Nov 4 (NW) UN human rights experts have raised concerns over provisions in SL’s proposed Prevention of Organized Crimes Bill that would allow senior police officers to obtain telephone records and mobile device location information without prior court approval. In a 31-page communication dated Oct 30, the UN experts warned that the proposed powers could threaten privacy rights & expose confidential sources more..

Nov 4 (DM) The govt is considering whether to permit high-powered motorcycles with engine capacities exceeding 1,000cc for special purposes, including sports activities, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena informed Parliament today. He said a committee has been appointed to examine the matter and that a final decision will be made based on its recommendations. He made these remarks while responding to a question raised by SJB MP Suranga Rathnayaka, more..

Nov 4 (TM) Kaduwela Magistrate's Court yesterday (2) continued hearing a case filed against the Mayor of Kaduwela Ranjan Jayalal and Parliamentarian Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana over the alleged forcible acquisition of a 100-perch land plot near the Millennium City housing complex in Athurugiriya. During the proceedings before Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa, the Court granted permission for the Metro Bus Company and its Board of Directors to withdraw from the case. more..

Nov 4 (AD) A total of 208 police officers have been arrested in connection with various offences, including drug-related crimes, ASP F.U. Wootler has revealed. Police Spokesperson noted that nearly 1,500 police officers have also been suspended from service over various offences. Acknowledging the presence of corrupt and unsuitable officers within the Police Dept, he said measures were being taken to identify and remove them while ensuring strict legal action. more..

Nov 4 (NF) Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva has ordered the Cinnamon Gardens Police to immediately arrest suspects who allegedly used sound amplification equipment without a lawful permit during a protest held at the Viharamahadevi Park premises demanding the release of BBS General Secretary Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, who is currently serving a prison sentence. Officers of the Cinnamon Gardens Police, appearing before court on behalf of more..

Nov 4 (TM) Small- and medium-scale mill owners have urged the Govt to maintain transparency regarding its rice import plans, claiming that the country's rice supply requirements for the upcoming festive season have already been secured and that there is no immediate need for further imports. They said that the adequate cultivation of Keeri Samba, which faced shortages last year (2025), had taken place this year, more..

Nov 4 (NW) Sri Lankan Professor Sudath Shirley Warnakulasuriya has been awarded the Princess Srinagarindra Award 2026, one of the world’s highest international honours in nursing, in recognition of his contributions to nursing education and the global healthcare sector. According to the Ministry of Health, the prestigious award is presented annually to only one individual or group of nursing professionals worldwide for outstanding contributions to the field. more..

Nov 4 (PMD) A discussion on securing support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for SL during the 2028–2030 period was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The discussion focused on priority areas for agricultural and rural development in SL, including increasing the incomes of small-scale farmers, improving agricultural productivity, strengthening the livelihoods more..

Nov 4 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned that the govt is preparing to increase electricity tariffs following the recent fuel price hikes, despite its earlier promise to reduce electricity bills by 33%. Addressing Parliament today, Premadasa accused the govt of failing to fulfil its election promises, claiming that the public is facing increasing financial difficulties due to rising fuel prices, taxes and other living expenses. more..

Nov 4 (NW) New directors have been appointed to five major hospitals in SL, including the Kalubowila, Ragama, Batticaloa & Peradeniya Teaching Hospitals and the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo. The appointments were made with the approval of the Health Services Committee of the Public Service Commission, with the official appointment letters presented by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa at the Ministry of Health on Monday. Accordingly, W.M.U.S. Wijemanna has been more..

Nov 4 (Island) Jana Aragala Movement, led by the JVP-splinter Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), is to march on Parliament today (4), demanding the withdrawal of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) and the Prevention of Organised Crime Bill (POCB), as well as the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Jana Aragala Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige urged trade unions, political activists and others who value more..

Nov 4 (DM) Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered that the decision on the request to lift the overseas travel ban imposed on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks be delivered on Nov 25. Making submissions before court, the CID stated that there were concerns as to whether former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would return to SL after travelling overseas. However, CID informed court that more..

Nov 4 (PMD) A discussion on the progress and future plans of the project to develop the historic Ridi Viharaya in Kurunegala as an international tourist destination was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana and Secretary to the Prez Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The project aims to develop Ridi Viharaya, a popular tourist attraction in the Kurunegala District, into an international Buddhist and spiritual wellness destination more..

Nov 4 (Island) Former Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva warned that the Protection of State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) could be utilised against those opposed to the govt. They could be branded as terrorists, the ex-CJ said, endorsing former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris’s declaration that the proposed law would violate both political and civil rights. Addressing the media, they accused the govt of seeking to suppress political dissent. more..

Nov 4 (FT) Following is the speech by TWC Holdings Chairman Thilan Wijesinghe on the subject Tourism Uncensored at the THINC Tourism Conference on 15 Oct, 2026. Drawing on 20 years in small luxury tourism, starting with Ceylon Tea Trails, Wijesinghe, who is also a Director of Ventive Hospitality (India), Resplendent Ceylon and Tea Trails, sets out what Sri Lanka got right and wrong in tourism. He faults successive governments for arrival targets without strategy, more..

Nov 4 (NW) SL batter Pavan Rathnayake has made a significant leap in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, climbing 20 places to reach 16th position following a series of impressive performances. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Rathnayake’s rise follows his knock of 77 against Pakistan in the ODI Tri-Series final in Lahore, after scoring 118 against England in an earlier match. The latest rankings place Rathnayake among the world’s top 20 ODI batters. more..

Nov 4 (NW) Ministry of Finance has clarified that individuals can open new bank accounts and renew motor vehicle revenue licences even without a TIN certificate, under special arrangements introduced to prevent delays in accessing these services. In a public notice issued jointly with the Inland Revenue Dept and Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Ministry said individuals who already have a TIN but do not possess the certificate can more..

Nov 4 (NF) The criminal case filed against former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka over the controversial 2016 road accident in Rajagiriya and the alleged attempt to conceal evidence related to the incident was taken up before the Colombo High Court today. At the hearing, HC Judge Rashmi Singappuli ordered that pre-trial conferences in the case will be held on Nov 10. The accused, Patali Champika Ranawaka, appeared before court today. President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne more..

Nov 4 (NW) Manula Chamal Perera, Director of Administration and Human Resources at the National Youth Services Council (NYSC), has been released on bail following his arrest by the CIABOC. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered his release on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each and imposed an overseas travel ban, according to reports. Perera was arrested today over allegations of causing a financial loss of Rs. 5.1 million to the govt through irregularities more..

Nov 4 (FT) Every Sri Lankan knows the feeling. A tax return is due by a fixed date, and a day’s delay brings a penalty. An appeal must be lodged within a set number of days, or the right to it is lost. A licence lapses at midnight; a renewal fee is surcharged the morning after. The citizen and the business live by the calendar, and the law enforces it without sentiment. Now consider the other side of the counter. An application for an approval is submitted, and then nothing. more..

Nov 4 (FT) There is nothing to quarrel about the agonising fact that rising cost of living (C-O-L) is a pandemic that has propelled anti-Govt protests and street riots right across the Americas, Europe and Asia; and it is this issue that is going to decide the outcome of US Midterm elections. Many of the protestors and rioters in the EU for example are adolescents who are increasingly concerned about rising price levels, which make college and higher education unaffordable to them. more..

Nov 4 (TM) A tense situation erupted in Parliament yesterday after the Opposition demanded an immediate opportunity to raise privilege issues over the failure to debate the no-confidence motion (NCM) against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several MPs insisting that their Parliamentary rights had been violated. Premadasa said that he had personally handed over a privilege question more..

Nov 4 (NW) Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Varuni Bogahawatta has been remanded until Friday over investigations into the source of funds used to purchase a motor vehicle and pay its leasing instalments. Matara Magistrate’s Court issued the order after she was arrested by the CID and produced before the Magistrate on Tuesday. Bogahawatta, who served as the OIC of the Administration Division at Kotawila Police Station, had a luxury vehicle in her possession more..

Nov 4 (ST) The CIABOC will conduct investigations into the assets of Deputy Public Security Minister Sunil Watagala and former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody. The Commission has decided to carry out a full investigation in view of issues that had risen after they conducted a preliminary inquiry into their assets. The initial inquiry was launched following a complaint from a civil rights activist against five cabinet ministers and a deputy minister. The others were Ministers Bimal Ratnayake, more..

Nov 4 (ST) In June 2024, the CID received a tip: in an unauthorised computer lab at the Lavinia Hotel in Kudapaduwa, Negombo, Chinese nationals were using Telegram, WhatsApp and other internet apps to conduct suspicious money transactions. Chinese occupied all three floors of the property for a monthly rent of around Rs 3 million. They used a large room on the topmost level as their office. They financed a new perimeter fence, more..

Nov 4 (FT) Former CB Deputy Governor Dr. W.A. Wijewardena has called on the Govt to slow its revenue drive in the 2027 Budget, warning that taxpayers are being squeezed by high income taxes, indirect taxes and inflation while receiving deteriorating public services in return. Delivering CA SL’s Annual Tax Oration, he said Govt revenue had risen from 12.3% of GDP in 2021 to the 15% target set under the IMF EFF, which was to be reached by 2024, and had been exceeded in 2025. more..

Nov 4 (DN) The European Union has agreed to provide a €10 million grant to Sri Lanka to strengthen sustainable trade relations and improve the country’s access to the European market. The four-year project aims to enhance institutional capacity in trade-related activities, support Sri Lanka in meeting international standards required by the EU market and promote trade initiatives that encourage a transition towards environmentally sustainable practices. more..

Nov 4 (NW) A special national dengue prevention week has been declared by the Ministry of Health, covering 74 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions from Nov 9 to Nov 14. Announced by Senior Assistant Secretary Lakshmendra Tennakoon, the initiative aims to combat potential epidemic risks indicated by recent patient trends, entomological indices and changing weather patterns. Although initially scheduled for Nov 2 to 7, the programme was rescheduled due to more..

Nov 4 (NW) Current and former employees of Mawbima.lk and Ceylon Today, media outlets owned by former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, have staged a protest demanding the settlement of unpaid salaries, delayed allowances and outstanding Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) contributions. The protest highlighted longstanding financial difficulties faced by media workers and concerns over the failure to settle their statutory employment benefits. more..

Nov 4 (TM) A trend of military personnel leaving the service has emerged within the Armed Forces, with excessive workloads, long service hours and better employment opportunities outside the military among the reasons for the departures, Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said. He was responding to a question raised by PM G D Sooriyabandara. Jayasekara identified several factors contributing to more..

Nov 4 (Island) A couple staying in a rented house in Meepilimana, Nuwara Eliya, were found dead yesterday morning, with police suspecting that they had inhaled toxic fumes from a barbecue stove used inside the room. Couple had been staying in the rented house temporarily while overseeing the construction of a tourist resort in the Mihindupura area. Preliminary investigations indicate that the couple had placed a lit barbecue stove inside their bedroom to keep warm amid the unusually more..

Nov 4 (Island) A strong Sri Lanka’s Under 19 team captained by Viran Chamuditha left for the Asia Cup with a ballanced squad drawn mostly from the country’s top cricket schools. ‎The batting line-up is led by St. Servatius’ bat Chamuditha, who made history at the last ICC Youth World Cup with the highest individual score of 192. His deputy, Senuja Wakunegoda of St. Joseph’s College, Darley Road, has a double century to his name for SL U19, a rare feat at this level. more..