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 century-old Trusts Ordinance. 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 and 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 Kandaiah Dharmadevan, 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 amendments to three key provisions of the proposed legislation. 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 including 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 as well as members of the general public. 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 (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 objectives or 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 pay her compensation. 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..

Nov 5 (AD) Parliament is scheduled to debate and approve Supplementary Estimate No. 8 of 2026, amounting to Rs. 4.261 billion, today, following a decision reached at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held yesterday. The meeting was chaired by the Speaker. The supplementary estimate seeks approval to allocate Rs. 4,261,000,000 from the Consolidated Fund or any other govt fund to the SL Air Force for the establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system. more..

Nov 5 (FT) Improving macroeconomic conditions have given John Keells Holdings (JKH) a firmer footing for the quarters ahead, the conglomerate’s Chairperson Krishan Balendra told shareholders, pointing to stronger growth, rebuilt reserves and an upgraded sovereign credit rating as the base for the group’s operating environment. In the statement accompanying the group’s interim results, Balendra attributed the improvement squarely to reform. “SL’s macroeconomic environment remained stable more..

Nov 5 (EN) Nearly half of young Sri Lankans would leave the country if given the opportunity, even as a large majority report a strong sense of national belonging, according to findings from a nationwide survey. My Sri Lanka | Next study, conducted by Global Unites South Asia in partnership with the Centenary Movement, surveyed 2,418 respondents across all 25 districts alongside 22 provincial consultations to capture more..

Nov 5 (NW) Four SL cricketers have been named in the team rosters for Afghanistan Premier League (APL) T20 tournament. SL’s star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been selected by Team Paktia in the Platinum category, while all-rounder Kamindu Mendis has been included in the Gold category for Nangarhar Cosmic. Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Perera has been named in the Gold category for Kandahar Warriors, while fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has secured a place in more..

Nov 5 (TM) A protest organised by the People's Struggle Movement against the proposed Prevention of State Terrorism Act (PSTA) and the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act (POCA) was held near the Parliament Roundabout yesterday, amid heightened Police security in the area. Police presence was increased at Polduwa Junction ahead of the demonstration, which began at the junction and proceeded towards the Parliament access road. Police had obtained a court order restricting more..

Nov 5 (DN) Harshitha Samarawickrama will lead SL at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which will be held in UAE from Nov 12 to 25, with all matches scheduled to take place in Ajman. SL have named a squad featuring several familiar faces, with Vishmi Gunaratne, Imesha Dulani, Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva and all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari among the key players. Dilhari will serve as vice-captain, while Kaushini Nuthyangana has been named as the wicketkeeper. more..

Nov 5 (DN) The 13th edition of the Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup gets underway in Oman today, with eight teams setting their sights on the continental title. SL begin their campaign against Malaysia as they look to make a positive start to the nine-day tournament. The eight teams have been divided into two groups, with India, Nepal, Pakistan and the UAE in Group A, while SL are drawn in Group B alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Two Group B matches are scheduled for the opening day, more..

Nov 5 (DN) Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) online portal and Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) have experienced temporary slowdowns following a sudden surge in users seeking Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), Commissioner General of IRD Rukdevi Fernando said. Fernando said the large number of people attempting to access the system simultaneously more..

Nov 5 (Island) All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has highlighted the importance of inclusive economic development, equal opportunities and stronger people-to-people ties in SL’s engagement with China, stressing that international partnerships must benefit communities across the country. The issue was discussed when Chinese ambassador Wei Huaxiang recently met ACJU General Secretary Ash-Sheikh M. Arkam Nooramith and members of the organisation’s Executive Committee to more..

Nov 5 (NW) Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of misleading the public by claiming that his govt had not introduced any new taxes since coming to power in 2024. Perera challenged the Prez’s recent statement, claiming that the government had introduced three new taxes and increased seven existing taxes. Perera said the new tax measures included a 15% income tax on service export earnings, an 18% VAT on digital services more..

Nov 5 (FT) The continued upward trend in real estate prices, together with the banking sector’s increasing exposure to real estate activities, warrants continued monitoring, Central Bank of SL (CBSL) said, warning that a sharp correction in property prices could spill over to the financial system. In its recent Financial Stability Review 2026, CBSL said Asking Price Indices for land, houses and condominiums in the Colombo District, more..

Nov 5 (AD) Lung cancer cases in SL have increased by approximately 50% since 2010, with health experts warning of a growing trend among both men and women. Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Dr. Saman Iddagoda, revealed. He said an analysis of data from the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases and the National Cancer Control Programme covering the period from 2010 to 2020 had revealed an approx 50% increase in lung cancer cases more..

Nov 5 (FT) Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival (CLAF), which has focused on creating an influential arts and culture platform for SL while profiling the island through its creative industries, is now preparing for its fourth edition. It has gained traction in a short time, guided by clear objectives that create meaningful opportunities for young people through its four pillars: literature, art, music and film. Enhancing Sri Lanka’s soft power is one of the platform’s key missions, more..