Brook criticises 'worst ever' pitch after ODI win

England captain Harry Brook criticised the pitch used for the second one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo, calling it ’’probably the worst’’ he had ever played on.

LIVE Updates: SL vs ENG 2nd ODI – Steady Root helps England level ODI series in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka vs England 2nd ODI Highlights: Joe Root starred with bat and ball to help England beat Sri Lanka by five wickets and level their ODI series.

318 arrested over cybercrimes in Sri Lanka in 2025

Sri Lanka Police say that 318 individuals were arrested in connection with various cybercrimes during the past year, 2025.

31,218 new houses to be built under national housing programme 2026

Construction of 31,218 new houses across the country has been launched under the “A Place to Belong – A Better Life” National Housing Programme 2026, the President’s Media Division said.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Meets Pope Leo XIV

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on January 23, according to the Holy See News Bulletin

73% of allowance for disaster-affected schoolchildren released

The government has disbursed 73 per cent of the Rs. 15,000 allowance allocated for schoolchildren from families affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the President’s Media Division said.

Red notice suspect repatriated from India, taken into custody at BIA

An organized criminal wanted under an international Red Notice has been repatriated to Sri Lanka from India following high-level coordination between Sri Lankan and Indian authorities, Police Headquarters said.

70% of Rs 50,000 resettlement allowance paid to cyclone Ditwah-affected families

The government has completed the disbursement of 70 per cent of the LKR 50,000 allowance allocated to families affected by Cyclone Ditwah to support their resettlement, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Government to hold State Vesak festival on May 30 instead of May 1

The government has decided to hold the State Vesak festival on May 30 following a request by the Mahanayake Theras of the four Chapters, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. Chandana Abeyratne said today.

Bangladesh officially out of T20 World Cup, ICC name Scotland as replacement

Scotland has officially been named as Bangladesh’s replacement for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC announced on Friday, January 23. Bangladesh decided to pull out of the ICC event, citing security concerns and saying that their concerns weren’t adequately addressed by the cricket governing body.

Deputy Secretary General of Parliament suspended

Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne has been suspended by the Staff Advisory Committee of the House, sources said.

Sri Lanka to become second in South Asia to license drone pilots

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) said that it will introduce a licensing system for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilots engaged in commercial and professional operations, marking a first for the country.

Lorry rams traffic police during pursuit in Vavuniya, driver arrested

A shocking incident unfolded yesterday on the Jaffna–Kandy main road in the Kalukunnammaduwa area when a lorry deliberately struck two traffic police officers riding a motorcycle during a pursuit, police said.

Sri Dalada Maligawa faces mounting financial pressure amid rising operational costs

The Sri Dalada Maligawa is confronting unprecedented financial challenges, with annual operational costs soaring to 1.5 billion rupees (approximately $5 million USD), the Chief Lay Custodian, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, revealed yesterday.

Sri Lanka, Venezuela foreign ministers hold telephone talks

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, held a telephone conversation yesterday (23) with the Foreign Affairs of Venezuela,l Minister Yván Gil Pinto, according to official sources.

More than 77,000 arrested under ‘Ratama Ekata’ drug operation

More than 77,000 individuals have been arrested under the island-wide ‘Ratama Ekata’ national drug prevention programme since its launch last year, police said, as daily search operations continued across the country.

China no longer Pentagon’s top security priority

China is no longer the top security priority for the US, according to the Pentagon’s new National Defense Strategy.

Rare Sri Lankan leopard gives birth to 3 cubs in Singapore Zoo

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs were born in the zoo on Jan 1, bringing the population of the rare animal at Mandai Wildlife Reserve to seven.

US braces for ’extremely dangerous’ winter storm

More than 200 million Americans are expected to face an unusually brutal winter storm starting Friday, with heavy snows and freezing rains forecast.

Türkiye offers to sell drones to Sri Lanka

Türkiye has offered to sell drones manufactured there as part of defence ties between the two countries, according to Ambassador Semih Lütfü Turgut.

11,000 complaints regarding disappearances, investigations to be completed in two years

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that there are as many as 11,000 complaints regarding missing persons, and investigations into them will be completed within two years.

Extremely cold weather and dense fog disrupt life in central hills

Extremely cold and dense foggy conditions have continued to affect the central hills, causing disruptions to public life and vehicular traffic.

GMOA 48-hour token strike continues for second day

The 48-hour token strike launched by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) over several unresolved demands continues for the second consecutive day today (24).

Several areas to experience showers and misty conditions

Showers will occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and North-Western provinces as well as in the Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Meteorology Department said.

Indian medical team provides aid to cyclone-affected families in Badulla

An Indian medical team from the city of Cochin, Kerala, has begun providing essential healthcare services to residents displaced by Cyclone Ditva and currently staying at the “Suraksha” camps in Sri Lanka’s Badulla district.

Sri Lanka Navy seizes two trawlers, arrests 11 in anti-narcotics operation

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized two multi-day fishing trawlers and arrested eleven suspects during a major anti-narcotics operation carried out on the high seas south of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka tightens organic agriculture rules with revised national standard

Sri Lanka has strengthened its regulatory framework for organic agriculture with the revision of its national standard, a move aimed at curbing misleading organic claims, improving traceability and aligning local production with international market requirements, the Export Development Board (EDB) said.

16-20 per cent passenger bus drivers are drunk or drugged: Transport Minister

As many as 16-20 per cent of passenger bus drivers operate under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, posing a threat to public safety, a Minister said.

Colombo ranked as world’s most unaffordable city for homebuyers in 2026

Colombo has been identified as the most difficult city globally for local income earners to purchase property in 2026, revealing a severe decoupling between asset prices and domestic wages.

AASL denies link between asset gap and BIA Terminal 2; clarifies audit queries

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has categorically rejected any connection between the audit qualifications cited in its 2024 annual report and the ongoing BIA Terminal 2 project (BIADP Phase II).