The number of tourists that have arrived in Sri Lanka so far this month has surpassed 135,000. Sri Lanka welcomed 136,096 international tourists in the first 25 days of October, with India continuing to dominate the tourism market, according to the latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). India accounted for 51,424 arrivals, representing around 38% of all tourists who visited Sri Lanka during the month. The United Kingdom was the second-largest source market, recording 10,117 arrivals, while China ranked third with 9,411 visitors. Australia and Germany rounded out the top five markets, with 6,844 and 6,269 arrivals respectively. The October figures pushed Sri Lanka’s cumulative tourist arrivals for 2026 to 1,829,772. India remained the largest contributor during the January-October period with 488,838 arrivals, followed by the United Kingdom with 170,844. China recorded 121,961 arrivals, while Germany contributed 103,547 and Australia 93,833.

Tourist arrivals in October top 135,000

A total of 21,218 people belonging to 5,696 families have been affected by prevailing adverse weather conditions across the country, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The latest situation report issued by the DMC stated that residents in 109 Divisional Secretariat divisions across 17 districts have been affected by heavy rains and gusty winds. The adverse weather conditions have claimed one life and left five people injured, while three others remain missing, the DMC noted. Two houses have been completely destroyed, while a further 462 houses have sustained damage due to weather-related incidents. Meanwhile, 173 families affected by the adverse weather have been relocated to safety shelters. The DMC said authorities continue to monitor the situation as adverse weather conditions affect several parts of the country. Moreover, the influence of very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” on Sri Lanka’s weather has gradually weakened as the system makes landfall along the coast of Andhra Pradesh, India, the Department of Meteorology stated. According to the Met. Department, several spells of showers are expected in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today (28). Showers or thundershowers are also likely at a few places in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa and Ampara 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, and the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts, the Met. Department warned. The Department also urged the general public to take adequate precautions against possible damage caused by temporary, localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. Although the influence of the cyclone on Sri Lanka is easing, the public has been advised to remain cautious in areas likely to experience adverse weather conditions.

Over 21,000 affected by adverse weather in 17 districts 

<ul><li>Shortfall caused by shipment and unloading delays</li><li>Litro releases 100,000 cylinders daily to replenish supplies</li><li>CAA to be asked to probe reports of cylinders disappearing from market</li></ul> The shortage of about 250,000-300,000 domestic liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders caused by the three and a half-day delay in the arrival and unloading of a gas shipment is expected to be resolved within seven to eight days, Deputy Trade Minister R M Jayawardena said, adding that the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) would be asked to investigate reports of cylinders disappearing from the market soon after being released.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (27), he said that an LPG shipment had arrived around two days later than expected, followed by a further delay of about one and a half days in unloading the gas and transporting it for distribution. "We usually release around 80,000 cylinders of 12.5 kg to the market daily. In that context, these delays created an estimated shortfall of between 250,000 and 300,000 12.5 kg cylinders in the market." To make up for this shortage, he said the Litro Gas Lanka Limited had been releasing 100,000 cylinders of 12.5 kg each to the market daily, continuously since the morning of 23 October. "The shortage should be eliminated within around seven or eight days. However, I have received reports that cylinders supplied to the market are selling out almost immediately. There is no way that they should be selling out immediately like that,” he said.Jayawardena further said that cylinders used by businesses could be exhausted within two or three days, but that those supplied for household use generally lasted around two and a half to three months. “Household cylinders cannot be running out that quickly. If they are disappearing from the market immediately after being released, that is a problem. We are planning to inform the CAA to carry out raids across the country and check whether cylinders are being hidden. If necessary, we will ask them to coordinate with District and Divisional Secretaries."Consumers in several areas have been facing difficulties in obtaining domestic gas cylinders in the past few days, with queues reported at some distribution points as households struggle to secure supplies.

300,000-cylinder LPG shortage 

Some people displaced by Cyclone Ditwah are reluctant to leave relief camps where they continue to receive Government assistance, despite ongoing efforts to relocate them to safer housing, an official from the Defence Ministry said.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Additional Secretary (Disaster Management Division) at the Ministry, Dharmathilaka Gamage said that the Government continued to provide necessary facilities to camp residents while working to provide permanent housing solutions. However, the relocation process is progressing slowly due to a shortage of staff, he said. “Sometimes, people tend to complain that they are still in the camps and that the Government has not provided solutions yet, while continuing to receive the benefits,” Gamage said. He said that regular reviews are being conducted and that the Government is continuing to provide the necessary facilities to those remaining in the camps. According to Gamage, only a small number of people remain in the camps because they cannot afford rent or find relatives with whom they can stay, while others are reluctant to leave.“The Government has only spent Rs 43 billion out of the Rs 150 billion allocated for housing construction yet. A further Rs 100 million is also to be allocated for next year (2027), while rental expenses are also being covered for those who need to rent accommodation”. Gamage said that Rs 22,948 million was being spent on constructing 8,574 houses that had been completely destroyed in Ditwah, while Rs 17,540 million was being spent on constructing 61,682 houses that had been partly damaged.For those unable to find land for relocation, interim houses would be constructed on their existing land until their permanent houses are built, he said. He added that 35 interim houses are currently being constructed in the Nuwara Eliya District. He also said that Rs 600,000 was allocated per person for those requiring interim housing assistance.Gamage concluded that the Government expected to spend at least Rs 100 billion out of the allocated budget by the end of 2026, with the aim of relocating more people to safer houses. His comments come amid concerns that another 3,162 families are displaced by adverse weather conditions intensified by Cyclone Arnab, while some people displaced by Ditwah in November 2025 continue to remain in relief camps to date.

Defence Ministry claims: Some Ditwah camp dwellers reluctant to leave

<ul><li>CPRP to complain to HRCSL on Gnanasara Thera's rights&nbsp;</li></ul> The Chief Prelates have so far not made a request to the Government seeking the release of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation’s General Secretary, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, according to the Cabinet of Ministers Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa. He made these remarks yesterday (27) in response to a question raised at the weekly Cabinet media briefing.However, he stressed that even if such a request were made by the Chief Prelates, the Government would act in accordance with the existing law and had no intention of overriding a judicial decision. He also explained that the Government had amended the Standing Orders (SOs) of the Prisons Department following a letter sent to the Prisons Commissioner General by the four Chief Prelates of the Buddhist Chapters of the Buddhist Sects. According to him, following the receipt of the letter, discussions were held with representatives of the Chief Prelates, including Anunayake Theras and senior officials pertaining to the matter. The discussions resulted in an agreement to amend the relevant Prison regulations. He said that the authorities would proceed in accordance with the amended SOs and noted that the Government had acted on the matters raised by the Chief Prelates. “The Government operates on the basis that everyone is subject to the law,” he said, reiterating that there was no intention to change a decision delivered by a court by placing the Government above the Judiciary. Dr Jayatissa emphasised that the Government would continue to act within the framework of the law regarding matters concerning Gnanasara Thera.Meanwhile, the Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) organisation plans to file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) today (28), alleging that the rights of the imprisoned Gnanasara are being violated. It says that prison authorities are preventing its representatives from meeting him in order to submit an appeal to the United Nations (UN).&nbsp;Speaking to The Daily Morning, CPRP Convenor Sudesh Nandimal Silva said that the monk has expressed his wish to submit a special appeal to the UN, but that the prison authorities and the Justice Ministry are standing in the way. “Any prisoner has the right to file an appeal if they are willing to. But the prison officials are obstructing us for days from going to the monk to get the necessary documents signed,” he said.

Pardon for Gnanasara Thera: No request to Govt from Chief Prelates

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court (MC) yesterday (27) that indictments have been filed before a Permanent Trial-at-Bar against Opposition Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and several other defendants in connection with the controversial Airbus deal. Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the CIABOC, informed the Court that the indictments comprise 24 charges against the defendants.&nbsp;Rajapaksa was brought to the Hulftsdorp Courts Complex (Aluthkade) yesterday in connection with the controversial Airbus deal. When the case was taken up on 13 October, the Court ordered that Rajapaksa be remanded until yesterday after considering the facts presented. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S Bodaragama after considering submissions made by officers of the CIABOC and the suspect’s lawyers.Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody in connection with the controversial Airbus deal, has been ordered to be produced before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (28). Chief Magistrate Bodaragama also ordered that a report on the matter be submitted to the MC on 30 October. The Chief Magistrate further directed that the suspect remain in custody until he is produced before the said Court.Meanwhile, the Colombo MC has directed the CIABOC to present its submissions today regarding the bail application filed on behalf of Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody over the controversial Krrish deal. President’s Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry, appearing on behalf of Rajapaksa, filed a motion seeking bail. The CIABOC subsequently requested additional time to present its submissions on the bail application. Rajapaksa has been further remanded until today by the Colombo MC in connection with an alleged bribery case involving the Krrish Group.&nbsp;

Namal indicted in Airbus case 

Parliament is scheduled to debate the Opposition’s revised No-Confidence Motion on 3 November.The Parliamentary agenda for the week was decided at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, held under the Chairpersonship of Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne.The Opposition is set to present its motion before Parliament.Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Secretariat is understood to share the Opposition’s position that the no-confidence motion (NCM) against the Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne was submitted in accordance with the proper procedures and established Parliamentary practices, despite the Ruling Party previously directing Parliamentary officials to remove the motion from the Order Book.Sources within Parliament told The Daily Morning that the Government had earlier taken the position that the motion cannot be debated in its original form because it refers to matters currently before courts, invoking the sub judice rule. "However, the Opposition has refused to amend the text or submit a fresh motion, insisting that the original document must be taken up for debate. They maintained that the NCM was signed and submitted according to proper procedures and established practices. The Parliamentary Secretariat is of the same view."At a subsequent Parliament Business Committee meeting, both the Government and the Opposition had agreed to obtain the Attorney General’s (AG) advice on the matter. "However, the motion has yet to be referred to the AG." sources said yesterday.When contacted by The Daily Morning, AG, President's Counsel Parinda Ranasinghe Junior said that he was unaware of the developments surrounding the motion.The Opposition maintained that seeking the AG’s advice on an NCM against a Speaker is unprecedented in the Parliament’s history and that the process should not be used to delay a debate. Speaking to The Daily Morning on 19 October, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said that the Government had not rejected the motion outright but had insisted on obtaining the AG’s advice before fixing a date for the debate.The NCM against Dr Wickramaratne was submitted to the Secretary-General of Parliament, attorney Kushani Rohanadheera on 9 October by 44 Opposition Parliamentarians representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the New Democratic Front and independent groups. The motion alleges violations of the Constitution, the Anti-Corruption Act, the Offences Against Public Property Act, the Penal Code, the Right to Information Act, the Code of Conduct for MPs and the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Anti-Speaker NCM on 3 Nov

<ul><li>Prisons Ordinance to be amended to empower Prison Tactical Force&nbsp;</li></ul>The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a set of recommendations to provide compensation and other assistance to prison officers who were killed or injured while on duty during clashes at a prison on 5 and 6 July.At its meeting held on 3 August, the Cabinet decided to appoint a committee headed by the Justice Ministry Secretary to make recommendations on compensation and assistance for the affected officers. The committee has since submitted its report, which was presented to the Cabinet by the Justice Minister. The Cabinet has approved the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the report.In addition to compensation payable under the Public Administration Circular Number 22/936, the Cabinet has approved the following special payments: for officers killed in the line of duty Rs 5 million per officer, for officers who become fully disabled Rs 5 million per officer, for officers with partial disabilities resulting in a 100 per cent loss of the earning capacity Rs 4 million per officer, and for officers who sustained temporary partial disabilities Rs 3 million per officer.The Cabinet has also approved several measures to strengthen the Prison Tactical Force, including: amending the Prisons Ordinance to introduce provisions granting the Force legal status, recruiting a sufficient number of qualified personnel to strengthen the Force, providing specialised training in the relevant fields and equipping the Force with the necessary equipment, and taking steps to establish a headquarters for the Force.&nbsp;The measures are intended to provide support to affected prison officers while strengthening the operational capacity and preparedness of the Force.

5-6 July Prison incident: Rs 3-5m compensation for each officer

<ul><li>Charitha Herath queries moral, political judgments on defeated camp</li></ul> Former Parliamentarian Prof Charitha Herath has questioned whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s message congratulating Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his Election victory appropriately reflects the diplomatic neutrality expected of a Head of State.&nbsp;While acknowledging the gesture, Herath said that President Dissanayake was entitled to his ideological preferences and political judgments as an individual and political leader. However, he said that statements made in the capacity of the President carry a broader institutional responsibility.On the President’s message, Herath said on social media that while congratulating da Silva was entirely appropriate, extending the message to include moral and political judgements about the defeated political camp raised questions about the diplomatic responsibilities of a national leader.&nbsp;President Dissanayake, in his message posted on social media, said that the Brazilian people had not merely won an Election but had defeated “the forces of corruption, division and political lies”. Describing da Silva’s victory as historic, the President said that it demonstrated that people could not be misled by “bankrupt political dynasties and the ghosts of the past who believe that might is greater than right”. He also congratulated da Silva on leading “the march of progress yet again”.&nbsp;Herath stressed that democracy required respect not only for electoral outcomes but also for the diversity of political choices made by citizens of other countries. Whether political families or dynasties should continue to exercise influence, he said, is ultimately a matter for the people of those countries to decide.&nbsp;To illustrate his point, Herath asked whether Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi’s family background should become a reason to question the democratic choice of Indian voters if they elected him Prime Minister. Further, he argued that there was an important distinction between expressing political solidarity and maintaining the diplomatic neutrality expected of a Head of State.&nbsp;“The Presidency represents the Nation as a whole, not merely a particular political tradition or ideological position,” Herath said, adding that respect for democratic pluralism and the political sovereignty of other Nations should remain essential considerations in Presidential communication.

Tourist arrivals in October top 135,000

Over 21,000 affected by adverse weather in 17 districts

Over 21,000 affected by advers ...

300,000-cylinder LPG shortage

300,000-cylinder LPG shortage

Defence Ministry claims: Some Ditwah camp dwellers reluctant to leave

Defence Ministry claims: Some ...

Pardon for Gnanasara Thera: No request to Govt from Chief Prelates

Pardon for Gnanasara Thera: No ...

Namal indicted in Airbus case

Namal indicted in Airbus case

Anti-Speaker NCM on 3 Nov

Anti-Speaker NCM on 3 Nov

5-6 July Prison incident: Rs 3-5m compensation for each officer

5-6 July Prison incident: Rs 3 ...

Diplomatic and Executive neutrality: President’s message to Brazil’s L ...

Diplomatic and Executive neutr ...

Over 21,000 affected by adverse weather in 17 districts

Over 21,000 affected by advers ...

300,000-cylinder LPG shortage

300,000-cylinder LPG shortage

Defence Ministry claims: Some Ditwah camp dwellers reluctant to leave

Defence Ministry claims: Some ...

Pardon for Gnanasara Thera: No request to Govt from Chief Prelates

Pardon for Gnanasara Thera: No ...

Namal indicted in Airbus case

Namal indicted in Airbus case

Anti-Speaker NCM on 3 Nov

Anti-Speaker NCM on 3 Nov

5-6 July Prison incident: Rs 3-5m compensation for each officer

5-6 July Prison incident: Rs 3 ...

Diplomatic and Executive neutrality: President’s message to Brazil’s L ...

Diplomatic and Executive neutr ...

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Over 21,000 affected by adverse weather in 17 districts

Over 21,000 affected by advers ...

300,000-cylinder LPG shortage

300,000-cylinder LPG shortage

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Defence Ministry claims: Some Ditwah camp dwellers reluctant to leave

Defence Ministry claims: Some ...

Pardon for Gnanasara Thera: No request to Govt from Chief Prelates

Pardon for Gnanasara Thera: No ...

Namal indicted in Airbus case

Namal indicted in Airbus case

Anti-Speaker NCM on 3 Nov

Anti-Speaker NCM on 3 Nov