Jan 2 (AD) The Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya has decided to auction about 70% of the gold items currently stored in the Devalaya’s safes, excluding those bearing images of deities, and to donate the proceeds to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund. It has been reported that the auction will be conducted under the supervision of the National Gem & Jewellery Authority (NGJA). Basnayake Nilame also stated that the gold donated by devotees in recent years will be handed more..

Jan 2 (NW) Saudi Energia Company has donated eight high-capacity tower light generators valued at USD 43,000 to support recovery operations and reconstruction efforts in areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. The donation has been made in response to an initiative by the Embassy of SL in Riyadh, while the Embassy is making arrangements to dispatch the generators to SL for use in ongoing relief work. Managing Director of Energia, Mahammed Mohin Shaikh, more..

Jan 2 (Island) Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has warned of renewed and intensified trade union action if the govt fails to fulfil its promise to resolve the ongoing crisis in the health sector within the next few days. GMOA Executive Committee member Dr. Prasad Colombage said his association was hopeful that commitments made by the govt, including those formally stated by Minister of Health in Parliament and recorded more..

Jan 2 (FT) This article is Part II of the article published under the same headline with a broader analysis of the events surrounding Cyclone Ditwah, with particular emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of relevant Govt agencies, as well as the collective responsibility of the public, in managing and mitigating the impacts of the disaster. The NBRO issues highly accurate early warnings by integrating meteorological data with its own landslide early‑warning sensor networks and more..

Jan 2 (CT) National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA) is in discussions with the Ministry of Environment and other key stakeholders to draft a proposal recommending that the Govt take steps to ban cigarette filters, citing serious environmental and public health concerns. Chairman of the Authority, Dr. Ananda Ratnayake, said the institution is currently engaged in consultations to prohibit cigarette filters, which are among the country’s major non-biodegradable waste products. more..

Jan 2 (Island) Milk Industries of Lanka Company (MILCO) has recorded the highest profit and sales revenue in its history, driven by strong performance under the flagship Highlands brand, Minister Lal Kantha said. Addressing a Performance Incentive Awards Ceremony held at the MILCO Head Office in Narahenpita on Dec 31, Minister said the achievement marked a decisive turnaround for the state-owned dairy enterprise, more..

Jan 2 (SLN) During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the SL Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in SL waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna. Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into SL waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off more..

Jan 2 (NW) India has agreed to play additional T20 international matches during their tour of Sri Lanka in August as part of efforts to support relief and recovery work following Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Shammi Silva said. Silva said the additional T20Is will be played when the India national cricket team tour SL for their ICC World Test Championship series later this year. He said the decision was taken as a gesture of solidarity with SL in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, more..

Jan 2 (EN) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved amendments to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) listing rules to provide greater flexibility regarding the minimum public holding (MPH) requirement for companies listing through the introduction method, the regulator said. The flexibility is given to boost the share liquidity in the market under its one of 12 key strategic initiatives, SEC said. “The amendments reflect a joint effort by the SEC and CSE, underscoring more..

Jan 2 (FT) Over the past eight years, SL has been hit by a series of severe crises that have tested the country’s resilience. Beginning with the Easter Sunday terror attacks, followed by the prolonged disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation has now faced another major blow with Cyclone Ditwah. Striking in late November, the cyclone stands out as one of the most intense and destructive events in SL’s recent history, affecting nearly two million people and about 500,000 more..

Jan 2 (DM) A recent English Language module introduced by the Education Ministry for Grade Six students, under the new education reforms, has raised alarm among parents and teachers over the inclusion of an immoral website which directs children to details promoting same sex activities and LGBTQ rights. While open discussions on same sex activities are socially taboo in SL and our laws do not permit such activities, more..

Jan 2 (NW) Education Ministry has decided not to extend school hours during the 2026 academic year, citing disruptions caused by recent disaster conditions and damage to school and transport systems in several provinces. School hours for Grades 5 to 13 will remain unchanged from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. until the education and transport systems return to normal. Govt schools, govt-approved private schools and pirivenas are scheduled to begin first term on Jan 5. more..

Jan 2 (DM) Nearly 40% of the Kadawatha–Mirigama stretch of the Central Expressway has been completed so far, Minister Bimal Ratnayake said today. He instructed officials to pay close attention to traffic congestion issues previously identified along the Colombo–Kandy road and at expressway entry and exit points during the construction process, in order to minimise inconvenience to motorists. He made these remarks while inspecting the ongoing development work on the Kadawatha more..

Jan 2 (AM) Deputy Transport Minister Prasanna Gunasena has instructed railway authorities to remove gates and boundary walls within one month from a vacant plot of land belonging to the Railway Dept along the Nawalapitiya–Ginigathhena main road, where a building operating under the name of former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s foundation is located. The directive was issued during the Nawalapitiya–Pasbage more..

Jan 2 (CT) Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said that employees of profit-making Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots will be awarded bonuses, while staff at loss-making depots will receive a special allowance, subject to Cabinet approval. Deputy Minister said steps would be taken to obtain Cabinet approval for the proposed scheme, aimed at improving staff motivation and overall performance within the State-run transport service. He made these remarks during an inspection more..

Jan 2 (TM) Police have informed that Police officers addicted to drugs can seek Departmental help for rehabilitation. Police Media Spokesperson F.U. Wootler said that if a Departmental officer is found guilty of being a drug addict, the immediate action taken will be suspension, and then, with the consent of the victim, the Govt will direct them to the nearest rehabilitation centre. He detailed that the Police have not executed a separate rehabilitation programme for Police victims yet, more..

Jan 2 (AD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the temporary shelter operating at the Sri Sudarshanaramaya Temple, Welgala, Poojapitiya in Kandy, this afternoon (01), to inquire into the well-being of families displaced by the landslide in the Ankumbura, Gankotuwa area and to review ongoing resettlement efforts. The landslide, triggered by the recent adverse weather conditions, caused complete damage to six houses and partial damage to 15 houses. more..

Jan 2 (AD) Under the nationwide initiative to introduce innovative digital solutions, the Ministry of Transport today (1) launched a new program for SL Transport Board (SLTB) buses. Implemented with guidance from the Ministry of Digital Economy, the initiative is intended to further strengthen transport services under the purview of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, while enhancing transparency and accountability between passengers and conductors. more..

Jan 2 (DM) A concessionary pledge loan scheme for small and medium scale paddy millers and cooperative societies is to be implemented from 1 January onwards to purchase paddy for the Maha season 2025/2026. The loan scheme, which will include a concessionary interest rate, will be implemented to maintain a reasonable price for paddy farmers’ produce. Target group of this loan scheme is SME paddy millers and more..

Jan 2 (AD) Three persons including two women have died following a stabbing incident in the Kondeniya area of the Mawanella Police Division, police said. Four individuals were initially admitted to the Mawanella Hospital after being attacked with a sharp weapon. Two women and one man have later succumbed to their injuries. The deceased have been identified as residents of the Kondeniya area, aged 52, 57 and 66. A 35-year-old woman who was also injured during the attack more..

Jan 2 (Island) ITC Ratnadipa announces that it has been awarded the coveted 5-Star Classification Certificate by the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), reaffirming its commitment to delivering world-class hospitality and sustainable luxury. The certificate was formally presented by Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTDA & SLTPB, and accepted by Keenan McKenzie, Area Manager – SL and General Manager of ITC Ratnadipa. The ceremony was attended by several more..

Jan 2 (FT) Members of all ranks from SL Army, SL Navy, and SL Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounted Rs. 372,776,918.28. The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over at the Presidential Secretariat to more..

Jan 2 (FT) Condominium market activity in the Colombo District strengthened sharply in the third quarter of 2025, with sales volumes recording a significant year-on-year (YoY) increase alongside continued price appreciation, according to the CB latest Real Estate Market Analysis. The Price Index for New Condominiums in the Colombo District rose 12.7% YoY to an index value of 265.7 in 3Q 2025. At the same time, the Condominium Property Sales Volume Index, more..

Jan 2 (FT) SL’s vehicle import bill recovered in November to record the second-highest monthly level in 2025, rebounding from a moderation seen in October as the post-liberalisation surge continued to ease. CB data show vehicle imports rose to $ 281 million in November, up from $ 261 million in October, and second only to the September peak of $ 286 million. Cumulative vehicle imports reached $ 1.7 billion in the first 11 months of 2025. more..

Jan 2 (FT) Most diversified blue chip Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage has been named Businessman For The Year 2025 by popular magazine LMD. The business magazine said: “During his term at the helm, Hayleys has been ranked as the leading listed company in SL for seven years – including the last two years.” The LMD feature on Businessman For The Year also stated the following. He has quietly but resolutely steered one of SL’s most storied conglomerates into more..

Jan 2 (NW) SL Police have sought public assistance to identify a suspect linked to a shooting incident in the Kohuwala area that left one person critically injured. Police said the incident occurred on Dec 30, 2025, in the Godiyawatta area within the Kohuwala police division, where two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at a victim. The injured person sustained serious gunshot wounds and was admitted to hospital, police said, adding that further investigations are ongoing. more..

Jan 2 (DN) SL Under-19 team, led by Vimath Dinsara, left yesterday for Namibia to compete in the U-19 Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held from Jan 15 to Feb 6 in Namibia and Zimbabwe. 15-member squad will undergo an early pre-tournament training programme in Namibia, a move SLC believes is vital to help the young players adapt to local conditions. Junior Selection Committee Chairman Vinothen John said more..

Jan 2 (FT) Ceylon Cold Stores (CCS) has achieved a major national milestone by being named the Winner Award recipient at the Sri Lanka National Quality Awards 2023, under the Large, Manufacturing Category. Presented by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) at the ceremony held In November at Cinnamon Lakeside, this accolade represents the highest level of national recognition for organisational excellence and reinforces CCS’s position as a benchmark for quality, more..

Jan 2 (FT) As Sri Lanka positions itself for a digitally inclusive and globally connected future, the safeguarding of citizens’ personal data has become a matter of national importance. To address these critical issues, the Bar Association of SL (BASL), in collaboration with the Computer Society of SL (CSSL), has announced that the 2nd National Data Protection Symposium will now be held on 6 Jan 2026 at Cumulus, Cinnamon Life Colombo. The symposium, themed more..

Jan 2 (TM) SL’s tourism earnings saw a 8.1% decline in earnings in year-on-year terms in the month of Nov, posting $ 251.6 million in earnings, data from the External Sector Performance for Nov 2025. SL earned $ 272.9 million in Nov of 2024, $ 21.3 million higher than earnings posted this year. In the month of November, the island-nation endured catastrophic weather conditions brought on by cyclone Ditwah, which saw torrential rainfall, severe flooding and landslides. more..

Jan 2 (Island) The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) from the Central Bank suggests SL’s economy is beginning to find its feet after a severe crisis, revealing tentative signs of hope in factories and business activity. It indicates the deepest economic pain may be over. With prices rising more slowly, families and companies are getting some much-needed relief. The Island spoke to an independent analyst for an outside perspective. Elaborating on the report, he struck more..