Sri Lankan band in UK contributes first concert profits to Sri Lanka Rebuilding Fund

Sri Lankan teen music band Cloud6, based in the UK, has donated £1,500 to the Government of Sri Lanka Rebuilding Fund through the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London.

Elephant deaths gone up after Ditwah Cyclone: Minister

The elephant deaths due to human-elephant conflicts have increased after the Ditwah Cyclone as most of the habitats of the elephants have been destroyed, resulting in change of their movement, Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi said yesterday.

Screen-based activities linked to rising vitamin D deficiency among children

Health experts have raised concerns over a growing vitamin D deficiency among children, linking the issue to increased screen-based activities that limit exposure to early morning sunlight, a key natural source of the nutrient.

India’s US$350Mn loan package will be disbursed as Indian rupee-dominated loans

The US$350 million loan package announced by India for post-Ditwah reconstruction works will be disbursed as Indian- rupee dominated loans (INR loans) at concessionary rates, Daily Mirror learns.

Maduro tells court ’’I’m not guilty - I’m a decent man’’ in response to drug trafficking charges

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking and weapons charges, days after they were captured by U.S. military forces in a stunning overnight operation and brought to New York City for prosecution.

Sri Lanka eyes 350,000 foreign employment departures in 2026

Sri Lanka has set a target of securing 350,000 foreign employment opportunities in 2026, aiming to build on a record-breaking financial performance in 2025, where workers’ remittances reached an estimated US$ 7.8 billion.

Selfies and smiles: South Korea seeks ’new phase’ in ties with China

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has called for a ’’new phase’’ in ties with China as he met its leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday.

Father, daughter die in Galenbindunuwewa house fire; four injured

Two people, including a 13-year-old girl, were killed and four others injured after a house was set on fire following a family dispute in Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura, police said.

Sri Lanka deeply concerned about recent developments in Venezuela: Foreign Ministry

The Government of Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the recent developments in Venezuela and is closely monitoring the situation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Ceypetco announces fuel price hike from midnight

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision of fuel prices effective from midnight today.

Nicolás Maduro and wife en route to New York court

Dramatic images show Venezuela’s seized president Nicolás Maduro being transferred from an armoured vehicle to a helicopter in New York.

Navin Dissanayake appointed UNP Vice Chairman

Senior politician Navin Dissanayake has been appointed Vice Chairman of the United National Party (UNP) for 2026.

Fake Colombo Stock Exchange scheme defrauds depositors of over Rs. 17 million

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after a fraudulent company defrauded depositors of more than Rs. 17 million by misusing the CSE’s name and logo.

Gold price rises after US captures Venezuela’s Maduro

Precious metal prices and shares in defence stocks have risen after the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro increased investors’ concerns about geopolitical risks.

ASP and sergeant arrested in bribery probe

An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the Nuwara Eliya Assistant Superintendent of Police Office and a woman police sergeant from the Kalmunai Assistant Superintendent of Police Office were arrested today (05) in connection with a bribery investigation conducted by the Commission on Bribery and Corruption.

Johnston Fernando, his youngest son remanded

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his youngest son, who were arrested this morning, were remanded till January 9 by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court today.

Coaching and tuition classes for 2025 A/L exams banned from midnight tomorrow

The Department of Examinations has announced that conducting coaching or tuition classes targeting the 2025 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examinations will be prohibited from midnight tomorrow (6).

Utilise budget allocations with maximum efficiency: President instructs Ministry Secretaries

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that within the prevailing financial constraints, budgetary allocations for 2026 have been made by identifying national priorities and emphasised that it is the responsibility of all Ministry Secretaries and public officials to utilise these funds with maximum efficiency for the benefit of the people.

German investors arrive to explore new technical college in Sri Lanka

A group of German investors arrived in Sri Lanka to via the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) , Katunayake, to explore the establishment of a state-of-the-art technical college similar to the existing German Technical College currently operating in the country.

Low-level disturbance near Sri Lanka likely to intensify: Meteorology Dept

The Department of Meteorology has warned that a low-level atmospheric disturbance in the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, is likely to intensify in the coming days.

First-ever food and beverages department for patients launched

The Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama will open a Food and Beverages Department tomorrow (6), marking the first time such a facility is being introduced in a government hospital. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, aims to provide customised, nutritious meals to in-house patients under a pilot program.

Coconut oil price rises by Rs. 100: National Consumers’ Front

The price of a bottle of coconut oil has risen by about Rs. 100 in the past two weeks, National Consumers’ Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath said.

Police search suspect in Mawathagama acid attack

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with an acid attack on a woman in Mawathagama on December 10, 2025.

Man mistakenly arrested over Kohuwala shooting granted police bail

Police have granted bail to a man who was arrested after being mistakenly identified as a suspect wanted in connection with a recent shooting incident in Kohuwala, police said.

Magistrate seeks explanation from police over withdrawal of journalist’s case

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today directed the Cinnamon Gardens Police to inform court in writing whether they intend to withdraw the case filed against journalist Gayan Kalpa Gunaratne on charges of criminal force against a police officer and acting in a manner causing a breach of public peace.

Bluefin tuna fetches record $3.2m at Tokyo auction

A bulky bluefin tuna made a splash at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on Monday morning, fetching a record 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) at the market’s first auction of the year.

Business registration for cyclone-affected industries resumes

The Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry has announced that the registration of businesses, including export and manufacturing industries affected by Cyclone Ditwah, has resumed as its second phase.

Johnston Fernando, his youngest son arrested

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his youngest son, Gerome Kenneth Fernando were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning (05) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Trawler Owners demand action against Seychelles authorities for burning trawler

All Ceylon Multi-day Trawler Owners’ Association has requested the International Organisations and the Sri Lankan government to hold a formal investigation of destroying a multi-day fishing trawler and the arrest of six fishermen by the Seychelles security authorities.

Joint opposition alliance is the key : Namal

A joint opposition alliance is the only viable option to change the destiny of the nation, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday.