A hotel in Dambulla has been fined Rs. 500,000 after pleading guilty to selling a bottle of drinking water marked at Rs. 100 for Rs. 300, according to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

The case was filed against Sigiriya Kingdom Resort (Pvt) Ltd, located on Rathmalgaha Ela Road, Vihara Junction, Dambulla, following an inspection carried out by investigation officers attached to the CAA’s Matale District Office.

The inspection was conducted around January 2, 2025, after authorities detected the sale of bottled drinking water at a price higher than the marked price.

According to the CAA, the establishment had sold a bottled drinking water product carrying a marked price of Rs. 100 for Rs. 300.

When the case was taken up before court yesterday (23), the defendant company pleaded guilty to the charge. The Magistrate’s Court subsequently imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000.

The CAA, however, clarified that the Rs. 100 price involved in the case is not the current Maximum Retail Price (MRP) applicable to bottled drinking water.

Under Order No. 96, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2492/29 dated June 10, 2026, the current MRP for locally packaged bottled drinking water varies according to bottle size.

The maximum prices are Rs. 80 for 500ml–999ml, Rs. 120 for 1L–1.499L, Rs. 150 for 1.5L–1.999L, Rs. 180 for 2L–2.499L and Rs. 400 for 5L–6.999L.

Accordingly, the current maximum retail price of a 1L–1.499L bottle of drinking water is Rs. 120.

The CAA advised consumers purchasing bottled water from hotels, resorts, restaurants and retail outlets to check the applicable MRP based on the bottle size and obtain a bill or receipt for their purchase.

Hotels, resorts, restaurants and retailers were also reminded that products subject to a prescribed maximum retail price must not be sold above the applicable MRP.

The public can report overcharging and other market irregularities to the Consumer Affairs Authority through its 1977 hotline. (Newswire)

The post Dambulla hotel fined Rs. 500,000 for selling water bottle for Rs. 300 appeared first on Newswire.

A crocodile has been spotted inside a prominent hotel in Battaramulla, with video footage widely circulated on social media.

The footage shows the crocodile inside a banquet hall at the hotel adjacent to a lake.

Hotel staff are seen guiding the animal through a door leading to the garden and lake. (Newswire)

When the hotel says, “Walk-ins welcome”

Crocodile spotted inside a hotel in Battaramulla! pic.twitter.com/Kz5yhxloOp

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) August 14, 2026

The post Crocodile spotted inside prominent Battaramulla hotel (Video) appeared first on Newswire.

A luxury hotel reportedly owned by former Minister Johnston Fernando at Slave Island was searched by the Panadura Walana Anti‑Corruption Strike Force, but police confirmed that no suspicious items were discovered, it was reported.

The operation was carried out under a warrant issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following information alleging that firearms were hidden inside the premises.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Rohan Olugala and Officer‑in‑Charge Chief Inspector Indika Weerasinghe led the raid, supported by 55 officers including female personnel from the Panadura Walana Central Anti‑Corruption Strike Force.

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the search lasted nearly four hours across the four‑storey hotel, but police said no firearms or other suspicious material were recovered. A statement was subsequently recorded from the hotel’s manager. (Newswire)

The post Colombo hotel linked to Johnston Fernando raided over firearm allegations appeared first on Newswire.

At least 21 people have died in a fire at a hotel in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar this morning. 

According to the police, they received the news of the fire incident at Flourish Stay B&B at 8:48 am and immediately launched rescue, evacuation and relief operations. 

The fire has been extinguished with the assistance of eight fire engines. 

More than 40 persons have been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. 

Out of the 21 killed in the hotel fire, 17 were foreign nationals from countries like Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique and Bangladesh.  

Rescue and search operations are still underway.

Lovkesh Bajaj, the owner of the hotel, is on the run, sources said.

According to sources, Lovkesh and his partners owned three hotels within a 100-metre radius. All the hotels lacked the necessary licenses and documents.  (NDTV)

The post 21 persons, including foreigners, killed in New Delhi hotel fire appeared first on Newswire.

A tourist’s simple request for a glass of tap water at a hotel restaurant in the Italian Dolomites has culminated in Italy’s top court ruling that being served water from the tap is not a consumer right, after a lengthy and costly legal saga.

The case dates back to 2019 when the woman spent a week at the five-star hotel in the ski resort of Corvara, in Badia, over Christmas and New Year. She was on a half-board deal with the evening meal included, except for drinks.

According to Italian press reports, the woman repeatedly asked for tap water with her meal, even offering to pay for it. This was refused, and instead she arrived at dinner each night to find a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water, costing €7, on the table.

During her stay, the tourist complained about “constantly being denied the opportunity to consume tap water, and instead being forced to purchase bottled water”, Corriere Alto Adige reported, citing court papers.

The woman then pursued legal action, arguing water was “a natural resource and a universal human right” and that “the free provision of a minimum vital quantity is necessary to meet essential needs and must be guaranteed”, Corriere wrote.

The woman considered tap water to be an integral part of the service at a restaurant or hotel, “much like finding a bed with sheets, a warm room and soap in the bathroom”

She sought €2,700 in compensation for the “economic damage and emotional distress” suffered.

The first and second-instance courts dismissed her case, and the woman then appealed to the Supreme Court of Cassation. That court confirmed there was no law in Italy obliging restaurant managers or hoteliers to serve customers tap water, and dismissed the case, too.

Asking for free tap water at a restaurant in Italy is generally considered a breach of etiquette, especially if the server has already offered the choice of a bottle of natural or sparkling water. But customers are becoming bolder, with many seeking to avoid using plastic, and more restaurants now offer filtered water. (The Guardian)

The post Italy’s top court rules against tourist refused tap water in Dolomites hotel appeared first on Newswire.

Wildlife officers have arrested two hotel managers in the Kegalle district after deer mounts were found displayed at their establishments.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, on April 25, officials from the Bulathkohupitiya Wildlife Office raided a hotel in the area following information that deer skulls with antlers were being exhibited. The manager was taken into custody along with two mounts.

The Department further said a second raid was carried out at a hotel in Alapalawala, Debathgama, where another mount was seized and the manager arrested.

Authorities confirmed the suspects will be produced before the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court and the Mawanella Magistrate’s Court, respectively, on May 5.

The Department noted that possession, transport, display, or sale of parts of protected animals is a punishable offence under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. (Newswire)

The post Two hotel managers arrested in Kegalle over illegal Deer mounts appeared first on Newswire.

Wildlife officers from the Panama Range Office conducted a raid in the Radella area yesterday (16), during which the owner of a tourist hotel was arrested for keeping an owl, 10 pairs of deer antlers, and 10 tusks inside a cage at the premises.

Investigations are also underway regarding two eagles and a rusty‑spotted cat cub suspected to be kept within the hotel premises. The suspect and the seized items are scheduled to be produced before the Pottuvil Magistrate’s Court today (17).

The Department of Wildlife Conservation said the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance strictly prohibits the possession, transport, or exhibition of such protected wildlife. 

The department added that wildlife officers continue to carry out raids to ensure these animals enjoy their right to live freely in their natural environment. (Newswire)

The post Hotel owner arrested after Owl, tusks and antlers seized in wildlife raid appeared first on Newswire.

A security manager at a prominent hotel in Colombo has been arrested for allegedly assaulting trainee hotel students, it was reported. 

The security manager was arrested yesterday after a complaint was filed at the Colombo Fort Police Station.

The arrest comes after video footage on social media showed the man slapping two trainees inside a room and addressing a group of trainees in an abusive manner. (Newswire)

The post Colombo hotel employee arrested for alleged assault of trainees appeared first on Newswire.

The Police have arrested another suspect with weapons in connection with the attempted shooting targeting a hotel in Midigama on November 19. 

The Western Province North Crime Division foiled a shooting attempt and arrested an individual with a T-56 firearm while waiting in a house in the Kapuwatte area.

At the time, it was reported that the suspect had been with two other individuals, who had fled the area during the arrest. 

Investigations by the Weligama Police led to the arrest of one suspect while hiding in the Ibbawala area yesterday.

The suspect, a 38-year-old resident of Midigama, was arrested with over 02 grams of heroin.

Interrogations of the suspect have led to the recovery of a revolver, 06 bullets, a T-56 magazine, 14 T-56 bullets, and an internationally manufactured hand grenade from a forest area in Kapuwatte, Midigama. 

The arrested suspect is due to be produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court today. (Newswire)

The post Midigama shooting : Another suspect arrested with weapons appeared first on Newswire.

Police say that the suspect arrested over a shooting attempt on a hotel in Midigama has been identified as a contract killer for an organized criminal currently residing overseas.

According to the Police, the suspect was arrested while waiting at a house in the Kapuwatte area, along with two others, to carry out a murder. 

Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspect, a 35-year-old male from Danketiya, Tangalle, is an individual who had resigned from the Military. 

His arrest comes after a team of officers from the Western Province North Crime Division conducted a raid in Midigama, arresting him along with a T-56 firearm.

Based on information revealed during the interrogation of the suspect, a further search was conducted, leading to the discovery of the following items:

• 21.75g of ‘ICE’ narcotics
• 01 T-56 magazine
• 30 T-56 bullets
• 01 internationally manufactured hand grenade
• 01 motorcycle prepared for committing the crime
• 02 helmets
• 01 mobile phone

A 07-day remand order was issued for further investigations after the suspect was produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The Weligama and Matara Police are conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

The post Arrested Midigama shooter identified as contract killer appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Police have arrested a man suspected of attempting to carry out a shooting targeting a hotel in the Midigama area.

According to the Police, a 35-year-old man from Tangalle was arrested in the Kapuwatte area in connection with the incident. 

The Police have also seized a T-56 firearm and a motorcycle from his possession.

The Police suspect that the man may have arrived at the hotel located near the Midigama Junction to carry out a shooting, but the attempt was foiled.

The Midigama Police is conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

The post Police foil shooting attempt targeting Midigama hotel appeared first on Newswire.

The Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management says no hotel or individual can claim ownership of beaches in Sri Lanka. 

Speaking during a televised interview, Director General of the Department, Professor Turney Pradeep Kumara, said that it is the responsibility of hotels and properties to maintain their beachfront.

He said, however, just because they maintain such beach fronts, they cannot claim ownership of the area as private beaches, and prevent locals or individuals from using the area. 

“If an area is not designated by the Defence Ministry or the Department of Wildlife Conservation, anyone can visit that beach area. No individual or property can claim it as theirs,” he added. (Newswire)

The post Hotels cannot declare beaches private : CCD appeared first on Newswire.

An individual has been reported dead at a luxury hotel near Galle Face Green in Colombo.

According to the Police Media Unit, investigations are underway to ascertain whether the individual had fallen or jumped off the upper floor of the hotel.

The identity of the individual is yet to be ascertained, while the Fort Police is conducting investigations. (Newswire)

The post Individual reported dead at luxury Colombo Hotel appeared first on Newswire.

A 51-year-old man has been found dead in a suspicious manner in a hotel in the Ingiriya area.

According to the Police, a guest at the hotel located in Jayalathgama Mawatha was found dead yesterday.

The deceased is a 51-year-old resident of Ingiriya. 

The Ingiriya Police is conducting investigations to ascertain the cause of death. (Newswire)

The post Man found dead inside Ingiriya Hotel appeared first on Newswire.

A Chinese national has been found dead under suspicious circumstances at a luxury hotel in Slave Island, Colombo.

According to the Police, the body of the victim was found on the 22nd floor of the luxury hotel. 

The Police said the victim has been identified as a 46-year-old Chinese national.

The Slave Island Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

The post Foreigner found dead at luxury hotel in Colombo appeared first on Newswire.

Pakistan have made a change to their accommodation in New York, switching to a hotel closer to the cricket ground in Nassau County, where they will play two T20 World Cup group games on June 9 and June 11.

Pakistan were originally booked to stay at a hotel about an hour and a half away from the venue. ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB took exception to the arrangement and arranged for the team to move to a hotel in Long Island, about a ten-minute drive from Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan arrive in New York from Dallas on June 7 and play India at the venue two days later. The Indian team has been accommodated at a hotel about ten minutes from the ground, and have been in New York for more than a week, having played their warm-up match against Bangladesh and their first group game against Ireland at the venue.

Generally at World Cups, hotel bookings are handled by the ICC working with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), a body that includes the host board. It is rare for teams to change hotels but given Sri Lanka’s experience during their stay in New York, arrangements have come under scrutiny.

Sri Lanka were staying in Brooklyn ahead of their game against South Africa, 90 minutes from the ground. The logistical complications resulted in them cancelling their training session on the eve of the game to prevent fatigue. Ahead of their morning match, Sri Lanka were forced to start their day at 7am and ultimately succumbed to a heavy defeat against South Africa. Bowler Maheesh Theekshana called the scheduling and logistics “unfair” and Sri Lanka’s manager Mahinda Halangoda told ESPNcricinfo they had lodged an official complaint about their travel arrangements in this tournament.

The PCB decided not to wait and raised concerns about their hotel being too far from the ground, insisting on a change in accommodation. The ICC eventually acquiesced to the request. Pakistan play India on Sunday 9 June, and Canada two days later in New York. (ESPNcricinfo)

The post T20 World Cup : Pakistan changes hotel to avoid long commute appeared first on Newswire.

A group of individuals have been arrested for attempting to rebuild the hotel that was demolished in Dehiwala in January this year after it was identified as an illegal construction in the coastal area.

The group, arrested while engaging in reconstruction activities at the hotel premises on Tuesday (May 14), were remanded until 28 May after being produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court. 

It is reported that they were arrested over accusations that the letter claiming to be from the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management permitting reconstruction was fake. 

Commenting on the arrests, the Police clarified that the group had been arrested based on a court order.

The Police further said that the arrested individuals had no rights over the said property and were not entitled to engage in construction activities. 

The hotel, allegedly belonging to a drug peddler, was demolished in January 2024 following a raid conducted during the Police Special Operation ‘Yukthiya’ to curb drug-related activities in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

The post Dehiwala hotel dispute : Group arrested over reconstruction appeared first on Newswire.

A 23-year-old woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a hotel in Avissawella on Wednesday (Apr 10).

According to the Police, the woman had arrived at the hotel with a man last evening.

A few minutes after having been in the hotel room, the man had informed the hotel management that the woman had suddenly fallen unconscious.

A complaint had been filed with the Avissawella Police, thereafter, following which a probe had been launched into the death.

The deceased has been identified as a 23-year-old female resident of Walapane. (Newswire)

The post 23-year-old woman dies inside hotel room in suspicious manner appeared first on Newswire.

The 59-year-old HR manager of a hotel group in Dambulla has been remanded for allegedly demanding a sexual bribe from a female hotel clerk to increase her salary.

According to Lankadeepa, the man was remanded until February 16, 2024, after being produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis yesterday.

This is the first case to be filed by the Bribery Commission in connection with bribery in the private sector under Section 47(5) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023.

Investigations have revealed that the suspect had offered a 75% allowance and an increase in salary to the female hotel clerk in exchange for a sexual favour. 

He was arrested when the woman was called over to a hotel room that had been reserved in the Habarana area. 

The raid was carried out after the woman had informed her hotel manager. (NewsWire)

The post Sexual bribes in private sector : First arrest reported under new law appeared first on Newswire.

An American tourist has been found dead inside a hotel in Kalutara on Tuesday (Jan 09), it was reported. 

According to the Kalutara North Police, the body of the tourist was found following information received from the management of the star-rated tourist hotel.

The tourist, a 67-year-old American man, was found dead inside his hotel room. 

The Kalutara North Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

The post American tourist found dead in Kalutara hotel appeared first on Newswire.