Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day. From major developments to breaking news, we bring you everything that happened today, all in one quick and easy read.
Suresh Salley case takes new turn as court summons 10 doctors
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has issued notices on 10 doctors who served on the medical panel examining former State Intelligence Service Director, retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley, ordering them to appear before court on October 6. Colombo Magistrate Pasan Amarasena issued the notices after considering submissions made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) through a motion.
Rs. 2.04 trillion : Sri Lanka reaches 85% of 2026 tax target by September
Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department has collected Rs. 2,040 billion in tax revenue by September 30, achieving 85% of its annual target for 2026. The collection represents a 24% year-on-year increase, with revenue rising by Rs. 398 billion compared with the Rs. 1,642 billion collected during the first nine months of 2025.The figures indicate that the department has collected more than Rs. 2 trillion in taxes within the first three quarters of 2026. Based on the 85% achievement reported by the department, its full-year revenue target is approximately Rs. 2.4 trillion.
Religious Leaders submit memoranda to President seeking release of Anojan Sivarasa
The Mahanayaka Theros of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Amarapura Maha Nikaya have submitted a memorandum to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seeking the necessary State intervention to secure the release of Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the memorandum was issued jointly by Most Venerable Makulwe Wimalabuddhi Thero, Mahanayaka Thero of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithreemurthi Thero, Supreme Mahanayaka Thero of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya. The memorandum was handed over to Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage at the Presidential Secretariat on September 30 by Venerable Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, Chief Sanghanayake of Southern Lanka. Meanwhile, a separate memorandum appealing for intervention in the matter was also submitted on behalf of the Hindu community by Dr. Sivasri K. V. K. Vaithiswara Kurukkal, President of the Hindu Priests’ Association and the All Ceylon Hindu Cultural Council.
Govt to save Rs. 5.7 billion through price regulation of 13 medicines – NMRA
The government is expected to save approximately Rs. 5.7 billion through the price regulation of 13 types of medicines ordered for import into Sri Lanka in 2027, according to National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Chairman, Consultant Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama.Speaking at a media briefing held at the NMRA on Thursday (01), Dr. Wijewickrama stated that the estimated savings were achieved through the coordinated efforts of the NMRA, the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), under the national medicine price regulation policy.
75 Sri Lankan Army personnel participate in counter-terrorism exercise in Russia
A 75-member Sri Lanka Army contingent has successfully participated in a joint counter-terrorism military exercise with the Russian Armed Forces in Vladivostok, Russia. According to the Sri Lanka Army, the contingent, comprising 20 officers and 55 other ranks, participated in Exercise “Wolverine Path II – 2026”, conducted from September 18 to 25. The exercise primarily focused on counter-terrorism operations, providing participating troops with practical training in a combined operational environment. Training activities included heli-rappelling, close-quarters battle operations, ambush operations, sniper firing, drone operations, buggy training and combat medical support.