791 cases filed over foreign employment scams – SLBFE

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said that it has recovered more than Rs. 374 million for victims who filed complaints against individuals and unlicensed employment agencies involved in foreign employment fraud during 2025.

Remembering Lasantha...

Commotion in Parliament over death threats received by MP

Heated arguments rocked Parliament today when Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and other Opposition MPs sought to raise an issue regarding alleged death threats received by MP Rohana Bandara.

No Scope for SL to seek Indian govt. intervention over injection deaths

Sri Lanka has little to no room to seek the involvement of Indian government authorities over the recent deaths of several patients following the administration of an injection, as the purported Indian supplier is a private entity, Daily Mirror learns.

Academics, civil society condemn ‘vicious’ hate campaign against PM Harini

A group of academics, professionals and civil society members has strongly condemned what they describe as a vicious smear campaign and personalised attacks targeting Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya.

Regional cooperation key to overcoming crises in South Asia – Namal Rajapaksa

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said that South Asia needs stronger regional cooperation, with India playing a key role in addressing shared security challenges and ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region.

Government ready to give priority to no-confidence motion on Prime Minister: Bimal

The government is ready to give priority in Parliamentary business to the no-confidence motion on Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya as per Standing Orders, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said today.

Trump to withdraw US from dozens of UN, international organisations

United States President Donald Trump has announced that he plans to withdraw the US from 66 United Nations and international organisations, including major forums for cooperation on climate change, peace and democracy.

Australia win final Test to complete 4-1 Ashes triumph over England

Australia clinched the final Ashes Test against England Thursday by five wickets to complete a dominant 4-1 victory after a gruelling series, sending the retiring Usman Khawaja out on a high.

Economic loss from tobacco and alcohol amounts to LKR 241 billion yearly

The Economic loss from consumption of alcohol and tobacco in Sri Lanka amounts to Rs. 241 billion annually which is one-fifth of the total economic loss caused by cyclone Ditwah and 40 percent of the total budget allocated by the government for healthcare, as per the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC).

SL on high alert as low-pressure area forms in Bay of Bengal, emergency operations ready

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has placed the country on high alert as a low-pressure area develops in the Bay of Bengal, with emergency operations ready for rescue and evacuation if needed.

India reaffirms defence ties during Army Chief’s Sri Lanka visit

Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara at his office in Colombo yesterday.

Government eyes carrying capacity caps and digital ticketing to curb Yala overcrowding

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities are moving to implement strict carrying capacity limits and a unified digital ticketing system for the national parks, with a primary focus on the Yala National Park, to address the persistent overcrowding issues that threaten the visitor experience.

700 mn women still unbanked globally despite gains in financial inclusion: World Bank

According to the World Bank’s Global Findex 2025 report, across the globe 700 million women are still unbanked and have no access to bank accounts, digital payments, and mobile money services.

England all out for 342, set Australia 160 to win final Ashes Test

Jacob Bethell was finally out for 154 as England were dismissed for 342 before lunch on Thursday, setting Australia 160 to win the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Pakistan cruise past Sri Lanka in T20I opener

Pakistan underlined their credentials as serious contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup with a commanding six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the three-game series in Dambulla on Wednesday.

Astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana appointed president of Caltech University

Ray Jayawardhana, an astrophysicist and provost of Johns Hopkins University, will become the next president of Caltech — one of the nation’s wealthiest and most elite universities — as it enters a second year of challenging terrain amid Trump administration cuts to scientific research.

Court rejects CCD request for forensic facial examination of Ishara Sewwandi

A Colombo Crimes Division officer today requested the Chief Magistrate to issue an order referring the 15th suspect, Ishara Sewwandi, to a forensic examiner for a facial examination.

Woman jailed for renting out property she didn’t own

A woman accused of leasing a property belonging to another person to a third party was today sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

General Upendra Dwivedi visits Sri Lanka Army Headquarters

Programme to provide compensation for fully damaged houses to begin on January 9: President

The programme to provide compensation for fully damaged houses and to construct new homes for families affected by the disaster will commence on January 9 in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Government to hold photography exhibition on Cyclone Ditwah

The President’s Media Division, in collaboration with the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, is compiling a National Visual Chronicle documenting the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on Sri Lanka and the subsequent recovery process.

CAASL investigates Cinnamon Air plane incident at Gregory Lake

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has launched an investigation into an incident involving a Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft operated by Cinnamon Air, which attempted to land at the Gregory lake in Nuwara Eliya.

Driving license services disrupted at Hambantota district office

The daily issuance of driving licenses at the Hambantota District Office of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has been disrupted following a breakdown of telephone connections at the Hambantota Administrative Complex, the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Transport confirmed.

Cinnamon Air reports no injuries in Gregory Lake crash

Following an incident during a landing on the waters of Lake Gregory earlier today, Saffron Aviation (Pvt) Ltd, operator of Cinnamon Air, confirmed that no passengers were on board and all crew members are safe, with no injuries or casualties reported.

BCB: ICC to Address T20 World Cup India Concerns

The BCB issued a statement on Wednesday in which it claimed that the ICC was committed to “ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team” in the T20 World Cup that gets underway on 7 February.

Gem & Jewellery Expo 2026

Tobacco industry influence in Sri Lanka rises: Global Index 2025

Sri Lanka has recorded a setback in its efforts to limit tobacco industry influence, ranking 45th in the 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Index. The country falls within the 40–49 score range, where lower scores indicate stronger performance.

Sri Lanka police contribute Rs. 50 mn to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ fund

Officers of the Sri Lanka Police have contributed Rs. 50 million—equivalent to one day’s salary—to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House

US President Donald Trump has been discussing ’’a range of options’’ to acquire Greenland, including use of the military, the White House said.