Category: Local News

Sri Lanka amends liquor tax payment rules

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a Gazette notification amending the regulations on the payment period and fees related to liquor production.



Ruwan Wanigasooriya Retires as Chief of National Intelligence

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya, Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), stepped down from his duties at the Ministry of Defence on October 27 after reaching the age of 60.



Canadian arrested with Rs. 182.5 Million worth of hashish at BIA

A 21-year-old Canadian national has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake while attempting to smuggle a large stock of hashish valued at Rs. 182.5 million.



World Bank urges accurate data to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Aswesuma programme

World Bank representatives have highlighted the importance of maintaining an accurate and regularly updated data system to ensure the fair selection of beneficiaries under Sri Lanka’s Aswesuma Social Security Programme.



Sri Lanka launches mission to eliminate narcotics within three years

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, has announced that the government has set an ambitious goal to eliminate narcotics from Sri Lanka within the next three years.



Suspect arrested with 196 kg of Kerala cannabis in Dompe

A suspect has been arrested with 196 kilograms and 218 grams of Kerala cannabis in the Nagahadeniya area within the Dompe Police Division.



Sri Lanka imports 3,500 metric tons of Ponni Samba rice to ease Keeri Samba shortage

Sri Lanka Customs says that around 3,500 metric tons of Ponni Samba rice have been imported into the country as a solution to the current shortage of Keeri Samba rice in the local market.



Indian national arrested with Rs. 34 million worth of heroin at BIA

A foreign national has been arrested with heroin worth Rs. 34 million by officers of the Narcotics Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.



Gunman in Weligama PS Chairman’s murder arrested in Maharagama

The gunman involved in the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara has been arrested in the Navinna area of Maharagama.



Manhunt launched for key suspect in Weligama PS Chairman’s murder

Sri Lanka Police have launched an islandwide manhunt to locate a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, who was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on October 22, 2025.



Three suspects arrested over Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman’s murder

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested three individuals, including a woman, in connection with the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, police said.



Police open fire at tractor in Jaffna: One injured

Police officers in the Kodikamam area of Jaffna opened fire at a tractor on Friday (October 24).



Severe weather batters 18 districts across Sri Lanka

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) says that bad weather during the past few days has affected 18 districts across Sri Lanka.



Gazette issued on release of vehicles held by Sri Lanka Customs

A new gazette has been issued introducing fresh conditions for the release of vehicles currently held by Sri Lanka Customs.



Sri Lanka Navy launches mission to rescue crew of MV Integrity Star

The Sri Lanka Navy vessel Samudura departed on October 24, 2025, to rescue the crew of the merchant ship MV Integrity Star, which had encountered distress approximately 100 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka due to a mechanical failure in its main engines.



Police arrest suspect with T-56 ammunition in Minuwangoda

Police arrested a 53-year-old suspect and recovered eight live T-56 ammunition rounds and fifteen training rounds during a search operation conducted on the evening of October 24, 2025, in the Ambagahawatta area under the Minuwangoda Police Division.