1,775 people still displaced in Badulla

Still, 1,775 people belonging to 614 displaced families in the Badulla district are in welfare centres.

Govt. prioritises operationalising loss-making Mattala Airport ahead of privatisation plans

The government is shifting its immediate strategy for the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, prioritising making the facility fully operational before committing to a specific privatisation or public-private partnership model.

Chilaw HC jails lawyer and manager for 16 years over forged land deeds

The Chilaw High Court Judge Nayomi Wickramasekara yesterday sentenced a lawyer and another accused, who had functioned as the manager of the landowner to 16 years’ rigorous imprisonment each after finding them guilty on three charges, including the fraudulent preparation of deeds and the sale of 30 perches of land belonging to another party.

Dog bite cases surge

A controversy has erupted over Sri Lanka’s rabies control and dog population management programmes, with the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population accusing Health Ministry officials of negligence and mismanagement.

India feared exodus of displaced people during Sri Lanka’s war, never concerned about LTTE’s fate: Menon

India was primarily concerned about the humanitarian impact of the Sri Lankan civil war, particularly the safety of Tamil civilians, but never bothered about the decimation of the LTTE, former Indian National Security Adviser and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said.

Deputy General Secretary P’ment files legal action against speaker

The issue pertaining to the Deputy General Secretary and Chief of Staff Parliament Chaminda Kularatne has turned into a legal issue with the former filing a petition against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and General Secretary Kushani Rohanadeera in the Court of Appeal.

UK’s deputy PM calls on Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero

Visiting Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lammy, called on Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, in Colombo.

Court hearing on RW’s London visit Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe to appear before CID on Feb. 20

The Additional Solicitor General informed court that Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe has been notified to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department on February 20 to record a statement in connection with the ongoing investigation.

Himal Southasian Editor Roman Gautam Says Structural Constraints on South Asian Media Undermined the Prospects for Regional Amity

Himal Southasian Editor Roman Gautam has argued that despite many journalists’ best intentions to foster regional cooperation, structural constraints within which South Asian media operates have significantly undermined prospects

TRCSL accelerates 4G expansion through ‘communication to the village’ project

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is stepping up efforts to expand 4G broadband services across the country through the ‘Communication to the Village’ national project, launched in 2021

Govt. beefs up security to lawyers, investigating officers

“Move is underway to convince the public that the murder has created a special situation, risking national security,” he said.

Bill to abolish MPs pension passed

The bill to abolish MPs pensions was approved in Parliament without a vote during the third reading yesterday.

Rs. 2 million housing aid approved for displaced families in Northern and Eastern provinces

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an increase in financial assistance for displaced families in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces, enabling them to construct permanent homes.

Hungarian tourist falls victim to a wild elephant

A 64-year-old Hungarian national died following a wild elephant attack in the Pidurangala area at Sigiriya.

President invited to undertake official visit to Pakistan

Pakistan’s Minister for Interior, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi conveyed Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to undertake an official visit to Pakistan during this year, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Wild elephant drowns in well

A wild elephant that roamed in Thanamalwila in search of food had drowned yesterday in an abandoned well, which was about 30ft deep and, its narrowness prevented the elephant from moving about and even raising its trunk.

Don’t count on politicians giving unrealistic promises, Anunayake Thera says

Anunayake of Malwatta Chapter Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera said the people should not depend on the unrealistic promises of politicians made during the election campaigns.

Kuwait philanthropist gifts 25 Metric Tons of dates to SL Muslims for Ramadan

A social worker from Kuwait has sent 25 metric tons of dates to Muslims in Sri Lanka for the Holy Month of Ramadan breakfast with the financial support of Kuwait philanthropist Sheikh Allusi.

A Cup of Tea or Coffee a day and dementia risk: What Sri Lankans need to know

In Sri Lanka, tea and coffee are not lifestyle accessories. They are part of who we are. The first cup at dawn steadies the morning. The mid-afternoon brew carries conversations across office tables and village verandas. The evening

Wijeya Newspapers Circulation Team calls on French Ambassador

In line with the Wijeya Newspapers sales campaign, the Circulation Team recently visited the French Ambassador, Rémi Lambert. The following officials participated in the occasion: Ranjith Rupasinghe, Head of Circulation &

Month-long temporary ordination programme open at Theravada temple in Thailand

An opportunity has been announced for both men and women to receive temporary ordination for the entire month of Esala at a renowned Theravada Buddhist temple in Thailand, Venerable Avissawella Dhammananda Thera said.

Parliamentary Committee mulls improving digital literacy outside Colombo

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation has stressed the need to improve digital literacy in areas outside Colombo.

NPP loses majority in CMC?

Opposition Member of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) M. Buhari Fathima who voted in favour of the NPP budget has lost her seat thus giving the opportunity for the Opposition to gain a majority of 59 seats in the council.

Dearth of land valuers in SL

As it has been revealed that there is a dearth of qualified valuers in Sri Lanka, Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has advised that those qualified from the private sector should be given the opportunity.

Colombo abolishes burial, cremation fees for city residents

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to remove all burial and cremation fees for residents living within the Colombo municipal limits, Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said.

No official level discussion on donor conference yet: Official

Amidst various speculations on a donor conference to raise funds for rebuilding after the Ditwah cyclone, Commissioner-General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi said yesterday there has been no official level discussion on calling a donor conference as yet.

121 noose traps and 20 trap guns seized from Chena in Thirappane

Wildlife officers from Thirappane yesterday seized 20 trap guns and 121 noose traps during a raid on an unauthorized five acre maize cultivation on the banks of Pallankulama tank in Kahapathwila in Thirappane.

MP lodges complaint with CIABOC against Speaker while NCM contemplated

The controversial situation with regard to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has worsened with Opposition MP Harshana Rajakaruna lodging a complaint against the the former with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) while an idea is being mooted to submit a no faith motion.

Twelve convicted, sentenced to death over killing of former MP Amarakirthi Atukorala

By a majority decision of the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar, twelve accused were found guilty of committing the murder of former Polonnaruwa District Parliamentarian Amarakirthi Atukorala during the “Aragalaya” protests on June 9, 2022, and were sentenced to death.

Police deploy specialised life-saving teams after rise in drownings

A total of 24 drowning deaths have been reported within the first 41 days of 2026, prompting the Sri Lanka Police to intensify a nationwide life-saving programme in response to what officials describe as an “abnormal” increase in water-related fatalities.