Jan 14 (FT) LAUGFS Life Sciences, in collaboration with the Medical Research Institute (MRI), Colombo, has launched SL’s first-ever publicly driven allergy awareness wristbands, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving patient safety and preparedness in medical emergencies. The wristbands provide essential information about drug sensitivities, allowing healthcare professionals to respond quickly and effectively when time is critical. The official handover ceremony featured distinguished more..

Jan 14 (DM) More than a century of leadership and the unwavering trust of millions has been powerfully reaffirmed with the conferring of Superbrand Status to the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, cementing its position as the nation’s leading banking brand and elevating it to the pantheon of the world’s most iconic and influential brands. Superbrand Status is a globally respected commendation awarded only to brands that demonstrate exceptional strength, credibility & a powerful emotional connection more..

Jan 14 (ST) The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol is calling for legislation to ban the sale of cigarettes to those born after 2010, its chairman, Ananda Rathnayake, said. He said the NATA’s proposal, backed by specialist doctors and other medical professionals, would be presented to the govt. The proposed law will be similar to what Maldives passed last year, banning the sale, purchase and use of all tobacco products for more..

Jan 14 (ST) Motor Traffic Department revenue and new vehicle registrations saw a dramatic increase between 2024 and 2025, amid policy changes governing vehicle imports. According to statistics released by the Department of Motor Traffic, revenue reached Rs 64,740mn, an increase of 111% compared to Rs 17,529mn in 2024, and exceeded both the original and revised estimates initially forecast for 2025. Income was highest in September, amounting to Rs 13,104mn. more..

Jan 14 (DM) SL’s economic recovery and long-term growth prospects hinge on dismantling systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in enterprise, leadership and decision-making, PM Harini Amarasuriya said. Women-led businesses remain an underutilised engine of productivity and resilience, even as women’s economic contribution has dipped to just 29%. PM noted women’s participation in paid work and senior decision-making roles remains significantly below potential, more..

Jan 14 (EN) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart during a short visit this week has said the World second largest economy will work with like-minded countries to oppose the resurgence of the law of the jungle, resist all forms of power politics and bullying. Wang was in SL during a transit and met his SL counterpart Vijitha Herath for a discussion on Monday. “Wang said that in the face of an increasingly complex and volatile international situation, more..

Jan 14 (FT) The Govt yesterday said it has not yet evaluated the potential impact of the additional 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on countries trading with Iran. “We are yet to estimate this new tariff announced,” Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. He noted that the Govt has faced multiple external challenges since taking office and has navigated them with confidence, but acknowledged that the frequency and severity of such pressures are increasing. more..

Jan 14 (DM) Average tourist spending in SL has dropped to US$ 148 a day from US$ 181 in 2018, despite a rise in arrivals, with govt authorities now planning for the development of upmarket tourism. SL recorded 2.33 million arrivals in 2018, highest up until then, and broke this record last year with arrivals totalling 2.36 million. However, foreign exchange revenue has dropped from US$ 4.3 bil to US$ 3.2 bil this year. more..

Jan 14 (FT) One of SL’s most prominent and senior most journalists Iqbal Athas passed away yesterday. He was 81. Athas who set the benchmark for defence reporting in the country began his journalism career in the now defunct Sun newspaper and later worked as the long-time defence columnist and Political Editor of the Sunday Times. He was the Sunday Times Consultant Editor at the time of his demise. His weekly insightful defence column in the Sunday Times was at times controversial but more..

Jan 14 (DM) A large-scale donation of school uniform fabrics by China is set to ease the financial burden on millions of SL families as the new school year begins, with more than 4.4 million students expected to benefit from the programme. The donation, made by the Govt of China, includes 11.484 million metres of fabric that will be used to provide free school uniforms to children studying in govt and govt-assisted schools, as well as to students of govt-approved pirivenas. more..

Jan 14 (FT) BYD has retained its position as the world’s largest seller of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), recording total global sales of 4,602,436 units in 2025. The achievement marks another major milestone for the company and reinforces its leadership in the global transition towards sustainable mobility. In 2025, BYD also became the world’s largest seller of battery electric vehicles, reflecting sustained growth across its fully electric portfolio. more..

Jan 14 (TM) The Govt Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) warned they would stage a token strike on 21 January in islandwide hospitals against the alleged inaction of the Health Ministry against the Maligawatta National Institute for Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation (NINDT) Deputy Director, whom they accused of acts of indiscipline and misconduct. GRTA President, Chanaka Dharmawickrama, in a letter to the Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe yesterday (13), more..

Jan 14 (TM) Lanka Coal Company (LCC) stated the initial payment process for the coal shipment supplied to the Norochcholai Power Plant has commenced, even as concerns over the quality of the consignment remain under review, noting that the relevant agreement includes provisions to impose penalties and recover losses if quality deviations are confirmed at the discharge port. LCC General Manager Namal Hewage more..

Jan 14 (TM) The SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) provided welfare benefits exceeding Rs. 1 billion to Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families during 2025, according to official data released by the Bureau. From January to November, the SLBFE disbursed Rs. 964.30 million in assistance covering 326,246 migrant workers. A further Rs. 397 million was spent to provide free insurance coverage for 318,209 workers departing overseas for employment. more..

Jan 14 (NW) SL businessman Dudley Sirisena has revealed that his newly acquired Rolls-Royce is a rare Phantom Centenary Edition, produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the Rolls-Royce marque, with only 25 vehicles manufactured worldwide. In a social media post shared alongside images of the vehicle, Sirisena said the model is a fully upgraded special edition created by Rolls-Royce to commemorate the company’s centenary. He described the car as a symbol of pride more..

Jan 14 (Island) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability focused its attention on the progress of distributing compensation received in relation to the damage caused by the X-Press Pearl vessel, including payments made to fishermen and expenditures on coastal conservation. Accordingly, Committee recommended that a comprehensive report be submitted detailing the total amount of compensation received to date, more..

Jan 14 (NW) Chief incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Walawahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, appeared before the CID in connection with recent public statements allegedly made about him. Thero’s lawyer said the visit was to lodge a complaint alleging that Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has been carrying out a strategic and well-planned attack against the monk using several online and social media platforms. The lawyer said the thero is a widely respected public figure more..

Jan 14 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake sent a strong signal that the Govt would not allow Cyclone Ditwah to derail its economic and fiscal program, stressing that policy continuity would be maintained despite the scale of the disaster. “At the time we faced this disaster, Parliament was in the process of preparing our Budget,” Prez said at the public launch of Rebuilding SL post-Ditwah relief & recovery program. more..

Jan 14 (DM) Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Walawahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, has criticised the govt’s proposed education reforms, claiming they would cause harm to the country. Thera said he was prepared to meet US Prez Donald Trump to explain what he described as the govt’s actions in destroying the country. He further alleged that a tax imposed by the US on SL had previously been reduced after a student known to him had approached the Trump family more..

Jan 14 (FT) Outgoing US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung paid a farewell call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday (12). She is scheduled to depart from Sri Lanka on 16 January, marking the conclusion of her tenure as the United States’ top diplomat in Colombo from 2022 to 2026. During the meeting, President Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Chung’s indefatigable efforts to strengthen US–SL relations throughout her term of office. more..

Jan 14 (CT) Sri Lanka’s first-ever cable car project at Ambuluwawa, developed with technical and product expertise from China Machine-Building International Corporation under Amber Adventure, has threatened to withdraw, citing what the company calls unlawful threats and arbitrary actions by govt authorities that undermine the project’s viability. Director Huang Yuping stated that the company reserves its full legal rights to more..

Jan 14 (FT) SL’s tourism industry has been guided by the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 through nearly two decades of growth, crises, and recovery. Its endurance is proof of its sound design and the careful consultation that shaped it. Having spent almost five decades in the hospitality sector, serving as President of the Tourist Hotels Association of SL, Group CEO of two major hospitality companies, and today as Chairman of the Asian Council on Tourism, I have seen firsthand how strong governance more..

Jan 14 (FT) Nearly seven years after the Easter Sunday bombings tore through churches and hotels, killing more than 270 Sri Lankans and injuring nearly 500 others, the most uncomfortable truth is this: the problem is no longer a lack of evidence, but a lack of political will. This is not a charge made lightly. It is a conclusion reached after watching successive govts promise closure, commission inquiries, reshuffle investigators, and speak solemnly at memorials—while more..

Jan 14 (AD) Four Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, and five other individuals have been remanded until Jan 19 by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court for allegedly violating coastal conservation laws by placing a Buddha statue at the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Vihara on Nov 16, 2025. A tense situation had alter ensued following an attempt by authorities to remove the statue from the temple premises. Coast Conservation Department had previously lodged a complaint with the police, more..

Jan 14 (NW) A SL man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a SL woman whose body was found on a street in the Welsh capital last year, British media reported. Thisara Weragalage, 37, admitted killing Nirodha Niwunhella, also known as Nirodha, during a hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday. Nirodha, 32, was found seriously injured between two parked cars on South Morgan Place in the Riverside area of Cardiff on Aug 21, 2025, and was pronounced dead at the scene. more..

Jan 14 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has decided not to implement an electricity tariff revision for the first quarter of 2026 due to the failure of the CEB to submit a formal tariff revision proposal within the due time. Commission said it reached this decision after considering the following factors: the failure to submit a formal proposal before the specified time, the defects in the original proposal, and the disadvantages of a high percentage change more..

Jan 14 (EN) Revenue collected by SL Customs in the first 13 days of January accounted for over 66% of January 2026 target. Custom’s January revenue target has been set 160.2 billion rupees. But the revenue collecting body has already collected 106.6 billion rupees in the first 13 days of this month. Customs has been accelerating container clearance since last month after Ditwah devastation hit the usual activities for at least four days in November amid higher imports in December. more..

Jan 14 (CT) Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the festival advance provided to govt officers from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. He said that under the existing provisions of the Establishments Code, govt officers are entitled to obtain a festival advance of up to Rs 10,000 to celebrate major religious and cultural festivals, including Thai Pongal, Ramadan, Sinhala & Hindu New Year, Vesak, Deepavali & Christmas, as well as for pilgrimages such as Sri Pada and Hajj. more..

Jan 14 (Island) A foreign couple was arrested by Wildlife officers over the alleged illegal collection and possession of insect and small animal specimens at the Horton Plains National Park, Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) said. The arrest followed a routine inspection of tourists’ baggage carried out on the morning of 11 January at the entrance to the World’s End nature trail, inside the Horton Plains National Park, which comes under Central Wildlife Zone. more..

Jan 14 (DM) Importers have agreed to reduce the prices of imported milk powder from Jan 16, Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security & Cooperative Development said. Accordingly, the price of a kilogram of imported milk powder will be reduced by Rs. 125, while a 400-gram packet will see a reduction of Rs. 50 from Jan 16. Ministry said the decision was made following discussions with milk powder importers today. Reduction aims to pass on the benefits of lower int'l prices directly to SL consumers. more..

Jan 14 (CT) More than 135 women and women’s organisations have jointly written to the Prez, calling for urgent action to make the National Women’s Commission fully functional by allocating adequate finances, resources and independent office space. In the letter, the signatories say they have observed a worrying increase in incidents of violence against women across SL in recent months. They note that violence continues unabated in homes, workplaces, public spaces and online platforms. more..

Jan 14 (NW) Ministry of Education has issued guidelines for conducting Grade 6-13 educational activities this year after postponing the implementation of the new Grade 6 educational reforms until 2027. For grades 06-13, daily schedule must be revised to eight periods, with each period lasting 40 minutes. Timetables should be prepared accordingly, following the format used in previous years. Syllabus implemented for Grade 6 in previous years will remain in effect for the year 2026. more..

Jan 14 (Island) Cabinet has approved the recruitment of more than 23,000 teachers to the state service, a move expected to support the implementation of the proposed education reforms. Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the intake would strengthen the govt’s reform programme in the education sector. In Dec 2024, Cabinet appointed a committee headed by the Secretary to the PM to identify vacancies in the state service and review existing recruitment procedures. more..

Jan 14 (FT) SL Customs and Inland Revenue Dept have signed a MoU to conduct joint investigations into under-valuation of imports and related tax evasion, as part of broader Govt efforts to strengthen revenue administration. MoU was signed at the Ministry of Finance on 13 Jan in the presence of Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. Operational reviews by SL Customs have identified that under-valuation of imported goods has resulted in tax revenue losses to the Govt. more..

Jan 14 (DM) Govt of the Federative Republic of Brazil has donated 10 high-capacity Water Purification Units to assist SL’s flood relief and recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said. The ministry stated that the donation was formally handed over to Minister Vijitha Herath by the Charge d’Affaires of the Brazilian Embassy in SL, Ms. Monica Maria Meirelles Nasser, on Jan 9, at the ministry’s headquarters. more..