Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

Liquor prices in Sri Lanka have been increased with effect from November 1, 2026, due to a rise in the cost of manufacturing empty bottles, liquor companies said.

Another shipment of gas arrived in Sri Lanka on November 3, 2026, with Litro Gas announcing that distribution of the new stocks will begin today (November 4) to help ease the ongoing domestic gas shortage.

A fire broke out at a vehicle spare parts shop in the Kudugala area of Katugastota early this morning (November 4, 2026), disrupting traffic on the Kandy–Jaffna A9 main road for nearly an hour.

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved the signing of a €10 million grant agreement with the European Union (EU) for a four-year project to promote sustainable trade between the two sides.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (November 3, 2026) ordered the release on bail of Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa, who had been remanded in connection with the Krrish transaction case.

The nationwide ‘Hasthi Sena’ operation was launched in Sri Lanka on November 2, 2026, to protect elephants and reduce human-elephant conflict, initially focusing on 17 elephants identified as being at risk.

The Colombo High Court discharged Daisy Forrest Wickremesinghe from a money laundering case this morning (November 3, 2026), while her grandson Yoshitha Rajapaksa pleaded not guilty.

A mobile inspector of Sri Lanka’s National Transport Commission (NTC) has been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment for soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000 to avoid taking legal action against an overcrowded bus.

A 39-year-old Sri Lanka Navy sailor was killed and two others were injured when an unidentified gunman opened fire at a hired three-wheeler in the Kappalthurai area of Trincomalee on the night of November 2, 2026.

Train services on Sri Lanka’s Northern Railway Line have been temporarily suspended between Kurunegala and Maho due to flooding caused by the overflowing of the Deduru Oya.

A total of 12 suspects have been arrested in two separate police raids in Minneriya and Thirappane on November 2, 2026, for allegedly carrying out illegal excavations in search of archaeological artefacts.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence is planning a structured programme to help retiring Tri Forces personnel obtain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and secure employment opportunities for successful second careers.

Former Ministry Secretary Gamini Kithsiri Dias Amarawardena was arrested today (November 2, 2026) over alleged corruption in a chair purchase for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Polgolla, causing a government loss of nearly Rs. 8 million.

Sri Lanka launched the first phase of a Chinese-funded project to reconstruct 14 bridges damaged by natural disasters on November 1, 2026, with nine bridges selected for the first phase.

The Colombo High Court today (November 2, 2026) ordered that another corruption case against former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence, be taken up for further examination of evidence on November 13, 2026.