Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

From November 1, 2026, a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will be mandatory when carrying out several key transactions in Sri Lanka, including opening bank accounts, registering vehicles, registering land and obtaining credit cards.

Seven people were injured, three of them seriously, after a gas cylinder exploded inside the kitchen of the Polonnaruwa Nephrology Hospital early today (September 26).

The third reading of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill was passed in the Sri Lankan Parliament today (September 25) with a special majority.

Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena’s wife, Chinari Lakmanthi Hettiarachchi, has been arrested over allegations that she paid a Rs. 50,000 bribe in connection with a court case against her husband.

Former Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Kamal Bandara Dissanayake, has been arrested over allegations of causing a Rs. 4.79 million loss to the government through an irregular book-printing deal.

The Colombo International Book Fair 2026 opens today (September 25) at the BMICH in Colombo and will continue until October 4, 2026.

Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended the issuance of electronic vehicle revenue licences in eight provinces from today (September 25) until September 28 due to a system update.

Sri Lanka welcomed 107,093 tourists during the first 20 days of September 2026, bringing the total number of tourist arrivals so far this year to 1,642,215, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Former Director of Krrish Transworks Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, Janaki Siriwardena, was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) at around 10:00 AM today (September 24, 2026).

The National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) has launched a free appointment-booking service from today (September 24, 2026), for people seeking medical certificates required for driving licences in Sri Lanka.

A Rs. 15 billion flood-control project in Kolonnawa will widen four main canals and build seven water-retention ponds to reduce recurring flooding in Kolonnawa and surrounding areas.

Sri Lanka has introduced an electronic case filing system at the Colombo District Court, with plans to expand the facility to District Courts across the country under the “e-Courts” digitalisation project.

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) MPs have sought the support of India and the United States in efforts to secure the release of Sivarasa Anojan, who is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

Sri Lanka Police have found 20 gas cylinders inside a house where an 84-year-old man was killed in a fire at the Soysapura housing scheme in Moratuwa.

Sri Lanka Police has introduced a new WhatsApp number for applicants to send information and make inquiries regarding police clearance applications.