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.

According to the Gazette notification, new Standing Order 356A has been inserted immediately after Standing Order 356 which says “356A. Where a Buddhist monk is imprisoned, the Commissioner of Prisons shall consult the Department of Buddhist Affairs regarding the removal of the robes worn by such monk at the time of imprisonment and the Department of Buddhist Affairs shall inform the relevant Nikhaya or Chapter of the same, and shall notify of the actions of the Nikhaya or Chapter regarding the removal of such robes to the Commissioner of Prisons within ten days. Where no response regarding the actions to be taken is so informed, the Commissioner of Prisons may take necessary action in accordance with the relevant provisions.

The standing order 550 has been amended pertaining to the P.rison clothing which says a Buddhist monk is taken out of prison in the capacity of a prisoner, such prisoner shall be allowed to wear the robes worn by him at the time of imprisonment.

It says when the relevant Nikaya or Chapter to which such prisoner belongs has not permitted such prisoner to wear robes, the Commissioner of Prisons shall take necessary action in accordance with the relevant provisions and the Commissioner of Prisons shall within seven working days from the date of imprisonment of such prisoner, require the Department of Buddhist Affairs to seek the required approval from the relevant Nikhaya or Chapter.

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.

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.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said it is yet to discuss with Sri Lankan authorities the government's claim that around US$ 1 billion has been siphoned out of the country under the guise of import payments for which no goods were delivered.

The Court of Appeal (CoA) today (Oct. 22) rejected a series of intervention petitions seeking permission to make submissions in connection with the writ petition filed by former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay.

Sri Lanka Police have recorded statements from 14 individuals, including politicians, in connection with the installation of a statue of former LTTE member Rasaiah Parthipan, also known as Thileepan, in Nallur, Jaffna.

ITAK Parliamentary Group Leader MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has strongly opposed the establishment of additional liquor outlets in Jaffna and Kilinochchi, urging the government to prioritise development and public welfare in the Northern Province.

The government today assured the public that there was no reason to fear shortages of gas, fuel, fertiliser or medicine, saying sufficient stocks were available in the country.

The National System Operator (Pvt.) Ltd. expects the Norochcholai coal power plant to resume power generation by tomorrow (Thursday), an official said yesterday.