Colombo Port starts 2026 strong as transshipment surges 15%

The Port of Colombo kicked off 2026 with robust performance metrics, driven by a significant expansion in its core transshipment business and the successful scaling of new deep-water terminal capacity.

Middle Path for Middle Powers: Sri Lanka–Thailand Dialogue 2026

Have you ever heard Sri Lanka described as a middle power? For too long, as academics, policy makers, practitioners and people in Sri Lanka, we have internalized the perception that we are a small state. ‘Smallness’ however is a relative measurement.

LK Domain Registry partners with iQ Global AS to safeguard abuse-free ‘.LK’ namespace

As internet usage continues to grow rapidly in Sri Lanka, incidents such as fake banking websites, fraudulent online stores, phishing emails and malware attacks have become more common. These activities can mislead users, steal personal information and damage the reputation of legitimate businesses.

Phone hacking scandal: suspect demands nude videos

A young man, accused of intimidating young women by demanding nude videos for the past three years, was ordered to be remanded till March 6 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today.

CEB engineers to stage six-hour token strike tomorrow

The CEB Technical Engineers and Superintendents Association has scheduled a six-hour token strike tomorrow (26), citing the government’s failure to respond to eight trade union demands.

Police seek public assistance to locate murder suspect

Police seek public assistance to locate the suspect who is wanted for the murder of an individual inside a shop at the Wadiyamankada junction area in Kalutara North on February 14, 2026.

Court of Appeal dismisses Avant-Garde writ petitions over Navy armories

The Court of Appeal today dismissed two writ petitions filed by Avant Garde Maritime Security Pvt. Ltd. (AGMS) challenging the decision to hand over certain armouries, belonging to the Sri Lanka Navy, back to the Navy.

Vijitha Herath to visit Germany, Romania

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath will undertake an official visit to Germany and Romania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

Indian High Commissioner meets Ranil

Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Santhosh Jha met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the latter’s office at Flower Road, Colombo today.

CBSL warns public on prohibited pyramid schemes

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a public notice warning against a number of companies and mobile applications found to have engaged in prohibited pyramid schemes in violation of Section 83C of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988, as amended.

Sri Lanka to host 60th anniversary of World Buddhist Sangha Council

The commemorative celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the World Buddhist Sangha Council (WBSC), together with the 2nd Executive Committee meeting of the 11th General Assembly, is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 28 November to 2 December, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Ali Sabry raises concerns over arrest of Suresh Sallay

Former Minister Ali Sabry has expressed concern over the arrest of former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay, describing it as a troubling development for the Sri Lanka Army and its Intelligence Corps.

Court frees Daisy Forrest in money laundering case

The Colombo High Court today ordered that Daisy Forrest, the grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, be released from the case filed against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Wildlife Department to probe misuse of national park tourist bungalows

The Wildlife Conservation Department has announced that it will conduct a formal investigation following reports that tourist bungalows in some national parks are being booked online and used for purposes other than wildlife viewing.

Sri Lanka face must-win clash against New Zealand in Super Eight showdown

Sri Lanka will be desperate to correct their course when they take on New Zealand in a crucial Super Eight encounter of the T20 World Cup in Colombo on Wednesday.

Land ownership granted to long-term residents in Anamaduwa

A special program to grant legal land ownership to families who have lived for many years without proper rights was held yesterday (24) at the Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariat. The event was presided over by State Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Prof. Chandana Abayarathna.

Suresh Sallay to be detained for 72 hours

Former State Intelligence Services (SIS) Chief, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, is to be detained for 72 hours for questioning, police said.

Sri Lanka, Portugal to form committee on return of artefacts

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel agreed to establish a joint committee to conduct a preliminary study on the return of Sri Lankan artefacts currently held in Portugal.

Opposition politicians meet Ranil on forming joint force

Representatives of opposition political parties met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today at his office to discuss joint mechanisms under which all opposition parties could work together.

Sri Lanka aims to increase digital foreign earnings to $5 billion by 2030

Sri Lanka currently earns 1.6 billion US dollars in foreign exchange from the digital industry, and plans are underway to increase that amount to 5 billion dollars by 2030, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne said.

Hypocrisy of the Tamil Diaspora

Every time a Sri Lankan leader lands in a Western capital, a predictable yet hypocritical drama unfolds. A small but vocal segment of the Tamil diaspora gathers outside, waving the flag of the LTTE and chanting slogans about justice and human rights. They accuse. They condemn. They disrupt.

Inland Revenue launches taxpayer privilege card scheme

The Department of Inland Revenue has introduced a new Taxpayer Privilege Card Scheme to recognize and reward individual taxpayers who consistently meet their tax obligations. The initiative is designed to encourage voluntary self-assessment payments, reduce tax evasion, and honor citizens who make significant contributions to the national revenue.

Sri Lanka seeks to broaden workforce collaboration with South Korea

Discussing ways to advance Sri Lanka’s engagement under the Employment Permit System (EPS) and broaden collaboration beyond existing frameworks, Foreign Affairs and Overseas Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, met with officials of the Korean Human Resources Development Institute (HRDK) in Seoul yesterday (24).

Three former Trade Ministry officials arrested on corruption charges

Three former senior officials of the Ministry of Trade have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged corruption linked to a procurement process.

UK to enforce travel permit requirement from Feb 25 on foreign visitors

Starting on Feb 25, visitors to Britain from 85 countries must obtain an electronic permit in advance of their trip or they will be barred from travelling, the British Interior Ministry said.

Liquor income surges on Aswesuma payment day

Liquor shop owners across several areas in the upcountry report a significant increase in sales on Aswesuma payment day compared to previous days.

Police arrest second suspect in Akuregoda lawyer and wife shooting

Police have arrested the second suspect allegedly involved in the shooting death of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama, the Police Media Division said yesterday (24).

Tuk-tuk rental company asks for its rights

Referring to the recent decision by the Court of Appeal to issue an interim order preventing the police from taking action against foreign tourists who ride three-wheelers, (from tuktukrental.com), a company which rents three wheelers to foreign tourists who hold international driving licenses, yesterday said police media spokesperson is engaged in issuing contradictory statements,

Extraditing Arjuna Mahendran not a simple procedure: Nalinda

Claiming that the government is making a diplomatic intervention to extradite former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore, Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday that extraditing Mahendran is not a simple procedure.

Unusual sex clinic disguised as homeopathy centre raided in Ambatale

A sex centre operating under the guise of a homeopathic treatment clinic in the Ambatale area of the Mulleriyawa Police Division was raided by officers of the Western Province (South) Crime Division.