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.

MoU signed to provide free local footwear to school children

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the Education Ministry, the Industries and Entrepreneurship Ministry, and nine local footwear manufacturing companies to provide free locally produced footwear to school children.

SLBFE launches modernized 24/7 call center

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) officially launched its modernized 24-hour Call Center today (01.01.2026) under the patronage of Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Arun Hemachandra.

76 rural roads to be developed under road to revival programme

Development work on 76 rural roads will commence from January 1, 2026, under the government’s Road to Revival programme, aimed at improving living standards in rural areas, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development said.

Rising cyber threats expose gaps in digital safety awareness

The steady rise in cyber complaints reported to the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) in 2025 has underscored growing gaps in digital safety awareness, particularly as more Sri Lankans rely on social media and online services for daily activities.

Heroin, Ice valued at more than Rs. 150 million seized

A consignment of intoxicants including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine (ICE) was seized and three suspects arrested by the Colombo Division Crimes Investigation Unit during a raid in Slave Island the area.

Coconut prices soar despite higher production: Coconut Cultivation Board

Despite a significant increase in coconut production last year, coconut prices in the local market have risen to unusually high levels, surprising even the Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB).

Sri Lanka’s import expenditure rises sharply in November: CBSL

Sri Lanka’s import expenditure rose sharply in November, 2025 with an increase in goods imports by 18.9%, driven largely by vehicle imports, widening the trade deficit, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said.

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City’s 1st Muslim mayor

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in just before midnight on Jan. 1 as New York City mayor, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian to lead the US largest city after taking the oath of office on the Quran.

Drunk driver knocks PC down in Ambalantota

A Police Constable and a Civil Security Constable on traffic duty in the Ambalantota town were knocked down by a motorcar when they signalled to halt and had fled the scene.

Devil’s Bridge restoration to be completed within three months

The restoration work on the Yaka Palama, popularly known as the Devil’s Bridge in Peradeniya, is expected to be completed within the next two to three months, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) Engineer Mihira Gunasena said.

Parliament to convene next week

The Parliamentary Business Committee has decided to convene Parliament next week from January 6 to 9 for the first sitting week for January 2026.

Sri Lanka 2025: The complete year-in-review in one read

This year-in-review offers a complete, easy-to-read summary of the defining events that shaped Sri Lanka from January 1st to December 31st, covering politics, the economy, society, diplomacy, sports, and the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

SJB calls for PC elections in the New Year

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today called for the holding of Provincial Council elections as soon as possible during the New Year.

Several dead and injured in explosion at Swiss ski resort town Crans-Montana, police say

Several people have been killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said early on Thursday.

Condom tax and cheaper childcare: China’s plan to boost birth rates

Chinese people will pay a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while childcare services will be exempt, as the world’s second-largest economy tries to boost birth rates.

Proposed National Environment Act to introduce new laws: Minister

The proposed new National Environment Act has introduced key new features such as the extended producer responsibility (EPR), which the producers of beverage and bottled water are bound to collect Plastic PET bottles used by them, Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi said yesterday.

Bulgaria joins the euro after rocky path to new currency

Bulgaria - the poorest country in the European Union - has become the 21st member of the eurozone - leapfrogging more obvious and prosperous candidates like Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Sri Lanka names squad for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 15-member squad selected to represent the country at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6.

Donor conference being finalised; no time frame as yet

In the wake of World Bank releasing its report on damage caused to Sri Lanka due to the Ditwah Cyclone, a Minister said yesterday the process to call for an international donor conference is being finalised by the High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC) headed by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

2026 will be challenging year: Opposition Leader

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the nation to confront the challenges of the New Year with wisdom, cooperation, and collective responsibility, warning that 2026 will be a difficult year for Sri Lanka.

PM pledges unity, recovery as Sri Lanka enters 2026

As Sri Lanka enters 2026 following a year of reform and adversity, the government has placed national unity and post-disaster recovery at the centre of its agenda for the year ahead, calling on citizens to work collectively to rebuild the country and strengthen long-term resilience, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.