A suspect who had raped and impregnated an underage girl and went into hiding was arrested yesterday after more than a year by Monaragala Division Crime Investigation Unit.
The Sri Lankan Report
The “Presidential Media Awards – 2025” will be held today at 3.00 pm at the Pokuna Theatre, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, to recognize journalists for their contributions to a credible and responsible media.
At least 21 people are now known to have died after a boat carrying undocumented migrants sank near the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi, near the border with Thailand.
Nearly 1 in 3 women (29.6 per cent) are overweight, and 1 in 8 (12.6 per cent) aged 18–60 years are obese in Sri Lanka according to the National Nutrition and Micronutrient Survey, with highest overweight and obesity rates being among women aged 50–60 years.
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has issued a reminder to taxpayers regarding the upcoming deadlines for income tax returns and related tax payments for the 2024/2025 assessment year.
Australian scientists have discovered a new native bee species with tiny horns – and given it a suitably devilish name.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a five-year strategic plan, including the assigning of one science graduate to each of the 315 Vidatha Resource Centers across Sri Lanka. The plan aims to strengthen the “Technology for Villages” initiative and expand scientific outreach in rural communities. The 2026–2030 plan, introduced by the Ministry of Science and Technology, focuses on enhancing the role of Vidatha Centers in delivering localized, research-based technological solutions. These graduates will be tasked with supporting community-level innovation and the application of science to improve local livelihoods. Initially launched to empower rural areas through access to modern technology, the…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved, in principle, the establishment of a series of multi-modal transport hubs across key cities in Sri Lanka, as part of a national initiative to improve the efficiency and integration of the public transport system. The proposal, presented by the Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, aims to enhance connectivity between buses, trains, and taxis by developing transport hubs in transit and main cities where passenger volumes are increasing. The decision follows the government’s broader policy to modernize public transport infrastructure. The following transport hubs have been prioritized for development, subject to formal…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to restructure the Sri Lanka Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank and the State Mortgage and Investment Bank, in a move aimed at ensuring financial stability and safeguarding depositor interests. The proposal, presented by the President, involves transferring the government’s shares in the Sri Lanka Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank to the Bank of Ceylon (BOC), allowing it to operate as a subsidiary of BOC. Similarly, all shares of the State Mortgage and Investment Bank will be acquired by People’s Bank, under which it will continue as a subsidiary. Both institutions are licensed…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to establish a new information technology subsidiary for the Bank of Ceylon (BOC), aimed at enhancing the bank’s digital capabilities and maintaining its competitiveness in the financial sector. The new entity, named BOC IT Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, will function as a fully affiliated institute of the Bank of Ceylon and will be tasked with optimizing IT operations and delivering information and communication technology solutions to support the bank’s digital transformation efforts. The proposal was submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. The…
The blast occurred near the entrance of Islamabad district court, which is typically crowded with a large number of litigants. Local media showed gory pictures of the site, with bloodied individuals lying near a police van. “As I parked my car and entered the complex… I heard a loud bang on the gate,” lawyer Rustam Malik said after the blast, which sent people fleeing and damaged vehicles in the area. “It was complete chaos, lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate and several cars were on fire,” said Malik, one…
Fitch Ratings on Sri Lanka Budget 2026 The Sri Lankan government’s latest budget indicates that the authorities remain committed to reducing government debt/GDP over the medium term after beating their targets in the 2025 budget. Fitch Ratings believes sustained strong revenue performance will remain key to meeting the government’s fiscal goals. The budget, unveiled on 7 November, targets a deficit of 5.1% of GDP in 2026, wider than the 4.5% that the government expects in 2025. The original deficit target for 2025 in last year’s budget was 6.7% of GDP, but in March the IMF projected a lower figure of…
Sri Lanka to bowl first after winning the toss : ODI Debut for Kamil Mishara Live Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/live/OTizSRltBos?si=INnqq9XaamgM1u2N The post Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming 1st ODI Live Telecast appeared first on Newswire.
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa says he and his fellow MPs do not require the official cab vehicles allocated to them and have decided to hand over all three vehicles to the Ministry of Health. Speaking in Parliament, Rajapaksa said the decision was made as a gesture of support to strengthen the country’s health services. He also noted that while the President presented a four-and-a-half-hour Budget speech, he looks forward to hearing the same speech next year as well. Rajapaksa further stated that despite political differences, the Opposition will stand united to expose what he described as the government’s actions that mislead…
Sri Lanka’s rising table tennis prodigy, Taavi Samaraweera, has achieved a historic milestone by climbing to No. 3 in the latest Under-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings — the highest position ever attained by a Sri Lankan player at any age level. According to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings released this week, Samaraweera surged 52 points to reach the third spot with 200 points, trailing Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira and Qatar’s Rabeah Al-Kuwari. A student of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Samaraweera’s remarkable rise follows a series of consistent performances at multiple international youth events held in recent months.…
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath inaugurated the pavilion of Sri Lankan manpower agencies at the 7th Human Resource and Labour Services (HRLS) Expo 2025, currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event is taking place alongside the Minister’s visit to attend the 26th Session of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly. A total of 26 Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)-licensed foreign employment agencies are participating in the Expo. The agencies are engaged in promotional and networking activities aimed at expanding employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in the Kingdom. Minister Herath highlighted the importance of promoting…
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited announced that 14 new check-in counters have been launched on a trial basis at the newly constructed marquee at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The facility, built in just one month, stands as a testament to the collaboration between the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and key industry partners. According to AASL, the initiative aims to ensure smooth airport operations and hassle-free convenience for passengers traveling through BIA during the winter season. The company said preparations are underway to scale up operations based on passenger demand, marking a significant step forward…
The Police have urged the public to avoid posting selfies or photos on social media that reveal their current location during holiday or pilgrimage trips. Police Media Spokesman, ASP F. U. Wootler, said such posts could expose valuable information to potential criminals or individuals monitoring residences while families are away. “We are entering a festive season. Many families are travelling for pilgrimages, excursions, and various trips. We have noticed that some people announce their travel plans or share selfies on social media showing that they are in Nuwara Eliya, Galle, or Kataragama,” he said. “This practice is not suitable. Such…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (11), compared to Monday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has reduced from Rs. 301.09 to Rs. 300.50. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has also reduced from Rs. 308.57 to Rs. 307.96. The Sri Lankan Rupee has changed slightly against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
An agreement has been signed to facilitate heart surgeries for 50 Sri Lankan children with congenital heart diseases at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, India. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday (10) at the Ministry of Health and Media between the Ministry and the Rotary Club of Colombo West. Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Rotary Club of Colombo West President K. P. Nagaraja signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The initiative is being carried out as a Rotary Global Project jointly supported by the Rotary Clubs of Colombo West and Cochin West, with funding…