Sad Day for Sri Lanka Navy Special Boats Squadron

A few months ago, he was in the headlines as “First Sri Lankan to win US Navy SEAL Commando Trident badge. Lt Koyan Chamitha of the elite Special Boats Squadron (SBS) achieved this unique honour by successfully completing

ISF to host “Sing Along with Chandimal” to support civil security officers’ welfare

The Industrial Security Foundation (ISF), the representative body of Sri Lanka’s civil security service, will host a musical evening titled “Sing Along with Chandimal” on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 7.00 p.m. at Ape Gama,

SLCERT cautions public over spike in financial fraud

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has issued an urgent warning after a surge in financial fraud cases targeting bank customers and unsuspecting citizens through police impersonation scams.

State of the Budget 2026 Report released by Verité Research

Verité Research, Sri Lanka’s largest independent think tank, released the 5th edition of its annual State of the Budget report yesterday (30).

Cancer kills 40 people a day in Sri Lanka

Forty people die daily from cancer in Sri Lanka, according to the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

Anthony Felician Gunawardena no more

Anthony Felician Gunawardena, passed away on January 27, 2026. He was remembered by family and friends as a cherished companion whose presence touched all who knew him.

Special traffic plan for Independence Day rehearsals

A special traffic plan will be implemented in Colombo from today in preparation for the 78th National Independence Day celebrations.

Court upholds 10 year sentence on Pastor for rape of minor

The Court of Appeal has upheld a sentence of 10 years rigorous imprisonment imposed on a Pastor attached to a church at Kottukachchi in the Puttalam District, for raping a 15-year-old girl after developing an acquaintance with her and subsequently inviting her to serve God.

Health experts warn against indoor stove use as Nuwara Eliya battles cold snap

Residents of Nuwara Eliya have been increasingly using stoves indoors to cope with the region’s extreme cold, prompting health experts to caution against unsafe practices.

Children under 15 among 12% of annual leprosy cases

Sri Lanka reports 1,500–2,000 leprosy cases annually, with about 12% affecting children under the age of 15, health authorities said today. Moratuwa has recorded the highest number of pediatric cases in recent years, according to officials.

Sexual offences jeopardise women’s safety and cultural values, says Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal in a recent judgment warned that the best interests of women are increasingly under threat due to the rise in sexual offences, observing that such a trend poses serious risks to future generations and undermines public trust within communities.

NATA mulls banning sale of single-stick cigarettes

A fresh discussion has emerged on the need to ban the sale of cigarettes individually, where officials of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) highlighted it during a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment.

Dy Secretary General Parliament never a political appointee: senior staff member Parliament

The appointment of Chaminda Kularatne as the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament was never a politically motivated one, a senior Member of Parliament staff said yesterday.

At India’s 77th Republic Day

Picture shows former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena, along with Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and Indian High

Husband arrested over setting wife on fire

By Prasad Rukmal An individual who hurled petrol and set his wife on fire, causing her serious burn injuries, was arrested by Girandurukotte Police yesterday. The suspect had surrendered to the police after the incident. The victim was taking her daughter to school by trishaw when the suspect waylaid her and hurled petrol and set it on fire. He had taken the 12-year-old daughter out before setting fire to the trishaw. The injured woman, from the

Issues in coal has reduced the capacity of Norochcholai plant: Official

The capacity of generating power in the Lakvijaya Power Plant, Norochcholai has affected as a result of inferior quality coal, Plant Manager P. W. Bamunusinghe revealed yesterday.

‘Chekhov Sandhyava’ returns to the stage after 33 years

‘Chekhov Sandhyava’ (evening), first produced and directed in 1991 by Professor Sunanda Mahendra as a communicative theatre study, is set to return to the stage after 33 years as a new production under the

Compensation cheques issued to Ditwah victims bounce for lack of funds

Cheques issued as compensation for houses destroyed in the Ditwah disaster in the Rajangana colony have reportedly been dishonoured due to insufficient funds, raising concerns among affected residents.

Injured elephant roams Mahaoya villages, devastates crops

A wounded wild elephant has been roaming about in Samagipura, Pulawala, and Bendirekka areas in Mahaoya division for several days.

AG moves to initiate criminal, civil action against local agent of X-Press Pearl

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed the Supreme Court that steps have been taken to initiate both criminal and civil proceedings against Sea Consortium Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the local agent of the MV X-Press Pearl, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement relating to the maritime disaster.

A New Chapter for English Assessment in Sri Lanka Linguaskill by Cambridge University

Cambridge University Press & Assessment will formally introduce Linguaskill to Sri Lanka at an exclusive, invitation-only event titled “Linguaskill Unlocked: Unlocking World-Class English with Cambridge”, taking place on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, from 3.30 PM to 5.30 PM at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo.

Opposition to fight for Parliament Deputy Secretary General

Opposition is to fight for Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, who was suspended from his post. The opposition is of the opinion that the action taken against Mr Kularatne was unfair, as he was not given a chance to explain his side of the story.

“If you are Bruce Lee, I am Mike Tyson,” - Chamara Sampath challenges Lal Kantha

Former Minister and Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake issued a fiery challenge to Minister K. D. Lal Kantha during a public gathering, declaring, “If you are Bruce Lee, I am Mike Tyson,” in response to remarks attributed to the Minister.

Third coal shipment for Norochcholai below standard, claims FLSP

The third coal shipment purchased for Norochcholai Power Plant is of inferior quality, Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) alleged yesterday.

Govt. ready to work against local culture and religion for its survival: Namal

The present government is ready to work against local culture and religions for its survival, SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa said over the weekend.

Catholic Church in SL to file FR against assault of a priest

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is to file a Fundamental Rights petition against the police officers who had assaulted a priest in Negombo over the weekend, Spokesman for Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said yesterday.

Rebuild Sri Lanka logo for Independence Day 2026

Rebuild Sri Lanka becomes theme for Independence Day 2026, Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government said yesterday.

Cannabis cultivated in the heart of Wilpattu National Park

An area of about ten acres in the heart of the Wilpattu National Park, about 30 km away from the Hunuvilagama entrance, has been cleared to cultivate ganga or cannabis.

Doha Embassy secures Rs 197Mn in compensation for Sri Lanka’s next of kin

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Doha has recovered a total of LKR 197.7 million in compensation during 2025 on behalf of the next of kin (NOKs) of Sri Lankan nationals who passed away in Qatar.

SC concludes hearing into Parliamentary pension bill

The Supreme Court has concluded the arguments put forward in support and against the proposed Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill. Five (5) Special Determination petitions had been filed before the