The Railway Department says train operations on the coastal line have been restricted up to Weligama. The decision follows a derailment that occurred yesterday (21) at around 2.05 p.m., when a slow train running from Matara to Maradana derailed between the Kamburugamuwa and Weligama stations. Although the railway staff managed to place the train back on the track, it derailed again at the same location shortly after. The Department says efforts are underway to re-rail the train once more. As a result, coastal line services will operate only from Colombo to Weligama until further notice, the Department added. The post…
The Sri Lankan Report
For a country that prides itself on self-sufficiency, Sri Lanka’s struggle to keep rice both affordable and available has become a recurring national drama. Long seen as the backbone of food security, the rice industry has weathered turbulent seasons — from erratic weather and disrupted harvests to sudden policy shifts and market shocks. In the latest Maha season, 701,453 hectares were cultivated, producing 2.7 million metric tonnes of paddy. Yet despite paddy dominating the country’s farmland, productivity gains have largely stalled — even slipping in recent years — reflecting both the resilience of farmers and the mounting strain of input…
A Sri Lankan court on Friday issued an arrest warrant for a Pakistani national suspected of aiding a match-fixing scheme during the 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL), officials said. The Colombo Chief Magistrate, Asanga S. Bodaragama, issued the order against Mujeeb ur Rehman, who reportedly served as the team manager of the Dambulla Thunders franchise. The warrant was granted following a request by the Police Unit for the Prevention of Sports-Related Corruption. Investigators told the court that Mujeeb had previously been issued a notice to appear before the unit and provide a statement but failed to do so. The warrant…
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most parts of the island. Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and strong lightning during thundershowers. The post Heavy rain above 100mm: alert issued for several districts appeared first on Newswire.
A suspect who allegedly assisted in the shooting and killing of a man in Kotahena has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) along with a stock of Ice narcotics. On the 7th, a gunman who arrived in a car opened fire in the Kotahena area, killing one person. Police said that investigations into the incident led to the arrest of an accomplice who had supported the gunman by transporting him and the firearm used in the crime. The suspect, a 27-year-old resident of Wattala, was found in possession of 8 grams and 450 milligrams of Ice drugs at…
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara districts. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity. The post Severe lightning warning issued for several districts appeared first on Newswire.
Justice of the Supreme Court Anthony Lalith Shiran Gooneratne was sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (22) at the Presidential Secretariat. Due to Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena’s travel abroad from 22 November 2025 to 27 November 2025, the President has made this appointment effective until the Chief Justice’s return to Sri Lanka. The post Justice Shiran Gooneratne appointed as Acting Chief Justice appeared first on Newswire.
Photo courtesy of McKinsey This article is based on a generative AI based translation and capture of a public presentation in Sinhala I made over Zoom on November 21 at the invitation of Sampath Samarakoon. My foundational argument is that we are standing at a critical crossroads around citizenship and the exercise of human rights. This digitalisation initiative, particularly following the substantial allocation of over Rs. 30 billion in the 2026 Budget, is an immensely significant matter. While many view digitalisation merely as a technical undertaking, or something that is “good if done, but not a problem if not done,” I…
Dr. Christopher M. Stubbs and Mrs. Rajni Stubbs Swaminathan, co-founders of MENCAFEP (Mentally Handicapped Children’s and Families Educational Project), have been recognized at the 2025 One World One Family Humanitarian Awards held in India. The couple received the award in the healthcare category, marking over 40 years of service to Sri Lanka’s disability sector. They were the sole representatives from Sri Lanka invited to the global event, which brought together over 8,000 participants from around the world. The award highlights MENCAFEP’s role in advancing disability inclusion, community-based care, and family empowerment across Sri Lanka since its founding in 1988. MENCAFEP…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board is selling power to 5 million, or 70 percent of customers, at a loss, compared to generation cost, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said indicating that other customers are ‘taxed’ to run the utility at break-even cost. The average cost at point of generation has been brought down to 19.20 rupees, he said. “The selling price for households that use 30 units or less was 4.50 rupees (down from 8 rupees in 2024 July). The selling price up to 60 units was 8 rupees, down from 20. The selling price of up to 60…
One person has been reported dead, while three others have been rescued and hospitalised following a landslide reported in the Lower Kadugannawa area today. According to the Disaster Management Centre, five others remain trapped in the landslide, and operations are continuing to rescue them. The landslide had trapped several individuals in a shop near the Ganetenna Junction, the DMC added. (Newswire) One person has died and four others are injured in a landslide in Kadugannawa. Rescue operations are ongoing for several others still trapped pic.twitter.com/jBZsnKJYOP — NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) November 22, 2025 The post Kadugannawa landslide : One person reported…
The groups for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been outlined by Cricbuzz, with the publication reporting the provisional pools for the 20-team tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not yet issued an official confirmation of the group draw. According to Cricbuzz, Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia and the United States. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman. Group C features England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal and Italy. Group D comprises South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE and Canada. As per the tournament format,…
A foreign employment agency that had its license temporarily suspended due to involvement in overseas job fraud has been raided by the Special Investigation Unit of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). The raid was carried out on Thursday (20) in the Maradana area, following information that the agency was continuing to recruit workers for foreign employment without a valid license. Investigations revealed that the agency’s license had been suspended after receiving 85 complaints related to foreign employment fraud. During the raid, the license holder and three officials working at the agency were taken into custody by investigators.…
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has warned that it will intensify its ongoing trade union action if fair solutions to its demands are not provided by the government. Issuing a statement, the GMOA said that a final decision on intensifying trade union action will be taken at the central committee meeting scheduled for November 26. The GMOA further noted that during discussions held with the President on Monday (17), the President had agreed to the association’s proposals. However, the GMOA had requested that a clear program with a fixed timeline be announced for their implementation. The association further stated…
Several individuals are believed to be trapped beneath debris after a large boulder collapsed onto a house and a nearby shop in the Pahala Kadugannawa area, police said. The incident has also caused major disruption to vehicular movement along the affected route, with traffic temporarily halted as rescue operations remain underway. The post Rescue underway as several trapped in Pahala Kadugannawa rockslide appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lankan sports fans have a busy few days ahead with Premier League football, international cricket, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix all lined up.
The Commissioner General of Examinations, A.K.S. Indika Kumari Liyanage, announced today that special measures are being taken to ensure Advanced Level (A/L) students in flood-affected areas of Galle and Matara districts can reach their examination centres. According to the Disaster Management Centre, several locations in these districts have been submerged due to heavy rains, creating serious difficulties in transportation. In response, the Disaster Management Centre has deployed boats to assist students in reaching their exam centres safely. Commissioner General Liyanage further stated that additional steps will be taken as necessary to guarantee that no student is prevented from sitting for…
Police yesterday (21) discovered the body of a man with injuries inside a three-wheeler near the 4th Lane, Gammana Road, in the Maharagama police division. The deceased has been identified as a 57-year-old resident of Galgamuwa, Kurunegala. Maharagama Police are conducting further investigations to determine whether the death was a result of murder. The post 57-year-old man found dead inside three-wheeler in Maharagama appeared first on Newswire.
Headline for this WEATHER FORECAST FOR 22 NOVEMBER 2025 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 22 November 2025 Showery weather condition is expected to enhance over the Island in next few days. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Western and Southern provinces…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is expecting a joint working team from India to discuss the development of a tank farm in Trincomalee linked to the development of an energy hub around the port in the North East of the island, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said. About 14 of a 99-tank complex built by the British during World War II, has been given to Indian Oil Corporation for the use by Lanka IOC. Another 61-tanks are in a joint venture between Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation. “We are doing preliminary work from our side,” Minister Jayakody told parliament. “India…