Category: Local News

The Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today (December 24) ordered a further 90 day detention of Sampath Manamperi, who is being held by the Western Province (North) Crime Division in connection with the possession of chemical substances allegedly used to manufacture the drug ICE, also known as crystal methamphetamine.

Member of Parliament Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna was arrested after surrendering to the Fort Police today (December 24).

More than 21 kilograms of heroin and 172 kilograms of ice were found on a multi day fishing vessel taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy and brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour.

Special transportation services for people travelling to their hometowns for the festive season in Sri Lanka will come into operation starting today (December 24).

To reduce traffic delays and improve service for thousands of daily users, the Road Development Authority (RDA) has opened four new entry lanes at the Seeduwa Interchange of the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway from yesterday (December 23).

China has pledged to provide all necessary assistance to Sri Lanka at any time and to share its development experience under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme, reaffirming strong support for the country’s recovery and future development.

A Police Constable attached to the Sooriyakanda Police Station has been suspended from service in connection with the alleged assault of Ratnapura District National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha, also known as Shantha Padmakumara, police said.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar in Colombo today (December 23) and expressed heartfelt thanks to India for its swift help after Cyclone Ditwah, as India confirmed continued support for Sri Lanka with a USD 450 million relief package.

The national programme launched in 2024 to provide sanitary napkins to more than one million schoolgirls above Grade 6 across Sri Lanka will continue in 2026, the Ministry of Education confirmed.

India will provide a USD 450 million assistance package to support the reconstruction of areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced this morning (December 23).

Sri Lanka Government has allocated more than Rs. 227 million in financial assistance to nine research and innovation projects under the National Initiative for the Commercialisation of Research and Development (NIRDC).

Veteran Sri Lankan actor Sathischandra Edirisinghe passed away at the age of 84.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late November, has caused an estimated US$4.1 billion in direct physical damage to buildings and contents, agriculture and critical infrastructure, according to a World Bank Group Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) report released today (December 22).

The 2026 inaugural budget of the Colombo Municipal Council, controlled by the National People’s Power (NPP), was defeated today (December 22).

Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has reached the Government’s annual revenue target of Rs. 2,203 billion for 2025, achieving the milestone by December 19, 2025, according to Commissioner General Rukdevi P. H. Fernando.

Sri Lanka’s total exports reached US$ 15,776.36 million during the first 11 months of 2025, marking a notable 5.8% year-on-year growth, according to the latest data from Sri Lanka Customs.