Couple arrested at BIA with smuggled cigarettes worth Rs. 15 million

Two Sri Lankan passengers who attempted to illegally bring in a large consignment of foreign-made cigarettes valued at around Rs. 15 million were arrested by officers of the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau in the early hours of January 12 at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake.

Elle Gunawansa Thera urges Cabinet reshuffle, PM to be removed as Education Minister

The Chairman of the National Movement for the Protection of the Nation, Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thera, has sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requesting that Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya be removed from the post of Minister of Education and that a Cabinet reshuffle be carried out.

Kandy railway line could be restored within a year: Deputy Minister

The restoration of the Kandy railway line which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah will be completed within a year, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena said.

Scam behind Norochcholai coal supply tender?

Whilst highlighting a serious scam with regard to the awarding of tender pertaining to supply of coal to Norochcholai power plant, the Frontline Socialist Party yesterday urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to carry out a probe on it.

Vijitha Herath holds meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister

Minister Vijitha Herath met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this morning (12) during the latter’s official visit to Sri Lanka.

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ national programme to be launched tomorrow

Arrangements have been made to hold the inaugural ceremony of the national programme ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’, which has been introduced to effectively steer the country’s rebuilding process, on Tuesday, 13th January at the Lotus Hall of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Government to introduce concessional loan package for MSMEs

The Development Finance Department is set to launch a concessional loan package for micro, small, and medium-scale entrepreneurs, in line with government directives, Fiscal Policy Department Director General Manjula Hettiarachchi said.

Keheliya’s corruption case to be recalled on Feb. 13

The Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal today ordered that the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramith Rambukwella, his daughter Amali Nayanika Rambukwella, and their domestic aide Nipuni Krishnajina be recalled on February 13.

British tourist rescued from strong currents at Mirissa Beach

A 65-year-old British national was rescued after nearly drowning at Mirissa Beach yesterday (11), police said.

Thick mist in Central hills

Heavy mist prevailing in the Western slopes of the Central hills has disrupted civilian life in several areas and obstructed transportation.

Low pressure area moving away

The low-pressure area located over the Gulf of Mannar is weakening further and moving away from the island, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Donald Trump declares himself as ’Acting President of Venezuela’, posts on Truth Social

In his Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump recognises himself as the ’Acting President of Venezuela’. Credit: Screen grab/Reuters

Wimal Weerawansa launches continuous ‘Satyagraha’ at Education Ministry

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, accompanied by civil society representatives and supporters, has begun a continuous ‘Satyagraha’ protest in front of the Education Ministry.

Chalamet beats DiCaprio to Golden Globes glory

Chalamet, 30, continued his pursuit of greatness, and an Oscar, by beating stars including Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney to the award for best actor in a musical or comedy for table tennis caper Marty Supreme.

Complaint filed with CID over distorted Sri Lanka State Emblem

The Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the alleged alteration of Sri Lanka’s State Emblem on the official website of the Ministry of Public Security.

Sri Lanka tightens drone laws after safety concerns

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that it will introduce a comprehensive programme to regulate the use of drones in Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on drones used for commercial purposes.

Test delays deepen Ondansetron doubts

After nearly a month, serious concerns have been raised over a considerable delay in reviewing a request to conduct independent testing on withdrawn batches of the Ondansetron injection, as well as the non-release of related laboratory findings.

Three killed in accident in Mundalama

Three people were killed in a road accident that occurred this morning (12) in the Navadankulama area of Mundalama along the Puttalam–Colombo main road, police said.

Malaysia and Indonesia block Musk’s Grok over sexually explicit deepfakes

Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok over its ability to produce sexually explicit deepfakes.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Arrives in Sri Lanka on transit visit

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake early this morning (12) during a brief transit stop while returning to China after completing an official visit to South Africa.

Companies from India, China, America, Japan eye Sapugaskanda oil refinery

Twenty companies including from countries such as China, India, the United States and Japan have responded to Sri Lanka’s invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop and expand the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, an official said yesterday.

Trump tells Cuba to ’make a deal, before it is too late’

Donald Trump has urged Cuba to ’’make a deal’’ or face consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money would now stop.

A/L exam to resume today after cyclone disruption

The remaining subjects of the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (A/L) Examination, which were postponed due to Cyclone Ditwah, will resume from today (12), the Examinations Department announced.

Barca edge Real Madrid in thrilling Spanish Super Cup final

Barcelona retained the Spanish Super Cup with an entertaining 3-2 Clasico win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Kohli surpasses Sangakkara as second-highest scorer in international cricket

India’s Virat Kohli on Sunday became the second-highest scorer across the three international cricket formats during his match-winning 93 in the first ODI against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka seal gritty T20 win over Pakistan to level series

Sri Lanka eked out a hard fought 14-run victory over Pakistan in the third T20 at rain-hit Dambulla on Sunday, easing their batting jitters and squaring the three-match series 1-1.

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026: Warm-ups Day 3 wrap

Afghanistan and Sri Lanka registered morale-boosting wins on Day 3 of warm-up fixtures in the lead-up to the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.

Restoration of Northern, Talaimannar railway lines begins

Restoration work on the Northern and Talaimannar railway lines began today (11), backed by a USD 5 million grant from the Government of India.

Education reforms should suit the country, not the JVP: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said that if the President believes education reforms compatible with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are also compatible with the country, then a wrong decision has been taken.

Bride and groom among 8 killed in gas cylinder blast at Pakistan wedding

A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.