Court orders release of Sri Lankan detained in Cyprus

The Supreme Court of Cyprus has ruled to immediately release a Sri Lankan man from detention, highlighting the alleged risk of torture he faces if returned to his home country.

Six students injured after shop floor collapses in Ginigathhena

Six students were injured when the wooden floor of a shop opposite Ginigathhena Police Station collapsed while they were having food.

Eluwankulam entrance to Wilpattu National Park closed

The Eluwankulam entrance gate to the Wilpattu National Park has been closed to local and foreign tourists until further notice due to the recent heavy rains and the overflowing of the Kala Oya.

Person from Makumbura suspended for railway e-ticket scam

The Railways Department has taken steps to suspend the services of a person attached to the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC) who has been accused of being involved in the railway e-ticket scam.

Rains expected to enhance in next few days

The rainy condition is expected to enhance over the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central Provinces during the next few days, starting from today, the Meteorology Department said.

12 train services cancelled today

A total of 12 train services had to be cancelled today (18) as well due to preparation for the examination to be held to promote locomotive engineers from the second grade to the first grade, the Railway Department said. They said six trains arriving at Colombo Fort under short-distance services and another six trains scheduled to depart from the Fort have been cancelled.

TikTok says it will ’go dark’ on Sunday without US government action

TikTok has said it will be forced to ’’go dark’’ in the US on Sunday unless the government intervenes before a ban takes effect.

Man detained over knife attack on Bollywood actor

Police in the Indian city of Mumbai have detained a man in connection with the knife attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, according to media reports.

China ready to bring in US $ 10 billion to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka stands the chance of attracting investments from Chinese companies amounting to around US $ 10 billion as a result of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka ranked 9th best destination to travel in 2025 in BBC’s first-ever travel guide

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top 10 destinations to travel in 2025 by BBC Travel’s inaugural guide to the world’s top travel spots.

China further extends US $ 1.4bn currency swap

China has extended its US $ 1.4 billion currency swap arrangement to Sri Lanka, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka affirmed yesterday.

Investor interest spans across short to mid end maturities

The secondary market yield curve saw buying interest, with mixed trading activity.

Central Bank launches digital payment promotion campaign 2025

As modern technology and digital payments play a critical role in driving economic development and uplifting the quality of life of citizens, the Central Bank asserted the need for improved focus on popularising digital payments, particularly with the involvement of government institutions, businesses and financial institutions.

NDB unveils 2025 Calendar with blend of technology and sustainability

NDB Bank has once again redefined the essence of traditional timekeeping with the launch of its 2025 Calendar, themed ‘Fold to Unfold a Sustainable Future’.

President returns

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake returned to Sri Lanka today following the conclusion of his official State visit to China.

Police seize largest drug money haul in Sri Lanka’s history

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) seized over Rs. 283 million in cash, the largest amount ever recovered in the history of the Sri Lankan police, in the Kurunegala area.

Railways probe massage incident on tourist train

The Department of Railways has launched an inquiry after a viral video showed foreign tourists receiving massages inside a train carriage.

Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

The Israeli security cabinet has recommended approving the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal, ahead of a full cabinet meeting expected later on Friday, a statement from the prime minister’s office said.

Electricity tariff revision only after Finance Ministry’s approval

The Energy Ministry stated that the proposed electricity tariff revision would be implemented only upon receiving approval from the Finance Ministry.

Wonder what AKD would have said on Sinopec deal if he was in Opposition: Chamith

One wonders as to what President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would have come up with regarding the MOU which Sri Lanka has signed with the Chinese company Sinopec if he was in the Opposition today, Samagi Taruna Balawegaya National Organiser Chamith Wijesundara said today.

Beware of fake news misusing Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa logo

Wijeya Newspaper Limited has become aware of fabricated news articles and social media posts falsely using our brands, Daily Mirror Online and Lankadeepa Online, to spread misinformation about various business personalities.

Sri Lanka among top 25 international travel destinations

Sri Lanka has secured the 9th spot on BBC Travel’s list of the ’’25 Best Places to Travel in 2025.’’

Gota leaves CID after statement

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (17) and provided a statement before leaving the premises.

Electricity tariff to be reduced by 20% tonight

The electricity tariff will be reduced by 20% from midnight today, the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) announced today.

Planet-warming gas levels rose more than ever in 2024

Levels of the most significant planet-warming gas in our atmosphere rose more quickly than ever previously recorded last year, scientists say, leaving a key global climate target hanging by a thread.

Under-construction luxury hotel in Colombo under the scanner in Indian money-laundering case

An under-construction luxury hotel property in Colombo has come under the scanner as part of a money laundering probe linked to a Gurugram-based realty company, Indian media reported today.

Derailment disrupts upcountry railway line

Train services on the upcountry railway line were disrupted this afternoon following the derailment of a motor trolley between Watagoda and Great Western railway stations, the Railways Department reported.

Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan ’sentenced to 14 years in jail’ in corruption case

A Pakistani court on Friday sentenced the country’s already-imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to 14 and seven years in jail after finding them guilty of corruption, officials and his lawyer said.

Salochana Gamage and businessman further remanded till January 27

Former Provincial Councillor Salochana Gamage, and another who had been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe, were further remanded till January 27 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali.

Several train services to be cancelled today

Several train services will be cancelled today due to a shortage of locomotive operators, with only 42 operators available, the Railways Department said.