accountability in the country’s agricultural subsidy programme, introducing penalties for farmers who receive advance fertiliser payments but fail to cultivate their land. The measure, according to Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, is intended to curb misuse of public funds and ensure that the State’s financial assistance directly supports active more..

Nov 2 (AD) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath says that steps will be taken to amend the Tourism Act in order to achieve rapid growth in the tourism industry. He stated that the incumbent govt has a long-term plan and goal to develop the country’s tourism industry. He also said that a joint structure of all institutions is needed to develop the tourism industry and that a National Tourism Commission is expected to be established for this purpose. more..

Nov 2 (DM) In the wake of controversy surrounding the security of opposition MPS in Parliament, IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has informed the Opposition MPs that the matter involving their security will be referred to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Public Security Minister for further action. The matter concerning the security of opposition MPS was discussed during a meeting convened by Speaker Jagath Wickramarante, and attended by the IGP, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa more..

Nov 2 (SO) She came, she captured and she conquered. That in essence symbolises the success story of Fathima Shafiya Yamick – SL’s golden girl and the fastest female athlete in South Asia. The 26-year-old former schoolgirl from Viharamahadevi Girls’ College, Kandy and now attached to the Army, delivered a spectacular performance to complete a triple gold at the South Asian Senior Athletics C'ships in India. more..

Nov 2 (SO) With the economy staying largely on course for recovery from the 2022 debacle, JVP/NPP Govt is negotiating the final week before the Budget with different sectors making strong demands for a larger slice of the limited economic pie. The ruling party hierarchy has not given a straight answer to their ideological shift from being an ultra-Left party in Opposition to what many see them now – in govt – as a social-democratic party. They have not fully discarded their red shirts more..

Nov 2 (EN) SL’s energy minister Kumara Jayakody said the country cannot have cheap energy if the CEB is pressured to buy power at high prices from private parties and households, amid calls to raise prices paid for solar power. “On one side you are question us why we are not bringing down electricity bills,” Minister Jayakody told parliament. “On the other side you are asking why renewable prices are being brought down. In no world can that type of business be operated. more..

Nov 2 (ST) When Dr. Harshan Lamabadusuriya laid down the word bacterize on the scrabble board in London last weekend, he knew it was special. Not only did it bring him 118 points, but it also marked the moment a long, quiet journey reached its destination. “It was one of those moments of inspiration,” he said. “I was trailing by, and then suddenly I saw it.” That decisive move crowned him the winner of the UK National Scrabble C'ship 2025, a title he first won 22 yrs ago. more..

Nov 2 (DM) Despite attracting large crowds at Dehiwala Zoo and Pinnawala Zoo, a recent audit has highlighted serious challenges affecting visitor experience at the Ridiyagama Safari Park, SL’s only safari park, and the nearby Pinnawala Zoo due to the limited variety of animals and lack of an attractive environment. For the year ending Dec 31, 2024, Dehiwala Zoo welcomed 1,023,091 visitors in 2024, while the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage recorded 650,013 tourists. more..

Nov 2 (TM) The Govt has permitted Letters of Credit (LCs) worth close to $ 1.8 billion to be opened during the year so far for the import of vehicles, according to the Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security. Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardana stated that despite the Govt permitting the opening of LCs up to an extent of around $ 1.8 billion, only around $ 1.2 billion worth of vehicles had been imported so far. more..

Nov 2 (TM) After a month of action and 30 fierce contests, it all boils down to the biggest one of all: the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (WC) final at Navi Mumbai’s 45,300-capacity D.Y. Patil Stadium. Tournament hosts India take on first-time finalists South Africa in a blockbuster clash, with a new world champion set to be crowned. A sensational five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia guided India to the final, while South Africa overpowered England to reach summit more..

Nov 2 (Island) The govt has decided to establish four more high courts, which will be located in four houses formerly used as official residences of ministers, in Colombo 07, according to media reports. There is a need for more well-equipped courts, given the inordinate law’s delays and the colossal backlog of cases that need to be cleared. There have been instances where some court cases dragged on for decades. Athauda Seneviratne, who served as a Minister of Justice, once revealed more..

Nov 2 (SO) As Sri Lanka stands on the cusp of presenting its Budget 2026 on Nov 7, 2025, the nation grapples with a delicate balancing act. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s NPP Govt, elected in Nov 2024 with a landslide mandate, inherits an economy rebounding from the 2022 economic crisis but burdened by IMF austerity, slowing growth, and grassroots hardships. Budget 2026, themed around transitioning from stability to growth, promises Rs. 3 trillion in borrowing without major new taxes, more..

Nov 2 (Island) The economic and social crises of 2022 marked a turning point in SL’s modern history. They forced the nation to confront an uncomfortable truth: our constitutional framework—designed to centralise political power—has long contributed to national decline. Out of that turmoil emerged a renewed call for genuine constitutional reform—a demand for a fair, people-centred system built on peace, prosperity, and zero tolerance for corruption. The current govt was elected on this mandate more..