IMF Executive Board to decide on Sri Lanka’s fourth tranche on Feb. 28
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to meet on February 28, 2025 to discuss and approve third review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme. MORE..
- Heat index to reach ‘caution level’ in several areas tomorrow
- Sajith urges to call LG election nominations after March 21
- Former MP Shantha Abeysekara and son arrested
- Two-day workshop to train trainers for “Clean Sri Lanka” program
- US and Russia conclude first talks without Ukraine, as Moscow makes new demand
- CCC hails 2025 Budget’s ‘bold proposals’, commends govt for avoiding ad-hoc tax measures
- Farmers to promptly receive compensation for flood-damaged crops
- Chinese lithium company halts tech exports as trade tensions build
- Sri Lanka’s budget likely to lead to slower fiscal consolidation, Moody’s says
- Russia-US agree to work towards ending Ukraine war in landmark talks
Hot News
Russia-US agree to work towards ending Ukraine war in landmark talks
Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working towards ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, the two countries’ top diplomats said after talks that reflected an extraordinary about-face in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s budget likely to lead to slower fiscal consolidation, Moody’s says
Sri Lanka’s budgeted expenditure for 2025 will likely lead to a wider fiscal deficit and slower-than-expected fiscal consolidation, Moody’s Ratings said on Tuesday, a day after the island nation unveiled its budget. MORE..
Farmers to promptly receive compensation for flood-damaged crops
The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board says that measures will be taken to swiftly provide insurance compensation to farmers in districts that have not yet received payments for crops damaged by the floods last November during the 2024/25 ‘Maha Season’. MORE..
CCC hails 2025 Budget’s ‘bold proposals’, commends govt for avoiding ad-hoc tax measures
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has welcomed the “bold proposals” in the 2025 Budget, which it says align with its recommendations, Sri Lanka Economic Summit discussions, and Vision 2030 goals. MORE..
US and Russia conclude first talks without Ukraine, as Moscow makes new demand
U.S. and Russian officials held more than four hours of talks in Riyadh on Tuesday, their first on ending the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv and its European allies watched anxiously from the sidelines and Moscow raised a major new demand. more..
Two-day workshop to train trainers for “Clean Sri Lanka” program
A two-day workshop to train 150 selected members of the Tri Forces and the Sri Lanka Police as trainers to properly implement the “Clean Sri Lanka” program commenced today (February 18) at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental Center premises in Panagoda, the Ministry of Defence said. MORE..
Former MP Shantha Abeysekara and son arrested
Former Puttalam District MP Shantha Abeysekara and his son have been arrested by the Police Illegal Assets Investigations Division. MORE..
Sajith urges to call LG election nominations after March 21
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has requested the Election Commission to commence the Local Government Election process after the final vote on the 2025 Budget, which is scheduled for March 21. MORE..
Heat index to reach ‘caution level’ in several areas tomorrow
The Meteorology Department says that the Heat Index, the temperature felt on human body, is expected to increase up to ‘Caution Level’ tomorrow (19) in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Western, and Southern Provinces and in Monaragala and Ratnapura districts. MORE..
Deputy Minister offers clarification on public sector salary hike
The Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe today provided a clarification with regard to the process of salary increments to the public sector employees scheduled to be implemented as per the 2025 Budget proposals. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s Air quality drops across cities
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) indicates that the Air Quality Index (AQI) within next few days will be slightly unhealthy levels at most of the cities in the country. MORE..
Indictments served against ex-Minister Piyankara over corruption charges
Indictments have been served against former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne before the Colombo High Court today (18). MORE..
SJB’s internal crisis disrupts talks with UNP
Ongoing talks between the United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) regarding a potential unification for the upcoming elections have been disrupted due to internal crises within the SJB. MORE..
Vehicle imports unaffordable for most Sri Lankans - Harsha
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva states that given the current situation, importing vehicles poses a significant risk to Sri Lanka’s economy. MORE..

Man arrested with three foreign-made firearms and ammo in Katunayake
A 54-year-old suspect has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) for the illegal possession of firearms and live ammunition in the Heenatiyana area of the Katunayake Police Division. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s budget likely to lead to slower fiscal consolidation, Moody’s says
Sri Lanka’s budgeted expenditure for 2025 will likely lead to a wider fiscal deficit and slower-than-expected fiscal consolidation, Moody’s Ratings said on Tuesday, a day after the island nation unveiled its budget. MORE..
Farmers to promptly receive compensation for flood-damaged crops
The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board says that measures will be taken to swiftly provide insurance compensation to farmers in districts that have not yet received payments for crops damaged by the floods last November during the 2024/25 ‘Maha Season’. MORE..
CCC hails 2025 Budget’s ‘bold proposals’, commends govt for avoiding ad-hoc tax measures
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has welcomed the “bold proposals” in the 2025 Budget, which it says align with its recommendations, Sri Lanka Economic Summit discussions, and Vision 2030 goals. MORE..
US and Russia conclude first talks without Ukraine, as Moscow makes new demand
U.S. and Russian officials held more than four hours of talks in Riyadh on Tuesday, their first on ending the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv and its European allies watched anxiously from the sidelines and Moscow raised a major new demand. more..
Two-day workshop to train trainers for “Clean Sri Lanka” program
A two-day workshop to train 150 selected members of the Tri Forces and the Sri Lanka Police as trainers to properly implement the “Clean Sri Lanka” program commenced today (February 18) at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental Center premises in Panagoda, the Ministry of Defence said. MORE..
Former MP Shantha Abeysekara and son arrested
Former Puttalam District MP Shantha Abeysekara and his son have been arrested by the Police Illegal Assets Investigations Division. MORE..
Sajith urges to call LG election nominations after March 21
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has requested the Election Commission to commence the Local Government Election process after the final vote on the 2025 Budget, which is scheduled for March 21. MORE..
Heat index to reach ‘caution level’ in several areas tomorrow
The Meteorology Department says that the Heat Index, the temperature felt on human body, is expected to increase up to ‘Caution Level’ tomorrow (19) in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Western, and Southern Provinces and in Monaragala and Ratnapura districts. MORE..
Deputy Minister offers clarification on public sector salary hike
The Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe today provided a clarification with regard to the process of salary increments to the public sector employees scheduled to be implemented as per the 2025 Budget proposals. MORE..
Latest TV News Bulletin
Video of the Day
LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm
Top Picture Story
Sports
Novak Djokovic says recent doping cases in tennis suggest ‘favoritism’
Novak Djokovic believes that “favoritism” is damaging tennis’ anti-doping system in light of Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban. MORE..
Stephen Curry shines as Team Shaq wins revamped NBA All-Star game
Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum combined for 27 points as Shaquille O’Neal‘s “Team Shaq” cruised to victory in the new-look NBA All-Star game in San Francisco on Sunday. MORE..
Australia suffer biggest ODI defeat against Sri Lanka, lose series 2-0
Australia’s 174-run defeat marked their biggest ODI defeat by runs against Sri Lanka on Friday, eclipsing an 82-run loss at the same venue in 2016. MORE..
Kusal Mendis ton sets Australia challenging target
A second Sri Lankan century in as many matches has put Australia under pressure to tie the one-day series after losing the opening match. MORE..
Kusal Mendis gets to his maiden ODI hundred vs Australia
Kusal Mendis has smoked his fifth hundred in ODI cricket. MORE..
Video of the Day
LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm
Video Story
Finance Secretary and CBSL Governor join post-budget discussion in Colombo (English)
Technology
Chinese lithium company halts tech exports as trade tensions build
A Chinese company has stopped exporting a piece of equipment used to process the electric vehicle battery metal lithium, in the clearest sign yet manufacturers are already implementing export controls proposed by Beijing. MORE..
South Korea removes Deepseek from app stores over privacy concerns
South Korea removes Deepseek from app stores over privacy concerns
South Korea has banned new downloads of China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, according to the country’s personal data protection watchdog. MORE..
Elon Musk says xAI’s Grok 3 chatbot to be unveiled on Monday
Elon Musk says xAI’s Grok 3 chatbot to be unveiled on Monday
Billionaire Elon Musk said on Saturday that his xAI’s artificial intelligence chatbot and ChatGPT challenger Grok 3 would be released with a live demo at 8 p.m. Pacific time on Monday (0400 GMT on Tuesday). MORE..
OpenAI board unanimously rejects Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion proposal
OpenAI board unanimously rejects Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion proposal
OpenAI says its board of directors has unanimously rejected a $97.4 billion takeover bid by Elon Musk. MORE..
Entertainment
‘Father’ of Nutella, world’s most famous hazelnut spread, dies at 97
Italian chemist Francesco Rivella, best known as the inventor of Nutella, died on Valentine’s Day, according to various news outlets. He was 97. MORE..
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron has been found dead at her home, a police official with knowledge of the case said on Sunday. MORE..
French customs seize dinosaur teeth found in lorry
French customs seize dinosaur teeth found in lorry
French customs officers have found nine dinosaur teeth during a routine check near the Italian border. MORE..
Woman withdraws civil lawsuit against Jay-Z, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs alleging she was raped at age 13
Woman withdraws civil lawsuit against Jay-Z, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs alleging she was raped at age 13
An Alabama woman who said she was raped by rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs when she was 13 withdrew her civil lawsuit against both men on Friday, according to court filings. MORE..