A three-member committee has been appointed to investigate a complaint made by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala regarding the conduct of opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara. Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament today (19) that the committee was appointed to examine an incident that took place inside the chamber on September 24, 2025. Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih has been named as the Chairman of the committee, while MP Upali Pannilage and MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara have been appointed as its members. “Following the incident involving MP Dayasiri Jayasekara inside the chamber on September 24, 2025, MP Sunil Watagala submitted a complaint during the…
The Sri Lankan Report
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has resigned from the Committee on Parliamentary Business. Accordingly, MP D.V. Chanaka has been appointed to fill the resulting vacancy. The appointment was announced by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament today (19). (Newswire) The post Namal resigns from Parliamentary Business Committee appeared first on Newswire.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has taken action against Ruwala Investment (PVT) LTD for engaging in unauthorized finance business and deposit-taking. Issuing a notice, the CBSL said following an investigation, it was determined that the said institution in Galenbindunuwewa has carried on finance business in contravention of the provisions of the Finance Business Act from 2020-2022. As such, the CBSL has instructed Ruwala Investment (PVT) LTD not to accept deposits from the public in any manner and to repay all remaining deposit liabilities of the company. (Newswire) The post CBSL investigating private company over unauthorized financial activities appeared…
Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Minister and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said future teacher appointments will be made only after court proceedings conclude and a verdict is delivered, ensuring the process aligns with the Teachers’ Service Constitution.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (19), compared to Tuesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 304 to Rs. 305, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 309.25 to Rs. 310.25. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 303.86 to Rs. 305.20, while the selling rate has also dropped from Rs. 310.56 to Rs. 311.93. At Commercial Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 302.01,…
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC is making history as the first bank in the country to collaborate with Google and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to enable Google Pay for its cardholders as part of the Google Wallet launch. This is a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s financial landscape, setting a new standard for secure and convenient digital transactions. Commercial Bank is the only bank in the Sri Lankan market to enable Google Pay for its Visa cardholders, giving its customers a first-mover advantage with this world-class mobile payment solution. This collaboration seamlessly integrates Visa’s trusted global network…
Sri Lanka Police have arrested a man suspected of attempting to carry out a shooting targeting a hotel in the Midigama area. According to the Police, a 35-year-old man from Tangalle was arrested in the Kapuwatte area in connection with the incident. The Police have also seized a T-56 firearm and a motorcycle from his possession. The Police suspect that the man may have arrived at the hotel located near the Midigama Junction to carry out a shooting, but the attempt was foiled. The Midigama Police is conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire) The post Police foil shooting attempt…
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC is making history as the first bank in the country to collaborate with Google and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to enable Google Pay for its cardholders as part of the Google Wallet launch. This is a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s financial landscape, setting a new standard for secure and convenient digital transactions. Commercial Bank is the only bank in the Sri Lankan market to enable Google Pay for its Visa cardholders, giving its customers a first-mover advantage with this world-class mobile payment solution. This collaboration seamlessly integrates Visa’s trusted global network…
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday warned Parliament that Sri Lanka is now facing a dangerous evolution of organised crime, where drug traffickers, armed criminals, corrupt state officials, political actors and even segments of the media have converged into a single network of influence. The President said that what began decades ago as small village-level thuggery had grown into a powerful, well-financed criminal ecosystem through political protection, contracts, and later, large-scale drug trafficking. He said the political culture of the late 1970s enabled this transformation. “After 1977, every MP had a thug next to him. That is when these individuals obtained…
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arun Hemachandra, is to participate in the 4th EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum in Belgium, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to the Ministry, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra will undertake an official visit to Brussels from 19 to 22 November 2025 to attend the event. During the visit, the Deputy Minister will participate in the high-level sessions of the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum. He will also engage in bilateral meetings with dignitaries and officials of the European Union on key areas of mutual interest. (Newswire) The post Deputy FM to attend EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum…
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has confirmed his participation in the joint opposition rally planned for November 21. Speaking to reporters, Rajapaksa said he will definitely attend the rally and that a large crowd is anticipated at the event. When inquired about the participation of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the former President further said that the party has not held any talks with him on the rally. “I am sure there will be a large crowd. This rally is important for someone to stand up against the government,” he added. Watch: https://x.com/NewsWireLK/status/1991004511813484665 (Newswire) The post Mahinda to attend Joint…
Photo courtesy of Global Communities During a recent discussion with members of the Islamic community in Mawanella, an elderly Muslim woman shared a thought that captured the essence of Sri Lanka’s long struggle toward reconciliation. “Women have a leading role to play in peace and in reducing violence,” she said. “Peace is not only for men. Maybe war is men’s work but peace is for all.” Her words, shaped by decades of witnessing conflict and coexistence, remind us that women have always carried the weight of both war and peace even when their contributions remained unrecognised. Sri Lankan history and the…
The tiny Caribbean nation of Curacao became the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday after battling to a 0-0 draw with Jamaica in Kingston. Curacao — with a population of just 156,000 people — fought off a furious second-half onslaught from the Reggae Boyz to grab the draw it needed to clinch its ticket to the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The result capped a fairytale qualification campaign for the team known as the ‘Blue Wave’, which finished top of Group B with 12 points from six games, one point clear…
In his first visit to the White House since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Mohammed bin Salman received a warm welcome from President Donald Trump, who contradicted U.S. intelligence and said the Saudi crown prince “knew nothing” about the killing. “You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial,” Trump said Tuesday in response to questions from a journalist about Khashoggi. “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen, but [the crown prince] knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.” Trump began his…
Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces today, according to the Department of Meteorology. Showers or thundershowers will also occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm. Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mullaittivu to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. Winds will be north-easterly or Variable in direction, and speed will be 20-30 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 40 kmph at times in the…
Three SriLankan Airlines flights arriving from Mumbai, Riyadh, and Guangzhou were safely diverted to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this morning due to low visibility over the Katunayake area. Airport officials said a thick layer of morning mist had reduced visibility at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), prompting air traffic controllers to temporarily restrict landings as a safety precaution. (Newswire) The post 3 SriLankan Airlines flights diverted to Mattala due to low visibility in Katunayake appeared first on Newswire.
Pakistan survived a major scare to chase down 148 and beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening match of the tri-series, thanks to Usman Khan’s unbeaten 37 and Mohammad Nawaz’s late heroics.
Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera today issued a strong warning that the authority of the Buddhist clergy must not be challenged, following unrest in Trincomalee linked to the removal of a Buddha statue and an enforcement operation by the Coast Conservation Department.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to take part in the rally in Nugegoda, organized by opposition parties led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on November 21.
The Department of Meteorology has said that the current low pressure area over Sri Lanka is moving away, and its impact on the weather is gradually reducing.