A Bangladesh court convicted ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity on Monday, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.
The Sri Lankan Report
Anura Walpola, former Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, has been granted bail in connection with his alleged unlawful recruitment of K. Dulani Anupama as Assistant Director in 2020.
Indictments have been served before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramith Rambukwella, his daughter Amali Nayanika Rambukwella, and their housemaid Nipunie Krishnajina in connection with two cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
Official : Dasun Shanaka will captain Sri Lanka in the T20I series as Charith Asalanka will return home due to illness along with Asitha Fernando. The post Dasun Shanaka new T20I captain : 2 players return home appeared first on Newswire.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) to support the continued maintenance of economic stability, during a meeting held this morning (Nov. 17) at the Presidential Secretariat. The discussion was convened following a request by the GMOA. During the meeting, President Dissanayake asserted that while the economy, which had collapsed in 2022, has now been stabilised, preserving that stability remains a key priority of his government. He acknowledged the critical role of the health sector in ensuring public well-being and reaffirmed that his government does not intend to reduce the benefits and facilities owed to…
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has called on India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan following their convictions delivered in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-BD). In an official statement issued on Monday, Dhaka said the two former officials, both currently believed to be in India, must be returned under the terms of the existing extradition treaty between the two countries. The Ministry said sheltering individuals convicted of serious offences would be considered an unfriendly act and urged New Delhi to facilitate their transfer “without delay”. Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan were…
Another 1,123 suspects have been arrested in raids carried out under the national operation “Ratam Ekata,” the Police said.
Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco has died at the age of 28.
A member of the Kandaketiya Pradeshiya Sabha representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has been arrested in Pallewatte for possession of 86 grams of cannabis.
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has reduced the prices of 350 medicines used for a range of conditions including childhood illnesses, cancer, diabetes and hypertension, its Chairman, Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said today. He announced the move during a media briefing held at the Government Information Department, noting that the price revisions follow the new gazette issued by Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and later approved by Parliament. Dr. Wijewickrama said the NMRA has the legal authority under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 to regulate medicine prices. However, price controls…
A discussion aimed at formulating a systematic programme to address the issues faced by local big onion farmers was held this morning (17) at the Presidential Secretariat. It was held under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K. D. Lal Kantha, together with the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe. Minister K. D. Lal kantha pointed out that while a concrete programme has long existed to safeguard paddy farmers, no such systematic plan had been developed for other crops. He stated that this is the first time a government is…
Opposition MP S. M. Marikkar accused the government of maintaining a duplicitous policy on security arrangements for lawmakers. He claimed the government argues that assigning security personnel to MPs poses a threat to national security, while at the same time the Minister of Public Security receives special protection. “He was escorted out of Parliament by STF personnel who were not in uniform last Thursday at 2:39 p.m.,” Marikkar said, showing an image on his phone to Parliament and reading out the vehicle’s license plate number. “If national security is assured, there is no need for the Police minister to be…
The son and adviser of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Sunday that supporters of her Awami League would block February’s national election if a ban on the party was not lifted, warning that protests could escalate into violence.
Founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa is due to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on Friday, November 21, in connection with a case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of land using Rs. 50 million in unlawfully obtained funds. However, it remains uncertain whether the former minister will return to Sri Lanka for the hearing. Rajapaksa’s legal team in May told court he is receiving treatment in the United States for spinal and nerve complications following a fall from a chair. They said an American doctor had advised him to avoid air travel for six months,…
A Dugong dugon was found entangled in a fishing net in the coastal waters of Vidattaltivu, Kattalampiddy, in the Mannar District of the Northern Province on November 11, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Local fishermen who discovered the animal promptly removed the net and released it back into the sea. The dugong, estimated to weigh between 300–350 kilograms, had been accidentally trapped approximately 4.25 kilometres offshore. Due to ongoing public awareness efforts by wildlife officers regarding threatened species, the fishermen were able to identify the dugong and take swift action to release it safely, in accordance with proper…
Sri Lanka welcomes two millionth tourist for 2025, signalling strong rebound in arrivals. Sri Lanka on Monday marked a major milestone in its post-crisis tourism recovery, welcoming its two millionth visitor for 2025 — a French couple who arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport on 17 November. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said the country is now on track to reach at least 2.3 million tourist arrivals this year, moving closer to its annual target of 2.5 million. The achievement reflects strong global interest in Sri Lanka, supported by intensified promotional campaigns and participation in major travel fairs such…
Sri Lanka Police have issued a clarification statement regarding a video currently circulating on social media platforms, showing a commotion that occurred during the installation of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee. According to the Police, a complaint was made to the Trincomalee Harbour Police by the Department of Coast Conservation on November 16, about an unauthorized hut being constructed within a coastal area close to the Trincomalee town to install a Buddha statue. Following this, the Officer-in-Charge of the Trincomalee Police Division and other police officers visited the site and ordered the halt of this unauthorized construction. However, the construction…
A 32-year-old resident of Kurunegala has been arrested for engaging in an indecent act in front of a group of foreign female tourists. The arrest comes after a video circulating on social media shows a driver of a three-wheeler allegedly engaged in an indecent act while looking at a group of tourists who were travelling in another three-wheeler. Following the circulation of the video, the Tourist Police launched an investigation and initiated operations to apprehend the suspect. Accordingly, the suspect, a 32-year-old resident of Mawathagama, Kurunegala, was taken into custody today (17) by the Kandy Unit of the Tourist Police.…
ECONOMYNEXT – A French couple was welcomed on November 17, 2025 for passing the two million arrival mark in Sri Lanka, the Indian Ocean island’ tourism promotion office said. The couple described as ‘Mr Rafael and Ms. Clair’ was greeted with a traditional dance performance. Sri Lanka is expecting over 2.3 million visitors in 2025, the tourist office said, short of an original target of 2.5 million. The number would be higher than the previous high of 2.2 million reached in 2018. The agency says it is planning a public relations and digital campaign soon. (Colombo/Nov17/2025)
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 307.00/25 to the US dollar in the spot market Monday, weaker from 306.90/307.20 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields edged up slightly. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed at 8.10/15 percent, down from 8.10/20 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 closed at 8.95/9.00 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 9.45/50 percent, up from 9.44/50 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 closed at 9.58/62 percent, up from 9.54/60 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 10.22/32 percent, up from 10.20/26 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.40/50…