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).

Express train from Colombo Fort to Mirigama derails

An express train traveling from Colombo Fort to Mirigama at 9:30 a.m. derailed between Colombo Fort and Maradana railway stations at approximately 9:35 a.m., the Rillways Department said.

5 dead, 2 hospitalized after plane from Mexico crashes in Galveston Bay, Coast Guard officials say

A medical plane from Mexico crashed into Galveston Bay on Monday, killing at least five people and injuring two, authorities said.

Thalangama Wetland’s rich biodiversity highlighted amid expressway development concerns

The Thalangama wetland has been identified as an area of high ecological value, hosting hundreds of animal species and playing a vital role in flood control, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) said.

Trump offers $3,000 and free flight to migrants who self-deport by year-end

The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday that undocumented immigrants can receive $3,000 if they agree to leave the United States voluntarily by the end of the year.

I rebranded Christianity in this country. And some don’t like it - Jerome Fernando

Jerome Fernando is not an unknown name is Sri Lanka. He is a name that has caught attention in the religious world and beyond as thousands of people follow his preachings and believe he is the modern day chosen ‘Prophet’ of God.

Veteran actor Sathischandra Edirisinghe passes away

Veteran actor Sathischandra Edirisinghe passed away this morning at the age of 84.

Uncertainty looms for 2,200 CEB workers as voluntary retirement scheme delayed

More than 2,200 employees who applied for the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Voluntary Retirement Scheme are facing growing anxiety and uncertainty as the programme continues to be delayed, applicants said.

Police tighten Colombo city security following shooting incident

Police have deployed additional officers across Colombo city following a shooting incident that occurred between Nugegoda and Kohuwala junction this evening.

Toll collection at Kerawalapitiya interchange discontinued

Toll collection at the Kerawalapitiya Interchange on the Colombo Outer Expressway will be discontinued from today (22).

CMC administration can bring another budget within 14 days

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) administration has the option of presenting a fresh budget within 14 days, in accordance with the Local Government Ordinance, a long-standing member of the CMC said.

Removal of all buildings at 5,000ft. elevation in the central hills not feasible

Former Senior Professor of the Geological Science at the Faculty of the Peradeniya University Athula Senaratne, said the decision to remove all constructions in the hill country at an elevation above 5,000 feet would affect the country’s economy and the tourism sector.

NPP loses CMC budget

The ruling party, National People’s Power (NPP), lost the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget proposal by a margin of 3 votes.

Man injured in shooting at Kohuwala

A 25-year-old man was injured following a shooting incident between Nugegoda and Kohuwala junction this evening, police said.

Amendments to CEA Act to be tabled in Parliament within months

Amendments to the Central Environment Authority (CEA) Act are currently being finalised and are expected to be presented to Parliament within the next three to four months, CEA Director General Kapila Rajapaksa said today.

Sri Lanka Fourth in Latest WTC Rankings on Road to Lord’s (2025–27)

Sri Lanka are currently placed fourth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 standings following New Zealand’s 2–0 series victory over the West Indies.

Market slides below 22,000

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) began the week on a weak footing, with both key indices closing sharply lower amid broad-based selling pressure. Investor sentiment turned increasingly cautious, weighed down by economic uncertainties and lingering after-effects of the recent cyclone, prompting a clear risk-off approach.

Sri Lanka records over USD 15 billion export revenue by November

Sri Lanka’s export earnings from January to November 2025 has recorded USD 15,776 million, an annual growth of 5.8 per cent when compared to the same period in 2024, Chairman and CEO of the Export Development Board, Mangala Wijesinghe said.

Strauss says sacking Stokes and McCullum will not solve England’s Ashes woes

Former England cricket chief Andrew Strauss has warned that removing coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes will not be enough to change a ’’depressingly one-sided story’’ in Australia following another painful Ashes defeat.

Sri Lanka Name T20 World Cup 2026 Preliminary Squad

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the preliminary squad selected for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Refereeing Howlers: Smoking Gun Tells it All

Even technology and television replays that come along with the vast strides rugby has made, don’t seem to have created space for justice in Sri Lanka’s domestic first class inter club Premier League where players have become either semi-professional if not professional with some of them straight from leaving their school books.