Trump seeks $100bn for Venezuela oil, but Exxon boss says country ’uninvestable’

US President Donald Trump has asked for at least $100bn (£75bn) in oil industry spending for Venezuela, but received a lukewarm response at the White House as one executive warned the South American country was currently ’’uninvestable’’.

Sri Lanka emerges as third fastest growing destination for Australian tourists

​Sri Lanka has secured its position as the third fastest-growing travel destination for Australian tourists in 2025, recording a 19 percent year-on-year growth in arrivals.

Trump says US needs to ’own’ Greenland to prevent Russia and China from taking it

President Donald Trump says the US needs to ’’own’’ Greenland to prevent Russia and China from doing so.

All set for international bidding for oil and gas exploration, development

The energy companies from countries such as Qatar and India have already shown interest in participation in the exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources (oil and natural gas) in four blocks of the Mannar basin, an official said yesterday.

TikTok reveals Sri Lanka’s top searches in 2025

TikTok recently shared the top searched words on the platform in Sri Lanka in 2025, offering a snapshot of what Sri Lankans were most curious about this year — from the celebrities and creators they follow, to the music and dramas they can’t stop talking about, the places they’re planning to visit, and the moments driving conversation across the platform.

Dehiwala hotel owner dies after shooting

The owner of a hotel on Marine Drive in Dehiwala has died after being shot earlier this evening, police said.

Second T20 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka abandoned due to rain

Rain played spoilsport in the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka as the second Twenty20 International at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium was abandoned due to persistent downpours on Friday evening.

Market closes week on strong note with fifth consecutive gain

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its rally on Friday, recording its fifth consecutive session of gains as improving investor sentiment and encouraging macroeconomic signals continued to support market momentum.

Shooting reported in Dehiwala, one injured

A shooting incident was reported a short while ago in the Beach Road area of Dehiwala, leaving one person injured, police said.

Lane closed on Colombo–Kandy road

One lane of the Colombo–Kandy main road will be temporarily closed near Kadawatha owing to ongoing construction work, police said.

US seizes another oil tanker linked to Venezuela, officials say

US forces have seized another tanker in the Caribbean Sea, officials said, as Washington continues its efforts to control exports of Venezuelan oil.

Construction halted in Ambuluwawa environmental zone

The Ministry of Environment has directed the Central Environment Authority (CEA) to immediately suspend all construction activities within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone until a comprehensive risk assessment is carried out.

Protests in Iran cause widespread flight cancelations

Major airlines have canceled dozens of flights to and from Iranian cities as a result of widespread protests throughout Iran, fueled by economic hardship.

Multi-vehicle crash at Mawanella leaves one killed, several injured

One person was killed and several others were injured when two buses and a lorry were involved in a collision on the Colombo–Kandy main road in the Palpatha area of Mawanella around 3.30 p.m. today (09), police said.

’’We will not ask people to wait until 2048,’’ says AKD

Although the lives lost in the disaster cannot be replaced, the Government will provide every possible form of assistance to help the affected communities and that he will not ask the people to wait until 2048 for relief, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Arogya mobile health clinic for Colombo Nattami Community

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media will conduct an Arogya mobile health clinic for the Colombo Nattami community and their family members on January 10, 2026.

Govt publishes amended terrorism designation list

An amended list of designated persons, groups and entities has been published through an Extraordinary Gazette under the United Nations Act, No. 45 of 1968.

Red landslide evacuation warnings issued for several areas

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Red (Level 3) Landslide Evacuation Warnings for several high-risk areas amid prevailing weather conditions in Sri Lanka.

Cigarette haul: Two arrested in Colombo

Two suspects were arrested in Colombo’s Aluthkade area during a joint operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police on January 8, after around 1,560 foreign-manufactured cigarettes were found in their possession.

Johnston Fernando further remanded

The Wattala Magistrate’s Court has ordered the further remand of five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, until January 23.

CAA to expand consumer awareness drive in 2026

Following a landmark year in consumer education, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has announced plans to further strengthen and expand its awareness programs in 2026, targeting the general public, schoolchildren, and the business community.

Supreme Court to resume operations at refurbished original building from January 26

The Supreme Court will resume operations at the newly refurbished original Supreme Court building at the Superior Courts Complex with effect from January 26, 2026, the Registrar of the Supreme Court announced.

Government to establish prison in Welisara

The Ministry of Justice and National Integration has issued an extraordinary gazette notification to establish a prison in Welisara.

Turkish Airlines introduces A350-900 on Istanbul–Colombo route

Turkish Airlines has upgraded its Istanbul–Colombo route with the introduction of the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) announced with delight.

Court revises bail condition of Ex Moratuwa Mayor

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered the modification of a bail condition imposed on former Mayor of the Moratuwa Municipal Council Saman Lal Fernando who has been produced before court as a suspect in a corruption related case.

Ashoka Chakra used in Buddhism book instead of Dharmachakra: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said another serious error has been reported in the Buddhism subject where the Ashoka Chakra has been used instead of the Dharmachakra in the Buddhism book.

Gampola labour office to be temporarily closed Jan 9

The Department of Labour announces that the Gampola Labour Office, located at P.B. Panabokka Mawatha, Gampola, will be temporarily closed with effect from 9 January 2026.

65 cases withdrawn during previous governments re-filed: PM

A total of 65 cases that had been withdrawn between 2019 and 2024 have been re-filed by the present government, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.

Douglas Devananda released on bail

Former Minister Douglas Devananda, who was remanded in connection with an investigation into a missing firearm, was granted bail by Gampaha Magistrate Seelani Perera.

Govt to build 31,000 houses following $4.1 bn disaster losses, Says President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the government plans to build 31,000 new houses after the World Bank estimated Sri Lanka’s disaster-related losses at USD 4.1 billion.