Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (October 20, 2026) granted bail to Sanjay Samarasinghe, the private secretary to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

One-hour power cuts will continue across Sri Lanka today (October 20, 2026), between 4:30 PM and 9:00 PM, as the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai remains out of operation.

Sri Lanka is seeking Japanese investment, technology transfer and partnerships to develop its mineral sector following a visit to Japan led by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti.

Central Province Governor Dr. Suranga Fernando has suspended the operations of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)-controlled Pathahewaheta Pradeshiya Sabha in the Kandy District and the powers of its Chairman.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed an expert committee to investigate the death of tusker Kavanthissa and determine whether any negligence occurred during its treatment.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested Sanjay Samarasinghe, the private secretary to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa, today (October 19, 2026), following an investigation into a safe found at his residence in Mount Lavinia.

Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena says he was misled into granting a presidential pardon to Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera in 2019 due to an error made by officials at the Presidential Secretariat.

The missing tusker Agbo was found safe this morning (October 19, 2026) in the Nachchaduwa Ihattawa jungle area of Anuradhapura following a joint search operation by the Sri Lanka Army and wildlife officers.

Four people were killed and eight others injured when a cement mixer truck collided with several vehicles and pedestrians near Kurugoda Junction in Akurana this morning (October 19).

Sri Lanka has officially launched its first Chinese Yuan (RMB) clearing bank in Colombo, allowing businesses to settle trade transactions with China directly in Yuan without using US Dollars as an intermediary currency.

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings fell by 9.2% to US$2,245.2 million during the first nine months of 2026, compared with the same period last year, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Five more suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting of tusker Kavantissa and other illegal activities in the area, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment announced today (October 19, 2026).

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says everyone must abide by Supreme Court rulings, stressing that no one has the power to change its decisions.

A 56-year-old man was arrested today (October 18) in connection with the shooting of tusker Kavantissa, who died yesterday while receiving treatment.

The Sri Lanka Army has deployed a special team of 30 soldiers to search for the wild elephant Agbo in the jungles of Thirappane in the Anuradhapura District.