Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

Five Thai women were arrested during a police raid on a brothel operating under the guise of a massage centre in the Marine Drive area of Wellawatte on the evening of October 23, 2026.

Properties worth approximately Rs. 25 million have been frozen for 14 days in connection with a drug trafficking investigation in Panadura, following the arrest of a 45-year-old man.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance has decided to close 34 state institutions, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, adding that a committee has been appointed to handle the process.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa and former Krrish Group director Janaki Siriwardana were further remanded until November 6, 2026, by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with the investigation into the Krrish deal.

Litro Gas Lanka Limited has announced that 350,000 gas cylinders will be released to the market over the next three days following the arrival of a new LPG shipment in Sri Lanka.

Six people, including a Sri Lankan Air Force serviceman, were killed in five separate train and road accidents across Sri Lanka on October 22, 2026.

Sri Lankan officials have discussed measures to strengthen dam safety, improve early-warning systems and enhance disaster preparedness for communities living downstream of dams.

The Department of Motor Traffic has stressed that motorcycles with engine capacities of 48cc or less than 50cc must be registered in Sri Lanka, warning that owners of unregistered motorcycles could face legal action and fines.

A low-pressure area near Sri Lanka is expected to bring increased rainfall across the island and surrounding sea areas today (October 22), with some areas likely to receive over 100 mm of rain.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged the Government to withdraw the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, warning that the proposed laws could weaken judicial oversight and threaten fundamental rights.

Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department and Excise Department have signed an agreement to share information and coordinate parallel investigations to detect tax evasion and money laundering.

Approximately 6.97 acres of land in Keppapilavu, in Sri Lanka’s Mullaitivu District, previously used by security forces, were released for public use on October 21, 2026.

Veteran Sri Lankan television and film actor Rahal Bulathsinhala has died at the age of 73.

A request to lift former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s overseas travel ban could be considered on humanitarian grounds, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris told the Fort Magistrate’s Court today (October 21).