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,

Ditwah continues to affect vegetable prices: Trader

Cyclone Ditwah still continues to affect vegetable prices as they are higher than the usual rates, which have been at this time of the year in the past, a senior trader attached to Manning Market said yesterday.

Ball now in govt.’s court: GMOA issues ultimatum

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to address its grievances.

Post of Auditor General Opposition calls for more time to scrutinize President’s nominee

The appointment of a new Auditor General has been postponed as some members of the Constitutional Council (CC) had wanted more time to scrutinize President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s nominee for the post, informed sources

Govt. hard-pressed between disaster response and IMF programme

The government is encountering difficulties in funding its disaster response amid tight fiscal constraints, since the IMF stresses that spending must comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Daily Mirror learns.

Former deputy Speaker alleged to have received Rs.200,000 in disaster compensation: MP

Nine child marriages and 79 teenage pregnancies recorded last year: NCPA

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) reported receiving a total of 10,455 complaints related to children last year, including nine cases of child marriage and 79 teenage pregnancies, highlighting ongoing concerns about child welfare in Sri Lanka. Of the total complaints, 8,514 fell under the NCPA Act, while 1,941 were outside its direct mandate.

Increased solar energy weakens Northeast monsoon rains, says Met. Department

Increased solar energy in the Sri Lankan atmosphere has reduced Northeast monsoon rains, a senior official from the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

CID failed to record statements from University of Wolverhampton officials: Lawyers allege

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team that visited the United Kingdom to probe the authenticity of an invitation received by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe failed to record statements from officials of the University of Wolverhampton, lawyers representing the former President alleged yesterday.

Doctor identifies 3 missed opportunities in Sri Lankan detainee’s death in Japan

Sri Lankan detainee Wishma Sandamali’s life could have been saved at three different times before she died at an immigration facility in Japan in 2021, a doctor said in a court hearing on Wednesday, according to the Japanese Jiji Press.

Rs. 100Mn allocated for 78th Independence Day celebrations

The government has allocated Rs. 100 million from the budget 2026 for the 78th Independence Day celebrations, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils Aloka Bandara said yesterday.