Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Withana has been provided with two police officers for his personal security after revealing alleged assassination threats against him. He confirmed today that Police have provided him security following his Parliament remarks earlier this week. The MP, who addressed Parliament earlier this week, said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had informed the Kalutara DIG in writing to probe the matter. “The DIG has been informed via a letter from the IGP of plans to assassinate me while getting off the vehicle. The suspect’s name has also been mentioned in the letter. It says…
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The Sri Lanka Navy rescued 14 crew members from the merchant vessel MV Integrity Star, which had suffered an engine failure about 100 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka. The rescue operation was launched following a distress call received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Colombo, operating under the Ministry of Defence. The Navy immediately deployed SLNS Samudura to the location, successfully rescuing all 14 crew members — nationals of India, Turkey, and Azerbaijan — who were later brought safely to the Port of Hambantota this morning. Another merchant vessel in the area, MV Morning Glory, also responded…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who attended the funeral of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara to pay his last respects, said the killing on a public day was “a deadly blow to democracy.” He condemned the murder, calling it part of a growing culture of violence that undermines citizens’ right to live in peace, and urged an impartial investigation — noting that Wickramasekara had earlier requested police protection. (Newswire) The post Opposition Leader attends funeral of slain Weligama PS Chairman, demands justice appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka is planning to introduce a ban on the use of smartphones by school children under the age of 12, Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj announced. Speaking at a function attended by school children, the Minister said the government will take a decision to ensure that no child below 12 years of age is allowed to own or use a mobile phone. She said the move aims to protect children from excessive screen time and exposure to harmful online content, while encouraging healthier childhood development and social interaction. (Newswire) Sri Lanka plans to ban the use of smartphones…
Sri Lanka is planning to introduce a ban on the use of smartphones by school children under the age of 12, Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj announced. Speaking at a function attended by school children, the Minister said the government will take a decision to ensure that no child below 12 years of age is allowed to own or use a mobile phone. She said the move aims to protect children from excessive screen time and exposure to harmful online content, while encouraging healthier childhood development and social interaction. (Newswire) Sri Lanka plans to ban the use of smartphones…
Passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, India, and Kankesanthurai has been temporarily suspended. Indian media reported that the service will remain halted from today (26th) until December due to adverse weather conditions in the maritime region. The ferry service provider has announced the cancellation of trip scheduled from October 26 to 28, citing the forecast of adverse weather conditions. The firm had planned to operate until October 28th, before beginning the annual suspension of services from November. The post India-KKS ferry service temporarily suspended appeared first on Newswire.
Indian film stars Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor have arrived in Sri Lanka for the latest shooting schedule of their upcoming movie Peddi, the filmmakers confirmed Saturday. The production, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, began its next phase of filming this week, with scenes planned across several scenic locations on the island. Sources close to the crew said the Sri Lanka schedule will primarily feature a major song sequence starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. The film’s music is composed by A.R. Rahman, and the Sri Lanka shoot follows a large-scale dance sequence recently filmed in India with over a…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has issued a gazette notice directing Customs to allow importers to clear cars paying import duty and bank guarantee for 35 percent extra value, but they cannot be registered. The gazette notice said vehicles imported between 2025,02.01 and 2025.10.24 where letters of credit were not in line with direction 05, should taxed at applicable rate and a 35 percent charge based on gazettes issued in 2016 given as a bank guarantee. Vehicles cleared with the bank guarantee however cannot not be registered in Sri Lanka, the gazette said. But the vehicles also had to…
The Police have requested public support to locate and arrest a suspect wanted in connection with the killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara. The Police said information can be provided through the following hotlines — 071 859 8888 (WhatsApp) or 011 233 7162 / 071 859 2087 — and assured that all information will be treated as confidential. (Newswire) The post Police seek public assistance to locate suspect in Weligama PS Chairman’s killing appeared first on Newswire.
Government dentists have announced a strike on 06th November in protest against the actions of the Director General of Dental Services and the Ministry of Health. Speaking to the media, Dr. Nadun Dammika, chairman of the Government Dentists Association, said the association will carry out the token strike in response to what they consider shortsighted decisions by the Director General and called for her immediate dismissal. “Due to her negligence, the entire dental service is on the verge of collapse. Many dentists have already left the service. The National Dental Health Census, which is conducted every ten years, is also…
Dramatic video footage has emerged showing police officers opening fire during a high-speed chase in Ratmalana this evening, after a van driver ignored repeated orders to stop. According to police, the incident occurred around 5.25 p.m. when a van travelling from Piliyandala via Katubedda failed to comply with traffic police instructions at Golumadama Junction. Officers from the Western South Traffic Division pursued the vehicle and fired at its front and rear tyres near Belekkade Junction in an attempt to stop it. Despite the shots, the driver continued to flee until reaching the Ratmalana railway station area, where he abandoned the…
The Teachers and Principals trade unions have strongly opposed the proposed 30-minute extension of school hours under new education reforms set to be implemented in 2026. Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo on Friday (24), the unions warned that if the government does not take steps to amend the school timings before November 7, they will initiate a one-day strike as soon as the school term begins. The Chief Secretary of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Association Joseph Stalin alleged that the reforms were being implemented arbitrarily by individuals who lack relevant qualifications at the National Education Institute. “Recently we…
Police have arrested three individuals, including a woman, in connection with the killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara. According to Police Headquarters, the suspects were taken into custody in the Kekirawa area during a special operation carried out by a police team investigating the shooting. Further investigations are underway to determine the suspects’ possible involvement in the murder and to trace others connected to the incident. The suspects are to be handed over to the Weligama Police for further questioning. (Newswire) The post Three arrested over killing of Weligama PS Chairman appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment is “actively engaged” in removing the negative impact on charging value added tax on locally produced inputs, which is discouraging backward integration, Chairman Arjuna Herath said. Sri Lanka’s apparel industries have complained that the removal of the SVAT system which allowed local producers to sell goods to exporters in a kind of VAT exempt system, has been removed, triggering cashflow problems and interest costs for exporters. In countries like Vietnam and Taiwan, sales into export firms in free trade zones are zero rated, just like for export. Under a zero rate, no VAT…
File A human head belonging to a 66-year-old man was found floating in the lagoon at Kattankudy 05 on Saturday evening. Police said the victim had been reported missing two days earlier by his relatives. Initial investigations suggest the man may have been attacked by crocodiles while bathing in the lagoon, which is known to have a high concentration of the reptiles. The remains have been placed at the Kattankudy Hospital morgue for a postmortem examination. (Newswire) The post Human head found in Kattankudy lagoon appeared first on Newswire.
Medawachchiya police have recovered 41 live T-56 cartridges and two magazines from the Kanadara Oya in the Wahamalgollewa area. Police said the discovery was made on October 25 based on a tip-off received by a police team. Investigations are underway to identify those responsible for bringing and dumping the ammunition at the site The post T-56 ammunition found in Medawachchiya stream appeared first on Newswire.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 26 OCTOBER 2025 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 26 October 2025 Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts. Fairly heavy falls about 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Several spells of showers may occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces. Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions…
Photo courtesy of Hindustan Times The recent Co-operative Society elections across Sri Lanka have quietly revealed a political undercurrent that the NPP can no longer ignore. While the party continues to project national confidence, the defeats in a series of key southern districts, including Kelaniya, Beruwala and Homagama, point to a deeper truth: the NPP’s grassroots strength is slipping. In at least nine out of 14 co-operative contests, NPP backed groups suffered defeat at the hands of opposition or independent alliances. These are not isolated setbacks; they expose the widening gap between the government’s rhetoric of reform and the everyday…
The Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry has alerted the public to a fraudulent WhatsApp group operating under the name “Education Council to be formed through the New Education Reforms.”
A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued outlining new regulations for the release of vehicles currently held by Sri Lanka Customs.