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

Diya Tarippu Optometrists Conference gets underway

The Ceylon Eye Care Optometric Association will conduct an Optometrists’ Conference on January 25 and 26 at the Monarch Imperial Hotel in Colombo.

Flower plucking turns fatal as wild elephant kills elderly woman

A woman died, and another received serious injuries in their encounter with a wild elephant at Vihara Halmillewa in Anuradhapura on Wednesday evening.

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.

AG is to be impeached for refusing to continue the case against RW: MP

Attorney General is to be impeached following his refusal to go ahead with the court case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, an Opposition MP alleged in Parliament yesterday.

Nearly 18% of bus drivers tested positive for drugs in surprise inspection at Bastian Mawatha

A surprise inspection operation at the Bastian Mawatha private bus terminal has uncovered a startling trend in Sri Lanka’s public transport sector, with nearly 18% of drivers and conductors tested found to be under the influence of narcotics while on duty.

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.

Sexual tendencies of MPs make its way into Parliament

The ruling party and the Opposition were engaged in hurling remarks at each other pertaining to sexual tendencies and behaviour.

St. Sebastian’s Church Rukmalgama to Hold Annual Feast Jan. 24–25

St. Sebastian’s Church in Rukmalgama will hold its Annual Feast Programme for 2026 on January 24 and 25, featuring religious services and ceremonies marking a major milestone for the parish, Parish Priest of the Pannipitiya Parish said.

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

Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr), PC, yesterday 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.

Sacred relics of the Buddha to be venerated at Gangaramaya from Feb 4–11

The veneration of the Sacred Relics of the Buddha, to be brought to Sri Lanka with the intervention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the full patronage of the Government of India, will be held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo from February 4 to 11.

SLAF deploys another contingent for Peacekeeping Mission in Central African Republic

The 11th Sri Lanka Air Force Aviation Contingent assigned to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) departed Sri Lanka yesterday morning.

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.

Rebuilding Sri Lanka fund has no legal existence to date: Harsha

Rebuilding Sri Lanka has no legal existence to date as it is not properly incorporated, Opposition MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday.

Radiographers launch trade union action citing patient safety risks

The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) has announced trade union action, warning that patient safety is being severely compromised due to unqualified individuals conducting radiography scans within the state healthcare system.

34% of Central Highland forests damaged due to Cyclone Ditwah: Minister

The Committee appointed to assess environment damage due to the Ditwah cyclone has revealed in its preliminary report that 34 percent of the country’s central highland natural forests have been damaged by the Ditwah cyclone, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabedi said yesterday.

Police arrest 44 shooters over 114 shooting incidents in 2025

Sri Lanka Police have arrested 44 shooters wanted in connection with 114 shooting incidents reported last year, as intensified operations continue to track down remaining suspects linked to gun violence.

Cyclone Ditwah: 646 dead, 173 still missing, 525 death certificates issued – Minister

Death certificates have been issued for 525 people who lost their lives in landslides and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne told Parliament yesterday (21).

Cold weather triggers rise in viral illnesses

The spread of several viral diseases is on the rise due to the prevailing cold weather conditions, Gampaha Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr. Ravinda Udagamage warned.

Two Sri Lankans remanded over brawl in Velana airport

The Maldivian Criminal Court has remanded two Sri Lankan nationals arrested for alleged violence in Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives in custody for 15 days on Monday, Maldivian media reported.

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.

Cabinet green-lights resumption of Baseline Road extension phase III

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to resume the construction of the third phase of the Baseline Road Extension Project, a critical urban infrastructure initiative that had been stalled due to the country’s economic volatility.

Malwatta Mahanayake Thero questions conflicting demand over education reforms

The Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, yesterday questioned the demand for the immediate implementation of the proposed education reforms, noting that

Hajj committee under pressure: fresh legal blow

The All Ceylon Hajj Tour Operators Association (ACHTOA) has filed a writ application (CA/Writ 007/2026) before the Court of Appeal on 2nd of January 2026, challenging decisions of the newly appointed Hajj Committee for allegedly

President institutes commemorative medal for Navy

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued an Extraordinary Gazette to award a commemorative medal to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Sri Lanka Navy, as well as civil employees of the approved cadre, to

DM lead story comes to limelight in Parliament

The lead story of yesterday’s Daily Mirror titled ‘AI to threaten 23.8 percent of employed people in Sri Lanka’ came to the limelight in Parliament when Opposition MP Harsha de Silva quoted it while highlighting that AI has already