Category: Local News

Sri Lanka government has issued a new circular introducing strict regulations on government vehicle maintenance, including mandatory annual fuel efficiency tests and regular inspections, effective from March 1, 2026.

Organized criminal and alleged drug trafficker Arumahandi Janith Madusanka de Silva, known as “Podi Lassi,” was brought back to Sri Lanka from India this morning (February 27) by a special police team after fleeing the country in violation of court-imposed bail conditions.

Sri Lanka’s official poverty line has been set at Rs. 16,730 per person per month for January 2026, with Colombo requiring the highest minimum of Rs. 18,044, according to the Department of Census and Statistics.

The Land Valuation Indicator compiled for the Colombo District continued its upward trend, increasing by 10.6 percent in the second half of 2025 compared to the second half of 2024.

The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday (February 25) disclosed that Rs. 782 million owed for floating armoury services remains unpaid, as it resumes full control of maritime security operations and reports earnings of over USD 699,000 in foreign exchange.

Sri Lanka is in the final phase of enabling PayPal-supported inward remittances, according to Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, marking a major step toward allowing local businesses to officially receive foreign payments.

The Colombo High Court today (February 25) acquitted Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe, known as “Daisy Achchi” and the aunt of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, from the money laundering case filed against her.

A former Social Services Officer attached to the Katana Divisional Secretariat was arrested yesterday (February 24), over a corruption case involving a disability education grant.

Sri Lanka’s export earnings rose by 13.71% year-on-year to US$ 1,532.6 million in January 2026, marking a strong start to the year, according to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

A special meeting was held yesterday (February 24) at the Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) to discuss land related issues affecting war heroes and their family members and to provide quick solutions.

Retired Major General Suresh Sallay, former head of the State Intelligence Service, has been arrested as a suspect in connection with the investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

A person suspected of being the second gunman in the Akuregoda double murder was arrested yesterday (February 24) in the Hulandawa area of Monaragala, police said.

Sri Lanka reaffirmed its strong commitment to global disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament held in Geneva on February 23, 2026.

Sri Lanka plans to introduce a standardized business registration system in March 2026 to replace the current complex and inconsistent process, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development said.

The Customs Trade Union Alliance has decided to launch trade union action based on several demands, including the promotion of customs officers, which has been delayed for six years.

Former Police Inspector Jagath Nishantha, who was wanted in connection with the 2023 shooting incident near the W15 Hotel in Weligama, has been arrested.