What Sri Lankans Can Watch This Weekend: Football, Cricket and Australian Open Action

Sri Lankan sports fans have another strong weekend of viewing ahead, with Premier League football under the lights, international cricket at home and abroad, and the Australian Open reaching its decisive rounds. From Saturday afternoon through Sunday night, there is no shortage of sport to follow.

England fans’ World Cup arrest record shows Infantino joke inaccurate

Maybe Fifa president Gianni Infantino just thought he was making a light-hearted quip. But it fell flat in England.

T20 cricket World Cup row overshadows India’s Olympic ambitions

India hopes next month’s T20 World Cup will bolster its credentials as a global sports host -- and the country’s Olympic ambitions -- but preparations have been rocked by a diplomatic row with Bangladesh and accusations of political interference.

Higher tea offerings meet fair demand at weekly auction

The auction offering totalled 6.4 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs), up from a 6.0 M/Kgs on offer the previous week.

U19 WC 2026: Comfortable Wins for Australia and Bangladesh

Australia bundled out Sri Lanka on 58 before cruising to a nine-wicket win. Bangladesh was set a target of 200 runs, which it shot down in the 42nd over with seven wickets to spare.

China to donate 100 electric buses to Sri Lanka

The Chinese government has decided to donate 100 electric buses to Sri Lanka to reduce environmental pollution caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

Dudley Sirisena responds to Daily Mirror article on Phantom fiasco

In response to the Daily Mirror article published under the title ’Dudley Sirisena’s Rolls-Royce gets him into tax mess’ which appeared on Friday (23) newspaper, business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has broken his voice silence over the high-profile import of a Rolls-Royce Phantom 8, which has drawn attention not only for its luxury price tag but also for alleged customs violations.

Ready to quit once people decide: Harini

Claiming that the Opposition is not required to bring in a no-confidence motion against her, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today she is ready to quit and go home when the people of this country decided that the Prime Minister must change.

Parliament approves civil society members to Constitutional Council

Parliament today approved the motion moved by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, pertaining to the appointment of three new non-Members of Parliament to the Constitutional Council.

Concerns raised over operational readiness of Colombo port’s new eastern terminal berth

The Colombo Port’s top management recently held a ceremonial opening for the third berth at the Eastern Container Terminal, but trade union representatives have expressed concerns about the terminal’s operational readiness.

Clear division within government on education reforms: Chamith Wijesundera

There is a clear division in the government with regard to the proposed education reforms, SJB Member of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council Chamith Wijesundera said today.

Report on sexual harassment of Parliament staff hidden: Sajith

The report of the investigation into the sexual harassment of Parliament staff is being hidden from the MPs, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.

CEB restructuring enters final stage

The restructuring process of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), aimed at meeting the country’s future electricity requirements and achieving national development objectives, has reached its final stage, the CEB said.

Market surges as ASPI nears 24,000 mark

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed on a strong bullish note today, with both benchmark indices recording notable gains as investor optimism continued to build. The ASPI climbed 142.74 points (+0.60%) to close at 23,956.51, edging closer to the psychologically important 24,000 all-time high level, while the S&P SL20 added 31.65 points (+0.48%) to finish at 6,649.50.

“I am no longer engaged in active politics”: Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Kandy this morning (23) to pay homage to the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters and obtain their blessings.

Eastern container terminal phase III comes inline

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced operations of Phase III of the Eastern Container Terminal (CECT) today (23), marking a key milestone in the government’s programme to develop the Port of Colombo into a regionally competitive maritime hub.

Anusha Pelpita remanded

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered that Anusha Pelpita, a former Ministry Secretary and Director General, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, be remanded till February 6 in connection with an investigation into allegations of amassing illicit assets amounting to Rs. 46 million over a period of two years.

To Lam wins new term to rule Vietnam for the next five years

Vietnam’s top leader To Lam was reappointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years after a unanimous vote by its central committee, as he pledged to turbocharge growth in the export-reliant nation.

Circular issued to support livelihood restoration after Cyclone Ditwah

A new circular has been issued to facilitate the restoration of livelihoods of individuals affected by the disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves parliament, paving way for snap election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved parliament in advance of a snap election scheduled for February 8.

Karu urges President to reconsider abolishing MPs’ pensions

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake calling for a reconsideration of the proposal to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament.

National steering committee for the elimination of child labour meets

The National Steering Committee for the Elimination of Child Labour (NSCECL) held its first meeting for the year this morning (23) at the auditorium of the General Secretariat of Labour in Narahenpita.

Anusha Palpita arrested by Bribery Commission

Former Ministry Secretary and Director General Anusha Palpita has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

New circular offers financial aid to disaster-affected businesses

The government has issued a new circular granting additional financial assistance to businesses affected and disrupted by recent disasters, with the aim of restoring livelihoods and improving living conditions in affected communities.

CIABOC moves High Court against MP Chamara Sampath

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today that indictments have been filed before the High Court against Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake in connection with an investigation into alleged corruption.

Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund crosses Rs. 8.5bn

The government’s Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, established to support recovery efforts after Cyclone Ditwah, has received over Rs. 8.5 billion from local businesses and the public, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said.

Bitter story of Pelwatte, Sevanagala sugar factories

There is a bitter story behind the management of the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories over the years, even though the sugar they produce is sweet, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

Prime Minister returns after successful World Economic Forum visit

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this morning (23) following a successful four-day official visit to Switzerland, where she attended the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos.

Colombo Navam Maha Perahera on Jan 31, Feb 1; Sacred Relics exhibition from Feb 4.

The annual Colombo Navam Maha Perahera, along with an exhibition of sacred relics brought from India, will be held at Gangaramaya Vihara in Hunupitiya, featuring grand religious observances, Most Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera announced.

Court temporarily lifts foreign travel ban on Prasanna Ranatunga

The Colombo Chief Magistrate, Asanga S. Bodaragama, today ordered the temporary relaxation of the foreign travel ban imposed on former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.