Jan 23 (DM) SL Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced operations of Phase III of the Eastern Container Terminal (CECT) today, marking a key milestone in the govt’s programme to develop the Port of Colombo into a regionally competitive maritime hub. With the completion of Phase III, 1,090 metres of the terminal’s total 1,300-metre length have now been completed, while 82% of the remaining construction work is also finished. The opening of this phase enables Eastern Container Terminal to handle more..

Jan 23 (NW) Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe has incorrectly cited information while addressing Parliament on the controversial web link issue in school textbooks. Speaking in Parliament, Jayasinghe said the Grade 11 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) textbook published in 2015 contained the same controversial weblink, noting that the textbook is still in use. “Page 77 includes a number of links. One of those links is this buddy- the one you referred to as obscene. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Despite political rhetoric for eradication of corruption, the situation in Sri Lanka seems to have taken a turn for the worse with the country now ranking 24.7, a drop by 7.3 notches in the Global Corruption Perception Index in 2025 prepared by World Economics which is a UK-based research organization. SL’s level of Corruption Perception is 24.7 in 2025 from the scale from 0-100 where 0 is absolute corruption and more..

Jan 23 (EN) Revenue collected by SL Customs in the first 22 days of January has exceeded this month’s target. Custom’s January revenue target has been set 160.2 billion rupees. But the revenue collecting body has already collected 175.4 billion rupees, exceeding the target by 9.5% in the first 22 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 Nov amid higher imports in Dec. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Cyclone Ditwah has brought about permanent displacements while a question remains as to whether some displaced families should be resettled in their original dwelling places or not. Minister Samantha Vidyaratne who was speaking during a debate on Ditwah said the cyclone which hit Sri Lanka last November has forced the government to relocate eight schools in Badulla District. “The cyclone hit 233 kindergarten schools in Badulla,” the Minister said. more..

Jan 23 (AD) Former Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and former Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL), Anusha Palpita, has been remanded until February 6 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodharagama issued this order, after considering the facts presented by officers of the Bribery Commission and the defense attorneys representing suspect. more..

Jan 23 (AD) Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that 480 motorists found to be driving under the influence of narcotic substances have been arrested during the first 22 days of this year. He made the statement today while participating in a special media briefing held at Parliament. The Minister added that 135 road accidents occurred during this period, resulting in the deaths of 15 vehicle drivers and 50 pedestrians. Minister emphasized that all individuals driving under the influence of drugs more..

Jan 23 (NW) Sri Lankan Embassy in Doha announced that it recovered a total of Rs. 197,719,710.36 in compensation during 2025 on behalf of the next of kin (NOKs) of SL nationals who had passed away in Qatar. The recovered funds were remitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism in Colombo for disbursement to the respective families. Out of the total amount, Rs. 23,641,182.00 was directly paid to the NOKs through its efforts, while more..

Jan 23 (FT) The reality of business is that we have to be strongly data driven as consumer lifestyles are constantly changing and companies have to adopt. An important point to note is that some data is better than having no data when making business decisions. It is strange but there are instances when data is shown, people find it hard to believe the reality and the focus changes to the authenticity of the information rather than trying to find an insight. When it comes to tourism more..

Jan 23 (FT) In an article published in the Daily FT on 2 Dec, the former Chairman of the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Priantha Fernando has warned that enforcing tour guide licencing requirements ahead of the high tourist season will have ominous consequences: unleashing operational chaos, fostering controversy and instability and damaging Sri Lanka’s reputation. Mr. Fernando’s statements both mis-diagnose the problem and misdirect the solution. more..

Jan 23 (CT) Investigations into more than 11,000 complaints related to missing persons will be completed within the next two years, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said while visiting the Vanni. Minister also clarified that no discussions have taken place within the Cabinet regarding the removal of the current Attorney General, and that adequate funds have been allocated for investigations into mass graves. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Sri Lanka could be plunged into darkness if the government proceeds with its plan to dissolve the CEB without meeting trade union demands, the country’s electricity engineers warned yesterday. The CEB Technical Engineers and Superintendents Association has threatened an immediate strike and potential shutdown of the main power grids, raising fears of a nationwide blackout, if the govt issues a gazette establishing six new subsidiary companies to replace the CEB. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has clarified that its members will not participate in any reported trade union action planned by the Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), which is expected to commence islandwide today (23). AMS said it had taken note of reliable media reports indicating that the GMOA is planning a Trade Union Action (TUA), but emphasized that specialist doctors attached to the AMS will continue to perform their professional duties as usual. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Sri Lanka crossed the US$ 1 billion mark in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2025 for the first time since the crisis. However, analysis of the data shows that the recovery remains uneven since the inflows are still dominated by debt-like instruments rather than fresh equity capital. BOI said FDI inflows reached US$ 1.057 billion in 2025, a 72% increase from 2024 and marginally above its US$ 1 billion target. more..

Jan 23 (FT) Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF), Northern SL’s largest and most influential multi-trade exhibition, opens today for its 16th consecutive year, running from 23 to 25 Jan at the Muttraweli Ground, Jaffna. Recognised as the region’s most established commercial platform, JITF continues to strengthen economic growth, business connectivity, and innovation across the Northern Province. Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS)—SL’s leading exhibition organiser more..

Jan 23 (DM) The largest stockpile of narcotics seized during security forces’ operations was recorded in 2025, marking a threefold increase compared to 2024, ASP F.U. Wootler said. He said that islandwide operations have yielded significant success in controlling the spread of dangerous drugs. He said that in 2024, police seized a total of 10,871 kgs of heroin, cannabis, ice, hashish and cocaine, while in 2025 the figure rose sharply to 23,692 kgs and 307 gms. more..

Jan 23 (TM) The Education Ministry stated the concept paper on education reforms would be opened up for public discussion in the coming days, as the Ministry continues to review the overall reform process. Ministry Secretary, Nalaka Kaluwewa said that the review is currently underway and that the Ministry plans to hold a public dialogue soon. "The concept paper on education reforms is published on the Ministry's website. We will have a public discussion on it. more..

Jan 23 (AD) Three individuals were killed after an abutment wall and mound of earth collapsed on them at a construction site in the Pelassa area of Ahangama, the Ahangama Police said. The incident occurred while the three workers were engaged in constructing the structural wall, which suddenly gave way and buried all three under the debris. The victims were admitted to the Gonnagahena Hospital following the incident, where they later succumbed to their injuries, Ada Derana reporter said. more..

Jan 23 (TM) The asking price index for Sri Lanka lands, houses and condominiums saw growth in the third quarter of 2025, with housing prices in particular moving up to 179 on the index for prices, with a 7.9% year on year growth posted, CB Real Estate Market Analysis for Q3 2025 SL shows. “In the Colombo district, the asking price indices for lands, houses and condominiums recorded increased in the third quarter of 2025, more..

Jan 23 (NW) A presidential commission of inquiry has begun calling for public complaints and information regarding alleged corruption, fraud and abuse of power at Colombo Municipal Council over a 15-year period. The commission will investigate alleged wrongdoing that occurred between 2010 and 2025, including corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, misuse of state resources and privileges, unlawful recruitments and appointments, procurement violations, and irregularities in more..

Jan 23 (Island) A group of local entrepreneurs is urging the govt to overhaul the nation’s textile import policy, proposing a bold shift toward domestic saree manufacturing to stem the critical outflow of foreign exchange. Sidambaram Karunanithi, a Pettah-based entrepreneur with deep roots in India and the textile trade, said that approximately 100,000 sarees are sold daily across SL. He argued that the total reliance on Indian imports for this high-volume commodity represents an unnecessary drain more..

Jan 23 (DN) ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour made a grand entrance yesterday with a spectacular paragliding display at the R. Premadasa Stadium, moments before the start of the first ODI around 1.45 p.m. Four military parachutists descended into the stadium, creating a striking pre-match spectacle. The T20 World Cup trophy was carried by the lead parachutist, who landed first, followed by three others, much to the delight of the spectators. The trophy tour began earlier in the day after more..

Jan 23 (Island) Turkish govt’s foreign policy priorities in a period of heightened global turbulence, stressing diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation are essential tools for navigating an increasingly unstable international environment, Turkey’s Ambassador to SL Dr. Semih Lütfü Turgut said. ‘The turbulence and uncertainty of recent years have carried forward into 2026, with unresolved conflicts, shifting power balances and declining respect for a rules-based international order, more..

Jan 23 (FT) First Capital Holdings cautioned that SL’s debt concerns are re-emerging as economic growth moderates, stressing that fiscal discipline alone will not be sufficient to stabilise debt dynamics without faster structural reforms and stronger Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows. Releasing its Investment Strategy: Jan 2026 – SL report at its annual investor forum, First Capital said GDP growth is expected to slow to 3-4% more..

Jan 23 (DM) SL’s tea export earnings climbed past the US$ 1.5 billion mark in 2025, up from about US$ 1.4 billion in 2024, underpinned by higher prices and steady demand for value-added products, even as shipment volumes showed mixed trends through the year. December exports fell sharply on a year-on-year basis, with shipments dropping to 17.87 million kg from 22.57 million kg a year earlier, reflecting across-the-board declines in all categories. However, prices moved in opposite direction. more..

Jan 23 (ST) The dire predicament of the surrogate mother and the urgent need for a strong regulatory framework covering Assisted Reproductive Health, was the clarion call from a Supreme Court Judge to an eminent gathering of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists last Sunday in Colombo. “As a stepping stone towards a recommendation being made to the Govt for the promulgation of a comprehensive legal regulatory framework relating to the delivery of reproductive health more..

Jan 23 (CI) Following a difficult Ashes tour, what is left of Bazball ran into an old-fashioned spin-bowling choke in Colombo. There were glimmers of brilliance from England in a chase of 272. But four Sri Lanka spinners, sharing six wickets between them, won through comfortably in the end. Despite measured 60s from both Joe Root and Ben Duckett, England fell 19 runs short, their run rate having stayed below five an over more..

Jan 23 (CT) Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayagan has requested the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to extend its support for the development of the health sector and the improvement of waste management activities in the Northern Province. The request was made during a meeting between the Governor and JICA SL Country Director Kenji Kuronuma, held at the Governor’s Secretariat on 21 Jan. At the meeting, the Governor expressed his more..

Jan 23 (FT) SL used the global stage recently to highlight its expanding focus on early childhood development and caregiving reforms, as Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj participated in the inaugural Global Caregiver Forum 2026 held in Madrid, Spain. The two-day forum, which began on 15 January under the patronage of Queen Letizia of Spain, brought together policymakers, development experts, and global institutions to shape an int'l roadmap for more..

Jan 23 (FT) With a focus on liveable luxury and urban connectivity, Fairway Holdings this week launched its seventh apartment project, Latitude, bringing family-centric living to Colombo 5. Fairway Holdings has established itself as a leading developer of luxury condominiums, with over 20 years of experience in the real estate market of SL. Located at No. 7, High Level Road, Kirulapone, Latitude by Fairway represents the latest chapter in an expansive portfolio of contemporary more..

Jan 23 (FT) Carson Cumberbatch PLC and Bukit Darah PLC have issued their latest response to the Indonesian Govt’s plans to nationalise its palm oil plantation. The update is a follow up to the Announcement dated 28 October 2025 on the Implementation of new laws in Indonesia for Palm Oil Plantations which, according to publicly available information, has currently affected approx. 4.1 million hectares of palm oil plantations across Indonesia. In a filing to the Colombo Stock Exchange, more..