The Department of Meteorology says that the Depression that was located over the Northwest Bay of Bengal has now intensified into a Deep Depression and is currently located around 1,000 km northeast of Sri Lanka, as of 05.30 am today (23). 

This system is very likely to move further west-northwestwards and cross the coastal areas of northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, India.

Under the influence of this system, heavy thundershowers are expected over the sea areas of the Bay of Bengal, with winds occasionally increasing up to 70 kmph, and the sea conditions in these areas will become very rough.

Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the sea areas in between 7°N and 22°N latitude and 83°E and 95°E longitude until further notice. Naval and fishing communities operating in those sea areas are advised to move away from the affected sea areas.

Naval and fishing communities engaging in activities in these sea areas are advised to be vigilant and be attentive to the future forecasts issued by the Met Department in this regard.

As such, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Hambanthota via Puttalam, Colombo and Galle today. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other sea areas during the evening or night.

Winds will be South-westerly. Wind speed will be 30-40 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50-60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Chilaw via Kankasanthurai and Mannar, and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the other sea areas around the island

The sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Chilaw via Kankasanthurai and Mannar, and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be fairly rough at times

The wave height may increase about 2.0 – 2.5 meters in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Matara.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers. (Newswire)

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Amid New Delhi’s deepening ties with the European Union, India and the four Visegrad Group (V4) countries — Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic — have agreed to deepen cooperation in political, economic, technological, and defence and people-to-people ties, according to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. The group has also backed India’s call for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The move followed Jaishankar’s first meeting with the leaders of the V4 group on the margins of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.  

What Jaishankar Said

“It was, in a sense, a new historic occasion,” Jaishankar said in remarks after the meeting, where he was joined by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radek Sikorski, Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban, Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar, and Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.

“It was a very, very productive meeting. What we agreed was that since India’s relationship with the European Union itself is deepening, with the V4 we would take some special initiatives to create an annual business forum,” he said, adding that there was “consensus” that the foreign ministers of the five nations in the group would meet annually.

Jaishankar said the group, along with India, would also work together in the fields of technology and innovation, space, connectivity, and people-to-people mobility. He stressed that India has “very good” relations with the V4 countries.

“We have a very strong history with all the V4 countries in defence. We want to refresh and take forward that record and that cooperation,” he said.

According to the minister, the meeting was “very worthwhile” and “very productive”, with discussions focusing on cooperation as well as major global crises, including the Ukraine conflict and developments in the Gulf.

“It was really a very, very worthwhile, very productive meeting. I’m very pleased about it,” he said in remarks to reporters after the meeting.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said the first meeting in the V4+India format agreed to closer political cooperation, including annual meetings of foreign ministers, and deeper economic cooperation, including the Annual Business Forum.

The countries also agreed to strengthen technology, innovation, research and education partnerships; reinvigorate defence cooperation; further develop cultural cooperation and people-to-people relations and work together to support multilateralism, he said.

“These are countries with a very strong, very distinctive capability. These are industrial economies, economies with great innovation and technology talent, and I think how the V4 come together is for them to decide. But we certainly welcome the opportunity to work with the V4 together,” he told reporters.

V4 Support to India’s UNSC Push

Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, who convened the meeting, called India an “upcoming superpower” and said on behalf of the group that they supported India getting a permanent seat at the UN.

“We all agree, the four countries, that India, as a part of the Global South, an upcoming superpower in the Indo-Pacific region, must be at the table as a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” Blanar told reporters.

The backing came amid New Delhi’s repeated call for a permanent seat in the UNSC while also bidding for its expansion to make the body more representative of today’s world, with greater participation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 

UNSC was established in 1945, in the aftermath of World War II. Since then, its permanent membership has remained unchanged, with China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States holding the five permanent seats, each with veto power.

About V4

The group of four Central European countries is a cultural and political alliance that aims to advance co-operation in military, economic, cultural, and energy affairs. It is named for the Hungarian city of Visegrad, where the leaders of the countries first met in 1991, emerging from the shackles of the Soviet Union that collapsed. (NDTV)

‘We all agree as V4 countries that India as a part of the Global South, upcoming superpower in the Indo-Pacific region, must be at the table as the permanent member of the UN Security Council’

– Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár of Slovakia after the first V4 + India FMM #UNGA81… pic.twitter.com/QwFsjlXWYC

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 21, 2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has questioned the government over delays in providing employment opportunities promised to unemployed graduates, calling for a clear timeline for filling available public sector vacancies.

Raising the issue in Parliament under Standing Order 27(2), Premadasa asked the government to disclose the number of unemployed graduates in Sri Lanka and the progress made under its programmes to provide them with employment. Parliament’s official record confirms Premadasa raised a 27(2) question on a mechanism to provide jobs to unemployed graduates. 

Premadasa said the government had made commitments to graduates during the election period but claimed many were still waiting for employment two years later.

He called for details on vacancies available for direct graduate recruitment across ministries, departments and provincial councils, and asked whether these positions would be filled before the end of 2026.

The Opposition Leader also sought clarification on plans to recruit development officers and absorb graduate development officers into the teaching service.

Premadasa said addressing graduate unemployment should not be limited to public sector recruitment and called for a programme to create opportunities for graduates in the private sector.

With the next Budget due in the coming weeks, he argued that the government should already have the necessary data and plans to address graduate unemployment. (Newswire)

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The Department of Meteorology says the Depression over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, to the northeast of Sri Lanka, has intensified into a Deep Depression. 

Although this system will not have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, the prevailing rainy conditions in the southwestern part of the island are expected to continue due to the wind flow towards the system.

The Department has issued an advisory for heavy rains in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, effective until 07.00 am tomorrow (24). 

As such, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in the Galle and Matara Districts today (23), with heavy falls above 100 mm likely at some places.

Several spells of showers may occur in North-central province and Mannar district.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the Central hills, the North-central and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matale Districts.

The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. (Newswire)

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Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has criticised Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for failing to ensure that players returned from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in time to prepare together for the England tour.

Ranatunga questioned why several players joined the national team late despite the team travelling to England approximately 10 days early for preparations. He argued that national commitments should take priority when scheduling franchise cricket participation.

When Sri Lanka departed for England, only one group of players travelled from Sri Lanka, while others joined separately, some after the first practice game. A significant number of coaching staff members, including head coach Gary Kirsten, were also not part of the group that departed from Sri Lanka.

Ranatunga also blamed administrative failures for Sri Lanka’s declining performances, urging the public not to hold the players solely responsible.

He further alleged that previous cricket administrations had influenced sections of the media through overseas tours and financial payments.

The 1996 World Cup-winning captain maintained that Sri Lanka still possessed talented cricketers but needed better administration, leadership and preparation. (Newswire)

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The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has arrested a suspect in Kotikawatte for allegedly transferring foreign currency worth Rs. 24.8 billion to overseas bank accounts without importing any goods, police said.

According to police, the suspect allegedly used six shell companies to carry out the transactions through telegraphic transfers (TT) between December 2024 and November 2025.

The transfers were reportedly made under the pretext of importing goods, although no goods were imported into the country.

The suspect was arrested in Kotikawatte as part of an investigation into the alleged financial transactions.

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15 defendants in the Easter Sunday attacks case sentenced to over 200 years of rigorous imprisonment each:

1. Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Naufar alias Naufar Mawlavi

2. Mohamed Saribu Adham Lebbe alias Gafoor Mama

3. Hayathu Mohamed Ahmed Milhan

4. Mohamed Ibrahim Sadiq Abdullah

5. Mohamed Ibrahim Hafiz Abdul Haq

6. Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Rizkan

7. Mohamed Mansoor Mohamed Sanasdeen

8. Abdul Manaf Mohamed Firdous

9. Mohamed Rameez Mohamed Saajith

10. Abdul Latheef Mohamed Safi

11. Husainul Rizvi Khalid Sameer

12. Mohamed Hanifa Zainul Abdeen

13. Mohamed Mustafa Mohamed Haris

14. Razik Raza Hussain

15. Kachchi Mohamed Mohamed Jemsith

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The 15 people convicted in the Easter Sunday attacks case have been sentenced to terms of rigorous imprisonment ranging from 200 to 260 years.

The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar sentenced five of the convicts to 200 years of rigorous imprisonment each, five to 220 years each, four to 240 years each and one to 260 years.

The court also ordered the confiscation of the movable and immovable assets of all 15 convicts with effect from the commencement of their respective sentences. (Newswire)

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The Leicester Lankans Premier League (LLPL) is emerging as a growing grassroots platform for Sri Lankan cricket and community engagement in Britain, expanding from four teams at its launch in 2022 to seven teams.

The Leicester-based competition has developed beyond T20 cricket, bringing together players, families, children, sponsors and community representatives through cricket and related activities.

The league has also increased its engagement with Leicester’s wider sporting and civic community as it continues to expand.

Organisers say the LLPL aims to connect different generations of Sri Lankans living in Britain. For older Sri Lankans, cricket provides a connection to their homeland and its school and club traditions, while younger generations have an opportunity to engage with Sri Lankan culture and build new community connections.

The LLPL combines competitive cricket with family and community activities, making its events broader social gatherings rather than solely sporting competitions.

Its growth comes alongside Britain’s long-established Sri Lankan cricket traditions, including the Festival of Cricket, which has brought together Sri Lankan communities, school alumni associations and cricket clubs since the late 1980s.

The expansion of the LLPL highlights the continuing role of cricket in strengthening community ties, maintaining cultural connections and creating opportunities for younger Sri Lankans in Britain. (Newswire)

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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued freezing orders against six companies and their directors, preventing them from disposing of, transferring or otherwise dealing with their properties and other assets.

In a statement issued on September 22, CBSL said the orders were made under Section 44 of the Finance Business Act No. 42 of 2011 and had subsequently been confirmed and extended by the Colombo High Court.

The freezing orders currently cover Kasagala Green Plantation (Private) Limited, Ceylon Green Life Plantation (Private) Limited, Singhe Capital Investment Limited, Pro Shop Advertising Holdings (Private) Limited, Athens International Education Centre (Private) Limited and Eyon Lanka Investment & Film Production International Company (Private) Limited.

CBSL said investigations into Kasagala Green Plantation and Ceylon Green Life Plantation are currently being conducted under Section 42 of the Finance Business Act.

The Central Bank said it has already determined that the other four companies had carried on finance business and/or accepted deposits in contravention of Section 2 of the Act.

CBSL warned the public to deposit money only with legally authorised institutions, noting that only institutions licensed under the Banking Act or Finance Business Act, or specifically exempted from those laws, are permitted to accept deposits from the public.

The regulator said investigations are also underway into several other institutions and individuals following complaints over possible unauthorised finance businesses and deposit-taking.

CBSL previously confirmed that it was investigating Kasagala Green Plantation to determine whether it had conducted finance business or accepted public deposits in violation of the Finance Business Act.  (Newswire)

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The health condition of retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital after being arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, was brought before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today (22).

The court was informed that Sallay had developed swelling of the heart and that a medical device had been fitted to help manage the condition.

The information was contained in a medical report prepared by a nine-member medical panel, which was presented in connection with the case against Sallay and two other suspects over the Easter Sunday attacks.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the prosecution, told court that Sallay had been hospitalised for more than 100 days since June 7.

“According to the medical report, the suspect’s heart has become enlarged, and a device has been fitted to control the condition,” Peiris said.

He also told court that Rs. 4 million in public funds had been spent on the device.

During his submissions, Peiris referred to Sallay as “the perpetrator of the Easter attacks”, prompting the Magistrate to immediately intervene.

“He is not a perpetrator yet. He is only a suspect,” the Magistrate said.

Peiris subsequently apologised to court and continued his submissions.

He said the medical report stated that Sallay was currently stable in terms of his cardiac and mental condition and could be discharged once his dental condition was resolved.

“He is now in a general ward. A medical board is scheduled to meet on the 28th to decide whether he should remain in hospital,” Peiris said.

He added that the prosecution was prepared to take full responsibility for Sallay if he was discharged from hospital and handed over to investigators.

“We do not want to subject this suspect to torture. We want him to be punished through the law,” Peiris said.

The prosecution also told court that Sallay had not yet provided passwords for his laptop and mobile phones, despite a court order, and had claimed that he could not remember them.

Appearing for Sallay, President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando said he had not yet had an opportunity to study the medical report.

On the issue of passwords, Fernando said military intelligence officers follow a procedure of changing their passwords every one or two days to reduce the risk of passwords falling into the hands of others.

He said such officers do not retain passwords for long periods and that Sallay had responded to questions regarding the passwords, but no statement had yet been recorded.

Responding, Peiris said investigators had recorded statements from Sallay on several occasions, both inside and outside the hospital, and that he had consistently said he could not remember the passwords.

He also said the laptop was found in the vehicle at the time of Sallay’s arrest and that Sallay had claimed it belonged to his daughter.

Peiris further told court that several public representatives had made statements about the Easter attacks in and outside Parliament and that he had instructed the Criminal Investigation Department in writing to record statements from them as part of efforts to expedite the investigation.

Fernando subsequently criticised the move, saying investigators were now attempting to rely on statements made by politicians after failing to make progress through their investigations.

Following consideration of the submissions, the Fort Magistrate ordered that a report on the progress of the investigation be submitted to court on October 21.

The case was adjourned until 2 p.m. on October 21. (Newswire)

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The government is looking to bring a newly constructed group of oil storage tanks at the Kolonnawa Oil Storage Complex into operation within one year, Minister of Ports, Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka said.

The Minister made the remarks yesterday (21) during an inspection visit to the Kolonnawa terminal of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), where he reviewed the progress of the ongoing tank construction project.

Construction of six new oil storage tanks at the Kolonnawa complex commenced on September 17, 2025, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Officials told the Minister during a progress review that construction is currently 40–45% complete and that the project is expected to be ready for operations by September 2027.

The project, which aims to increase Sri Lanka’s fuel storage capacity and strengthen energy security, has a total estimated cost of Rs. 3.7 billion.

It will add six new tanks to the complex, comprising three tanks with a capacity of 15,000 cubic metres each, two tanks with a capacity of 7,000 cubic metres each and one tank with a capacity of 5,000 cubic metres. The project will therefore provide an additional storage capacity of 64,000 cubic metres.

The project also includes improvements to supporting infrastructure, including the oil recovery system, development of new filling facility zones, and the construction and rehabilitation of oil pipelines using modern technologies.

New facilities for employees and officials are also planned, including a building with modern facilities for officers in charge and an engineering office building. (Newswire)

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Rathnayake said discussions were under way with the Ministry of Energy on meeting the project’s energy requirements, given the large amount of power that would be needed.

He said the electric railway project was among the major projects currently being considered that could utilise significant amounts of energy generated in the country.

The minister also said Sri Lanka would need to develop industries and other projects capable of utilising increased power generation, while surplus energy could otherwise have to be exported.

He said the Government was looking at renewable energy options to support large-scale projects such as the proposed electric railway. (Newswire)

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He said the requirement does not apply to young children and passengers who are below 4 and a half feet height.

Passengers who have been medically advised not to wear a seat belt are also exempt from the requirement, Senadheera said.

He said police officers would take such circumstances into consideration and provide the relevant exemptions.

However, Senadheera urged drivers to ensure that children and passengers who cannot wear seat belts for medical reasons are transported safely, particularly when travelling on expressways. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has expressed his condolences to the Royal Family of Dubai and the people of Dubai following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

In a message posted on X, Herath said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the passing of Sheikh Ahmed and extended his “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies” to the Royal Family and people of Dubai.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the younger brother of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, died on September 21 at the age of 76. 

Dubai has declared 10 days of official mourning following his death, with flags to be flown at half-mast across the emirate. Sheikh Ahmed served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and was also the long-serving president of Al Wasl Sports Club.  (Newswire)

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A total of 133 Sri Lankan workers selected for construction-sector jobs in Israel are scheduled to leave the country tomorrow (September 23), according to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).

An awareness programme for workers selected for employment in Israel’s construction and infrastructure sectors, along with the distribution of air tickets, was held at the SLBFE auditorium on September 14, 2026, under the patronage of SLBFE Chairman Koshal Wickramasinghe.

Air tickets were distributed to 133 workers selected for construction-sector jobs and 17 workers selected for infrastructure-sector employment. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court’s Permanent Trial-at-Bar is delivering its verdict in the case filed against 24 accused over the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The accused were charged with more than 23,270 offences, including conspiracy and aiding and abetting the attacks.

Of the 24 accused, 15 have been found guilty, while the remaining nine have been ordered to be acquitted and released.

Naufer Maulavi, identified by investigators as a key associate of Easter Sunday attacks leader Zahran Hashim, was among those convicted.

The court has adjourned briefly and will resume shortly to deliver the sentences. (Newswire)

More to follow

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 15-member men’s cricket team for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, with Sahan Arachchige appointed captain.

The team includes experienced players Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando, alongside several emerging cricketers.

Dickwella has been named the wicketkeeper, while the team also features Lasith Croospulle, Sineth Jayawardena, Nuwanidu Fernando and Ashen Bandara.

The spin-bowling options include Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushan Hemantha and Tharindu Ratnayake.

According to SLC, the team is scheduled to leave for Japan on Sept. 24.

### Sri Lanka team

* Lasith Croospulle

* Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper)

* Sineth Jayawardena

* Nuwanidu Fernando

* Sahan Arachchige (captain)

* Sohan de Livera

* Ashen Bandara

* Chamika Karunaratne

* Tharindu Ratnayake

* Wanuja Sahan

* Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

* Dushan Hemantha

* Nuwan Thushara

* Binura Fernando

* Garuka Sanketh

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