Nov 3 (TM) Citizen Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste organisation has requested the CIABOC to launch an investigation into allegations that a former Senior DIG of the FCID received a bribe to halt an investigation into Krrish Transworks Colombo (Pvt) Limited. In a complaint dated yesterday and addressed to the CIABOC, the organisation's President Kamantha Thushara alleged that an investigation into Company, more..

Nov 3 (Island) The unexpected challenge that the govt had to face in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to revoke the presidential pardon given to the well-known Buddhist monk Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara would come as a warning about the extra-parliamentary methods that might be used to undermine it. The episode demonstrated that even a govt with an overwhelming parliamentary majority is not immune to political pressures that can arise outside Parliament. more..

Nov 3 (CT) SL’s Tamil Question is not an insoluble political puzzle. It is a national tragedy prolonged by generations of politicians who discovered that ethnic suspicion could be converted into electoral victory, communal fear marketed as patriotism, and the denial of another community’s dignity celebrated as the defense of one’s own. For nearly eight decades since Independence, thousands have perished, generations have suffered, and opportunities for national advancement have been sacrificed more..

Nov 3 (TM) The influence exerted by the Maha Sangha in SL politics and Sinhala Buddhist society has deep historical roots. The perception that the Maha Sangha places rulers on the throne and deposes them has been built over centuries. However, the firm stance taken by the NPP Govt, led by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on the issue of once again granting a pardon to BBS General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who is serving a prison sentence, marked more..

Nov 3 (Island) Power not only corrupts but also blinds the wielders of it to reality. Most rulers cherish the delusion that they can perpetuate their hold on power by making oppressive laws to overcome dissent and debilitate the Opposition, ignoring protests and wise counsel. When they lose power, they become the victims of their own draconian laws. In a fast-changing world, new laws to meet emerging threats to national and public security are not optional; they are imperative. more..

Nov 3 (SO) Among the new faces elected to Parliament in 2024, Amila Prasad Siriwardana, who entered Parliament for the first time as a SJB MP, has quickly established himself within the party. He currently serves as Media Spokesperson for Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. The Gampaha District MP, who entered Parliament after a career spanning more than two decades as a private tuition teacher, has emerged as more..

Nov 3 (ST) Having a sign or a symbol tattooed on your chest or sporting long hair can be hazardous to your health, a former President of the Bar Association has warned. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris—responding to the Justice Minister’s claim in Parliament last week that the relevant provisions applied to characteristics associated with known members of organised criminal groups and did not criminalise personal appearance—asked: ‘Who decides at the point of arrest whether more..

Nov 3 (TM) When the Cabinet decided in September last year to liquidate 33 non-functional State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), the move was rightly welcomed. Few could argue for keeping alive entities such as Mihin Lanka, Selendiva Investments or the company set up for the Hambantota Commonwealth Games bid, many of which, by the Govt's own admission, existed only as name boards. It was the low-hanging fruit of State-sector reform. more..

Nov 3 (TM) SL’s Electric Vehicle (EV) population has more than tripled in just nine months, rising from approximately 30,000 in Sept 2025 to over 100,000 by June this year, raising questions over the Govt’s preparedness to manage the rapid expansion of the sector amid serious regulatory shortcomings, policy gaps, and inadequate environmental safeguards. National Audit Office (NAO), in its performance audit report titled more..

Nov 3 (DM) I recently visited one of the primary schools in an oppressed caste village in Karainagar. The coastal village on the lagoon side of the Karainagar Island in northern Jaffna was hard to reach with the road in a disintegrating state. The little over one hundred students in the school live within walking distance. As I began the discussion with the principal about the childrens’ education and health, it became apparent that the principal had a clear understanding of not just the needs of more..

Nov 3 (DM) A major row has erupted over the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals, a man and a woman, in Saudi Arabia on Oct 14. Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry said they were executed for committing an immoral act inside a mosque. No details of this immoral act have been made clear. Some unconfirmed reports say it was kissing, while others claim it was adultery. Bangladeshi govt says it wasn’t given prior notice of the executions and learnt of the event via news reports. more..

Nov 2 (NW) Former Senior DIG Ajith Rohana has warned that approximately 20 people are becoming addicted to drugs every day in Sri Lanka, according to unofficial estimates. Speaking at an event, the retired senior police officer said drug addiction had become a serious national concern, with the problem now extending into the country’s school system. He claimed that nearly 200,000 people in Sri Lanka were addicted to drugs, according to official and unofficial information. more..

Nov 2 (Island) CCTV cameras would be installed at every police station across the country to strengthen monitoring and oversight of police activities, ASP F.U. Wootler said. He said procurement for the project was already under way and arrangements would be made to monitor police stations through footage recorded by the cameras. The move is expected to improve transparency and accountability at police stations, particularly amidst concerns over the treatment of suspects in police custody. more..

Nov 2 (DM) SL has the most expensive cigarettes in the world when measured against purchasing power parity (PPP), according to the latest WHO data cited in a new Oxford Economics assessment that questions the effectiveness of the WHO’s global tobacco tax incidence benchmark. Assessment argues that national economic realities, rather than a uniform global target, should guide tobacco taxation policies, more..

Nov 2 (NW) Long queues have been reported at Inland Revenue Department (IRD) offices across Sri Lanka as members of the public rush to obtain Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) following the introduction of new mandatory requirements. Meanwhile, several members of the public have complained of difficulties accessing the department’s online registration system, with reports of the website becoming unresponsive and experiencing disruptions amid increased demand. more..

Nov 2 (DM) The body of an elephant, believed to have died about a week ago, was found with its left tusk removed in a forest area near the Kayagollewa Tank in Kahatagasdigiliya, Department of Wildlife Conservation said. The carcass was discovered yesterday by wildlife officers in a forest patch bordering a paddy field in the Meeminnawala Grama Niladhari Division. Wildlife officials suspect that the elephant's left tusk had been removed using a weapon after its death. more..

Nov 2 (NW) SL’s anti-corruption authorities are investigating 16 former Cabinet ministers over allegations of abuse of power and financial irregularities. Police Assets Investigation Division has handed over investigation files relating to the assets of nearly 20 politicians, including former ministers and MPs, to CIABOC. Minister Ananda Wijepala was quoted as saying that all information uncovered during the police investigations more..

Nov 2 (DM) A UNP and SJB alliance does not spell victory, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said. “Some anticipate that a UNP-SJB alliance would be a political success, as such an alliance would win future elections. Such an anticipation could be wrong, as politics has changed today,” Wickremesinghe told party members. "One has to look into the thinking patterns of Millennial and Gen Z generations. I have had discussions with the members of these generations. more..

Nov 2 (AD) Minister K.D. Lal kantha has instructed officials to take steps to reclaim govt-owned agricultural lands that have been leased for cultivation but remain uncultivated, and allocate them for productive agricultural projects. Attention has been drawn to the fact that although govt agricultural lands have been leased to individuals and institutions for various cultivation projects and investments, some of these lands remain idle & are not being used for their intended purposes. more..

Nov 2 (NW) Athletes have set 30 new records, including 21 new swimming records, at the 36th National Youth Sports Festival held at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium. The two-day event, held on Oct 31 and November 1 under the theme Empowering Youth, Celebrating Unity, was organised by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, National Youth Services Council and SL Federation of Youth Clubs. Gampaha and Kandy districts shared the overall championship after more..

Nov 2 (AD) The govt aims to eliminate disparities in the education sector by ensuring quality education and equal educational opportunities for every child, Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi has stated. He made these remarks while addressing a programme held at the Ratnapura District Secretariat to recognise outstanding students from the Ratnapura and Kegalle districts who excelled at the 2025 GCE A/L Exam. Minister stressed that education should go beyond imparting academic knowledge more..

Nov 2 (AD) Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development has stated that the liquidation process for 33 selected State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) is currently underway. Ministry noted that, in accordance with Cabinet approval, a specialised unit for State-Owned Enterprise Reform was established under the Ministry of Finance, in March this year. Accordingly, unit is currently overseeing the liquidation more..

Nov 2 (NW) Ministry of Environment has launched an islandwide operation named Hasthi Sena to protect elephants from life-threatening dangers and minimise human-elephant conflict. The operation was launched today in Galkiriyagama, in the North Western Wildlife Zone, with an initial focus on 17 elephants identified as being at risk. The programme is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Environment, the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Tri-Forces. more..

Nov 2 (NW) A SriLankan Airlines flight travelling from Melbourne to Colombo declared an emergency before landing at BIA following the activation of a smoke warning in the aircraft’s cargo hold. In a statement, SriLankan Airlines confirmed that Flight UL605, which was scheduled to arrive in Colombo at 11.20 p.m. on Nov 1, declared the emergency prior to landing. The airline said the aircraft landed safely at BIA, with all passengers and crew disembarking without incident. more..

Nov 2 (DM) CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said that the financial policies necessary for the country must be implemented decisively, regardless of whether the public favours or opposes them. He said that avoiding necessary economic policies simply because they are unpopular could cause serious harm to the country in the long run. Speaking at a lecture at Uni of Kelaniya, he said that with more..

Nov 2 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday accused the govt of attempting to curtail the fundamental and human rights of the people through two new Bills, aimed at combating terrorism and organised crime. Addressing an event at the Sri Subodhirajarama Viharaya, in Gallalla, Polonnaruwa, Premadasa said citizens had the right to practice their religion, hold political beliefs, join political parties, express their views, hold meetings and engage in peaceful protests. more..

Nov 2 (NW) Former Secretary to the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade, Gamini Kithsiri Dias Amarawardhana, has been arrested by the CIABOC over alleged corruption involving the purchase of chairs for the Polgolla Mahinda Rajapaksa Hospital. The former Ministry Secretary was arrested by its investigation officers at around 9.45 a.m. today. The arrest follows allegations that the suspect arranged for chairs to be purchased from a private company having submitted more..

Nov 2 (DM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has questioned the protection afforded to people in State custody, alleging that individuals are being beaten, tortured and dying while under State custody. In a post on X, Rajapaksa said that although a person's freedom could be restricted, their fundamental rights to life, dignity and protection could not be taken away. He stressed that the State has s duty to protect every life in its custody and that duty is not optional. more..

Nov 2 (EN) State-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has raised fuel prices effective from November 2, pushing key transport fuel prices higher. Under the revised pricing, 92 Octane Petrol increased by 10 rupees to 424 rupees per litre, while 95 Octane Petrol rose by 15 rupees to 490 rupees per litre. Auto Diesel was raised by 5 rupees to 397 rupees per litre, Super Diesel advanced by 15 rupees to 543 rupees per litre, while kerosene remained unchanged at 285 rupees per litre. more..

Nov 2 (DM) Clarifying media reports suggesting widespread damage to vehicles parked at Hambantota port due to lightening strike, a statement by the Port said the lightning strike severely damaged one vehicle and caused minor damage to three others. Statement said that Hambantota Int'l Port’s (HIP) Emergency Response Unit (ERU) promptly extinguished a vehicle fire caused by a lightning strike, preventing it from spreading more..

Nov 2 (NW) Further details have emerged regarding the death of a 27-year-old remand prisoner who was shot by a prison officer at the Dumbara Prison in Pallekele, Kandy, with relatives raising concerns over the circumstances surrounding his death. Prisons Commissioner Senaka Pallathtenna stated that the inmate was shot while allegedly attempting to seize a firearm from a prison officer. Incident occurred at around 8 p.m. on Sunday, when the prisoner reportedly attempted to escape more..

Nov 2 (FT) Overseas Realty (Ceylon) said it has launched the development of Havelock City Residences, the fifth and final phase of Havelock City, bringing the vision of one of Colombo’s iconic integrated mixed-use projects closer to completion. Official launch of Havelock City Residences was celebrated at a glamorous launch event held on 29 Oct 2026 at Hilton Colombo, attended by an exclusive gathering of invited guests. Demonstrating strong market confidence even before more..