NEWS ALERTRuhuna University Agriculture Faculty shifts classes online amid viral feverThe University of Ruhuna has decided to conduct academic activities online for students of the Faculty of Agriculture, with the exception of final-year students, due to the spread of a viral fever. Oct 05, 202604:40 PMTrain services between Rambukkana and Peradeniya to resume todayTrain services between Rambukkana and Peradeniya, which were temporarily suspended after earth and rocks fell onto the railway track, are expected to resume this evening (5), according to the Department of Railways.Oct 05, 202604:34 PMEntrepreneurship, Financial Literacy subject to be introduced for Grade 6 students in 2027A new subject focusing on entrepreneurship and financial literacy is to be introduced for Grade 6 students from 2027, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced.Oct 05, 202604:26 PMEntrepreneurship, Financial Literacy subject to be introduced for Grade 6 students in 2027A new subject focusing on entrepreneurship and financial literacy is to be introduced for Grade 6 students from 2027, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced.Oct 05, 202604:26 PMIndia, Sri Lanka sign MoU to ensure supply of essential food itemsIndia’s National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and Sri Lanka’s Cooperative Federation (COOPFED) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at facilitating the supply of essential food commodities from India to Sri Lanka.Oct 05, 202604:09 PMIndia, Sri Lanka sign MoU to ensure supply of essential food itemsIndia’s National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and Sri Lanka’s Cooperative Federation (COOPFED) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at facilitating the supply of essential food commodities from India to Sri Lanka.Oct 05, 202604:09 PMFormer Minister Kumara Jayakody’s corruption case adjourned to November The Colombo High Court has ordered that the corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Minister Kumara Jayakody be called again on November 3 for further examination of evidence. Oct 05, 202603:37 PMFormer Minister Kumara Jayakody’s corruption case adjourned to November The Colombo High Court has ordered that the corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Minister Kumara Jayakody be called again on November 3 for further examination of evidence. Oct 05, 202603:37 PMNEWS ALERTNobel Prize in Medicine jointly awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg NagelThe Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their research into light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, the award-giving body said on Monday (05).Oct 05, 202603:19 PMNEWS ALERTNobel Prize in Medicine jointly awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg NagelThe Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their research into light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, the award-giving body said on Monday (05).Oct 05, 202603:19 PMHambantota International Port surpasses one million TEUsHambantota International Port (HIP) has surpassed one million TEUs in cumulative container throughput since the commissioning of new quay cranes in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its container operations, according to the Hambantota International Port Group Pvt Ltd.Oct 05, 202602:59 PMHambantota International Port surpasses one million TEUsHambantota International Port (HIP) has surpassed one million TEUs in cumulative container throughput since the commissioning of new quay cranes in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its container operations, according to the Hambantota International Port Group Pvt Ltd.Oct 05, 202602:59 PMSri Lanka, ADB discuss development priorities for 2026–2029Sri Lanka’s development plans for the 2026–2029 period and priorities for future projects supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were discussed at a special meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat.Oct 05, 202602:42 PMSri Lanka, ADB discuss development priorities for 2026–2029Sri Lanka’s development plans for the 2026–2029 period and priorities for future projects supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were discussed at a special meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat.Oct 05, 202602:42 PMParliamentary Caucus discusses new Disability Rights BillThe Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities has discussed a proposed Bill to repeal the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 28 of 1996, and introduce new legislation to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities.Oct 05, 202602:30 PMParliamentary Caucus discusses new Disability Rights BillThe Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities has discussed a proposed Bill to repeal the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 28 of 1996, and introduce new legislation to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities.Oct 05, 202602:30 PMPreschools to adopt single curriculum under education reformsThe Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education will introduce education reforms for preschools from next year, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe said.Oct 05, 202602:09 PMPreschools to adopt single curriculum under education reformsThe Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education will introduce education reforms for preschools from next year, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe said.Oct 05, 202602:09 PMSpanish prime minister calls snap election after housing protestsSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called an early election for November 29 on Monday, in a bid to strengthen his mandate after a fragmented parliament rejected the government’s key housing decrees last week amid widespread protests.Oct 05, 202601:57 PMSpanish prime minister calls snap election after housing protestsSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called an early election for November 29 on Monday, in a bid to strengthen his mandate after a fragmented parliament rejected the government’s key housing decrees last week amid widespread protests.Oct 05, 202601:57 PMGovernment explores integration of defence welfare fundsA special discussion on the proposed integration of the National Defence Fund and the “Api Wenuwen Api” Fund with the Ranaviru Seva Fund and other welfare programmes for Tri-Service personnel has been held at the Presidential Secretariat.Oct 05, 202601:43 PMGovernment explores integration of defence welfare fundsA special discussion on the proposed integration of the National Defence Fund and the “Api Wenuwen Api” Fund with the Ranaviru Seva Fund and other welfare programmes for Tri-Service personnel has been held at the Presidential Secretariat.Oct 05, 202601:43 PM48-hour water cut announced for several areas in KatugastotaWater supply to several areas in Katugastota will be suspended for 48 hours due to essential maintenance work at the Katugastota Water Treatment Plant, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced. Oct 05, 202601:39 PM48-hour water cut announced for several areas in KatugastotaWater supply to several areas in Katugastota will be suspended for 48 hours due to essential maintenance work at the Katugastota Water Treatment Plant, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced. Oct 05, 202601:39 PMRailway Station Masters allege Upcountry train services resumed without NBRI clearanceThe Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Association (SLRSMA) has alleged that train services on the Upcountry Railway Line were resumed after repair work without obtaining clearance from the National Building Research Institute (NBRI). Oct 05, 202601:36 PMRailway Station Masters allege Upcountry train services resumed without NBRI clearanceThe Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Association (SLRSMA) has alleged that train services on the Upcountry Railway Line were resumed after repair work without obtaining clearance from the National Building Research Institute (NBRI). Oct 05, 202601:36 PMUPDATENEWS ALERTAppeals Court orders enforcement of remaining prison term for Gnanasara TheroThe Court of Appeal today (05) ordered that steps be taken to enforce the remaining period of imprisonment imposed on Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, after he was found guilty of contempt of court. Oct 05, 202612:25 PMUPDATENEWS ALERTAppeals Court orders enforcement of remaining prison term for Gnanasara TheroThe Court of Appeal today (05) ordered that steps be taken to enforce the remaining period of imprisonment imposed on Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, after he was found guilty of contempt of court. Oct 05, 202612:25 PMExtreme heat putting pregnant women, newborns at risk: UN climate chiefExtreme heat is putting pregnant mothers and their newborns at increasing risk, United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell will warn on Monday (Oct 5). Oct 05, 202612:13 PMExtreme heat putting pregnant women, newborns at risk: UN climate chiefExtreme heat is putting pregnant mothers and their newborns at increasing risk, United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell will warn on Monday (Oct 5). Oct 05, 202612:13 PMRe-railing of derailed Peradeniya-Colombo train underway; Upcountry train services suspendedThe derailed express train operating from Peradeniya to Colombo Fort is currently being re-railed, the Department of Railways said. Oct 05, 202612:08 PMRe-railing of derailed Peradeniya-Colombo train underway; Upcountry train services suspendedThe derailed express train operating from Peradeniya to Colombo Fort is currently being re-railed, the Department of Railways said. Oct 05, 202612:08 PMAdvisory issued for severe lightningAn ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the North-western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Western, Southern and North-central provinces and in Mannar district. Oct 05, 202611:19 AMAdvisory issued for severe lightningAn ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the North-western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Western, Southern and North-central provinces and in Mannar district. Oct 05, 202611:19 AMSupporters of jailed ex-PM Imran Khan march to Pakistan capitalThousands of supporters of Pakistan's jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan are marching to the capital Islamabad as they call for his release. Oct 05, 202610:54 AMSupporters of jailed ex-PM Imran Khan march to Pakistan capitalThousands of supporters of Pakistan's jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan are marching to the capital Islamabad as they call for his release. Oct 05, 202610:54 AMSri Lanka’s apparel export earnings fall by 7.4% in AugustSri Lanka’s apparel export earnings have declined by 7.4% in August 2026 compared to the corresponding month last year. Oct 05, 202609:56 AMSri Lanka’s apparel export earnings fall by 7.4% in AugustSri Lanka’s apparel export earnings have declined by 7.4% in August 2026 compared to the corresponding month last year. Oct 05, 202609:56 AM