The Vatican is looking towards working with Sri Lanka in meeting international challenges and enhancing bilateral ties with Sri Lanka, visiting Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher said today.
The Sri Lankan Report
Two close associates of fugitive underworld figure and major drug trafficker ‘Kudu Salindu’ have been arrested by officers of the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Strike Unit. Police said the suspects — a woman from Kithulawa and a man from Galpatha — were taken into custody during separate raids. The female suspect, identified as 36-year-old Pramitha Subhashini, alias Palathota Madhu, was found with 250 grams and 490 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) and 301 grams and 580 milligrams of heroin. Investigations revealed she had been packaging and distributing large quantities of drugs on behalf of Kudu Salindu. Police added that she already…
For the first time in Sri Lanka’s 165-year railway history, women will be allowed to apply for key operational positions such as Railway Engine Driver, Train Controller, Station Master, and Railway Supervisory Manager, following a Cabinet decision.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to purchase 100 motorcycles with 125cc engine capacity and 50 tuk-tuks for the Special Task Force (STF).
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) have announced that they will not renew veteran all-rounder, Sean Williams’ national contract beyond its expiry on December 31. ZC said the 39 year old, who checked himself into rehab, battling drug addiction, will no longer be considered for national selection as his behavior “raises serious concerns regarding professional and ethical standards. Recently, Williams withdrew from the national team on the eve of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Harare, reportedly dodging a drug test and soon after, checked himself into rehab. “ZC expects all contracted players to uphold the highest standards of professionalism,…
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa met India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi for discussions on deepening bilateral economic cooperation and regional integration.
Tickets for the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will go on sale online from 12 pm on Tuesday, 4 November.
Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa officially commenced the festive season with its much-anticipated annual Cake Mixing Ceremony, held on 1st November 2025 at the resort’s elegant lobby. The event brought together associates, in-house guests, and invitees for an afternoon that captured the essence of the upcoming season and the joyful spirit of celebration. The ceremony, a longstanding tradition that marks the beginning of Christmas festivities, saw participants join the resort’s culinary team in the symbolic cake mixing ritual — a gesture that signifies unity and the anticipation of the holiday season. The event was led by Executive Chef Shane…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to obtain USD 100 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement the Sustainable Tourism Sector Development Programme (STSDP) in the country, the government said. Out of this ADB loan, USD 70 million will be obtained from concessionary general capital resources and USD 30 million from permanent general capital resources, the government said in its cabinet decision document. “Clearance have been granted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Attorney General’s Department to obtain the above loan facility,” it said. The Cabinet has granted approval to…
The Bribery Commission today (Nov. 4) arrested four individuals, including former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Fisheries Corporation Lalith Daulagala, on corruption charges. The others taken into custody were former Managing Director Chandana Krishantha, Supplies Manager Wijith Pushpakumara, and Operations Manager (Acting Finance Manager) Anura Chandrasena Bandara. The arrests relate to the 2020 purchase of a high-capacity fish vacuum-packing machine for the Fisheries Corporation, reportedly capable of packing 2,000 kg of fish per hour. Investigators said the machine had been procured without necessity and outside proper procedures, causing a financial loss of Rs. 5.85 million to the state. The suspects…
English actor Jonathan Bailey, who returns to movie theaters this month in the musical film ’’Wicked: For Good,’’ was named this year’s ’’sexiest man alive’’ by People magazine on Monday.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed weaker at 304.55/80 to the US dollar in the spot market Tuesday from 304.45/55 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields closed flat. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed flat at 8.05/15 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed flat at 9.07/12 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed flat at 9.55/58 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed flat at 10.40/48 percent. (Colombo/Nov4/2025)
ECONOMYNEXT – Profits at Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings rose 21 percent to 1.65 billion rupees in the September 2025 quarter with strong revenues from its electric vehicle sales and casino operations also starting at is integrated resort. The group reported earnings of 0.09 cents per share for the quarter. In the six months to September the JKH reported earnings of 0.05 cents per share, on total profits of 849 rupees, which was up 70 percent. JKH group revenues rose 88 percent to 144 billion rupees in the September quarter, cost of sales rose 85 percent 116 billion rupees and…
The German Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced that, effective from 3 November 2025, all appointments for Schengen visa applications must be booked through a new online system managed by VFS Global. According to the announcement, visa applicants are now required to make appointments through the VFS website using the following link:(https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/deu/login). The Embassy further clarified that all existing registrations made under the previous appointment system will continue to be processed without disruption. (Newswire) The post Schengen Visa Applications : New Appointment System appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has temporarily suspended the NS Lanka training institute in Mawanella after it was found to have issued fake NVQ certificates required for domestic worker employment overseas. According to the SLBFE, the institute had violated approval conditions by issuing forged certificates and selling them to trainees. Although it had been accredited by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) for its Kandy operations, its Mawanella branch had started courses in February 2025 without proper authorization. Following an internal audit ordered by SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe, the institute’s operations were suspended pending further investigation.…
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a new funding framework to accelerate the commercialization of research and development (R&D) projects in Sri Lanka, allocating Rs. 1 billion under the 2025 Budget to support innovative solutions that align with the government’s production-based economic policy. A dedicated unit named the ‘Research and Development Commercialization Approach’, operating under the Presidential Secretariat, has been tasked with evaluating and executing high-impact proposals. To date, the unit has submitted applications totalling Rs. 2.2 billion to local researchers and entrepreneurs. The evaluation process will be conducted in two phases, technical and administrative, to identify projects that are…
Visiting Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, has revealed that he and His Holiness the Pope admire the progress Sri Lanka has made, particularly in advancing peace and unity among all ethnic and religious communities. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher further said that, based on this progress, Pope Leo XIV may consider a visit to Sri Lanka in the near future. The Archbishop also commended the President’s leadership in restoring economic and political stability in the country, and reaffirmed the Vatican’s support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ethnic and…
A protest was held this morning (Nov. 4) outside the BYD automobile showroom in Colombo, demanding a solution to the delay in releasing BYD vehicles currently held by Sri Lanka Customs. Protesters said that the decision by Customs to withhold the release of the vehicles had caused serious disruptions, preventing customers from purchasing BYD vehicles as usual. They urged the relevant authorities, including Sri Lanka Customs, to intervene and provide an immediate resolution. According to the protesters, many customers who were interested in purchasing BYD vehicles have been unable to do so because Customs decided to detain the imported vehicles.…
Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, says a massive profit of Rs. 227 billion has been made for the Treasury from Government-Owned Businesses. In a statement on social media, the Deputy Minister said the overall profit has decreased compared to last year, primarily due to the non-revision of electricity tariffs and the foreign exchange profit of Sri Lankan Airlines. Chathuranga Abeysinghe further said that this wealth is created from the capital of the public and in line with market needs and efficiencies. “There are several loss-making businesses that were rendered inefficient by corrupt and incompetent individuals. A…
A 35-year-old bus conductor has been arrested in connection with the assault of an individual in the Galle Face area in Fort, of which a video has been widely circulated on social media. According to the Police, the video shows a person being assaulted by a group using a wooden pole. Investigations into the video have found that the assault was carried out by a conductor of a private passenger transport bus and another person, following a dispute over the bus ticket with a passenger who was travelling in the bus. Accordingly, a team of officers from the Fort Police…