Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has become the new voice of Meta AI, taking her fans into frenzy. The Om Shanti Om star announced the collaboration on her Instagram account with a video where she can be seen in a recording studio. “Okay, so this is pretty cool I think! I’m now part of Meta AI and you can chat with my voice in English across India, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Try it and let me know what you think!,” the caption under the post read. The post has garnered many likes and a flurry of…
The Sri Lankan Report
Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara has submitted a private member’s motion in Parliament seeking to prohibit political parties from crediting the salaries, allowances, and vehicle permits of public representatives to party funds. The motion argues that such practices undermine the independence of elected representatives and pose a serious challenge to democracy. Jayasekara’s proposal states that Parliament should resolve to disallow any political party from collecting or diverting payments made to Members of Parliament into party accounts. The move comes amid public discussion following the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) government’s acknowledgement that its MPs contribute their monthly salaries to a common…
A court in Jaffna has ordered the police to return 2.5 acres of land occupied for a police station since 2005. The land, located in Kopay, had been under police control for over three decades. The directive was issued by Jaffna District Judge C. Satheeskaran on July 27, following a legal case filed in 2019 by seven Tamil individuals who are the original owners of the property. Despite the ruling, police failed to comply, prompting the court to deploy a bailiff yesterday (15) to enforce the verdict. A separate case is still pending, seeking the return of an additional half-acre…
More than 300,000 driver’s licenses are pending issuance currently, and arrangements have been made to print and distribute them within the next three months, officials of the Ministry of Transport have informed the Ministerial Consultative Committee. Briefing the committee, they further stated that a new driver’s license with enhanced security features will also be printed and issued within this year. They said that, additionally, all necessary arrangements have been completed to procure the one million cards required for the printing of driver’s licenses. These remarks were made during the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, held in Parliament…
South Korea’s Supreme Court has given SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won a temporary reprieve in his high-profile divorce case, delaying what would have been one of the largest divorce settlements in Asian corporate history. The court sent the case back to a lower court for further review, meaning Chey will not immediately have to pay nearly 1 billion dollars to his estranged wife, Roh So-young, the daughter of former South Korean president Roh Tae-woo. A lower court had previously ordered Chey to pay about 972 million dollars in asset division and 1.4 million dollars in alimony. The Supreme Court upheld…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 303.00/10 to the US dollar on Thursday, weaker from 302.95/303.00 the previous day, while bond yields were broadly steady, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 closed flat at 8.30/35 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 closed at 8.75/85 percent, up from 8.70/75 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 closed at 9.25/32 percent, down from 9.25/35 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 closed at 9.70/73 percent, down from 9.70/75 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 closed at 10.50/60 percent, down from 10.50/65 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 closed at 10.65/75 percent, from…
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya received a warm welcome at Hindu College, Delhi, during her first official visit to India since assuming office. The Indian Music Society of Hindu College hosted the event, where Amarasuriya was greeted with a standing ovation from students and faculty as she returned to her alma mater. “It’s lovely to be back. Thank you for the warmth with which I was received, it’s very emotional for me,” she said, addressing the gathering. The Prime Minister reflected on her time as a student and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to revisit the place that shaped…
The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has declared an emergency disaster response from October 16 to 18, following forecasts of heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms across Colombo and surrounding areas. The CMC announced that its disaster management and emergency response units are on full standby to assist residents affected by the adverse weather. According to the Department of Meteorology, several areas are expected to experience heavy showers, with a risk of temporary flooding and lightning. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and to contact the CMC for assistance if needed. For inquiries: 011-2422222 Emergency hotline: 011-2686087 The post October 16-18…
ECONOMYNEXT – The Colombo All Share Price index (ASPI) rose 0.56 percent on Thursday, data on its site showed. “Market was positive today after yesterday’s dip,” Ranjan Ranatunga, Assistant Vice President – Research at First Capital said. The broader ASPI climbed 123.87 points to end at 22,416.15; while the more liquid S&P SL20 declined 0.45 percent, or 27.82 points, at 6,226.64. Investor focus was on banks, diversified financials and consumer related stocks on Thursday, Ranatunga said, Top contributors to the ASPI were Hemas Holdings (up 1.00 rupees at 35.50), Sampath Bank (up 1.50 rupees at 147.75), Vidullanka (up 3.80 rupees…
ECONOMYNEXT – The 1953 British motorcycle was more than just a reliable workhorse. It was a symbol of my father, Lenin Lindberg’s, identity. To him, it was his most treasured possession, one he hoped would be passed down to the next generation. The throaty growl of the single-cylinder 350cc machine had the gravitas of a military parade commander. The entire neighbourhood would know when he left for, or returned home from, work. The beat of the bike was also the warning for my brother and me to rush home from the nearby playground. Although he later shifted to more modern…
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised concerns over an increase in reports of child rights violations, particularly cases involving corporal punishment. In a statement issued on Wednesday (15), the Commission said such practices cause not only physical injury but also lasting emotional harm, which in some cases has led to trauma and even suicide. Referring to the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill gazetted on 4 July 2025, the HRCSL said the proposed legislation seeks to prohibit all forms of cruel, degrading and harmful punishments—both physical and non-physical—against anyone under 18 years of age. The Commission noted that…
The Ministry of Labour has announced plans to amend the existing laws on the employment of female workers at night as part of a wider labour law reform initiative. Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said attention has been given to introducing four key bills under the proposed reforms. He made these remarks during the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour Affairs held recently (08). According to the Ministry Secretary, a 17-member committee has been appointed to review 14 current labour laws and draft four principal labour-related bills covering trade unions, labour, occupational…
Sri Lanka Customs today (16) informed the Court of Appeal that vehicles currently held by the department due to importation from countries other than those specified in the letters of credit may be released under certain conditions. Around 15 fundamental rights petitions filed by vehicle importers seeking orders for the release of these vehicles were taken up today before the Court of Appeal. The petitions were heard before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando. Appearing on behalf of Sri Lanka Customs, Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena informed the court that the vehicles…
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Jayananda Warnaweera has passed away at the age of 64. Warnaweera, an off-spinner, represented Sri Lanka in 10 Test matches and six One-Day Internationalsbbetween 1986 and 1994. Following his playing career, he went on to serve as the curator of the Galle International Stadium. Paying tribute, cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe said on X (formerly Twitter): “Deepest sympathy to the family of Jayananda Warnaweera. So sad to hear of his rather untimely demise. Rest in peace my friend, may the turf lie gently on you.” Funeral details are expected to be announced later. (Newswire) The post Former…
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop buying oil from Russia, and Trump said he would next try to get China to do the same as Washington intensifies efforts to cut off Moscow’s energy revenues.
MP Namal Rajapaksa, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), criticised the government for taking nearly a year to arrest Sewwandi, saying, “It took the government a year to arrest Sewwandi.
Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday (15) refuted false social media reports claiming he had died, saying the rumour had led to a flood of phone calls from concerned individuals.
Former Executive Director of the State Engineering Corporation (SEC), Nilu Wijedasa, has been arrested by the Bribery Commission. The arrest is based on allegations that he caused a financial loss exceeding Rs. 1.6 million to the government by misusing SEC employees and property for the renovation of the United National Party headquarters at Sirikotha in 2019. According to the Bribery Commission, he is scheduled to be presented before the Chief Magistrate of Colombo today. (Newswire) The post UNP HQ renovation : Former Engineering Corp official arrested appeared first on Newswire.
The Kathmandu Post has reported that Nepal has deported six Sri Lankan nationals linked to the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, following their arrest in Kathmandu. According to the Nepalese media, the deportation took place on Wednesday after a special operation conducted in coordination with Nepal Police uncovered that the accused had been residing in rented houses across Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Police investigations claimed that all six were members of the notorious Kehelbaddara Padme gang. The suspects were found to have been living discreetly in Nepal for several weeks, using false identities and claiming to be Indian nationals. Two…
Amari Colombo has been honoured as Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel 2025 at the World Travel Awards (WTA), Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony held in Hong Kong in October 2025. This prestigious accolade recognises the hotel’s exceptional standards of service, contemporary design, and its position as a benchmark for business hospitality in Sri Lanka. The glittering ceremony, held in partnership with Hong Kong International Airport and InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong, brought together the region’s most distinguished travel and hospitality brands to celebrate excellence across Asia and Oceania. “We are truly delighted and honoured to be recognised as Sri Lanka’s…