Sri Lanka’s bureaucratic system needs an urgent clean up!

Last week, the Daily Mirror exclusively reported of yet another foreign investor pulling out of Sri Lanka citing regulatory obstruction and arbitrary state action.

Youth-led street racing under police radar following fatal accidents

In the wake of a rising trend of youth involvement in illegal night street races, tge Sri Lanka Police have launched an intensified crackdown, cautioning that illegal and reckless racing resulting in death or injury will be dealt with under both traffic laws and the Penal Code, including charges of murder and attempted murder.

Medical specialists demand separate service minute

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as attempts by a group of medical officers to sabotage a Cabinet-backed initiative to resolve long-standing grievances of government medical specialists, including the introduction of a separate service minute.

10 of 30 key Presidential promises met, 10 more in progress by November: Anura Meter

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has fulfilled 10 of his key election promises by November 2025, while a further 10 are currently in progress, according to the latest update of the ’Anura Meter’ manifesto tracker.

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 deviating from the Hajj Guidelines approved by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

Government to ensure justice for grade 6 students: Harini

The government will move swiftly to ensure justice for Grade 6 students impacted by the postponement of education reforms, Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Rupee weakens further against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan Rupee depreciated further against the US Dollar today (16), compared to Wednesday, official Central Bank data showed.

Police obtain 95 red notices against overseas-based organised criminals

Sri Lankan police have obtained red notices against 95 organised criminals currently hiding abroad.

Sinopec delegation to arrive for talks on US$3.7bn Hambantota refinery

A high-level delegation from Sinopec is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka early next month to work on the finalization of agreement for the oil refinery project in Hambantota, a source familiar with the process told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

CAA raids Beruwala filling station for selling Euro 3 instead of 92 petrol

A filling station in Beruwala was raided last night (14) after the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) received reports that some fuel stations were selling Euro 3 petrol at higher prices at night while claiming that 92 petrol was unavailable.

Drug usage among rich and elite rises in Sri Lanka

In a worrying twist to Sri Lanka’s ongoing battle against narcotics, recent data and law enforcement reports reveal a notable increase in drug use among affluent communities and high-socioeconomic groups in districts across Sri Lanka, a trend that has alarmed policymakers and the law enforcement officers alike.

No electricity tariff revision for first quarter of 2026: PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has announced that electricity tariffs will remain unchanged for the first quarter of 2026, following the failure of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to submit a formal tariff revision proposal on time.

National Hospital faces patient complaints over food, hygiene

Patients at the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) have raised serious concerns over deteriorating services, claiming that basic facilities including cleaning and meal provision are not being carried out according to established procedures.

Another foreign company pulls out as investor confidence takes a hit

In what appeared to be a fresh blow to the country’s investor confidence, China-based Amber Adventures (Private) Limited – the country’s first cable car venture - has officially pulled out of the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project, citing what it called ‘ regulatory obstruction and arbitrary state action’.

Wimal has to continue his Satyagraha: Nalinda

Former MP Wimal Weerawansa has to continue his ’Satyagraha’ as the government will not remove Harini Amarasuriya as the Prime Minister or the Minister of Education, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Motorcyclist arrested for attacking vehicles

A video showing a motorcyclist attacking several moving vehicles using an object along the Kaduwela–Colpetty road was arrested by the Welikada Police.

Presidential Secretariat declines RTI disclosure on 68 vehicles

The Designated Officer of the Presidential Secretariat has rejected a request made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking vehicle number details of 68 vehicles handed over to the Secretariat following the conclusion of the tenure of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

CID arrests two suspects in Rs. 50 Mn textile scam

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two suspects in connection with the fraudulent theft of textile raw materials valued at nearly Rs. 50 million from a private factory in Kilinochchi.

Average tourist spending falls in Sri Lanka

Average tourist spending in Sri Lanka has dropped to US$ 148 a day from US$ 181 in 2018, despite a rise in arrivals, with government authorities now planning for the development of upmarket tourism, an official said yesterday.

Court frees army commando officers arrested while carrying sniper type firearm

Two suspects arrested while in possession of a sniper type firearm in front of the Criminal Investigation Department are officers attached to the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment, counsel appearing on behalf of the Sri Lanka Army informed the Fort Acting Magistrate Lahiru Silva today.

Daily Mirror warns public of fake article circulating on social media

An article currently being shared on social media platforms bearing the Daily Mirror logo is fake.

Scam behind Norochcholai coal supply tender?

Whilst highlighting a serious scam with regard to the awarding of tender pertaining to supply of coal to Norochcholai power plant, the Frontline Socialist Party yesterday urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to carry out a probe on it.

Companies from India, China, America, Japan eye Sapugaskanda oil refinery

Twenty companies including from countries such as China, India, the United States and Japan have responded to Sri Lanka’s invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop and expand the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, an official said yesterday.

Re-start probe on All Saints Church bomb drama: Catholic Church in SL

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka today urged the government to restart the probe into the bomb drama at the All Saints Church in Borella.

CID probe into breach of Public Security Ministry website

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into a suspected cyber intrusion involving the official website of the Ministry of Public Security.

Sri Lanka records highest ever emigrant remittances in 2025

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced that the country received a record-high amount of emigrant remittances in 2025, the highest in the 40-year history of foreign employment.

Vehicle imports surge strained country’s external sector hit by global uncertainties

Import of vehicles, largely reflecting the release of pent-up demand at a scale much higher than expected, exerted pressure last year on Sri Lanka’s external sector that faced significant challenges amidst elevated global uncertainties, arising from shifts in global trade policies and heightened geopolitical tensions, according to the Central Bank.

’’We will not ask people to wait until 2048,’’ says AKD

Although the lives lost in the disaster cannot be replaced, the Government will provide every possible form of assistance to help the affected communities and that he will not ask the people to wait until 2048 for relief, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Johnston Fernando further remanded

The Wattala Magistrate’s Court has ordered the further remand of five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, until January 23.

65 cases withdrawn during previous governments re-filed: PM

A total of 65 cases that had been withdrawn between 2019 and 2024 have been re-filed by the present government, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.