Nov 8 (NW) National Council for Road Safety has increased the financial assistance provided to victims of hit-and-run accidents and their families, with compensation for fatalities raised to Rs. 500,000. Under the revised scheme, which came into effect on Jan 1, 2026, the maximum compensation payable to the dependents of individuals killed in hit-and-run accidents has been doubled from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 500,000. Financial assistance for individuals who sustain more..

Nov 8 (NW) CIABOC has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that a document containing handwriting attributed to MP Namal Rajapaksa has been referred to the Govt Analyst for examination as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial Krrish property transaction. The matter was revealed when the case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama on Friday. Rajapaksa, who has been granted bail in Krrish case but remains in remand custody more..

Nov 8 (NW) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says the Catholic Church is currently studying the govt’s proposed anti-terrorism legislation to identify any shortcomings or concerns. Cardinal Ranjith said the proposed legislation, which is intended to replace the existing PTA, is being examined with the assistance of legal experts. “The govt has now presented the proposed legislation to society, and we are currently studying it,” more..

Nov 8 (GN) Sri Lankan-origin Mitchell Perera, a well-known figure in the UAE's off-roading and camping community and a veteran marshal at Gulf News' annual Fun Drive, died in Dubai on Wednesday, his family confirmed. Popularly known as Mitch, he was 59. He died after battling complications following open-heart surgery on Aug 14, the family said. Mitch is survived by his wife and son, who live in Germany, and his elderly parents in Sri Lanka, who are aged 85 and over 90, respectively. more..

Nov 8 (NW) Drug relapse rates among individuals completing rehabilitation programs in SL have dropped significantly. Speaking on the progress of individuals reintegrating into society over a two-year aftercare period, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Amith Isc stated that 45.18% of individuals who completed rehabilitation between Jan 1 and Oct 30, 2026, remained free from dangerous drug use. This marks a 13.74% -point improvement compared to 2025, more..

Nov 8 (NF) Election Commission (EC) says it has identified the SLFP as a party facing an internal dispute. The Commission stated that several factions of the party were summoned before the EC today and questioned regarding the matter. Those present included Dayasiri Jayasekara, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Duminda Dissanayake. A political party facing an internal dispute cannot submit nominations more..

Nov 8 (AD) India has relaxed passport and visa requirements for several categories of foreign nationals living in the country, including certain Pakistani citizens, religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, SL Tamils and Tibetans. Indian govt has also simplified identification and travel requirements for Indian, Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens travelling between the three neighbouring countries. The changes were notified by India's Union Ministry of more..

Nov 8 (NW) A total of 27 wire snares, several hunting weapons and three kilograms of meat have been discovered during a special raid conducted in the Palagala area of Kekirawa under the nationwide Hasthi Sena operation. The raid was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to protect wild animals, including elephants, and prevent illegal hunting activities. During the operation, officials discovered 1.5 kg of meat along with hunting equipment at one location, while a trap gun and more..

Nov 6 (NW) SL film Bambaru Avith (The Wasps Are Here) was screened in Amsterdam, Netherlands, as part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between SL and the Netherlands. The special screening was held on Nov 1 at the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, in collaboration with the National Film Corporation of SL. The event was attended by representatives of the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, Culture & Science, diplomats, more..

Nov 6 (DM) Nearly 550 tourists from Poland arrived in SL aboard three special charter flights operated by Polish airline Enter Air at the BIA this morning, marking the start of the 2026/2027 European winter tourist season. Three Boeing 737 aircraft arrived from Katowice, Poznań and Warsaw, with the flights landing at 6.51 am, 7.40 am and 9.40 am, respectively. A special welcome ceremony featuring traditional SL cultural performances was organised at the airport to greet the visiting tourists. more..

Nov 6 (EN) Sri Lanka household expenditure rose sharply to an average of 116,191 rupees per month in early 2025, driven largely by higher market prices, official data showed. DCS reported that nominal average monthly household expenditure surged 84.1% from 63,130 rupees in 2019. Median monthly household expenditure climbed from 47,544 rupees in 2019 to 94,057 rupees in 2025. more..

Nov 6 (NW) Department of Meteorology has issued an amber warning for severe lightning in several parts of Sri Lanka, effective from 1.00 p.m. today (6) until 1.00 a.m. tomorrow (7). According to the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur in several areas, particularly across parts of the Northern, North Central, Western, Eastern, Uva, Southern and Sabaragamuwa regions, as indicated in the warning map. more..

Nov 6 (FT) SL loyalty and customer engagement technology company CH17 has taken a significant step towards international expansion with the establishment of Channel17 Systems Ltd, in Nepal, marking its first overseas market operation under its own brand. The development represents more than geographical expansion. It opens a new avenue for int'l recognition of SL-developed proprietary Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology, particularly in the specialised fields of more..

Nov 6 (NW) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has questioned whether billions of rupees allocated by the Treasury for fuel subsidies are providing sufficient relief to the public, calling for greater transparency in the utilisation of govt funds. Speaking in Parliament on Friday, MP raised concerns over rising fuel prices, the profitability of CPC and financial burden faced by ordinary citizens. more..

Nov 6 (FT) JAT Holdings has recorded Group revenue of Rs. 7.01 billion for the six months ended 30 September 2026, representing a 36% year-on-year increase, supported by growth across its local businesses and a higher contribution from international operations. Local revenue increased by 14% to Rs. 4.56 billion, primarily supported by the emulsion category, while foreign operations revenue increased by 115% to Rs. 2.45 billion, reflecting improving business conditions in Bangladesh more..

Nov 6 (AD) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has stated that there is currently no fuel shortage in the country, despite a reduction in fuel distribution by certain private companies. CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said that the CPC continues to supply fuel through its filling stations to mitigate the situation. Rajakaruna emphasised that the CPC has sufficient fuel reserves and that distribution operations are continuing without interruption. more..

Nov 6 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya participated in the Executive Session of the CHOGM 2026, held in Antigua and Barbuda. During the session, held on Tuesday, Commonwealth leaders engaged in discussions on key global economic and development priorities, exploring ways to strengthen cooperation and partnerships among member states to address shared challenges and advance common objectives. The discussions focused on enhancing intra-Commonwealth trade & investment, more..

Nov 6 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has raised concerns over a severe shortage of cancer treatment drugs and other essential medicines in SL, urging the govt to take immediate action to address the issue. He claimed that patients were facing serious difficulties due to shortages affecting both govt and private healthcare institutions. He highlighted the reported unavailability of several essential medicines, including Adrenaline, Atropine, Piriton, Ondansetron, Maxolon, more..

Nov 6 (FT) Poverty has reversed a decade of decline and real household incomes have fallen below their 2019 level, according to preliminary official data that underline how far price growth has outrun earnings. DCS put the poverty headcount index at 16% in the first quarter of 2025, against 14.3% in 2019, in a bulletin published in October, 2026 under the Finance, Planning & Economic Development Ministry. more..

Nov 6 (EN) SL has launched a digital platform named One TRADE as the national single window for cross-border trade transactions, giving legal effect to electronic documentation across key export and import processes. One TRADE platform serves as a single electronic entry point for traders to submit, receive, and process applications, declarations, and data required by border authorities. Under the gazette, documents and communications processed through more..

Nov 6 (NW) Former Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who was granted bail by Colombo High Court today in connection with a corruption case, has been returned to prison after failing to fulfil the bail conditions. Colombo HC Judge Rashantha Godawela issued the bail order when the case filed against the former minister by the CIABOC was taken up for hearing. However, Bogollagama was taken back to prison as he was unable to meet the bail requirements. more..

Nov 6 (Island) The Sinhala Buddhist majority that controls the Sri Lankan state sees the very potential of Tamil nationhood as a threat to Buddhism, and has set about dismantling it, TNPF leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam told an international conference in New Delhi. “Our biggest challenge is to convince the BJP govt to take a much bigger interest in the question of accountability and on the question of a political solution,” more..

Nov 6 (AD) Gampaha Magistrate Bandula Gunarathne has been transferred to the SL Judges' Institute. Transfer comes in the aftermath of Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne forwarding a complaint to the President of the Court of Appeal, seeking action against IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya on charges of contempt of court. Complaint followed the Magistrate's determination that the IGP had committed contempt of court by failing to comply with an order directing him to issue a circular more..

Nov 6 (NW) Special security arrangements will be implemented at the Parliament ahead of the presentation of the 2027 National Budget on Thursday (12). According to an announcement issued to MPs, entire parliamentary building, including MPs’ restrooms and wardrobes, will undergo security inspections on Nov 11 and 12. Additional security measures will be enforced on Budget Day, with designated high-security areas and other sensitive locations within Parliament more..

Nov 6 (FT) NPP Govt has Gazetted two Bills ostensibly intended to replace the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary) Act (PTA), enacted in 1978—nearly five decades ago—despite the word temporary in its title. The repeal of the PTA has long been regarded by local and international human rights and democratic activists as imperative for the establishment of democratic governance and the rule of law. Nevertheless, successive Governments since 1978 have refused to repeal it. more..

Nov 6 (FT) PROF. Senaka Bandaranayake, in the preface to his book The University of the Future, wrote this opening line: To the researcher and the academic in the developing world, the eagerness to contribute to institution and nation building, in whatever modest a way, often becomes almost as exciting and challenging as the dedication to study, investigation, experiment & discovery. I understand the value of that write-up, having been part of the national uni system for over four decades. more..

Nov 6 (Island) National System Operator (NSO) has decided against seeking an electricity tariff increase for the Oct–Dec quarter, following an assessment of improved reservoir storage and expectations of above-normal rainfall. The decision, announced at the stakeholder consultation yesterday, represents a significant shift from the NSO’s original position, which sought a 2.88% increase for the final quarter of 2026. more..

Nov 6 (NW) The first Mini Incubation Centre established under a new programme by the Ministry of Science and Technology was opened in Mirigama on Wednesday, aimed at providing technological support to micro and small-scale entrepreneurs. The centre was inaugurated by Minister Chrishantha Abeysena at the Vidatha Resource Centre located within the Mirigama Divisional Secretariat premises. The initiative aims to provide modern technological facilities to micro & small-scale entrepreneurs more..

Nov 6 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has warned that a powerful shadow State has emerged within SL, with drug traffickers and organised criminal networks allegedly using their financial resources to influence politicians, law enforcement officers, public officials and State institutions. Addressing a religious summit at Temple Trees to mark the first anniversary of the Govt’s national anti-drug operation, Prez said an underground criminal network had developed alongside more..

Nov 6 (FT) Govt has not added to the public’s tax burden and has instead moved to correct flaws in an unfair tax structure, Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said, rejecting claims by Opposition groups circulating on social media over eight recent measures. In a statement, Dr. Fernando said tax revenue is the primary source of funding for education, healthcare, development activity and infrastructure, and that the Govt had spent more..

Nov 6 (FT) The historic Nuwara Eliya Post Office is to be developed into a tourism promotion centre following its conservation, with Minister Nalinda Jayatissa describing the initiative as an investment in preserving national heritage while creating additional value for the tourism industry. Minister made the remarks yesterday, after laying the foundation stone for a new two-storey postal administration building within the post office premises, at an estimated cost of Rs78.34m. more..

Nov 6 (DM) The excise duty on liquor rose 27.1% to Rs.137.5 billion in the first half of 2026, from Rs.108.2 billion in the same period last year, as the liquor production climbed 13.3% and the new rules on the timing of the duty payments were introduced, as per the Finance Ministry data. The production increased to 19.7 million absolute litres, from 17.4 million absolute litres a year earlier. The ministry attributed the revenue growth to “the introduction of the new rules on the timing of duty payments more..