Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says 1947 weapons have been seized in 2025 alone, during raids conducted to tackle underworld and drug activities in Sri Lanka. Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Wijepala said that weapons are a key part of the drug and underworld networks. He further said shooting incidents are being reported across the country as certain underworld gangs are still in possession of weapons. Minister Wijepala also revealed that 78 T-56 firearms had been given to underworld gangs from a military camp previously, of which 36 have already been seized by the authorities. “The government will eradicate…
The Sri Lankan Report
The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for strong winds, heavy showers and rough seas for multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea areas, effective for the next 24 hours, starting from 01.00 pm today. According to the department, the Depression over the southeast Arabian Sea has moved slowly north-northeastwards with a speed of 3 kmph during the past 6 hours and lies centred at 0000 UTC of today (23) over the same region near latitude 9.7°N, longitude 67.7°E. The department warns that it is likely to move northeastwards across the southeast Arabian Sea during…
MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised a matter of privilege in Parliament today, alleging that MP Sivagnanam Shritharan, who represents minor opposition parties, violated the parliamentary code of conduct and privileges. Dasanayake accused Shritharan of corruption and acting with a conflict of interest. He also alleged that Shritharan attempted to obstruct an inquiry into complaints filed against him. According to Dasanayake, Shritharan failed to inform the Constitutional Council—of which he is a member—about the complaint. The Constitutional Council is responsible for appointing members to the Bribery Commission, where a complaint has been lodged against Shritharan. Dasanayake argued that this constitutes a…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (23), compared to Wednesday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.38 to Rs. 299.80, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 306.86 to Rs. 307.14. However, the Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, while it has depreciated against Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says information has been received on the suspects involved in the murder of the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead yesterday. Minister Wijepala said that soon after the shooting incident, directives were issued to the IGP and the CID to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Minister Wijepala further said that 04 Police teams were deployed to investigate, after which information has now been received on the suspects. He said that all suspects involved in the murder will be arrested within the next 02 to 03 days.…
From left: Rizni Faizer, CEO of New Concepts at Bayt Altawabel; Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al Saud, Founder and Chairman of Bayt Altawabel; Wazni Wazeer, Co-Founder and Director of Chocoholics; and Fayaz Nizam, Co-Founder andDirector of Chocoholics, following the signing of the expansion agreement. Chocoholics, Sri Lanka’s premium dessert café brand renowned for its Belgian chocolate creations, today announced its first international expansion with plans to open outlets in Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of a broader global journey. The announcement follows the visit of Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al Saud, Founder and Chairman of Bayt Altawabel and Mr. Rizni…
Senaka Kakiriwaragodage has been appointed as a Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) with effect from 03rd October 2025. According to the CSE, Kakiriwaragodage, a 22-year veteran in investment banking, private equity and IT services, is the Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NDB Capital Holdings Limited, and Director of several NDB Capital Group companies and investee companies. He is also a member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Finance and Capital Markets Sector Committee and holds board positions on the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Society of Sri Lanka. Kakiriwaragodage also holds…
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) says over 700 acres of land in the North and East have been returned to the public so far this year. Deputy Minister Jayasekara said that from 01st January 2025 to date, a total of 672.24 acres of land have been returned to the public in the North. He further said that these lands include 86.24 acres of private land and 586 acres of land that were used by the military. Deputy Minister Jayasekara went on to note that 34.58 acres of government lands have also been released in the East…
: Simon Harmer grabbed three early wickets to boost South Africa’s chances of securing a series-levelling victory over a faltering Pakistan in the second Test in Rawalpindi on Wednesday The post ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 – Points Table appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (23), compared to Wednesday, with some reaching the Rs. 300 mark. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 299.85 to Rs. 300.25, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 305.35 to Rs. 305.75. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 299.95 to Rs. 300.15 and from Rs. 306.45 to Rs. 306.65, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar…
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced plans to form a “strategic alliance” with India to strengthen political, economic, and technological cooperation between the two nations. In a video message posted on X on Saturday (local time), following Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin’s recent visit to India, Lula emphasised the importance of leveraging India’s “exceptional market” for mutual benefit. “The visit of Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to India, in preparation for my trip early next year, is very important because India has an exceptional market. We can have a fantastic alliance with India – political, space, entrepreneurial, and…
Minister of Education, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, has emphasized that no schools will be closed, and that the current government policy is to integrate and develop schools. She further explained that this initiative is aimed at enhancing the quality of the education system and ensuring equal opportunities for all. PM Amarasuriya also revealed that a single curriculum will be introduced for all preschools nationwide, starting in 2026. She further noted that the early childhood curriculum framework has already been finalized, and a training program for officials tasked with training approximately 19,000 preschool teachers is scheduled to begin on November 25. …
In a first for the Quad nations, India, the United States, Japan and Australia will come together for an air exercise next month. India will host the drills, ‘Cope India’, in the first week of November. While India and the US will lead the exercise, Australia and Japan will participate as observers. Japan had joined as an observer during ‘Cope India 2023’, but this will mark Australia’s first participation — completing the first structured engagement of all four Quad countries in an air exercise. The timing of the air exercise will coincide with a separate maritime drill, Malabar, involving the…
An individual has been reported dead after being hit by a train close to the Wellawatte Railway Station last evening. According to the Police, the victim was hit by a train plying from Panadura to Puttalam. The Police said the identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained. The victim is assumed to be over 60 years of age and was last seen wearing black trousers and a short-sleeved white and blue shirt. The body of the victim has been placed at the Kalubowila Hospital, while the Wellawatte Police is conducting further investigations. (Newswire) The post Man killed in…
Pakistan ramp up their preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup as Babar Azam and Naseem Shah return to the fold. A host of key players have been named as Pakistan revealed their white-ball squads for upcoming home fixtures across the next month. Former captain Babar Azam and star bowler Naseem Shah are the big names to return to the T20I setup, while pacer Haris Rauf is among three players included in the ODI squad that will take on South Africa and Sri Lanka Pakistan will host South Africa for six white-ball fixtures (three T20Is and three ODIs) from October…
The Judicial Service Commission has informed all magistrates to take necessary steps to remove narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that have accumulated at the Government Analyst’s Department. This notification was issued following a request made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa. The Ministry of Justice has submitted a report to the Judicial Service Commission regarding narcotic samples weighing less than one kilogram that were sent to the Government Analyst’s Department between 1981 and 2023, and whose investigations have been completed. Despite the completion of investigations, these samples continue to be stored, causing…
Twenty (20) new self-check-in kiosks have been introduced at the Katunayake Airport, aiming to streamline the check-in process and reduce congestion during peak travel hours. The kiosks have been jointly introduced by the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) and SriLankan Airlines Ground Handling. Airport Chief of SriLankan Airlines Ground Handling, Deepal Pallegangoda, said the new kiosks were introduced to improve efficiency and offer a smoother experience for travellers. Deepal Pallegangoda reminded passengers that SriLankan Airlines closes check-in one hour prior to departure and urged travellers to make use of the extended…
For the first time in Sri Lanka, a surgical procedure called Endoscopic Eustachian Tube Surgery, for individuals with hearing impairments, was performed on Tuesday (21) at the Negombo District General Hospital. The surgery was conducted by a team of doctors, led by Consultant ENT and Head and Neck Surgeon in Sri Lanka, Dr Rizny Sakkaff. Speaking to the media following the surgery, Dr Rizny Sakkaff said three such surgeries were conducted during the course of the day, the patients being a 68-year-old man, a 47-year-old person, and an 11-year-old child. “Previously, to remove mucus and fluid trapped in the ears…
The government has allocated Rs. 250 million for the commencement of initial work pertaining to the extension of the Kelani Valley Railway line from Awissawella to Ratnapura. It has been proposed to extend the track beyond Awissavella, which is currently operative, with the objective of supplying efficient railway services and modification of public transport facilities under the modification of railway transport proposed in the budget 2025. The government has proposed to rebuild the Kelani Valley Railway line parallel to the previous railway track. As such, conducting a feasibility study and the preparation of a detailed plan is required for this…
Weather forecast for Thursday (23 Oct); Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern and North Central provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Uva province and Batticaloa and Ampara districts 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…