National housing programme–2026 to be launched in Jaffna on Jan 16

The National Housing Programme–2026 will be inaugurated in Jaffna on January 16 under the theme “A Place to Belong, A Beautiful Life,” Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply T.B. Sarath announced.

Online scams doubles in a year, police increase crackdowns

In the wake of online scams doubling in a year with thousands of individuals becoming victims, Sri Lanka Police have increased crackdown on such frauds carried out by both locals and foreigners.

’’A Cloud over the Sun’’

’’Sooriya Bala Sangramaya’’ (Solar Energy) programme launched around 2016-2017, introducing net-metering and other schemes, boosted by Asian Development Bank funding and leading to rapid capacity increases and milestones in the country.

Construction companies seek to bring down 7,500 labour force from foreign countries

Claiming that there is an acute shortage in labour force in the construction industry, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta said yesterday leading construction companies had sought permission from the Ministry to bring down some 7,500 labour force from foreign countries.

Police warn of rising extortion racket involving secret video recordings

Police said complaints regarding video recording of sexual relations of married women and their paramours, and young men and women, to extort them under threat of sharing the videos on websites have been increasing.

Veteran Journalist Iqbal Athas passes away at 81

Veteran journalist and defence analyst Iqbal Athas passed away this morning at the age of 81 following a brief illness.

Schoolteacher accused of fraud, claims she too was a Facebook scam victim

A woman arrested by the Financial Crimes Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and remanded over allegations of defrauding people of several hundred thousand rupees through threats and deceit, told the Colombo Chief Magistrate that she herself had fallen victim to an online scam while working as a Facebook-based worker.

SMEs hit by Covid, Easter Attack fall from frying pan to fire

Small and medium-scale enterprises affected by the Easter Sunday attacks have fallen from the frying pan into the fire due to the banking sector’s failure to implement recommendations made by the Ministry of Industry, according to the Joint District Entrepreneur Organisation.

Average tourist spending falls in Sri Lanka

Average tourist spending in Sri Lanka has dropped to US$ 148 a day from US$ 181 in 2018, despite a rise in arrivals, with government authorities now planning for the development of upmarket tourism, an official said yesterday.

U.S. Ambassador pays farewell call on President

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung paid a farewell call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ahead of her departure from the country on 16 January, marking the conclusion of her tenure as the United States’ top diplomat in Colombo from 2022 to 2026.

Apple, Google strike Gemini deal for revamped Siri in major win for Alphabet

Apple (AAPL.O), will use Google’s Gemini models for its revamped Siri coming later this year under a ‌multi-year deal that deepens the tech giants’ alliance in the artificial intelligence era and bolsters Alphabet’s position in the race against OpenAI.

US Supreme Court to weigh transgender athlete bans

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday wades into the hot-button issue of transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.

Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach

Real Madrid said on Monday coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Sri Lanka records 67,762 tourist arrivals in early January 2026

Sri Lanka welcomed 67,762 tourists between January 1 and January 8, 2026, according to provisional figures from the latest tourism performance summary, indicating a relatively slow start to the year.

Australian Captain Announces Retirement

Australia captain Alyssa Healy said on Tuesday she will to retire from cricket in March after the team’s home series with India, ending a storied career.

Motor traders push to scrap used vehicle tax break

Sri Lanka’s oldest automotive industry body has stepped up pressure on the government to dismantle what it calls a deeply flawed tax concession on used vehicle imports, warning that the policy is eroding state revenue, distorting competition and undermining foreign exchange discipline.

Mattala Airport accumulates Rs.39bn in losses as govt. pivots to new PPP model

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has accumulated a staggering Rs.39.3 billion in net losses over the past six years, a recent audit revealed, as the government moves to scrap a previously arranged management handover to an India-Russia joint venture, in favour of a new public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Maha Sangha seeks action on Minister’s statements

The National Sangha Conference Chairman Venerable Liyanwala Sasanarathana Thera, has warned that the government will soon face serious consequences if it fails to take appropriate action against Minister K.D. Lal Kantha over alleged derogatory and insulting remarks directed at the Maha Sangha.

Welimada district court registrar remanded

Registrar of the Welimada District Court, who is alleged to have accepted a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to hand over possession in a land case in accordance with a District Court judgement, was ordered to be remanded till January 27 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Warusawithana yesterday.

UNP seniors participate in Sajith’s birthday celebration

Senior members of the United National Party (UNP), including Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and National Organiser Sagala Ratnayake, participated in a religious ceremony held at the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya to mark the birthday of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today, indicating that a political alliance between the UNP and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) may be on the cards.

Four killed in head-on collision in Mullaitivu

Four persons died and one was injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a car in the Murasumoddai area on the Paranthan-Mullaitivu main road, police said.

Court frees army commando officers arrested while carrying sniper type firearm

Two suspects arrested while in possession of a sniper type firearm in front of the Criminal Investigation Department are officers attached to the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment, counsel appearing on behalf of the Sri Lanka Army informed the Fort Acting Magistrate Lahiru Silva today.

Speaker gave no orders on Parliament staff using drugs, alcohol, cigarettes: Parliamentary Secretariat

The Parliamentary Secretariat has denied meida reports under the headline “Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has decided to take strict action regarding a group of employees using drugs, alcohol and cigarettes within the Parliamentary premises”.

ACCIMT identifies 4,800 landslide-prone areas following cyclone Ditwah

The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) has identified around 4,800 landslide-prone areas in Sri Lanka, based on satellite imagery captured after Cyclone Ditwah, the institute confirmed today.

T20 World Cup ticket sales pass 2017 tournament total

Ticket sales for this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup in England have already passed the total for the 50-over tournament in 2017.

Sri Lanka Social Security Board records historic progress in 2025

The Sri Lanka Social Security Board (SSSB), operating under the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry, achieved its highest level of progress in history in 2025.

China pledges full support for Sri Lanka’s post-cyclone recovery

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a brief visit to Sri Lanka this morning (12), has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditva. Wang Yi gave assurances of personal intervention to assist in rehabilitating critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, and bridges affected by the disaster.

Australian Border Force provides high-standard scanners to Sri Lanka

Two high-technology scanners were handed over to the Sri Lanka Customs Department by the Australian Border Force, specifically for use at the Jaffna International Airport and the Kankesanthurai Port.

Elephant kills 20 in Indian state as rescue efforts continue

At least 20 people have been killed by a wild elephant in nine days in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials have said, adding that the animal is yet to be captured.

Severe lightning warning issued for several provinces and districts

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorological Department has issued an advisory warning of severe lightning accompanied by thundershowers for Western, North-Western, and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as the Galle and Matara districts. The alert, released at 12:00 noon today (January 12), is valid until 11:00 p.m. tonight.