Govt. risking reform credibility with vehicle permit carve-outs: Advocata

The Advocata Institute yesterday said that any move by the Government to revive or accommodate vehicle permit concessions for a select group of retired senior public officials would undermine governance credibility, weaken public trust, and dilute Sri Lanka’s economic reform effort.

Sri Lanka to demand compensation for damages, theft of assets during colonial period: Minister

Sri Lanka intends asking for compensation for damages of properties, thefts and loss of lives that had taken place during the colonial period, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath told Parliament today.

Businessman challenges constitutionality of Protection of Occupants Bill before SC

A businessman has filed a Special Determination petition before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed Protection of Occupants Bill, 2025.

Ambuluwawa cable car to resume if no environmental damage found: Minister

Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi engaged in an observation tour of the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex yesterday to assess the current status of the proposed development projects, including the controversial cable car initiative.

Anusha Palpita further remanded

Anusha Palpita, former Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged unlawful acquisition of assets worth nearly Rs. 46 million, was ordered to be further remanded till February 20 by Colombo Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Sri Lanka gears up to face potential Nipah virus threat

Sri Lanka has strengthened its preparedness to detect and respond to a potential outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV) with health authorities stepping up surveillance and laboratory readiness amid growing regional concerns.

Special traffic and security measures in place for ICC T20 World Cup in Colombo

The Colombo Traffic Division has announced a special traffic management plan to be implemented in Colombo during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament, which will be held from 07 February to 08 March 2026.

Trump endorses Japan’s Takaichi ahead of snap election

Donald Trump has endorsed Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of a snap election in her country on Sunday.

Mafia behind escalating prices of lands, housing: Deputy Minister

A situation has arisen where prices of lands, houses and housing schemes have begun to escalate sharply, Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara said yesterday, calling it a mafia.

Supreme Court’s green light for abolition of MPs’ pension

The Supreme Court has held that the proposed MPs Pension Repeal Bill is consistent with the Constitution and can be approved by a simple majority.

Sri Lanka still among the worst in the world to protect the environment?

Sri Lanka ranked 134 out of 180 countries in the latest Environmental Protection Index (EPI) report compiled by Yale and Colombia universities with a score of 38.8 out of 100 on their national efforts to protect environmental health.

Helicopter rehearses landing at Kandy President’s house premises ahead of AKD’s visit

A special rehearsal was conducted to assess whether Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters could land on the open ground behind the Kandy President’s House.

Dudley Sirisena hints at bringing latest helicopter to Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has sparked fresh interest in the aviation sector after hinting that a brand-new helicopter could soon be brought to Sri Lanka.

England captain Stokes suffers facial injury after being hit by ball

England Test captain Ben Stokes suffered a facial injury after being hit by a ball while coaching Durham’s academy.

Sri Lanka urge Pakistan to reconsider India game boycott

Sri Lanka’s cricket board on Thursday asked Pakistan to reconsider its decision to boycott their first-round encounter with arch-rival India in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the island.

CSE edges higher as block trades drive market activity

The Colombo stock market recorded a positive turnaround, with both indices closing in the green. The ASPI rose 34.49 points (+0.15%) to 23,768.99, while the S&P SL20 added 5.47 points (+0.08%) to close at 6,602.81. Despite the gains, overall market sentiment remained moderate, as investors rotated positions across stocks.

Nuwara Eliya ranks 2nd among Asia’s must-visit hill stations

Nuwara Eliya has been ranked second on Agoda’s list of must-visit hill stations in Asia.

SLBFE allows Israeli job applicants to apply for up to three vacancies

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has announced a special concession for Sri Lankans seeking employment in Israel, allowing applicants to apply for up to three job opportunities instead of the previous limit of two.

India hands over 10 Bailey Bridges to Sri Lanka

A consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges arrived in Colombo from Visakhapatnam aboard INS Gharial and was formally handed over at a ceremony held on 05 February 2026. The Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, handed over the consignment to the Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku.

Supreme Court says UGC violated FR of former Moscow Defence Attache’s son

The Supreme Court today ordered the University Grants Commission to admit the son of the former Defence Attache to Moscow, to the Medical Faculty of a local university after a Fundamental Rights petition was filed challenging his rejection.

Court issues warrant on former SLC official over alleged financial misconduct

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that a warrant be issued for the arrest of the former Chief Financial Officer of Sri Lanka Cricket, Piyal Nandana Dissanayake, against whom charges have been filed over the alleged misappropriation of USD 187,000.

Australia dodges call for arrest of visiting Israel president

Herzog has been invited to a four-day visit from Monday to meet with the Jewish community after the December 14 attack on a Hanukkah festival in Sydney killed 15 people.

Construction of Mahaiyawa underpass and Gatambe flyover to resume tomorrow

Construction work on two major infrastructure projects in Kandy, the Mahaiyawa Underpass Bridge and the Gatambe Flyover is scheduled to commence and resume respectively tomorrow morning (06) under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

“Who will pay the price?” Ravi challenges govt. on CEB reforms

Raising serious concerns over electricity tariffs, institutional reforms and the future direction of Sri Lanka’s energy sector, Ravi Karunanayake has called on the Government to provide detailed explanations on proposed “radical changes” to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the planned introduction of Time-of-Use electricity tariffs.

President to visit Kandy tomorrow to grant Ditwah compensation and launch projects

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will visit Kandy tomorrow (06) to grant compensation to those affected by cyclone Ditwah and to launch several development initiatives in the district, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

High Court postpones order on preliminary objections in carrom boards case

Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala today decided to postpone the delivery of its order on the preliminary objections raised in the case filed by the Attorney General against former Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando and former Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi, to March 25.

Government has ensured true political freedom through clean governance: Minister

The Government has ensured true political freedom in the country through clean and transparent governance and has introduced clean political practices nationwide, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena said.

Elderly and children at higher risk as authorities push for rabies elimination

The elderly and children remain at higher risk of rabies in Sri Lanka, and the country’s rabies elimination programme must be implemented in line with international standards, Director of the Department of Animal Production and Health Dr. Pradeep Lakpriya Kumarawadu said.

President had no courage to talk about war victory on Independence Day: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged today that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had no courage to talk about the war victory of the war heroes against the LTTE organisation on Independence Day.

President rejects ‘75-year curse’ slogan: Dr. Harsha de Silva

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said that during his address at the 78th Independence Day yesterday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka rejected the political slogan ’75-year curse’.