India dominated the 1st Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, as they beat the visitors by an innings and 140 runs in the first of the two-match Test series The post World Test Championship (2025-2027) Points table appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lankan Report
Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Anil Jayantha has dismissed media reports claiming a threefold increase in the presidential expenditure for 2026 compared to 2025, calling them misleading and technically inaccurate. Addressing the media, Dr. Jayantha explained that the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which began at Rs. 2.9 billion, did not include the full expenditure outlined in the national budget. He said Rs. 5.05 billion had been separately allocated for the Clean Sri Lanka project and an additional Rs. 1 billion for research related to innovation and commercialization. “Therefore, the accurate allocation for presidential expenditure for the year 2025 will be Rs.…
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in Northern, North- central, Eastern, Uva provinces and Kurunegala and Matale districts. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity. The post High risk severe lightning alert issued for 12 districts appeared first on Newswire.
A 34-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder and grievous assault that took place near the Dehiwala Railway Station on July 18, 2025. According to police, two unidentified men on a motorcycle had opened fire at a person in the area in an apparent attempt to kill him, causing serious injuries. The case was investigated by the Crimes Investigation Unit of the Mount Lavinia Division. Following investigations, officers from the Mount Lavinia Division Crimes Investigation Unit arrested one suspect on October 3 near the Dehiwala bus stand. He is believed to have been the motorcycle rider…
A Tunisian court has sentenced a 51-year-old man to death for Facebook posts deemed insulting to President Kais Saied and threatening to state security, in a ruling that has sparked widespread condemnation from rights groups and legal observers. The man, identified as Saber Chouchen, was convicted on charges of attempting to overthrow the state, insulting the president, and spreading false information online. The verdict was issued under Tunisia’s controversial 2022 cybercrime law known as Decree 54, which criminalizes the publication or distribution of “false news” or statements considered offensive to public authorities. Chouchen, who was arrested in January 2024, allegedly…
ECONOMYNEXT – Foreign investors sold Sri Lanka government securities in thin trade recording first weekly outflow in six weeks, the Central Bank data showed, amid outflow of short term bond funds globally for the first time in 14 weeks. Foreign investors sold a net 17 million rupee ($56,667) worth of government securities in the week ended on October 2, recording the first outflow in six weeks. The island nation witnessed inflows to a net 14,041 million rupee ($46.8 million) in the previous five weeks. Globally, short-term bond funds saw a net USD 8.52 billion outflow after 13 weeks of inflows…
The Church of England named Sarah Mullally on Friday as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to serve as ceremonial head of Anglican Christianity worldwide, prompting immediate criticism from conservative church leaders in Africa. The 63-year-old bishop, who once served as England’s top nurse, will, like her predecessors, face a Communion divided between conservatives and more liberal Christians over the role of women in the Church and the acceptance of same-sex couples. While the appointment was welcomed by many religious leaders in Britain, Laurent Mbanda, archbishop of Rwanda and chairman of a global grouping of conservative Anglican churches,…
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 04 OCTOBER 2025 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 04 October 2025 Atmospheric conditions are favorable for thunderstorms in the evening. Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and strong lightning during thundershowers. Showers or thunder showers will occur at several places in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Northcentral, Eastern, Central and Uva provinces. The post Weather today: Above 100mm rain in several areas appeared first on Newswire.
Hamas has formally submitted its response to US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, signaling a major shift in its stance on Gaza’s future. The Palestinian group said it was ready to hand over administration of the enclave to a government of Palestinian technocrats and to release all Israeli captives. The response, however, left unaddressed the question of Hamas’s disarmament. Instead, the group said it was prepared to “immediately enter” peace negotiations through mediators to resolve outstanding issues. President Trump delivered an unusual video address welcoming the response, calling it an “unprecedented” step in efforts to end the war. “I want…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s construction sector expanded in August, registering a value of 61.1 on a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank. “The ongoing increase in project availability, along with the resumption of some temporarily suspended projects, has strengthened the confidence of the construction sector,” the central bank said. A growth in road development and water supply work in the month contributed to the increase in the New Orders sub index. New Orders rose from 58.6 59.7 in July to 59.7 in August. The Employment sub index rose from 50.0 in July to 52.8 in August. The Quantity…
Sri Lanka and Antigua and Barbuda have formally established diplomatic relations following the signing of an agreement in Washington D.C. The agreement was signed by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, on October 3, 2025. With the establishment of diplomatic ties, both countries expressed confidence that the move would strengthen cooperation across political, socio-economic, and cultural spheres for the mutual benefit of their peoples. The joint announcement was issued by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism in Colombo, and the Ministry…
In a symbolic gesture aligning with global efforts to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the iconic Colombo Town Hall was illuminated in pink last evening. The striking display joined landmarks around the world in shining a light—both literally and figuratively—on one of the most pressing women’s health issues today. At the event, Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Balthazaar, delivered a passionate address, urging citizens to come together in the fight against breast cancer. She also highlighted the upcoming TLC Triathlon 2025, organised by the Indira Cancer Trust, as a historic and community-driven effort to raise awareness and save lives. “These are…
The swimming pool at the Mannar District Sports Complex was officially opened to athletes today (Oct 3) under the patronage of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage. The facility, located in Naruvil Kulam within the Nanattan Divisional Secretariat, was constructed at a cost of Rs. 94 million allocated through the Department of Sports Development. Speaking at the event, the Minister said he had visited Mannar in January this year to identify the sporting needs of children in the area, and promised to establish the sports complex within a year. “Today, we are fulfilling that promise,” he said.…
The mother of alleged underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, challenging the detention order issued against her son. The petition claims the detention is unlawful and seeks relief through habeas corpus and the writ jurisdiction of the court. She has also requested an interim order to prevent her son from being transferred out of the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to any other location until the final determination of the case. When the petition was taken up, counsel appearing for the Attorney General’s Department assured court that the suspect would…
Police today (03) introduced several new telephone hotlines for the public to directly provide information on narcotics activities across the island. The move enables people to report details on heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ice), cocaine, cannabis, and other illicit substances through dedicated contact numbers. Police said that starting today, information can be conveyed to the phones of Senior Deputy Inspectors General (SDIGs) in charge of police ranges, as well as Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) heading divisions. Officials urged the public to use the numbers responsibly to assist ongoing efforts to curb the spread of drugs in the country. (Newswire) The…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on the island nation’s influential Buddhist leaders days after they warned against his government’s LGBTQ plans to boost more tourists. The Chief Prelates of all three Buddhist Chapters earlier this week wrote to President Dissanayake expressing concern over the government initiatives including LGBTQ tourism promotion and warned that the new moves could harm cultural values and lead to serious social consequences. In their letter, the Buddhist leaders pointed out that efforts aimed at promoting tourism through LGBTQ-related activities, could give rise to what they described as “serious social catastrophes.” They also…
The hotel belonging to former North-Central Province Governor Maheepala Herath, situated on the Peramiyankulama tank reservation, was demolished on the orders of the Divisional Secretary in keeping with the ongoing demarcation of tank reservations in the Anuradhapura district.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today called for broad political reforms and thereby urged the government to hold the Provincial Council elections under the proportional representation system and to abolish the Executive Presidency.
A fire broke out at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, one of the largest on the U.S. west coast, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office said on Thursday, with a county official adding that the flames had been confined to one area.
Sri Lanka has formally issued the Final Assignment Notice (NoA) for the upcoming 2025 5G spectrum auction, marking a key step toward expanding the country’s digital infrastructure. The announcement was made during a special media briefing at the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) on Friday. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Acting Secretary of the Digital Economy Ministry and Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Waruna Sri Dhanapala, TRCSL Director General Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Bandula Herath, Chairman of the 5G Auction Committee and Finance Ministry Director General Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, and TRCSL…