Jan 6 (CT) The Free Media Movement (FMM) has sent an urgent letter to the IGP, calling for swift legal action in response to recent attacks on journalists. The letter was signed by Hana Ibrahim, the Convener of FMM, and Lasantha de Silva, the Secretary of the organisation. In the letter, FMM expressed grave concern over recent violent incidents targetting Tamilchelvan, a freelance journalist from Kilinochchi, and Achala Upendra, President of the Ampara District more..

Jan 6 (DM) The students of the Debarara Junior School in Wellawaya Education Zone had been served wheat flour roti and dates for their midday meal instead of rice and curry. When the parents questioned about it the woman who had undertaken the contract attributed it to the shortage of rice. The strength of Debarara Junior School with classes from Year one to eleven is 121 students. The contractor should have supplied a balanced diet of rice and curry including vegetable, and more..

Jan 6 (DP) Sri Lanka is adopting more American Bell 206 helicopters and a Pakistani Chengdu J-7 aircraft to enhance the country’s air force capabilities. The investment stipulates eight of the 206 systems in their TH-57 Sea Ranger military derivative ordered from Washington DC and a single Chinese-made J-7 in its FT-7 export trainer variant from Islamabad. SL Air Force (SLAF) Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa confirmed that more..

Jan 6 (AD) The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release of 34 individuals including the Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin from a case filed over staging protest violating quarantine rules in 2021. This case was taken up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake today (06). Police had arrested 34 individuals including Stalin during a protest staged by IUSF, CTU and FSP against Kotelawala National Defence University Bill more..

Jan 6 (EN) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake discussed restoring public confidence in the island nation’s justice system when he met the Attorney General of officials from the Attorney General’s Department amid the new govt’s efforts to speed up high profile legal cases. The govt is in the move to resume high profile legal cases including the Easter Sunday attack and legal cases related to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members. more..

Jan 7 (DM) The big question these days is about the NPP manifesto. Some want to rub the nose of our current rulers in the gap between promises and performance. But is this a productive path? The purpose of a manifesto is to convince voters to support the candidate or political party presenting it. Manifesto-making is political. Experts or those perceived as experts may be called in to contribute, but the principal criterion for what goes into the document is not expertise, but more..

Jan 7 (CT) If the Aragalaya had any lesson to offer, it was the dominant demand for a “System change.” Prez and Parliamentary elections showed emphatic support. Although the Throw out all 225 did not (thankfully) materialize, the never in a life-time experience, saw large numbers resigning/retiring. This was suggestive of a large scale abandonment of a sinking ship, or of lobsters sensing the warming of the pot. “No progress without change, but all change is not necessarily progress”. more..

Jan 7 (SO) The 2020s began with significant challenges for SL. From the devastating Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 to the global pandemic and an economic crisis that took years to recover from, the nation faced bleak times. However, the 2024 elections rekindled hope for a brighter future. December’s grand Christmas celebrations and the resurgence of tourism, with two million arrivals last year, signal a return to normalcy. more..

Jan 7 (TM) The NPP Govt has focus on addressing corruption, and the Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the senior govt leadership seem to be frustrated with the Attorney General’s Dept for the slow progress on several key cases where indictments have not yet been filed. It is clear that the Govt wants to begin to deliver on the anti-corruption agenda, and is keen to get things moving quickly. The Sunday Morning reported last Sunday a special meeting was scheduled for yesterday more..

Jan 7 (DM) Today (6), will mark the 40th anniversary of the killing of Fr. Mary Bastian, a Catholic priest from the Catholic Diocese of Mannar, in the Northern province in Sri Lanka. It will be yet another anniversary to be marked without a body and grave. The govt at the time of his killing had claimed that Fr. Bastian would have fled to India. For 40 years, the truth of Fr. Bastian’s killing hasn’t been officially acknowledged by any govt and there is no indicator the new govt may be different. more..

Jan 7 (TM) Govt procurement practices have long been a contentious issue, criticised for their inefficiency, lack of transparency, and frequent delays. These systemic flaws disrupt the timely acquisition of essential goods and services, resulting in significant financial losses for the State and immense frustration for the public. While procurement guidelines and the committees tasked with overseeing them are designed to more..

Jan 7 (Island) The JVP has a history of disrupting universities, schools, and workplaces. Thankfully, since its ascent to power, the seats of higher learning and public institutions have remained calm. But, now, it stands accused of having disrupted one of the holiest shrines in Sri Lanka—Sri Saman Devale, Ratnapura. All workers of the shrine have launched a strike in protest against the appointment of an Acting Basnayake Nilame (Chief Custodian). The appointment is politically motivated, and more..

Jan 7 (Island) Among the important promises of the NPP govt to the people has been to address the problem of corruption and waste. This was the centre piece of the Aragalaya protests that brought down the govt in 2022. The govt made many other promises too when it was in the opposition. But unlike in the case of these other promises, such as to reduce the cost of living, the promise to reduce corruption and waste is within the power of the govt to a greater extent than to bring down more..

Jan 7 (DM) Political history is full of anecdotes involving famous personalities. Here is one such story involving one of the prominent leaders of the Ceylon Communist Party (CCP) Pieter Keuneman. Sino-Soviet split or the souring of relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1963 which was primarily caused by doctrinal divergences that arose from their different interpretations and practical applications of Marxism–Leninism more..

Jan 7 (ST) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa came a cropper on Thursday when he cast an unwarranted insensitive slur on private benefactors donating funds for expensive medical equipment to the govt health sector. At the inauguration of Apeksha Hospital’s new 4-storey building and its bone marrow and haematopoietic stem cell transplant unit built by Air Force labour and private benefactions amounting to Rs. 176 million, the only one of its kind at any govt hospital for child cancer patients, more..

Jan 7 (FT) Tourism industry kicks off 2025 with nearly 40,000 arrivals in the first 5 days of the year, reflecting a strong start. 39,415 arrivals in the first five days represent a significant increase compared to 32,453 tourists welcomed during the same period in 2024. This surge reflects a growing momentum for the sector, boosted by an influx of Russian tourists who led the charge in early 2025. Daily arrivals have also improved to 7,883 more..

Jan 7 (DM) Board of Investment (BOI) recently signed an agreement worth US $ 1.06 million with Fusion Apparel, a joint venture of Brandix, to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility focused on glue bonding garments. The facility will produce export-oriented glue bonding garments and will also offer glue bonding services to other BOI-registered companies. “Further enhancing technology learning for the industry and providing 100 employment opportunities,” more..

Jan 7 (FT) National Movement for Social Justice Chairman and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said he would not mediate to merge political parties and also not involve in any politics that engage in a power struggle. Jayasuriya, refuted media reports, which claimed that group of parliamentarians were planning to get his support in their attempts to merge SJB and UNP. Jayasuriya said that he would not get involved in any initiative that related to power struggle or support any political campaign more..

Jan 7 (DN) “As professional cricketers we have to play in any kind of situation and condition” said SL Skipper Charith Asalanka after the first ODI defeat in Wellington. Skipper Asalanka further said we knew that when we came here. It’s too windy, and it’s going to be hard for us, but that’s not a excuse for the defeat. Once again bad batting put us in this situation. We lost the toss and they invited us to bat first. During the power play we lost four wickets including myself and more..

Jan 7 (DN) The internal power struggles within the National Sports Body officials are not good for the sport and immediate steps should be taken to take the sport forward by finding quick solutions to all the problems, said Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage. The Minister revealed this at the discussion between the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports officials and the Sri Lanka Cycling Federation at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Sports Ministry. more..

Jan 7 (ST) Former SL captain Angelo Mathews has called on the ICC to address glaring inequalities in international cricket scheduling, urging immediate action to preserve Test cricket’s future. His appeal comes amidst SL’s drastically reduced Test commitments, which threaten the survival of the game’s longest and most revered format. SL faces an alarmingly sparse Test schedule, with only four matches in 2025 and six in 2026. more..

Jan 7 (ST) The govt will hold discussions this week with the embassies of several West Asian countries to attract investments in the energy sector. Aruna Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment said that the Economic Division of the Foreign Ministry will be holding discussions with representatives in embassies of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, among others. “We have tasked the Economic Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry to bring investments from more..

Jan 7 (DN) Chairman of National Gem and Jewellery Authority Naveen Sooriyarachchi said that the gem and jewellery sector is expected to generate a revenue of USD 1 billion by the end of this year. Gem and jewellery sector is currently ranked eighth among SL’s top export earners. Sooriyarachchi said that efforts are being made to bring it to second place by the end of this year with a view to generate more export income. SL received USD 475 million from the gem export sector in 2023 and more..

Jan 7 (TM) Statements from recently arrived Rohingya immigrants have revealed that they sold their property in Myanmar and left with the specific intention of reaching SL, claims concerning which the relevant authorities, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have launched an investigation into, in the context of potential human trafficking and local involvement. On the morning of 19 Dec 2024, a multi-day trawler carrying over 100 Rohingya more..

Jan 7 (FT) The SL Navy (SLN) has taken a large consignment of drugs and narcotics worth over Rs. 28.15 billion into custody, while apprehending 407 people, including foreign nationals, who were involved in illegal activities such as drug and narcotics trafficking, smuggling of contraband, and illegal immigration, in 2024. SLN said it engaged in special joint intelligence operations conducted together with other law enforcement agencies, including SL Police, Police Narcotics Bureau, more..

Jan 17 (ST) A 15-year-old school boy had invented a sensory device to repel langur and macaque monkeys and other such pests. The device repels animals by emitting sounds and smells. The chemical released by the device also gives the animals a burning and unpleasant sensation making them immediately flee the area. The inventor of the device, Lithula de Silva, is a Grade 10 English medium student of Manthumahla, Karunaratne Buddhist National School. more..

Jan 7 (FT) National Tea Sales Average (NSA) for tea in 2024 increased across all elevations in comparison to last year, with positive variances in both Rupee and Dollar terms. Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said the NSA for the year closed at Rs. 1,225.17 equivalent to $ 4.08, marking gains of Rs. 53.88 and $ 0.49 compared to last year’s average of Rs. 1,171.29 and $ 3.59. Dec 2024 capped the year with a monthly average of Rs. 1,184.82 ($ 4.08), an increase of Rs. 47.60 ($ 0.17) from Nov. more..

Jan 7 (DM) It is preferable for the govt to implement a more effective programme instead of merely targeting the cleaning of three-wheeler parks, buses and businesses, under the guise of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said. He said that the govt should prioritise addressing the essential needs of the people and ensure the protection of passengers. "However, the ultimate outcome of this programme seems to focus on restricting the daily livelihoods of citizens more..

Jan 17 (FT) Alleging the NPP Govt is exerting a huge burden on ordinary people, including the pensioners through its adhoc tax policies, the FSP is urging the Govt to implement a people-friendly economic policy as pledged at NPP’s election platforms. “It is very clear that the Govt has overlooked people’s interests and is dancing to the tune of the IMF while putting people of this country out of the frying pan into the fire by imposing more..

Jan 17 (DN) Minister Sunil Handunnetti, inspected the Pelwatte and Sevanagala Sugar Factories belonging to the Lanka Sugar Company recently. The Minister also looked into the promotion of eco-tourism by utilizing the existing tourist bungalows in these factories. He also said they need to explore the possibility of introducing a low-cost, high-quality alcohol to the market that can be produced using ethanol, the main by-product of sugar produced by the Lanka Sugar Company, more..

Jan 17 (Island) The 25th edition of the Journalism Awards for Excellence, the prestigious annual event that celebrates the best in print media in the country, will be held today (07), at the Empire Ballroom, Mount Lavinia Hotel. This year marks a milestone – a quarter-century of honouring the brilliance, dedication, and impact of journalists. While awards will be given in 18 categories, five senior journalists will receive the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. The programme is organised by more..

Jan 7 (FT) In a move to support SL expatriates to obtain their necessary documents without a delay, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry has launched a digital platform, which will be operated through respective foreign missions. This digital initiative, which was launched today under Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s concept of digitising the State administrative system, will enable Sri Lankans abroad to obtain birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates more..

Jan 7 (Island) Minister Ananda Wijayapala is scheduled to explain to the House today the reasons for the delay in apprehending the masterminds behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, which claimed over 260 lives. Minister Wijayapala is listed to respond to a question raised by NPP MP Ajith Gihan, as per today’s Order Paper. MP Gihan has asked whether the Minister acknowledges that those responsible for the attacks have yet to be brought before the law, despite the passage of nearly more..

Jan 7 (CT) As the Govt’s Clean Sri Lanka initiative comes into effect, private bus and three-wheeler owners are voicing frustration over the mandatory removal of additional gadgets previously approved by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). They have warned of a potential strike if their concerns are not addressed. Traffic Police assert that these modifications contribute to accidents, create passenger unease, and cause delays. more..

Jan 7 (DN) Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said that the need for a new Constitution has arisen to ensure democratic governance. He pointed out that a new Constitution should be made to create a strong mechanism to investigate the corrupt practices committed against democracy in the past. He was speaking to the media following a meeting with Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne in Colombo yesterday. “It is important to uncover the truth behind the Easter attacks. more..