Sri Lanka face must-win U19 World Cup Clash as Semi-Final Race Heats Up

Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team will face South Africa in a crucial Super Six clash today, with their semi-final hopes still alive in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.

NATA mulls banning sale of single-stick cigarettes

A fresh discussion has emerged on the need to ban the sale of cigarettes individually, where officials of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) highlighted it during a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment.

No loss from substandard coal shipment; USD 2.1 million fine imposed: Lanka Coal Company

Claiming that a fine of USD 2.1 million has been imposed on the Indian supplier responsible for supplying substandard coal, General Manager of Lanka Coal Company Namal Hewage said that no loss has been caused to the country due to the substandard coal shipment.

Migration of Mahaweli, Irrigation managers worsened Ditwah impact: Former Minister

Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has warned that the migration of experienced middle-level managers from institutions such as the Mahaweli Authority and the Department of Irrigation may have contributed to the severe impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

Need to examine Sajith’s mentality before implementing new education reforms; Nalinda

Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa today said the Government must first examine the mentality of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa before responding to his demands on the new education reforms.

No child should be left behind in education, Says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, also serving as Minister of Education, emphasized that the government believes no child’s education should be determined by their parents’ financial situation and that every child has the right to education.

Trump warns Iran ’time is running out’ as US military builds up in Gulf

Donald Trump has warned Iran that ’’time is running out’’ to negotiate a deal on its nuclear programme following the steady build-up of US military forces in the Gulf.

Pakistan face Australia with T20 World Cup participation uncertain

Pakistan take on Australia in a three-match Twenty20 international series starting in Lahore from Thursday, despite doubts over their participation in next month’s World Cup in cricket’s shortest format.

Rebuilding will be done without reversing gains- Govt tells IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) which concluded its latest mission to Sri Lanka said that the authorities are committed to safeguarding the gains that were achieved on fiscal and debt sustainability in rebuilding after the disaster caused by the cyclone.

Sri Lanka Announce T20I Squad: Shanaka Captain, Pavan Included

Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series, with Dasun Shanaka set to lead the side as captain.

Notices ordered on Gota, others in FR petition on Aragalaya compensation payment

The Supreme Court today directed notices to be served on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and several others over a Fundamental Rights petition seeking an investigation into the compensation payments made for property damages caused during the attacks and violence that occurred on May 9, 2022.

ASPI edges higher as profit-taking keeps market range-bound

The Colombo stock market closed on a mixed note today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) ending marginally higher, while the S&P SL20 edged slightly lower. Overall sentiment remained subdued, as profit-taking continued to dominate trading activity, keeping the market in a consolidation phase near all-time high levels without a clear directional trend.

Opposition demands cancellation of coal purchase contract

Opposition MPs who visited the Lakwijeya Power Plant in Norochcholai have urged the government to cancel the contract for purchasing coal, citing procedural norms and concerns over coal quality.

Bangladesh Slam ICC Over 'Unfair' U19 WC Scheduling After Exit

The Bangladesh vs ICC conflict escalates as the Under-19 team criticises the ICC for an unfair travel schedule.

Ranil’s case: Indictments before three-judge bench in March

The Attorney General informed court that indictments will be filed before a three-judge bench of the High Court in March following the completion of the investigations in the case against Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka T20 team owner sentenced over match-fixing

A Sri Lankan court handed the British owner of a Premier League team a four-year suspended sentence on Wednesday over match-fixing in the domestic T20 cricket tournament, a judicial official told AFP.

First Sri Lankan to earn U.S. Navy SEAL Trident passes away

Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha of the Sri Lanka Navy’s elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS), the first Sri Lankan to complete the U.S. Navy SEAL basic training and earn the coveted SEAL Trident, passed away in the early hours of today at the Walisara Wardroom.

Saman Ekanayake remanded

Former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, also known as Somisara Bandara Ekanayake, was ordered to be remanded till February 11 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Netthikumara.

Saman Ekanayake appears before court: Named second suspect

Former Presidential Secretary Somisara Bandara Ekanayake, also known as Saman Ekanayake, appeared before court today.

Ranil Wickremesinghe arrives at Fort Magistrate’s Court

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court a short while ago to appear in connection with a case filed against him under the Public Property Act.

South Korea’s ex-first lady jailed 20 months for bribery

The wife of South Korea’s ousted former president has been sentenced to 20 months in jail for accepting bribes from the controversial Unification Church.

CAA busts businessman selling fake “Japanese brand” electric fans in Piliyandala

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has apprehended a businessman selling counterfeit electric fans by exploiting consumer trust in Japanese brand names. The raid, carried out in the Piliyandala area, revealed that the fans lacked any verifiable information regarding a legitimate importer or manufacturer.

Arijit Singh says he’s not done with music

Popular Bollywood singer Arijit Singh, who wooed generations with his soulful voice in songs like Tum Hi Ho, Kesariya and Channa Mereya, left fans stunned after announcing that he will no longer take up new assignments as a playback vocalist. While calling time on one chapter of his career, Arijit made it clear that he is not stepping away from music itself.

GMOA warns of intensified TU action if issues remain unresolved

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) warned that it would step up trade union action if the government fails to take swift measures to address its demands.

Opposition conferring on bringing no faith motion against Speaker

Political parties in the Opposition are conferring on bringing a no-confident motion against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary and national list MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Namal holds talks with Karnataka Chief Minister in Bangalore

National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Namal Rajapaksa met with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today at the Chief Minister’s official residence in Bangalore.

Slightly unhealthy air in Jaffna and Puttalam; Moderate levels elsewhere

Air quality across most parts of Sri Lanka remained at moderate levels over the past 24 hours, while slightly unhealthy conditions were reported in Jaffna and Puttalam, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said.

Harsha Abeywickrama resigns as Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services

Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama has resigned from his position as the Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd.

Over 223,000 tourists arrive in first 25 days of 2026

A total of 223,645 tourists arrived in the country during the first 25 days of the year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Compensation cheques issued to Ditwah victims bounce for lack of funds

Cheques issued as compensation for houses destroyed in the Ditwah disaster in the Rajangana colony have reportedly been dishonoured due to insufficient funds, raising concerns among affected residents. The cheques were ceremonially handed over to beneficiaries by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a programme held from January 16 to 17, at which the President also laid the foundation stone for the construction of one of the houses.