This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka, your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. The Cabinet has approved a Rs. 700 million project to develop the Hamilton Canal and its surrounding aquatic environment as a tourism destination. The initiative aims to promote nature-based and heritage tourism by improving coastal and marine attractions across the Western Province, including the Negombo Lagoon and Hamilton Canal. Under the propo

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka, your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. A SriLankan Airlines flight from Melbourne to Colombo declared an emergency shortly before landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after a smoke warning was triggered in its cargo hold. Flight UL605, scheduled to arrive at 11.20pm on November 1, landed safely at the airport. All passengers and crew members disembarked safely. No injuri

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka, your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe has stressed that essential economic policies must be implemented even when they are unpopular with the public. Speaking at a lecture at the University of Kelaniya, he said the Central Bank had already taken difficult decisions to protect the economy and would continue to introduce

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka, your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. Applicants seeking passports through Sri Lanka’s regional immigration offices must book an appointment online from October 29, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced. The new requirement applies to both one-day and normal passport services. Applicants must select a date and time through the department’s official website before

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka, your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to speed up projects aimed at expanding passenger capacity and improving facilities at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. The President has also called for the development of domestic airports across the country to meet Sri Lanka’s future aviation needs. The instructions were

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka, your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. Sri Lanka’s export earnings continued to grow in 2026, reaching US$13.61 billion during the first nine months of the year, a 5.04% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Figures released by Sri Lanka Customs, along with estimates from the Export Development Board (EDB), show growth in both merchandise and services exports. Merchandise exp

Sri Lanka has welcomed 1,813,484 international tourists between January 1 and October 22, according to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). The country recorded 119,805 tourist arrivals during the first 22 days of October, reflecting continued activity in the tourism sector. India remained Sri Lanka’s largest source market, contributing 482,944 visitors so far this year. The United Kingdom ranked second with 169,405 arrivals, followed by C

This is a developing story brought to you by Aus News Lanka, your trusted source for news for Sri Lankans in Australia and beyond. SriLankan Airlines is considering expanding its international network to Perth, China and Africa as part of efforts to support the country’s tourism industry. Chief Executive Officer Vipu Misra said the national carrier sees strong potential in these markets and has a key role in developing new air connections to Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media,

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Sri Lankan community informed with timely updates. Sri Lanka is considering mandatory roadworthiness tests for vehicles every 5,000 kilometres or approximately every three months under a proposed plan to improve road safety. Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General, retired Air Marshal Thushara Fernando, said the proposal is still under review and has been referred to the department’s legal division. The system could be introd