Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art hospital dedicated to cardiac patients near the Colombo National Hospital, with an estimated investment of Rs. 13 billion. The Minister made the disclosure during meetings on Thursday (2) with the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters in Kandy, where he also sought blessings and briefed them on the government’s ongoing healthcare programs. Highlighting the government’s “Arogya Suwatha Centres” initiative as a modern nationwide concept, Jayatissa said 100 such centers will be established across the country this year. He noted that the fourth center would be…
The Sri Lankan Report
Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art hospital dedicated to cardiac patients near the Colombo National Hospital, with an estimated investment of Rs. 13 billion. The Minister made the disclosure during meetings on Thursday (2) with the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters in Kandy, where he also sought blessings and briefed them on the government’s ongoing healthcare programs. Highlighting the government’s “Arogya Suwatha Centres” initiative as a modern nationwide concept, Jayatissa said 100 such centers will be established across the country this year. He noted that the fourth center would be…
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Chief Security Officer, Neville Wanniarachchi, has been arrested. Wanniarachchi had also been summoned before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in December last year to record a statement in connection with an incident related to the accumulation of illicit assets. (Newswire) The post Mahinda Rajapaksa’s ex-Chief Security Officer arrested appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month of September, surpassing the previous record set in the benchmark year of 2018. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 158,971 tourists in September 2025, eclipsing 2018’s tourist arrivals of 149,087. SLTDA data further shows a 30.2 per cent increase compared to September 2024, during which 122,140 arrivals were recorded. In September 2025, India remained the leading source market with 49,697 visitors (31.3%), followed by the United Kingdom (10,752), China (10,527), Germany (9,344) and Australia (9,105). The SLTDA states that a total…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (02 Oct), compared to Wednesday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has decreased from Rs. 298.79 to Rs. 298.77, while the selling rate has also dropped from Rs. 306.29 to Rs. 306.27. The Sri Lankan Rupee has changed slightly against a basket of foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
A Navy search operation off Arichchal in Kalpitiya on Wednesday has led to the arrest of two suspects attempting to smuggle more than 4 kilograms of gold by sea. Acting on information received by the Northwestern Naval Command, SLNS Vijaya intercepted a suspicious dinghy in the area. A search of the vessel uncovered 4.45 kilograms of gold disguised as 13 fishing net sinkers, the Navy said in a statement. The two suspects, residents of Wendesiwatta and Anawasala in Kalpitiya, were taken into custody along with the dinghy and the seized gold. They were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office…
The Consumer Affairs Authority has issued a Gazette notification on regulating locally manufactured reusable plastic bottles for carrying drinkable liquids and feeding bottles made of Polymer Materials, requiring them to carry the SLS Product Certification Mark issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. The Gazette notification applies to all manufacturers, packers, distributors, transporters, store owners, and traders. No one is allowed to produce, pack, distribute, transport, store, sell, or display these products—whether wholesale or retail—unless they carry the SLS Product Certification Mark issued by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. The Consumer Affairs Authority further directs that no importer, packer, distributor,…
The Sri Lankan Rupee appreciated slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (02 Oct), compared to Wednesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has decreased from Rs. 299.30 to Rs. 299.25, while the selling rate has dropped from Rs. 304.80 to Rs. 304.75. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar remain unchanged at Rs. 299.30 and Rs. 305.80, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has decreased from Rs. 299.07 to Rs. 299.02, while the selling rate has dropped from…
Photo courtesy of ADB In 1833 when the Colebrooke-Cameron reforms introduced constitutional governance to Ceylon, they inadvertently triggered a profound social transformation. While governance remained under a powerful governor appointed by the British Crown, it created something revolutionary: the first pathways for people to transcend the rigid caste hierarchies that had defined social possibilities for millennia. For the first time, education and merit could elevate individuals beyond the circumstances of their birth. This opportunity did not just change individual lives; it fundamentally shifted cultural values across the island. Education transformed from a privilege of the elite into the highest aspiration…
A tireless advocate for conservation and one of the world’s most prominent primatologists, Jane Goodall has passed away at 91. In 1960, at the age of 26, Jane Goodall ventured to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania to study chimpanzees. Her discoveries were groundbreaking and her approach to fieldwork was revolutionary. She immersed herself in the chimps’ daily lives and gave them names. Goodall became a tireless advocate for conservation — in addition to one of the world’s best-known primatologists. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which works around the world to protect wildlife and the environment, but also improves the lives of people in…
Israeli forces have boarded and taken control of several ships that are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which had been attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, and that had garnered global attention as one of the biggest naval aid missions to the Palestinian enclave. The flotilla – which in all includes more than 40 civilian boats and about 500 activists – was intercepted by Israeli forces late on Wednesday, with activists on board detained and taken to Israel. Israel had previously said that it would do whatever it takes to stop the Gaza-bound flotilla, claiming the volunteers were…
The Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances in the North and East Provinces has categorically rejected Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanisms and called for the immediate establishment of an independent, special, international Commission of Inquiry to investigate the mass graves uncovered in the North and East, including the Chemmani mass grave. In a letter addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances informed of the rotational hunger strike that has been launched, demanding international justice for the genocide committed against the Tamil people and the enforced disappearances. “The case of…
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne says steps are being taken to liquidate the Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA). Deputy Minister Weeraratne said the institution, which was established with World Bank support, has now fallen to a deplorable state. He further said that the institution at present is in a condition where it cannot be brought to its former state. Eranga Weeraratne revealed that, similar to the former government’s decision, the current government too has decided that it should be liquidated. “Firstly, we know the country needs an authority to make digital policies. So we have…
Snapchat has announced that it will start charging users for storing their photos and videos in its Memories feature, which has been available since 2016. The feature allows users to save photos and videos that were initially posted for a limited time. However, now, those who exceed 5GB of saved memories will need to pay to keep them accessible. While Snapchat has not disclosed specific prices for users in the UK, it revealed that the change would be implemented globally, with a gradual rollout. The company emphasised that the move was necessary to continue improving the memories feature for all…
The Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the underworld figure ‘Tinker’ be detained for 24 hours from 02 October 2025 to 03rd October 2025, based on a request made by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). Sri Lankan national Sridharan Niranjan, also known as ‘Tinker’, was deported from Dubai and brought to Sri Lanka yesterday (01), after which he was handed over to the CCD for further investigations. Interrogations of the suspect had revealed that he was involved in the shooting incident in Gnanarathana Mawatha, Peliyagoda, in August 2025, in which one person was killed and another was injured. Based on…
The Sri Lankan Police has taken action to seize the properties of a 53-year-old woman, residing at Ferguson Road in Colombo 14, which are found to have been acquired through funds earned by engaging in the narcotics trade. According to the Police, on the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Illegal Assets Investigation Division commenced a probe into the woman. An inspection of previous criminal activities had found that she had been arrested for possession and sale of drugs in various parts of Sri Lanka and had also been produced in court. The Negombo and Colombo Magistrates’…
A special discussion was held recently (30 Sept) to raise awareness and facilitate the establishment of an RMIT Innovation Hub in Sri Lanka. According to the President’s Office, the discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat between the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and officials of the Presidential Secretariat. The discussion was organized in coordination with the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialization (NIRDC). The proposed RMIT Sri Lanka Innovation Hub will strengthen the implementation of existing Joint PhD programmes while creating opportunities to address national challenges through research and development (R&D) solutions aligned with Sri Lanka’s research…
Government spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa states that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not yet officially handed over his official residence in Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo. Speaking to the media, Minister Jayatissa said it has been three weeks since he left the premises. The minister further said that the ministry in charge of the matter will take the necessary measures in this regard. Minister Jayatissa added that Mahinda Rajapaksa might find a new house and return to Colombo soon. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to Tangalle after vacating the official residence in Colombo following the enactment of the President’s Entitlements (Repeal) Act. …
Atmospheric conditions are getting favourable for evening thundershowers in most parts of Sri Lanka, starting from tomorrow (03). As such, mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island today. Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western, and Central provinces, and the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts. Meanwhile, mainly fair weather will prevail in the sea areas around the island. Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be 30-40 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50-55 kmph at times in…
Sri Lanka has issued its first residence visa under the Individual Investor Category, introduced under the amended Immigration and Emigration Regulations (Extraordinary Gazette No. 2360/24 dated 27 November 2023).