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NIE Deputy Director General sent on compulsory leave
NIE Deputy Director General sent on compulsory leave
The Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Education (NIE), Darshana Samaraweera has been sent on compulsory leave in relation to the controversial Grade 6 English module. MORE..
Highest temperature recorded in Ratnapura, lowest from Nuwara Eliya
Highest temperature recorded in Ratnapura, lowest from Nuwara Eliya
The highest temperature in the country today (19) was recorded from the Ratnapura Meteorological Station at 32.9°C, the Department of Meteorology noted. MORE..
Tourist arrivals in 2026 top 150,000
Tourist arrivals in 2026 top 150,000
A total of 158,787 tourists have arrived in the country thus far in 2026, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows. MORE..
Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked
Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked
Iran may lift its internet blackout in a few days, a senior parliament member said on Monday, after authorities shut communications while they used massive force to crush protests in the worst domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. MORE..
GMOA announces island-wide trade union action from Friday
GMOA announces island-wide trade union action from Friday
A decision has been taken to launch a continuous island-wide trade union action starting January 23, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced. MORE..
Transport Minister promises corruption-free development
Transport Minister promises corruption-free development
The present administration aims to advance the country’s development without theft or corruption, the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayaka stated. MORE..
Colombo HC records witness evidence in case against Mervyn Silva
Colombo HC records witness evidence in case against Mervyn Silva
The case filed by the Bribery Commission against former Minister Mervyn Silva, over allegations that he acquired assets in excess of his lawful income during his tenure as a minister, was taken up again before the Colombo High Court today. MORE..
Trinco Buddha Statue Incident: Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero and others further remanded
Trinco Buddha Statue Incident: Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero and others further remanded
Four Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, and six other individuals who were arrested and subsequently remanded for allegedly violating coastal conservation laws by placing a Buddha statue at the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Viharaya have been further remanded. MORE..
| January 19, 2026 4:29 pm
Railway station masters threaten to launch trade union action over several demands
Railway station masters threaten to launch trade union action over several demands
The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union has threatened to launch a trade union action citing several unresolved demands. MORE..
Trump justifies threats to take over Greenland, citing Nobel Peace Prize snub
Trump justifies threats to take over Greenland, citing Nobel Peace Prize snub
US President Donald Trump told Norway’s prime minister he no longer needed to think “purely of peace” after failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize, in a message published Monday. MORE..
Govt keen to promote cashless economy and introduce digital IDs
Govt keen to promote cashless economy and introduce digital IDs
Extensive discussions have been held at a review meeting at the Presidential Secretariat pertaining to the progress of projects planned by the government to promote a cashless economy in Sri Lanka, including the digitalisation of government institutions, promotion of QR transactions and the completion of the digital identity card project. MORE..
Search operation launched to locate two missing fishermen
Search operation launched to locate two missing fishermen
Two individuals, who set out for fishing in a boat early this morning (19) from Wella, Chilaw have been reported missing, police stated. MORE..
Special traffic plan in Colombo in view of Sri Lanka-England cricket series
Special traffic plan in Colombo in view of Sri Lanka-England cricket series
A special traffic plan will be in place in Colombo during the upcoming Sri Lanka-England cricket matches to be played at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. MORE..
Japan PM Takaichi to dissolve parliament Friday and call national election
Japan PM Takaichi to dissolve parliament Friday and call national election
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she will dissolve parliament Friday and call a national election to seek voter backing for increased spending and a new security strategy expected to accelerate Japan’s defence build up. MORE..
Three arrested over circulation of video abusing woman on social media
Three arrested over circulation of video abusing woman on social media
An individual has been arrested by the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women in connection with a video circulating on social media depicting a woman being abused. MORE..
China’s population falls for fourth straight year
China’s population falls for fourth straight year
China’s population fell for the fourth straight year in 2025 as its birth rates sunk to a record low, despite the government rolling out a spate of incentives to boost them. MORE..
Public to be notified on ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ donations through its website
Public to be notified on ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ donations through its website
The official website related to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” national programme has been launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..
Grama Niladhari officers withdraw from disbursement of Rs. 5 million cyclone relief grant
Grama Niladhari officers withdraw from disbursement of Rs. 5 million cyclone relief grant
The Grama Niladhari Trade Union Alliance has decided to withdraw from the process of disbursing the Rs. 5 million government grant allocated for residential properties that were partially damaged as a result of cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
NGJA revises taxation method for imported rough gemstones to support industry
NGJA revises taxation method for imported rough gemstones to support industry
The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has announced a revision to the taxation methodology for importing rough gemstones, aiming to provide relief to industry stakeholders and support the country’s goal of achieving $1 billion in annual gem export earnings. MORE..
Baladaksha Mawatha flyover declared open
Baladaksha Mawatha flyover declared open
The Baladaksha Mawatha flyover was declared open to the public today (19). MORE..
Parents stage silent protest near Edu. Ministry demanding Grade 6 reforms
Parents stage silent protest near Edu. Ministry demanding Grade 6 reforms
A group of parents has launched a continuous silent protest this morning (19) in front of the Ministry of Education, urging the immediate implementation of the recently suspended proposed education reforms for Grade 6 students. MORE..
Decline in air quality observed across several areas; CEA advises caution
Decline in air quality observed across several areas; CEA advises caution
The Media Spokesperson for the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Dr. Ajith Gunawardena says that a decline in air quality has been reported in multiple parts of the country. MORE..
Death toll in Karachi mall fire jumps to 11
Death toll in Karachi mall fire jumps to 11
Firefighters in Karachi began searching on Monday for more than 60 missing people after a massive fire destroyed a shopping mall in Pakistan’s most populous city, while the death toll from the disaster rose to 11. MORE..
Parliamentary Sub-Committee reviews execution of principal transfers in national and provincial schools
Parliamentary Sub-Committee reviews execution of principal transfers in national and provincial schools
The implementation of transfers of Principals in National and Provincial Schools and related matters, together with the existing human resource shortages in schools, has been discussed recently at the meeting of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee. MORE..
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026: Colombo among best food cities; Galle in top 5 honeymoon destinations
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026: Colombo among best food cities; Galle in top 5 honeymoon destinations
Sri Lanka has received significant international recognition in the “Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best 2026”, with Colombo and Galle being named among the world’s top destinations under two categories, marking a major boost for the country’s tourism and hospitality industries. MORE..