President’s fund begins financial assistance to disaster-affected schoolchildren

The President’s Fund has begun disbursing a Rs. 10,000 financial assistance grant to schoolchildren affected by the Ditwah cyclone, the Government Information Department said.

Arrest warrant on Wimal Weerawansa recalled after court appearance

The Colombo High Court today ordered the recall of the arrest warrant issued on former Minister Wimal Weerawansa after he surrendered to court through his counsel.

SLTB launches special bus services for Thai Pongal and long weekend

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has launched special bus services to accommodate travelers heading to their hometowns for the upcoming long weekend and Thai Pongal celebrations.

China announces record $1tn trade surplus despite Trump tariffs

China announced record export numbers for 2025, a year when US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade policy caused turmoil in the global economy.

Remanded for allegedly soliciting bribe to enrol child in school

A suspect produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court was today remanded until January 20 in connection with an alleged attempt to solicit a bribe to facilitate the admission of a child to Visaka Vidyalaya, Colombo.

Drug addiction in Kandy district rises fivefold in 2025: Senior DIG

Drug addiction in the Kandy district has increased fivefold in 2025 compared to the previous year, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Central Province, Lalith Pathinayake, said yesterday.

School train stranded for two months after track damage between Gampola and Ulapane

A passenger train operating between Ulapane and Gampola railway stations has remained stranded for nearly two months following severe weather conditions caused by Cyclone Ditwah, our camera recorded on the 13th.

2025 was the world’s third-warmest year on record, EU scientists say

The planet experienced its third-warmest year on record in 2025, and average temperatures have exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming over three years, the longest period since records began, EU scientists said on Wednesday.

Delaying implementation of education reforms will not resolve any crisis

Delaying the implementation of education reforms will not resolve any matters, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

Pakistan-origin USA cricketers await visa clearance for T20 World Cup

Four US cricketers of Pakistan origin - Ali Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Mohammad Mohsin and Ehsan Adil are awaiting visa clearance to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after attending their scheduled appointment on Tuesday and submitting their documents at the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Over 7,000 drunk driving cases filed in past year, Police warn drivers

Over 7,000 cases of drunk driving were recorded in the past year, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) W. P. J. Senadheera, who heads the Traffic Control and Road Safety Directorate, revealed yesterday.

National Hospital faces patient complaints over food, hygiene

Patients at the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) have raised serious concerns over deteriorating services, claiming that basic facilities including cleaning and meal provision are not being carried out according to established procedures.

Another bomb scare reported at Badulla District Labour Office

Another bomb scare was reported at the Badulla District Labour Office today following two recent bomb threats targeting the Kandy District Secretariat, police said.

Retired Navy medical assistant arrested over Rs. 200,000 bribe

A retired Navy medical assistant has been arrested on charges of demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 200,000, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said.

Court issues arrest warrant on Wimal Weerawansa

Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal today issued a warrant for the arrest of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who has been named as a defendant in a case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, over allegations of unlawfully acquiring assets worth over Rs. 75 million, due to his failure to appear before court.

At least 22 people killed after crane falls on train in northeast Thailand

At least 22 people have been killed after a construction crane fell on a passenger train in northeast Thailand.

Direct Beijing–Colombo flights launched to boost connectivity

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing, in collaboration with Beijing Capital Airlines, has organized a destination promotion event to announce the launch of direct flights between Beijing and Colombo, marking a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between the two capitals.

Sri Lanka accused of persistent impunity for conflict-related sexual violence in UN-backed report

Sri Lanka continues to fail survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, with decades of alleged abuses by State security forces remaining largely uninvestigated and unpunished, according to a new report covering the period from 1985 to 2024.

Opposition presses for Harini’s resignation

Despite the government postponing the education reforms until next year in the face of mounting public pressure, the Opposition has vowed to press ahead with its campaign, including the collection of public signatures for a petition demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya as well as Minister K. D. Lal Kantha for his latest Facebook post arousing the curiosity of many.

Education reforms; Govt. gives in to pressure

In a move signalling a setback for the NPP government, the Cabinet has decided to postpone the Grade 6 education reforms following concerns raised by religious leaders, the Opposition and the public.

Rainfall expected to decrease from tomorrow: Met. Department

The Department of Meteorology announced that a reduction in rainfall across the island can be expected from tomorrow (15).

Committee recommends careful use of balance X-Press Pearl funds

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has recommended that any remaining compensation funds related to the damage caused by the X-Press Pearl vessel be utilized exclusively for purposes directly linked to the environmental and economic impact of the disaster.

Dudley Sirisena acquires one of 25 Phantom Centenary models

The recent acquisition of a rare Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary Edition by Sri Lankan businessman Dudley Sirisena has drawn attention not only for the vehicle’s exclusivity, but also for the long entrepreneurial journey behind it.

Mark Ruffalo calls Trump ‘the worst human being in the world’ at Golden Globes

Mark Ruffalo had strong words for Donald Trump on the red carpet of Golden Globes on Sunday night. The actor was asked about his pin, which read “Be Good,” and explained that he was wearing it to honor Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent last week.

COPF questions allocation of large sum of funds for salaries of Samurdhi Authority employees

Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has called for new criteria to select eligible recipients of Aswesuma social security scheme while inquiring on over allocation of funds for the payment of salaries to the employees of the Department of Samurdhi Development which implement the scheme.

Prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-South Korean president Yoon

Prosecutors have asked for South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol to be handed a death sentence if he is found guilty over his botched attempt to impose martial law.

Another foreign company pulls out as investor confidence takes a hit

In what appeared to be a fresh blow to the country’s investor confidence, China-based Amber Adventures (Private) Limited – the country’s first cable car venture - has officially pulled out of the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project, citing what it called ‘ regulatory obstruction and arbitrary state action’.

Some 300 vehicles stuck at harbour as Customs demand taxes triple vehicle value: Importers

Some 300 brand new vehicles have been stranded at the Hambantota Port for more than six months, with individual importers complaining that Sri Lanka Customs is demanding taxes amounting to nearly three times the original value of the vehicles to secure their release.

Mihintale Thera says he is to meet Donald Trump

The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Walawahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, has criticised the government’s proposed education reforms, claiming they would cause harm to the country.

Bangladesh won’t play T20 World Cup matches in India, BCB reaffirms

“The BCB reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns,” the BCB said in a media release on Tuesday.