Nov 5 (NW) Two German tourists and a local tourist guide have been arrested by the Dept of Wildlife Conservation for allegedly collecting and possessing live wild animals and animal parts in the Babawa Uddakandara forest area near Tissamaharama. The arrests were made on November 2 following intelligence that the suspects were collecting reptiles and insects in the area. Acting on the information, Wildlife officers disguised themselves as tourists and conducted surveillance more..

Nov 5 (DM) The procurement of cancer radiation therapy machines for the Apeksha Cancer Hospital and the Galle National Hospital has come under fresh scrutiny following allegations of conflicts of interest involving suppliers and govt officials. Consultant Physician Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has called for an independent investigation into the tender process, claiming that medical physicists involved in evaluating the bids had attended a promotional event organised by a company more..

Nov 5 (NW) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has defended several tax changes introduced by the Govt, rejecting claims that they have imposed an additional tax burden on the public. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, Deputy Minister addressed eight tax-related measures, including increased duties on alcohol and cigarettes, higher taxes on vehicle imports, withholding tax on bank interest, and more..

Nov 5 (TM) Subham Ferry service operating between Nagapattinam (NGP) in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) in SL has announced special fare reductions and additional concessions for passengers travelling this month. The revised fares were announced at a media briefing held at the Ferry service office in KKS. Under the special offer, the economy-class fare for adults travelling in either direction has been reduced to approximately Rs 19,250. Fare for children has been reduced to more..

Nov 5 (TM) Sugar production at the Sevanagala unit of the State-owned Lanka Sugar Company (Pvt) Ltd has declined significantly, falling from 16,215 metric tonnes (MT) in 2020 to 8,091 MT last year (2025), according to information provided by the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development. Opposition Parliamentarian H M Dharmasena raised a question in Parliament yesterday (4) regarding the State-owned sugar manufacturing facilities in Monaragala. more..

Nov 5 (DM) In a move to strengthen monitoring and accountability in the city’s food service sector, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has introduced a QR code-based complaint system to enable the public to report food safety and hygiene violations at restaurants and food outlets. The initiative, launched today by the CMC’s Public Health Department, allows consumers to submit complaints directly to the relevant Medical Officers of more..

Nov 5 (AD) Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has 7,130 registered buses, Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena stated. Of the total, 6,987 are ordinary buses, while 143 are luxury buses, Deputy Minister said. However, he revealed that only around 5,000 of these buses are currently in a condition suitable for operation. Meanwhile, the number of private buses operating in the Western Province stands at 5,524, while 2,433 operate in the Central Province and 1,326 in the Southern Province, more..

Nov 5 (NW) A former Civil Defence Force officer arrested in connection with the suspected removal of a tusk from a dead elephant in Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura, has been remanded until Nov 19. According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the suspect was produced before the Kahatagasdigiliya Magistrate’s Court today, along with several items seized during investigations. Wildlife officers conducted a special search operation on Wednesday in connection with more..

Nov 5 (NW) SL’s North-Western blue swimming crab fishery has become the first fishery in SL to be certified against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard, world’s leading benchmark for sustainable wild-caught seafood. It is also the first blue swimming crab fishery in South Asia to achieve MSC certification. Certification took effect on 4 Nov 2026, after the MSC accepted the fishery’s Public Certification Report. It was confirmed by independent assessment body Control more..

Nov 5 (NW) Colombo High Court today ordered the freezing of four bank accounts and two luxury vehicles belonging to Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, for a period of three months. The order was issued after considering submissions made by the CIABOC regarding assets previously frozen by the Commission. The Bribery Commission had earlier frozen four bank accounts containing approx. Rs. 40 mil & two luxury vehicles more..

Nov 5 (AD) Sri Lanka is preparing to reapply for trade concessions under the European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), with the govt aiming to secure continued preferential access to the EU market beyond 2027 under a revised 10-year framework. Deputy Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando disclosed this in Parliament, responding to a question raised by MP Karunanayake under Standing Order 27(2). more..

Nov 5 (EN) Govt will award around 89 bus route permits in November under a revised scoring process approved by the Cabinet, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said. National Transport Commission (NTC) will abandon its previous issuance methods and instead select permit recipients through public advertisements and clear scoring criteria. “In that, we have established a scoring procedure. Through that, most likely for around 89 bus permits, we believe we will be more..

Nov 5 (AD) SL Customs has seized a container carrying 457 cartons of cigarettes valued at Rs. 792 million, which had been brought from India in an attempt to smuggle them into the country using fraudulent import documentation. The consignment had been falsely declared as paper products, including photocopy paper, in documents submitted to Customs in an attempt to conceal the actual contents of the container. The raid was carried out by the Central Investigation Directorate of more..

Nov 5 (EN) A contentious debate in parliament today has exposed mounting alarm over SL’s expanding legislative net, with critics accusing the ruling administration of exploiting international treaty obligations to enact repressive security measures. At the center of the controversy are the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes (POC) Bill, the Protection of the State from Terrorism (PST) Bill, and sweeping amendments to the more..

Nov 5 (DM) South Korea has agreed in principle to support a programme to develop Mirissa Harbour as a fisheries and tourism port, while also exploring cooperation with SL in fisheries technology, aquaculture and marine biotechnology. The preliminary agreement was reached during bilateral discussions between SL's Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Dr. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, and South Korean representatives during his visit to Busan. more..

Nov 5 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed that a total of 11,970 individuals aged 21 and below were arrested in connection with drug trafficking during the 2025–2026 period, warning that the drug menace is destroying the country’s younger generation. Addressing an event held today to commemorate the first anniversary of the Nation United – National Drive (Ratama Ekata) drug eradication programme, the Prez presented statistics on arrests involving children & young people. more..

Nov 5 (NW) Parliament has approved a supplementary allocation of Rs. 4.26 billion to establish an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system for the SL Air Force. Supplementary Estimate No. 08 of 2026, seeking Rs. 4,261 million for the project, was passed in Parliament on Thursday, following a debate held from 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The funding is intended to strengthen the Air Force’s operational capabilities in response to changing security and environmental challenges. more..

Nov 5 (Island) The LTTE has been proscribed by the EU, but France has allowed a commemoration of LTTE spokesman S.P. Thamilselvan. The event took place at La Courneuve. SLAF killed Thamilselvan on 2 Nov, 2007. French Tamils laid garlands at a bust of Tamilselvan beside a public street. The commemoration was held on Sunday (1) by the La Courneuve Tamil Sangam, with the support of the town council, on the day France marks All Saints’ Day. The main flame was lit by more..

Nov 5 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the govt is prepared to reduce the proposed 72-hour detention period to 48 hours under the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, following concerns raised over certain provisions of the legislation. Addressing an event held today to commemorate the first anniversary of the Nation United – National Drive drug eradication programme, Prez said the govt was considering more..

Nov 5 (DM) The Govt is planning further measures to improve access to quality preschool education for children with special needs under its national early childhood education development programme, Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Dr. Namal Sudarshana said. He said special attention had been given to the educational requirements of children with special needs as part of the Govt's efforts to improve the quality of preschool education across the country. more..

Nov 5 (NW) Sri Lanka has been honoured with the prestigious Luxury Food Destination of the Year award at the Travel & Taste Awards 2026 in the United Kingdom. Chief Organiser of the Travel & Taste Awards, Ms. Alex Crosley, presented the award at the SL Tourism promotion stand during the World Travel Market exhibition. The awards ceremony honors the world’s finest food-centric travel experiences across 17 categories, with winners selected by a panel of experts more..

Nov 5 (DM) The Inland Revenue Department has deferred the mandatory submission of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for eight specified transactions until April 1, 2027. The requirement, which was initially scheduled to come into effect on November 1, 2026, has been postponed following a significant increase in demand for TIN certificates among individuals engaged in the specified transactions more..

Nov 5 (AD) Athula Kaluarachchi has resigned from his positions as Chairman of the Mahara PS and as a member representing his electoral ward, where the NPP holds power. He announced his decision in a statement published on his social media account, stating that the move was not sudden but had been made in accordance with an understanding reached with the party several years ago. Kaluarachchi stressed that his resignation from the two positions did not mean abandoning his political more..

Nov 5 (NW) SL Police have requested media institutions to stop publishing an earlier notice seeking public assistance to arrest a 47-year-old suspect in connection with alleged sexual harassment complaints involving Facebook and WhatsApp. Police Media Division issued the clarification after being informed that the suspect had filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest. The Court of Appeal has issued an order directing that more..

Nov 5 (FT) In May 2019, Hasalaka police arrested 47-year-old M.R. Mazahima, because they couldn’t tell the difference between a ship’s wheel and Dhammachakka (Wheel of Dhamma). Mazahima was accused of wearing a dress offensive to Buddhist feelings and detained under the ICCRP. Dress was sent to the Dept of Buddhist Affairs for identification. In July 2025, SC ruled that Mazahima’s arrest and detention were wrong and ordered the former OIC of Hasalaka police to more..

Nov 5 (FT) Sri Lanka has made significant progress in rebuilding govt revenue following the economic crisis. Tax revenue increased from 7.3% of GDP in 2021 to 15.4% in 2025. Yet, behind this recovery lies an uncomfortable figure. Approximately Rs. 2.1 trillion is reported as taxes in default at the end of 2025, as per the findings published in IMF’s revenue administration diagnostic report. The obvious question is why the Govt is not simply collecting this money? However, more..

Nov 5 (FT) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has estimated a 1.46% increase in electricity tariffs for the fourth quarter of 2026 following its preliminary review of National System Operator’s (NSO) bulk supply cost submission, down from an initial estimate of 2.88%. The proposed adjustment is subject to further review, with the regulator inviting stakeholder comments on the cost submissions and more..

Nov 5 (AD) A multi-day fishing trawler suspected of transporting narcotics in deep-sea waters south of SL has been brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour along with its crew members for further investigations. SL Navy seized the locally registered fishing vessel yesterday during a special naval operation after detecting it transporting a consignment of sacks suspected to contain narcotics. The consignment is suspected to contain heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice). more..

Nov 5 (FT) Official national poverty line rose marginally to Rs. 17,742 per person per month in Sept 2026, from Rs. 17,719 in August. The latest figure represents a year-on-year increase of 8.1% from Rs. 16,413 recorded in Sept 2025, reflecting the higher minimum monthly expenditure required to meet basic needs. At district level, Colombo recorded the highest poverty line at Rs. 19,136, followed by Gampaha at Rs. 19,037 and Kalutara at Rs. 18,624. Nuwara Eliya had lowest figure more..

Nov 5 (TM) The Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Ministry stated that it is prepared to deal with a possible rice shortage in the market in this November and in December through measures including providing Rs 7.5 billion in interest-free loans to small- and medium-scale mill owners to purchase and store paddy, and releasing rice stocks held by the Paddy Marketing Board if a shortage develops. more..

Nov 5 (FT) Sri Lanka subjects imported alcoholic beverages to a lower fixed excise rate per litre than domestically produced alcohol, a treatment the IMF said should be integrated into the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS) policy and administration agenda. “This differential treatment is unusual, as imported and domestically produced excise goods are typically subject to equivalent excise rates to protect revenue, support neutrality, and reduce opportunities for arbitrage,” more..

Nov 5 (DM) Lanka IOC and Sinopec have increased the price of a litre of 95 Octane petrol by Rs. 20, bringing the new price to Rs. 515 with effect from last night (4). Accordingly, the price of a litre of 95 Octane petrol at both fuel providers has increased from Rs. 495 to Rs. 515. This is the second Rs. 20 increase imposed by the two companies within 10 days. On October 25, Lanka IOC and Sinopec increased the price of 95 Octane petrol from Rs. 475 to Rs. 495 per litre. more..