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Vasu Calls for Substantial Public Relief in Budget 2027

News October 30, 2026 0

Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has urged the Government to provide substantial financial relief to the public through the 2027 Budget, warning that failure to address the economic hardships faced by ordinary people could trigger growing public dissatisfaction and stronger political criticism. He said the Government must prioritise meaningful financial assistance, tax reductions and stronger social safety nets in the upcoming budget to ease the burden on households. Nanayakkara warned that public anger towards the Government could increase significantly if adequate relief was not provided, noting that people were already facing severe economic difficulties. He also observed that public expectations for Budget 2027 were particularly high, especially regarding measures to ease inflationary pressures, revise taxes and strengthen social welfare assistance. Commenting on the political climate, the former minister said there was currently no significant active opposition to the Government among ordinary people. He cautioned, however, that the absence of strong public resistance meant that the implications of certain laws and measures described as anti-democratic were not yet being widely felt, despite the potential threats they could pose to individual freedoms and democracy in the future.

Police Seize Narcotics Worth Over Rs. 249 Billion Between 2024 and 2026

News October 30, 2026 0

The Sri Lanka Police have seized illegal narcotics valued at more than Rs. 249 billion during the three-year period covering 2024, 2025 and 2026 under the national “A Nation United” campaign, Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler has revealed. Providing details of the seizures, ASP Wootler said law enforcement authorities had confiscated 4,483 kilogrammes of heroin valued at Rs. 107.942 billion and 7,129 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, worth Rs. 121.644 billion. The seizures also included 33,277 kilogrammes of cannabis, valued at Rs. 5.293 billion, and 333 kilogrammes of cocaine worth Rs. 14.306 billion. According to the Police Media Spokesperson, strict legal penalties are in place under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act No. 13 of 1984 and its Amendment Act No. 41 of 2022 to combat drug-related offences. He emphasised that anyone found in possession of, attempting to possess, trafficking, dealing in or manufacturing more than five grammes of heroin, Ice or cocaine faces severe penalties. Upon conviction by the High Court, offenders could face life imprisonment or the death penalty, he said.

President Directs Sports Ministry to Develop Plans to Produce International-Level Athletes

News October 30, 2026 0

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials of the Ministry of Sports to develop comprehensive plans to promote sports, produce athletes capable of achieving international success and establish a stronger sporting culture while building a healthier population. The President issued these instructions during a discussion on the 2027 Budget proposals for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, held at the Presidential Secretariat on the morning of October 29, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). Highlighting the growing burden of non-communicable diseases on the country's healthcare system, the President stressed that sports and physical activities could play an important role in addressing this challenge. He emphasised the need to change public attitudes towards sports and encourage greater participation in physical activities to promote healthier and more active lifestyles. The President also observed that although walking paths have been established in various parts of the country, some areas have yet to make effective use of these facilities. He called for new programmes to encourage the public to utilise them more regularly. He further stressed the importance of maintaining an accurate and updated national database of sports grounds, walking paths and indoor stadiums to support effective planning and implementation of development programmes. The discussion also reviewed several major projects proposed for 2027, including the establishment of a National High Performance Centre aimed at elevating Sri Lankan athletes to international standards. Other planned initiatives include constructing a 400-metre synthetic running track in Anuradhapura, completing outstanding construction work and further developing the Diyagama International Stadium, and upgrading the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Research into sports and physical exercise, to be jointly undertaken by sports medicine institutions and universities, was also identified as an important area of focus. In addition, progress and future plans relating to programmes implemented by the Youth Corps and the National Youth Services Council were reviewed during the meeting, the PMD said.

Star Trek and X-Men actor Sir Patrick Stewart dies aged 86

News October 30, 2026 0

Star Trek and X-Men actor Sir Patrick Stewart has...

University Teachers Launch Island-Wide One-Day Strike Today

News October 30, 2026 0

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) is scheduled to stage an island-wide one-day strike today (30), demanding solutions to several pressing issues affecting Sri Lanka’s state university system. FUTA General Secretary and Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Illangasinghe said the trade union action would be carried out across all state universities. The strike comes amid growing concerns over the shortage of academic staff, increased workloads faced by existing university employees and the lack of adequate physical facilities at state universities. Illangasinghe also confirmed that FUTA had organised a protest march to coincide with the strike. He said the trade union action was intended to draw public attention to the challenges confronting the state university system and pressure the authorities to address the concerns raised by university academics.

Several spells of showers to occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces

News October 30, 2026 0

Several spells of showers will occur in Western and...

CIABOC Freezes Bank Accounts Linked to Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa’s Son

News October 29, 2026 0

CIABOC Freezes Bank Accounts Linked to Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa’s Son