Jan 19 (FT) Magi Enterprises Lanka Ltd, is shaping the future of SL’s garment industry with a landmark investment and a bold vision for growth, marking its 10th anniversary with a major modernisation initiative and the laying of the foundation stone for a new factory complex. With the objective of strengthening the local economy and enhancing industrial capacity, the company is investing over AUD 12 million (around Rs. 2.4 billion) in advanced technology and infrastructure. more..

Jan 19 (FT) The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) 2025, held last week, celebrated forerunners that contribute as women-owned/women-led businesses in SL. The WCIC Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards is a flagship event organised annually by the WCIC as the national chamber for women in business to honour women entrepreneurs for their tenacity and vigour to drive businesses that contribute to more..

Jan 19 (HRW) SL govt’s proposed counterterrorism legislation includes numerous provisions similar to the current abusive law and risks facilitating the same kind of repression, Human Rights Watch said today. The bill does not meet benchmarks set out by the UN counterterrorism expert or comply with human rights obligations and commitments that SL made to the European Union to benefit from trade arrangements more..

Jan 19 (Island) During my visits to several schools in villages and nearby semi-urban areas, I encountered a troubling contradiction at the heart of science and mathematics education. These subjects—meant to explain the natural world and sharpen human reasoning—were being taught almost entirely without laboratories, experiments, or meaningful connections to everyday life. Classrooms were filled with definitions, formulas, and copied notes, while practical spaces remained locked, more..

Jan 19 (Island) Police did not breathalyse NPP MP Asoka Ranwala following a serious road accident he caused last month and went out of their way to ensure that he would not undergo a blood alcohol test until more than 12 hours had elapsed. But on Friday they swiftly administered a breath test on a driver who happened to ram his vehicle into a car driven by MP Ranwala’s wife on the Kelaniya-Biyagama road, and lost no time in declaring that he was drunk. Such is the selective efficiency more..

Jan 19 (TM) SL often trumpets our strategic location in the Indian Ocean as one of the island’s main advantages. However, as islanders, Sri Lankans have been lethargic about the massive ocean domain, with policy formulation and implementation regarding ocean affairs, often given a low priority by the Polity and the general public. This lack of affinity with the ocean around the island has long placed SL at a disadvantageous position and cost the island vital opportunities more..

Jan 19 (ST) The govt was forced to capitulate to rising public anger over the inclusion of an atrociously inappropriate weblink in the English module for Grade 6 children and withdraw the offensive book from the curriculum for 10- or 11-year-olds. Not even the sudden visit last week of PM Harini Amarasuriya, donning her Education Ministry hat and carrying with her a library of Grade 6 English modules, to explain to the Venerable Malwathu and Asgiri Mahanayaka Theras of Siam Nikaya more..

Jan 19 (SO) After a period marked by operational strain and eroding confidence among global shipping lines, the Colombo Port has staged a notable turnaround. A recalibrated strategy that prioritises Port-wide growth over internal competition, tighter service standards, and accelerated capacity expansion at State-run terminals has helped restore Colombo’s standing as a reliable regional hub. Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) more..

Jan 19 (CT) At a time when SL is trying to stabilise its economy and rebuild public trust, clarity in governance matters more than ever. That is why the recent claim by the Minister of Power and Energy — that contracts have been signed for 12,789 megawatts of power generation — has raised more questions than confidence. Energy planning is not an area where vague figures or sweeping statements can be brushed aside. It is a highly technical, long-term & capital-intensive more..

Jan 19 (SO) Over the past weeks, the Sri Lankan political stage and social media have been occupied by a singular incident, a technical error in the printing of the Grade 6 English textbook. While the investigation results are yet to be released, meaning it can only be identified as a technical glitch for now, this incident has opened the floodgates for cheap, opportunistic politics. For those seeking to profit from opportunism, this error is not merely an administrative lapse, more..

Jan 19 (TM) As the Central Province struggles to recover from the destruction left in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, reasoning for the long-contested Central Expressway Project is once again being questioned. Landslides, damaged roads, disrupted agriculture, and increasingly vulnerable hill country communities have exposed the region’s environmental sensitivity, prompting renewed questions about how – more..

Jan 19 (GV) A listener should have been pardoned for dismissing it as an AI-generated parody. Except that it wasn’t. Walawahangunawave Dhammarathana Thero, chief incumbent of the ancient Mihintale temple, did claim to have a special relationship with the US president. He has an inside track to Donald Trump and to Mark Zuckerberg, the monk said, via a child known to him who studying in England, in Cambridge. The monk went on to reveal that this child was instrumental in reducing more..

Jan 19 (DM) It is reported that a Trial-at-Bar is being contemplated in respect of allegations against former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding misuse of state resources for a visit to a British university on his return from attending sessions of the UN in New York and an official visit to Cuba. If this is correct, it would make legal history in our country, because there has been no previous instance of the procedure of a Trial-at- Bar being invoked against a former Head of State. more..

Jan 18 (ST) A week is a long time in politics is a famous phrase attributed to former UK PM Harold Wilson. This week’s decision by the govt to partially postpone its chaotic and scandal-plagued education reforms showed just how true that statement is. In the face of relentless pressure, an all-powerful govt with an overwhelming two-thirds parliamentary majority and an executive presidency was nevertheless forced to walk back, more..

Jan 18 (AD) The demerit points system for drivers who violate traffic laws is scheduled to be implemented from the end of July, according to DIG of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W.P.J. Senadheera. The DIG made this statement while attending a workshop held in Kegalle with the participation of police officers. He explained that the demerit points system will be introduced alongside the islandwide implementation of GovPay fine payment system. more..

Jan 18 (ST) The probe into allegations that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe misused Rs. 16.6 million in state funds during a visit to the UK to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony at the Uni of Wolverhampton has been placed under the direct supervision of Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne. To supervise the investigation, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has appointed Mr Dayaratne, who is the head of the Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Department. more..

Jan 18 (ST) Teacher and principal unions, as well as educators, have called on the govt to reconsider whether the Grade 6 modules are to be used or an entirely new module should be introduced. This comes after the unions held a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday. Union representatives agreed reforms are imperative, but that what had been introduced is not what they desired. more..

Jan 18 (NW) A massive natural purple star sapphire discovered in SL has been formally introduced into the global scientific and cultural record, with experts describing it as the largest documented gemstone of its kind in the world. Known as the Star of Pure Land, the gemstone weighs 3,536 carats and was presented at a briefing in Colombo on Saturday. It has been certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and independently documented by the Lanka Gemological Laboratory, more..

Jan 18 (ST) Sheraton Colombo hotel premises and its properties are to be sold by public auction following a default in making payments on loans obtained from two commercial banks. But the hotel owner states that negotiations are currently underway with the banks. People’s Bank and NDB have announced, in newspaper advertisements, the sale by public auction of the property and premises of the Sheraton Colombo owned by Lanka Hotels and Residencies as a result of the default in more..

Jan 18 (NW) Legal action has been initiated against SL’s newly appointed Hajj Committee, with a statutorily recognised association of tour operators challenging the handling of arrangements for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. All Ceylon Hajj Tour Operators Association (ACHTOA) has filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal, alleging that the committee has deviated from Hajj Guidelines approved by the Supreme Court. The petition registered as CA/Writ 007/2026, seeks more..

Jan 18 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed that the ongoing education reform process will proceed without hindrance, emphasizing that the govt has not taken a single step back from implementing transformative changes in the education sector. PM stated that the reform plans already launched will be implemented as intended. She noted that the education reform initiative is designed as a long-term process, with continuous efforts underway to improve infrastructure more..

Jan 18 (TM) Overseas laboratories have responded positively to inquiries made by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) on testing withdrawn batches of the medicinal drug ondansetron, with discussions on moving forward with the testing currently underway. The NMRA suspended four batches of ondansetron on 12 December 2025 due to concerns raised over quality following adverse reactions. more..

Jan 18 (Island) The SL Embassy in Beijing together with Beijing Capital Airlines last week organized a destination promotion event and announced the launch the Capital Airlines direct flights from Beijing to Colombo. While congratulating Beijing Capital Airlines for expanding the connectivity between Beijing and Colombo, SL Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries and the significance of strengthening connectivity more..

Jan 18 (AD) NPP MP Asoka Ranwala’s wife has been hospitalized following a car accident, Biyagama Police said. The accident occurred last night (16) near the MP’s residence along the Kelaniya–Biyagama Road. Police said the incident took place while MP Ranwala’s wife was trying to park her car inside their residence, when another motor vehicle traveling from Kelaniya collided with her car. A police officer on night security duty at the MP’s residence informed the police about more..

Jan 18 (AD) Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni have paid a visit to the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters and received their blessings. The ministers inquired on the wellbeing of the Mahanayake Theros and held discussions on the activities of the Ministry as well as current issues. During the discussions, Minister briefed the Mahanayake Theros on the islandwide programme to establish Arogya Suwatha Centres (Health & Wellness Centres). more..

Jan 18 (SO) The most critical interim findings of the internal investigation into the controversial Grade Six English language module, which included a disputed domain name, are expected to be submitted to the Education and Higher Education Ministry’s senior leadership within the next three to five days. Deputy Education and Higher Education Minister Madhura Senviratna said that stern disciplinary action will be taken against all those responsible for the drafting, approval, printing and distribution more..

Jan 18 (TM) An internal investigation has been initiated within the CEB to examine the circumstances under which a disputed consignment of coal has been used at the Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) Coal Power Plant, according to Ministry of Energy Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala. He said that the inquiry report was expected within about a week, and that the issue was not linked to fraud. The internal probe was instead focused on more..

Jan 18 (ST) Viran Chamuditha and Dimantha Mahavithana produced a batting master-class for the ages as they rewrote Youth ODI history with a record opening stand of 328 at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Windhoek, that helped them beat Japan by 203 runs. Japan captain Kazuma Kato-Stafford’s decision to field first quickly unravelled as Sri Lanka’s openers seized complete control from the outset. Chamuditha and Mahavithana combined authority with restraint, power with patience, more..

Jan 18 (Island) Champion leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is expected to be available for the series against England that gets underway next week despite travelling to Singapore for a medical checkup. Hasaranga, world’s number two ranked bowler in T20Is, starred in Sri Lanka’s recent 14 run win over Pakistan that helped them to square the three match T20I series. The wrist-spinner took four wickets in the game and was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series. more..

Jan 18 (TM) More than 1,500 containers of imported salt remain stuck at SL’s ports after importers violated a gazette-mandated import deadline, with SL Customs and the Ministry of Trade both maintaining that the consignments cannot be released under existing law and must instead be re-exported, unless legally deemed abandoned under port regulations. SL Customs Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa said that more..

Jan 18 (SO) In a dramatic turn of events, Prabash Silva from the Navy SC stole the limelight as he clinched the second stage of the inaugural Lanka Ride Cycle Race from Gannoruwa to A'pura yesterday. The 29-year-old cyclist from Negombo, who failed to make an impact on the opening day, made amends for that setback as he powered his way to claim top honours ahead of today’s final showdown from A'pura to Colombo. Prabash had a disappointing first stage from Colombo more..

Jan 18 (ST) CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe this week allayed fears in SL, which he blamed on the media, about the foreign debt repayment schedule being affected. The schedule for repayments starts from 2028 onwards. “There is no repayment problem as projected in the media. We cannot delay repayment of loans,” he said, adding: “The reason we have financial literacy programmes for journalists is to arm them with technical knowledge to question such pronouncements more..