Jan 22 (TM) A letter to the Police from the Citizens of the People’s Struggle organisation, alleging a Fundamental Rights (FR) violation by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a recent statement in Jaffna, is currently under review by the CID. In the letter, the group has requested from the police the assurance of security and safety for the Buddhists residing in the North. ASP F.U. Wootler confirmed the Police had directed the said letter to the CID and the matter is under investigation. more..

Jan 22 (FT) Nations Trust Bank (NTB) has secured a debt financing package of up to $ 70 million from World Bank Group’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to support the recovery of small businesses which were disproportionately affected by Sri Lanka’s multiple crises. This is the IFC’s first debt transaction in SL’s financial sector since the 2022 financial crisis. The investment forms part of the IFC’s longstanding partnership with NTB, more..

Jan 22 (TM) In the wake of revelations that nearly 23% of SL’s employed population could see their jobs affected by Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), Labour Ministry stated the issue would be discussed with the relevant stakeholders including the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC). Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said that while no specific discussions have taken place on the matter yet, it will be taken up with more..

Jan 22 (TM) CBL Group, a SL diversified food manufacturing conglomerate, announced its acquisition of PT Tri Jaya Tangguh Indonesia (TJT), a large coconut processing facility, with an investment of over $ 25 million. TJT has a workforce of over 800 employees. The investment was supported by the Int'l Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. “This acquisition is a strategic step in increasing capacity and enabling geographic risk mitigation, more..

Jan 22 (FT) Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide has said it is in discussions with a strategic investor in the jewellery industry as part of efforts to restore its capital position, after its net assets fell below the statutory threshold defined under the Companies Act. The company said the Board has determined that it has incurred a serious loss of capital, triggering the requirement to formally notify shareholders and convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), which was held yesterday. more..

Jan 22 (DN) Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, will look to build momentum ahead of the World Cup when they take on England in the first ODI of a 3-match series today at the R.Premadasa Stadium, with the match scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM. The series will be played for the Damro Trophy, with Damro continuing as title sponsor as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. The company’s long-standing commitment to Sri Lanka cricket, more..

Jan 22 (DM) Sri Lanka’s banks must rethink how they deploy capital, moving beyond a narrow focus on immediate financial returns to a “return on learning” approach that prioritises experimentation, data capability and long-term resilience, CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said, as climate risks and digital disruption increasingly shape financial sustainability. Dr. Weerasinghe noted that traditional return on investment (ROI) metrics are no longer sufficient in a financial system more..

Jan 22 (FT) The Govt has placed micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) as a key pillar of its economic recovery and stabilisation strategy, with a sweeping set of financial interventions rolling out to address longstanding funding constraints, post-crisis stress, and disaster-related disruptions. Through the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry, it has intensified efforts to expand concessional lending, strengthen credit guarantees, and introduce relief mechanisms more..

Jan 22 (CT) SL’s chances of advancing to the semi-finals of the SAFF Futsal Tournament 2026 suffered a major blow after they were comprehensively beaten 5-1 by Bangladesh in a Group encounter played in Bangkok. Bangladesh showcased their attacking strength and tactical discipline to secure a convincing victory. Bangladesh drew first blood early in the match when Md Rahbar Wahed Khan opened the scoring in the 4th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse to put his side ahead. more..

Jan 22 (TM) Environment Ministry is preparing to consider policy changes to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, following discussions at the International Parliamentary Roundtable Discussion on Human-Wildlife Coexistence held in Gaborone, Botswana. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody stated that as the said conference did not identify any long-term solution to eradicate the human-elephant conflict (HEC), the focus has shifted toward mitigating the gravity of the issue. more..

Jan 22 (ST) A wide gap between wholesale and retail vegetable prices is currently being observed. While wholesale prices continue to drop at sourcing hubs, retail prices remain high by the time the produce reaches the consumer. Consumers said that when the vegetables reach the people the prices are high. Factors of demand and supply, transportation, intervention of middle men as well as tactics more..

Jan 22 (Island) We express our profound concern and deep outrage at the vulgar, misogynistic, and defamatory attacks being directed at PM and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Dr. Amarasuriya is not merely a political leader; she is a scholar, public intellectual, and lifelong advocate of social justice, equality, and education. Attempts to discredit her through personal abuse rather than reasoned policy debate are not only an insult to her, but an assault on democratic values, more..

Jan 22 (Island) Former South Korean PM Han Duck-soo was yesterday sentenced to 23 years in prison for aiding and abetting the insurrection of the impeached former Prez Yoon Suk-yeol in 2024. The court confirmed that Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law on 3 Dec, 2024 constituted an insurrection aimed at subverting the constitutional order. It pointed out that Han had helped provide a procedural facade of legitimacy for the illegal martial law by holding an unlawful Cabinet meeting. more..

Jan 22 (TM) As the globe transitions through a period of flux, Canadian PM Mark Carney’s address at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos may be remembered as a historic statement of fact about the changing world order. Carney stated what many in the Global South knew for a long time, and the collective West opted not to acknowledge it thus far. That the so-called rules-based order the world enjoyed post-Cold War was but a farce. While Europe and the blighted more..

Jan 22 (ST) Before aiming for a phenomenal 3 million tourist arrivals this year, as promised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, shouldn’t we consider whether the carrying capacity – the number of tourists that the country can cater to, based on its resources – is adequate? This was the discussion I had with Ruwanputha, a young economist, when he called on Thursday morning. “Are we going too fast in speeding up tourist arrivals,” he asked. more..

Jan 22 (TM) The 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service, established under the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation Act No.18 of 2018, has become a central component of SL’s emergency healthcare system, providing free islandwide pre-hospital care. First 1990 ambulance was launched in Hambantota on 27 July 2016 with the support of a grant from the Govt of India. Operating under the Health Ministry, the service provides rapid access to emergency more..

Jan 22 (GV) Gammaduwa is among the most beautiful and remote villages I have visited. Its very soil has provided for the cultivation of tea, cinnamon, cardamon and pepper. The fresh air we breathed, the fresh water we sipped and dipped in and the fresh food we enjoyed are fresh in my memory. The walks for miles and miles amid the green and beautiful scenery was enjoyable despite the steep hills. The beauty and freshness could still be seen and felt when I visited Gammaduwa again on more..

Jan 22 (DM) The following anecdote should interest Sri Lankans who want to mimic Singapore but are unwilling to accept the trade-offs that come with it. Last week, the PM of Singapore stripped the opposition leader, Pritam Singh, of his ceremonial title after the court found him lying to Parliament. Mr. Singh, who heads the Centre-Left Workers Party, was found guilty of lying under oath to a Parliamentary committee during a probe into former MP Raeesah Khan. more..

Jan 22 (SO) The NPP-led Govt, which repealed special perks for former Presidents in Sept 2025, has moved to repeal the Parliamentary Pensions Law, No, 1 of 1977 to abolish the MPs’ pensions. This is likely to pass soon. The sequence aligns with the NPP’s policy manifesto, which explicitly pledged to abolish post-Presidential and MPs’ perks and pension privileges. Govt gazetted the Bill titled the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Act of 2026 more..

Jan 22 (CT) The decision to raise the national minimum wage in the private sector from Rs 27,000 to Rs 30,000, effective 1 January 2026, marks more than a numerical adjustment. It is a statement of intent at a time when the dignity of work, the sanctity of lawful employment and the survival of household economies remain under severe strain. Announced under the National Minimum Wage of Employees (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2025, the revision also raises the daily wage to Rs 1,200, reinforcing more..

Jan 22 (DM) During his recent visit to Jaffna, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted actions of Sinhala-Buddhist extremists. He said that some would pass by the Sri Maha Bodhi and observe sil in the North, but these actions are done with an intention of spreading hate. He said that people were left without houses, their loved ones, much loved belongings and property in the aftermath of the war. Therefore, SL doesn’t need another war or bloody racial tensions fueled by extremist agendas. more..

Jan 21 (AD) The Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) in Batticaloa has stated that dengue fever is spreading rapidly across the district following the recent floods and monsoon rainfall. Health authorities have identified a significant increase in dengue patients in several Divisional Secretariat areas of the Batticaloa district, prompting intensified inspections. As part of these efforts, health officials have conducted multiple raids in affected areas. more..

Jan 21 (EN) Central Bank will provide a report on achieving below 2% inflation in the first and second quarter of 2025, missing its controversial 5% inflation floor, a govt statement said. The cabinet had approved presenting the report to the Parliament through the Finance Minister. The central bank had generated -1.1% average inflation in the second quarter of 2025 and 0.8% in the third quarter, which was below a floor rate of 2%, a post-cabinet statement said. more..

Jan 21 (AD) The IMF has reaffirmed its continuous support to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. This assurance was given by the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva during a meeting held with PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in Davos, Switzerland on the sidelines of the 2026 World Economic Forum. IMF Chief Georgieva’s remarks underscored international recognition of SL’s recovery efforts following recent devastation more..

Jan 21 (NW) Electricity trade unions have warned that if the government issues a gazette to dissolve the CEB without fulfilling the promises made to them during restructuring, they will launch a strike without prior notice. At a press conference held in Colombo, union representatives said that 24 electricity trade unions, including the Engineers’ Association, Technical Engineers and Officers’ Association, and the Industrial Technicians’ Association, are preparing to join this action. more..

Jan 21 (DM) The 11th SL Air Force Aviation Contingent assigned to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) departed Sri Lanka this morning. The Contingent consists of 22 officers, including two lady officers and 88 airmen, including five airwomen, and is commanded by Group Captain Asiri Pathirage. The personnel represent the full range of professional capabilities required to carry out assigned duties under the UN mandate. more..

Jan 21 (DM) UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake raised serious concerns in Parliament over what he described as a growing disconnect between Sri Lanka’s record tourist arrivals and the weak flow of foreign exchange into the country’s official financial system. Karunanayake noted that Sri Lanka recorded more than 2.36 million tourist arrivals in 2025, yet total tourism earnings rose only marginally to about USD 3.22 billion. more..

Jan 21 (EN) The reporting on social impacts in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) conducted on SL is low, making EIAs unreliable for decision-makers and investors to consider and use, a report by the Centre for a Smart Future has found. EIAs are meant to anticipate and minimise harm to communities and nature. The CSF report found that methods used to assess social impacts are often not reported. “Most impacts are discussed without specifying crucial information more..

Jan 21 (NW) NBRO says Sri Lanka’s air quality reached a slightly unhealthy level in most of the cities in the last 24 hours. According to the NBRO, air quality has reached a moderate level in Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Embilipitiya, Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Kalutara & Hambantota. It is forecasted that the air quality level will be between 56 and 120 during the next 24 hours. NBRO states this indicates a moderate level in most of the cities, while a slightly unhealthy level in more..

Jan 21 (NW) A silent protest was held in Colombo today demanding the removal of the Attorney General (AG). The silent protest was held in front of the Colombo High Court. The protesters were seen holding placards, accusing the AG of alleged corruption and bias. Meanwhile, BAR Association of SL (BASL) has expressed concern over recent social media posts targeting the Attorney General. Issuing a statement, the BASL said that certain individuals are attempting, through such posts, more..

Jan 21 (PMD) The veneration of the Sacred Relics, which are due to be brought to Sri Lanka with the intervention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the full patronage of the Govt of India, will be held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo for seven days from 4 to 11 Feb. A discussion to review the preliminary organisational arrangements was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Minister Ananda Wijepala, and more..