Dec 31 (CT) SL’s oceans have long been portrayed as a frontline in the country’s war against narcotics trafficking. Stretching across major international shipping lanes, the island’s surrounding waters are increasingly exploited by transnational drug syndicates using multi-day fishing vessels as floating couriers. At the heart of the State’s maritime defence lies a critical technological safeguard: the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). more..

Dec 31 (CT) Across Sri Lanka, a visible pattern has emerged in recent months. Annual budgets presented by local authorities controlled by ruling party groups have increasingly been defeated. From municipal councils to urban councils, these developments reflect a growing national disquiet rather than isolated political incidents. Several leading local bodies have been among those affected. In certain instances, controversial manoeuvres have followed—ranging from more..

Dec 31 (GV) Deforestation and the human-animal conflict have become dangerously intertwined as natural habitats shrink. Wildlife is continuously forced closer to human settlements. Numbers indicate a sobering picture. In 2024, the world lost 16.6 million acres of tropical primary rainforest at an alarming rate of four to five cricket fields a minute. By the end of 2025, the main drivers of this destruction became crystal clear. Commercial agriculture particularly for the production of more..

Dec 31 (TM) In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, Govt has announced a monumental task: providing disaster resilient, permanent housing for every family whose home was destroyed or rendered unsafe by the disaster. This mission follows the initial damage assessments that reveal the staggering scale of displacement across the island. According to the Deputy Minister, T.B. Sarath, National Disaster Management more..

Dec 31 (TM) At the crack of dawn tomorrow, SL will step into a new calendar year. What was predicted to be a year of recovery and growth by some seems less bright, following the thrashing by Ditwah and the unprecedented damage. The debate about how much blame should be assigned to whom regarding Ditwah, its prediction, and disaster preparedness remains an ongoing spectacle. The economic burden for rebuilding has been estimated by World Bank & UN agencies to be over US$ 4 b. more..

Dec 31 (CT) As the final days of the year slip past, the mood is neither entirely reflective nor fully celebratory. We stand, as we do every December, on the edge of a new calendar, carrying with us the quiet hope that the coming year will be better than the one we are leaving behind. Of course, this is also the season of resolutions. We promise ourselves to change habits, to become healthier, kinder, more disciplined, and perhaps more attentive to the world around us. more..

Dec 30 (DM) The newly introduced digital system at the Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) experienced repeated technical failures yesterday, forcing applicants seeking National Identity Cards (NICs) to suspend their visits and return another day. Applicants reported that the system first crashed around 1.00 p.m., before going down again at approximately 2.30 p.m. and later at around 4.00 p.m., disrupting services throughout the afternoon. Following the breakdown, more..

Dec 30 (TM) SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) had conducted tests into 120 athletes across a wide spectrum of sports during this year at a cost of Rs. 10 million, while only three of those tests had returned positive results, stated its Director General (DG) Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya. According to her, SLADA officials had subjected athletes in sports such as athletics, cricket, weightlifting, swimming, bodybuilding and netball to random urine and blood tests to determine cases of doping violations. more..

Dec 30 (TM) National Olympic Committee of SL (NOCSL) President Suresh Subramaniam in a letter dated 22 Dec and addressed to all its affiliated members has emphasised the current Executive Board’s (EB) steadfast commitment to ensuring that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections of the EB, are held at the earliest possible opportunity. However, he has informed the membership that there are several administrative issues more..

Dec 30 (DM) SL is ranked as 158 and in the bottom 40 healthiest countries in the world for 2025 with a global health index of 54.55 which is considered below average and unhealthy according to the CEO World Global Health Index 2025. According to the website, “A newly released global health index indicates that countries’ health varies significantly, as evaluated through ten specific measures. These criteria encompass healthy life expectancy, blood pressure levels, blood glucose more..

Dec 30 (NW) Johann Fernando, the son of former minister Johnston Fernando, was arrested by the FCID on Monday in connection with an alleged case of criminal misappropriation involving a lorry belonging to Sathosa. According to the Acting Police Media Spokesperson, the arrest relates to an ongoing investigation into the suspected misuse of the state-owned vehicle. Further investigations are underway, and legal action will be taken based on the findings. more..

Dec 30 (CT) Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) informed the COPF that one casino licence had been earmarked within the Port City, while confirming that no tax incentives would be offered for casino operations. The Commission also stated that there were no current plans to establish a cryptocurrency exchange within the Port City. Responding to questions from COPF members, chaired by Dr Harsha de Silva, more..

Dec 30 (NW) Senior members of the UNP and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa held a key meeting to discuss national challenges and the formulation of forward-looking policy strategies. The meeting was attended by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa along with UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and senior members Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Navin Dissanayake. “Had productive and constructive discussions on challenges faced by our motherland and the importance of formulating innovative more..

Dec 30 (DM) Amid the widespread circulation of seasonal Influenza A and B, medical experts warn that influenza can be mistaken for dengue, as blood count findings may appear similar. Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Maheshaka Wijayawardena said the current influenza outbreak has led to increased hospital admissions, especially among infants and young children. He said infected children commonly present with high fever in the early days, sore throat, ear and chest infections, including more..

Dec 30 (NW) The Police Computer Crimes Unit is continuing investigations into a series of bomb threat emails received by several government offices and a Qatar Airways flight, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The threats were sent to the Poojapitiya, Nawalapitiya, and Pasbage Korale Divisional Secretariats, as well as the Kandy District Secretariat. A similar threat was also received by a Qatar Airways flight on December 28, the minister confirmed. more..

Dec 30 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to construct residential quarters for teachers in 14 selected schools located in tea and rubber plantation areas across six provinces, in a move aimed at addressing the persistent teacher shortage and improving educational outcomes. Proposal, submitted by PM seeks to enhance human and physical resources in plantation sector schools, many of which are located in remote areas of the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Western, more..

Dec 30 (PMD) The year 2025 has been recorded as the highest revenue-earning year in the history of SL Customs, stated Director General of SL Customs, S.P. Arukgoda, noting that the Dept had surpassed its expected revenue target of Rs. 2,115 billion, enabling it to enter 2026 with an additional surplus of approximately Rs. 300 billion. Director General made these remarks at a discussion held this morning at SL Customs more..

Dec 30 (NW) Cabinet has approved the liquidation of Sahasya Investment Company, a state-owned enterprise established in 2020 to manage and develop SL’s expressways, citing its failure to carry out any of its intended operations. Initially formed to oversee expressway maintenance, cost reduction through modern technology, and strategic infrastructure planning, Sahasya was later granted operational authority over expressways in March 2024. more..

Dec 30 (DM) An investigation has been initiated following the discovery of an inappropriate term referenced in the introduction of a Grade 6 English module, Education Ministey Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said. According to officials, a complaint was received alleging that the introduction of the Grade 6 English module, which had already been printed and completed, contained a reference to an inappropriate website. Internal review was conducted, confirming accuracy of complaint. more..

Dec 30 (AD) The Constitutional Council has acted beyond its limits, while the President has remained within the constitutional framework during the process to appoint the Auditor General, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated. The Minister made this statement while responding to questions from journalists during a weekly Cabinet media briefing, regarding the Auditor General position which remains vacant for several months. more..

Dec 30 (NW) Cabinet of Ministers has approved the renewal of a MoU between Sri Lanka and Indonesia to enhance cooperation in search and rescue operations within their shared aviation boundaries. The MoU, originally signed on Jan 24, 2018, between the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, was valid for five years. Although an extension was approved in Feb 2023, the agreement had not been re-signed until now. more..

Dec 30 (FT) With over five decades of experience, Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) specialises in designing and building customised ships and steel structures as per customer requirements. Going beyond the regular Ship Building and Ship Repairs works, under the Heavy Engineering portfolio, CDPLC has completed several notable projects across a variety of industries locally and globally. One such area of growth is in the Underwater Structures sector, where CDPLC has more..

Dec 30 (NW) Cabinet of Ministers has approved the installation of four new automatic passenger clearance gates at the departure terminal of BIA as part of ongoing efforts to modernize border control and improve passenger processing efficiency. The decision follows the successful installation of four e-gates at the arrival terminal, completed under a 1,170 million yen grant from the Govt of Japan, through a cooperation agreement with the International Organization for Migration. more..

Dec 30 (EN) Sri Lanka will sign an agreement with Israel to send more workers to the state which international bodies have said is committing a genocide against Palestinians and is building settlements illegal under international law. “State of Israel has officially expressed its willingness to recruit SL workers for employment in the commercial and service sectors in Israel,” minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The cabinet had approved the proposal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, more..

Dec 30 (TM) SL’s yearly migration is to cross 300,000 individuals this year, despite the SLBFE anticipating a decline below pre-crisis levels, SLBFE Chairperson Koshala Wickremasinghe said. “Last year the total number of migrants who left were around 314,000 individuals. By around the middle of 2025, we surmised that this figure would not cross 300,000. However, by now around 277,000 individuals have migrated, more..

Dec 30 (CT) The Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) has acknowledged that its revised tax incentive regime is less attractive than the previous framework, while maintaining that investor interest in the project remains strong. Commission Chairman Shyamala Amarasekara told the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance that the earlier incentive structure—under which tax exemptions of up to 25 years were available—was “far more attractive” than the current system. more..

Dec 30 (TM) Sri Lanka has secured the fifth position among the best places to visit in Asia, according to US-based digital media company: News & World Report, ranking it among destinations such as Mount Fuji, Tokyo, Palawan, and Seoul. The list is topped by Mount Fuji in Japan, followed by Tokyo, Palawan in the Philippines, and Seoul, South Korea. Describing Asia, US News & World Report noted that the continent is “the planet’s largest continent, a world unto itself, with destinations more..

Dec 30 (AD) SL Police state that a large number of people and vehicles are expected to arrive in Colombo from outlying areas to celebrate the New Year 2026 tomorrow (31), particularly around the Galle Face Green area. Accordingly, the SL Police have decided to implement a special traffic and security plan to minimise potential traffic congestion and ensure public safety. Heavy traffic congestion is anticipated within the Colombo more..

Dec 30 (AD) CEB said that two generators at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai are currently out of service due to repair work. A spokesperson said the national power grid has lost 600 megawatts of generation capacity as a result. Currently, only one generator at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai is operational, contributing 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. One generator at the Lakvijaya Power Plant was taken out of operation on Nov 3 more..

Dec 30 (NW) Former SL fast bowler Dhammika Prasad has been appointed as the fast bowling coach and assistant coach of the United States men’s national cricket team ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Prasad, a seasoned right-arm fast-medium bowler who represented SL in 25 Tests, 24 ODIs and a T20 International between 2006 and 2015, brings valuable int'l experience to USA setup. more..

Dec 30 (FT) There will be no permits. The permit culture must end in SL. This was the resounding declaration from Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake as he presented the 2026 Budget proposal. Plan to supply vehicles to MPs on a strictly return-after-term basis echoes a long-overdue escape from a system that has, for decades, quietly drained public coffers. It is a system that has rewarded privilege over performance, entrenched inequality, and undermined the credibility of the state. more..

Dec 30 (FT) There is growing concern over renewed efforts by certain quarters to lobby the Govt to postpone, dilute, or deviate from sovereign debt repayment commitments already negotiated and concluded—now citing the national crisis following Cyclone Ditwah. Disturbingly, these calls appear to emanate from the very same sources that previously advocated suspension of debt servicing, leading to Sri Lanka’s declaration of inability to meet its obligations as scheduled. more..