Amsterdam church destroyed by New Year’s blaze

Amsterdam’s Vondel Church, near one of the city’s most popular parks, was largely destroyed in a fire just as New Year celebrations were in full swing, local media reported on Thursday.

President receives new year blessings from Amarapura and Ramanna chief prelates

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake received New Year blessings from the Chief Prelates of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya and the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya during visits to their respective temples.

Rough sea conditions forecast in several coastal areas

The Meteorology Department has warned that sea areas off the coast from Galle to Colombo, Puttalam, Kankesanthurai, Trincomalee, and from Batticaloa to Hambantota may become somewhat rough due to the development of a low-level atmospheric disturbance to the east of Sri Lanka.

CAA collects over Rs. 285 million in fines from raids in 2025

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has collected more than Rs. 285 million in fines from raids carried out during 2025, the authority said in a statement.

CMC fails to collect outstanding rates worth Rs 440 million in 2025

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) which has been unable to collect a total of Rs. 440 million as rates by end 2025 has decided to extend the contract period of three rate collectors who were hired in 2025, it was revealed yesterday.

Parliament to appoint Select Committee to decide on Electoral System to hold PC polls

The government has obtained the approval of the Parliamentary Business Committee to move a resolution in Parliament to appoint a Select Committee to decide on the electoral system to hold the Provincial Council election.

Rs. 60 million spent for printing Grade VI English module with immoral reference

The Education Ministry has decided to remove what is termed ‘inappropriate references’ in Grade VI English language models and distribute them among school children.

As SL welcomes 2026, Ditwah victims still in the lurch

More than a month after the devastation unleashed by Cyclone Ditwah, more than 24,000 people remain displaced and are still living in tents in the hardest-hit areas of the country while the nation welcomed the New Year.

Gold-infused Ayurvedic medicine for critically-ill patients

The Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Corporation is focusing on producing a gold-infused medicine called ’Makarajdvajaya’ in large quantities this year. The medicine is made according to an ancient Ayurvedic recipe that is over 1,000 years old.

Ranil, Sajith mark New Year with telephone conversation

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe marked the New Year with a telephone conversation where both exchanged well wishes.

One year on, Sri Lanka’s largest FDI project yet to see the light of day

Despite the lapse of almost one year after signing the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), the proposed US $ 3.7 billion investment by Sinopec is yet to see the light of day.

Retiring Khawaja criticises ’racial stereotypes’

The 39-year-old will play his 88th Test in the Ashes finale against England starting on Sunday (23:30 GMT, Saturday) in Sydney, on the ground where he made his debut against the same opponents in 2011.

Spurious drugs smuggled to Sri Lanka, claims former Puducherry Chief Minister

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy has claimed that spurious drugs manufactured in Puducherry were even “smuggled” to Sri Lanka.

China’s BYD set to overtake Tesla as world’s top EV seller

China’s BYD is set to overtake Elon Musk’s Tesla as the world’s biggest seller of electric vehicles (EVs), marking the first time it has outpaced its American rival for annual sales.

One killed, two injured in Nawagamuwa shooting

Police have uncovered several details regarding a shooting incident that targeted three individuals in the Korathota–Menikgara Road area of Nawagamuwa last night.

NIE Director General resigns pending probe into grade 6 English module

Director General of the National Institute of Education (NIE), Professor Manjula Withanapathirana, has decided to resign from her post pending the completion of an investigation into the controversial Grade 6 English Module.

Concessionary pledge loan scheme of Rs.10bn to support paddy millers from January 2026

A concessionary pledge loan scheme for small and medium scale paddy millers and cooperative societies is to be implemented from 1 January onwards to purchase paddy for the Maha season

‘Le Beirut’ set to become Sri Lanka’s first Lebanese Quick Service Restaurant

The restaurant industry is a major economic force in Sri Lanka, generating billions of rupees in revenue each year. It is one of the largest and most important sectors of the economy. With resurgence in

School hours to remain unchanged in 2026 due to disaster damage: Ministry

Considering the ongoing disaster situation in the country and the damage caused to the school and transport systems in several provinces, the Education Ministry has decided not to extend school hours in 2026 until these systems are fully restored.

LAUGFS gas revises domestic refill prices from tonight

LAUGFS Gas has announced a revision of its domestic refill prices, effective from tonight.

Road accident deaths rise in 2025

The number of deaths caused by traffic accidents in 2025 has increased by 322 compared to 2024, according to the police.

Electricity tariffs to rise 11.5% for next three months: Former PUCSL Chairman

According to a proposal submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided to increase electricity tariffs by 11.5 percent for the next three months, former PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

Government digging its own pit, Says Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa said today that the government is “digging its own pit,” adding that the role of the opposition is to pressure the administration to at least partially fulfil the promises it made to the people.

Public urged to dispose of E-waste responsibly

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has urged the public to dispose of electronic waste (E-waste) responsibly to protect the environment and public health. Members of the public are advised to store E-waste safely until it can be properly handed over for disposal.

40% of Kadawatha–Mirigama Central Expressway section completed

Nearly 40 per cent of the Kadawatha–Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway has been completed so far, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today.

Three hacked to death, one injured in Mawanella knife attack

Three people were hacked to death and another woman was injured in a brutal attack carried out with a sharp weapon in the Kondeniya in Mawanella this evening, police said.

Electronic card payments begin on SLTB buses today

The Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry introduced a new electronic card payment system for Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses today, as part of the government’s push for innovative digital solutions.

Showers and thundershowers expected in several provinces

The Meteorology Department has issued a general weather forecast for the next 36 hours, warning of increased showers in Eastern, Northern, and Uva provinces due to a developing low-level atmospheric disturbance east of Sri Lanka.

Education Ministry donates staff salaries to Disaster Relief Fund

The Education Ministry began the New Year 2026 by contributing a portion of staff salaries to the Disaster Relief Fund, supporting those affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Around 40 killed, 100 injured in explosion in Swiss ski resort bar, police say

Around 40 people have been killed and 100 injured, most of them seriously, after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during a New Year’s Eve party in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss officials said on Thursday.