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.

Rishad Bathiudeen appears before Bribery Commission

Former Minister and Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (05) after being summoned by the commission.

Mahinda says NPP efforts falling short

The National People’s Power (NPP) Government is making efforts but has so far failed to deliver results, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Wildlife officials hunt for those who electrocuted a jumbo in Welikanda

In the wake of the burning an elephant to death in Mihintale, the death of another wild elephant as a result of the human-elephant conflict was reported yesterday from Welikanda.

Body found at Marine Drive, Kollupitiya

A dead body was found at Marine Drive in Kollupitiya today, police said.

Talks begin with Seychelles to repatriate fishermen from the destroyed trawler

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Fisheries has initiated high-level diplomatic discussions to secure the return of local fishermen currently held in the Seychelles.

Pakistan cricket team to arrive in Sri Lanka today

The Pakistan Men’s National Cricket Team is scheduled to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, this evening ahead of a T20 series.

Ex-Australia batter Martyn wakes up from coma in ’miracle’ recovery

The 54-year-old, who played 67 Test matches between 1992 and 2006, fell ill late last month and was admitted to a Queensland hospital on 27 December.

Cabinet approval next week for private sector involvement in developing Mattala airport

A Cabinet Memorandum will be presented next week seeking approval to call for Expression of Interest (EOI) from local or foreign investors to develop the Mattala international airport under the public private partnership (PPP) model, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Kodituwakku said.

SriLankan Airlines debt to be restructured this month: Deputy Minister

The Government is expecting to complete the restructuring of the defaulted debt of SriLankan Airlines this month, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Kodituwakku said.

A hypocrisy called the United Nations!

There is a quiet anger spreading across much of the world. It is not the loud kind that fills streets with protests, but a deeper, more painful frustration felt by ordinary people who are watching global justice collapse under the weight of hypocrisy. At the centre of this failure stands the United Nations, an institution created to protect humanity, now increasingly exposed as one that protects power instead.

Bill gazetted to scrap MPs’ pension scheme

A Gazette notification has been issued for the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, paving the way for the abolition of long-standing pension entitlements for Members of Parliament and their spouses.

Vijitha comes to Harini's rescue

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath has dismissed complaints and accusations directed at the Prime Minister, stating that all allegations against her are baseless.

Johnston Fernando appears at FCID over investigation

Former Minister Johnston Fernando arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning (05) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Mahaweli Authority begins safety inspections of reservoirs after recent cyclone

The Mahaweli Authority has begun a comprehensive quality and safety inspection of both large-scale and small-scale reservoirs under its purview, including those used for hydroelectric power generation, following recent landslides and floods triggered by the cyclone “Ditwah”.

FSP to stage protest in Colombo against US role in Venezuela

The Frontline Socialist Party is scheduled to hold a protest in Colombo today opposing what it describes as United States intervention in Venezuela.

Danish PM tells Trump to stop ’threats’ against Greenland

Denmark’s prime minister has told Donald Trump to ’’stop the threats’’ about taking over Greenland.