Jan 5 (Reuters) Sri Lanka is targeting 3 million tourist arrivals in 2026, a top official said on Monday, after a record 2.36 million last year, as the country seeks to boost revenue and support recovery from Cyclone Ditwah. Famous for its pristine beaches, ancient temples and Ceylon Tea, tourism is Sri Lanka's second-largest foreign exchange earner with $3.2 billion in revenues in 2025. The tourist arrival target, which is an ambitious 27% increase over the previous year, more..

Jan 5 (EN) Sri Lanka has recorded around US$ 7.8 billion through foreign remittances sent by the expatriates, Minister Vijitha Herath said. “We still don’t have the official December figure from the central bank. But it is around US$ 650-700 million,” Minister said. “With that, our total remittances in 2025 would have been around US$ 7.8 billion, which is the highest ever in the history.” Sri Lanka surpassed the 2017 record high remittances of USD 7.16 billion in the first 11 months of 2025. more..

Jan 5 (EN) Sri Lanka will complete the standard of procedure (SOP) for handling foreign research vessels within the next two months, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said. Sri Lanka appointed a committee last year to draft SOP to handle foreign research vessels after arrivals of Chinese research vessels into the island nation’s shore were strongly opposed by the US and India citing possible threat to the Indian Ocean. more..

Jan 5 (CT) The historic staircase at Sigiriya has been severely eroded as a result of continuous daily foot traffic, according to Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi. He said the deterioration of the ancient structure highlights the growing pressure on Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage sites caused by large numbers of visitors. He added that steps have already been taken to amend the Antiquities Ordinance of SL in order to strengthen legal protections for archaeological/heritage sites. more..

Jan 5 (NW) NPP MP Shantha Pathma Kumara has sent legal notices to local media institutions, Hiru and Derana, seeking Rs. 3 billion in compensation. According to the legal notices sent to the two media companies, the compensation has been sought for damage caused to his reputation by what he describes as false, defamatory, and malicious reporting. MP has demanded Rs. 1.5 billion from Hiru Media Network and Rs. 1.5 billion from Derana Media Network. more..

Jan 5 (EN) SL authorities have to enforce law against violence used by tuk-tuk gangs against PickMe and Uber drivers who charged lower fares, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said as SL’s tourism brand as a safe destination is also coming under threat. Some regional tuk-tuk driver associations, especially in tourist hotspots have intimidated fellow drivers working through ride-hailing apps like PickMe and Uber more..

Jan 5 (AD) The General Secretary of the Graded Principals’ Association, Nimal Mudunkotuwa, stated that although schools commenced the 2026 academic year today (5), the govt has yet to introduce a formal educational plan for Grade 6 students. Mudunkotuwa noted that while authorities have scheduled the official start of the Grade 6 curriculum for January 21, the absence of academic activities until then has placed teachers and principals in a challenging position. more..

Jan 5 (TM) A decision taken by specialist medical colleges over two years ago to revise the national drug formulary, following SL’s economic crisis, had led to the impression that the country is facing shortages of certain cancer medicines, President ofAll Ceylon Govt Pharmacists Association (ACGPA) Chalith Amaradivakara said. Responding to queries over complaints raised by patients and some medical professionals, Amaradivakara said SL had more than 800 medicines on its priority list, more..

Jan 5 (Island) Continuing a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the era of ancient kings, the annual Aluth Sahal Mangalya—the offering of alms prepared from the maiden harvest of rice—was ceremonially observed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa on Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, 03rd January. The religious observances were conducted with the participation of Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Medhankara Thera, a member of the Thevava (officiating clergy) of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and more..

Jan 5 (AD) A special programme has been introduced by the Ministry of Health with the aim of providing high-quality, nutritious and appetizing meals for patients receiving inpatient care at government hospitals. The pilot phase of the program is scheduled to commence tomorrow at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama. A key feature of the initiative is the discontinuation of the traditional single-plate meal system. Under the new model, patients will be served meals using a more..

Jan 5 (AD) Former Minister Johnston Fernando and his youngest son, Kenneth Fernando who were arrested by the FCID earlier today, have been remanded. The duo has been remanded until January 9. Former Minister and his youngest son were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister. Previously, police had warned that an arrest warrant would be sought from more..

Jan 5 (EN) Sri Lanka will support United Nations action, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said, after the US abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after attacking defense installations in Venezuela. “It is essential that actions should be taken in a way that is according to UN Conventions, to protect international law the and independence of countries,” Minister Herath said. “All members of UN committed to doing that. A meeting of the UN Security council has been called for Sunday. more..

Jan 5 (EN) Sri Lanka tourist arrivals rose a marginal 4.2% from a year ago to 258,928 in Dec 2025, amidst the widespread destruction in the island after Cyclone Ditwah, data showed. Total arrivals for the year were 2,362,521, up 15.1% from a year ago. This was short of Sri Lanka’s target of 3 million. December arrivals were also 2.3% higher than the 253,169 recorded in 2018; the year before SL’s tourism industry was hit by multiple subsequent shocks – Easter attack, pandemic & protests. more..

Jan 5 (FT) SL’s rupee weakened against the US dollar in 2025, posting an annual depreciation of 5.6%, reversing the strong gains recorded over the previous two years. The decline follows a sharp recovery phase in 2023 and 2024, when the currency appreciated by 12.1% & 10.7%, respectively, supported by tight monetary policy, import controls, improved external balances, and inflows linked to IMF-supported reform more..

Jan 5 (AD) Disciplinary action has been taken against approximately 500 police officers in connection with drug-related offences, IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has stated. The IGP further stated that steps have also been taken to dismiss a number of police officers from service due to their involvement in drug-related crimes. The IGP made these remarks while attending the passing-out ceremony of police officers held at the SL Police College grounds in Anuradhapura. more..

Jan 5 (CT) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the captains for the upcoming Women’s National Super League (NSL), with four leading players set to guide their respective teams in the premier domestic tournament. Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Chamudi Prabodha will captain the four sides — Team Green, Team Grey, Team Blue, and Team Red — as the NSL aims to showcase the depth of talent in women’s cricket across the island. more..

Jan 5 (Island) The foundation stone laying ceremony for the proposed 7-storey Sadaham Mandiraya at the historic Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya was held on 3rd of January with the participation of PM Harini Amarasuriya. The religious programme, organised to coincide with the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, commenced with the chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha. Subsequently, PM participated in laying of the foundation stone, formally marking the commencement of more..

Jan 5 (TM) Discussions are underway on a new supply chain strategy aimed at improving transportation efficiency and reducing the cost of essential goods across the country, Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardana said. Highlighting transportation as a key challenge in the production and distribution of essential food items, he said high transport costs for both imported and locally produced goods remained a major obstacle to reducing prices and easing the burden on consumers. more..

Jan 5 (TM) Sri Lanka currently has no plans or ongoing discussions to legalise or review same-sex marriages, according to Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. This, despite the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) communiqué to the ministry about the issue in May last year and the growing public debate on the matter. Responding to the inquiries on whether the Govt was more..

Jan 5 (AD) A decision has been taken to relocate the Wavendon Tamil Maha Vidyalaya in Ramboda due to the risk of landslides. The Wavendon Tamil Vidyalaya was closed for over a month after Cyclone Ditwah caused massive destruction in the area. Accordingly, it has been decided to temporarily operate the school at the Thondaman Cultural Centre in Kotmale, stated Nuwara Eliya District MP Manjula Suraweera Arachchi. He further explained that the decision was taken after considering more..

Jan 5 (NW) Ananda College will mark the reopening of its historic Colonel G.W. Rajapakse Stadium with a T20 exhibition cricket match on January 7, 2026, following the completion of major renovation work. Exhibition match will see the Ananda College 1st XI take on the Ananda Legends, bringing together past and present players on the same stage to celebrate the revival of one of the school’s most iconic sporting venues. The renovated ground, located within the Ananda College premises, more..

Jan 5 (TM) Following the declaration of Ambuluwawa Mountain as a high-risk zone for landslides, Ministry of Environment has instructed Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to take the necessary steps to halt all construction activities on the mountain until an official expert report is obtained and a final determination is made on the risk situation, Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi said. NBRO conducted an inspection tour more..

Jan 5 (AD) A resident of Deraniyagala has accused officers attached to the Borella Police of physically assaulting him after allegedly mistaking him for a suspect wanted in connection with a recent shooting incident in Dehiwala. The individual has been identified as an owner of a small restaurant in Deraniyagala. A shooting incident was reported on December 30 in the Bodhiyawatta area of Kohuwala, in which a 16-year-old girl was injured. In an effort to apprehend the suspect, more..

Jan 5 (NW) Activists from the Frontline Socialist Party and several other groups gathered outside the United States Embassy in Colombo this evening to protest U.S. actions in Venezuela. Protesters held placards reading Don’t Touch Venezuela, calling for a Venezuelan‑led solution and denouncing what they describe as US interference. The protests comes after a major escalation in US – Venezuela tensions, after the US launched a large‑scale military operation that included more..

Jan 5 (FT) A balance sheet of the record of Prez AKD’s NPP Govt could put the economy in the credit box. SL’s economic recovery has continued marking a successful first year in office of the Govt. Data for end November 2025 shows that SL’s GDP grew by 5.4% in the 2025 Q3 (up from 4.9% in 2025 Q2), year on year National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) inflation fell to 2.4% and foreign currency reserves rose to $5.9 billion. However, estimated income poverty still affects about 22% more..

Jan 5 (FT) In the last three years, SL had been recovering slowly but steadily from its worst economic crisis that had crippled the country in 2022. That was not a sudden event but the culmination of a process that had been taking place in SL’s economy from around the early 2000s. In the recovery process since the onset of the crippling event, the real GDP, though still lower than its peak in 2018, has been on a growth path moving to its historical annual average of 4.5-5%. more..

Jan 5 (CT) While admitting that there was a serious blunder in the Grade 6 English language module, the Govt, yesterday (4), assured that it would be completely removed from the module. The internal fact-finding committee appointed to investigate the controversial module, after confirming that the material contained a reference to an inappropriate website, has submitted its report, Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday. more..

Jan 5 (FT) Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill has been published in the Govt Gazette, paving the way for the abolition of pension entitlements granted to MPs and their spouses under existing law. The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Parliamentary Pensions Act, removing the pension scheme currently available to MPs. Gazette notification has been issued on the directive of the Minister of Justice and National Integration. The move follows earlier Cabinet approval to more..

Jan 5 (FT) NPP, Govt’s main constituent party, JVP issued a statement condemning what it described as military aggression by the US against Venezuela, asserting that the sovereignty of the Latin American nation and the right of its people to determine their leadership must not be violated, according to a press release issued by its Political Bureau. The statement said: “We strongly condemn the USA’s military aggression against the independent and sovereign State of Venezuela and more..

Jan 5 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has stated that even though the CEB has requested a revision of electricity tariffs to be implemented from 1 Jan, process could not be rushed and would take at least several weeks, even if carried out at maximum efficiency. PUCSL Director-Communication, Jayanat Herat said that the CEB had submitted its tariff revision proposal on 24 Dec, 2025, despite more..

Jan 5 (Island) SL Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation (SLADC) has recorded its highest annual revenue since inception, earning Rs. 1,688 million in 2025, marking a historic milestone for the state-owned institution. The achievement was announced at a ceremony held at the Corporation’s premises, under the patronage of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, to mark the launch of seven new Ayurveda and herbal-based products. Minister also undertook an inspection tour of the Corporation’s production facilities. more..

Jan 5 (AD) The proposed education reforms will go ahead as planned, the Minister of Education PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has confirmed. PM Amarasuriya noted that with the commencement of the new academic year beginning today (5), the new curriculum is scheduled to begin for Grade 6 students on Jan 21 while for Grade 1 students’ new modules will be introduced from Jan 29. She made these remarks while attending a special media briefing on education reforms. more..