Feb 2 (DM) The social media hype over the latest leaked video incident relating to a student and teachers of a prominent school in Colombo has been described as harmful and unhealthy. The extent to which social media page admins had gone to create memes, cartoons and other material by extracting videos and photos of victims highlights the need for stringent laws to safeguard victims who face online violence and harassment. more..

Feb 2 (Island) Plantation companies are expected to spend more than 6 billion rupees to fund their share of a landmark wage increase for estate workers, largest in the sector’s 200-year history. Govt on Friday signed an agreement with regional plantation companies to raise the daily wage of plantation workers from Rs. 1,350 to Rs 1,750. Under the deal, companies will contribute Rs 200 per worker a day, with the govt providing the remaining Rs 200. The revised wage will take effect on 10 Feb. more..

Feb 2 (NW) The govt is committed to removing settlements encroaching on tank reserves to protect the country’s irrigation systems, Minister K. D. Lal Kantha said, emphasizing a firm stance despite protests and political pressure. Speaking at the launch of a cascade management committee handbook under the World Bank–funded Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project, Lal Kantha said encroachments remain the main obstacle in renovating and protecting tank reserves and more..

Feb 2 (DM) A total of 49 prisoners are eligible to benefit from a special Presidential Pardon, which will take effect on Feb 4, in view of the 78th National Independence Day, Prisons Commissioner A.C. Gajanayake said. He said the special pardon has been granted by the President under the powers vested in him by Article 34 of the Constitution. Under the terms of the pardon, eligible prisoners will receive a one-week reduction of their sentence for every year of imprisonment already served. more..

Feb 2 (NW) A series of immediate steps to secure and integrate a vast quartz deposit in Kotikambokka, Monaragala district, into the national economy is underway, following a field visit to the area, Minister Sunil Handuneththi said. Preliminary scientific assessments estimate the deposit at approximately 0.31 million metric tons, spanning an area of about 700 meters. The Kotikambokka quartz deposit is considered one of SL’s most significant untapped mineral resources, minister said. more..

Feb 2 (TM) Govt of India has proposed a total of 4 billion Indian Rupees in grants and loans to SL through the 2026/27 Budget. India’s annual budget made a fresh bet on the country’s manufacturing sector as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid out priorities for Asia’s third-biggest economy and pledged to accelerate growth amid a volatile global environment. The budget for the next fiscal year will focus on structural reforms more..

Feb 2 (DM) Shiranthi Rajapaksa and SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa have been summoned to appear before law enforcement authorities tomorrow. Shiranthi is required to appear before the FCID at 9:30 a.m., while Namal is instructed to appear before the CID on the same day. The latest summons were issued after Shiranthi Rajapaksa failed to appear on a previously scheduled date. Shiranthi Rajapaksa had earlier been summoned to provide a statement before the FCID on Jan 27. more..

Feb 2 (FT) The US dollar index, coded DXY, stood at 98.59 in December 2025. The decline in the index refers to a depreciation of the dollar and an increase, the opposite. Thus, the level at end-2025 recorded a depreciation of the currency by 11% from its high level of 111.21 in 1971 and 38% from the peak of 158.49 in 1985. When President Donald Trump assumed his second term in January 2025, designated as Trump 2.0, the index value was 108.2 as shown in Figure I. more..

Feb 2 (CT) Eight recognised political parties had failed to appoint a duly recognised General Secretary, and must urgently resolve the issue before the next election, Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said. Rathnayake warned that if these disputes were not settled in advance, the affected parties would be unable to submit nomination papers or field candidates at the next election. more..

Feb 2 (CT) The inaugural ceremony of a model new constitutional reform process, initiated with the participation of a panel of constitutional experts, is scheduled to be held on 3 Feb at the BMICH. Professor Deepika Udagama is to deliver the keynote address at the event, for which five former Presidents have been invited. The programme also includes a panel discussion representing diverse perspectives on constitutional reform. The panel comprises Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, more..

Feb 2 (CT) Internal sources indicated that the SL Human Rights Commission’s independent investigation report on the persons affected by Cyclone Ditwah would have to be released initially in English. The same sources stressed that a shortage of translators had been a major factor contributing to delays in publishing many reports in the State languages, Sinhala and Tamil. This situation had also significantly affected the availability of certain documents on Human Rights Commission’s more..

Feb 2 (NW) Beijing Capital Airlines marked a significant milestone today in strengthening air connectivity between China and Sri Lanka with the inauguration of its direct flight service from Beijing Daxing International Airport to BIA, Colombo. The inaugural flight was welcomed in Colombo with an official ceremony at BIA, attended by key representatives from the aviation, tourism, and diplomatic sectors. The newly launched service will operate two weekly flights, more..

Feb 2 (DM) The exposition of sacred relics of the Buddha brought from the Indian state of Gujarat is to be conducted between February 4 and 11 at the historic Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. The Exposition will be conducted around the clock in order for a maximum number of devotees to venerate them. This was decided at a special meeting held at the Colombo District Secretariat under the auspices of PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Chief Prelate of the Gangaramaya Temple more..

Feb 2 (AD) The suspended Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff, Chaminda Kularatne has arrived at the CIABOC to lodge a complaint. According to Chaminda Kularatne, the complaint will be lodged against the Speaker of House, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Speaking to media on behalf of Chaminda Kularatne, attorney Mithun Dias stated that the complaint is not directed against the govt. more..

Feb 2 (DM) The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered the CID to arrest and produce before court Shamindra Rajapaksa, the youngest son of former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, in connection with a magisterial inquiry into alleged financial fraud relating to the purchase of 14 Airbus aircraft for Sri Lankan Airlines. Meanwhile, the CID has named Shamindra Rajapaksa as the third suspect in the case. Former Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena & his wife, Priyanka more..

Feb 2 (NW) A large protest was held in Vavuniya today opposing the govt’s decision to resume the Kivul Oya Reservoir Development Project. A large number of residents gathered to voice their concerns, with MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and other representatives meeting officials to warn the Divisional Secretary of Nedunkerny about the potential consequences of proceeding with the project. Rasamanickam urged the District Secretary to relay a message to the President, more..

Feb 2 (EN) Revenue collected by SL Customs in Jan 2025 has exceeded the target by 45% or 72.3 billion rupees. Custom’s January revenue target has been set 160.2 billion rupees. But the revenue collecting body has collected 232.6 billion rupees, exceeding the target by 45% in the month. Customs has been accelerating container clearance since last month after Ditwah devastation hit usual activities more..

Feb 2 (NW) Chinthaka Hewapathirana of the National People’s Power (NPP) was elected Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha on Monday securing 22 votes in favour and 21 against. The vote followed a period of political uncertainty at the local authority after the former chairman, who was from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), was murdered, leaving the leadership position vacant. At the time of the previous administration, the SJB had held control of the Pradeshiya Sabha. more..

Feb 2 (AD) The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered that the drug stock worth over Rs. 03 billion, recently seized by the Sri Lanka Navy and brought to Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour, be referred to the Govt Analyst for examination and to call for an analytical report. The 263 kilogram narcotics haul, recovered from the possession of eleven fishermen, was presented before the court by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) under tight security, Ada Derana reporter said. more..

Feb 2 (FT) It begins the same way, every time. An adult man records intimate videos without consent. A woman pauses, unaware that the camera captures a private moment. This footage, originally meant to remain private, is uploaded onto social media. Within minutes, screenshots multiply across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook,and Telegram. By the next day, hundreds had seen it.Dozens have shared it. In a culture where social media attention equates to social power, the humiliation is amplified. more..

Feb 2 (NW) Sri Lanka’s Protection of Occupants Bill, 2025 marks a significant shift in landlord–tenant law. Its core objective is to prevent unlawful evictions and to ensure that disputes relating to possession are resolved strictly through court process. The Bill is well-intentioned and socially protective in design. However, it also raises important legal and constitutional implications. Under section 2, the Bill applies to an occupant who is in lawful occupation of premises and more..

Feb 2 (DM) In the wake of recent global market trends where gold prices climbed past the USD 5,500 per ounce mark, the SL domestic gold market is currently sustained largely through auctions of pawned jewellery conducted by banks and financial institutions, as commercial gold imports have virtually halted due to prohibitive import duties. This change in the local supply chain comes amid significant fluctuations in the global market. more..

Feb 2 (TM) The rollout of education reforms for Grade One has so far proceeded smoothly, with no issues reported from education zones across the country. Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said that it was only a few days since the new reforms were implemented and the Ministry was not informed of any problematic situations. “Education zones have not reported any concerns related to the process. Few typing errors were identified in some materials at initial stage, more..

Feb 2 (Island) Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, for the 7th consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years. Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with Prez. more..

Feb 2 (TM) The GMOA has warned that it would intensify its ongoing trade union action from today by withdrawing from providing cover-up services in several hospital units across the country. GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya said that although doctors are expected to receive a stipulated percentage as payment for cover-up services, those providing such services have not been paid at all. more..

Feb 2 (DM) A special Gazette notification has been issued, declaring several services such as supply of electricity, distribution of fuel and hospital services as essential services. Gazette notification has been issued by the Prez by virtue of the powers vested in him in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979. Accordingly, following services have been declared as assential. 1. All services connected to the supply of electricity. 2. Supply or distribution of fuel, including more..

Feb 2 (AD) The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) says that none of its members will engage in the trade union action to be staged by doctors from tomorrow. The association’s spokesperson, Dr. Ashoka Gunaratne, stated that its members will continue to carry out duties as usual tomorrow (02). Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) had announced that it will intensify its trade union action from tomorrow, protesting the govt’s failure to respond positively to its demands. more..

Feb 2 (FT) A Gazette notification has been issued permitting the employment of women as janitorial and food service attendants during night-time hours, following amendments to the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act. The regulations were issued by Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando through an amendment to the Act, expanding the categories of work women may undertake during night hours. Under the previous framework, more..

Feb 2 (ST) Attorney General’s Department Legal Officers’ Association has unanimously passed a resolution taking notice and expressing grave concern over the recent vituperative, unfounded, repeated personal attacks on Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. The resolution—adopted on Friday by the association under its president, Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon, and secretary, Senior State Counsel Mihiri De Alwis—states the attacks are clearly indicative of more..

Feb 2 (FT) The current account reached a $ 1.7 billion surplus in 2025, up 43.8% from a year ago on record workers’ remittances and higher services inflows despite a widening trade deficit. The current account maintained a surplus for the second consecutive month amounting to $ 45.2 million in Dec 2025, although declining from $ 81.7 million in Nov 2025. Sri Lanka maintained a current account surplus for much of 2025, more..

Feb 2 (DM) Knuckles’ Riverston tourist zone, a designated World Heritage area, has been reopened to local and foreign tourists under strict restrictions following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, Matale District Secretary, Prasanna Madanayake, said. Decision was taken at Matale District Coordinating Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Dy Minister Gamage Dissanayake. Access to Riverston has been restored only for light vehicles as a precautionary measure more..

Feb 2 (Island) When a man’s house was flattened by a falling tree, the case was taken before King Kekille. In his wisdom, Kekille ruled that the owner of the tree was not at fault, but the man who planted it. He then went further down the rabbit hole, blaming the seller of the seed, producing a chain of logic so absurd it has lived on in folklore. SL’s national selection panel has now offered a modern-day re-enactment of that farce. Barely a fortnight ago, Dhananjaya de Silva could do no wrong more..