A 30-year-old foreign tourist was rescued from drowning off the coast of Mirissa in the Kotawila area on Friday (24). According to the Police, the woman was swept away by a sudden wave while bathing in the Mirissa sea last evening. Police lifeguards on duty had rescued the tourists, a Romanian national. (Newswire) The post Romanian tourist rescued from drowning in Mirissa appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lankan Report
The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has announced that Sri Lanka’s apparel exports recorded a modest year-on-year growth in September 2025, supported by stronger performance in the EU and other markets, despite declines in shipments to the United States and the United Kingdom. Issuing a statement, JAAF stated that whilst the numbers are down from last month, it warrants mentioning that September has historically been lower than August. In September 2025, total apparel exports amounted to US$ 403.01 million, reflecting a 1.58 per cent increase compared to US$ 396.73 million in September 2024. Exports to the USA and the UK…
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern, Northern and North Central provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Trincomalee districts today. According to the Department of Meteorology, fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere on the island after 1.00 pm. Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Western, Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and Trincomalee district. Meanwhile, the low-pressure area located over the southeast Bay…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka Central Bank expects net interest margin of commercial banks to fall from the current 4 percent with economic recovery and increasing competition among banks, its Governor, Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Despite declining monetary policy rates, commercial banks have reported exorbitant profit in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024. The banking sector reported a profit after tax (PAT) of 187.5 billion rupees in the Jan-June period this year compared to111.8 billion rupees in the first half of 2024, recording a significant growth of 67.8 percent, the latest Financial Stability Review report…
The election of a Diyawadana Niame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa and Basnayake Nilames of other devales came into the limelight in Parliament today with the Opposition calling for the change of traditions enabling women Divisional Secretaries to vote at the polls held to elect such Nilames.
The low-pressure area currently located over the southeast Bay of Bengal, to the northeast of Sri Lanka, is expected to intensify further and move west-northwestward, the Department of Meteorology said today.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has clarified that its recently announced global vehicle recall does not apply to Sri Lanka, assuring local customers that no BYD models currently operating in the country are affected.
Six Sri Lankan seafarers who had been detained in Eritrea have been successfully repatriated to Sri Lanka through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Mission in Egypt and Eritrean authorities.
A woman doctor, who was reportedly raped four times in five months by a police sub-inspector (SI), died by suicide at a district hospital in Maharashtra’s Satara on Thursday night.
Homagama High Court Judge Navarathna Marasinghe today sentenced a man to death after he was found guilty of killing another man using a metal rod used for plucking coconuts, following a dispute over the alleged theft of two coconuts.
A group of Members of Parliament, led by former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, has called for the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament to propose the establishment of an Independent Youth Commission of Sri Lanka, aimed at empowering young people and restoring their confidence in the country’s democratic process.
Sri Lanka’s monsoon rains have brought floods, landslides, and rising dengue risk across the island. While transport and crops face disruption, the downpours also refill reservoirs, revive farmlands, and cool the air. The season, though harsh, reminds Sri Lankans of endurance — and the balance between nature’s challenge and its gift.
The Government Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA) has announced an island-wide token strike on November 6, 2025, in protest over what it describes as the “ongoing administrative collapse” within the Dental Services Division of the Health Ministry.
Dutch Trails, homegrown travel company redefining eco-conscious tourism in Sri Lanka, has been recognized at the Presidential Environment Awards 2025, presented by the Ministry of Environment and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). The accolade acknowledges Dutch Trails’ exceptional contribution towards sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, and community development. The awards ceremony, held on 23rd October 2025 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), was graced by the Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, under whose distinguished patronage the event took place. The occasion also saw the participation of Hon. (Dr.) Dhammika P. Disanayake,…
Police Headquarters has confirmed that Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead this week, had written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in early September requesting protection after receiving death threats. According to the Police, Wickramasekara’s letter, dated September 6, was forwarded through official channels — from the IGP to the Senior DIG in charge of the Southern Province, and subsequently to the DIG Matara–Hambantota Range and the SSP Matara. The SSP had then instructed the Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of the Weligama and Midigama Police Stations to take the necessary steps. However, the Police statement issued today…
Sri Lanka Police today rejected media reports claiming that security assigned to Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, Chief Incumbent of Kataragama Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya and Chief Prelate of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, had been withdrawn.
Following the directives of Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo , 76 vehicles that had been out of service due to long-term use have been fully restored and added back to the Army fleet today (24 October).
Six Sri Lankan seafarers who had been detained in Eritrea have been successfully repatriated following joint efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and the Sri Lanka Mission in Egypt. The Ministry said the repatriation was carried out in close coordination with Eritrean authorities. On the instructions of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Cairo, who is concurrently accredited to Eritrea, travelled to Asmara to oversee the necessary procedures and arrange the group’s departure. Officials from the Ministry received the seafarers on their arrival at the Bandaranaike International…
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested two individuals today in connection with allegations of soliciting bribes for government positions
The government has launched a programme to regulate wayside eateries that cater to passengers on long distance buses, Deputy Minister of Transport and High Ways Prasanna Gunasena said today.