Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was further remanded until October 16, 2026, by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (October 13) in connection with investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving the Siriliya Saviya bank account.

Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa was further remanded until October 27, 2026, by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (October 13) over an alleged Rs. 100 million bribe linked to the Airbus aircraft procurement deal involving SriLankan Airlines.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will lead Sri Lanka’s delegation to the 7th CICA Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 14–15, 2026.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (October 13, 2026) ordered prison officials to verify whether former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery.

Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa and his brother Yoshitha Rajapaksa appeared before courts in Colombo today (October 13, 2026) in connection with separate corruption cases.

Four Jamaican nationals, including two women, were arrested with more than 1 kilogram of cocaine during a police operation in Kollupitiya, Colombo, on October 12, 2026.

Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who is currently being held on remand at Welikada Prison, has been admitted to the Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Colombo Municipal Councillor Mahinda Kahandagama has been remanded in custody until October 26, 2026, by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court.

Former State Minister of Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dasanayake was arrested today (October 12, 2026) over allegations of accepting bribes from gem businessmen and receiving money linked to phosphate exports.

Sri Lanka received US$6,865.4 million in workers’ remittances during the first nine months of 2026, an increase of US$1,053.7 million compared to the same period last year, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court today (October 12, 2026) dismissed former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s anticipatory bail application, advising her to file the application before a court with proper jurisdiction.

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was admitted to Nawaloka Private Hospital in Colombo this morning (October 12, 2026) following a sudden cardiac issue, according to sources close to him.

Nawalapitiya Mayor Amal Priyankara, his son and son-in-law have been arrested over an alleged assault following a road accident on Saturday night (October 10, 2026).

Two suspects have been arrested with pistols and ammunition during separate police raids in Weeraketiya and Kosgoda on October 11, 2026, with heroin also recovered during one of the operations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today (October 11, 2026) that the era when powerful individuals escaped the law while ordinary people faced legal action has come to an end in Sri Lanka.