Foreign worker remittances to Sri Lanka were recorded at US$ 673.4 million in November 2025, up 27.1% from US$ 530.1 million in November 2024, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). Cumulative inflows for January–November 2025 rose 20.7% to US$ 7.19 billion, compared with US$ 5.96 billion in the same period in 2024. The post Worker remittances surge past US$ 7 billion in 2025 appeared first on Newswire.
Posts published in “News”
Twenty-six suspects, including four women, were arrested with narcotics after police raided a social media-organised party, Teldaniya Police said. The raid was carried out in the early hours of today (13) at a hotel near the Victoria Reservoir, within the Teldaniya Police area, where the party was being held. Police recovered 4,134 milligrams of ice (crystal meth), 1,875 milligrams of hashish, 2,769 milligrams of kush, 390 milligrams of cocaine, 804 milligrams of mushrooms, 13 narcotic pills and 12 illicit cigarettes during the operation. The male suspects, aged between 18 and 31, are residents of Kandy, Mulleriyawa, Hatton, Pilagala, Athurugiriya, Kotagedara,…
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 13 DECEMBER 2025 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 13 December 2025 Several spells of showers will occur in Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva, Central and North-Western provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts. Misty conditions can be expected at some places…
Sri Lanka’s inbound tourism is undergoing a structural shift, with visitor spending moving beyond traditional urban centres toward emerging destinations, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Economic Outlook 2026. Commenting on the findings, Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives at Mastercard, said the data shows a clear evolution in travel patterns when comparing 2025 with pre-pandemic 2019 levels. “Colombo continues to lead tourism-related transactions, accounting for nearly a quarter of total spend, but its share has moderated. This reflects diversification rather than a decline,” Hapugoda said, noting that Colombo still represents 24.77% of total transactions despite a…
An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued, notifying that Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne summoned the Parliament to meet at 9.30am on December 18, at the request of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya The post Special Parliament Session Summoned on 18th appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s private credit has surged to a new record high of 246.1 billion rupees in October 2025, up from 236.3 billion rupees, a month earlier data from the central bank shows, while credit to government slowed. So far this year, banks have given 1.61 trillion rupees to private business, up from 789.6 billion rupees. Credit to government fell by 39 billion rupees in October 2025, after falling 165 billion a month earlier. Net credit to the Sri Lanka government fell absolutely by 113.6 billion rupees over the year. There is however a complication with deposits of the…
A Sri Lankan migrant housed in a government-funded asylum hotel denied charges of abducting, raping, and assaulting a 15-year-old girl in West London. Yashin Himasara, 20, appeared via video link at Isleworth Crown Court from HMP Wormwood Scrubs. Speaking with the assistance of a Sinhala interpreter, Himasara confirmed his name and date of birth before entering pleas. Himasara pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including kidnapping, rape, assault by penetration, assault by beating, sexual activity with a child, and two counts of intentional strangulation. Prosecutors allege the incident occurred on Nov. 1 in Feltham, West London, where Himasara had been…
Japan’s Disaster Relief Team (JDR) has established a fully equipped mobile field hospital at the Chilaw Police Grounds to provide urgent medical care to communities affected by recent flooding.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested the Chief Executive Officer of Continental Insurance Lanka Limited, Mailanarachchilage Don Wenceslaus Gerald Lazarus Gunadasa over allegations of bribery.
Former Speaker and NPP Parliamentarian Ashoka Ranwala, arrested in connection with a vehicular collision in Sapugaskanda on the night of December 11, has been granted bail.
The European Union looked set on Friday to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe, removing a big obstacle to using the cash to help Ukraine defend itself against Moscow’s invasion.
Former Beliatta Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Cyril Munasinghe has been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities during his tenure.
Minister K. D. Lal Kantha has urged the submission of scientific and practical proposals to improve access to areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, with a particular focus on the remote Meemure region.
The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists has released a statement offering mental health support to people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused severe disruption across the country.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath met Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism today (12).
The Sri Lanka Association of Meteorologists says officials of the Department of Meteorology followed proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when issuing alerts ahead of Cyclone Ditwah, allowing fishing and naval communities to take early precautions and save lives.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday donated a haemodialysis machine valued at Rs. 4.6 million to the Marawila Base Hospital under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s ‘Husma’ health initiative. The donation involved a B-Braun Dialog+ haemodialysis machine and was made as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services for communities affected by recent cyclone-related disasters. Speaking to the media at the event, Premadasa said that regardless of criticism, responsibilities to the country and its people must be fulfilled, particularly during times of national crisis. He said discussions had been held with foreign diplomats and representatives to seek international assistance for Sri…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to call for a dialogue with all relevant parties on the proposed Universities Amendment Bill which has already been tabled in Parliament.
Japan’s Disaster Relief Team (JDR) has established a fully equipped mobile field hospital at the Chilaw Police Grounds to provide urgent medical care to communities affected by recent flooding. The facility will operate until December 15. Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa inspected the hospital on December 12 and conveyed Sri Lanka’s gratitude to the Government of Japan and the JDR team for their rapid response during the emergency. Operational since December 4, the Type 1 field hospital offers daily services from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., treating over 100 patients per day. It serves residents of Chilaw…
ABEC Premier has been named the Best Educational Service Provider (International Education) at the 9th South Asian Business Excellence Awards 2025, becoming the first Sri Lankan education institution to secure this regional accolade. The awards ceremony took place on 27 November at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams in Colombo, attracting senior officials, industry leaders, and distinguished delegates from across South Asia. The award was presented by Mohammad Raza Hayat Harraj, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Defence Production; Thilanga Sumathipala, Former Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament; and Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka. The recognition…