Category: Local News

Four arrested with large stock of illegally imported beedi leaves in Mankulam

A police raid carried out on the night of October 3, 2025, in Mankulam town led to the arrest of four suspects involved in transporting a large stock of illegally imported beedi leaves.



Sri Lanka President calls Maha Sangha to lead social renewal

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that while the Government has undertaken the task of rebuilding the nation’s collapsed economy, it has also assumed the responsibility of restoring a society that has deteriorated on many fronts.



Illegal hotel of former Governor demolished in Anuradhapura

A hotel said to have been illegally built within the Perumiyankulam tank reserve in Anuradhapura by former North Central Province Governor Mahipala Herath has been demolished.



Fraudulent vehicle registration racket exposed in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Police have launched an investigation against several officials of the Department of Motor Traffic over incidents of vehicle registrations carried out using false information.



IMF says Sri Lanka making “impressive progress” as Fifth Review begins

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Sri Lanka’s economic progress as discussions are underway in Colombo for the Fifth Review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program.



Neville Wanniarachchi remanded until October 17, 2025

Neville Wanniarachchi, the chief security officer of former Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been remanded until October 17, 2025, by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.



Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security chief Neville Wanniarachchi arrested

The chief security officer of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Major Neville Wanniarachchi, has been taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).



Sri Lanka bans free plastic shopping bags from November 1, 2025

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a directive prohibiting traders from providing certain plastic shopping bags free of charge to consumers.



Sri Lanka to ban sale of goods without SLS certification from 2026

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued making it mandatory that all goods required to be covered under standard specifications must not be manufactured, packaged, distributed, transported, stored, or sold without the Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification.



Sri Lanka makes seat belts mandatory for all expressway passengers

Drivers and passengers, including those seated in the back seats, are now required to wear seat belts when travelling on expressways in Sri Lanka.



Sri Lankan researchers shine at UN with Global Climate Innovation Award

Two Sri Lankans, Associate Professor Saman Ilankoon and PhD researcher Manuja Dayanath, both alumni of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, and currently representing Monash University Malaysia, together with fellow PhD researchers Shafeeq Ahmed Syed Ali and Lourdes Loh Ye Shing (Morgan), have led Monash University to win a prestigious United Nations climate prize.



Police seize explosives in Modara; Several suspects still at large

Sri Lanka Police said several suspects connected to an ongoing investigation have fled with about 100 hand grenades.



Stock of military equipment found in Weheragala Reservoir

Kataragama Police launched an investigation on the night of September 30, 2025, after Army officers reported the discovery of a stock of military equipment near the sluice gate of the Weheragala Reservoir in Yala National Park.



‘Tinker’ deported from Dubai, taken into custody in Sri Lanka

Sri Dharan Neranjan, also known as ‘Tinker,’ who was deported from Dubai, was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning (October 1).



Sri Lanka President pledges protection for children and respect for elders

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his official message for World Children’s Day and Elders’ Day, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of children and elders.



Sri Lanka revises fuel prices from October 1, 2025

Fuel prices in Sri Lanka have been revised, effective October 1, 2025.