The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the recruitment of 8,547 personnel across several government ministries, provincial councils, and commissions, following recommendations from a special committee appointed to review the public service recruitment process. The committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, was appointed on 30 December 2024 to streamline recruitments by identifying requirements, priorities, and time frames for filling existing vacancies. At its meeting held on 2 October 2025, the committee presented its findings and recommendations, after which Cabinet approval was granted for relevant ministries and institutions to proceed with filling vacancies. According to the Cabinet decision, the…
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Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya, Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), relinquished his duties at the Ministry of Defence yesterday upon reaching the age of 60 years.
The Government has decided to repurpose nearly 3,000 abandoned or underutilized state buildings for productive use following a nationwide review by the Treasury. According to the Cabinet statement, the General Treasury, with the support of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, has compiled data on government-owned buildings that remain abandoned, underutilized, or partially completed across Divisional Secretariat divisions. A total of 2,972 such buildings have been identified. The Cabinet of Ministers has decided that relevant ministries and institutions must prepare and implement programs to utilize these structures effectively. The decision follows a directive by President Anura…
The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement development projects in the Eastern Province under the Indian Multi-Sectoral Grants programme. According to the MoU, signed on April 5, 2025, India will provide a grant of Rs. 2,371.83 million to fund 33 projects identified to address key development needs in the province. Each project will be formalized through a separate MoU between the Indian High Commission and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to establish four new High Court premises in Colombo to strengthen the implementation of the Anti-Corruption National Action Plan (2025–2029). According to the Cabinet paper, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration has been tasked with executing the activities under the plan, which includes expanding judicial capacity to expedite corruption-related cases. The Cabinet has granted approval for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government to hand over four government-owned buildings to the Ministry of Justice for immediate use as High Court premises. The buildings identified for conversion are located…
The price of gold in Sri Lanka has dropped below the Rs. 300,000 mark compared to recent weeks, it was reported. According to local gold merchants, the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign is now listed at Rs. 298,000. This reflects a decrease of Rs. 81,000 compared to Friday, October 17, when the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign stood at Rs. 379,200. Meanwhile, the price of a 24-carat gold sovereign, which was Rs. 410,000 on Friday, has now fallen to Rs. 322,000. (Newswire) The post Gold price drops below Rs. 300,000 in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lanka Nurses’ Association (SLNA) has strongly opposed a statement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, allowing nurses to change their uniforms according to Muslim attire as they wish.
Cricket fans, get ready for the fastest and most exciting cricket tournament! The upcoming season of Hong Kong Sixes 2025 will be played November 7-9. This super fun tournament is known for quick matches and lots of boundaries. After making a big comeback last year following a 7-year break, the Hong Kong Sixes is back again with 12 countries ready to compete at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong Hong Kong Sixes 2025: Teams & Groups Twelve amazing teams are ready to compete in this exciting tournament. India will be led by Dinesh Karthik, the experienced wicketkeeper-batter…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (28), crossing the Rs 300 mark for the first time since September 2024, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). The CBSL reported the buying rate of the US Dollar at Rs. 300.48 and the selling rate at Rs. 308.00, marking a renewed weakening of the local currency after months of gradual depreciation. In 2024, the Rupee showed signs of recovery, beginning the year at Rs. 319.23 and strengthening to Rs. 285.94 by December, its strongest level in over a year. However,…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (28), compared to Monday, touching the Rs. 300 mark for the first time since September 2024. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Monday’s rate of Rs. 299.98 to Rs. 300.48 today. The Sri Lankan Rupee last touched the Rs. 300 mark on 23rd September 2024, with the buying rate at Rs. 300.18. However, it reduced after, and in December 2024, the Sri Lankan Rupee (buying rate) dropped as low as Rs. 285.94 before steadily increasing again…
Actress Gayathri Dias has refuted social media claims linking her to the recently arrested underworld leader ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’. In a statement shared online, Dias dismissed the allegations as false and hurtful, saying she has no connection to any criminal figures. Sharing an emotional message, she wrote, “The only fault I did was being an artist,” adding that she continues to face pain and judgment despite doing no wrong. Her remarks follow viral social media posts claiming links between her and Padme, who was arrested last month in Indonesia and brought back to Sri Lanka. (Newswire) The post “The only fault…
The Supreme Court has scheduled the appeals filed by former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, both convicted and sentenced in connection with a corruption case, to be taken up on January 20. These appeals were called today (28) before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. During the proceedings, the bench ordered that the appeals be listed for hearing on January 20. At the time of the hearing, both former ministers, currently in remand custody after being sentenced by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar, were produced before…
The Colombo High Court has ordered the release on bail of a driver who had been in remand custody for nearly a year in connection with the alleged murder of a female lawyer residing in Mirihana. The order was issued by High Court Judge Lal Bandara yesterday (27) following the review of a bail application submitted by Attorney-at-Law Jayaba Kalupahana on behalf of the suspect. Accordingly, the suspect was granted a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 and three sureties of Rs. 100,000 each. The judge also prohibited the suspect from travelling abroad without court permission, imposing an overseas travel ban.…
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a contribution of US $2.7 million from global fashion brand, Michael Kors to bolster Sri Lanka’s National School Meals Programme. The support, through the brand’s long-running ‘Watch Hunger Stop campaign’ will contribute to WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) initiative. The funding will enable WFP to expand its Home-Grown School Feeding program from eight to ten districts, ensuring that 250,000 children receive daily nutritious meals, over the next three years. The money will also support 1,500 local farmers and caterers supply fresh and locally sourced produce. In addition, 30 schools will benefit from infrastructure…
Former Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne says Sri Lanka is facing a shortage of over 380 medicinal drugs, including essential medicines, at present. Speaking to reporters, Rajith Senaratne revealed that all hospitals, including state hospitals, have stopped conducting blood tests over the last four months. “They are conducting it through laboratories. The blood tests are done from outside, with patients spending money. During my tenure, I prohibited tests from being conducted outside of the hospital. All tests were done in-house for free. But today, they are being conducted for money,” he said. Rajitha Senaratne said that patients undergoing surgery are…
A 21-year-old Canadian national has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle a consignment of hashish valued at Rs. 182.5 million.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (28), compared to Monday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 300.50, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 306. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 300.55 to Rs. 301.05 and from Rs. 307.05 to Rs. 307.55, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 300.35 to Rs. 300.75, while the selling rate has…
The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for strong winds in the Western, Sabragamuwa, Central, Southern, Northern, North-Central, and North-Western Provinces, and the Trincomalee and Batticaloa Districts, effective for the 24 hours ending at 11.00 am tomorrow (29). According to the Department, strong winds of about 50-60kmph are expected in the said areas due to the Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ in the Northeast of Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal. As such, the Met Department has issued red alerts to 22 districts, and amber alerts to 03 districts, warning of strong winds. (Newswire) The post Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ :…
Oxford College of Business (OCB) has been awarded the Platinum Award for Asia’s Best Integrated Report (SME), the highest honour of the night, at the 11th Asia Integrated Reporting Awards (AIRA) held in Singapore. Oxford College of Business also secured the Silver Award for Asia’s Best Sustainability Report (SME) at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA) presented at the same event, marking a landmark achievement that reinforces Sri Lanka’s presence on the global stage. Organised as a non-profit and industry-neutral initiative, AIRA and ASRA stand as the region’s most respected and fiercely competitive sustainability and reporting recognitions, attracting leading institutions…
The Sri Lankan contingent, which clinched the Runner-up title (Second Place) at the 2025 South Asian Athletics Championship held in Ranchi, India, arrived in Sri Lanka today (28). According to Deputy Minister of Sports, Sugath Thilakaratne, the Sri Lankan contingent received a warm welcome upon their return to the nation. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, along with several officials from the Ministry of Sports, were present at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake to welcome the athletes. “Our sincere respect and congratulations to the talented athletes who brought great honour to the nation!” Deputy Minister of…