Oct 25 (ST) At a time when the IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya is facing possible contempt of court action for failing to comply with a court order to issue a circular prohibiting the filing of cases based on trumped-up charges against members of the public, the govt is planning to enact two new laws which could impinge on the fundamental rights of the people and infringe on individual rights. If the case involving the IGP’s contempt matter is more..

Oct 25 (AD) A depression over the Bay of Bengal is predicted to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning (27), bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and thunderstorms to several parts of SL over the next few days, Met Dept stated. According to the latest weather update, the system was centred near latitude 15.5°N and longitude 91.0°E at 11.30 p.m. yesterday, in the vicinity of the North Andaman Islands. System is expected to strengthen into a deep depression more..

Oct 25 (ST) The Police will make a fresh application to court tomorrow seeking an order to disperse the Buddhist monks-led satyagraha at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, on grounds that their continued presence at the site could lead to a breach of the peace, a senior official said. The Police will present facts to court on several grounds, including that the permission of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has not been obtained to hold different activities at park, while their presence is also a hindrance more..

Oct 25 (TM) As Saudi Arabia faces attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure from the Houthis, concerns are growing over the safety of foreign nationals, including SL migrant workers and Umrah pilgrims. Indian authorities are working to facilitate the return of around 3,000 Indian Umrah pilgrims reportedly stranded in Saudi Arabia. Over the past week, SL Umrah pilgrims have also been leaving the country, while India is making more..

Oct 25 (ST) The govt has requested the opposition to amend and resubmit its No Confidence Motion (NCM) against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka said that the opposition was not agreeable to the govt’s request and added they were not prepared to amend the NCM according to the wishes of the govt. He pointed out that the NCM has been formally accepted and included in Parliament’s order book. He charged that the govt is now attempting to more..

Oct 25 (NW) President’s Office has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was admitted to a private hospital following a sudden illness. In an official statement, the President’s Office clarified that the reports were false and urged the public not to be misled by such claims. President’s Office also advised the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media without confirming its accuracy through official sources. more..

Oct 25 (ST) Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal is to give evidence before the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar tomorrow in the case where he is accused of causing a Rs 1.8 billion loss to the govt by investing in Greek bonds. This follows an order by the 3-judge High Court Trial-at-Bar to the defence to submit testimony in the case. This is the third time that Mr Cabraal has been charged with the Greek bonds issue. His evidence tomorrow will be led by Dilan Rathnayake, PC, appearing as more..

Oct 25 (NW) The narcotics seized during a joint Navy and Coast Guard operation at Naotunna Beach in Thalalla, Matara, in the early hours of Saturday have been confirmed to weigh 561.705 kilograms, with an estimated street value of over Rs. 11.8 billion. Examinations conducted by PNB confirmed that the consignment comprised 321.941 kg of heroin and 239.764 kg of crystal methamphetamine (Ice). The drugs were packed in 275 parcels of heroin & 200 parcels of Ice, more..

Oct 25 (ST) SLC Executive Committee incurred more than Rs. 405 million in recorded overseas travel expenses between 2019 and March 2026, according to financial records obtained under the Right to Information Act, bringing overseas travel during Shammi Silva’s seven-year administration under renewed scrutiny. The records cover 30 individuals and show expenditure of Rs. 231.47 million on per diems alone. more..

Oct 25 (NW) Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised SL batter Pavan Rathnayake for his impressive strokeplay against England during SL’s historic ODI victory in Rawalpindi, while questioning why the youngster has yet to receive an opportunity in Test cricket. Rathnayake scored a brilliant 130 off 106 deliveries, including 15 fours and three sixes, helping SL successfully chase a target of 430 against England on Oct 22. SL completed the second-highest successful run chase more..

Oct 25 (NW) A new palliative care centre built at a cost of over Rs. 350 million with contributions from local and overseas donors was opened in Chavakachcheri, Jaffna, on October 24, offering completely free care to patients suffering from serious and life-limiting illnesses. The facility, named Comfort Care Home, was officially opened by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa in Sarasalai, Chavakachcheri. Unlike conventional medical facilities, centre focuses on providing comfort, more..

Oct 25 (NW) British Airways has resumed flights to Sri Lanka after a 10-year break, with its first aircraft arriving at BIA in Katunayake on Saturday. The Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, operating as flight BA2045 from London Gatwick Airport, arrived in Colombo in the morning, marking the airline’s return to Sri Lanka. The airline is scheduled to operate three flights a week between London Gatwick and Colombo, strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and the UK. more..

Oct 25 (ST) It is reported that the Minister of Sports (MoS) recently stated that sportsmen and sportswomen cannot be produced overnight. He stressed that such development takes time. This is to imply that the fiat of Sports Ministers did not exist before. As it happens in all spheres of economic activity, it seems that every govt looks to start anew as if no governance existed before. Thus, the continuation of development activity is prone to starts and stops. more..

Oct 25 (TM) SL is highly unlikely to enter into any new barter trade arrangements in the foreseeable future, SLTB has said, as the country’s only State-level barter deal, the tea-for-oil agreement with Iran, draws to a close. “It is highly unlikely that SL will pursue new barter trade arrangements in the foreseeable future. Should the need arise, any such opportunities would have to be explored in consultation with the export community” more..

Oct 25 (Island) How much relevance bilateral and tri-nation ODI cricket will retain after next year’s World Cup remains anyone’s guess. So let’s enjoy the format while we can. On Thursday night, Rawalpindi served up a feast as Sri Lanka chased down 430 with one ball to spare, leaving England shell shocked and the rest of the cricketing world rubbing its eyes. Harry Brook’s record breaking double hundred could not secure victory as Sri Lanka pulled off a remarkable comeback. more..

Oct 25 (TM) The ongoing power cuts are likely to hurt the country’s exports, with factory production coming to a standstill whenever supply is interrupted, National Chamber of Exporters of SL (NCE) has warned. “The scheduled power cuts will have a negative impact on exports, especially on factories, because some are operating extended hours to meet demand. Production will come to a halt whenever there is a power cut,” NCE Secretary General Shiham Marikar said. more..

Oct 25 (NW) The SL govt has decided to launch a special joint operation involving the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the three armed forces to strengthen the protection of wild elephants and tuskers while addressing human-elephant conflict. The initiative was discussed at a special meeting held at the Ministry of Environment on Oct 23, chaired by Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister more..

Oct 25 (TM) SL Women’s Cricket Team Head Coach Jamie Siddons has taken extra leave for personal reasons at the end of the Asian Games and is still to confirm his availability for the team’s home white-ball series against Australia in December, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said. Siddons, 62, took the reins of Chamari Athapaththu’s side in March this year, replacing long-serving former national fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake on a 12-month long contract, with his primary assignment being more..

Oct 25 (SO) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reached another decisive stage in their attempt to overhaul the framework of the sport with the Supreme Court hearing objections to the proposed new Bill before the Second Reading in Parliament. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced that 30 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the new SLC Bill. The Supreme Court is due to convey its confidential determination within a 21-day period to the Speaker, after which more..

Oct 25 (FT) From 23 Oct 2026, passengers travelling to Colombo in British Airways’ Club World business class cabin will be treated to a specially curated menu inspired by Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage. Developed in collaboration with Hoppers London, limited-time dining experience celebrates the distinctive ingredients, traditional cooking techniques and much-loved dishes that have long been part of the island’s food culture. For SL, the partnership represents another opportunity more..

Oct 25 (TM) SL’s national cricket selection process is based on players’ performances and abilities, rather than their ethnicity or regional background, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said. Responding to a question, Minister said that an independent cricket selection committee was responsible for selecting players for the national team. A NPP MP raised concerns over the limited opportunities given to cricketers Milan Rathnayaka and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, despite their performances. more..

Oct 25 (ST) A top official of the Department of Wildlife and Conservation (DWC) told journalists that they had not fixed a radio collar on the celebrated tusker Kavantissa as they thought the large device would have looked cumbersome, giving the impression that the animal was a captive elephant and deterring nature photographers and tourists from photographing the animal. Conservationists say alas that the DWC’s more..

Oct 25 (Island) There was no plan for a sequel to what I wrote last week reflecting on the inspirational protests of 1968 and the humdrum climate of 2026. But protests turning into riots in Paris, and the politics of monk protests and counter protests in Colombo, have made a Sunday sequel worthwhile. As if not to be outdone by 1968, and manifesting violent fusions of public service frustrations and economic anxieties, 2026 protests have turned into riots over the last weekend in Paris and more..

Oct 25 (TM) The repeated declaration made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other leaders of the NPP Govt – that their policy is to treat all communities equally and that they will never again allow racism and religious extremism to rear their heads – has now faced a real test in the form of the controversy involving BBS General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. In southern SL politics, Gnanasara issue is not merely a legal action concerning an individual Buddhist monk; more..

Oct 25 (Island) A govt’s commitment to democracy is best judged by the laws it enacts. The incumbent administration came to power pledging to repeal the draconian laws introduced by its predecessors and strengthen democracy, but it is now doing the very opposite of what it promised. Having amended the Constitution to raise the retirement ages of superior court judges, including serving judges, despite protests by lawyers’ associations, other professional organisations and civil rights groups, more..

Oct 25 (ST) My dear Aiyo Sirisena, I thought of writing to you after reading a statement you had issued regarding that pardon you granted to Gnanasara hamuduruwo which has become the subject of much controversy right now. You say the statement is intended to clarify matters, but pardon me, Aiyo Sirisena, it only confuses us even more! Since that pardon was declared null and void, and Gnanasara hamuduruwo was returned to prison custody, priests have launched protest more..

Oct 25 (TM) For a mother preparing lunch while her children wait impatiently at the dining table, a small shopkeeper struggling to keep his business running, or a student sitting before a computer completing an important assignment, a sudden power failure is more than a temporary inconvenience, particularly in a country where repeated electricity interruptions have become an uncomfortable reminder of how easily more..

Oct 25 (ST) There was a time not long ago, with the northern insurgency ending, there was alarm all round of Chinese investments, mostly mega unsolicited projects. China was accused of roping SL well and truly into its String of Pearls, as its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was dubbed, and causing developing countries into debt traps. This week, when its state-run China Merchants Port Holdings retreated from a USD 392 million logistics hub at Colombo Port, question was: Why is China more..

Oct 25 (TM) On Thursday, in the well of the House, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa asked some elementary questions. How many proposals did the 2026 Budget contain? How much was allocated to each, and how much had been spent by 30 Sept? What financial and physical progress had been made on the special projects listed across 28 sectors in the Finance Ministry’s own summary of major public investment projects, issued on 7 Nov last year? What of foreign-funded projects, more..

Oct 25 (TM) Those who expected a dull political week, with Parliament occupied by the destruction of seized narcotics and the registration of dogs, were in for a surprise. The most moving political document of the week came neither from the floor of the House nor from a party headquarters. It came from a hospital ward. Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa has written an emotional letter to his son, MP Namal Rajapaksa, who remains in more..

Oct 25 (GV) SL’s electricity crisis raises a fundamental question that goes beyond tariffs, fuel imports and the management of the national grid: should citizens be free to generate their own electricity when they can do so safely without relying on the state or imposing any cost on the public? The answer should be straightforward. A household that installs solar panels and batteries to power its own appliances or a factory that invests in an independent energy system to maintain more..

Oct 25 (SO) The United Nations (UN) marked its 81st anniversary yesterday with its authority weakened by Govts that expect it to manage crises while denying it the money and political support to do so. The UN’s difficulty in restraining powerful Western States has become painfully familiar. Its capacity to help people caught in wars and disasters is now under financial pressure too. For smaller countries, including Sri Lanka, both failures have serious consequences. more..