Oct 26 (Island) Parts of Europe are in turmoil. In several European countries, protests against high cost of living, housing unaffordability, welfare cuts and deteriorating public services have escalated into riots, arson, looting and violent clashes between police and protesters. Police have used force to disperse protesters in France, Italy, Belgium and Albania. Videos of unruly mobs looting shops and police crackdowns have gone viral. Out of sheer desperation to stem rising wave of protests, more..

Oct 26 (Island) Do you know what happened to Anuttara Indunil, the schoolgirl killed by a wild elephant in Hasalaka in August 2022 while carrying alms for her deceased brother’s remembrance? Do you know about Hewage Kinuli, the seven-year-old girl killed in an elephant attack while accompanying her father to their cultivation land in Hambantota in August 2025? Do you know about Thanuja Samarawickrema, 25, and her father, Ananda Samarawickrema, 57, who were killed by more..

Oct 26 (TM) A third interim report on the forensic archaeological excavation in Chemmani in Jaffna, submitted to the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on 19 Oct, recorded a minimum of 574 individuals. By its own preliminary estimate, 41% of the dead were children and 22% were infants. The report also recorded 51 separate accumulations of disarticulated bones, meaning bones that were no longer joined together in their original more..

Oct 26 (DM) The NPP govt is probably facing the biggest challenge since it was elected to power in 2023. The present imbroglio over the disrobing of a convicted monk (Gnanasara Thero) led by political opportunists and sections of the Buddhist clergy shows no sign of disappearing. The challenge posed by the backers of Gnanasara is serious. Their slogan Free Gnanasara immediately, or go home is a threat, a direct challenge aimed at President Dissanayake. Their demand is non-negotiable and more..

Oct 26 (DM) Sri Lanka has two faces – the sunny, smiling face of welcome so highly valued by foreign visitors, and the grim, unsmiling one feared by the country’s own citizens. Thilina Weerasinghe’s Maranaya Asala Nisalawa mirrors that dark side with unflinching honesty. Maranaya Asala Nisalawa can be translated as Deathly Still in Face of Death or Unflinching Besides Death. But I don’t know if either of these translations captures the sombre mood of the original. more..

Oct 26 (SO) For years, SL’s prisons have been bursting at the seams, with prison officers having been struggling with staff shortages, and suspects languishing in remand awaiting forensic reports. These are hardly new discoveries. Yet, when two Opposition MPs, both currently in remand custody over bribery charges, took to Parliament on Thursday to detail the prison system’s woes, the debate offered an unusual spectacle: more..

Oct 26 (CT) It is with sadness and incredulity that I peeped into the morning newspapers from above. Since I will not be able to meet you deep down below anytime, I need to ask you to hark back to January 8th, 2009. Recall my epitaph? Well then, I consider it pretty rich coming from you, if the article published in The Morning of 24th Oct 2026 is true. I quote, Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa has urged his son, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, to trust the judiciary and refrain from political revenge, more..

Oct 26 (GV) From the NPP govt’s draconian Protection from Organised Crime Bill to the preventable death of the magnificent tusker Kawantissa, so much has been overshadowed by the spectacle at the Vihara Maha Devi Park demanding instant freedom for Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara. A piece of news about a series of WhatsApp messages threatening Buddhist places of worship too was among the momentous developments lost in monk-led brouhaha. more..

Oct 25 (ST) At a time when the IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya is facing possible contempt of court action for failing to comply with a court order to issue a circular prohibiting the filing of cases based on trumped-up charges against members of the public, the govt is planning to enact two new laws which could impinge on the fundamental rights of the people and infringe on individual rights. If the case involving the IGP’s contempt matter is more..

Oct 25 (AD) A depression over the Bay of Bengal is predicted to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning (27), bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and thunderstorms to several parts of SL over the next few days, Met Dept stated. According to the latest weather update, the system was centred near latitude 15.5°N and longitude 91.0°E at 11.30 p.m. yesterday, in the vicinity of the North Andaman Islands. System is expected to strengthen into a deep depression more..

Oct 25 (ST) The Police will make a fresh application to court tomorrow seeking an order to disperse the Buddhist monks-led satyagraha at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, on grounds that their continued presence at the site could lead to a breach of the peace, a senior official said. The Police will present facts to court on several grounds, including that the permission of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has not been obtained to hold different activities at park, while their presence is also a hindrance more..

Oct 25 (TM) As Saudi Arabia faces attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure from the Houthis, concerns are growing over the safety of foreign nationals, including SL migrant workers and Umrah pilgrims. Indian authorities are working to facilitate the return of around 3,000 Indian Umrah pilgrims reportedly stranded in Saudi Arabia. Over the past week, SL Umrah pilgrims have also been leaving the country, while India is making more..

Oct 25 (ST) The govt has requested the opposition to amend and resubmit its No Confidence Motion (NCM) against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka said that the opposition was not agreeable to the govt’s request and added they were not prepared to amend the NCM according to the wishes of the govt. He pointed out that the NCM has been formally accepted and included in Parliament’s order book. He charged that the govt is now attempting to more..

Oct 25 (NW) President’s Office has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake was admitted to a private hospital following a sudden illness. In an official statement, the President’s Office clarified that the reports were false and urged the public not to be misled by such claims. President’s Office also advised the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media without confirming its accuracy through official sources. more..

Oct 25 (ST) Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal is to give evidence before the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar tomorrow in the case where he is accused of causing a Rs 1.8 billion loss to the govt by investing in Greek bonds. This follows an order by the 3-judge High Court Trial-at-Bar to the defence to submit testimony in the case. This is the third time that Mr Cabraal has been charged with the Greek bonds issue. His evidence tomorrow will be led by Dilan Rathnayake, PC, appearing as more..

Oct 25 (NW) The narcotics seized during a joint Navy and Coast Guard operation at Naotunna Beach in Thalalla, Matara, in the early hours of Saturday have been confirmed to weigh 561.705 kilograms, with an estimated street value of over Rs. 11.8 billion. Examinations conducted by PNB confirmed that the consignment comprised 321.941 kg of heroin and 239.764 kg of crystal methamphetamine (Ice). The drugs were packed in 275 parcels of heroin & 200 parcels of Ice, more..

Oct 25 (ST) SLC Executive Committee incurred more than Rs. 405 million in recorded overseas travel expenses between 2019 and March 2026, according to financial records obtained under the Right to Information Act, bringing overseas travel during Shammi Silva’s seven-year administration under renewed scrutiny. The records cover 30 individuals and show expenditure of Rs. 231.47 million on per diems alone. more..

Oct 25 (NW) Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised SL batter Pavan Rathnayake for his impressive strokeplay against England during SL’s historic ODI victory in Rawalpindi, while questioning why the youngster has yet to receive an opportunity in Test cricket. Rathnayake scored a brilliant 130 off 106 deliveries, including 15 fours and three sixes, helping SL successfully chase a target of 430 against England on Oct 22. SL completed the second-highest successful run chase more..

Oct 25 (NW) A new palliative care centre built at a cost of over Rs. 350 million with contributions from local and overseas donors was opened in Chavakachcheri, Jaffna, on October 24, offering completely free care to patients suffering from serious and life-limiting illnesses. The facility, named Comfort Care Home, was officially opened by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa in Sarasalai, Chavakachcheri. Unlike conventional medical facilities, centre focuses on providing comfort, more..

Oct 25 (NW) British Airways has resumed flights to Sri Lanka after a 10-year break, with its first aircraft arriving at BIA in Katunayake on Saturday. The Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, operating as flight BA2045 from London Gatwick Airport, arrived in Colombo in the morning, marking the airline’s return to Sri Lanka. The airline is scheduled to operate three flights a week between London Gatwick and Colombo, strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and the UK. more..

Oct 25 (ST) It is reported that the Minister of Sports (MoS) recently stated that sportsmen and sportswomen cannot be produced overnight. He stressed that such development takes time. This is to imply that the fiat of Sports Ministers did not exist before. As it happens in all spheres of economic activity, it seems that every govt looks to start anew as if no governance existed before. Thus, the continuation of development activity is prone to starts and stops. more..

Oct 25 (TM) SL is highly unlikely to enter into any new barter trade arrangements in the foreseeable future, SLTB has said, as the country’s only State-level barter deal, the tea-for-oil agreement with Iran, draws to a close. “It is highly unlikely that SL will pursue new barter trade arrangements in the foreseeable future. Should the need arise, any such opportunities would have to be explored in consultation with the export community” more..

Oct 25 (Island) How much relevance bilateral and tri-nation ODI cricket will retain after next year’s World Cup remains anyone’s guess. So let’s enjoy the format while we can. On Thursday night, Rawalpindi served up a feast as Sri Lanka chased down 430 with one ball to spare, leaving England shell shocked and the rest of the cricketing world rubbing its eyes. Harry Brook’s record breaking double hundred could not secure victory as Sri Lanka pulled off a remarkable comeback. more..

Oct 25 (TM) The ongoing power cuts are likely to hurt the country’s exports, with factory production coming to a standstill whenever supply is interrupted, National Chamber of Exporters of SL (NCE) has warned. “The scheduled power cuts will have a negative impact on exports, especially on factories, because some are operating extended hours to meet demand. Production will come to a halt whenever there is a power cut,” NCE Secretary General Shiham Marikar said. more..

Oct 25 (NW) The SL govt has decided to launch a special joint operation involving the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the three armed forces to strengthen the protection of wild elephants and tuskers while addressing human-elephant conflict. The initiative was discussed at a special meeting held at the Ministry of Environment on Oct 23, chaired by Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister more..

Oct 25 (TM) SL Women’s Cricket Team Head Coach Jamie Siddons has taken extra leave for personal reasons at the end of the Asian Games and is still to confirm his availability for the team’s home white-ball series against Australia in December, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said. Siddons, 62, took the reins of Chamari Athapaththu’s side in March this year, replacing long-serving former national fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake on a 12-month long contract, with his primary assignment being more..

Oct 25 (SO) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reached another decisive stage in their attempt to overhaul the framework of the sport with the Supreme Court hearing objections to the proposed new Bill before the Second Reading in Parliament. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced that 30 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the new SLC Bill. The Supreme Court is due to convey its confidential determination within a 21-day period to the Speaker, after which more..

Oct 25 (FT) From 23 Oct 2026, passengers travelling to Colombo in British Airways’ Club World business class cabin will be treated to a specially curated menu inspired by Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage. Developed in collaboration with Hoppers London, limited-time dining experience celebrates the distinctive ingredients, traditional cooking techniques and much-loved dishes that have long been part of the island’s food culture. For SL, the partnership represents another opportunity more..

Oct 25 (TM) SL’s national cricket selection process is based on players’ performances and abilities, rather than their ethnicity or regional background, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said. Responding to a question, Minister said that an independent cricket selection committee was responsible for selecting players for the national team. A NPP MP raised concerns over the limited opportunities given to cricketers Milan Rathnayaka and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, despite their performances. more..

Oct 25 (ST) A top official of the Department of Wildlife and Conservation (DWC) told journalists that they had not fixed a radio collar on the celebrated tusker Kavantissa as they thought the large device would have looked cumbersome, giving the impression that the animal was a captive elephant and deterring nature photographers and tourists from photographing the animal. Conservationists say alas that the DWC’s more..

Oct 25 (Island) There was no plan for a sequel to what I wrote last week reflecting on the inspirational protests of 1968 and the humdrum climate of 2026. But protests turning into riots in Paris, and the politics of monk protests and counter protests in Colombo, have made a Sunday sequel worthwhile. As if not to be outdone by 1968, and manifesting violent fusions of public service frustrations and economic anxieties, 2026 protests have turned into riots over the last weekend in Paris and more..

Oct 25 (TM) The repeated declaration made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other leaders of the NPP Govt – that their policy is to treat all communities equally and that they will never again allow racism and religious extremism to rear their heads – has now faced a real test in the form of the controversy involving BBS General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. In southern SL politics, Gnanasara issue is not merely a legal action concerning an individual Buddhist monk; more..