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Several sections of Northern Railway Line to be temporarily closed for renovation work

The Northern Railway Line will be temporarily closed at several sections starting tomorrow (19) for renovation and maintenance work. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 5:49 pm

Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill challenged in Supreme Court

Petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a determination that several clauses in the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill are unconstitutional. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 2:07 pm

Computer literacy rises to 38.4 pct in first half of 2025

Sri Lanka’s computer literacy rate has risen to 38.4 percent in the first half of 2025, the latest survey by the Department of Census and Statistics show. more..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 6:47 pm

Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say

A threat by President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 6:44 am

At least 5,000 killed in Iranian unrest, officials say

At least 5,000 people have been killed in protests in Iran, including about 500 security personnel, an Iranian official in the region said on Sunday, citing verified figures and accusing “terrorists and armed rioters” of killing “innocent Iranians”. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 7:22 pm

CEB employees seek Presidential intervention over delayed voluntary retirement process

A group of employees who have applied for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has written to the President, requesting intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of the 2,200 staff members who have applied for the VRS introduced under the CEB restructuring framework. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 11:39 am

Israel objects to US announcement of leaders who will help oversee next steps in Gaza

Israel has objected to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of American leaders who will help oversee the next steps in Gaza. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 4:19 pm

Iranian President warns that attacks on Khamenei mean “all-out war”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded to reports that the US may be considering conducting a strike on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying this would be viewed as a declaration of war on the Iranian people in a post on X/Twitter on Sunday. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 9:43 pm

Government Radiologic Technologists threaten to strike on Wednesday

The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association has decided to engage in an island-wide token strike based on several demands. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 8:15 pm

World’s first legally binding treaty to protect oceans and marine life takes effect

The world’s first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters has taken effect, marking a historic moment for ocean conservation after nearly two decades of negotiations. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 2:55 pm

Road restoration underway in Kotmale following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah

The road restoration work has commenced under a special labour operation in the Kotmale Panangammana area and the Kotmale Maha Peella Ella, which were among the areas most severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 12:55 pm

Strengthening primary healthcare key to controlling non-communicable diseases – Health Minister

The primary challenge facing the country’s free healthcare sector is the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the Minister of Health and Mass Media has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 5:24 pm

Court imposes heavy fines on three pharmacy owners for regulatory violations

Court has imposed fines totaling Rs. 950,000 on owners of three private pharmacies for operating in violation of regulations issued by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 4:00 pm

Indians lead Sri Lanka tourists’ arrival in 2025

Sri Lanka received a total of 2.3 million tourists in 2025, with Indian travellers accounting for the largest share, according to figures released by the tourism authority. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 12:14 pm

Janani Imathma crowned winner of ‘Derana Dream Star - Season 12’

Janani Imathma was crowned the winner of “Derana Dream Star Season 12”, at the Grand Finale held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Saturday night (17). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 1:10 am

Police issue guidelines amidst surge in financial scams

The general public has been once again requested to exercise extreme caution when using social media platforms owing to a surge in financial scams online. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 6:23 pm

EU and Mercosur sign trade deal after 25 years of negotiations

Top officials from the EU and the South American bloc Mercosur signed a free trade agreement on Saturday in Paraguay, paving the way for the European Union’s largest-ever trade accord after 25 years of negotiations. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 9:22 am

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board

Indonesian authorities said on Sunday they had located the wreckage of a fisheries surveillance plane that went missing in South Sulawesi province near a fog-covered mountain, but were still searching for the 11 people on board. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 11:46 am

Man hacked to death following dispute over pigeons

A man has been hacked to death following a dispute over pigeons in Meegahawatta, Peliyagoda this afternoon (18), police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 5:00 pm

Train services to Palaviya to resume after 53 days

Steps have been taken to resume train services from Colombo to Palaviya starting tomorrow (19), the Department of Railways has announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 2:28 pm

Special police operation at Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Kadawatha Interchange

All vehicles exiting the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and the Kadawatha Interchange have been inspected this morning (18), as part of a special operation aimed at preventing drug trafficking and other criminal activities. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 10:35 am

Man arrested at BIA while attempting to smuggle in 390 mobile phones valued at Rs. 34 mln

An individual has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle 390 mobile phones into the country, Sri Lanka Customs stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 7:30 pm

Political interests not important to us; what matters is, only children – PM Harini

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the objective of the government is to use data and policy to provide what is best for children. Political interests or any other considerations are not important to us; what matters is, only the children, she said. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 1:00 pm

Bus overturns in Haldummulla: Driver killed, three others injured

A bus travelling from Colombo to Welimada has reportedly overturned in the Uvathenna area of Haldummulla. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 8:37 am

Youth shot dead in Alawwa

A youth has been shot dead in Wilgamuwa, Alawwa, last night (17), police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 2:17 pm

Over 800 arrested in island-wide anti-drug raids

A total of 882 individuals have been arrested during island-wide raids conducted yesterday (17) under the “Nation United - National Drive” campaign aimed at eradicating narcotics from the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 3:40 pm

Zoe Saldaña dethrones Scarlett Johansson as highest-grossing actor of all time

The recent blockbuster success of “Avatar: Fire And Ash” (2025) has given Zoe Saldaña a new career milestone as the highest-grossing actor of all time. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 10:49 am

Mainly dry weather expected over most parts of the island today

Mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island, today (18), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 6:35 am

Frost covers several areas in Nuwara Eliya, range of vegetation affected

Ground frost was observed in several areas in Nuwara Eliya in the past few days following a sharp drop in temperature. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 4:42 pm

Two suspects arrested with foreign-made revolver and ammunition in Maradana

Two suspects have been arrested by the Colombo South Criminal Investigation Bureau with a foreign-manufactured revolver. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 7:52 am

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for Artemis II mission

Nasa’s mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 1:13 pm

Defeated political forces attempting to reignite ethnic divisions – Dy Minister

Defeated political movements are making attempts to once again instigate ethnic divisions within the country, Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 3:20 pm

European Space Agency hit by cyberattacks, hundreds of gigabytes of data stolen by hackers

A major cybersecurity incident has taken place at the European Space Agency (ESA) after hackers targeted their systems and managed to steal scientific data. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 5:11 pm

Final rites of ex-Minister Nandana Gunathilake to be held on Wednesday

The final rites of former Minister, late Nandana Gunathilake will be performed on Wednesday (21) at 4.00 p.m. at the Wadduwa Public Playground. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 8:50 pm

Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake passes away

Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake has passed away at the age of 64, while receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital, according to family sources. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 6:57 am

Namal criticizes past governments’ approach to national development

Every government which came to power in recent years focused solely on fulfilling its immediate responsibilities, without giving due consideration to positioning Sri Lanka on the global map, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 7:09 pm

Over 1,800 kg of heroin seized in 2025 – Police Media Spokesman

Sri Lanka Police have seized 1,821 kilograms and 174 grams of heroin during raids conducted in 2025, Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 18, 2026 7:56 pm

Demerit points system for traffic offences to be implemented from July-end

The demerit points system for drivers who violate traffic laws is scheduled to be implemented from the end of July, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W. P. J. Senadheera. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 6:18 pm

Trump appoints Tony Blair, Marco Rubio and more to Gaza ‘board of peace’

The White House has announced names of the so-called “Board of Peace” that will, under President Donald Trump’s plan, supervise the temporary governance of Gaza. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 7:45 am

Indian Army constructs third Bailey bridge in Sri Lanka, restoring connectivity

The Indian Army has successfully constructed a third Bailey bridge on Sri Lanka’s B-492 Highway, linking Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the Central Province, restoring a critical lifeline that was severed for over a month following Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 10:27 am

Son arrested for assaulting father to death in Madawachchiya

A 67-year-old father of two was killed following an assault at a residence in the Kadawatgama area of Madawachchiya yesterday (16). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 9:08 am

Rare purple star sapphire, claimed to be biggest of its kind, unveiled in Sri Lanka

A Purple Star Sapphire weighing 3,563 carats which is claimed to be the world’s biggest of its kind was unveiled on Saturday in the Sri Lankan capital by the owners, who are ready to sell the precious stone which is estimated to be worth at least $300 million. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 9:50 pm

Education reform process will not be reversed - PM Harini

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed that the ongoing education reform process will proceed without hindrance, emphasizing that the government has not taken a single step back from implementing transformative changes in the education sector. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 7:17 pm

Jinthupitiya Shooting: Victim succumbs to injuries

Police have confirmed that the individual who was critically injured in a shooting incident last night (16) in the Jinthupitiya area in Colombo, has succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the National Hospital of Colombo. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 7:01 am

Musk’s Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown

Iran’s crackdown on dissidents is shaping up as one of the toughest security tests yet for Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has served as a lifeline against state-imposed internet blackouts since its deployment during the war in Ukraine. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 10:44 am

Eric Meyer tipped to be appointed next US Ambassador to Sri Lanka

Eric Meyer is set to be appointed as the next United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, according to reports indicating that U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated him for the diplomatic post. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 9:03 am

Trump says 8 European countries will be charged 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 17, 2026 10:14 pm

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