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Top stories — November 11, 2026

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Sri Lanka begins two-Test series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on 9 November

November 8·4 sources

Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in the opening match of a two-Test series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 9 November 2026. The ICC World Test Championship fixture is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM Sri Lanka time. Pitches in Rawalpindi and the second venue in Lahore are expected to offer pace and carry. Pakistan has won only one of their last six Tests at Rawalpindi since defeating South Africa there in 2021. The tour is Sri Lanka's first Test series in Pakistan in seven years, following a 1-0 loss in 2019. Sri Lanka has not won a Test series in Pakistan in 26 years, since a 2-1 victory under captain Sanath Jayasuriya in 2000. Across 59 previous Tests between the two nations, Pakistan has won 23 matches, Sri Lanka has won 17, and 19 ended in draws.

SportsEnglishසිංහල

Search teams recover bodies of four youths who drowned in Deniyaya stream

November 8·9 sources

Search teams recovered the bodies of four youths who drowned after being swept away while bathing in a stream in Beveraliya, Deniyaya, on 7 November. The victims, aged 26 to 35 from Ragama, Dehiwala, Wanchawala, and Andiambalama, were among a group of seven on an excursion. Their bodies were sent to Deniyaya Base Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Police said stream levels rose suddenly, sweeping four away while two survived and were hospitalised. While Sunday Times reported the group was from Nugegoda, other outlets stated they worked at a Kollupitiya computer firm.

OtherEnglishසිංහලதமிழ்

Buddhist monks defy court order to continue satyagraha near Anuradhapura's Ruwanweli Seya

November 8·6 sources

Buddhist monks and laypeople led by Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero continued a satyagraha near Anuradhapura's Ruwanweli Seya on 8 November 2026, defying a court order to vacate the sacred area. Following police reports, the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court ordered protesters to remove temporary tents and leave the site. Hiru News reported a 2:00 PM deadline issued for Kassapa Thero and Uditha Nishantha. Initial tensions occurred on 7 November. The Morning, Ada Derana, and Daily Mirror attributed confrontations to protesters erecting structures, while Hiru News and Ada Derana also noted altercations, including one involving an ice cream vendor. On 8 November, police recorded statements from the monks. Kassapa Thero stated that the protest would continue until the government withdraws the gazette notification relating to the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan.

PoliticsEnglishසිංහල

Supreme Court prioritised environmental and archaeological concerns in Eppawela case

November 8·1 source

In 2000, the Supreme Court heard the Eppawela case, Bulankulama and Others versus Secretary, Ministry of Industrial Development and Others. The case arose after the government at the time proposed a long-term phosphate mining and development contract involving foreign interests. The Supreme Court prioritised environmental and archaeological concerns over contracts.

Crime & CourtsEnglish

Sri Lanka to present 2027 budget focusing on compliance and relief on November 12

November 8·1 source

Sri Lanka will present its 2027 budget in Parliament on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The budget marks a transition from crisis-era stabilisation to economic transformation, featuring large-scale development outlays and targeted multi-class welfare. Rather than raising tax rates, the revenue strategy will focus strictly on compliance, digitisation, and broadening the tax base.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Inflation reaches 8.3% ahead of Budget 2027 presentation on November 12

November 8·1 source

Budget 2027 is scheduled to be presented to Parliament on November 12 amid rising cost of living pressures. Consumer price inflation has risen to 8.3% within a few months. A fuel price hike on November 1 further pushed up living costs, accompanied by shortages and increased prices for food, transport, and medicine.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Heavy rains of 129 mm flood Colombo and overwhelm city drainage systems

November 8·3 sources

Torrential downpours brought up to 129 millimetres of rainfall within two hours on Friday evening, triggering flash floods across Colombo and its suburbs. Floodwaters submerged scores of vehicles on Norris Canal Road in Hospital Square. City traffic was further compounded by a signal system breakdown at Colombo Fort. Colombo Mayor Viraj Kelly Balthazar stated that the city's drainage systems are generally designed to withstand only 30 to 50 millimetres of rain, though improved systems in a few areas can take up to 100 millimetres. The Colombo Municipal Council, police, tri-forces, and Divisional Secretariat officials are cleaning canals, removing floodwaters, and distributing relief. Mayor Balthazar announced that short-, medium-, and long-term plans will be implemented to prevent future disasters.

Environment & WeatherEnglishதமிழ்

President Dissanayake says PST and POC bills will only pass after review

November 8·1 source

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on 7 November 2026 that the government has no plans to pass the Protection of the State from Terrorism (PST) and Prevention of Organised Crime (POC) bills immediately. He stated the legislation will be passed only after undertaking a comprehensive review. Amid growing protests, the justice minister has been instructed to hold talks with stakeholders.

PoliticsEnglish

Government remains undecided on decoupling from IMF ahead of Budget 2027

November 8·1 source

The government remains undecided on decoupling from the International Monetary Fund ahead of Budget 2027, with economic difficulties making continued ties indispensable. An economist noted that Ghana offers a model, with three options remaining if engagement continues. Separately, the President reaffirmed his commitment to ending the drug menace, stating people either support or oppose the trade. Meanwhile, a magistrate who ordered contempt proceedings against the police chief was transferred.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Government plans to widen tax net and pursue defaulters instead of new taxes

November 8·1 source

Instead of introducing new taxes next year, the government plans to widen the tax net, a senior official said. The official said the government will step up efforts to pursue tax defaulters and bring new taxpayers into the tax net next year.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Sri Lanka’s foreign inflows recover sharply amid IMF programme and debt restructuring

November 8·1 source

Sri Lanka’s foreign funding mobilisation and overall external sector shifted from crisis-driven emergency support to a structural, growth-focused engagement model. Foreign inflows recorded a sharp recovery compared to the previous year, driven by continuous progress under the IMF Extended Fund Facility programme and external debt restructuring milestones.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Colombo High Court rejects request to release Ravi Karunanayake and Arjun Aloysius

November 8·1 source

The Colombo High Court has rejected a request to release former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd owner Arjun Aloysius without calling defence evidence. The order was made in an alleged corruption case filed against them over the offer and acceptance of a luxury apartment at the Monarch apartment complex.

Crime & CourtsEnglish

Cabinet committee recommends terminating US$3.7 billion Hambantota Sinopec refinery agreement

November 8·1 source

A Cabinet-appointed negotiating committee has recommended terminating the current agreement for the US$3.7 billion Sinopec oil refinery project in Hambantota. The committee, chaired by Chief of Staff to the President B. K. Prabhath Chandrakeerthi, cited energy sovereignty and advised inviting fresh investment proposals.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Apparel industry confident EU trade concessions will remain following president's assurance

November 8·1 source

Sri Lanka's apparel industry is confident that trade concessions to the European Union will continue, following assurances from President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. Joint Apparel Association Forum Chairman Felix Fernando said the industry raised concerns ahead of the planned passage of laws against a crucial organised crime bill later in November 2026.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Opposition MPs disrupt Parliament over stalled no-confidence motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne

November 8·1 source

Parliamentary proceedings descended into chaos as opposition MPs angrily protested the refusal to take up a no-confidence motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne for debate. The dispute had been simmering for several weeks after a group of Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentarians initiated the motion.

PoliticsEnglish

RCSS study urges diversification after 2026 West Asia war exposes regional dependence

November 8·1 source

A policy study by RCSS researcher Thedini Herath found that the 2026 West Asia war dramatically exposed South Asian states’ heavy dependence on a single region. The study noted that the war struck all five pillars of dependence simultaneously, with soaring oil prices increasing fuel import bills and straining foreign reserves. The RCSS called for diversification to build resilience.

Foreign AffairsEnglish

Democrats win House and Senate in US midterm elections

November 8·1 source

The Democratic Party won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States midterm elections. The sweep over the ruling Republican Party drastically shifted the balance of power against President Donald Trump.

Foreign AffairsEnglish

Parliamentary panel suggests revisiting 2021 domestic gas explosions

November 8·1 source

A parliamentary panel has suggested revisiting hundreds of domestic cooking gas-related explosions from 2021 that claimed several lives. The recommendation followed Litro Gas Lanka maintaining that its gas composition was not altered, contrary to an inquiry finding made public in April that the mix had been changed.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Report reveals fiscal strain and disparities affecting nearly 700,000 public sector pensioners

November 8·1 source

An official report has revealed that Sri Lanka’s public service pension system is facing intense fiscal strain, leading to systemic delays and implementation failures. The situation has created severe payment disparities between older and newer retirees among approximately 695,726 to 700,000 public sector pensioners. Additionally, authorities failed to implement a Department of Pensions directive regarding government servants who retired with 10 years of service.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Digital ID will streamline KYC compliance and lower costs, presidential adviser says

November 8·1 source

Sri Lanka's upcoming Digital ID is expected to improve Know Your Customer processes across the financial sector, according to Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, the Chief Adviser to the President on Digital Economy. Wijayasuriya stated that the system is anticipated to reduce KYC compliance costs while increasing the accuracy and reliability of customer verifications.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Deputy Finance Minister says EU-India trade pact will impact Sri Lanka

November 8·1 source

Sri Lanka will be affected by the recently concluded European Union-India Free Trade Agreement, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando told parliament. According to Joint Apparel Association Forum Secretary General Yohan Lawrence, Sri Lanka will lose the ability to cumulate with India two years after the pact.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Rienzie Arseculeratne declares candidacy for BASL presidency for 2027/28 term

November 8·3 sources

President's Counsel Rienzie Arseculeratne, the current Deputy President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, has declared his candidacy for the association's presidency for the 2027/28 term following requests from senior and junior members. The term of incumbent president Rajeev Amarasuriya, who was re-elected uncontested for the 2026/27 term, will conclude in 2027. Supporters highlighted Arseculeratne's nearly three decades in the Attorney General's Department, where he became Additional Solicitor General, and over two decades at the unofficial Bar, stating his experience equips him to lead an independent Bar. Arseculeratne was appointed President's Counsel in 1998, previously directed the Bribery Commission, and served as Chairman of Hatton National Bank PLC from 2015 to 2018 before assuming the BASL deputy presidency in 2025.

Crime & CourtsEnglishසිංහල

Over 40 families evacuated in Koslanda and Hali Ela following heavy rains

November 8·1 source

More than 40 families from the Diyaluma Estate in Koslanda and Uduwara in Hali Ela were evacuated on 7 November 2026 due to landslide risks caused by heavy rains. The evacuations followed an incident in Madulsima where a woman was killed after soil collapsed onto a house. Another woman was also injured in a soil collapse.

Environment & WeatherEnglish

Proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill threatens journalism in Sri Lanka

November 8·1 source

Select clauses of the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill will cripple professional journalism and stifle investigative reporting in Sri Lanka, according to an analysis. The legislation is expected to undermine the role of journalists from court reporting to protecting sources, while also placing reporters under police surveillance.

Crime & CourtsEnglish

Cabraal tells court Greek bond investment was based on Central Bank report

November 8·1 source

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal told the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar that the decision to invest in Greek bonds was based on a nine-point report. Giving evidence, Cabraal stated that the report had been submitted by the Central Bank's then Director of International Operations.

Crime & CourtsEnglish

Sri Lanka faces repeated economic crises amid contrasts with Vietnam's transformation

November 8·1 source

Sri Lanka has repeatedly experienced economic crises driven by foreign-exchange shortages, debt distress, inflation and balance-of-payments pressures. Although the economy periodically stabilises, resumes growth and sees optimism resurface, questions persist over whether the country is fundamentally transforming or merely returning to prior conditions, contrasting with Vietnam.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Fitch Ratings upgrades Bank of Ceylon to 'AA+(lka)' with a stable outlook

November 8·1 source

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Bank of Ceylon’s National Long-Term Rating by two notches, from ‘AA-(lka)’ to ‘AA+(lka)’, with a stable outlook. The agency recognized the financial resilience and strong market presence of the bank, which is Sri Lanka’s largest banking institution.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Republican Party defeat raises hopes of ending global economic crisis

November 8·1 source

The defeat of the Republican Party has generated hopes and expectations among financial institutions and people globally that the global economic crisis may end. In Sri Lanka, people also share this expectation, as high fuel import prices and related threats have adversely affected the country's economy.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Bank of Ceylon’s Tier 2 debenture issue oversubscribed 3.8 times on opening day

November 8·1 source

Bank of Ceylon closed its Basel III compliant Tier 2 debenture issue after it was oversubscribed 3.8 times over its initial Rs. 10 billion issue on opening day, 3 November 2026. The state-owned bank issued 100 million listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable debentures.

Economy & BusinessEnglish

Article outlines proposal for Sri Lanka to break cycle of IMF dependence

November 8·1 source

An October 25 article examined ways for Sri Lanka to break its cycle of dependence on the International Monetary Fund by emulating India and Thailand. The proposal suggested pairing short-term stabilisation with structural reforms, attracting private capital, expanding exports, and growing out of the need for further assistance.

Economy & BusinessEnglish