Venezuelan President indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.

Education reforms should safeguard local culture, values while embracing modernity: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today called for effective education reforms which embrace modernity while preserving local culture and traditional values.

Trump says Venezuela’s President captured after strikes

The U.S. struck Venezuela overnight and captured its long-serving President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said early on Saturday after months of pressuring him over accusations of drug-running and illegitimacy in power.

Venezuela blames explosions on US ’’military aggression’’

Venezuela said it rejected ’’military aggression’’ by the United States after multiple explosions rocked capital Caracas and other areas early on Saturday.

Energy Ministry to appoint committee to assess reimbursements for preliminary expenses by Adani

The Cabinet has entrusted the Energy Ministry to appoint a committee to assess and determine reimbursements for initial costs sustained by India’s Adani Company following its withdrawal from the proposed investment projects in Sri Lanka, an official said.

Prime Minister should resign over controversial English Module: Namal

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who is in charge of the Ministry of Education, must resign over the controversial Grade 6 English Module, rather than the resignation of a Ministry official, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said today.

Close shave as Buddha Air plane carrying 55 veers off runway in Nepal

A turboprop passenger aircraft of Buddha Air veered off the runway while landing in Nepal’s Bhadrapur yesterday, the airline said.

Low-level atmospheric disturbance developing over SL

Showery conditions are expected to enhance in Eastern, Northern and Uva Provinces during the coming days, due to the development of a low-level atmospheric disturbance to the East of Sri Lanka, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Talpe Railway Station reopened to public after modernisation

The Talpe Railway Station, refurbished under the “Dream Destination” project of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, was officially handed over to the public yesterday (02) under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake.

SJB, UNP alliance an uphill task

Prospects for a possible electoral alliance between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) remain dampened because of different views uttered by their representatives

Sri Lanka extends sympathies to all those affected by fire in Switzerland

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said he was deeply saddened to learn of the devastating fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which has resulted in the tragic loss of many lives and injuries to several others.

Sri Lanka’s juvenile tusker population on the rise

Sri Lanka’s juvenile elephants’ population with tusks have seen a rise of 9.2 per cent during the period between 2021 and 2024, according to statistics quoted by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi. The Minister told Daily Mirror that the juvenile tuskers accounted for 8.4 per cent of the total population in 2021, and it had scaled up to 17.6 per cent in 2024. Way back in 1993, the figure was at 11 per cent.

Sparklers on champagne bottles likely cause of deadly Swiss bar fire

A fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort appears to have been caused by sparklers placed on bottles of champagne that came ’’too close to the ceiling’’, authorities said.

Father arrested over alleged murder of son

A father has been arrested over the alleged murder of his 14-year-old son in Nuriya Watte in the Nuriya police division.

Water supply suspended due to Ambathale–Dehiwala pipeline rupture

A sudden rupture in the main water supply line from Ambathale to Dehiwala has led to the suspension of water supply in several areas, according to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB).

Gun violence spills into New Year

Continuing the gun-related violence that plagued Sri Lanka throughout 2025, the New Year began with a fatal shooting allegedly linked to rival underworld groups.

Colombo Port records historic high of 8.29mn TEUs in 2025

The Port of Colombo reached a defining milestone in 2025, recording a throughput of 8,291,178 TEUs, the highest volume ever handled in its history.

Education Ministry outlines school timetables for 2026

The Ministry of Education has issued instructions regarding the revision of school timetables and the deployment of academic staff for 2026 under the new education reforms.

President directs timely completion of 2026 Budget housing projects

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to ensure that all housing projects planned under the 2026 Budget are completed within the stipulated timeframes and handed over to the public without delay.

Government pulling its own legs by failing to deliver promises: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa claimed today that, instead of the opposition undermining the government, it is “pulling its own legs” and attempting to shift blame.

SPMC records highest-ever drug production in 2025

The State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) has recorded the highest drug production in its history during 2025.

Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills protesters

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran’s authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington ’’will come to their rescue’’.

SLAF thwarts hostile threat during UN mission

The SLAF Aviation Unit deployed at Bria under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was temporarily detached to Obo to undertake critical operational commitments.

CSE starts 2026 on a strong note as both ASPI and S&P SL20 advance

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) opened 2026 on a strong note, closing higher in the first trading session of the year amid improved sentiment and stronger activity. The ASPI gained 239.77 points (1.06%) to end at 22,864.08, while the S&P SL20 rose 28.71 points (0.63%) to 6,195.95. Total turnover stood at LKR 5.16 billion on a share volume of 132.96 million.

Matugama PS Chairman remanded over obstruction of duties

The Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, Kasun Munasinghe (SJB), who was arrested by police for allegedly obstructing the duties of the Secretary of the Pradeshiya Sabha, has been remanded until January 8 by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court.

Contaminated water kills 9 and hospitalises 200 in India’s Indore city

At least nine people have died and more than 200 have been hospitalised in the central Indian city of Indore after a diarrhoea outbreak that officials said was linked to contaminated drinking water, according to a lawmaker and local health authorities.

Kataragama Devalaya to auction gold items for ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

The Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya has decided to auction around 70 percent of the gold items currently stored in the Devalaya’s safes and donate the proceeds to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund.

India to play additional T20Is in Sri Lanka to support cyclone relief

India has agreed to play additional Twenty20 International (T20I) matches during their tour of Sri Lanka in August as a gesture of support for relief and recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Shammi Silva said.

Dozens missing after boat carrying 200 migrants sinks off Gambia

At least seven people have died and many others are missing after a boat carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe capsized off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.

Marasinghe appointed Director General of Wildlife Conservation

M.S.L.R.P. Marasinghe has been appointed as the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation with effect from January 1.