Sri Lanka has been named among the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026 by the internationally recognised travel publication Travel + Leisure, which describes the island as a “stand-alone destination” for culture, adventure, and natural beauty. The feature highlights Sri Lanka’s diverse appeal across the country, noting that adventurous travellers are increasingly exploring the northern region, particularly Jaffna, as well as the central highlands, where hiking routes through Horton Plains and the surrounding tea estates continue to draw global interest. The southern coastline is also singled out for its beaches, marine life, and outdoor activities, with the magazine noting…
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A group of 27 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka today to India, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said. The group includes fishermen who were apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities for poaching off Sri Lankan waters. (Newswire) The post Group of 27 fishermen repatriated to India appeared first on Newswire.
MP Nizam Kariapper yesterday accused the government of breaking its promise to hold Provincial Council elections, criticizing what he called misleading statements and deliberate delays. “President Anura Kumara Dissanayake once told this House that Provincial Council elections will be held. Not only that, he said the same on every election stage. But this week he came to Parliament and told us with a smirk, ‘how can I hold elections when there is no law, make this law and give it to me…’ I had to wonder if this speech was by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake or President Ranil Wickremesinghe,” Kariapper…
The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (20), compared to Wednesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 305, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 310.25. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 305.20 to Rs. 304.95, while the selling rate has also dropped from Rs. 311.93 to Rs. 311.67. At Commercial Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 302.01, while the selling rate is also unchanged…
A fishing vessel carrying six Sri Lankan fishermen has been detained on suspicion of transporting narcotics. The arrest took place off the southern maritime border of Sri Lanka, during a joint operation conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Sri Lanka Navy. Reports indicate that approximately 15 parcels suspected to contain narcotics were found onboard. The fishermen and the vessel are scheduled to be brought to the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour this afternoon (20) for further investigation. (Newswire) The post Six fishermen arrested for suspected narcotics transport appeared first on Newswire.
Health authorities have warned against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, warning of possible antimicrobial resistance that could make common treatments for illnesses ineffective. Dr. Priyantha Atapattu of the National Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance, addressing a media briefing, emphasizing the critical importance of responsible antibiotic use, said that widespread misuse and overuse of these drugs have been observed by medical professionals over the years. “Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites in humans, animals, and plants. These antibiotic medications are either antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, or antiparasitic,” he explained. He advised the public to use these…
The Government believes that longstanding issues faced by the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces can no longer be addressed through outdated political solutions, and that it is necessary to move towards a new political framework, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. President Dissanayake further said that the support of everyone is essential for the new political framework. He made the remarks during a meeting with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (19), following a request made by the TNA. Discussions focused on the Provincial Council elections and the need for a new Constitution. The meeting…
Photo courtesy of UNICEF Today is World Children’s Day Children are the heartbeat of every nation, the promise of tomorrow and the carriers of dreams yet to be fulfilled. In Sri Lanka, as in the rest of the world, they represent both joy and responsibility. World Children’s Day is commemorated on November 20, the date on which the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989, which is ratified by 196 countries and remains the most widely embraced human rights treaty in history. The UK signed it in 1991 while the US, despite…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has challenged Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala’s claim that a certificate from a Police Committee Chairman is not required to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate. Yesterday, the Minister dismissed a newspaper report that said a Police Committee Chairman’s certificate was needed alongside a Grama Niladhari certificate. He said that no such directive had been issued by the Ministry and called the report fake news. Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa also condemned the newspaper report in Parliament today, questioning its credibility and noting the absence of a properly cited source. “The reporter could have verified the claim with…
Police say that the suspect arrested over a shooting attempt on a hotel in Midigama has been identified as a contract killer for an organized criminal currently residing overseas. According to the Police, the suspect was arrested while waiting at a house in the Kapuwatte area, along with two others, to carry out a murder. Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect, a 35-year-old male from Danketiya, Tangalle, is an individual who had resigned from the Military. His arrest comes after a team of officers from the Western Province North Crime Division conducted a raid in Midigama, arresting him along with…
The suspected gunman in the shooting incident in Kotahena on November 07, in which an individual was killed, has been arrested. The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) had launched an investigation into the fatal shooting incident, where a man who arrived in a car allegedly opened fire, resulting in the homicide. Based on a tip-off, officers from the CCD apprehended the suspected gunman yesterday (19), while he was hiding in a house in the Kolongoda area. Upon arrest, authorities discovered 12.3 grams of ‘ICE’ narcotics in his possession. The suspect, a 39-year-old resident of Kaduwela, is currently being held under a…
Sri Lanka Police has introduced an alternative number for the public to contact the Senior Officer in Charge of the Western Province to report corruption and drug-related complaints. According to the Police, the number of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne was issued in September 2025 for this purpose. However, as he has been transferred to an administrative role, SDIG Sanjeewa Medawatte has been appointed as the Officer in Charge of the Western Province. As such, the public can contact him via 071-8592621 to file corruption and drug-related complaints in the province. (Newswire) The post Police introduce new hotline for corruption &…
US President Donald Trump signed legislation on Wednesday that compels his administration to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure from his own party after initially resisting those efforts. Trump could have chosen to release many of the files on his own months ago. “Democrats have used the ‘Epstein’ issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories,” Trump said in a social media post as he announced he had signed the bill. Now, the bill requires the Justice Department to release all files…
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, has underscored the importance the Government of Sri Lanka places on the tourism sector, highlighting priorities of sustainability, diversification, enhanced connectivity, and digital transformation, during the India–Sri Lanka Tourism Connect held in Colombo. Minister Herath participated in the India–Sri Lanka Tourism Connect, organized by the High Commission of India, aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation and fostering new investment opportunities between our two countries. Addressing the event, the Foreign Minister pointed out that to further expand Indian tourist arrivals, Sri Lanka is focusing on city breaks, beaches, heritage routes, MICE tourism, destination weddings, film tourism,…
The Department of Meteorology says a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 22. It further stated that the low-pressure area may intensify further and is likely to move near the northern coast of Sri Lanka. As such, several spells of showers are expected in the Northern, North-central provinces, and the Trincomalee district. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 pm. Meanwhile, the Met Department has requested the Naval and fishing communities to be vigilant of the fresh low-pressure area that is…
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has recorded the highest tax revenue collection in its history for the year 2025, reaching Rs. 2,002,241 million as of 17 November. According to the statement issued by Commissioner General Rukdevi P. H. Fernando, the 2025 collection reflects an increase of Rs. 60,079 million compared to the total revenue reported in 2024. The IRD noted that it has surpassed the previous year’s figure of Rs. 1,942,162 million within the first eleven months of the year. The Department said the performance strengthens the Government’s financial position and marks a significant milestone in national revenue mobilisation. Fernando…
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today unveiled the match schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) this afternoon that the Provincial Council elections will be held, said MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.
The Attorney General yesterday informed Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara that investigations into the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, over the alleged misuse of Rs. 16.6 million in State funds, will be completed within a month and that steps will thereafter be taken to institute proceedings before a higher court.
The National People’s Power (NPP) has sought the assistance of the police to facilitate its rally to be held in Tangalle tomorrow, Opposition MP D.V. Chanaka alleged today.