Dec 24 (TM) Govt has signalled it will press ahead with SL’s long-delayed education reforms in Jan 2026, insisting that preparations are largely complete and manageable despite mounting opposition from teachers’ unions and Opposition lawmakers. Ministry of Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewe said that the administration was prepared to proceed with the introduction of the new module-based education system, even as critics more..

Dec 24 (FT) In a significant step toward accelerating SL’s digital transformation, eMudhra, a global leader in digital identity and security solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with LankaSign the only Certification Service Provider (CSP) in the country that complies with the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, operated by LankaPay, SL’s national payment network. LankaSign–eMudhra partnership brings together the strengths of LankaPay’s legally recognised digital signing certificates more..

Dec 24 (SO) Every December, as lights sparkle across homes and churches, as choirs rehearse familiar carols, and as Nativity scenes glow softly in candlelight, we enter into the heart of one of humanity’s most beautiful global celebrations – Christmas! Beyond the decorations and festivities, Christmas carries a timeless message that resonates deeply with both Christians and followers of other religions alike: it is, above all, a celebration of human life – its beauty, sanctity, and more..

Dec 24 (SO) As the curtain comes down on every passing year, Christmas, the silver lining as it were in the closing clouds glitters like a beacon of hope that human dignity is ever riding in the crest of the human horizon with its perennial call to all humanity to embrace and espouse universal fraternity across cultures, languages, races and civilisations. For, put simply, Christmas is that extraordinary event of the birth of the Child more..

Dec 24 (CT) A young squash champion taking the microphone at Colours Night in one of Colombo’s most prestigious girls’ schools has ripped the veil off a system of quiet corruption, injustice, arbitrary power and humiliation that many Sri Lankan students have endured for years. Her courage is a reminder that what is broken is not one ceremony or one principle, but an entire culture in big schools and sports, where reputation is protected, and children are sacrificed.​ more..

Dec 24 (GV) Recent engagements between ITAK and TNFP, together with earlier discussions involving Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, have once again brought Sri Lanka’s Tamil political question into public focus. After years of stalled political processes, postponed elections and unmet commitments, these interactions have generated renewed expectations among Tamils in the North and East while simultaneously reviving long standing scepticism shaped by experience. more..

Dec 23 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval to implement measures aimed at minimizing the use of polythene and plastic within the Sri Pada highly sensitive ecosystem during the annual pilgrimage season. The Sri Pada pilgrimage season runs for six months annually from December and a huge quantity of decaying and non – decaying waste disposed by the pilgrims and other individuals who visit during that period is collected in the area, according to Cabinet Spokesman more..

Dec 23 (AD) Ministry of Education has announced revised school calendar for govt and govt-approved private schools. Accordingly, Sinhala and Tamil schools will remain closed for December holidays from today until Jan 4, 2026. Muslim schools will be closed for December holidays from Dec 27 to Jan 4, 2026. Issuing a statement, Ministry of Education stated that all schools are scheduled to commence the first phase of the first term of the 2026 academic year on Monday, Jan 5, 2026. more..

Dec 23 (AD) The External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. Subramaniam Jaishankar, met with the PM of SL, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees today. Minister Jaishankar is currently in SL as the Special Envoy of Indian PM Narendra Modi. During the meeting, the Minister of External Affairs of India reaffirmed readiness to extend support for SL, including assistance in rebuilding railways, bridges, and strengthening of agricultural sector more..

Dec 23 (Island) President, Academy of Health Professionals, Ravi Kumudesh, yesterday (22), alleged that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority’s (NMRA) decision to suspend several batches of Ondansetron Injection USP 8 mg/4 mL (Batch Nos: OD24021E, OD25009E, OD25024E, OD25023E), following suspicions of patient complications, and a few reported deaths, seemed to be a bid to cover-up the latest public health sector crisis. Kumudesh said so responding to more..

Dec 23 (AD) A total of 1,025 suspects were arrested during island-wide raids conducted yesterday under the Nation United - National Drive campaign aimed at eradicating narcotics from the country. During these operations, the police obtained detention orders against 22 suspects, while 20 others were sent to rehabilitation. The objective of this initiative is to comprehensively curb the widespread drug trafficking prevailing in the country through a multifaceted strategy. more..

Dec 23 (AD) India will provide a USD 450 million package to assist in the reconstruction of areas affected by Cyclone Ditvah in SL, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced. Dr. Jaishankar stated that the package comprises a USD 350 million concessionary line of credit and USD 100 million in grants, aimed at supporting the rebuilding of cyclone-affected regions in SL. Dr. S. Jaishankar, speaking as Special Envoy of more..

Dec 23 (NW) An arrest warrant has been issued against MP Ramanathan Archchuna. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued the warrant due to his failure to appear in court in connection with a case related to exerting influence on a police officer on duty. Colombo Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara today ordered MP Archchuna to be taken into custody and produced before court. It is reported that MP Archchuna is accused of having interfered with the duties of a Colombo Police officer. more..

Dec 23 (NW) The Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Suraksha Student Insurance Programme for the 2025–2026 academic year, along with a series of amendments to expand coverage and improve access. The programme, implemented through SL Insurance Corporation General Ltd, covers approximately four million students enrolled in govt schools, govt-approved private schools, pirivenas and assisted special schools. It provides health, accident and life insurance benefits more..

Dec 23 (NW) Cabinet has approved the establishment of seven new consultancy committees aimed at strengthening and promoting local production industries. The decision expands an existing framework of 20 consultancy boards already operating in the industrial and entrepreneurship development sector. The new committees will focus on indigenous and traditional medicine, confectionery production, traditional handicrafts, poultry-related industries, ornamental fish more..

Dec 23 (CT) Investigations into the explosion of an oil pipeline used to transport fuel from deep waters near the Colombo Port to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have revealed that responsibility lies with both the vessel involved and the CPC, according to Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairman, Samantha Gunasekara. Gunasekara said, the findings emerged from an ongoing inquiry into the incident, which occurred in the early hours of 14 December. more..

Dec 23 (DM) More than 2,200 employees who applied for the CEB's Voluntary Retirement Scheme are facing growing anxiety and uncertainty as the programme continues to be delayed, applicants said. The affected employees have written to the Minister of Energy urging authorities to immediately announce a confirmed date for the scheme, warning that the prolonged delay has disrupted their future plans and caused more..

Dec 23 (Island) Members of the SL community in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area made a generous donation of USD 10,000 on 18 Dec to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka fund established by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in support of the ongoing flood relief efforts, according to Foreign Ministry. The USD 10,000 was raised by the SL community of Washington D.C. by organizing the Rebuild Sri Lanka: Food Bazaar, held on 14 Dec at the Washington D.C. Buddhist temple premises, more..

Dec 23 (NW) SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardena has accused the Negombo Municipal Council of misconduct during the passage of its budget, claiming the vote was bypassed despite opposition objections. Jayawardena said SJB councillors had raised concerns about both the conduct of the council and shortcomings in the budget proposal. However, the Mayor of Negombo announced that the budget had been passed and left the council chambers without conducting a formal vote. more..

Dec 23 (DM) Jerome Fernando is not an unknown name is Sri Lanka. He is a name that has caught attention in the religious world and beyond as thousands of people follow his preachings and believe he is the modern day chosen Prophet of God. In a first of its kind exclusive interview, Jerome said he had his first encounter with God when he was only 16 years old and since then has been preaching his story to the world. more..

Dec 23 (NW) A new brief by the ILO sheds light on the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall in SL on 26 Nov, bringing catastrophic rains and causing landslides in large parts of the country. Most severe flooding took place in Northern and Eastern districts, with landslides particularly affected central areas, where many tea plantations are located. The brief combined remote sensing data on flood extent, population, agriculture and nightlight with labour force survey data more..

Dec 23 (DM) Despite the setback, CMC Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said the budget would proceed to a second reading, during which amendments could still be proposed if necessary. Mayor Balthazaar emphasized that her mandate remains unchanged and said the budget is expected to come into effect within two weeks, allowing planned development projects and municipal services to move forward without disruption. She said the budget was prepared through an extensive consultative more..

Dec 23 (AD) Train operations on the Eastern Railway Line up to Batticaloa will resume tomorrow (24), the Department of Railways has announced. Accordingly, passengers traveling from Colombo Fort to Batticaloa, should use the Train No. 7083, which departs from the Colombo Fort station at 6 a.m. to Trincomalee. They will be required to board Train No. 6011 from the Gal Oya Railway Station, which is scheduled for Batticaloa at 12.40 p.m., Department said. more..

Dec 23 (EN) Cost of maintaining a domestic cash buffer by overborrowing, which was said to have been around 1.2 trillion by November costs about an extra 2% to maintain, parliament’s CoPF was told. “There is a margin of about 2% between the borrowing and the return we get,” Additional Director General Damitha Rathnayake said. “So we are downsizing it.” It was not clear whether the 2% was an average cost or the marginal cost of over-issuing longer term bonds and under-selling more..

Dec 23 (CT) Ministry of Health has formally abolished a 42-year-old administrative requirement that mandated spousal consent for individuals seeking sterilisation procedures, citing the need to align medical practices with fundamental human rights. The landmark change was enacted through a circular issued by Director General of Health Services, Asela Gunawardena. The directive effectively rescinds a 1983 amendment that more..

Dec 23 (Island) Amidst the ongoing controversy over the suspension of several batches of Indian manufactured Ondansetron Injection USP 8 mg/4 mL over safety fears, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa undertook a visit to New Delhi. Indian HC in Colombo said: ‘Minister Dr. Jayatissa led a delegation to India from 17–19 Dec to participate in the 2nd WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Summit was jointly organized by WHO and Ministry of more..

Dec 23 (NW) Rahul Sharma, a 24-year-old former under-19 Hong Kong cricketer and current exercise physiologist based in Melbourne, is set to run the length of Sri Lanka in a week to raise funds for childhood cancer research. Sharma plans to start his run on December 24 from Point Pedro at the northern tip of the island and finish at Dondra Head in the south by December 30. The challenge spans 574 kilometers (356.7 miles), requiring him to cover roughly 100 kilometers per day. more..

Dec 23 (Island) Sri Lanka’s share of the T20 World Cup will go ahead without disruption despite a recent cyclone and severe flooding that left large parts of the country battered and bruised. Tournament organisers confirmed that matches scheduled in the island nation will proceed as planned, with SL co-hosting the sport’s showpiece event alongside India. Three venues in SL will stage games during the competition. more..

Dec 23 (NW) SL Police on Tuesday announced a special traffic plan for central Colombo on Dec 24, anticipating heavy crowds and vehicle congestion as large numbers of people are expected to visit the Galle Face area to celebrate Christmas. Police said the temporary traffic arrangements will be enforced mainly around Fort, Pettah, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, Maradana, Kompannavidiya and Cinnamon Gardens, where congestion is expected to peak during the evening hours. more..

Dec 23 (FT) Showcasing SL’s readiness to re-enter the global entertainment arena, the three-time Grammy award-winning R&B star Ne-Yo is set to kick off his South Asia tour from Colombo on 28 Dec. The show, produced by Brown Boy Presents, marks one of the biggest international performances the country has hosted in years. For an industry that has struggled with instability, inconsistent infrastructure, and limited global exposure, the event is a statement that the market is ready to grow again. more..

Dec 23 (FT) SL is living through one of the most devastating flood disasters in its recent history, with torrential rains from Cyclone Ditwah triggering landslides, river overflows and widespread inundation across all 25 districts. By mid-December, official figures from the DMC indicated 640 deaths and 211 missing as assessments still continue. More than 2 million people have been affected, with hundreds of thousands displaced and tens of thousands of homes destroyed or damaged, more..

Dec 23 (FT) Sri Lanka’s recent natural disaster has evolved beyond a humanitarian emergency into a systemic economic shock, affecting households, businesses, infrastructure, public finances, and growth prospects simultaneously. With approximately 17,648 housing units identified as uninhabitable by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), large-scale displacement and livelihood disruption have placed significant pressure on the economy. more..