The Meteorology Department has forecast heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm in several areas across the Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North Western and Central provinces, as well as the Anuradhapura District.

According to the Department, the depression over the Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify into a deep depression today (October 25) as it moves across the east-central and adjoining southeastern Bay of Bengal.

The system is expected to continue moving southwards before gradually changing direction towards the west-northwest. It is likely to develop into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26 and further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27.

Although the system is not expected to directly affect Sri Lanka, the Department said increased rainfall is likely over the southwestern parts of the island during the next few days due to associated wind patterns extending across the country.

Showers or thundershowers are also expected at several locations in the Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

Meanwhile, strong winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph may occur at times over the western slopes of the Central Hills, the Northern, North Central and North Western provinces, as well as in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The public has been advised to take necessary precautions to minimize potential damage from temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Twenty-seven crew members aboard Iranian crude oil tankers anchored off the southern coast of Sri Lanka were brought ashore yesterday afternoon after falling ill, according to the Southern Province Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Office.

At least 10 children were injured when a bus carrying students, teachers and parents collided with a train at a railway crossing in Koggala, Habaraduwa, on Sunday (October 25), police said.

Sri Lanka Police have released further details regarding a fatal accident involving an Army Defender vehicle in Thalaimannar, which claimed the life of a soldier and left 11 others injured.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha has held discussions with Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lal Kantha on political developments, agricultural innovation and international geopolitical issues.

Sri Lanka has recorded 1,813,484 tourist arrivals between 1 January and 22 October 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. A total of 119,805 tourists arrived during the first 22 days of October. India remains the largest source market, with 482,944 arrivals, followed by the United Kingdom with 169,405 and China with 120,980.

The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized over 475kg of methamphetamine (Ice) and heroin during a joint operation in the coastal area of Naotunna, Thalalla, Matara, this morning (24), the Navy said.

The President’s Office has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was admitted to a private hospital following a sudden illness.

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament yesterday that steps had been taken to bring back criminals operating from overseas, with special police teams conducting operations in coordination with international police in countries where the suspects are hiding.

The Acting Commissioner General of Prisons has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification amending the Standing Orders of the Department of Prisons outlining the procedures to be followed regarding the removal of robes when imprisoning a Buddhist monk.

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, marking 50 days since his imprisonment, has said that although he remains behind bars, his thoughts and the aspirations of those supporting his political camp cannot be imprisoned.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has written an emotional letter to his son, MP Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody, recalling the advice he gave him when he first entered politics in 2010.

The three foreign companies involved in retail fuel distribution — Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC), Sinopec and RM Parks — have limited their operations amid a surge in global fuel prices, leaving the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) hard-pressed to make up the shortfall, an official said yesterday.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Ministry of Finance has finalised decisions to close 34 state institutions as part of the government’s efforts to reduce public expenditure and ease the financial burden on the state.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today rejected a motion filed by Buddhist monks participating in a Satyagraha protest at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, seeking to challenge or vary a court order issued yesterday directing the protesters to vacate the premises.

The first heart surgery performed on former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has been successful, family sources said. The procedure was carried out following an emergency that arose while she was receiving inpatient treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. However, family sources said another open-heart surgery is expected to be performed at a later date.

Litro Gas Lanka has announced plans to distribute 350,000 gas cylinders to the market over the next three days to ensure an uninterrupted supply of domestic gas across the country.

A developing weather system over the Andaman Sea could mark the beginning of a fresh cyclonic threat over the Bay of Bengal, with a low-pressure area likely to form on October 23, 2026.

The National System Operator (NSO) has announced that electricity demand management measures will no longer be required from today (October 22), following the restoration of Lakvijaya Power Station Unit 02 to its full capacity of 270 MW.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala today told Parliament that the Government has intensified investigations into drug-related offences, with 586,824 individuals arrested during 588,180 drug raids conducted over the past two years.

SriLankan Airlines has announced that the suspension of all flights between Colombo and Dammam, and Colombo and Riyadh, will remain in effect until and including November 1, 2026, due to the prevailing security situation in the region.