- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stresses the importance of enhancing road development efficiency to achieve rural economic growth, urging streamlined procurement to benefit local communities: emphasises the need for careful planning of highways, ports, and airports for economic progress: also calls for prioritising environmental, financial, and safety considerations in ongoing projects.
- Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leadership refuses to accept the resignation of Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya National Organiser Hirunika Premachandra, despite her focus on her Colombo election campaign: SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara confirms Premachandra will remain in her role, whilst other party members can assist during the campaign: Premachandra insists she cannot oversee national activities while running in Colombo’s intense competition.
- Former MP and Leader of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Udaya Gammanpila accuses President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of committing ‘a greater crime than him being ever given damnation for’ for concealing a certain report pertaining to the Easter Sunday terror attacks, which he had previously claimed to have possessed, in retaliation to the ultimatum given to Gammanpila by Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath to hand it over to the government within three days: insists he will not make the report public with respect to the sensitivity of its content affecting national security, until the President himself unveils it: Previously, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader had claimed that he received the report which to date has not been made public record by any of the regimes in power: Herath accused him of ‘committing a crime’ for not revealing it.
- Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa reveals scam farms recently busted in Sri Lanka resemble Myanmar’s cyber camps where Sri Lankans are stranded: These “scamming camps” operate covertly, with workers restricted from leaving but paid salaries: Locations are secured under false company pretenses, and equipment is brought in for global online scams: Over 150 foreign nationals, including Chinese, have been arrested.
- The Police is seeking public assistance to identify two deceased individuals involved in separate incidents in Homagama and Kegalle: The first body, found in Homagama on 1 October, remains unidentified, and a post-mortem is underway: The second case involves a pedestrian killed in a road accident on 4 October in Molagoda, Kegalle: Authorities urge anyone with information to contact local police stations.
- The government re-establishes the food policy committee to ensure essential items, including food, are supplied without scarcity and to control the rising cost of living: This decision, approved by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, involves multiple ministries, aiming for a coordinated approach to tackle food security and price stability challenges across the country.
- Amidst escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, Sri Lanka is taking measures to ensure the safety of its nationals in the region: Sri Lankan Missions are providing regular instructions for protection, whilst families in Sri Lanka can contact the Consular Affairs Division for updates on their relatives: Sri Lankans in the region are urged to follow safety guidelines closely.
- The new government abandons plans to sell SriLankan Airlines but will restructure it for profitability: The President insists the airline should remain locally owned: Whilst it posted an operating profit in 2023, its debt is $1.2 billion: The restructuring aims to strengthen the airline’s finances, supporting tourism, which contributes significantly to the nation’s economy.
- Sri Lankan-born attorney Vincent Perera was sworn in as the new Attorney General of Seychelles: pledges to uphold the rule of law and plans to enhance prosecutors’ skills through training: aims to tackle case backlogs and bring changes based on his international experience: replaces Frank Ally and will serve for four years, providing legal advice to the government.
- Five Sri Lankan cricketers have been selected for the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) starting in December: Thisara Perera will play for Dhaka Capitals, Angelo Mathews and Binura Fernando for Chittagong Kings, Lahiru Samarakkon for Durbar Rajshahi, and Pathum Nissanka will represent Fortune Barisal.
