Six-month suspended sentence for sharing friend’s girlfriend’s nude photographs via WhatsApp

A young man who was charged with sharing his friend’s girlfriend’s nude photographs and videos with other friends was sentenced to six months of simple imprisonment, suspended for a period of ten years, by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today.

US, Russia and Ukraine to hold security talks in UAE after Putin meeting

Ukrainian, US and Russian officials will hold security talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the Kremlin said, following a meeting of top US negotiators with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on a US-drafted plan to end the Ukraine war.

Dudley Sirisena’s Rolls-Royce gets him into tax mess

While many Sri Lankans struggle with rising prices and a weak economy, some of the country’s wealthy appear to be playing a game of “hide and seek” with tax authorities. The latest case involves business tycoon Dudley Sirisena and his purchase of a Rolls-Royce Phantom 8 Series 2 Extended Wheelbase (EWB, 2025).

Is Sri Lanka losing anti-corruption battle?

Despite political rhetoric for eradication of corruption, the situation in Sri Lanka seems to have taken a turn for the worse with the country now ranking 24.7, a drop by 7.3 notches in the Global Corruption Perception Index in 2025 prepared by World Economics which is a UK-based research organization.

GMOA launches 48-Hour island-wide symbolic strike

The 48-hour island-wide symbolic strike announced by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) commenced at 8.00 a.m. today, citing the failure to implement written agreements provided by the Health Minister ​to resolve issues affecting the hospital system and medical officers.

TikTok clinches deal for new US joint venture to avoid American ban

TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, on Thursday said it has finalized a deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture that will secure U.S. data, to avoid a U.S. ban on the short video app used by over 200 million Americans.

Three killed in Pelassa embankment collapse

Three persons were killed following the collapse of an earthen embankment at a construction site in the Pelassa area, police said.

No Cabinet discussion on removing Attorney General: Justice Minister

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara said that there has been no discussion within the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the removal of the current Attorney General or the introduction of an impeachment motion against him.

Vampire thriller ’Sinners’ sets record with 16 Oscar nominations

’’Sinners,’’ a Segregation-era vampire thriller starring Michael B. Jordan, stormed into the awards race on Thursday with the most Academy Award nominations of any film this year, landing a record 16 nods.

Association of Medical Specialists says No to GMOA strike

Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has clarified that its members will not participate in any reported trade union action planned by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), which is expected to commence islandwide tomorrow, January 23, 2026.

Market holds steady as earnings season picks up pace

Following yesterday’s exceptional gains, the Colombo Stock Exchange closed on a mixed note today, with the ASPI ending marginally positive while the S&P SL20 finished slightly lower.

Presidential Commission calls for public complaints on alleged CMC irregularities

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate alleged irregularities at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has begun calling for public complaints and information relating to the period from 2010 to 2025.

Dalai Lama meets Sri Lanka’s Atamasthanadhipathi

In a landmark moment for global Buddhism, a historic meeting took place today between the Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Thero, the Atamasthanadhipathi of Sri Lanka, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the world-renowned icon of universal compassion.

Bangladesh adamant on playing T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka despite ICC threat

Bangladesh have reiterated their stance on not travelling to India for the T20 World Cup and will, once again, request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their games to Sri Lanka despite the global cricket body’s refusal to change the tournament’s schedule.

Kendu leaves worth Rs. 15mn seized by Coast Guard

Over Rs.15 million worth of Kendu leaves were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard during a special operation conducted in Katuneriya today (22nd January 2026).

Indictments filed against Arjuna Ranatunga, his brother

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that indictments have been filed before the Colombo High Court against former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Dhammika Ranatunga

Court of Appeal calls for records in Trincomalee monk remand case

The Court of Appeal today directed the Registrar of the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court to immediately submit the journal entries and voice recordings relating to the magisterial inquiry into an incident in which two Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, were remanded for placing a Buddha statue in Trincomalee.

BOI responds to AI-generated video featuring Director General

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has warned the public and stakeholders of a fraudulent, AI-generated video circulating on social media that falsely features its Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Renuka M. Weerakone.

GMOA to launch 48-hour islandwide token strike

A 48-hour token strike will commence at 8.00 a.m. tomorrow at government hospitals across the island, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Death toll in Pakistan shopping centre fire rises to at least 60

The death toll from a fire at a shopping centre in Karachi has risen to at least 60, after at least 30 bodies were found in a single burned shop, Pakistani officials have said.

Golden trophy on display...

TSV launches Counselify.ai CV analyzing website

England wear black armbands in first ODI against Sri Lanka

The England cricket team wear black armbands during today’s first One Day International against Sri Lanka in memory of former England cricketer Norman Gifford and former England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive David Collier.

Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ calls Port of Colombo

The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a logistics replenishment visit today. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Doctors’ strike in Eastern Province called off

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that the strike launched by doctors at hospitals across the Eastern Province was called off at 2.00 p.m. today.

US set to quit World Health Organization

The U.S. is due to officially exit the World Health Organization on Thursday, in the face of warnings it will hit both U.S. health and global health and also in violation of a U.S. law that requires Washington to pay the U.N. health agency $260 million in fees that it owes.

New electrician licensing rules implemented this year

The Electrician Licensing System aimed at enhancing electrical safety and professional standards in the electricity sector has been implemented from this year under the provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act and the Sri Lanka Engineering Council Act.

Doctors at National Eye Hospital to stage token strike

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said doctors attached to the National Eye Hospital in Colombo will engage in a token strike today.

Three dead in shooting in Australia’s New South Wales

Three people have died after a reported shooting in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, police say.

Vulnerable groups warned as air quality worsens

Sri Lanka’s air quality has worsened in several parts of the country with experts advising vulnerable groups to stay cautious and limit strenuous outdoor activities.