The government plans to procure four advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Sri Lanka Air Force from Israel Aerospace Industries under a government-to-government arrangement, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) told Parliament today.

He said the project aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance capabilities while enhancing search and rescue operations and disaster response capabilities.

Parliament is scheduled to approve a supplementary estimate of Rs. 4.261 billion today for the establishment of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system.

A fishing trawler seized by the Sri Lanka Navy in deep-sea waters south of Sri Lanka yesterday (Nov. 04) was found to be carrying more than 100 kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (‘Ice’) and over 50 kg of heroin.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the proposed detention period for suspects under the draft Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill will be reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours.

The Inland Revenue Department has deferred the mandatory submission of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for eight specified transactions until April 1, 2027.

The National System Operator (NSO) has stated that an increase in electricity tariffs is not required for the Oct.– Dec. period of 2026.

The Sri Lankan Rupee strengthened slightly against the US Dollar on Thursday (05), with both buying and selling rates declining compared to the previous day.

The government should learn a lesson from the US midterm elections, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.

A protest organised by the People’s Struggle Movement against the government’s proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTA) and Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill has commenced at Polduwa Junction today (04).

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is fleecing consumers by charging a profit margin of Rs.100-120 per litre on petrol and diesel sold by it while denying the three private players a level playing field, former Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered that the decision on the request to lift the overseas travel ban imposed on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks be delivered on November 25.

A total of 208 police officers have been arrested in connection with various offences, including drug-related crimes, Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler has revealed.

SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa has accused the Government of failing to fulfil its election promises, saying the public is now waiting to see what assurances the President will make in his third Budget.

Tensions escalated in Parliament earlier today (03) as Opposition MPs attempted to seize the ceremonial mace during a protest over the rejection of a no-confidence motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

A proposal has been submitted to Parliament seeking the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the 1983 Black July riots and their impact. The proposal was presented by National People’s Power (NPP) MP Thanura Dissanayake and seconded by fellow NPP MP Bhagya Sri Herath.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera has urged the public not to queue at Inland Revenue Department (IRD) offices to obtain Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), stating that alternative arrangements are being introduced to facilitate the process.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of a contract worth Rs. 1,318.3 million for the construction and improvement of three road sections along the Kandy–Jaffna (A9) road.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an amber-level advisory warning of severe lightning in several areas across Sri Lanka, effective from 1.00 p.m. today (03).

A protest was held outside the Batticaloa District Secretariat today (03), demanding that authorities take immediate action to resolve the longstanding dispute over cattle grazing lands in the Mayilathamadu area.

The Federation of Global Tamils (FGT) invites Eelam Tamils in the homeland and diaspora, and individuals committed to its objectives, to become members and participate in shaping the Federation’s future.

Naval and fishing communities have been warned not to venture into several deep-sea areas around Sri Lanka following the intensification of Cyclonic Storm Murasu into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

A large number of people have visited the Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) head office to obtain Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), resulting in severe congestion.