International gold prices extended their upward trend during the Asian trading session on Monday, breaking through the $3,900-per-ounce barrier for the first time and reaching a new high. According to GoldPrice.Org, gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange hit a record high of over $3,960 per ounce on Monday, while spot gold also broke above $3,940, surpassing the $3,900 level for the first time. Reuters reported that gold hit a record high on Tuesday as there were no signs of a reprieve from an impasse between the two houses of the U.S. Congress that has led to a government…
The Sri Lankan Report
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee opened at 302.42/48 to the US dollar on Tuesday, from 302.45/55 Friday, while bond yields were broadly steady after market opened quiet, dealers said. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted at 8.80/90 percent. A bond maturing on 15.02.2028 was quoted at 9.00/10 percent, down from 9.05/10 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.65/72 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.75/85 percent. An auction of 33,500 million rupees Treasury bills is scheduled for Wednesday. The telegraphic transfer rates for the American dollar was 299.0000 buying, 306.0000 selling; the British…
The Resolution A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights (HR) in Sri Lanka has been adopted at the United Nations (UN) HR Council in Geneva. In a statement, the UN Human Rights Council said it has decided to extend the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner and all work requested of it by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 51/1 of 6 October 2022. The statement further stated that the UNHRC Office has been requested to present a written update at its sixty-third session and a comprehensive report on progress in reconciliation, accountability, and human rights…
Police investigations reveal that a 36-year-old woman was behind the wheel of a car that was involved in an accident in Gampola yesterday, in which three elderly women were killed. According to the Police, the woman, with a learner’s permit, had been driving the vehicle, along with her husband and two young children, at the time of the accident. Preliminary investigations reveal that the woman had accidentally stepped on the accelerator, instead of the brake, resulting in a collision with the victims and a lorry. It is reported that the car had hit four elderly women walking on the side…
A 23-year-old man has been arrested in the Aluththanayamagoda area in Nagoda for the possession of a foreign-manufactured pen gun and several ammunition rounds, police said. The arrest was made on the evening of October 6 following a tip-off received by Nagoda Police. The seized firearm, designed in the shape of a pen, is an imported semi-automatic weapon capable of firing a single bullet. Police also recovered two live cartridges and five used shells at the time of the arrest. The suspect, a resident of Mapalagama, is being held for further questioning as investigations continue. (Newswire) The post 23 year…
Police have launched an investigation into a double murder reported early Tuesday (Oct. 7) from the Wadigala area in Ranna, within the Hungama Police Division. According to police, a man and a woman were found hacked to death inside a house. The victims, both 28 years old, were residents of Ranna and Tissamaharama. Preliminary investigations have revealed that a group of about five men, wearing face coverings, had entered the house in the early hours of the morning and attacked the pair with sharp weapons. The male victim had reportedly been staying at a friend’s house together with the woman,…
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 07 OCTOBER 2025 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 07 October 2025 Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, Central and Uva provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur in Western province and in Galle, Matara, Puttalam, Jaffna and Trincomalee districts in the morning too. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning and temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. (Newswire) The post Weather today: Thundershowers after 1…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s central bank has bought 177.3 US dollars from commercial banks in September 2025, up from 142.5 million US dollars in August, taking the total so far in 2025 to 1,415.9 million US dollars, official data show. In late 2024, the central bank lost the ability to buy dollars as it printed almost 100 billion rupees through inflationary open market operations to mis-target call money rates ending a scarce reserve regime for the ‘single’ policy rate, triggering a public outcry. However, purchasing dollars and keeping excess liquidity high, including through dollar-rupee buy-sell swaps, downward pressure can be…
South Africa responded to their crushing defeat by England with an impressive six-wicket victory over New Zealand at the World Cup in Indore.
It has been reported that 32 pigeons have been stolen from the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that holders of all types of visas may perform Umrah while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The government is prepared to provide security to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa if he informs the authorities after assessing his security needs and the threats he faces, Labour Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said.
The Core Group reminded the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that Sri Lanka’s pledges remain unfulfilled and every commitment on justice, devolution and human rights has been reduced to rhetoric, Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said.
Former MP and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has called on the current government to demonstrate political will by appointing a powerful commission to investigate alleged deals between past political leaders and the LTTE, particularly during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war.
Certain laws and regulations have become an obstacle in resolving the current medicine shortage, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.
English author Dame Jilly Cooper has died at age 88, her family has announced.
A trader, fisherman, electrician, and a foreign national who attempted to smuggle large quantities of illicit cigarettes into the country, worth over Rs.16.2 million, were intercepted by authorities at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) during the first seven days of October, the Daily Mirror learns.
Indian police have opened a manslaughter probe into the deaths of at least 14 children linked to a toxic cough syrup, dealing another blow to the reputation of the country’s pharmaceutical industry after a string of similar tragedies in recent years.
Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today that politicians such as Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila must be ready to face investigations if they continue to talk nonsense.
Three women were killed and another person was injured in an accident on the Gampola–Doluwa road this afternoon.