Feb 6 (DM) A special rehearsal was conducted to assess whether SL Air Force helicopters could land on the open ground behind the Kandy President’s House. Residents of Kandy were somewhat alarmed yesterday as Air Force helicopters were seen flying over the city for nearly two hours, prompting many to inquire about the situation. Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to visit Kandy today, during which he is expected to commence two development projects in the city. more..

Feb 6 (BBC) Sri Lanka have written to the Pakistan Cricket Board asking them to reverse their refusal to face India in their T20 World Cup group. The fixture, the biggest and most lucrative in the global game, is due to be played inColombo on 15 Feb but Pakistan's govt has said the team will not play the Group A game. PM Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday the decision was made to support Bangladesh, whose request for their games to be switched from India was rejected by the ICC. more..

Feb 6 (TM) Colombo Port is expected to see an expansion of its container throughput by 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2026, with the inclusion of the West Container Terminal (WCT) and East Container Terminal (ECT) into service, and the expansion of the JCT-5 terminal, Dy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku said. “We know that we expect to include both the Western/Eastern terminals into service this yr. more..

Feb 6 (DM) Conducting tuition classes targeting candidates sitting for the 2025 (2026) GCE O/L Examination will be prohibited from midnight on February 11. The Dept stated that organising and conducting subject-oriented lectures, seminars, workshops, or classes related to the exam period will not be permitted. The printing of examination-oriented papers, distribution of so-called guess questions, and publicity through electronic media, posters, and banners will also be banned. more..

Feb 6 (NW) Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath hosted a special dinner reception at Cinnamon Grand for the diplomatic corps in Colombo. Heads of Missions resident in and concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka, representatives of international organizations based in Colombo and senior government officials were present at the event. The event was held to mark the 78th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence. Welcoming the distinguished gathering, more..

Feb 6 (AD) The resumption of construction on the Gatambe Flyover in Kandy, which had been halted for several years, commenced this afternoon under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The project, which commenced in 2021 with financial assistance from a loan provided by the Hungarian govt, carries an estimated cost of Rs. 14.37 billion. However, amid the recent economic crisis, Hungarian loan more..

Feb 6 (AM) A senior activist of the SLPP has sought to clarify controversy surrounding the National Identity Card (NIC) number recorded in a bank account linked to the Siriliya Saviya project, a social welfare initiative run by Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Mahinda Pathirana said the account in question had been opened using Shiranthi Rajapaksa’s passport, as she had not carried her National Identity Card at the time. He explained that she neither had the NIC with her nor could recall the number more..

Feb 6 (NW) Former SL captain Mahela Jayawardene has urged the national team to ignore outside criticism and focus on its strengths ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, expressing confidence in the squad’s experience and talent despite recent struggles. Jayawardene said Sri Lanka still has a strong and experienced bowling attack capable of making an impact at the World Cup, noting that performances in the build-up should not define a team’s chances in a global tournament. more..

Feb 6 (FT) Sri Lanka has finally discovered a new unit of measurement in criminal law: the overnight transit. Not a Bond scam. Not a vanished port. Not a procurement that evaporated billions. A stopover. At the centre of this legal theatre is Ranil Wickremesinghe, arrested, remanded, hospitalised, ICU-warded, passport impounded—and now hovering in the legal purgatory between prosecution and political performance. The charge? Misuse of public funds. The alleged crime? more..

Feb 6 (FT) The proposed Protection of Occupants Bill, 2025 is clearly well-intentioned. Preventing harassment and unlawful eviction is a legitimate public objective. Yet good intentions do not always produce good law. If enacted in its present form, this Bill risks being deeply counter-productive, undermining both the rental market and the very tenants it seeks to protect. Sri Lanka is no longer living in the 1972 era of the Rent Act and statutory tenancy. more..

Feb 6 (AD) As part of ongoing reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, India has dispatched a consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges to SL to support the restoration of critical connectivity infrastructure in affected areas. The shipment arrived in Colombo from Visakhapatnam onboard INS Gharial, and Acting High Commissioner of India to SL, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, formally handed over more..

Feb 6 (DM) SL business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has sparked fresh interest in the aviation sector after hinting that a brand-new helicopter could soon be brought to SL. Speaking while attending the Singapore Airshow 2026, Sirisena said he hopes to make his long-time dream of introducing a modern helicopter to the country a reality in the near future. He made these remarks in an interview with the YouTube channel at the exhibition. Sirisena noted that he closely studies helicopter technology more..

Feb 6 (AD) A SL passenger who arrived at the BIA has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle a consignment of Kush valued at over Rs. 20 million into the country. Police stated that during interrogation following the arrest, it was revealed that two other individuals had been waiting near a supermarket in Negombo to transport the narcotics consignment to the Mannar area. Accordingly, officials attached to BIA Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) arrested the 2 suspects this morning. more..

Feb 6 (FT) The CID today informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court of several key facts uncovered in connection with Attorney-at-law Thamara Kumari Abeyratne, who has been arrested and detained on suspicion of aiding and abetting the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa. These details were presented when the case against the suspect was taken up before more..

Feb 6 (AD) Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has urged the govt to establish an institution named the Muthurajawela Development Authority to protect the Muthurajawela wetlands. Cardinal stated that the natural drainage system of the Gampaha District has been formed through the Muthurajawela wetlands. He warned that if unauthorized constructions continue in the area, there is a risk of severe flooding occurring again in the Gampaha District in future. more..

Feb 6 (AD) SJB MP Palani Digambaram has raised concerns that plantation workers may not receive the recently announced daily wage increase of Rs. 400. He stated that plantation companies are now demanding that workers collect 25 kg of tea leaves per day in order to qualify for the increment of their daily wage, up from the previous requirement of 20 kg. Digambaram noted, “Regarding the salary of estate workers, the govt has stated that Rs. 400 will be added to their daily wage, to be paid on more..

Feb 6 (FT) Senior officials from the US Embassy in Sri Lanka held discussions with the EDB to explore avenues for expanding bilateral trade relations and investment opportunities between the two countries. The meeting was attended by US Embassy in Sri Lanka Economic and Commercial Officer Daniel Jackson, accompanied by Commercial and Economic Assistant Thiloma Abayanayaka. They met with EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe and senior EDB officials, including more..

Feb 6 (AD) Executive Director of the World Bank, Parameswaran Iyer and SL officials have reviewed ongoing World Bank-supported initiatives. Parameswaran Iyer is on an official visit to SL to strengthen development cooperation and support the country’s economic growth efforts. Iyer, who represents SL and several regional countries on the World Bank’s Executive Board, met with the Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. He was accompanied by more..

Feb 6 (TM) A high-stakes administrative battle is taking place within Parliament as Speaker of the House, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, and the suspended Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament and Chief of Staff, attorney Chaminda Kularatne, trade allegations involving the misuse of State resources and personal vendettas. On Tuesday, a formal letter containing 15 detailed inquiries was dispatched to more..

Feb 6 (FT) SL’s renowned open-air art fair, Kala Pola, is set to bring alive the streets of Colombo with colour, creativity, and conversation as Kala Pola returns for its 33rd edition on 8 Feb, along Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path), Colombo 7. Conceptualised and introduced by The George Keyt Foundation in 1993, and sponsored and co-presented by the John Keells Group through an unbroken patronage since 1994, Kala Pola has grown into a cultural landmark that more..

Feb 6 (Island) Indian High Commission spokesperson denied recent accusations regarding Indian naval personnel attacking SL fishermen about a week after the incident. Spokesperson said: “We have seen media reports of SL fishermen assaulted at sea on 29 Jan 2026. On our side, we have ascertained and can confirm that no such assault was inflicted by any Indian Navy or Indian Coast Guard personnel. India has consistently maintained that a humanitarian approach should be more..

Feb 6 (DM) FACETS Sri Lanka, the country’s premier international gem and jewellery exhibition organised by the SL Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), will return from 4th to 6th Jan 2027 at the iconic Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams SL, marking the 34th edition of this flagship industry showcase. Building on the strong success of FACETS 2026 — which marked the exhibition’s move to Cinnamon Life — the 2027 edition is set to deliver an even more focused trade experience. more..

Feb 6 (FT) SL ranks 100th globally in the Global Soft Power Index (GSPI) 2026 with a score of 33.8/100, down three positions from 97th in 2025, according to a new iteration of the GSPI by Brand Finance. Brand Finance publishes the GSPI based on a survey of more than 150,000 respondents from over 100 countries to gather data on global perceptions of all 193 member States of the UN. Thanks to the scope of the survey, the Index is the world’s most comprehensive study on perceptions of more..

Feb 6 (FT) Advocata Institute said that any move by the Govt to revive or accommodate vehicle permit concessions for a select group of retired senior public officials would undermine governance credibility, weaken public trust, and dilute SL’s economic reform effort. The economic policy think tank said that according to remarks made in Parliament, 1,900 permits have already been issued under this concessional more..

Feb 6 (ST) Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha (28), the first from the Sri Lanka Navy to successfully complete the coveted U.S. Navy SEAL training who passed away unexpectedly, was laid to rest with full military honours on Friday. Lieutenant Chamitha who was attached to the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) of the SL Navy was based at Welisara Navy Camp at the time of his sudden demise. SL Navy says that he was found dead at the naval quarters within the Welisara Navy Camp on Wednesday. more..

Feb 6 (FT) Private sector stakeholders yesterday reported a disruption to import and export cargo clearance after operations at Sri Lanka Customs slowed or stopped during the afternoon, citing the absence of officers attending a union meeting. Industry sources said cargo clearance effectively came to a standstill from around 1 p.m., with Customs officers in Colombo attending the meeting and officers at outstations suspending work while awaiting instructions. more..

Feb 6 (ST) A proposal to ban social media for children under the age of 16 has been handed to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and is being studied. NCPA Chairman and retired High Court Judge Inoka Ranasinghe said that it will take some time to implement this because legal provisions need to be prepared. Decisions and ideas are needed from three institutions more..

Feb 6 (EN) SL’s Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) is calling proposals from university students for the annual Saman Kelegama research grant. “This annual grant creates an exciting opportunity for a select undergraduate, supporting them in their research with both financial aid and mentorship,” IPS said. The grant is open to undergraduate students currently in their fourth year or about to enter their fourth year in 2026, studying economics or a related subject. The recipient will receive more..

Feb 6 (FT) The 9th Best Annual Reports and Accounts (BARA) Awards ceremony successfully concluded on 5 Feb 2026 evening at the BMICH, recognising outstanding achievements in public sector financial reporting, transparency, and good governance. A total of 45 entities were honoured as winners, while 187 institutions received Compliance Certificates, reflecting sector-wide improvements in reporting discipline and governance practices. Organised by the Association of more..

Feb 6 (FT) SL Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) held its AGM on 27 Jan 2026 at Cinnamon Life, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and the diplomatic community to review sector priorities and reinforce SL’s position in global apparel supply chains. At the AGM, Rajitha Jayasuriya was reappointed as Chairperson for a second term, alongside the newly appointed Executive Committee comprising Jeevith Senaratne as Deputy Chairperson, Hasib Omar as Treasurer, and more..

Feb 6 (EN) Commercial Bank and GAIA Greenenergy Holdings are teaming up to offer green loans and green leases for customers to buy solar power at affordable rates. The bank will offer preferential interest rates starting from 10% per annum, with repayment periods of up to 7 years, to drive wider uptake of solar installations, it said in a statement. “Customers can use the Bank’s Green Loans and Green Leases to finance the purchase and installation of solar panels, & will benefit more..