Jan 27 (TM) Nearly two months after Cyclone Ditwah tore through parts of SL, official narratives increasingly speak of recovery. Roads have been cleared, emergency shelters dismantled, and administrative briefings suggest that the worst is over. In much of the country, daily life is inching back towards a fragile normalcy. For the Malaiyaha Tamil plantation community, however, the disaster has not ended. In many ways, Cyclone Ditwah was more..

Jan 27 (ST) It is highly unusual—and worryingly so—that the primary gatekeeping associations of legal and judicial institutions in SL have come together to tersely protest against what they see as an unwarranted interference across social media in regard to the judicial and prosecutorial function in ongoing cases. In certain respects, these tensions point to the emergence of a curious trend of public intimidation, if we may term it so. Previously, the lines were clear-cut, more..

Jan 27 (CT) Recent newspaper reports titled Court dismisses People’s Bank appeal on RTI disclosure reveal an important and troubling pattern in the conduct of public institutions. The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by People’s Bank, thereby affirming a directive issued by the Right to Information Commission requiring the Bank to release information sought by a customer under the Right to Information Act, subject to lawful redaction. The Bank had resisted disclosure on more..

Jan 27 (SO) January holds a dark significance for Sri Lanka’s media community. Known as Black January, it is a month that painfully reminds journalists and media workers of a troubled history marked by killing, enforced disappearances, abductions and attacks on media institutions. Disturbingly, a large number of these grave violations against journalists have taken place during January. more..

Jan 27 (CT) Second only to the destruction left in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami, the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah’s damage to land and property could not be understated. It also made abundantly clear that Govt authorities should have taken action to relocate families and communities that were living in areas prone to landslides, finding them new homes before a major catastrophe caused by adverse weather arises. Instead, now authorities are seeking the support of landowners to step forward more..

Jan 27 (DM) Sri Lanka is facing significant controversies surrounding two key ‘AG’ positions the Attorney General and the Auditor General which have created political tension and accusations of institutional interference against the JVP -led NPP Govt. These two positions are undoubtedly very important in the NPP’s drive against corruption, possibly the foremost election promises of the party on which all other promises and its entire economic programme are positioned. more..

Jan 26 (AD) SL Railway Station Masters’ Association has warned that unless existing issues are resolved promptly, it may be compelled to launch trade union action. In a statement, the association noted that ongoing administrative inefficiencies within the Railway Dept have caused significant hardships for both passengers and railway employees. The statement highlighted that necessary procedures needed to be taken related to recruitment and promotions for station masters have been more..

Jan 26 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake will inaugurate a national program, tomorrow, aimed at restoring religious sites damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, with the government moving to fast-track repairs and reopen places of worship across the country. The initiative, titled Godanagamu Adhishtanaye Sanhinda, will be launched under the patronage of the president and coordinated by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, according to Prez’s Media Division. more..

Jan 26 (AD) Criminal behavior among youth aged between 16 and 22 years has increased over the past 10 years, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Tharaka Fernando stated. Dr. Fernando noted that the trend has been revealed through research conducted in the country and that it is also visible worldwide. Dr. Tharaka Fernando made these remarks while attending a media briefing held to mark the 100th anniversary of more..

Jan 26 (Reuters) SL's central bank is expected to maintain its key interest rate at 7.75% on Wednesday, a Reuters poll found, as an IMF delegation reviews the sixth tranche of a crucial $2.9 billion package. The poll of a dozen economists unanimously forecast no change to the benchmark overnight policy rate, citing stable inflation, healthy credit growth, and consistent economic expansion. CB has held rates steady since last May, as the nation recovers from a 2022 financial crisis more..

Jan 26 (NW) National Council for Road Safety announced Monday that police have begun imposing fines for seat belt violations nationwide, marking the end of a three-month transition period. Council Chairman Manjula Kularatne confirmed that the grace period, which was intended to allow motorists to adjust to stricter safety regulations, officially expired on December 24. Law enforcement officers have now been instructed to strictly enforce the law to mitigate the high rate of fatalities more..

Jan 26 (DM) It is reported that a serious issue has arisen in the tender process for the purchase of dry and fresh food supplies for the Tri-Forces for this year. This situation has emerged because the tender wasn’t awarded to the company that submitted the lowest bid at the relevant price call. A letter dated 13.11.2025, signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Sampath Thuyacontha confirmed that this above more..

Jan 26 (DM) The Catholic Church in SL 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. "We are planning to file a Fundamental Rights petition on behalf of Fr. Milan Priyadarshana who was assaulted by police officers in Negombo. They have come in bikes and surrounded the priest and had assaulted him. more..

Jan 26 (EN) Sri Lanka’s plan to hold an international donor conference to raise funds to rebuild Ditwah devastation-hit area has been delayed and the date is yet to be finalized, govt sources said. Sri Lanka is planning to spend an extra 500 billion rupees in Cyclone relief and recovery in 2026 of which 250 billion rupees will go for infrastructure, 100 billion rupees for destroying homes and 200 billion rupees for business recovery in agriculture and other industries. more..

Jan 26 (DM) Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by People’s Bank, affirming a directive of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) requiring the bank to release information sought by a customer under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, subject to redaction where necessary. The Court held that the information requested did not fall within the exemptions under the Act and could not be lawfully denied. The judgment was delivered on 20 January by a Bench comprising more..

Jan 26 (DL) A rare UK-Canada natural history co-pro will follow inhabitants at the world’s largest baby elephant sanctuary. Channel 4 and CBC are making Baby Elephant School, charting happenings at the 30-year-old Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage, which cares for up to 80 orphaned calves at any one time and has returned more than 170 elephants to the wild, many of whom have gone on to have calves of their own. Two different versions will be produced. The UK version will be hosted by more..

Jan 26 (AD) The total export earnings of SL in 2025 has been recorded at US$ 17,252.15 million, exceeding the figures recorded in 2024. SL’s export sector continued its positive growth momentum in 2025, recording a notable y-o-y growth of 5.6 %, the EDB noted. Meanwhile, in Dec 2025, total exports, comprising both merchandise and services amounted to US$ 1,490.49 million, representing a 3.95 % y-o-y increase. more..

Jan 26 (DM) SLPP National Organizer and MP Namal Rajapaksa underscored the importance of responsible leadership, regional solidarity and youth-driven change while addressing the 77th Republic Day of India celebrations at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. “Leadership is not a position. It is a responsibility. It is a process of influencing others to achieve shared goals,” Rajapaksa said, speaking to students and academics at the event. more..

Jan 26 (AD) A complaint has been lodged with the CID today calling for an investigation into an alleged shortage of 40 cancer medications and claims that unregistered cancer drugs are currently circulating in the market. The complaint was lodged by Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman, together with Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, the Chairman of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights. Commenting on the issue, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa stated that, more..

Jan 26 (DM) SL is set to introduce test-tube baby treatment, also known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo marking the first time such advanced fertility services will be made available at a govt hospital. Director of the Castle Street Hospital for Women Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana said that the initiative would significantly expand access to fertility care. “The new facility is expected to be more..

Jan 26 (FT) TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has criticised the suspension of a senior Parliamentary official, warning that the action reflects a serious breakdown of due process within Parliament. Rasamanickam said the suspension of Parliament’s second most senior official had raised grave concerns. Citing media reports, he alleged the move amounted to retaliation linked to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and was carried out without a charge sheet, an inquiry, or an opportunity for more..

Jan 26 (DM) Pathfinder Foundation has inaugurated a dedicated repository to document SL’s peace initiatives, aiming to preserve the country’s efforts to resolve the separatist conflict over the decades. The Repository for SL Peace Initiatives was officially opened by Mr. Erik Solheim, former Norwegian Special Envoy to the SL peace process, former Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway, and former Executive Director of UN Environment Programme more..

Jan 26 (AD) Further examination of evidence in the case filed against former State Minister Diana Gamage is scheduled to be conducted on February 16. The order was issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The case was filed by the CID on charges of providing false information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to obtain a passport and of residing in Sri Lanka without a valid visa. The case was taken up today before Colombo Additional Magistrate more..

Jan 26 (DM) 62% of Lankans choose .LK to host their website and business services, reinforcing the position of the LK Domain Registry as the preferred choice for businesses and individuals across the country, according to the Registry. Established in 1990, the LK Domain Registry has served the country by providing a dependable domain registration service and facilitating development of internet infrastructure to improve the internet in SL. As the national-level domain name, more..

Jan 26 (DM) Silver, often overshadowed by gold in financial headlines, is quietly undergoing a market revolution. However, unlike its more illustrious counterpart, silver’s price surge is not merely a story of monetary hedging or speculative investment. It is a direct threat to the foundational pillars of the 21st-century economy: the green energy transition and the global technology ecosystem. more..

Jan 26 (AD) Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has assured that he would extend his full support if educational reforms are implemented in a proper and effective manner. The Opposition Leader noted that a large number of children have been adversely affected due to the failure to implement the proposed education reforms at the Grade 6 level. Although the government has attempted to place responsibility for the suspension of reforms on the opposition, more..

Jan 26 (NW) High Commission of India in Colombo celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day today, marking the anniversary of the day the Indian Constitution came into effect in 1950. High Commissioner Santosh Jha hoisted the national flag at India House, inspected a Guard of Honour, and read excerpts from the President of India’s Republic Day address. The celebration featured patriotic music by the SL Navy Band and cultural performances by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, more..

Jan 26 (AM) The Govt has recently appointed a group of civil activists to Prison Monitoring Committees, a move that has triggered public discussion after popular model and actress Stephanie Siriwardhana was named as a prison monitoring officer. Siriwardhana is a well-known figure in Sri Lanka’s arts and entertainment sector. She won the Sri Lanka beauty queen title in 2011 and was crowned Miss Asia in 2013. more..

Jan 26 (AD) Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today that orders have been obtained from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and the Colombo High Court to prevent the directors of the local agent company of the MV X-Press Pearl from leaving the country. The declaration was made by Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, appearing on behalf of the AG, when the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed regarding the incident were taken up today to examine the progress of more..

Jan 26 (NW) Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said he held a different view to England captain Harry Brook over criticism of the pitch used for the second ODI, stressing that he did not share the same assessment. Brook had described the wicket as the worst he had ever played on following the second match. Speaking ahead of the third and final ODI, Asalanka noted that both teams scored more than 440 runs on the wicket, questioning how it could be described as a poor pitch. more..

Jan 26 (FT) The global minimum corporate tax rate is part of the OECD Inclusive Framework initiative known as Pillar Two. It requires every tax jurisdiction to make sure that multinational corporations pay a minimum effective tax rate of 15%. The recent global push towards a Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate of 15%, is often presented as a neutral and progressive reform to curb tax avoidance by multinational corporations (MNCs). However, when seen through a historical & geopolitical lens more..

Jan 26 (FT) The Central Bank every year beginning from 1997 conducts a remembrance service in the morning of 31 January to tell the new Central Bankers of the gruesome attack by the LTTE on the country’s key financial institution, Central Bank, on that day in 1996. The objective of the LTTE was to destroy the bank, create mayhem in the financial system, weaken the economy, and thwart the Govt’s efforts to fight the LTTE which had been conducting a bloody campaign for a separate state. more..