Nov 26 (DM) Colombo High Court judge Udesh Ranatunga today directed the Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer to obtain a specialist psychiatric report to determine whether Daisy Forrest, the grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s and a co-accused in the money laundering case is mentally fit to stand trial. At the previous hearing, President’s Counsel Anil Silva appearing for Forrest submitted an order issued by the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court on 17 March 2017, more..

Nov 26 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the advancement of cinema contributes to the spiritual and cultural development of a country’s citizens and that while safeguarding the domestic film industry, SL audiences must be given the opportunity to watch international film productions. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today with film distributors and producers. A lengthy discussion took place more..

Nov 26 (NW) Urban Development Authority (UDA) is reported to be preparing to lease the Pettah Floating Market to a Japanese investor for USD 160 million, it is reported. According to reports, the investor plans to renovate the shops and the night market within the complex under the current arrangement. Discussions are still ongoing regarding compensation for the current shop owners. It is also stated that the investor more..

Nov 26 (EN) Sri Lanka expects construction of a new terminal at the BIA funded by Japan t is to begin by June – July 2026, with tenders now being evaluated, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka said. SL’s Katunayake airport is now operating above capacity with the second terminal delayed for multiple reasons including the sovereign default. Technical evaluation of contractor tenders is now wrapped up, he said. “We think we can open the price bids by January,” he said. more..

Nov 26 (NW) All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) has donated a consignment of materials valued at approximately Rs. 43 million to support the well-being and development of women and children in SL. According to a Parliament statement, the donation comprises equipment for establishing a mother-and-baby room and a childcare centre for the children of staff members of ‍ Parliament of SL, along with women’s hygiene products to be distributed through Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. more..

Nov 26 (TM) Health Ministry Deputy Director General of Laboratory Services, Dr. Priyantha Atapattu said that 26 hospitals were identified to monitor antibiotic consumption as part of efforts to strengthen the national surveillance of antimicrobial use. Dr. Atapattu said that the facilities include 24 State hospitals and two private hospitals, where antibiotic consumption patterns will be observed. He said that the ministry, together with more..

Nov 26 (NW) A national programme was launched yesterday to protect the ecosystem of the Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) sacred site and enhance facilities for pilgrims during the Sri Pada pilgrimage season. According to the President’s Office, the initiative was launched jointly by Clean Sri Lanka and Ministry of Environment. In line with this initiative, a comprehensive clean-up operation has been launched to eliminate accumulated waste, especially in hard-to-reach areas and more..

Nov 26 (DM) SL Police from 2021 to 2024, according to its latest audit report. The audit for the year ended Dec 31, 2024, revealed that complaints against police officers rose from 1,893 in 2021 to 2,863 in 2024. A total of 1,676 complaints were received in 2022, while 2,448 complaints were recorded in 2023. Of the complaints received in 2024, 29% were related to police inaction, while 23% involved the misuse of power. The audit noted that adequate measures had not been taken to improve more..

Nov 26 (CT) The CID was assigned to investigate allegations that the Economics question paper of the ongoing GCE A/L Exam was leaked, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. He said the decision to hand over the inquiry to the CID was made after education authorities received information suggesting that the paper may have been compromised. According to the Minister, the probe was launched following reports that a set of predicted or guesswork questions circulating on social media more..

Nov 26 (AD) Galle Crime Investigation Division has arrested the main suspect in the murder of the brother-in-law of the criminal Karandeniya Sudda, who served as the Chairman of the Modara Devalaya Committee in Ambalangoda. The suspect has been identified as Mahadura Isuru, and during police interrogations, he admitted that he carried out the murder as an act of revenge for the murder of his father, Mahadura Nalin, allegedly committed by Karandeniya Sudda, Police said. more..

Nov 26 (TM) SL Export Development Board (EDB) sees that it is necessary to resolve the decline in rubber export earnings, as earnings have declined to levels below $ 950 million this year, EDB Chairperson Mangala Wijesinghe said. “We see that the rubber (export) sector in the past, had export earnings that ranged between $ 1,300 million and $ 1,400 million on a yearly basis, which had declined to $ 950 million in the last few years. more..

Nov 26 (NW) The arrival of India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, in Colombo for the International Fleet Review 2025 reflects both strategic intent and symbolic importance, SL’s Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Speaking at a reception onboard the vessel, where he attended as Chief Guest, Jayatissa said the visit demonstrates India’s growing technological capabilities and its commitment to regional maritime security. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Depression in Sri Lanka is alarmingly high, with nearly one-fifth or 19.4% of the total SL population suffering from it. In a comparison with other Asian countries, the prevalence of depression in SL is notably higher, with only 16.1% of Asians experiencing this mental health condition, according to a joint study by the University of Peradeniya and the Uni of Kelaniya. The study conducted by a team of researchers in 2023 has shown that an astonishing 39% of young Sri Lankans more..

Nov 26 (CT) In a bid to circumvent legal restrictions abroad, pro- LTTE Tamil diaspora activists have reportedly been using versions of the organisation’s insignia that are only slightly altered, making them appear similar to the original while attempting to avoid scrutiny from foreign authorities, an informed source said. It came out in the wake of recent developments in Canada and the UK, where pro-LTTE diaspora members more..

Nov 26 (CT) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved compensation for 184 workers affected by the closure of textile operations in Thulhiriya and Pugoda, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced yesterday (25). He said the decision includes 15 former employees of Kabul Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Thulhiriya, who had not previously received compensation after the company shut down. These workers had submitted appeals requesting the same relief granted to their former colleagues. more..

Nov 26 (Island) The SL Press Association (SLPA), the country’s oldest organisation of journalists, will mark its 70th anniversary today (26) with a commemorative convention and the D. F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Journalism Awards at the Hilton Colombo. Established on 9 October 1955, the Association will celebrate the milestone by felicitating ten distinguished veterans of the print and electronic media in recognition of their longstanding service to the profession. more..

Nov 26 (AD) Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered that seven suspects arrested in connection with the smuggling of nearly 376 kilograms of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice) into SL off the coast of Tangalle, be remanded until Dec 9. The order was issued against seven defendents, including a former Pradeshiya Sabha member who contested the local govt elections under the SJB party. The suspects were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama by more..

Nov 26 (DM) Health authorities say that about 10 places in the country are making Madana Modaka illegally. These factories use too much hemp, more than what is allowed by law. Officials say these places misuse the annual registration certificate they get from the Ayurvedic Department. They pretend to follow the correct rules but secretly make the medicine in the wrong way. Health authorities say that real Madana Modaka must be made exactly according to the approved recipe, more..

Nov 26 (NW) Dept of Irrigation has issued flood warnings for areas in the vicinity of the Heda Oya Basin, Kumbukkan Oya Basin and Mahaweli Basin. The flood warning for the Heda Oya Basin, valid until 3.30 pm on Nov 28, is as follows; Due to heavy rainfall received last night in parts of Ampara and Monaragala districts, there is a possibility of flooding in low‑lying areas around Heda Oya, particularly in Siyambalanduwa and more..

Nov 26 (EN) A team of Sri Lankan healthcare businesses, organized by AHK Sri Lanka, has visited MEDICA 2025, an international trade fair for the global medical industry, in Düsseldorf, Germany. The delegation included representatives from Dimo Lifelines, Hayleys Lifesciences, Technomedics, AJ Medichem International, and Hemas Hospitals. They met Messe Düsseldorf to explore global trade fair trends and business opportunities, AHK Sri Lanka said in a statement. more..

Nov 26 (DM) A 24-year-old SL national in Bengaluru has fallen victim to an online sextortion racket involving an unidentified individual who first contacted him through Instagram. According to a case filed by the police, the unknown person met the victim, a student, on Instagram and gradually developed an online friendship. The individual later contacted the victim on WhatsApp. The victim alleged that during the video calls, the accused secretly took his personal photos and private more..

Nov 26 (EN) Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue has been lower since August this year compared to arrival after the relevant authority revising down per day tourism spending, top Central Bank officials said. The SLTDA estimates that per day revenue based on a survey. The revenue from tourism, which accounts for nearly 3 % of the island nation’s economy, edged up 0.3% in October despite a 21.5% jump in arrivals, official data showed. more..

Nov 26 (AD) SL’s rupee can move both ways, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said, as concerns rose over the depreciation of the rupee in 2025 amid record external current account surpluses and falling budget deficit. “I want to emphasize that under the current exchange rate regime, the exchange rate can move both ways,” Governor said after the November monetary policy decision. “It is not a one way movement. We have seen even in the last couple of weeks, some depreciation. more..

Nov 26 (AD) Dept of Irrigation has issued a Red flood warning for the downstream areas of the Gal Oya. As per the warning, the capacity of the Senanayake Samudraya in Inginiyagala, Ampara has reached its peak due to heavy rainfall received in the upper and middle catchment areas of the Gal Oya Basin. Furthermore, owing to the intense rainfall recorded over the past 24 hours in the area, Gal Oya river downstream of the Senanayake Samudraya will be under the risk of major flooding more..

Nov 26 (FT) With the 30 November tax deadline looming, Sri Lanka’s tax professionals are not just racing against time they are quietly safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s fiscal system. Their desks are full, their phones never stop ringing, and their evenings often stretch late into the night. But their work in this busy season is only one part of a much bigger role. Today, tax professionals are also essential guardians of ethical tax behaviour and public trust in Sri Lanka’s tax system. more..

Nov 26 (FT) On 15 Oct, SL Customs announced that it had collected Rs. 2,470 million in a single day — the highest ever recorded by the agency. As of that date, cumulative customs revenue in 2025 reached Rs. 1,867 billion. This achievement invites a deeper examination: is this a fortuitous one-time spike, or a signal of improved governance, better processes, and structural change? What are the drivers, and what does it bode for Sri Lanka’s fiscal health and tax policy environment? more..

Nov 26 (AD) Central Bank has maintained its policy rate at 7.75% in a Nov 2025 decision, a statement said saying it will help reflate the economy to 5%. SL’s rupee had depreciated steadily in 2025, amid record current account surpluses and reduction in budgets, helping push up prices of imported goods, amid strong credit growth. “Recent depreciation pressure on rupee has subsided with improvement in foreign exchange liquidity,” more..

Nov 26 (AD) Chief of the Army Staff of India General Upendra Dwivedi is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka from Dec 1–2, marking a significant milestone in India–SL defence cooperation. Visit comes amid a steady rise in high-level military engagements between the two nations, reinforcing mutual trust, strategic alignment and growing operational synergy. Indian army spokesperson stated that the upcoming visit aims to reinforce India’s Neighbourhood First policy more..

Nov 26 (DM) A suspected man questioned over bombings that killed 269 people in SL is seeking asylum in the UK. The unnamed asylum seeker, from SL, was arrested over allegations that he was involved in the 2019 Easter bombings in the country. The blasts killed six Britons, including a mother and her two children. The man, who has been granted anonymity, left SL in 2022 after being arrested and released on bail over the attacks, in which suicide bombers targeted luxury hotels and churches. more..

Nov 26 (AD) The highest amount allocated for education in history has been made in the 2026 budget, enabling the present govt to formulate educational policies, plans and establish institutional structures for the sector, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. She also emphasized that financial allocations alone are insufficient unless they are supported by a strong institutional framework for effective policy implementation. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Adverse weather conditions have killed ten people and affected more than 1,790 people and 504 families in Ratnapura, Kegalle, Badulla, Matara, Hambantota, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kilinochchi and Jaffna Districts have been affected by the adverse situation data put out by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) by yesterday evening. Some 16 people belonging to five families in Ratnapura District have been evacuated and have been provided with temporary shelters. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Sri Lanka is set for several more days of unsettled weather, with the Met Dept warning of continued showers and thunderstorms across most parts of the island. Cloudy skies will prevail islandwide, while showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern & Uva Provinces, as well as in the Hambantota & Matale Districts. “Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is likely in parts of the Eastern, North-Central, Uva & Southern Provinces, more..