Jan 29 (Island) Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has entered into a three-year partnership (2025–2028) with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) under the Turtle and Coastal Health United Programme (TACHUP) to protect sea turtles and restore coastal ecosystems along the Colombo Port City–Mount Lavinia coastline. Sri Lanka is home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, all of which nest along this highly urbanised stretch of coastline. more..

Jan 29 (AD) Six police officers attached to the Gampaha Divisional Crime Detection Bureau (DCDB), who were arrested in connection with the alleged assault on a Catholic priest, have been granted bail. The order was made when the case was taken up today before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate ordered that each suspect was released on a Rs. 500,000 surety bail. Court also imposed a foreign travel ban on the suspects. During an earlier identification more..

Jan 29 (JT) SL detainee Wishma Sandamali’s life could have been saved at three junctures before she died at an immigration facility in Japan in 2021, a doctor said at a court hearing on Wednesday. Wishma’s death at the facility in Nagoya, resulted from a combination of factors including dehydration and starvation, Dr. Masamune Shimo said during the Nagoya District Court hearing on a lawsuit filed by her bereaved family more..

Jan 29 (AD) A total of 10,455 complaints related to children have been lodged with National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) in 2025. Of these, 8,514 complaints fell under the NCPA Act, while 1,941 complaints were outside its direct mandate. Among the reported cases, 545 complaints involved sexual harassment while 231 involved grave sexual abuse. The Authority also recorded 79 teenage pregnancies and three abortions last year. The NCPA added nine child marriages, 38 cases of rape, more..

Jan 29 (NW) The US Embassy in SL has extended its condolences following the death of Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha of the SL Navy, recognizing his service and contribution to international defence cooperation. Lt. Chamitha was the first Sri Lankan naval officer to complete US Navy SEAL basic training. He served with the SL Navy’s Special Boat Squadron and was commended for his distinguished service. US Embassy said Lt. Chamitha’s career reflected the strong professional ties between more..

Jan 29 (NW) Ministry of Health has said the risk of Nipah virus transmission to the country remains minimal, following recent reports of cases in West Bengal, India. The ministry said Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection that primarily affects animals, particularly fruit bats, and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated materials. Human-to-human transmission can occur more..

Jan 29 (DM) The Election Commission has called for applications from political parties eligible for official recognition in 2026. According to the Commission, applications will be accepted from Jan 28 to Feb 28, 2026, and must be submitted with the required documents signed by the party secretary. Application forms can be obtained from the Election Commission’s official website, district election offices or the Office of the Election Secretary. The Commission said recognised parties more..

Jan 29 (AD) Colombo Magistrate’s Court has scheduled the next hearing of the complaint against MP Namal Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for July 30. The complaint was called today before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. MP Namal Rajapaksa, along with three other suspects, appeared in court during today’s hearing. During the proceedings, CID informed court that legal advice regarding the case had not yet been received. more..

Jan 29 (NW) ASP Rohan Olugala has been appointed as the new Director of the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Unit. Olugala is known for his involvement in a high-profile international police operation that led to the arrest of underworld figures Mandinu Padmasiri, also known as Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salintha, and Kudu Nilantha. The suspects, who were in hiding in Jakarta, Indonesia were captured through a covert mission coordinated by Sri Lankan authorities. more..

Jan 29 (AD) Veteran film director Sena Samarasinghe has passed away at the age of 89. Born on Nov 25, 1937, in Randeniya, Kegalle, Nandasena Samarasinghe was popularly known as Sena Samarasinghe after gaining recognition in SL cinema. He is also a relative of the popular film actor Bandu Samarasinghe. Sena Samarasinghe received his education at Bandarawela, Gurutalawa, St. Thomas’ College, where he excelled in sports and demonstrated remarkable leadership skills, more..

Jan 29 (FT) The CIABOC recorded 154 arrests, filed 115 cases and secured Rs. 2.839 million in fines, penalties, compensation and confiscated funds during 2025, according to its 2025 progress review. CIABOC said 84 suspects were arrested during raids carried out in 2025, following 130 raids conducted during the year, of which 68 were classified as effective. A further 70 suspects were arrested on grounds other than raids, more..

Jan 29 (DM) A group of past and present students of Nalanda College have taken to social media to defend the reputation of the school following the circulation of controversial footage on social media. In several videos and posts shared across platforms, Nalandians stated that the incident was an isolated one and should not be used to label or stigmatise the entire school community. They also urged the public to refrain from sharing the footage further warning that doing so could cause harm more..

Jan 29 (AD) Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed by the CIABOC against former Minister of Fisheries Rajitha Senaratne and two others for allegedly causing a loss to the govt when the Mutwal Fishery Harbour was leased to a private company in 2014—be reconvened on April 29. The case was called today before Colombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal. During the proceedings, the judge asked whether the defense lawyers for the accused expected to raise objections more..

Jan 29 (FT) Board of Investment (BOI) has intensified efforts to attract new local and foreign investments into the education sector, leveraging SL’s longstanding reputation for a well-structured and inclusive education system. SL’s high literacy rates—among the best in the region—are rooted in a strong foundation of early childhood education that extends through university and postgraduate studies, a legacy inherited from the British more..

Jan 29 (TM) Sri Lanka has taken initial steps toward creating a National Film School, with early discussions held under the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs. The aim is to develop an institution that offers practical, internationally aligned film education. The meeting, chaired by MP Jagath Manuwarna, brought together officials from the National Film Corporation, SL Foundation, the State Cinema Advisory Board, film professionals, academics, and industry representatives. more..

Jan 29 (AD) The COPF of Parliament has held extensive discussions on key issues affecting SL’s gem and jewellery industry. The meeting was held on January 27 at the Parliament complex chaired by MP Dr. Harsha de Silva and attended by Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Nishantha Jayaweera, along with MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Nimal Palihena, and Wijesiri Basnayake. Representatives from several more..

Jan 29 (DM) The Court of Appeal upheld a sentence of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment imposed on a Pastor attached to a church at Kottukachchi in the Puttalam District, for raping a 15-year-old girl after developing an acquaintance with her and subsequently inviting her to serve god. The accused had been indicted before the Puttalam High Court by the Attorney General for committing the offence of rape of a minor, punishable under Section 364(2) of the Penal Code, in relation to incidents more..

Jan 29 (EN) Hotel reservations by tourists in SL have dipped in December, after Cyclone Ditwah devastation in November despite hotel damage being minimal, Krishan Balendra, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said. “For tourism, I feel that in December, there would have been a 5% to 10% impact on booking,” Balendra told an economic forum. In late 2025, Cyclone Ditwah delivered a sharp but localized blow to SL’s tourism sector, striking at the onset of the peak more..

Jan 29 (DM) SL is working hard to protect its rubber products exports to the markets in the European Union to avoid any impact from the EU Deforestation Regulation which will come into effect next year. EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a new law which is aimed at requiring companies to ensure that products imported to or exported from EU markets no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation globally. more..

Jan 29 (DM) Well-known model and former beauty queen Stephanie Siriwardhana has been appointed to the six-member Prison Observation Committee, Prison Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said, highlighting her background in social service activities. Gajanayake explained that the committee positions are voluntary and appointments are made following the established procedures of the Prisons Dept. He added that the main role of the committee is to observe challenges faced by detainees, more..

Jan 29 (TM) Govt has reassured the public that there is no immediate threat from the Nipah virus, which is currently spreading in parts of India. Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni emphasised that SL’s health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have all necessary testing kits ready. While the virus, with a high fatality rate, has been reported in several Asian countries, Wijemuni explained that person-to-person transmission is rare and SL has never experienced a Nipah outbreak. more..

Jan 29 (DM) Governor of CB, Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe, said SL spent around US$ 2.0 billion on vehicle imports in 2025 and could spend a further US$ 1.5 billion in 2026 as pent-up demand wanes. Sri Lankans imported a record 360,117 vehicles in 2025, following the reopening of the market in Feb 2025 after a 5-year hiatus. The vehicle import market had been closed in March 2020 to conserve limited foreign exchange, more..

Jan 29 (TM) Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated that steps are expected to be taken in the near future to elevate the Jaffna Teaching Hospital (TH) to a National Hospital status after fulfilling the required criteria. An institutional review of the Jaffna TH was conducted at the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment. The Committee met in the Parliament on 21 January, under the Chairpersonship of Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe. more..

Jan 29 (AD) Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation has announced an Agricultural Insurance Month for farmers, effective from February 2026. Under the scheme, farmers can obtain insurance coverage for all crops, including rice, beans, potatoes, big onions, soybeans and chili. The insurance scheme will cover damages caused by rain, floods, wild elephants, pest infestations, fire, diseases and other natural hazards. The insurance plans, available for a small premium, more..

Jan 29 (FT) Sri Lanka does not need another anti-terror law. The Suppression of Terrorist Bombings Act, Prevention of Hostage Taking Act, Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act, Offences Against Aircraft Act and several other laws criminalise terrorist activities as required by a 2004 United Nations Security Council Resolution (1566): a resolution that necessitates member states to have laws in place to counter terrorism. Activists, human rights organisations, more..

Jan 29 (FT) How safe are our children? This haunting question confronts us once again, as a leading newspaper recently reported the dismissal of an appeal by a man convicted of raping a 15 year old girl in SL. While the court’s decision affirms justice, the incident itself exposes a far more disturbing reality, rape remains a widespread and growing issue in our country. This case is not an isolated incident. Across SL, reports of sexual violence continue to rise, with many victims more..

Jan 29 (CT) Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Harsha Abeywickrema stepped down yesterday as Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd after refusing to approve a request to issue an airport access pass to a Buddhist prelate, citing mandatory international aviation security standards. The request was made on behalf of Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayake Thera, Chief Prelate in Japan. In a letter dated 9 Jan, Abeywickrema responded to more..

Jan 29 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal to submit to Parliament the regulations issued to temporarily extend the validity period of driving licences, following widespread public inconvenience caused by adverse conditions in late 2025. The public faced significant difficulties in renewing driving licences on time due to severe damage to normal day-to-day life resulting from unfavourable weather conditions that prevailed across the country in November 2025. more..

Jan 29 (Island) An exclusive Symposium on Sustainable Tourism was successfully held on 25 Jan 2026 at Amba Yaalu – Kandalama, SL’s first all-women-led hotel, operated by Thema Collection. The symposium brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability practitioners to discuss innovative and practical pathways to embed sustainability across the tourism value chain. The discussions explored key topics including low-impact destination planning, plastic-free tourism more..

Jan 29 (FT) The IMF yesterday reaffirmed its solidarity with Sri Lanka and expressed readiness to support the country in its efforts to safeguard macroeconomic stability and promote resilience and sustainable growth. The reassurance follows the completion of the visit by an IMF team led by Mission Chief for SL Evan Papageorgiou to SL from 22 to 28 January to hold discussions on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. more..

Jan 29 (TM) Govt Radiological Technologists’ Association has decided to temporarily suspend the indefinite strike that was scheduled to commence yesterday across all hospitals in the country. President of the Union, Chanaka Dharmawickrama stated that the strike has been suspended for 48 hours. The decision has been taken following discussions between Union representatives and the Deputy Health Minister. During the meeting, issues that prompted the strike were reviewed and more..

Jan 29 (FT) National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) yesterday officially launched the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2026-2030), reaffirming SL’s strong commitment to eliminating all forms of human trafficking and strengthening coordinated national responses. The launch was held under the patronage of PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The event was also attended by Defence Ministry Secretary and NAHTTF Chair Sampath Thuyacontha, more..