Oct 8 (DM) A fundamental rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing prison authorities from producing BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera before courts in prison attire when he appears in connection with court cases. The petition was filed by retired Air Force officer Shantha Jayathilaka, naming the Commissioner General of Prisons, the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General as respondents. more..

Oct 8 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government aims to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) rates over the next two to three years as part of efforts to provide financial relief to the public. Speaking at a ceremony to present appointment letters to 1,540 new Grama Niladhari officers at Temple Trees on Thursday (8), the President said the government was working towards reducing the tax burden on citizens while managing rising public expenditure. more..

Oct 8 (NW) Postal employees have raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities at the Central Mail Exchange, claiming that parcels and goods sent overseas through Express Mail Service (EMS) are not being subjected to Customs inspections, resulting in substantial revenue losses to the govt and the illegal export of valuable national resources. Postal employees alleged that large quantities of prohibited and restricted items are being sent overseas more..

Oct 8 (NW) SL students have won 13 medals, including three silver and ten bronze medals, at the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad held in Indonesia. The students, who represented Sri Lanka at the international competition, returned to the island on Wednesday, arriving at the BIA in Katunayake. According to the Ministry of Education, the competition was held in West Java, Indonesia, from Oct 2 to 6, with the participation of representatives from 23 countries. more..

Oct 8 (AI) Saudi Arabia’s authorities must urgently overturn the death sentence issued against a migrant worker on charges of blasphemy, said Amnesty International today. The organization is calling on Saudi authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally given his charges stem entirely from his exercise of his right to freedom of expression. Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old SL national, was arrested on 1 July 2026 after posting a comment on Facebook deemed insulting to the prophet Mohammad. more..

Oct 8 (ABC) A Buddhist monk who sexually abused six young girls at his Melbourne temple has been jailed for 13 years and two months, with a judge calling his crimes a betrayal of trust. Monk's victims looked on with disgust as the man who violated them smiled and waved at supporters in court shortly after the sentence was handed down. Naotunne Vijitha, 71, was the chief monk at the Dhamma Sarana temple in Melbourne's south-east, a position that earned him enormous respect more..

Oct 8 (NW) Sri Lanka and Lithuania have signed a MoU to establish a formal mechanism for regular political consultations, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations as the two countries celebrate 30 years of diplomatic ties. The agreement was signed during the official visit of Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vidmantas Verbickas, to Sri Lanka from Oct 4 to 6, at the invitation of Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra. more..

Oct 8 (CI) Like tandoori prawns at a Japanese dinner, this T20I series is a curious appetiser to the kind of home season that follows for Pakistan. These three T20Is between Pakistan and SL in Rawalpindi are the only confirmed matches in the format this season, to be followed by ODIs and Test matches. Barring the recent Asian Games, these are Pakistan's first meaningful T20Is with a full squad since their lacklustre World Cup campaign in February, and set to be their only ones in a while. more..

Oct 8 (NW) Bandarawela Rest House, operated by Cluster Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, has been fined Rs. 1 million for selling a bottle of drinking water above the legally prescribed maximum retail price (MRP). Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court imposed the fine on Oct 7 after the company pleaded guilty to charges filed by the CAA. According to the CAA, its officers conducted a raid on Sept 23, and discovered that the establishment had sold a one-liter bottle of drinking water for Rs. 200, despite more..

Oct 8 (AD) A shortage of psychiatrists is currently prevailing in the country, Consultant Psychiatrist, Professor Chathurie Suraweera, said. She said psychiatrists are in high demand in foreign countries, particularly in Australia and the UK. Professor Suraweera said the migration of psychiatrists overseas has become a major reason for the shortage in the country. “There is a certain shortage of psychiatrists. SL psychiatrists have job opportunities in Australia and UK at any given time, more..

Oct 8 (CI) Kusal Mendis has been appointed the new SL Test captain, replacing Dhananjaya de Silva, who stepped down from the position on Thursday morning. The two-Test series in Pakistan in November will be Mendis' first assignment in his new job. De Silva, who led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests between Feb 2024 and August 2026, left the job citing a desire to hand over leadership "to the next generation". He, however, remains available for selection. more..

Oct 8 (TM) Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament today with amendments and without a vote. Accordingly, the amendments seek to address legal, interpretational, administrative and technical issues identified in the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, discrepancies between the Sinhala and English texts of the Act, issues relating to the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences, administrative matters of the CIABOC, and more..

Oct 8 (NW) The Opposition has signed a no-confidence motion against Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today. The signing took place at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, under the leadership of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Several MPs representing Opposition parties participated in the signing of the motion. The move marks an effort by the Opposition to challenge the Speaker’s position through a parliamentary no-confidence motion. more..

Oct 8 (NW) Minister Bimal Rathnayake tabled a list of 50 corruption, fraud and criminal cases involving former ministers, politicians, members of the Rajapaksa family and senior state officials in Parliament, rejecting allegations that the govt was pursuing political revenge against its opponents. Rathnayake said the cases currently being investigated or pursued were not newly initiated by the present administration but originated from complaints and more..

Oct 8 (DN) A new CT scanner installed at a cost of Rs. 177 million and a renovated Eye Clinic were opened at the Negombo District General Hospital yesterday, further strengthening diagnostic and treatment services at the hospital. CT scanner was installed under funding from the ADB and was officially handed over to the hospital under the patronage of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. The new facility is expected to provide faster and more efficient diagnostic services to patients from more..

Oct 8 (NW) The Dept of Prisons has decided not to transfer former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody, to a private hospital in Colombo today. Commissioner of Prisons Senaka Palletanna said Rajapaksa was examined by a specialist doctor at the Prison Hospital today. Following the examination, the specialist recommended that she be taken to the National Eye Hospital in Colombo tomorrow for further specialist consultation. more..

Oct 8 (AD) Janathawadi Joint Opposition has stated that it does not condone the removal of Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero’s saffron robes under any circumstances. The position was outlined in a special statement issued by the political group, led by former minister G.L. Peiris, to clarify its stance on the matter. Statement emphasizes that action concerning Buddhist monks should be taken in accordance with the traditions and disciplinary rules established within the Buddha Sasana. more..

Oct 8 (DN) Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and a delegation from the US state of Montana, will visit SL tomorrow to strengthen agricultural trade and defence cooperation between the two countries. Visit is expected to create new opportunities for US agricultural exports to SL while further strengthening security cooperation through the Montana National Guard’s State Partnership Program. Montana is a leading US producer of pulses, including chickpeas, lentils and dry peas. more..

Oct 8 (TM) Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Chair Eran Wickramaratne says that the then Govt should not have allowed the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend SL’s membership over the dissolution of the Ex-Co of SLC in 2023. He said no international sports governing body has a right to interfere arbitrarily with the laws of a free and sovereign nation, and maintained that therefore he does not condone the actions of the ICC three years ago. more..

Oct 8 (AD) Due to the prevailing heavy rainfall, Irrigation Engineer’s Office in charge of the Deduru Oya Reservoir took measures to open two spill gates of the reservoir by one foot each last night. The decision was taken after the water level of the reservoir rose to its spill level following heavy rainfall in the upper and central catchment areas of the reservoir over the past few days. With the opening of the spill gates, approximately 1,400 cubic feet of water per second more..

Oct 8 (NW) Colombo High Court has rejected the preliminary objections raised by former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and two other defendants seeking the dismissal of a corruption case filed against them by the CIABOC. Colombo HC Judge Ravindra Premaratne accordingly ordered that the case proceed under the existing indictments. The case relates to allegations that the defendants used their official influence to obtain Rs. 8.85 million in compensation for property damaged more..

Oct 8 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the appointment of a committee to review existing laws governing the treatment of Buddhist monks while in prison and when they are taken outside prison, and to propose amendments, new standing orders and regulations. Committee will comprise representatives from Attorney General’s Dept, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Admin, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, more..

Oct 8 (EN) Sri Lankans’ confidence in the stability of the financial system had improved in both the short and medium terms in H2 of 2026, a Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) conducted by CB found, despite perceived global macroeconomic risks and heightened concerns over geopolitical tensions. Survey respondents perceived global macroeconomic risks as the most prominent source of risk to financial system stability in H2 2026, with their share increasing notably from the previous survey round, more..

Oct 8 (NW) High Commissioner of SL to India, Mahishini Colonne, has invited Indian business leaders, investors and buyers to take part in the upcoming SL Expo 2027, emphasising the growth potential for bilateral economic partnerships. Addressing the Conference on Business Opportunities in BIMSTEC Countries in New Delhi on Oct 5, High Commissioner Colonne pointed to SL’s strategic geographic location, robust connectivity and long standing economic ties with India. more..

Oct 8 (FT) The sight of Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara in a White tunic Shirt being escorted to Court was more than an exceptional visual metaphor. It pierced the psyche of the Sinhala-Buddhist polity. As I write this, it has been announced that some have planned a peaceful protest for the removal of his robes. That is understandable. He loomed large in our firmament ever since he launched his Bodhubala Sena movement under the patronage of the then Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse. more..

Oct 8 (FT) Refused copies of two complaint letters held against him by the Health Ministry, a consultant oncologist turned to the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016, and in Aug 2026 Right to Information Commission (RTIC) ordered them released. In TISL v. Prez Secretariat, the Commission described its purpose as ensuring that citizens have the information required to participate meaningfully in the democratic process and to hold the governors accountable to the governed. more..

Oct 8 (NW) Mahanayake Theras of SL’s main Buddhist chapters have expressed serious concern over the decision by prison authorities to produce Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera before court in civilian clothing instead of his robes. In a letter addressed to the Commissioner General of Prisons, Mahanayake Theras said that while they fully respect the Constitution and judicial process, the removal of a Buddhist monk’s robes or more..

Oct 8 (FT) Govt is seeking Rs. 4.99 trillion to meet its expenditure in 2027, under the Appropriation Bill presented to Parliament yesterday for its First Reading. Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando tabled the Bill. Besides allocating funds for Govt spending, the Bill also authorises the Govt to borrow, among other provisions. Under the Appropriation Bill, the largest allocation this year goes to Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry at Rs. 856.853 billion. more..

Oct 8 (FT) Board of Investment (BOI) is moving to fast-track the proposed Export Processing Zones (EPZs) at Paranthan and Kankasanthurai (KKS), with internal infrastructure development at both sites scheduled to begin by early Jan 2027. With Paranthan and KKS now assigned early-2027 infrastructure milestones, the BOI’s focus is increasingly shifting towards converting the Northern Province’s investment potential into operational projects through faster approvals, more..

Oct 8 (DM) Any individual serving a prison sentence of more than 3 years, regardless of their position or status, including the Prez of the country, is required to wear the prison-issued uniform when appearing before a court, Prisons Commissioner Senaka Pallathtenna said. Commenting on the imprisonment of Ven. Gnanasara Thera, Pallathtenna said the Prisons Dept had acted strictly according to more..

Oct 8 (AD) A discussion between Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and a group of Buddhist monks representing the Chief Prelates of the 3 Buddhist Nikayas, is scheduled to be held today at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the issues outlined in the letter that the Chief Prelates had sent yesterday to the Commissioner General of Prisons regarding the decision to produce Ven. Gnanasara Thero, who is currently serving a prison sentence, before the court in prison attire. more..

Oct 8 (DN) India yesterday donated a consignment of essential anti-tuberculosis (TB) medicines for SL’s public health requirements. The donation, at the Health Ministry in Colombo, was in response to a request from the SL Govt to the Indian Govt to ensure availability of essential anti-TB medicines in Sri Lanka. The medicines were sourced with the support of India’s Health and Family Welfare Ministry. The consignment comprising about three tonnes of medicines, more..