A Spanish court ordered Facebook owner Meta Platforms to pay local media outlets 479 million euros ($552.7 million) after a legal complaint over how the company processes user data for advertising. Madrid’s commercial court said Thursday that it partially upheld a complaint alleging that Meta violated Spanish competition rules by breaching the European Union’s data-protection regulations. It ordered the company to compensate 87 digital publishers and news agencies under the trade group Information Media Association (AMI), whose members include major outlets like business daily El Economista and national press agency EFE. Meta said it disagreed with the ruling and would…
The Sri Lankan Report
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened at 307.90/308.00 to the US dollar in the spot market Friday, stronger from 308.10/30 the previous day, dealers said, but sharply depreciated from 305.50/306.00 a week earlier, while bond yields were broadly steady. Sri Lanka rupee had depreciated from 292.58 in December 2024, amid record current account surpluses and sharply reduced budget deficit. Macro-economists had in the past blamed both current account deficits and budget deficits for currency troubles. Macro-economists in the past have blamed oil, cars and gold imports as well as exiting rupee bond holders for currency depreciation after cutting rates and…
The Special Sub-Committee appointed for Western Province Waste Management has held discussions focused on the current status of managing municipal solid waste generated through households, streets, institutions, and businesses, challenges, and the way forward in Western Province. According to the Prime Minister’s office, the sub-committee convened this week (19) in Parliament with the participation of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. Extended discussions were also held on issues such as the lack of designated, dedicated and knowledgeable officers for waste management in local authorities, the shortage of suitable land and infrastructure for waste management, as well as solutions to address these issues.…
The Sri Lanka Navy says over 376 kilos of narcotics were seized from the six-crew vessel that was intercepted off the southern coast. According to the Navy, the consignment consisted of over 115 kilos of heroin, concealed in 05 sacks containing 100 packets, and over 261 kilos of ‘ICE’ narcotics in 13 sacks with 200 packets. The stock is valued at an estimated Rs. 4 billion. The Navy further stated that they also seized one pistol, two magazines, one revolver, and one Iridium satellite phone from the boat. The 06 Sri Lankan fishermen and the boat were brought to Tangalle…
A popular Sri Lankan singer admitted in court to sending obscene images of his wife to her sister via social media, according to statements made before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. The suspect appeared before the court as the case was taken up, facing charges related to the distribution of obscene content. The complaint had been filed by the singer’s wife, prompting an investigation by the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Representing the suspect, attorney Jagath Bandara informed the court that his client accepted the charges and wished to resolve the case swiftly. According to…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka may again see solar power linked grid instability early next year when demand falls, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said, outlining the investments being made to counter the problem over time. “We have received warnings of grid instability early next year, just like this year due to the electricity grid due to low demand and high solar power,” Minister Jayakody told parliament. Sri Lanka was hit by a so-called ‘Sunny Sunday blackout’ last year, when the grid could not recover from a wild animal intrusion, due to lack of sufficient inertia from rotating generators. Unlike thermal plants…
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces today, according to the Department of Meteorology. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of Sri Lanka after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Meanwhile, the Naval and fishing communities have been requested to be vigilant due to the fresh low-pressure area, which is likely to form over the Southeast Bay of Bengal around tomorrow (22). This low-pressure area may intensify…
Sri Lanka Police have issued special conditions regarding the use of sound amplification systems at a public rally scheduled to be held today (November 21, 2025) at 2.00 p.m. at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre within the Mirihana Police Division. According to a Police statement, the rally organisers had requested permission from the Mirihana Police to use sound amplification equipment for the event. However, Police noted that several GCE Advanced Level examination centres are located in close proximity to the rally venue, and the use of loud sound systems could disrupt students sitting for the ongoing examinations. The Police…
Wales will host Bosnia-Herzegovina while Northern Ireland travel to Italy in the World Cup play-off semi-finals.
Adelaide is 1,300 miles to the east, Jakarta 1,900 miles to the north. In this corner of Western Australia, nature is hostile. The heat is unforgiving and there are countless animals that could kill a human. Even the magpies attack.
Toto Wolff has sold 15% of his shareholding in the Mercedes Formula 1 team to American billionaire George Kurtz.
ECONOMYNEXT – An Airbus A380 aircraft of Emirates, flying from Dubai to Australia had landed in Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport, over a medical emergency, the island’ airport agency said. The airport said “swift medical care” was provided to the passenger. The Airbus A380 is the largest commercial aircraft in operation today and production has been halted. Emirates operates A380s in different configurations with ultra-long range flights using aircraft in four class configuration with 484 seats and 615 seat in the 2-class configuration according to its website. (Colombo/Nov21/2025)
Zimbabwe delivered a crushing blow to Sri Lanka on Thursday, sealing their biggest-ever T20I win over the islanders with a commanding 67-run victory in the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025.
Sri Lanka and India held a bilateral discussion on the sidelines of the 7th National Security Advisers-level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), held in New Delhi19th20th November (2025).
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that his government will not protect any criminal or drug trafficker and is fully committed to protecting children and the country from the growing drug problem.
An A380, one of the world’s largest passenger aircraft, made an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this evening after a passenger suddenly fell ill, an airport duty officer confirmed.
The Sri Lankan and Indian power grid will be connected through a high voltage line, Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody told Parliament today.
A Sri Lankan employed in the construction sector in Israel has died after being hospitalised due to a heart condition.
A suspicious parcel sent from Thailand on November 10 has resulted in a major narcotics seizure after officials at the Central Mail Exchange Office intercepted it on suspicion of containing illicit substances.
Sri Lanka Police have urged organisers of the opposition’s rally scheduled to take place in Nugegoda on November 21 to ensure that their activities do not disrupt the Advanced Level examination centres located in the area. Police said several schools in central Nugegoda, including Anula Vidyalaya, St. John’s College, St. Joseph’s Girls’ School and Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, are functioning as examination centres for the 2025 A/L Political Science paper during the same period as the planned protest. Authorities have informed rally organisers to conduct the event in a manner that avoids noise, congestion, or disturbances that could affect the ongoing…