Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

The International Monetary Fund is ready to provide further support to Sri Lanka as its economy improves, with a review that could release about $345 million awaiting board approval.

Two suspects were arrested with more than 73 kilograms of dried cannabis during two raids conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) in the Gemunupura area of Thanamalwila on Wednesday evening (October 14, 2026).

Nearly 120 kilograms of a substance suspected to be heroin were seized, and five suspects were taken into custody during a joint operation at Kapparathota beach in Weligama.

Sri Lanka Police have arrested a 21-year-old man in Homagama for allegedly taking money from people to advertise their vehicles on Facebook but failing to publish the advertisements.

Sri Lanka has sought China’s support to establish a National Sovereign AI Computing Centre and strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) through a proposed agreement between the two countries.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has welcomed the Saudi Supreme Court’s decision to set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa.

Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has instructed prison authorities to amend standing orders to allow imprisoned Buddhist monks to wear their robes when taken outside prison.

Sri Lanka Customs has exceeded its revenue target of Rs. 2,207 billion for 2026, collecting Rs. 2,208 billion by October 13, 2026, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development announced today (October 14).

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the judgment imposing the death penalty on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, following continued diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan government.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today (October 14, 2026) ordered the arrest of former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million in public funds.

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division of Sri Lanka Police has issued a 14-day freezing order on a BMW car worth approximately Rs. 22 million, believed to have been purchased using money earned through drug trafficking.

Five people were killed in four separate road accidents in Sri Lanka on October 13, 2026, including two young men who died in a motorcycle collision in Jaffna.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has urged local and foreign businesses to invest in Sri Lanka with confidence, promising transparent governance, stronger laws and improved infrastructure.

Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was further remanded until October 16, 2026, by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (October 13) in connection with investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving the Siriliya Saviya bank account.

Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa was further remanded until October 27, 2026, by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (October 13) over an alleged Rs. 100 million bribe linked to the Airbus aircraft procurement deal involving SriLankan Airlines.