Sep 3 (DM) Ministry of Youth and Sports said today that national athlete Isuru Lakshan has been cleared of all charges related to an alleged violation of anti-doping regulations. Accordingly, the temporary suspension imposed on him has been lifted. Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya, Director General of SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA), said that the agency concluded its inquiry and accepted the findings of the Disciplinary Investigation Committee, which recommended that the athlete be discharged more..

Sep 3 (NW) An individual has been injured after being shot by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle in the Maligawatte area today. According to the Police, the injured person has been identified as an employee of a spare parts shop in the area. The Police said a T-56 firearm is reported to have been used to carry out the shooting. The injured individual has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital for treatment. Police further stated that CCTV footage of the shooting more..

Sep 3 (AD) IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya says that 1,612 illegal firearms have been taken into custody so far this year. Addressing the 159th Police Day commemoration event in Colombo, he also revealed that 17 criminals involved in organised crime have been brought back to the island from overseas recently. He added that organised criminals, transnational organised criminals and other criminals are currently more..

Sep 3 (TM) Secretary to the Ministry of Youth affairs & Sports Aruna Bandara asserted that his ministry was yet to be officially informed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), of an imminent ban on the game’s local ruling body-the National Gymnastics Association of SL (NGASL). “We (Sports Ministry) are yet to be officially conveyed with any impending suspension of the NGASL,” Ministry Secretary said, when asked for the veracity of news circulating of a probable ban of the more..

Sep 3 (CT) The CID, yesterday (2), informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Lilan Warusawithana that former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and three others have been indicted in the Colombo High Court for allegedly misappropriating funds intended for flood victims. According to the CID, in late 2014, Rs 6,146,110 was received by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) as relief for people displaced by flooding in Bingiriya and Narammala of Kurunegala. The funds, however, were allegedly diverted more..

Sep 3 (TM) In the wake of reports that the UNP has decided to lift the suspension imposed on its former members who joined the main Opposition, SJB, the SJB stated that the move is of no consequence as it is now a separate political force. SJB National Organiser and MP Tissa Attanayake said that the Party has not received any official notification regarding the UNP’s decision and added that the move is likely intended to more..

Sep 3 (AD) A large consignment of narcotics valued at Rs. 312 million was seized this afternoon by officers of the SL Customs’ Narcotics Control Division after being detected in courier parcels received through airmail at a private bonded warehouse in Seeduwa, Katunayake. The consignment included 23,642 ecstasy/methamphetamine tablets, 1.445 kg of cocaine, 993 grams of Mandy, a synthetic chemical drug also known as MDMA, and 98 grams of more..

Sep 3 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama, yesterday, ordered the release of Ven. Uvatenne Sumana Thera, Chief Incumbent of Sri Bodhirajarama Temple, Maligawatta, who was arrested by the FCID over an alleged fraud involving essential food items worth over Rs 17 million obtained without payment from a private firm in Colombo. The monk was granted release on two sureties of Rs 500,000 each. According to the complaint lodged with the FCID by more..

Sep 3 (IDN) In July 2025, the influential global travel website Big 7 named Sri Lanka the most beautiful island in the world, stating that the “teardrop-shaped island off the southern coast of India has it all—golden beaches, terraced tea plantations, timeworn temples, colonial towns, misty mountains, and wildlife safaris … elephants and leopards.” The beauty of the island is not limited to its physical environment, unique Buddhist culture, and the diversity of its population; more..

Sep 3 (AD) The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy, Maria Tripodi, has arrived in Sri Lanka today on an official visit. The Deputy Minister will remain in SL until Sept 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. This visit is significant as it marks the highest-level incoming visit from Italy to Sri Lanka in almost a decade, the Foreign Ministry stated. During her visit, Deputy Minister Tripodi will co-chair, along with Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Employment, more..

Sep 3 (AJ) SL is undergoing one of the most complex economic recoveries in its history. The country’s financial collapse in 2022 was precipitated by a toxic mix of unsustainable borrowing, poor fiscal management, and external shocks. Mass protests erupted under the banner of Aragalaya, a broad-based citizens’ movement demanding accountability, economic justice, and an end to political corruption. The uprising ultimately forced the resignation more..

Sep 3 (SM) Former IGP – Pujith Jayasundara, has been released from the case relating to the alleged attempted criminal intimidation and assault of a Police HQ elevator operator in 2017. The decision was made by the Fort Magistrate’s Court. The complainant, the lift number one operator at the Police Headquarters, had lodged a complaint on June 2, 2019, with the then Acting IGP. He alleged that on April 11, 2017, Pujith Jayasundara scolded him using foul language, grabbed him by more..

Sep 3 (DM) The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) from arresting Attorney-at-Law Dinesh Dodamgoda in connection with an allegation that he had allegedly aided and abetted an assault and shooting incident said to have been fabricated and orchestrated by Thusitha Halloluwa. The interim order, issued by Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha K. Fernando, will be effective for 14 days. more..

Sep 3 (NW) The Chairman of the CIABOC of SL, Justice Neil Iddawala, today met with Laura Pop, Neha Maryam Zaigham, and Emile van der Does de Willebois of the World Bank. The meeting took place at the UN Secretariat in Vienna, on the sidelines of the Second Resumed Sixteenth Session of the Implementation Review Group of UNCAC, which is currently in progress in Vienna. CIABOC Chairman, Justice Neil Iddawela more..

Sep 3 (DM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed 18 new High Court Judges. The letters of appointment were formally handed over this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by Prez Dissanayake. Among those appointed are 17 Special Class Judicial Officers and a Senior State Counsel serving in the Attorney General's Department. These appointments were made by the President in accordance with Article 111 (2) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. more..

Sep 3 (DM) Minister Sunil Handunnetti urged sugarcane farmers not to fall into political traps. He said that legal action will be taken against those who set fire to sugarcane cultivations, adding that once sugarcane is burned, it becomes unsuitable for further use. Handunnetti pointed out that one ton of burnt sugarcane will be purchased at Rs. 5,000, while a ton of raw (unburnt) sugarcane will be bought at Rs. 9,000. Meanwhile, plans have been made to distribute sugar in 1kg packs, more..

Sep 3 (AD) The inaugural session of the Tourism Promotion Task Force was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. During the session, Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the attention of the government was drawn towards establishing a Task Force dedicated to promoting the tourism sector with two main objectives in mind. The Minister said, “The decision was made with two main objectives of revitalizing the tourism industry and generating direct income growth for the national economy. more..

Sep 3 (EN) SL Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management is starting a franchise program with 35 participating training schools to develop tourist sector staff targeting families on income support. Sri Lanka is expecting 3.0 million tourists in 2025 and has a medium-term target of 5 million, SLITM Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi said. The tourism industry will need 800,000 staff when it expands to 5 million arrivals and now has around 421,000 workers in formal hotels, he said. more..

Sep 3 (NW) The GMOA – Ratnapura Teaching Hospital Branch has decided to continue its strike, which was launched at the hospital last morning. A 24-hour strike was launched within the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital from 08.00 am yesterday to protest what GMOA members called the oppressive and arbitrary actions of the Director of the hospital. Due to the failure of the Ministry of Health authorities to provide any credible solution to resolve more..

Sep 3 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the current government’s objective is to drive national development through a structured plan that recognizes economic strengths and brings economic growth to rural areas. He further affirmed his administration’s commitment to lifting rural communities out of poverty during his address at the inauguration of the Vadduvakal Bridge construction project in the Mullaitivu District today (02). The President noted that a series of more..

Sep 3 (AD) Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today endorsed the certification on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill in accordance with Article 79 of the Constitution. The Bill was passed with amendments following the Second Reading debate in Parliament on August 19, 2025. Accordingly, the Bill will come into force as the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025. This Act is to provide for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority; for more..

Sep 3 (EN) Sri Lanka’s Customs has undertaken to release 506 Chinese-made Electric Vehicles (EVs) which had been detained over false motor capacity declaration, sources said. Sri Lanka’s authorized distributor of BYD vehicles John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd (JKCG) has sought a court decision to get thousands of detained BYD vehicles released in a dispute over motor capacity. Under the court order customs will release 506 BYD more..

Sep 3 (FT) Sri Lanka’s former president and six-time prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was arrested on 22 August for allegedly misusing state resources while in office. He is accused of using public funds to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in London after an official visit to the US in 2023. Wickremesinghe has since been granted bail on a 5m rupee (£12,300) bond. His arrest represents one of the most consequential moments in the SL’s postcolonial history. more..

Sep 3 (DM) The CID, which is conducting investigations into the attack on Galle Face protesters on May 9, 2022, has sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding future legal action against the suspects. In this case, 37 suspects including former MPs Johnston Fernando and Milan Jayathilake and former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and several others were named as suspects. When the case pertaining to the matter came up before Magistrate Pavithra Pathirana, more..

Sep 3 (ICC) Sri Lanka scripted a five-wicket win in the second ODI against Zimbabwe to clinch the two-match ODI series in Harare. The triumph marked the end of a six-year long drought for the island nation, with the 2-0 series win being their first away from home in ODIs since 2019. Sri Lanka’s previous victory away from home had come against Scotland. Starring in the series decider for the visitors was Pathum Nissanka, who scored his seventh ODI ton to lay the foundation for a win. more..

Sep 3 (FT) Angunugalle Sri Jinananda thero is yet to achieve the notoriety of a Galagoda-Atte Gnanasara or an Akmeemana Dayaratane. He deserves to. To him belongs the distinction of turning the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) from a law aimed at safeguarding individual rights to an instrument of persecution. In February 2019, the monk wrote a letter to the IGP urging him to use the ICCPR to incarcerate a young Lankan (Sinhala-Buddhist) writer, more..

Sep 3 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Disanayake reaffirmed his Govt’s commitment to revitalising the Northern Province, pledging to create new economic opportunities, safeguard fundamental rights, and foster national unity. He made these remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the Northern Coconut Triangle in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu, held to mark World Coconut Day under the theme Ratama Saru Karai Nirathuru more..

Sep 3 (AD) A suspect who allegedly planned to shoot and kill notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka alias Karak Kata inside a court while disguised as a journalist, has been arrested by police. The suspect was arrested in Maharagama today (02) by officers of the Western Province North Range Crimes Division. Police have also taken into custody a revolver firearm, several bullets and a partially burnt video camera found in the possession of the suspect. more..

Sep 3 (AD) The 159th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Police will be celebrated today. The first Police office was established on Sept 3, 1866, with G.W.R. Campbell being appointed as the first Police officer. This day is recognised as the foundation day of the Sri Lanka Police. A special commemorative ceremony will be held today at the Police Field Force Headquarters in celebration of the 159th Police Day. In preparation for the event, the Colombo Traffic Division has arranged more..

Sep 3 (DN) Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath provided an update to the diplomats based in Colombo yesterday regarding the progress made by the Govt in the area of Human Rights, while also highlighting the Govt’s commitment to collaborating with UN agencies. Minister briefed the diplomatic community on the initiatives undertaken by the new Govt to foster reconciliation within the country by returning a large extent of land more..

Sep 3 (DN) Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara paid a visit to Abhimansala-3 in Pangolla, Kurunegala, and Abhimansala-1 in A'pura on Aug 29-30. These visits reflected not only the Defence Ministry’s broader welfare vision, but also its enduring commitment to the well-being of differently-abled War Heroes. Abhimansala facilities, established by the SL Army, stand as sanctuaries of healing and rehabilitation for soldiers who sustained injuries in Service to the Nation. more..

Sep 3 (DN) "It is the responsibility of all of us as a nation to support talented athletes and help them reach international level. Every sport must receive proper recognition and value, and as a govt we are already committed to that” said PM Dr Harini Amarasuriya who was the chief Guest at the National Sports Festival closing ceremony at Galle on Sunday Speaking on the occasion, PM said that sports have the ability to make people healthy and that sports are essential for a country to build more..