Education Secretary seeks principal’s report

The Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa, has instructed the principal of Nalanda College, Colombo to submit a report regarding an alleged close relationship between the school’s head prefect and three female teachers, and the circulation of related videos on social media.

Trump raises US tariffs on South Korea imports to 25%

US President Donald Trump has announced he is raising tariffs on South Korean imports to 25% after accusing Seoul of ’’not living up’’ to a trade deal reached last year.

Frequent influx of purported UFO footage: Professor Jayaratne

Professor Chandana Jayaratne, head of the Department of Physics at the University of Colombo and Chairman of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, has stated that videos purporting to show Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) are regularly submitted to him and associated scientific institutions in Sri Lanka.

Substandard coal causing Rs.75Mn loss daily?

The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) has urged the government to make public the survey reports obtained from India and the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, claiming that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is incurring a daily loss of Rs. 75 million due to substandard coal used for power generation.

’Major step’: French MPs vote in favour of bill to ban social media for under-15s

France’s National Assembly has backed a bill that would ban social media access for under-15s, a proposal supported by President Emmanuel Macron.

Airports reintroduce COVID-style checks after virus outbreak in India

Airports across parts of Asia have begun tightening health surveillance and travel screening after an outbreak of Nipah virus in an Indian state.

Fresh milk trade turning into mafia: National Consumer Front

The sale of fresh milk in Sri Lanka has turned into a ’mafia’, with dairy companies allegedly exploiting consumers, National Consumer Front leader Asela Sampath charged on Tuesday.

Adani-JKH West Terminal outpaces state-run ECT in 2025 race

A tale of contrasting velocities has emerged in the Port of Colombo, with the private sector-led Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) rapidly outpacing the state-managed East Container Terminal (ECT) in 2025, prompting renewed calls from industry heavyweights to open the latter for private investment.

Maryland Sri Lankans donate Rs. 5.2 m for Cyclone Ditwah relief

The Sri Lankan community in Maryland, United States, has donated a further Rs. 5.2 million to the Government’s Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund, supporting efforts to restore the lives of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Sri Lanka exports top US $ 17.2bn in 2025

Sri Lanka’s export earnings surpassed US $ 17.2 billion in 2025, extending the recovery in external trade as merchandise and services exports posted broad-based gains, according to the data compiled by Sri Lanka Customs and the Export Development Board (EDB).

Mass tourism alone won’t boost Sri Lanka’s economy: Ex-UNEP Chief

Former United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Eric Solheim asserted that Sri Lanka must look beyond visitor numbers and focus on pricing its unique environmental assets higher to drive economic growth.

India, Sri Lanka have made significant progress in physical, energy connectivity: Indian High Commissioner

While highlighting that India and Sri Lanka had become a global model for cooperation with neighbours, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Santhosh Jha said today that both countries have made significant progress in physical and energy connectivity.

Oversight Committee approves Bills to amend laws on dangerous drugs

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has approved the two Bills, Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) and the Judicature (Amendment) Bills.

Opposition creating unrest over education reforms: Bimal Rathnayake

Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake today accused the Opposition and its Leader, Sajith Premadasa, of deliberately creating unrest in the country, claiming their actions had led to the postponement of certain aspects of the new education reforms.

Customs ‘cozy trends’ could only addressed through well rewarding system: Minister

The prevailing ‘cozy trends’ of Sri Lanka Customs that usually lead to allegations of bribes and corruption could be addressed only through a well rewarding system, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha said today.

CSE trades sideways as market enters consolidation near 24,000

The Colombo Stock Exchange began the week on a mixed note, with investor sentiment remaining largely subdued as the market showed signs of consolidation near the key 24,000 level.

Namal highlights India–Sri Lanka ties, youth leadership at India’s 77th Republic Day event

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa underscored the importance of responsible leadership, regional solidarity and youth-driven change while addressing the 77th Republic Day of India celebrations at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Pathfinder Foundation launches repository to preserve Sri Lanka’s peace initiatives

The Pathfinder Foundation has inaugurated a dedicated repository to document Sri Lanka’s peace initiatives, aiming to preserve the country’s efforts to resolve the separatist conflict over the decades.

At least 20 injured in Bibila road accident

At least 20 people were injured in a road accident today (26) in the Yalkumbura area along the Bibila–Badulla road.

About 30% of Sri Lankan adults suffer from mental health issues: Expert

Nearly 30 percent of Sri Lanka’s adult population is affected by mental health problems, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Madhushani Dias said on Sunday.

Deputy Minister defends ‘buddy’ remarks

Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe has defended his recent comments in Parliament on the term “buddy,” saying his remarks were based on content found in a Grade 11 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) textbook and not on his own technical expertise.

CID complaint lodged over use of cancer drug marketed by unregistered company

MP Mujibur Rahman today lodged a complaint with the CID against the import and use of a drug on cancer patients.

Gunmen kill 11 at soccer field in Mexico

A group of men opened fire at a soccer field in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, killing at least 11 people and wounding 12 more, authorities said.

National drive launched to restore cyclone-hit religious sites

The Presidential Media Division (PMD) said that the inauguration of the ‘Godanagamu Adhisthanaye Sanhinda’ national programme, aimed at reconstructing religious sites damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, will take place tomorrow (27) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

South Korea mourns death of former prime minister who nurtured democracy

South Korean former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, a veteran politician and influential fixture on the country’s road to democracy, died during an official visit to Vietnam’s southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City, both governments said.

Sri Lanka FDI surges 72% to $1.06 bn in 2025

Sri Lanka recorded a sharp rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025, with inflows reaching USD 1,057 million, reflecting a 72 percent increase compared to the previous year, the Board of Investment (BOI) said.

Catholic Church in SL to file FR against assault of a priest

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is to file a Fundamental Rights petition against the police officers who had assaulted a priest in Negombo over the weekend, Spokesman for Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said yesterday.

Private jet carrying 8 people crashes in Bangor, Maine: FAA

A private jet carrying eight people crashed as it was taking off from Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Ranil and Sajith to decide on leader

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa are expected to meet shortly to decide as to who would lead the proposed UNP and SJB alliance, UNP Deputy General Secretary Harin Fernando said yesterday.

Test tube baby treatment to begin in Govt. hospitals

Sri Lanka is set to introduce test-tube baby treatment, also known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo marking the first time such advanced fertility services will be made available at a government hospital.