Government willing to accommodate debate on NCM against PM this week

The government is ready to debate the no confidence motion on Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday and Friday this week, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

Private sector minimum wage hiked to Rs. 30,000 from Jan 2026

The national minimum wage in the private sector will rise from Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 30,000, effective 1 January 2026, Labour Department Commissioner General H.M.D.N.K. Wataliyadda said.

SLAP hosts networking forum to empower regional printers

The Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP), in collaboration with the Vavuniya District Printers Owners Co-Operative Society, successfully conducted a Strategic Networking Forum on 18th January 2025 in Vavuniya, marking another important milestone in SLAP’s mission to strengthen and unify the printing industry across the country.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake casts doubts on Ashoka Ranwala’s doctorate

Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that he does not believe former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala possesses a certificate to substantiate his claimed doctorate, given the failure to produce such a document over an extended period.

Cold weather triggers rise in viral illnesses

The spread of several viral diseases is on the rise due to the prevailing cold weather conditions, Gampaha Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr. Ravinda Udagamage warned.

Not willing to answer questions on adverse effects of inferior quality coal without evidence: Minister

Claiming that the government is not willing to answer questions about any adverse effects that could result from using inferior quality coal for power generation, Environment Minister Dhammika Prasad today said he would respond once it is proven with evidence that the use of so-called inferior quality coal would cause any issues.

Around 700 arrested daily over drug related offences: Minister

Around 700 persons are arrested daily over drug related offences, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today.

Radiologist accused of sexually abusing foreign woman

A foreign tourist has complained to the Galle police against a radiologist in a private hospital in Galle who is alleged to have sexually harassed her when she was referred to him for an ultrasound scan

Why does Trump want Greenland and what could it mean for Nato?

US President Donald Trump insists his country needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force.

AI to threaten 22.8 percent of employed people in Sri Lanka

A new study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) shows that about 1.83 million Sri Lankan workers, or roughly 22.8 percent of the employed population, are in occupations that could be exposed to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), which means that AI has some influence over job security for these workers.

Man arrested under PMLA with Rs. 283.3 million in cash

A 40-year-old man has been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after police seized Rs. 283.3 million in cash and two vehicles suspected to have been illegally acquired.

Italian fashion designer Valentino dies aged 93

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known as Valentino, has died at the age of 93.

Notice issued on Kirulapone Police minor complaints OIC

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered that a notice be issued on the Officer-in-Charge of the Minor Complaints Division of the Kirulapone Police to appear before court and make submissions.

NIE’s Deputy Director General sent on compulsory leave over module controversy

Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Education (NIE) Darshana Samaraweera has been sent on compulsory leave over the Grade 6 English module controversy.

Government revokes Pavithra’s gazette on Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that the government has issued a fresh Gazette Extraordinary revoking an earlier notification that altered the boundaries of the Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve to facilitate an aquaculture project.

Japan PM Takaichi calls snap election three months after taking office

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will dissolve parliament on Friday, paving the way for an early election on 8 February that she hopes will translate her strong public polling into a big majority in the lower house.

Fake ‘Victoria’s Secret’ perfumes dealers- Pettah traders fined Rs. 600,000

Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva imposed a fine of Rs. 600,000 on three businessmen from Pettah, Colombo for possessing, selling and distributing imported counterfeit perfumes bearing fake labels imitating the world renowned brand “Victoria’s Secret.”

Govt should keep promises and modernize the country: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa said the government must fulfill its promises and modernize the country instead of focusing on narrow political interests.

Station masters to launch trade union action from Jan. 23

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association (SLRSMA) has announced plans to launch immediate trade union action over prolonged delays in implementing the approved recruitment scheme for their service.

Market retreats as profit-taking surfaces near ATH levels

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened the week on a cautious note, as both benchmark indices declined throughout the session. Despite healthy trading volumes and elevated turnover, investor sentiment remained subdued amid ongoing profit-taking after recent rallies and the market’s proximity to all-time high levels.

GMOA to launch islandwide strike from Jan. 23

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that it will launch an islandwide continuous trade union action from January 23.

Precious stone emerges from landslide site, police protection provided

A large precious stone has emerged from the site of a landslide at Delthota watta , Galaha in the Kandy district and the police have provided protection to the location.

Navy starts cardiac cath Lab at Hambantota hospital

The Sri Lanka Navy has commenced construction of a new Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Hambantota District General Hospital.

CAA launches phased drone regulation programme in Sri Lanka

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a formal, phased programme to regulate drone aircraft in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Galle ranks 5th among World’s Top Honeymoon Destinations for 2026

Sri Lanka’s historic city of Galle has been ranked 5th among the world’s Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2026, according to Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destinations Awards.

Manusha withdraws FR petition over CID probe into E8 visa deal

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, seeking an order preventing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from arresting him in connection with an investigation into the alleged E8 visa agreements with Korea without following the due process, was today withdrawn before the Supreme Court.

NASA invites public to send their names to the moon on Artemis II Mission

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has launched an exciting opportunity for the public to #SendYourName to the Moon. Names submitted will be included on a special SD card aboard the Orion spacecraft during the upcoming Artemis II mission.

Haze across country caused by air pollution, not fog: CEA

The haze-like conditions observed in several parts of the country are due to deteriorating air quality and not fog, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has clarified.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolts Ladakh’s Leh

An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 struck Ladakh’s Leh on Monday. The tremors were also felt in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and nearby regions of India’s neighbouring countries in the north.

Businessman arrested over video showing woman being stripped in Borella

Three individuals, including a well-known businessman, were arrested after a video showing a woman being stripped in Borella circulated on social media.