Over 150,000 tourists arrive in Sri Lanka within 21 days in December

Despite critical weather conditions in the country, Sri Lanka recorded 154,609 tourist arrivals in just 21 days this December.

Five wickets in an over: Indonesia all-rounder achieves world first in international cricket

Priandana’s achievement stands alone — he is the first bowler to take all five wickets himself in a single over at the international level.

Gunmen abduct 28 Muslim travellers in central Nigeria

Armed men have kidnapped 28 people travelling to an annual Islamic event in Nigeria’s central Plateau state, local sources have told the BBC.

Cabinet approves tariff relief on milk fish imports to support local production

The Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources to provide tariff relief on the import of Milk fish until local production can fully meet demand.

CMC Mayor says her mandate remains unchanged as second reading to follow

Despite the setback, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said the budget would proceed to a second reading, during which amendments could still be proposed if necessary.

Government approves procurement of LPG cylinders for Litro Gas Lanka Limited

The government has approved the procurement of LPG cylinders required by Litro Gas Lanka Limited, including 120,000 2.3 kg cylinders, 185,000 5 kg cylinders, 450,000 12.5 kg cylinders, and 7,000 37.5 kg cylinders.

Government approves Suraksha student insurance programme for 2025/2026 with key amendments

The government has approved the implementation of the Suraksha Student Insurance Programme for the year 2025/2026, following a review of issues identified during its previous rollout. Circular instructions will be issued to guide the programme’s execution with key amendments.

Cabinet approves plastic ban for Sri Paada pilgrimage from 2025

Cabinet approval has been granted to minimize the use of plastics and polythene during the Sri Paada pilgrimage season, effective from 2025, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Chinese delegation arrives in Sri Lanka

A Chinese delegation led by Wang Junzheng, Member of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Secretary of the CPC Committee of Xizang Autonomous Region, arrived in Sri Lanka today.

Government prioritises housing complexes for affected people: Environment Minister

The government has given high priority to construct housing complexes for people displaced by cyclone Ditwah, Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabedi said today.

Revision of 2025 academic year end dates for schools

The Education Ministry has announced a revision to the end dates of the 2025 academic year for government and government-approved private schools, including Pirivenas.

Train services resume on Eastern Line to Batticaloa

Train services on the Eastern Line between Colombo Fort and Batticaloa have resumed, restoring an important transport link for commuters and travelers.

NBRO issues landslide alerts despite lifting of red notices

National Building Research Organization (NBRO) geologist Suminda Ratnayake has urged the public to avoid visiting landslide-affected areas, even though red notices have been lifted following a decrease in rainfall.

Sri Lanka, Israel sign MoU to expand employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, currently on an official visit to Israel, held a Joint Technical Evaluation and Progress Review Coordination Committee meeting with officials of the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) yesterday (22) to discuss employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers.

375 shops face legal action in festive season unsafe food raids

Health authorities have launched 1,190 continuous raids across the country to identify vendors selling unsafe and unsuitable food during the festive season.

Urgent relief measures for Cyclone Ditwah victims discussed in Mullaittivu

Urgent issues faced by residents displaced and affected by Cyclone Ditwah in the Mullaittivu district were reviewed at a special disaster committee meeting held yesterday at the Mullaittivu District Secretariat.

BASL urges President to appoint permanent Auditor General without delay

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take immediate steps to appoint a permanent Auditor General in accordance with the Constitution, stressing that such an appointment is essential to safeguard the integrity of the National Audit Office and to maintain the confidence of citizens as well as international partners in the State’s financial governance.

SLTB launches special bus service for festive season

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has launched a special bus service with 107 additional buses from December 24 to 27 to cater to increased passenger demand during the festive season, SLTB Chairman Sajeewa Nandana said.

Key to probe England’s 'stag-do' drinking on Ashes beach break

England managing director Rob Key pledged Tuesday to investigate whether players’ drinking on a mid-Ashes beach break went too far, after reports said it had been like a ’’stag-do.’’

Four new entry lanes open at Seeduwa Interchange

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has opened four new entry lanes at the Seeduwa Interchange on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, effective December 23, 2025, to improve traffic flow and commuter convenience.

Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella dies in California car crash

Vince Zampella, who co-created the widely popular video game series Call of Duty, has died in a car crash in California, aged 55.

Beijing Capital Airlines to start direct flights to Colombo from Jan. 31

Beijing Capital Airlines will begin direct flights between Beijing and Colombo starting January 31, 2026, the Sri Lanka Embassy in China said.

Joint Opposition will take over CMC: Mujibur

Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman, commenting on the defeat of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget, stated that the Joint Opposition will take over the CMC immediately.

India commits reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka

India commits a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar announced today.

Examine your conscience, Balthazar tells CMC members who voted against budget

In the aftermath of the defeat of the budget, Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazar urged the members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to examine their conscience.

Jaishankar meets President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today, marking an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Russia escalates attacks on key Ukrainian region of Odesa

Russia has intensified its strikes on the southern Ukrainian region of Odesa, causing widespread power cuts and threatening the region’s maritime infrastructure.

Education Ministry to expand sanitary napkin programme to all schools from 2026

The Education Ministry will extend its national programme providing sanitary napkins to schoolgirls across the country from 2026, benefiting over one million students above Grade 6, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Global economists call for debt moratorium as Cyclone Ditwah strains IMF targets

The fiscal calculus underpinning Sri Lanka’s economic recovery has been fundamentally altered by Cyclone Ditwah, prompting a coalition of 121 international economists to demand an immediate suspension of external sovereign debt payments.

Western Province slows, other provinces gain

The Western Province, which is considered to have the highest economic growth and contributes a large chunk of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is gradually slowing down in its share of contribution as other provinces experience an increase in economic growth and output, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).