Jan 26 (DM) It is reported that a serious issue has arisen in the tender process for the purchase of dry and fresh food supplies for the Tri-Forces for this year. This situation has emerged because the tender wasn’t awarded to the company that submitted the lowest bid at the relevant price call. A letter dated 13.11.2025, signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Sampath Thuyacontha confirmed that this above more..

Jan 26 (DM) The Catholic Church in SL is to file a Fundamental Rights petition against the police officers who had assaulted a priest in Negombo over the weekend, Spokesman for Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said yesterday. "We are planning to file a Fundamental Rights petition on behalf of Fr. Milan Priyadarshana who was assaulted by police officers in Negombo. They have come in bikes and surrounded the priest and had assaulted him. more..

Jan 26 (EN) Sri Lanka’s plan to hold an international donor conference to raise funds to rebuild Ditwah devastation-hit area has been delayed and the date is yet to be finalized, govt sources said. Sri Lanka is planning to spend an extra 500 billion rupees in Cyclone relief and recovery in 2026 of which 250 billion rupees will go for infrastructure, 100 billion rupees for destroying homes and 200 billion rupees for business recovery in agriculture and other industries. more..

Jan 26 (DM) Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by People’s Bank, affirming a directive of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) requiring the bank to release information sought by a customer under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, subject to redaction where necessary. The Court held that the information requested did not fall within the exemptions under the Act and could not be lawfully denied. The judgment was delivered on 20 January by a Bench comprising more..

Jan 26 (DL) A rare UK-Canada natural history co-pro will follow inhabitants at the world’s largest baby elephant sanctuary. Channel 4 and CBC are making Baby Elephant School, charting happenings at the 30-year-old Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage, which cares for up to 80 orphaned calves at any one time and has returned more than 170 elephants to the wild, many of whom have gone on to have calves of their own. Two different versions will be produced. The UK version will be hosted by more..

Jan 26 (AD) The total export earnings of SL in 2025 has been recorded at US$ 17,252.15 million, exceeding the figures recorded in 2024. SL’s export sector continued its positive growth momentum in 2025, recording a notable y-o-y growth of 5.6 %, the EDB noted. Meanwhile, in Dec 2025, total exports, comprising both merchandise and services amounted to US$ 1,490.49 million, representing a 3.95 % y-o-y increase. more..

Jan 26 (DM) SLPP National Organizer and MP Namal Rajapaksa underscored the importance of responsible leadership, regional solidarity and youth-driven change while addressing the 77th Republic Day of India celebrations at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. “Leadership is not a position. It is a responsibility. It is a process of influencing others to achieve shared goals,” Rajapaksa said, speaking to students and academics at the event. more..

Jan 26 (AD) A complaint has been lodged with the CID today calling for an investigation into an alleged shortage of 40 cancer medications and claims that unregistered cancer drugs are currently circulating in the market. The complaint was lodged by Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman, together with Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, the Chairman of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights. Commenting on the issue, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa stated that, more..

Jan 26 (DM) SL is set to introduce test-tube baby treatment, also known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo marking the first time such advanced fertility services will be made available at a govt hospital. Director of the Castle Street Hospital for Women Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana said that the initiative would significantly expand access to fertility care. “The new facility is expected to be more..

Jan 26 (FT) TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has criticised the suspension of a senior Parliamentary official, warning that the action reflects a serious breakdown of due process within Parliament. Rasamanickam said the suspension of Parliament’s second most senior official had raised grave concerns. Citing media reports, he alleged the move amounted to retaliation linked to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and was carried out without a charge sheet, an inquiry, or an opportunity for more..

Jan 26 (DM) Pathfinder Foundation has inaugurated a dedicated repository to document SL’s peace initiatives, aiming to preserve the country’s efforts to resolve the separatist conflict over the decades. The Repository for SL Peace Initiatives was officially opened by Mr. Erik Solheim, former Norwegian Special Envoy to the SL peace process, former Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway, and former Executive Director of UN Environment Programme more..

Jan 26 (AD) Further examination of evidence in the case filed against former State Minister Diana Gamage is scheduled to be conducted on February 16. The order was issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The case was filed by the CID on charges of providing false information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to obtain a passport and of residing in Sri Lanka without a valid visa. The case was taken up today before Colombo Additional Magistrate more..

Jan 26 (DM) 62% of Lankans choose .LK to host their website and business services, reinforcing the position of the LK Domain Registry as the preferred choice for businesses and individuals across the country, according to the Registry. Established in 1990, the LK Domain Registry has served the country by providing a dependable domain registration service and facilitating development of internet infrastructure to improve the internet in SL. As the national-level domain name, more..

Jan 26 (DM) Silver, often overshadowed by gold in financial headlines, is quietly undergoing a market revolution. However, unlike its more illustrious counterpart, silver’s price surge is not merely a story of monetary hedging or speculative investment. It is a direct threat to the foundational pillars of the 21st-century economy: the green energy transition and the global technology ecosystem. more..

Jan 26 (AD) Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has assured that he would extend his full support if educational reforms are implemented in a proper and effective manner. The Opposition Leader noted that a large number of children have been adversely affected due to the failure to implement the proposed education reforms at the Grade 6 level. Although the government has attempted to place responsibility for the suspension of reforms on the opposition, more..

Jan 26 (NW) High Commission of India in Colombo celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day today, marking the anniversary of the day the Indian Constitution came into effect in 1950. High Commissioner Santosh Jha hoisted the national flag at India House, inspected a Guard of Honour, and read excerpts from the President of India’s Republic Day address. The celebration featured patriotic music by the SL Navy Band and cultural performances by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, more..

Jan 26 (AM) The Govt has recently appointed a group of civil activists to Prison Monitoring Committees, a move that has triggered public discussion after popular model and actress Stephanie Siriwardhana was named as a prison monitoring officer. Siriwardhana is a well-known figure in Sri Lanka’s arts and entertainment sector. She won the Sri Lanka beauty queen title in 2011 and was crowned Miss Asia in 2013. more..

Jan 26 (AD) Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today that orders have been obtained from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and the Colombo High Court to prevent the directors of the local agent company of the MV X-Press Pearl from leaving the country. The declaration was made by Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, appearing on behalf of the AG, when the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed regarding the incident were taken up today to examine the progress of more..

Jan 26 (NW) Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said he held a different view to England captain Harry Brook over criticism of the pitch used for the second ODI, stressing that he did not share the same assessment. Brook had described the wicket as the worst he had ever played on following the second match. Speaking ahead of the third and final ODI, Asalanka noted that both teams scored more than 440 runs on the wicket, questioning how it could be described as a poor pitch. more..

Jan 26 (FT) The global minimum corporate tax rate is part of the OECD Inclusive Framework initiative known as Pillar Two. It requires every tax jurisdiction to make sure that multinational corporations pay a minimum effective tax rate of 15%. The recent global push towards a Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate of 15%, is often presented as a neutral and progressive reform to curb tax avoidance by multinational corporations (MNCs). However, when seen through a historical & geopolitical lens more..

Jan 26 (FT) The Central Bank every year beginning from 1997 conducts a remembrance service in the morning of 31 January to tell the new Central Bankers of the gruesome attack by the LTTE on the country’s key financial institution, Central Bank, on that day in 1996. The objective of the LTTE was to destroy the bank, create mayhem in the financial system, weaken the economy, and thwart the Govt’s efforts to fight the LTTE which had been conducting a bloody campaign for a separate state. more..

Jan 26 (TM) Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that it was confirmed that coal samples sent to India in connection with the shipment that has sparked public debate did not meet the required calorific value. He said that action would be taken to impose penalties on the relevant supplier in line with the agreement. He said there had been no issue in the procurement process, adding the shortfall was identified after the first 60,000 metric tonnes more..

Jan 26 (AD) GMOA has decided to launch an island-wide indefinite trade union action from 8 a.m. today. The decision has been taken owing to the alleged failure by the Ministry of Health to implement agreed solutions. The union’s Media Spokesperson, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, stated that the strike will be implemented through five trade union actions. Accordingly, the measures include: Not issuing prescriptions for medicines that are unavailable at clinics and Outpatient Department (OPD) more..

Jan 26 (AD) Six police officers who were arrested for allegedly assaulting a Catholic priest in Gampaha have been remanded until tomorrow (26). The group of officers Gampaha Division Crimes Investigation Bureau was remanded after being produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court today. The incident involves a Catholic priest, a resident of Kotadeniyawa, who was admitted to the Negombo General Hospital yesterday (24) after alleging that he had been assaulted. more..

Jan 26 (NW) SL’s opposition leaders and former lawmakers have raised concerns over the suspension of Parliament’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General Chaminda Kularatne, warning that the decision could set a dangerous precedent for democratic institutions, while parliamentary sources say the move followed allegations of irregularities in his appointment and service. Parliamentary sources said Kularatne was more..

Jan 26 (AM) State Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake on Saturday issued a combative response to recent remarks by Agriculture Minister Lal Kantha, declaring that if his political rival likens himself to martial arts icon Bruce Lee, he would respond as former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. Addressing a public rally, Dassanayake dismissed the comparison attributed to Lal Kantha during a televised programme, insisting that such rhetoric did not intimidate him. more..

Jan 26 (AD) Two multi-day fishing trawlers along with 11 suspects, taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy on suspicion of transporting a large consignment of narcotics in deep seas off the southern coast, have been brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour. According to information received from the Police, Navy conducted a special operation using long-range naval vessels to locate and intercept the two trawlers, Navy Media Spokesperson Buddhika Sampath said. more..

Jan 26 (NW) Sri Lanka Police have arrested 11 suspects and seized large quantities of heroin and crystal methamphetamine during a major narcotics operation off the country’s southern coast, police said. The Police Narcotics Bureau said the suspects were taken into custody on January 23 following an intelligence-led operation conducted with the assistance of the SL Navy. Two fishing vessels allegedly transporting drugs were intercepted during the operation. more..

Jan 26 (Island) Chinese Ambassador to SL, Qi Zhenhong, has reaffirmed China’s full support for the recovery of SL’s economy, which was recently affected by the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The Ambassador said so during a visit to Kandy on Friday to pay his respects to the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. Following his audience with the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera & Most Ven Warakagoda more..

Jan 26 (FT) Reinforcing its longstanding commitment to SL’s private sector, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group announced a high-impact investment program of $ 166 million to support SL businesses and accelerate the country’s transition from economic stabilisation to sustainable growth. This comprehensive country-level financing package aims to expand financial access for more..

Jan 26 (FT) The Sri Lanka Army has vacated the Sulipuram Army Camp, also known as Chulipuram, bringing to an end more than three decades of military presence at the site. Troops stationed at the camp withdrew late on Friday night and were relocated to another Army facility in the area. The closure follows decisions taken in late 2024 to dismantle selected long-standing military camps in the Jaffna peninsula, as part of efforts to return occupied land to its original civilian owners. more..

Jan 26 (BBC) The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time ever, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025. It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty. US Prez Donald Trump's trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China. more..