People granted asylum in the UK will have to wait 20 years before they can apply to settle permanently, under plans due to be announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday.
The Sri Lankan Report
Police Media Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler says foreigners must have valid driving permits or supporting documents to drive any vehicle in Sri Lanka. He told the media that foreign nationals must either possess an International Driving Permit or hold a domestic driving licence from their home country and obtain a certificate or permit from the Department of Motor Traffic in Sri Lanka. Highlighting a growing trend, he said it is illegal for tourists to drive trishaws in the country. “We have witnessed tourists using trishaws, which is totally illegal. We have also taken legal action against the owners of…
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) will commence trade union action tomorrow (17), citing the government’s failure to adequately address key issues in the health sector through the 2026 budget presented by the President. The union says state authorities were informed of their concerns, but no satisfactory response was received, prompting the decision to proceed with union action. GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said the action will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow in hospitals across the country. He added that from tomorrow (17, Monday), doctors in all hospitals islandwide will also restrict selected services, including prescribing medicines to be purchased…
Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra has passed away this morning (16) while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.
Advisory for Heavy Rain : Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 12.30 p.m. 16 November 2025, valid for next 24 hours The post Heavy rain alert issued for 7 districts appeared first on Newswire.
The National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) has expanded its islandwide sales outlet network with the opening of several new centres across its farm locations. New outlets were inaugurated at the Marawila, Melsiripura, Horakelle in Nattandiya, Rukattana, and Maradawila farms in Bingiriya, officials said. The 57th NLDB sales outlet was opened at the Horakelle farm in Nattandiya under the patronage of Puttalam District Parliamentarian Ajith Gihan. According to the NLDB, the new outlets will offer the public access to high-quality livestock products manufactured using modern processing technology at affordable prices. The initiative aims to improve nutritional standards and ensure better access…
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has drawn attention to the prolonged delay in the construction of the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port, where the overall project has fallen behind schedule by 548 days. The matter was taken up during a recent COPE meeting chaired by MP Dr. Nishantha Samarasinghe. The session was convened to review the 2022 and 2023 Auditor General’s Reports and the current operational performance of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). During the discussion, it was revealed that the project contractor has claimed Rs. 4,227 million in compensation due to delays in the…
Captain Charith Asalanka and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga are doubtful starters for Sri Lanka’s 3rd ODI against Pakistan today, as multiple players in the touring camp continue to battle illness and minor injuries. Team sources said Asalanka is down with fever, while Hasaranga is carrying a hamstring niggle. If Asalanka is ruled out, Kusal Mendis is expected to lead the side in the final ODI, which is a dead rubber after Pakistan clinched the series 2-0. Sri Lanka are also likely to hand a debut to young Pavan Ratnayake, with several squad members reportedly affected by a viral fever. Fast bowlers…
Sri Lanka has long championed safe, orderly and regular migration as a driver of sustainable development. As one of the early endorsers of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), the country has consistently aligned its migration policies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year, the island was officially recognized as a GCM Champion Country, joining a select group of nations that demonstrate innovation and leadership in migration governance. Building on this momentum, The Government of Sri Lanka officially announced its designation as a Global Compact for Migration (GCM) Champion Country, launching the Migration and SDGs Monitoring Platform (MSMP)…
A 15-year-old boy has died after being run over by a tractor in the Dimbulagala area of Polonnaruwa, police said. The teenager had arrived three days earlier at his grandfather’s home in Namal Pokuna to assist him with farming activities. The accident occurred while the boy was driving the tractor, according to initial reports. At the time of the incident, the grandfather had also been on the tractor. He sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the Manampitiya Hospital along with the child. The boy was pronounced dead on admission. The grandfather has since been transferred to the Polonnaruwa General…
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says he is pleased with the direction of the current government, citing its stance against corruption despite limited economic improvement. Speaking to the media, Fonseka said that while the economy has not seen major change, he appreciates the government’s policies and actions to curb corruption and its refusal to protect individuals accused of wrongdoing. He also said he will not participate in the opposition rally scheduled for the 21st, noting that he spent 15 years working closely with parties now in the opposition and understands them well. According to Fonseka, none of those parties contributed positively…
Conor Benn put on a dominant performance to earn revenge over bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr and seal a unanimous decision victory in their rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A man was killed and four others were injured after a suspect fleeing in a stolen lorry caused two crashes in the Kandana police area on Nov. 15, police said. The lorry had been parked at a businessman’s residence on Maria Mawatha when it was stolen. The owner and his employees followed the vehicle as the suspect drove toward Batagama without stopping, according to police. While fleeing, the suspect collided with an oncoming motorcycle, injuring three members of the same family. He continued driving and struck a second motorcycle, injuring two more people. The lorry later crashed into a parapet…
The International Court of Arbitration of the ICC has dismissed a damages claim filed by the developer of the stalled Bambalapitiya Flats redevelopment and ordered the firm to pay a total of $484,000 in costs. In an award dated Nov. 2, 2025, the sole arbitrator, Prof. Bernard Hanotiau, rejected the developer’s allegations of unlawful termination and confirmed that the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) acted within its contractual rights. The NHDA had signed a public–private partnership agreement on May 18, 2017, with a consortium comprising UTI Global Projects Ltd. of Singapore and City Square Projects Ltd. for a $300 million…
Retired Major General Kithisiri Ekanayake says he will pursue all possible legal avenues against police officers he alleges were involved in a conspiracy to frame him on fabricated murder and treasure-hunting charges. Speaking to the Sandeshaya by Saroj YouTube channel, Ekanayake said he regretted that the IGP had not taken action against the officers responsible for what he described as a “deliberate plot” to arrest him without evidence. Ekanayake was arrested by Beliatta Police along with four others following an alleged 119 complaint and was remanded for nearly a month. Police presented two minors—a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old—as eyewitnesses. The…
Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra has passed away at the age of 62. Harischandra, a veteran public administrator and former senior government official, was appointed as Governor in December 2024. He had previously served in several key administrative roles, including in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, before assuming duties as the head of the Southern Province. (Newswire) The post Governor of Southern Province Bandula Harischandra passes away at 62 appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s central bank is allowing some marketable government bonds in its portfolio to expire without re-subscribing, the head of the Market Operations Department, Anil Perera said. The central bank 2,508 billion rupees of government securities in its books, most of it made up of Treasury bills converted to step down securities. About 16.5 billion rupees of the securities were marketable government bonds remained, officials said. The bond were acquired before the crisis in the course operations like outright purchases to inject money. The bonds would progressively go out of the balance sheet as they mature, Perera said.…
IPL retentions 2026: Full list of retained, released and traded players ahead of auction
Pottuvil Police are appealing to the public for assistance in locating a suspect involved in an alleged sexual assault of a foreign woman in the Arugam Bay area on October 25.
The National Police Commission has approved the appointment of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne as the Senior DIG in charge of Police Administration.