Turkey pledges support for cyclone-affected schools and water projects in Sri Lanka

In a move aimed at bolstering disaster relief and community development, the Ambassador of Turkey to Sri Lanka, Dr. Semih Lütfü Turgut, met with Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, Professor A.H.M.H. Abayarathne, at the Parliament complex in Sri Jayawardenepura. The discussions centered on Turkish support for rebuilding schools in Puttalam District that were severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

‘I am not above the law’ - Attorney General responds to social media attacks

Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr) PC, today stated that he is not above the law and that any decision taken by him is open to challenge before court if it is wrong.

ICC rejects Bangladesh's plea to play T20 World Cup matches outside India

Cricket’s governing body said Wednesday it had rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift their T20 World Cup matches out of India, casting doubt on the team’s participation in next month’s tournament.

Wellness centres roll out across 21 districts

The second phase of Sri Lanka’s nationwide initiative to establish 1,000 wellness centres will see the opening of 42 new facilities across 21 districts on January 24, the Ministry of Health said.

Brook apologises, admits nightclub fracas ’not the right thing to do’

England white-ball captain Harry Brook on Wednesday admitted it was ’’not the right thing to do’’ to get into an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, but insisted ’’I’ve learnt from my mistakes’’.

Mayes hits England record score in U19s World Cup

Hampshire’s Mayes, 18, hammered 191 - falling one short of the overall record tournament score of 192, set by Sri Lanka’s Viran Chamuditha against Japan four days ago.

Education reforms could deepen rural–urban divide: FUTA

Concerns that ongoing education reforms could widen disparities between rural and urban schools were raised during a high-level discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

Fifteen-year-old girl missing from Bandaragama

Bandaragama Police have sought public assistance to trace a 15-year-old girl reported missing from the Gangamuwa area in Bandaragama since December last year.

Ravi flags tourism forex leakages despite record arrivals

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake raised serious concerns in Parliament over what he described as a growing disconnect between Sri Lanka’s record tourist arrivals and the weak flow of foreign exchange into the country’s official financial system.

SLAF deploys 11th contingent to MINUSCA

The 11th Sri Lanka Air Force Aviation Contingent assigned to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) departed Sri Lanka this morning (21 January 2026). The Contingent consists of 22 officers, including two lady officers and 88 airmen, including five airwomen, and is commanded by Group Captain Asiri Pathirage.

Election Commission recognises five new political parties

The National Election Commission has officially recognised five new political parties as registered political parties during the year 2025.

Constitutional Council declines to reveal details on Auditor General nomination

The Constitutional Council (CC) has refused to disclose certain information sought under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016, regarding its decision on the President’s nominee for the post of Auditor General.

'Study in India'

Seat belt law to be enforced 100% on highways: Police

Police have stepped up enforcement of seat belt laws, citing a 2011 Gazette notification that requires all drivers and passengers, including those in rear seats, in vehicles with English number plates to wear seat belts.

On-site drug and alcohol testing...

Air quality turns unhealthy in several cities

Sri Lanka’s air quality has deteriorated to slightly unhealthy levels in several parts of the country over the past 24 hours, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said.

Emergency drug testing for bus drivers conducted in Colombo Fort

The National Transport Commission (NTC), National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI), and Sri Lanka Police conducted urgent on-site drug and alcohol tests for bus drivers today at Colombo Fort.

1,282 new Leprosy cases reported in 2025, including 123 children under 15

A total of 1,282 new leprosy cases were reported in Sri Lanka in 2025, with nearly 10 per cent of the patients being children under the age of 15, health authorities said today.

Government trying to intimidate judiciary: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa yesterday accused the government of attempting to intimidate the Attorney General’s Department and the judiciary in order to achieve its political objectives.

Vehicle owners seek assistance to recover vehicles buried by Rendapola landslide

Vehicle owners affected by a landslide in the Rendapola settlement in Nuwara Eliya have appealed to the relevant authorities for assistance to recover several vehicles buried under mud following Cyclone Ditva.

Against AG...

The 3i show with Stefan de Alwis wins Asia’s Best Emerging Podcast Award 2025–2026

Sri Lanka’s presence in Asia’s digital media and thought leadership arena gained significant regional recognition as The 3i Show with Stefan de Alwis was named Asia’s Best Emerging Podcast Show of the Year 2025–2026 at the prestigious Asia Awards.

Sri Lanka announce ODI squad for England series

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Panel has announced the squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against England. The matches are scheduled to be played on January 22, 24, and 27, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) in Colombo.

Government reveals data on Ditwah relief payments

The government has paid the initial relief payment of Rs. 25,000 to 4,220,047 individuals, while the Rs. 50,000 grant allocated for the purchase of kitchen equipment has been disbursed to 100,946 beneficiaries. In addition, the Rs. 15,000 allowance provided to students for the purchase of stationery has been paid to 136,828 students.

Gold zooms past $4,800 for the first time as Greenland tensions simmer

Gold prices were boosted to a record high above $4,800 ‌per ounce on Wednesday, as investors looked to the metal as a safe haven after a broad selloff in U.S. assets on heightened tensions between the U.S. and NATO over Greenland.

NMRA raises red flag over costly Indian cancer drugs in pharmacies

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has gone on alert amid concerns that Indian cancer drugs are being sold at exorbitant prices in private pharmacies.

Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s killer sentenced to life

A Japanese court has sentenced the killer of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to life in prison.

Select committee approved to probe Cyclone Ditwah unpreparedness

Parliament today approved a motion to appoint a select committee to study the lack of preparedness in facing Cyclone Ditwah and to report its findings to the House.

Frost and heavy rains hit tea and vegetable crops in Nuwara Eliya

Heavy rains combined with early morning frost have severely affected vegetable and tea cultivation in the Nuwara Eliya region, estate superintendents and local farmers report.

New flexible pension scheme launched for fishermen

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board (AAIB), has introduced a new high-pension benefit scheme aimed at enhancing financial security for fishermen.