Dec 31 (NW) Central Bank has announced the closure of the Public Debt Department (PDD) and the transfer of the LankaSecure Division of PDD to the Payments and Settlements Dept (PSD), effective 1 January 2026. The CB said that the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) was established within the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoF) under the Public Debt Management Act No. 33 of 2024 (PDM Act) in Dec 2024. more..

Dec 31 (AD) Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe has lodged a complaint with the CID. The complaint has been filed after the newly printed Grade 6 English language module as part of the education reforms, contained a reference to an inappropriate website. Speaking to media, Secretary Kaluwewe stated that it is suspected that an external party had conspiratorially made this inclusion. He further said that the CID has been requested to immediately investigate the individuals more..

Dec 31 (DM) A significant number of police officers and security forces personnel are addicted to drugs, a recent survey conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau has found. Dr Manoj Jinadasa, Head of Mass Communication Dept at Uni of Kelaniya who led the survey, stated that many officers became addicted due to frequent random testing of drugs, including heroin, ice, Kush, cocaine, hashish, and Kerala cannabis. more..

Dec 31 (DM) Air quality across Sri Lanka continues to remain slightly unhealthy, according to real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data. Affected areas include multiple areas in Jaffna, Chilaw, Puttalam, Galle, Kandy and Colombo districts. A senior official at the NBRO said the deterioration in air quality is mainly due to polluted air drifting in from the Indian region and local pollution sources combined with prevailing atmospheric conditions that limit the dispersion of pollutants. more..

Dec 31 (TM) Online reservations for tourist bungalows and resorts administered by the Ministry of Public Admin, Provincial Councils and Local Govt have been officially introduced, marking a further step in the govt’s digitalisation drive. The new online booking facility was unveiled yesterday (29) at the ministry auditorium, in line with the current Govt’s policy to expand digital public services. The initiative allows the public to access and reserve tourist bungalows and resorts more..

Dec 31 (DM) CID and its Computer Crime Investigation Division (CCID) launched an investigation into a series of hoax bomb threats targeting critical infrastructure and government offices, to determine if external elements are coordinating these incidents to destabilize the nation’s security. The most recent hoaxes were reported on Dec 28 and 29, at the Nawalapitiya–Pasbage Korale & Poojapitiya DSs. more..

Dec 31 (NW) SLMC has suspended the party membership of Colombo Municipal Councillor Zohara Buhary with immediate effect, for voting in favour of the Council’s budget. In a letter issued by SLMC Secretary Nizam Kariapper, it was noted that Buhary voted in favour of the CMC Budget Proposal despite the Party Leader, Rauff Hakeem, having personally instructed members of the Opposition to oppose it. SLMC described her conduct as a gross violation of party discipline. more..

Dec 31 (AD) Parliamentary business for the first sitting week of Parliament for Jan 2026 was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held today under the chairmanship of the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Accordingly, Parliament is scheduled to convene from January 6th to 9th, the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, said in a statement. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for more..

Dec 31 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers approved further action to establish the Sri Lanka Industrial Transformation and Innovation Authority, a new institution aimed at streamlining and strengthening industrial and entrepreneurship development services across the country. Approval to create a single, more effective body by merging Industrial Development Board (IDB), National Entrepreneurship Development Authority (NEDA), and Small Business Development Division more..

Dec 31 (TM) Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant when engaging in online purchases following a recent increase in financial fraud linked to digital marketplaces and social media platforms. According to information received by law enforcement, fraudsters have been using platforms such as Facebook, Ikman, and WhatsApp to advertise mobile phones and other electronic devices at prices significantly lower than prevailing market rates. more..

Dec 31 (EN) SL’s interest rates have edged up over 2025, reducing the risk of a second sovereign default, data show, though reserve collections fell short of initial projections amid insufficient deflationary policy, analysts have said. SL cut rates in May 2025 amid warnings that the operating framework of the central bank was moving on well-beaten paths of flexible inflation targeting where currency crises were triggered in more..

Dec 31 (AD) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today announced that it will dedicate the upcoming Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka to promoting the govt’s Rebuilding Sri Lanka program. Accordingly, several measures will be implemented throughout the series to raise public awareness of the program, the SLC said. One such initiative will be the donation of the tour profit, which will be generated from the Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka, to the govt’s Rebuilding Sri Lanka program. more..

Dec 31 (NF) Sri Lanka has earned global acclaim by being featured in the prestigious Happiness List 2026 from G Adventures, a leading travel company focused on emotional and experiential well-being. The recognition, based on feedback from over 8,000 int'l travelers, highlights destinations that spark purpose, connection, and long-term joy. Travelers praised Sri Lanka’s 7-day sailing adventure along the south coast, where journeys through serene beaches, vibrant fishing villages, and more..

Dec 31 (FT) 2025 is not a year where Sri Lanka’s cricket can reflect anything noteworthy or even an honorary mention as the national men’s team struggled in all three formats to establish itself. With the T20I World Cup which Sri Lanka are hosting with India looming on the horizon, the national T20 squad was still in a state of fluctuation, still unsettled and lacking in consistency. The ODI team is somewhat settled and more..

Dec 31 (AD) The final rites of the late veteran singer Kalasoori Latha Walpola, revered as the Queen of Sri Lankan Music, concluded with state patronage this evening at the Borella General Cemetery in Colombo. Earlier today, her mortal remains were placed at the Independence Square in Colombo, allowing the general public to pay their last respect until 2 p.m. Religious observances were held thereafter, following which the remains were taken to Borella General Cemetery for the final rites. more..

Dec 31 (CT) A group of 33 academics, social activists, and civil society members has urged Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to withdraw the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism (PSTA) Bill, citing concerns that it amounts to an expansion of the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). In a letter submitted to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration yesterday, the group criticised the Bill as ‘PTA+,’ arguing that it fails to deliver on the govt’s more..

Dec 31 (FT) SL Tourism Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam expressed confidence that the momentum built in 2025 would carry into the coming year, projecting 3 million tourist arrivals and $ 5 billion in tourism revenue in 2026, supported by stronger demand, improved connectivity and renewed investor interest. Speaking on the year-end performance, he said SL officially surpassed its previous record of tourist arrivals from 2018 on 29 Dec, 7 years after benchmark was first set. more..

Dec 31 (CT) Australia’s award-winning journalist and content creator, Luana Ostling, is visiting SL as part of an ambitious campaign to revive international travel and highlight the island as a safe, welcoming, and breathtakingly beautiful destination. Recognised as Australia’s Best Content Creator in 2025 and Sydney’s top influencer by the NSW Parliament, Ostling specialises in luxury travel, fashion, wellness, and lifestyle. She has captivated a global audience of over 1 million followers, more..

Dec 31 (NW) Inland Revenue Department has succeeded in collecting Rs. 2,203 billion in revenue in 2025, the highest amount recorded in its 93-year history. This represents a surplus of Rs. 33 billion over the revenue target for the year and a 15 per cent increase compared with the revenue collected in the previous year, stated Commissioner-General of Inland Revenue Ms Rukdevi Fernando. more..

Dec 31 (AD) Johan Fernando, the son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, who was arrested yesterday by the FCID, has been remanded. Fernando was remanded until January 9, 2026 by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court. Johan Fernando was arrested in Kurunegala by FCID officers on several allegations, including the alleged misappropriation of a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa and other vehicles during the tenure of Johnston Fernando as the Minister of Trade. more..

Dec 31 (NW) Five opposition members of the Galle Municipal Council were arrested yesterday (30) for allegedly using criminal force against municipal staff and obstructing officials in the discharge of their duties, police said. The group, representing the SJB, UNP and SLPP, is due to be produced before the Galle Magistrate today. The arrest comes after the group had hurled water bottles toward the officials’ seating area during the committee session, causing a tense situation. more..

Dec 31 (NW) The Colombo Municipal Council’s 2026 budget has been passed after being presented for the second time. CMC’s 2026 budget was passed today with 58 votes in favour and 56 voting against. Previously, ruling NPP lost the first budget vote at the Colombo Municipal Council on 22 Dec. Council’s budget was defeated after the joint opposition voted against it. 60 councillors voted against the budget while 57 supported it. more..

Dec 31 (NW) The SJB has suspended the party membership of Colombo Municipal Councillor Shane Daniel Ram with immediate effect. Issuing a statement, the SJB said that the decision follows the vote on the second reading of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget. The suspension was carried out as the councillor had failed to adhere to the decisions of the SJB Management Committee and the Party Executive Committee during the CMC’s budget vote. more..

Dec 31 (NW) Former SL U-19 cricketer Akshu Fernando has passed away, drawing tributes from across the cricketing community for a career and life cut tragically short. International cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe confirmed the news in a tribute, describing Fernando as a talented cricketer and a cheerful, friendly and thorough gentleman.. Just heard the sad news that Akshu Fernando has passed away. He was truly a wonderful young man whose promising career was cut short by more..

Dec 31 (FT) Risk is always a fact of life. Modern society made us think risks had been eliminated. But risks have only changed form. We have to understand risks and mitigate them to the extent possible. What happened to the telecom networks is educative. Compared to the 1990s when bombs and strikes were commonplace, the electricity supply appears more reliable now. Back then the telcos invested in backup batteries and generators. After the war’s end, they gradually relaxed. more..

Dec 31 (FT) Cyclone Ditwah didn’t simply wash away SL’s railway tracks. It washed away our excuses. For decades, SL Railways (SLR) has been the classic state-owned paradox: socially vital, fiscally fragile, structurally neglected – and politically untouchable. When Ditwah ripped through bridges, buried tracks, and crippled services, it did not cause a crisis. It revealed one that had been a disaster waiting to happen. Now, in the dismaying aftermath, real question is not how fast we will rebuild more..

Dec 31 (FT) Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said SL will record its strongest-ever performance in State revenue and tax collection in 2025, alongside a sharp improvement in foreign reserves and public finance indicators. He described it as a decisive turnaround in fiscal management. He said 2025 marked a historic milestone, with State & tax revenue surpassing the highest targets ever achieved. more..

Dec 31 (DM) Allegations have surfaced that the ruling NPP has offered monetary incentives to opposition members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to ensure their absence at council sessions scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, when the budget is to be presented for the second time. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman told the Daily Mirror that there is a deliberate attempt to engineer the passage of the budget by encouraging opposition members to boycott the session. more..

Dec 31 (AD) A Presidential Commission of Inquiry has been appointed to investigate, examine, and report on alleged corruption and irregularities said to have taken place at the Colombo Municipal Council. Accordingly, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has named former High Court Judge Piyasena Ranasinghe, Chartered Accountant E.R.M.S.H. Ekanayake and former SSP D.S. Wickramasinghe as members of the Commission. The Gazette extraordinary in this regard has been issued more..

Dec 31 (Island) Teachers, principals and education professionals have said the govt is unprepared to roll out proposed education reforms scheduled to take effect from next week, and warned of nationwide trade union action if the plans are implemented without adequate consultation and preparation. President of the Association of Education Professionals, Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, said Ministry officials had indicated more..

Dec 31 (CT) Former Minister Dr. Suren Raghavan urged the Govt to ensure maximum security for former Fisheries Minister and EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, warning that his life could be at serious risk while he remained in remand custody at Mahara Prison. Addressing a press conference organised under the SLFP, Dr Raghavan said Devananda was a high-profile political figure who had survived multiple assassination attempts in the past, particularly during the conflict period. more..

Dec 31 (AD) The final rites of legendary SL singer Latha Walpola is scheduled to be performed with state patronage this evening at the Borella General Cemetery. The legendary singer passed away on Dec 27 at the age of 91. The remains of the late singer lie in state at a private parlour in Borella and is scheduled to be taken to Independence Square, Colombo 7, at 10 a.m. today. The remains of the late singer Latha Walpola will be placed at the premises of the Independence Square, in Colombo, more..