Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

Former Akmeemana Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Milinda Haputhanthri has been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty in an assets-related bribery case.

Sri Lanka’s Parliament passed the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill today (October 8, 2026), with amendments and without a vote.

The Colombo High Court today (October 8, 2026) rejected preliminary objections seeking to dismiss a corruption case against former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and two other defendants.

Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody, is scheduled to be taken to the National Eye Hospital in Colombo tomorrow (October 9, 2026), following a recommendation by a specialist doctor.

The Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) premises in Colombo 05 have been designated as a place of detention under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act through an Extraordinary Gazette notification.

Amnesty International has called on Saudi Arabia to overturn the death sentence imposed on 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker Sivarasa Anojan over a Facebook comment considered insulting to the Prophet Muhammad.

National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Chandana Sooriyaarachchi has been arrested by Athurugiriya Police after a car he was driving struck and injured a pedestrian in Panagoda on October 7, 2026.

A 25-year-old man has been arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) for allegedly transferring US$25 million to foreign bank accounts through fictitious companies without importing any goods into Sri Lanka.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly providing his fingerprints to prepare a forged passport for the main suspect in the murder of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda.

Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was remanded until October 13, 2026 after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged misuse of Rs. 10 million linked to the Siriliya Saviya organisation.

The Colombo High Court has upheld the nine-month prison sentence imposed on Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero for insulting Islam, while he has now appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court.

Former Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over an alleged corruption offence.

Eight accused, including former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, were served indictments and granted bail today (October 7, 2026) over the 2023 Weligama hotel shooting.

Two men were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each by the Colombo High Court today (October 7, 2026), after pleading guilty in the Wanathawilluwa explosives case.

Pradeep Kariyawasam, former Chairman of the National Savings Bank (NSB), was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (October 7).