Oct 26 (SO) Female public sector employees giving birth to twins will soon be entitled to an additional 42 Govt working days of full-pay maternity leave, while those giving birth to triplets or more will receive an additional 84 working days, under the latest amendments to the Establishments Code approved by the Cabinet. The amendments to Section 18 of Chapter XII, Volume I of the Establishments Code provide enhanced more..

Oct 26 (Island) Police have warned the public to exercise caution when forming relationships with strangers through dating apps. This warning follows a rise in financial scams involving fraudulent mobile apps. Police have warned that such applications, which may appear to be legitimate, could contain malicious files capable of compromising mobile phones and stealing online banking details. Once installed, the malicious applications could allow scammers to obtain usernames/passwords more..

Oct 26 (NW) Chamari Athapaththu has joined the Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 season as an overseas replacement player. Athapaththu will replace England international Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The 36-year-old SL skipper, currently ranked sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings, brings extensive international experience to the defending champions ahead of their season opener more..

Oct 26 (TM) SL’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet has grown from about 30,000 in Sept 2025 to more than 100,000 by June 2026, but the country still has no system to track, collect or recycle used EV batteries, Auditor General (AG) has found. The findings are in the AG’s Environmental Audit Report on Electric Vehicle Usage, Post-Usage Management and Environmental Impact Assessment in Sri Lanka. Report covers 2020 to 2025. more..

Oct 26 (TM) GMOA has warned that dengue cases could rise again amid prevailing rainy weather conditions. Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe of the association stressed the need to take preventive measures to curb a potential resurgence of dengue. Noting that intermittent rainfall has been experienced since the beginning of this month, he said the prevailing conditions could lead to an increase in dengue cases. Entomological data had also indicated a rise in mosquito and mosquito larval densities. more..

Oct 26 (NW) The Supreme Court has ordered the release on bonds of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and three other respondents, while imposing overseas travel bans on them over their failure to fully pay court-ordered compensation in connection with the importation of substandard medicines. The order was issued by a 3-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, following the consideration of a motion filed by TISL. more..

Oct 26 (NW) NBRO has issued landslide early warnings for eight districts across SL due to the prevailing heavy rainfall. According to the latest advisory issued today, landslide warnings have been issued for the Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts. Level 3 (Red) evacuation warnings have been issued for six Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Ratnapura District, including Ratnapura, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, Elapatha more..

Oct 26 (DM) Police are pursuing criminal charges against the bus driver involved in the collision between a bus carrying students and a train at a railway crossing in Habaraduwa, which left 13 students injured. DIG of Traffic Control W.P.J. Senadheera said the accident occurred around 2.15 p.m. yesterday (25), when a group of 63 students, parents and teachers from a private educational institution in Kottawa was returning from a visit to a museum in Koggala. more..

Oct 26 (AD) Sri Lanka’s total exports recorded a year-on-year growth of 5.04% during the first nine months of 2026, reaching US$ 13.61 billion compared with US$ 12.96 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting continued growth in both merchandise and services exports. According to the latest export performance figures, merchandise exports increased by 5.35% to US$ 10.76 billion during Jan–Sept 2026, up from more..

Oct 26 (AD) Naufar Maulavi has been sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo Special Trial-at-Bar after being found guilty of four charges relating to the illegal possession of a firearm, live ammunition, detonators and other materials used in the manufacture of explosives.vThe case was filed following the discovery of the weapons and explosives-related materials at the Lactowatta estate in Wanathawilluwa in 2018. Maulavi and more..

Oct 26 (NW) Sri Lanka and Romania have held discussions on expanding employment opportunities for SL workers and strengthening cooperation to ensure their welfare and wellbeing. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions took place during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra and Romania’s Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Petre-Florin Manole, in Bucharest today. more..

Oct 26 (DM) Supreme Court has declared null and void the remission of a prison sentence granted to a man by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe under a General Amnesty in Sept 2024, ruling that the decision violated the Fundamental Right to equality and equal protection of the law. A 3-judge bench comprising Justices Janak De Silva, Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Sampath Wijeratne held that the man had received preferential treatment more..

Oct 26 (NW) All schools across Sri Lanka will remain closed on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, according to an announcement issued by Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa. The decision has been taken as a precautionary safety measure and applies only to October 27. However, the GCE Ordinary Level examination practical tests for aesthetic subjects will be held as previously scheduled, despite the school closures. more..

Oct 26 (NW) UNP has called for an immediate presidential pardon for Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, urging the govt to resolve the issue through the intervention of the Chief Prelates of the three main Buddhist chapters. UNP noted that the satyagraha campaign demanding the monk’s release had been temporarily suspended following instructions from the Chief Prelates. The party cited former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva’s interpretation that the maximum prison sentence for more..

Oct 26 (FT) 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group that completed in Bangkok, Thailand from 12 to 18 Oct, brought together over 15,000 participants from 191 member countries including policymakers, central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, civil society representatives, journalists, and academics to discuss the state of the global economy and issues of international concern, such as the growth outlook, financial stability, more..

Oct 26 (FT) SL has recently seen a surge in antagonistic poetry composed by anonymous individuals and crafted to appeal to a broad public audience. Known locally as Vas Kavi, these verses purport to summon malevolent forces against the country’s current rulers. They have spread rapidly across social media and are replayed by citizens constantly absorbed in smartphones, tablets, and computers. The phenomenon reflects the rise of the screenager—a term in contemporary British more..

Oct 26 (DM) Mahanayake Theros of the Three Nikayas have called on Buddhist monks to uphold monastic discipline and harmony and resolve issues in accordance with the Dhamma and Vinaya, warning that certain groups were exploiting ongoing protests demanding a presidential pardon for Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero to damage the reputation of the Buddhist clergy locally and internationally. Senior Buddhist prelates said more..

Oct 26 (AD) Ulapane Sumangala Thera stated that the satyagraha being held at Viharamahadevi Park for the past 10 days would be temporarily suspended following written assurances from the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters that they would take steps to secure the release of Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera through discussions with the govt. On Oct 16, the group initially gathered outside Prez Secretariat before proceeding to Ministry of Buddhasasana, more..

Oct 26 (TM) Twelve people have died, 25 have been injured and one is missing after floods, heavy rain, landslides and strong winds affected 10,311 people from 2,826 families between 18 September and 26 October, with more heavy rain forecast. During the period, 28 houses were completely damaged and 1,807 partially damaged, along with six small and medium-sized enterprises and 23 critical infrastructure facilities. Three safety centres are sheltering 67 people from 23 families. more..

Oct 26 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya has defended the govt’s decision to continue Sri Lanka’s IMF programme despite previously criticising it, saying the administration had little choice when it assumed office. Speaking in an interview with CNN, PM acknowledged that her party had opposed the IMF programme due to SL’s previous experiences with the institution. “We had no choice but to follow it,” she said when questioned about the govt’s more..

Oct 26 (Island) Sri Lanka provided humanitarian assistance to 27 Iranian sailors brought ashore after they fell ill aboard vessels outside the country’s territorial waters, in accordance with international maritime law and recognised humanitarian principles. Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said SL’s response was guided by its international obligations and that humanitarian assistance would be provided, irrespective of nationality, religion or country of origin. more..

Oct 26 (NW) Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero has defended his visit to a five-star hotel in Colombo after a video circulated on social media, accusing govt supporters of attempting to discredit Buddhist monks involved in the ongoing protest demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero. Addressing the controversy, the Thero said he had been unwell and that devotees had arranged accommodation and medical assistance for him. He said his fever had risen to around 102F more..

Oct 26 (NW) Construction of a new post office building in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, has commenced after 36 years, with an investment of Rs. 32.9 million. The foundation stone was laid on Sunday under the patronage of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Construction of the new permanent building is expected to be completed by May 2027, with the Department of Buildings overseeing the project. The new facility is intended to address space limitations at the existing post office more..

Oct 26 (AD) Depression over East-central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a Deep Depression, Met Dept said. It is moved westwards and lay centered near Latitude 15.3°N and Longitude 89.7°E. The system is very likely to move nearly westwards, and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over East-central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal by today, it stated. Then it is very likely to move west northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over more..

Oct 26 (NW) Sri Lanka has recorded the lowest hunger index score among South Asian countries with available data in the 2026 Global Hunger Index (GHI), reflecting a significant improvement in the country’s hunger situation over the past two decades. According to the report, SL recorded a score of 10.2, placing it 53rd among 122 countries assessed globally. Among South Asian countries, Nepal recorded second-lowest more..

Oct 26 (Island) Former cricket boss Shammi Silva is under scrutiny over allegations that he influenced the approval of millions of rupees in SLC funds for CCC, where he serves as president. Several clubs have received SLC assistance, but stakeholders say the generosity towards CCC has been unusually lavish and are calling for an independent audit. Charity, it seems, begins at home, preferably at the CCC clubhouse. Board minutes record that Silva excused himself when funding for his club came up more..

Oct 26 (DN) After a successful Asian Para Games in Nagoya Japan SL medal winners are scheduled to return home today evening. 21-year-old Janani Dhananjana was the most successful SL Para athlete this time around with the silver medal in T–47 200m and the gold medal with a new games record in T47 long jump. Dhanajana entered the long-jump competition following an impressive performance in the women’s T-47 200m final, where she clocked a personal-best time of 25.80 s to claim silver. more..

Oct 26 (Island) SL Tennis Association (SLTA) marked a significant milestone in the development of the sport with the ceremonial opening of three newly renovated tennis courts on Oct 22, paving the way for improved training and competition facilities for the country’s emerging players. ‎The renovation project, supported by the SL Tennis Premier League (SLTPL), represents the realisation of a long-standing ambition to provide international-standard facilities for Sri Lankan tennis. more..

Oct 26 (NW) A 29-year-old man arrested in connection with a drug-related investigation has died after being held at Homagama Police Station, with his family alleging that he was assaulted by police officers. The deceased has been identified as Ishara Harsha Kumara, a resident of Kiriwaththuduwa. According to his relatives, the suspect was arrested and detained at the Homagama Police Station. Family members alleged that they learned he had been assaulted when they visited police more..

Oct 26 (TM) Negombo Magistrate Shilani Perera formally declared on Friday that a crime occurred in the killing of 10 Police Emergency Tactical Force officers and several inmates inside the Negombo Prison. She ordered the CID to conduct all necessary investigations, take action against those responsible, and report to court on Thursday. The order was issued after the Magistrate concluded the inquest proceedings, having considered more..

Oct 26 (ST) SL’s ambitious infrastructure drive stands at a decisive crossroads as the govt moves away from public funding towards an aggressive mobilisation of private capital for massive projects in the pipeline and rewriting the rules for operational ventures. Macroeconomic focus has fundamentally shifted, as highlighted by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who noted this week that the state is actively aiming to attract private capital into public investments to address deep fiscal realities. more..

Oct 26 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Embassy of SL in Rome and the Consulate General of SL in Milan, facilitated an exposure visit for SL pharmaceutical manufacturers to the 37th edition of CPHI Worldwide 2026, held from 6 to 8 Oct 2026 at Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy. Program also included dedicated business networking sessions in Milan for the pharmaceutical sector. A 5-member business delegation representing five SL companies participated more..