Two months after Cyclone Ditwah, thousands remain displaced

More than two months after Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka, causing the most extensive flood and landslide damage in two decades, the country continues to grapple with a complex humanitarian crisis.

Proposed counter terrorism law draws more fire

The proposed Protection of State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) vastly expands executive and security sector powers, vesting the President with broad powers to the President to proscribe organizations and impose curfew, according to the organization called Justice for All.

40,000 prisoners crammed into space sufficient for 10,500

Former Prisons Department Spokesman, Lion Jagath Chandana Weerasinghe, said heavy congestion prevails in prisons across the country, noting that 40,000 prisoners are being detained nationwide in

State of emergency extended for another month; eyebrows raised as to why

Raising questions on the extension of the state of emergency by another month, the opposition yesterday queried as to whether such laws are necessary to provide relief to those who are affected by the Ditwah

President’s helicopter rides a source of sarcasm for opposition in Parliament

In a sarcastic tone, the Opposition in Parliament yesterday welcomed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s decision to travel to Kandy by helicopter, a move seen as a contrast to his past rhetoric.

Opposition MP fires Govt. over move to renovate Prabhakaran’s ancestral home

The government’s purported decision to renovate the ancestral home of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has come under fire from the opposition in Parliament.

Tilvin, Jaishankar hold talks on strengthening Indo-Lanka ties further

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna General Secretary Tilvin Silva and his delegation had an interaction with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar yesterday. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said he

Dudley Sirisena hints at buying the latest helicopter

Sri Lankan business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has sparked fresh interest in the aviation sector after hinting that a brand-new helicopter could soon be brought to Sri Lanka.

Govt. to seek reparations from colonial powers

The government is planning to seek reparations from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Portugal for damages caused during the colonial period, including the destruction of property, loss of lives, and the

Helicopter rehearses landing at Kandy President’s house premises ahead of AKD’s visit

A special rehearsal was conducted to assess whether Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters could land on the open ground behind the Kandy President’s House.

Mafia behind escalating prices of lands, housing: Deputy Minister

A situation has arisen where prices of lands, houses and housing schemes have begun to escalate sharply, Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara said yesterday, calling it a mafia.

CA Sri Lanka’s public sector wing APFASL honours 45 entities for excellence in financial reporting at 9th BARA Awards Ceremony 2025

Colombo - The Ninth Best Annual Reports & Accounts (BARA) Awards Ceremony successfully concluded on the evening of 5th February 2026 at the BMICH, recognising outstanding achievements in public sector financial reporting, transparency, and good governance.

Sri Lanka gears up to face potential Nipah virus threat

Sri Lanka has strengthened its preparedness to detect and respond to a potential outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV) with health authorities stepping up surveillance and laboratory readiness amid growing regional concerns.

One teacher for 16 students on average in Sri Lankan classrooms

Sri Lanka’s 2025 public school census shows a big difference in how teachers are spread across the country. While the national average is one teacher for every 16 students, the actual experience in a classroom depends mostly on the type of school a child attends according to statistics from the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

Ditwah: two months on, Govt not yet ready with needs assessment

The government is still in the process of completing the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), despite the lapse of two months since Cyclone Ditwah struck the country, Daily Mirror learns.

Special traffic and security plan in place in Colombo for sacred relic exposition

The Sri Lanka Police have announced a comprehensive security and traffic plan in conjunction with the exposition of Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought from India to mark the 78th National Independence Day celebrations.

Foreign digital creator scammed off Rs. 15,000 on first day in Colombo

A foreign digital creator, known online as Travel with Balnur, has shared her experience of being allegedly scammed of Rs. 15,000 on her first day in Sri Lanka, highlighting a growing concern over street-level fraud targeting visitors in Colombo.

Fishing cat escapes dog attack in Tea Estate

Workers at a tea estate were witness to a dramatic scene recently when a large fishing cat and its cub wandered into the area, reportedly in search of prey, only to encounter an aggressive pack of dogs.

Sabina Youssef returns

Sabina Yousaf, who represented Sri Lanka at the 41st Mrs World pageant in the United States, returned to the country yesterday following an impressive performance at the international competition, where she secured the Second Runner-Up title and won the Mrs Photogenic mini-title while also placing among the Top 20 contestants.

Ministers in Present Government Insulting Buddhist Monks and Clergy: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith yesterday alleged that several ministers in the present government are among those who insult Buddhist monks and other members of the clergy.

Rs. 110Mn owed to Hajj operators remains unaccounted for

Hajj operators have alleged that nearly Rs. 110 million, collected additionally from operators for Mina tent facilities during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, has yet to be refunded, more than a year after the funds became due for repayment.

40.3 per cent of Sri Lankans still “offline” in 2025

Sri Lanka’s internet users stood at 13.9 million last year, an increase of 1.5 million since 2024. It, indicates that 40.3 per cent of the population in Sri Lanka still do not use the internet in their day-to-day life, according to a report by Datareportal.

Lush Urban greenery

The Bellanwila-Attidiya Wetland area stands out in lush greenery as World Wetlands Day is marked.

Businessman held over sexual abuse of 36 minors

A businessman alleged to have sexually abused 36 children below the age of 18 has been arrested by the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women, police said.

Exposition of sacred relics to be conducted around the clock from Wednesday

The exposition of sacred relics of the Buddha brought from the Indian state of Gujarat is to be conducted between February 4 and 11 at the historic Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

AG’s Department Legal Officers’ Association condemns unfounded attacks on Attorney General

The Legal Officers’ Association of the Attorney General’s Department has expressed grave concern over the circulation of unfounded and baseless personal attacks directed at Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr), PC, and officers of the Attorney General’s Department in the discharge of their official duties.

Minister Samarasinghe challenged by traders over transfer of management of economic centers

A tense atmosphere prevailed during a conference convened by Minister of Trade and Commerce and Food Security Wasantha Samarasingha to announce the government’s decision to handover the management of five Economic Centers In the Country to the National Agri Marketing Service Company.

Fresh summons issued to Shiranthi and Namal Rajapaksa by FCID and CID

Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and SLPP National Organizer and MP Namal Rajapaksa have been summoned to appear before law enforcement authorities tomorrow.

Marching towards independence...

Sri Lankan Police women take part in a rehearsal for the 78th Independence Day parade in Colombo yesterday. This year’s Independence Day celebrations will be held under the theme “Building Sri Lanka”, under the patronage of

Riverston reopens to tourists under strict restrictions after Cyclone Ditwah

The Knuckles’ Riverston tourist zone, a designated World Heritage area, has been reopened to local and foreign tourists under strict restrictions following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the Matale District Secretary,