Corrupt police officers aiding crime will face consequences: IGP

Sri Lanka Police have taken disciplinary action against hundreds of officers as part of ongoing efforts to address corruption and drug-related crimes within the force, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya said.

Opposition chorus grows demanding Prime Minister’s resignation over English module mishap

The joint opposition yesterday called on Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to resign from her portfolio as Minister of Education, alleging responsibility for what they described as a serious error in the Grade Six curriculum.

Wildlife officials hunt for those who electrocuted a jumbo in Welikanda

In the wake of the burning an elephant to death in Mihintale, the death of another wild elephant as a result of the human-elephant conflict was reported yesterday from Welikanda.

Trawler Owners demand action against Seychelles authorities for burning trawler

All Ceylon Multi-day Trawler Owners’ Association has requested the International Organisations and the Sri Lankan government to hold a formal investigation of destroying a multi-day fishing trawler and the arrest of six fishermen by the Seychelles security authorities.

Talks begin with Seychelles to repatriate fishermen from the destroyed trawler

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Fisheries has initiated high-level diplomatic discussions to secure the return of local fishermen currently held in the Seychelles.

Fervent plea for assistance

A 19-year-old boy L.D.Kavindu Laxan of Swarnagama, Beragama in Agalawattta has been incapacitated due to a serious neurological disorder for the last eleven years. He had taken ill when he was a Grade 3 student. He is at present under treatment of Neurosurgeon Dr. Sunil Perera

RW Can Capture Power Without Entering Parliament: Rajitha

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe does not need to enter Parliament to capture political power, former MP Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

Joint Opposition Alliance Is the Key : Namal

A joint opposition alliance is the only viable option to change the destiny of the nation, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said yesterday.

CAA conducts 21,000 raids, collects Rs. 285 million in 2025

In 2025, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) carried out 21,000 market raids across the country, resulting in fines of Rs. 285.5 million, as part of efforts to enforce consumer protection laws and promote fair trade practices.

Business registration for cyclone-affected industries resumes

The Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry has announced that the registration of businesses, including export and manufacturing industries affected by Cyclone Ditwah, has resumed as its second phase.

All constructions above 5,000ft elevation will not be removed: Environment Minister

Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi said yesterday all constructions in the hill country at an elevation above 5,000 feet will not be removed and that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced only the basic concept on the need to protect the Central Hills.

Health Minister seeks Rs. 1Bn damages over alleged false propaganda

Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has issued a legal notice seeking Rs. 1 billion in damages from YouTube content creator Dharmasri Kariyawasam, alleging that false and misleading content was

BASL raises concern over deviations from seniority in judicial promotions

In a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) noted that promotions within the judiciary have traditionally been granted based on seniority; however, it

Sri Lanka receives humanitarian aid from 22 countries, WFP after Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka has received humanitarian assistance from 22 foreign countries and the World Food Programme (WFP) to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the Defence Ministry said.

Police officer on traffic duty knocked down to death

A police constable and a civil security constable on traffic duty in Ambalanthota town had been knocked down by a car when they signaled to halt.

F R. Senanayake commemorated

The statue of F. R. Senanayake who played a key role to gain independence for Sri Lanka is garlanded.

Parliament to appoint Select Committee to decide on Electoral System to hold PC polls

The Select Committee will look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the Electoral System under which the Provincial Council Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard has been scheduled to be approved.

CMC fails to collect outstanding rates worth Rs 440 million in 2025

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) which has been unable to collect a total of Rs. 440 million as rates by end 2025 has decided to extend the contract period of three rate collectors who were hired in 2025, it was revealed yesterday.

Iranian Speaker calls for SL - Iran cooperation in enhancing int’l dialogue

Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghailbaf in a letter addressed to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne hoped for a new year where both countries could contribute effectively to enhancing international dialogue and developing cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared interests.

SJB calls for PC polls in the New Year

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday posed a challenge to the government by calling for the holding of the Provincial Council election as soon as possible during 2026.

Ranil, Sajith mark New Year with telephone conversation

Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara who responded to questions raised by journalists during a press conference said the UNP and SJB will form an alliance at the right time. “The alliance will come into place at the right time and both the parties will work together before long,” he said.

Gold-infused Ayurvedic medicine for critically-ill patients

The Chairman of the Corporation, Ms. Geethavani Karunaratne, stated that Makarajdvajaya is made using 24-carat gold flakes, gendagam, and sadhalingam minerals sourced from deep within the earth.

Rs. 60 million spent for printing Grade VI English module with immoral reference

Meanwhile, Convener of the Association of Educational Professionals Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera said that there is content in these copies that promote homosexual activities. He said students are directed to a web link as part of their curricular activities, which account for details related to same sex activities.

PROPOSED NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT ACT TO INTRODUCE NEW LAWS

The proposed new National Environment Act has introduced key new features such as the extended producer responsibility (EPR), which the producers are bound to collect Plastic PET bottles used by beverage and bottled water producers, Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi said yesterday.

Sinister move to get pro government civil society reps to CC: Opposition

A sinister move is on to get government henchmen appointed to the Constitutional Council (CC) as the term of the three civil society representatives ends on January 2, 2026.

3,000 displaced families to be settled in tents

More than 15,000 people in 3,000 families in the Badulla District affected by the recent natural disaster and now in welfare centres are to be settled in tents.

NEW POTS FOR A PROSPEROUS START

People in Colombo were seen yesterday purchasing new cooking pots in preparation for the New Year tradition of boiling milk and cooking milk rice.

CC’s continuous refusal of President’s nominee as AG an act of sabotage: Nalinda

Claiming that the Constitutional Council’s continuous refusal of President’s nominees for the position of the Auditor General (AG) is an act of sabotage, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday the CC

Three-year-old dies falling into water-filled toilet pit in Anamaduwa

A tragic accident claimed the life of a three-year-old child after it fell into a water-filled pit dug for a toilet at a house in Wadawatta, Anamaduwa, Police said.

Sajith meets UNP seniors to discuss challenges facing Sri Lanka

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday met UNP seniors to discuss the challenges facing the nation.