Category: Local News

The Sri Lankan Rupee strengthened against the US Dollar today (May 26), with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and several commercial banks reporting lower exchange rates.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) says there is no fuel shortage in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo High Court has ordered that the announcement of the verdicts in four cases filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, who was accused of corruption, be postponed until June 09, 2026.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to increase the Overnight Policy Interest Rate by 100 basis points to 8.75%.

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has decided to examine the ongoing legal proceedings and matters related to the protection of the girl involved in the alleged sexual abuse incident reported from the Anuradhapura area.

The Government of India today (May 25) officially handed over a consignment of 134 single cab vehicles to Sri Lanka for use by the Sri Lanka Police under the Indo–Sri Lanka Friendship Programme.

The Sri Lankan Rupee strengthened against the US Dollar today (May 25), with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and several commercial banks reporting lower exchange rates.

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa was arrested by officers of the Thalangama Police a short while ago (May 25).

The Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka has announced that nationals of 40 countries can obtain a free Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for tourist visits of up to 30 days from May 25, 2026.

A suspect sentenced to death over the rape and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya in Jaffna has died by suicide while in custody at Jaffna Prison, according to prison authorities.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka says its decision to further reduce maximum loan values for motor vehicles has come into effect from today (May 25), lowering the loan limit for commercial vehicles to 60% and personal vehicles to 40%.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has capped loans granted against gold collateral at 70% of the gold’s value with effect from today (May 25), citing risks to financial system stability due to the rapid growth of gold-backed lending.

Three foreign airline passengers were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport early today (May 25) for allegedly attempting to smuggle foreign-manufactured cigarettes worth more than Rs. 6 million into Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s first commercial-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project has reached a major milestone with the arrival of the first 20 megawatts of battery systems at the Colombo Port, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena said.

Former Parliamentarian Dilum Amunugama has been summoned to the Police Children and Women’s Bureau over allegations that he made verbally abusive remarks against a girl who was allegedly abused by Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero.

Five individuals were sentenced to death by the Balapitiya High Court after being found guilty of beating a man to death with poles and clubs in Bataduwa, Batapola, following a family dispute in 2007.