Over 3,000 driving licenses suspended due to various illegal activities: DMT

A total of 3,249 driving licenses have been suspended since January this year due to various illegal activities committed by motorists, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasingha said.

Schools close for elections from Wednesday, reopen on Nov. 18

The Education Ministry announced that all schools will close from November 13 in preparation for the parliamentary elections scheduled for the following day (November 14).

Probe reveals Lohan’s use of unregistered luxury car since 2020

Investigations into the recovery of an illegally assembled, unregistered luxury car from the home of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte’s wife in Mirihana have revealed that Ratwatte had been using the vehicle since 2020 with a fake number plate.

India- Russia joint venture bid to manage China-built Mattala airport goes awry

The move initiated by the previous government to hand over the management of the Mattala International Airport to an India-Russia joint venture is poised to be abandoned since Sri Lankan authorities are not ready to grant the licence for it over legal barriers, a top source said.

Ask Grandfather if you don’t know how to manage finances: Ranil

Taking a swipe at the name he is often referred to by some of his opponents, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the government hierarchy should seek advice from the ’grandfather’ if they do not know how to handle government finances.

Supreme Court halts attempt to release illegally held elephants to suspects

The Supreme Court yesterday issued several interim orders, including staying and suspending all proceedings in the impugned Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court case, where an order to release elephants to suspects in those proceedings, had been made by the Magistrate.

October tea sale averages slide

Sri Lanka’s national tea sales average for October declined to Rs. 1,172.15 (US$ 4.02) per kilogram, down by Rs. 35.84 and US$ 0.02 compared with September’s Rs. 1,207.99 (US$ 4.04), according to data from the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

Accurate weather forecasting soon: Meteorology Department

The Meteorology Department will be able to provide more accurate weather forecasts from 2026, following the installation of two Doppler radar systems by the end of this year.

Korea steps in with US$ 10.2mn to help Sri Lanka tackle trash

The Government of Korea has granted US$ 10.20 million to Sri Lanka to improve solid waste management practices in the Uva and Northern provinces.

Shortage of meteorologists hits weather department

The Meteorology Department lacks a sufficient number of duty meteorologists, Deputy Director of Forecasting and Early Warning M.M.P. Mendis said.

Sri Lanka mulls joining BRICS-founded New Development Bank

The government is considering obtaining the membership of the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states, after failing to obtain BRICS membership due its decision not to grant new membership, Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

Man arrested for attempting to transport woman to Italy with wife’s passport

In a classic case of human smuggling, a man attempting to transport an unknown woman to Italy with his wife’s travel documents was stopped by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the airport.

Rice shortage caused due to increased use in beer production: Mill Owners

The Small and Medium Scale Rice Mill Owners’ Association claimed today that the growing rice shortage in the market is due to increased use of raw rice for beer production.

Deadline to return firearms provided to civilians extended

The deadline to return firearms provided to civilians for personal protection has been extended till November 21, 2024, the Ministry of Defence said.

Heavy showers about 100 mm likely at some places

The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy showers, with around 100 mm of rainfall expected in parts of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Western and Southern Provinces.

Shooting incident in Wennappuwa leaves two injured

Two individuals, including a woman were injured in a shooting in the Kimbulgana area of Wennappuwa this evening (7).

Dr. Shafi lodges complaint over his arrest

Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen, who was recently acquitted of all charges related to illegal sterilisation surgeries, today (07) lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Public Security.

Trade ministry submits rice stock report to President

The Secretary to the Ministry of Trade today submitted the report compiled by the Consumer Affairs Authority on rice and paddy stocks in the country to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

What happens between now and Donald Trump’s inauguration?

American voters have spoken, and it’s now official that Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States.

Two new ambassadors present credentials to President

Two newly appointed Ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (07), President’s Media Division said.

Three arrested for illegal fishing obstructing shipping routes

Three suspects were arrested for illegally fishing in a high-security sea area near the Port of Colombo, obstructing shipping routes.

Can't fulfil promises in five weeks: Vijitha

Claiming that some opposition politicians are alleging that the government has failed to fulfil its promises, Minister Vijitha Herath said the manifesto of the National People’s Power (NPP) was presented to be completed within five years and not within five weeks.

Lohan,his wife further remanded

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife Shashi Prabha Ratwatte were further remanded till November 18 over the case involving an unregistered luxury vehicle.

Bank accounts of cricketer Shakib Al Hasan seized

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has seized all bank accounts of former national cricket team captain Shakib Al Hasan.

Sri Lanka awarded ’’Most Desirable Island in the World

Sri Lanka has been voted as the ’’Most Desirable Island in the World’’ according to the results for the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards.

IMF third tranche likely by January end or Early February: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed hope that Sri Lanka will receive the third tranche under the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) by the end of January or early February next year.

Australia moves to ban children under 16 from social media

Australia’s prime minister on Thursday vowed to ban children under 16 from social media, saying the pervasive influence of platforms like Facebook and TikTok was ’’doing real harm to our kids’’.

What Trump’s win means for Ukraine, Middle East and China

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is set to reshape US foreign policy, promising potentially radical shifts on multiple fronts as war and uncertainty grip parts of the world.

Uncertainty and challenges on the cards: Ruwan

Uncertainty looms as Sri Lanka is to face unforeseen challenges as a group which tried to capture Parliament by force has entered the race to gain control of it, UNP General Secretary and Democratic Front candidate Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

SLAF earns $130 Million through Peacekeeping missions

Another contingent of the aviation unit, consisting of 20 officers and 88 airmen of the Sri Lanka Air Force, is scheduled to depart for the Central African Republic in the first week of December for peacekeeping missions.