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.
Sajith warns Sri Lanka could lose GSP+ over proposed anti-terror laws
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned that Sri Lanka could lose its GSP+ trade concessions from the European Union if the Government introduces what he described as repressive anti-terrorism legislation. In a special statement, Premadasa accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government of attempting to introduce tough laws to suppress public opposition and conceal its failure to fulfil election promises. He said the European Union had called for the repeal of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to strengthen human rights and democratic protections, rather than its replacement with more restrictive legislation. Premadasa warned that introducing such laws could jeopardise Sri Lanka’s access to GSP+ trade benefits, which provide preferential access to European markets for Sri Lankan exports.
Homagama Police HQI suspended over custodial death of suspect
The Headquarters Inspector of the Homagama Police Station has been suspended with effect from October 28 over alleged negligence and failure to properly supervise officers in connection with the death of a suspect in police custody. According to reports, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the suspension of Headquarters Inspector M.R.S. Prajan Senanayake following investigations that revealed serious lapses in the performance of his duties. The suspect had been arrested by Homagama Police on October 25 for allegedly possessing 490 milligrams of ICE narcotics and subsequently died while in police custody. Investigations revealed that the Headquarters Inspector had failed to properly monitor the suspect’s condition while in detention, provide necessary instructions to investigating officers, and ensure that records relating to the arrest were accurately maintained. He was also found to have failed to exercise proper supervision, allowing police officers to unlawfully detain two individuals at the police station.
Namal Rajapaksa’s Rs. 15 Mn money laundering case postponed to February
The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today (29) ordered that the case filed against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and three others over alleged money laundering involving Rs. 15 million be recalled on February 11, 2027. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order after the Financial Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that extracts of the investigation had been forwarded to the Attorney General for legal advice. The CID requested a further date to obtain instructions from the Attorney General. After considering the submissions, the Magistrate ordered the case to be recalled on February 11 and directed investigators to report the progress of the investigation on that date. The case relates to allegations that Rs. 15 million, believed to have been obtained through illicit means, was invested in N.R. Consultancy Company, constituting an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Indian national arrested with Rs. 454 Mn worth of cocaine and Ecstasy at BIA
A 46-year-old Indian national has been taken into Sri Lanka Customs custody at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with 5.12 kg of cocaine and 13.17 kg of Ecstasy drugs, valued at approximately Rs. 454 million. According to Sri Lanka Customs, the suspect, an engineer by profession, was apprehended by officers of the Customs Narcotics Control Unit (NCU) on Wednesday (28). The suspect had arrived in Sri Lanka from Paris via Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR 654 when Customs officers detained him for further inspection. During an examination of his luggage, officers discovered suspicious substances, which were subsequently identified as cocaine and Ecstasy. Customs officials seized 5,121 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of Rs. 256 million, along with 13,173 grams of Ecstasy, equivalent to approximately 23,000 tablets, valued at Rs. 198 million.The total estimated street value of the seized narcotics is Rs. 454 million. Sri Lanka Customs has commenced preliminary investigations into the incident. The suspect, along with the seized narcotics and other relevant evidence, is expected to be handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations and legal action.
Sri Lankan acquitted by Maldives court after serving one-year jail sentence
A Sri Lankan national who had already served a one-year prison sentence in the Maldives for allegedly smuggling more than two kilograms of gold has been acquitted by the Maldives High Court. According to Maldivian media, the High Court overturned the conviction on October 28, 2026, exactly one year after the Criminal Court sentenced the Sri Lankan national, identified as Mohamed Sulaimhan, to one year in prison on October 28, 2025. The case dates back to September 21, 2023, when the Sri Lankan national arrived at Velana International Airport in the Maldives on an Emirates flight via Dubai. Customs officers stopped him while he was attempting to exit through the Green Channel and discovered 2,282 grams of gold paste concealed in the pockets of his jeans and inside his underwear. He was subsequently charged with smuggling goods under Section 97(a) of the Maldives Customs Act and sentenced to one year in prison. However, the High Court unanimously ruled that the charges did not meet the legal requirements to establish the offence of smuggling.