Jan 5 (FT) Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that a series of tax increases on SL’s betting and gaming sector came into effect from 1 Jan, following amendments to the Betting and Gaming Levy Act, No. 40 of 1988, under the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amd) Act, No. 25 of 2025. Under the revised framework, the Casino Entrance Levy (CEL) was doubled from $ 50 to $ 100 per entrant. “Every person who carries on the business of gaming in SL shall collect a CEL of $ 100 more..

Jan 5 (TM) Dept of Labour has strengthened its online complaint management system as part of its efforts to act against companies that fail to properly credit Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contributions, stated the Ministry of Labour. Ministry Secretary, S.M. Piyatissa said that employees could now file complaints directly through the Labour Department’s website, adding that complainants who provide contact details would also be informed of the action taken against defaulting employers. more..

Jan 5 (DM) Continuing the gun-related violence that plagued SL throughout 2025, New Year began with a fatal shooting allegedly linked to rival underworld groups. A 20-year-old youth was shot dead, and two others were injured on New Year’s night while attending a New Year’s party at a rented house in Nawagamuwa. SL experienced a significant surge in gun-related violence in 2025, surpassing the previous year in both the number of incidents more..

Jan 5 (AD) Chief of the Army Staff of India General Upendra Dwivedi is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on Jan 7, the Indian Defence Ministry has announced. During his two-day visit, Gen Dwivedi will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the SL Army, Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary, and hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building and regional security. more..

Jan 5 (Island) Sprinters Chamod Yodasinghe and Amasha de Silva claimed the 60m titles as the likes of Nimali Liyanarachchi and Lakshika Sugandi remained unchallenged in their respective pet events at the season opening National Short Track Championship held at the Sugathadasa Stadium 200 metres track on Saturday. Yodasinghe blazed to a 6.68 s finish to win the men’s 60 m final while Amasha clocked 7.55 s to win the women’s event after returning a time of 7.58 s in the heats. more..

Jan 5 (AD) Police have informed that former Minister Johnston Fernando has been instructed to appear before the FCID today (5), and that if he fails to do so, a warrant will be obtained from court to arrest him. Investigations have already been initiated to arrest the former minister in connection with allegations that financial losses were caused to the govt through the misuse of a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa. Meanwhile, former Transport Manager of Sathosa, Indika Ratnamalala, more..

Jan 5 (ST) Attorney General has informed the CID to submit extracts of further investigations conducted by a CID team which travelled to the UK as part of the probe into the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 16.6 million by former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe. AG has informed this in writing to the CID’s Director through a letter signed by Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera. AG has requested the extracts to act in accordance with the order issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. more..

Jan 5 (TM) There are no plans to impose additional restrictions or introduce new tax measures specifically targeting vehicle imports, Treasury Deputy Secretary Ananda Seneviratne said, amid speculation that fiscal and external sector pressures could prompt fresh curbs. He said: “Vehicles already attract the highest levels of taxation in the country and so excessive taxes could become counterproductive. more..

Jan 5 (CT) Indika Rathnamalala, former Transport Manager of Sathosa, was arrested by officers of the FCID at a tourist hotel in Unawatuna, Galle. He had held the position during the tenure of Johnston Fernando as Co-operative and Internal Trade Minister under the regime of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. The son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, Yohan Fernando, was arrested by FCID on 30 Dec on charges of allegedly causing losses to Govt by using a lorry belonging to Sathosa more..

Jan 5 (DN) In a performance that will echo through SL swimming for years, Rushalee Dissanayake of Musaeus College Colombo delivered one of the greatest junior displays ever seen at the HNB National and Junior National Short Course Swimming Championship 2025. The 14-year-old swept to the Junior National crown with a stunning nine gold medals and a record-breaking 11 Junior National Short Course marks at the five-day meet organised by SL Aquatic Sports Union and more..

Jan 5 (FT) FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 was officially inaugurated on Saturday at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, marking a significant milestone for Asia’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition. Ministers Vijitha Herath and Sunil Handunneththi officiated at the opening of the three-day event, which concludes today. The Ministers’ presence underscores the national and international importance of FACETS as SL’s foremost more..

Jan 5 (AD) All schools are scheduled to commence the first phase of the first term of the 2026 academic year today. Accordingly, Ministry of Education stated that govt and govt-approved private schools, and pirivenas will resume academic activities from today. It was further reported that the first term of the 2026 academic year will be implemented in line with the circular issued on Dec 9, 2025. Ministry of Education had taken steps to conclude the 2025 academic year for for Sinhala & Tamil schools on Dec 22, more..

Jan 5 (FT) Private sector lending rates remained elevated in 2025 as demand for credit improved even as returns on bank fixed deposits declined in line with benchmark Treasury Bill rates. While the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reduced its policy corridor by 25 basis points (bps) during 2025, the Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPLR) of the commercial banking sector increased by 17 bps year-on-year (YoY) to 9.07% in the week ending 2 January. In contrast, more..

Jan 5 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers approved the continuation of the Suraksha Student Insurance Program for the 2025–2026 academic year, along with a series of amendments to expand coverage and improve access. The Education, Higher Education & Vocational Education Ministry has strengthened the Suraksha Student Insurance Program through a new agreement with SL Insurance Corporation, aiming to ensure that students can continue their education more..

Jan 5 (FT) Flash Health, a Sri Lankan healthtech startup building cashless, on-demand outpatient care, has raised a $200,000 seed round led by nVentures, with participation from angel investors across Sri Lanka, Singapore, and the US. The funding comes as Flash Health expands its footprint across insurers, large employers, and healthcare providers, positioning itself as one of the country’s most widely adopted digital outpatient platforms addressing everyday healthcare needs. more..

Jan 5 (FT) Foreign investor participation in SL’s Govt securities rebounded strongly in 2025, reversing a sharp contraction a year earlier, while the overall stock of domestic debt continued to rise, driven by increased Treasury Bond issuance. Latest data indicate that Govt’s financing strategy in 2025 continued to tilt toward longer-tenor instruments, while improving market conditions supported a renewed inflow of foreign more..

Jan 5 (CT) Six Ministers of the NPP govt being subjected vigorous and aggressive investigation and being treated as any other common wrong-doer is a noteworthy step forward for a small country whose topnotch politicians were running riot a couple of decades ago. Allegations can be made against any power-holder. But proof of such wrongs being committed by any person in white-collar crimes does not need to be shown beyond a reasonable doubt. Legal pundits would pen the situation in more..

Jan 5 (ST) JVP led NPP Govt’s draft Protection of the State against Terrorism Act (PSTA) law rebuts the easy defence of apologists that the Govt is more sinned against rather than being an active sinner (as such). Put unapologetically and with the utmost gravity that the matter merits, the draft PSTA’s skillfully inserted albeit monstrous revisions cannot be viewed in a benevolent light notwithstanding the bright glow of Christmas cheer, another New Year and all that. more..

Jan 5 (Island) The US was once known as the self-proclaimed global policeman. It has since graduated from that role and appointed itself as an international prosecutor, judge and executioner. On Friday night, it carried out a daring operation in Caracas, captured Venezuelan Prez Nicolás Maduro, 63, and his wife and took them to New York, where they are to be tried for narco-terrorism among other things. The US reportedly deployed 150 aircraft, including bombers, helicopter gunships, more..

Jan 5 (Island) Yet again, deaths caused by questionable quality pharmaceuticals are in the news. As someone who had worked in this industry for decades, it is painful to see the way Sri Lankans must face this tragedy repeatedly when standard methods for avoiding them are readily available. An article appeared in this paper (Island 2025/12/31) explaining in detail the technicalities involved in safeguarding the nation’s pharmaceutical supply. However, having dealt with both Western and more..

Jan 5 (TM) The long-delayed billion-rupee Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal and pipeline project off Kerawalapitiya, which was finalised last year to be awarded to a Chinese contractor, is now facing cancellation, with the decision expected to be communicated to the Cabinet shortly. Energy Ministry is planning to shift away from LNG towards battery-powered Renewable Energy (RE), it is learnt. Although the contract was awarded last year, more..

Jan 5 (TM) For many Sri Lankans, Cyclone Ditwah already feels like yesterday’s news. Another disaster filed away in the collective memory, mentioned briefly in passing conversations before daily life resumes as if nothing happened. This national habit of moving on quickly is often treated with humour, even pride. We tell ourselves we are resilient, that we endure and survive. Yet, beneath this easy optimism lies a dangerous flaw. Our ability to forget is also our greatest weakness. more..

Jan 5 (DM) There is a quiet anger spreading across much of the world. It is not the loud kind that fills streets with protests, but a deeper, more painful frustration felt by ordinary people who are watching global justice collapse under the weight of hypocrisy. At the centre of this failure stands the United Nations, an institution created to protect humanity, now increasingly exposed as one that protects power instead. For Sri Lankans, this hypocrisy is not theoretical. It is personal. more..

Jan 5 (CT) In the wake of the Ditwah disaster and ongoing challenges in SL’s health sector, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, shares insights on disaster response, medicine shortages, the quality of healthcare, and efforts to strengthen the system. In this interview, he addresses the Govt’s strategies, lessons learned from past crises, and the steps being taken to ensure better health services more..

Jan 5 (CT) SL’s latest education reforms, spearheaded by PM Harini Amarasuriya and her Ministry of Education, have been billed as a bold attempt to modernise our school system. At first glance, the rhetoric sounds appealing: a shift towards a learning-centred model, a break from rote memorisation, and a curriculum that supposedly primes students for the real world. Yet as these reforms inch closer to full implementation in 2026, what we see unfolding is less a measured more..

Jan 5 (DM) Prevention of Terrorism Act, No. 48 of 1979, (PTA), has been vigorously assailed for 45 years as the anchor of a legislative regime which is destructive of basic political and civil rights. It has gained ignominy as an instrument for denial of justice in diverse contexts and also placed in jeopardy, internationally, the prestige of our country as a vibrant democracy. There have been legislative interventions from time to time by Act No. 10 of 1982 and Act No. 22 of 1988. more..

JJan 4 (ST) PM Harini Amarasuirya, who is also the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, was to kick off the first phase of the NPP govt’s much-hyped educational reforms with a bang later this month, but instead, the whole process is now under public scrutiny and snowballing into a major controversy after the publication in the Grade Six English Language module textbook of a web address which more..

Jan 4 (ST) Dept of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) has reportedly announced its intention to award the tender for a Rs. 5.5bn contract to personalise its upcoming e-passport consignments. While the name of the winning bidder has not been publicly released, authoritative sources revealed it to be Thales DIS Finland OY and its Sri Lankan partner, Just In Time (JIT) Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. The procurement appeals process will begin next week, where unsuccessful parties will challenge the award. more..

Jan 4 (AD) Despite the severe impact of Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka recorded a notable economic recovery in 2025, marking a significant turnaround following the country’s recent economic crisis. With the support of the IMF, SL entered 2025 with a renewed focus on restoring macroeconomic stability. Key economic indicators released for the year reflect substantial progress across multiple sectors. Tax revenue, the primary component of govt income, reached a historic high in 2025. more..

Jan 4 (AFP) President Donald Trump said yesterday that US forces had captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. This image posted on Trump's Truth Social account yesterday show Maduro handcuffed onboard the USS Iwo Jima after US military captured him. more..

Jan 4 (ST) A golden handshake worth Rs 11.554 billion for workers choosing voluntary early exit will be funded by raising electricity tariffs from January to March, CEB has proposed to the regulator. This generous payout, offered as a part of the CEB carve-out, is for 2,158 employees. Some staff could be eligible for up to Rs 5m. The minimum is Rs 900,000. CEB has proposed to the PUCSL that voluntary retirement payments are to be funded through the first tariff revision this year. more..

Jan 4 (NW) The international gem and jewellery exhibition, FACETS Sri Lanka – 2026, was officially inaugurated today (3) at the Cinnamon Life Hotel in Colombo, under the patronage of Ministers Sunil Handunnetti and Vijitha Herath. Organized jointly by the SL Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), National Gem and Jewellery Authority, and Export Development Board (EDB), the three-day exhibition will run from today until January 5. Now in its 32nd edition, FACETS Sri Lanka is more..