Jaffna International Airport records historic year in 2025

Jaffna International Airport (JIA) marked 2025 as its best-performing year since opening in 2019, recording 53,443 international passenger movements and 1,138 international aircraft movements.

Opposition urges Government to engage in dialogue on new constitution

Opposition politicians representing several political parties have called on the government to initiate and actively participate in a national dialogue aimed at drafting a new constitution.

Opposition MPs storm into well of Parliament after Speaker refuses privilege issue

Opposition MPs stormed into the well of Parliament as Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne refused MP Dayasiri Jayasekera to raise a privilege issue.

Sri Lanka’s tea output set to grow 10–12% in 2026 despite cyclone losses

Sri Lanka’s tea production is expected to grow between 10% and 12% in 2026, despite losing nearly one million kilograms due to Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman W.L.P. Wijewardene said.

PM, Opposition Leader clash in Parliament over education issues

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa engaged in a verbal clash in Parliament today over issues pertaining to education.

New Auditor General assumes duties

Samudika Jayaratne officially assumed duties as the 42nd Auditor General of Sri Lanka at the National Audit Office today (05).

Growing calls in India to restrict children’s social media use

A debate around banning social media for children under 16 is gathering momentum in India, with ministers in several states saying they are studying a law that recently came into effect in Australia.

Thirty-year-old issue in private bus industry resolved with new gazette

A long-standing issue in the private bus industry spanning more than three decades was resolved today with the coming into effect of a gazette notification (2471/68) permitting the legal transfer of passenger service permits, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake said.

Mattala airport records highest passenger numbers in 2025

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) recorded its highest-ever passenger movements in 2025, handling 140,614 passengers, the Airport and Aviation Services Company said.

Minister invites newcomers to enter private bus industry

Transport, Highways, and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake today invited newcomers interested in joining the private bus industry, calling for greater participation to strengthen public transport services.

Around 700 acres of forest lands cleared by politicians

Around 700 acres of forest land in Madu and the adjoining Wilpattu National Park have been cleared by politicians during the past years, Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

T20 World Cup: We will not play against India, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif says

Efforts to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its decision to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India appear to have stalled, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that the country’s stance remains unchanged.

Over 10,000 receiving treatment from STD/AIDS clinics: Minister

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa revealed today that 4,771 HIV AIDS patients are receiving treatment from 41 clinics conducted under the Sri Lanka National STD/AIDS Control Programme.

India denies assault on Sri Lankan fishermen

The High Commission of India in Colombo has rejected allegations that Indian personnel assaulted Sri Lankan fishermen at sea on January 29.

Ministers in present government insulting Buddhist monks and clergy: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith yesterday alleged that several ministers in the present government are among those who insult Buddhist monks and other members of the clergy.

Over Rs. 213 billion excise duty earned from sale of locally produced liquor in 2024

The Excise Department has earned Rs. 213.39 billion as excise duty from the sale of locally produced liquor in 2024, Deputy Minister of Economic Development U.D. Nishantha Jayaweera revealed today.

SJB MP claims his security removed

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rohana Bandara today alleged that the police security provided to him following a threat on his life has been removed after a few days.

Special traffic and security plan in place in Colombo for sacred relic exposition

The Sri Lanka Police have announced a comprehensive security and traffic plan in conjunction with the exposition of Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought from India to mark the 78th National Independence Day celebrations.

Man sentenced to life in prison for 2024 attempt on Trump’s life

Ryan Routh has been sentenced to life in prison for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course in September of 2024.

Ditwah: two months on, Govt not yet ready with needs assessment

The government is still in the process of completing the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), despite the lapse of two months since Cyclone Ditwah struck the country, Daily Mirror learns.

One teacher for 16 students on average in Sri Lankan classrooms

Sri Lanka’s 2025 public school census shows a big difference in how teachers are spread across the country. While the national average is one teacher for every 16 students, the actual experience in a classroom depends mostly on the type of school a child attends according to statistics from the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

What is Protection of Occupants Bill ?

The Protection of Occupants Bill, 2025, gazetted in September last year, was recently tabled in Parliament by Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, aiming to introduce legal safeguards against the arbitrary eviction of occupants from premises.

JVP delegation led by Tilvin Silva leave for India

A delegation from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) headed by General Secretary Tilvin Silva left for New Delhi, India this morning on an invitation by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Ravi demands answers on delays in Ditwah compensation

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake called for an urgent Government statement on compensation and restoration following Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka on November 28, 2025.

Kilinochchi families of the disappeared protest on Independence Day

Relatives of persons who went missing during Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war staged a protest in Kilinochchi town today (04), coinciding with the country’s 78th Independence Day, declaring that they have no true freedom without their missing loved ones.

World leaders reaffirm support as Sri Lanka marks 78th Independence Day

As Sri Lanka celebrated its 78th Independence Day today under the theme ’’Building Sri Lanka,’’ world leaders from across the globe extended their warm wishes, reaffirming bilateral ties and pledging continued support for the island nation’s economic recovery and development.

UNP preparing for new generation leadership: Ranil

The United National Party (UNP) is preparing for a new generation leadership that would embrace smart politics, party leader former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Sri Lankan delegation meets Rahul Gandhi

Ven. Udugama Sarananda Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Sri Shasanalankararamaya Purana Maha Viharaya (Udugama Maha Viharaya), together with the Custodian Nilames of the Viharaya, met with Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi today to convey their gratitude in remembrance of the late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

Snooker legend Virgo dies aged 79

John Virgo, the snooker legend, has died at the age of 79; Virgo’s most notable victory was in the final of the 1979 UK Championship, where he defeated Terry Griffiths; he was also co-host of the Big Break television show

Collision with Greek coast guard boat leaves 15 migrants dead

At least 15 migrants have died after a speedboat carrying them collided with a Greek coast guard vessel off the coast of the island of Chios late on Tuesday.