Jan 22 (ST) A wide gap between wholesale and retail vegetable prices is currently being observed. While wholesale prices continue to drop at sourcing hubs, retail prices remain high by the time the produce reaches the consumer. Consumers said that when the vegetables reach the people the prices are high. Factors of demand and supply, transportation, intervention of middle men as well as tactics more..

Jan 22 (Island) We express our profound concern and deep outrage at the vulgar, misogynistic, and defamatory attacks being directed at PM and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Dr. Amarasuriya is not merely a political leader; she is a scholar, public intellectual, and lifelong advocate of social justice, equality, and education. Attempts to discredit her through personal abuse rather than reasoned policy debate are not only an insult to her, but an assault on democratic values, more..

Jan 22 (Island) Former South Korean PM Han Duck-soo was yesterday sentenced to 23 years in prison for aiding and abetting the insurrection of the impeached former Prez Yoon Suk-yeol in 2024. The court confirmed that Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law on 3 Dec, 2024 constituted an insurrection aimed at subverting the constitutional order. It pointed out that Han had helped provide a procedural facade of legitimacy for the illegal martial law by holding an unlawful Cabinet meeting. more..

Jan 22 (TM) As the globe transitions through a period of flux, Canadian PM Mark Carney’s address at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos may be remembered as a historic statement of fact about the changing world order. Carney stated what many in the Global South knew for a long time, and the collective West opted not to acknowledge it thus far. That the so-called rules-based order the world enjoyed post-Cold War was but a farce. While Europe and the blighted more..

Jan 22 (ST) Before aiming for a phenomenal 3 million tourist arrivals this year, as promised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, shouldn’t we consider whether the carrying capacity – the number of tourists that the country can cater to, based on its resources – is adequate? This was the discussion I had with Ruwanputha, a young economist, when he called on Thursday morning. “Are we going too fast in speeding up tourist arrivals,” he asked. more..

Jan 22 (TM) The 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service, established under the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation Act No.18 of 2018, has become a central component of SL’s emergency healthcare system, providing free islandwide pre-hospital care. First 1990 ambulance was launched in Hambantota on 27 July 2016 with the support of a grant from the Govt of India. Operating under the Health Ministry, the service provides rapid access to emergency more..

Jan 22 (GV) Gammaduwa is among the most beautiful and remote villages I have visited. Its very soil has provided for the cultivation of tea, cinnamon, cardamon and pepper. The fresh air we breathed, the fresh water we sipped and dipped in and the fresh food we enjoyed are fresh in my memory. The walks for miles and miles amid the green and beautiful scenery was enjoyable despite the steep hills. The beauty and freshness could still be seen and felt when I visited Gammaduwa again on more..

Jan 22 (DM) The following anecdote should interest Sri Lankans who want to mimic Singapore but are unwilling to accept the trade-offs that come with it. Last week, the PM of Singapore stripped the opposition leader, Pritam Singh, of his ceremonial title after the court found him lying to Parliament. Mr. Singh, who heads the Centre-Left Workers Party, was found guilty of lying under oath to a Parliamentary committee during a probe into former MP Raeesah Khan. more..

Jan 22 (SO) The NPP-led Govt, which repealed special perks for former Presidents in Sept 2025, has moved to repeal the Parliamentary Pensions Law, No, 1 of 1977 to abolish the MPs’ pensions. This is likely to pass soon. The sequence aligns with the NPP’s policy manifesto, which explicitly pledged to abolish post-Presidential and MPs’ perks and pension privileges. Govt gazetted the Bill titled the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Act of 2026 more..

Jan 22 (CT) The decision to raise the national minimum wage in the private sector from Rs 27,000 to Rs 30,000, effective 1 January 2026, marks more than a numerical adjustment. It is a statement of intent at a time when the dignity of work, the sanctity of lawful employment and the survival of household economies remain under severe strain. Announced under the National Minimum Wage of Employees (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2025, the revision also raises the daily wage to Rs 1,200, reinforcing more..

Jan 22 (DM) During his recent visit to Jaffna, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted actions of Sinhala-Buddhist extremists. He said that some would pass by the Sri Maha Bodhi and observe sil in the North, but these actions are done with an intention of spreading hate. He said that people were left without houses, their loved ones, much loved belongings and property in the aftermath of the war. Therefore, SL doesn’t need another war or bloody racial tensions fueled by extremist agendas. more..

Jan 21 (AD) The Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) in Batticaloa has stated that dengue fever is spreading rapidly across the district following the recent floods and monsoon rainfall. Health authorities have identified a significant increase in dengue patients in several Divisional Secretariat areas of the Batticaloa district, prompting intensified inspections. As part of these efforts, health officials have conducted multiple raids in affected areas. more..

Jan 21 (EN) Central Bank will provide a report on achieving below 2% inflation in the first and second quarter of 2025, missing its controversial 5% inflation floor, a govt statement said. The cabinet had approved presenting the report to the Parliament through the Finance Minister. The central bank had generated -1.1% average inflation in the second quarter of 2025 and 0.8% in the third quarter, which was below a floor rate of 2%, a post-cabinet statement said. more..

Jan 21 (AD) The IMF has reaffirmed its continuous support to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. This assurance was given by the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva during a meeting held with PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in Davos, Switzerland on the sidelines of the 2026 World Economic Forum. IMF Chief Georgieva’s remarks underscored international recognition of SL’s recovery efforts following recent devastation more..

Jan 21 (NW) Electricity trade unions have warned that if the government issues a gazette to dissolve the CEB without fulfilling the promises made to them during restructuring, they will launch a strike without prior notice. At a press conference held in Colombo, union representatives said that 24 electricity trade unions, including the Engineers’ Association, Technical Engineers and Officers’ Association, and the Industrial Technicians’ Association, are preparing to join this action. more..

Jan 21 (DM) The 11th SL Air Force Aviation Contingent assigned to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) departed Sri Lanka this morning. The Contingent consists of 22 officers, including two lady officers and 88 airmen, including five airwomen, and is commanded by Group Captain Asiri Pathirage. The personnel represent the full range of professional capabilities required to carry out assigned duties under the UN mandate. more..

Jan 21 (DM) UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake raised serious concerns in Parliament over what he described as a growing disconnect between Sri Lanka’s record tourist arrivals and the weak flow of foreign exchange into the country’s official financial system. Karunanayake noted that Sri Lanka recorded more than 2.36 million tourist arrivals in 2025, yet total tourism earnings rose only marginally to about USD 3.22 billion. more..

Jan 21 (EN) The reporting on social impacts in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) conducted on SL is low, making EIAs unreliable for decision-makers and investors to consider and use, a report by the Centre for a Smart Future has found. EIAs are meant to anticipate and minimise harm to communities and nature. The CSF report found that methods used to assess social impacts are often not reported. “Most impacts are discussed without specifying crucial information more..

Jan 21 (NW) NBRO says Sri Lanka’s air quality reached a slightly unhealthy level in most of the cities in the last 24 hours. According to the NBRO, air quality has reached a moderate level in Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Embilipitiya, Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Kalutara & Hambantota. It is forecasted that the air quality level will be between 56 and 120 during the next 24 hours. NBRO states this indicates a moderate level in most of the cities, while a slightly unhealthy level in more..

Jan 21 (NW) A silent protest was held in Colombo today demanding the removal of the Attorney General (AG). The silent protest was held in front of the Colombo High Court. The protesters were seen holding placards, accusing the AG of alleged corruption and bias. Meanwhile, BAR Association of SL (BASL) has expressed concern over recent social media posts targeting the Attorney General. Issuing a statement, the BASL said that certain individuals are attempting, through such posts, more..

Jan 21 (PMD) The veneration of the Sacred Relics, which are due to be brought to Sri Lanka with the intervention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the full patronage of the Govt of India, will be held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo for seven days from 4 to 11 Feb. A discussion to review the preliminary organisational arrangements was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Minister Ananda Wijepala, and more..

Jan 21 (PMD) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Govt is taking steps to establish a comprehensive mechanism, supported by an appropriate legal framework, to bring together university academics, experts and all relevant parties in order to resolve issues arising during the implementation of education reforms. The President made these remarks during a discussion with the FUTA held this morning more..

Jan 21 (DM) ITC Ratnadipa announced 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 SLTDA and SL Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam and accepted by ITC Ratnadipa Area Manager Sri Lanka and General Manager Keenan McKenzie. The ceremony was attended by more..

Jan 21 (AD) The opposition today moved a motion to appoint a Select Committee of Parliament to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard. The motion proposed by a group of opposition Members of Parliament was presented by the Chief Opposition Whip, Gayantha Karunathilleka during this morning’s Parliament session. The loss of lives, damage to property and damage to more..

Jan 21 (DM) Electricity consumers are likely to be compelled to absorb the cost of nearly Rs. 20 billion in damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah to the infrastructure of the CEB. The cyclone caused extensive damage to both transmission and distribution networks. A senior CEB official said that around Rs. 1 b worth of damage had been inflicted on transmission lines, while losses to distribution lines were estimated at approx Rs. 19 b. more..

Jan 21 (DM) A leading rubber businessman and two other suspects, who were arrested in connection with an incident involving the harassment of a woman through social media, were ordered to be remanded till Feb 2 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadha Mahaarachchi yesterday. The Magistrate further directed that the suspect businessman be produced before a JMO for a psychiatric evaluation and that a mental health report be obtained. Prisons Superintendent more..

Jan 21 (AD) Speaker of House Jagath Wickramaratne has endorsed the certificate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill. This was announced at the commencement of the Parliament session today. The Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament Dec 2, 2025 and was taken up for debate and passed on Jan 1, 2026. Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill was more..

Jan 21 (FT) The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS) in a statement yesterday raised serious environmental and legal concerns regarding the recently commissioned wind power project on Mannar Island. WNPS has called for urgent executive intervention to address patent violations of environmental law and the grave risks posed to one of Sri Lanka’s most ecologically sensitive regions. In a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, more..

Jan 21 (DM) The Constitutional Council (CC) has refused to disclose certain information sought under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016, regarding its decision on the President’s nominee for the post of Auditor General. The request for information was submitted on 1 January 2026 by Attorney-at-Law Aazath Atham Lebbe, following a news report published titled Auditor General’s post: CC rejects yet another President’s nominee, this time an Army officer. more..

Jan 21 (EN) SL Customs has imposed around 70 million rupee penalty on a recently imported Rolls Royce Phantom Auto car after officials found it was declared wrongfully. Officials who are aware of the matter said, the importer has declared a value of 417,000 sterling pounds including a 20% tax in the UK. “That amount was for a Rolls Royce Phantom Auto car and the importer claimed it was of that model. But the length and wheel size were more..

Jan 21 (NW) The second phase of the nationwide initiative to set up 1,000 wellness centres is set to deliver 42 new facilities across 21 districts on January 24, expanding access to quality primary healthcare services for communities throughout Sri Lanka. The initiative is being implemented under the “Healthy Sri Lanka” programme, launched on the instructions of the Minister of Health, Nalinda Jayatissa. Five wellness centres were established in 2025 in Mapalagama in Galle District, more..

Jan 21 (EN) SL’s apparel exporters have confirmed their commitment to meet European supply chain human rights due diligence and sustainability requirements of international brands using accepted certification, a statement from the Joint Apparel Association Forum said. “Consumers, regulators, and investors are aligned in demanding responsible production,” Avedis Seferian, President and CEO of Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), told a forum held in Colombo, more..