Jan 28 (ST) SL is set to strengthen its presence on the global sports tourism map with the hosting of IronMan 70.3 Colombo on Feb 22, marking a six-year hiatus since the last event. This int'l franchise endurance event is being organised by Serendib Multisport (Pvt) Ltd, in partnership with Port City Colombo and Shangri-La Colombo. The event represents a strategic effort to position Colombo as an active lifestyle hub and SL as a credible destination for high-value int'l sporting more..

Jan 28 (Yahoo) The second ODI between Sri Lanka and England became a talking point for reasons beyond the result. England’s victory was followed by debate around the playing surface, a familiar theme whenever touring sides struggle in subcontinent conditions. Comments made after the match quickly travelled, prompting a response from one of SL’s most respected former players. For Angelo Mathews, the discussion struck a nerve that extends far beyond one game or one series. more..

Jan 28 (FT) BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath said SL must push through structural reforms to attract between $2 bil and $2.3 bil in foreign direct investment, stressing that the country cannot compete with the scale of fiscal concessions offered by other investment destinations. Herath said SL does not have the fiscal space to match concession-heavy regimes deployed by larger and better-capitalised economies, and must instead more..

Jan 28 (NW) England star batter Joe Root praised SL’s Pavan Ratnayake after the young batter’s standout century in the third ODI, calling him a player with a bright future in int'l cricket. Ratnayake struck a top-class 121 in a high-pressure chase as SL pursued England’s massive 357 for 3, powered by Root’s unbeaten 111 and Harry Brook’s explosive 136. Despite his efforts, SL fell short, handing England a 2-1 series victory and ending SL’s 12-series unbeaten home ODI run since 2022. more..

Jan 28 (ST) The govt on Friday suspended Standing Orders before naming three civil society members to the Constitutional Council, prompting the Opposition to point out that parliamentary tradition had been violated in how the appointments were made. PM Harini Amarasuriya presented the three names to Parliament on Friday afternoon after Standing Orders were suspended. Once the names were approved in Parliament, it was announced that they would be forwarded to the President. more..

Jan 28 (ST) SL’s Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) undergoes a, state-mandated modernisation to transform it from a largely administrative tool into a real-time, API-driven, and AI-enabled tax compliance system. API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and exchange data with, more..

Jan 28 (FT) The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), in partnership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), will host the inaugural SLID–ACCA National Corporate Director Awards 2025 today at 6.30 p.m. at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand Colombo. The awards are designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding corporate directors who have demonstrated leadership, integrity, and governance excellence, while shaping the future of SL business. more..

Jan 28 (DM) SL’s tourism industry has recorded a robust start to 2026, welcoming 194,553 visitors during the first 22 days of January. This performance represents a 9.7% growth compared to approx 177,400 arrivals recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. Strong numbers signal a swift recovery for the sector following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in late November, which had dampened travel sentiment and triggered cancellations from key regional markets. more..

Jan 28 (DM) A new study has sounded the alarm on Sri Lanka›s export prospects, revealing that the country faces a potential loss of US$ 1.62 billion in exports to the United States in 2026 due to escalating trade policy distortions. The study, titled Trade Policy Uncertainty and Impacts on Developing Countries’ Exporters: The Case of Sri Lanka, was conducted by the Centre for a Smart Future (CSF) and authored by Anushka Wijesinha and Senith Abeyanayake. more..

Jan 28 (FT) The National Collective of Community Savings and Credit Services Providers organised the conference Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill: Neither Here, Nor There on 21 January at the BMICH. It was to foreground the community savings and credit services as an alternative credit practice to moneylending and microfinance. While underscoring the uniqueness of community credit practices, grounded in collective rights, solidarity, mutual aid, more..

Jan 28 (CI) England's batting might arrived in scrintillating style for the third ODI against SL as Harry Brook smoked 136 not out off 65 balls, Joe Root struck 111, and England mounted a mammoth score of 357 for 3. On a track that has historically been unkind to chasing teams, SL made a valiant charge at the target, led by Pavan Rathnayake, who hit a maiden int'l hundred in his fourth ODI. Although SL threatened at times, staying within range more..

Jan 28 (CI) SL women will tour the West Indies for a multi-format white-ball series in Feb-Mar. The tour will consist of three ODIs and three T20Is between Feb 20 to March 3. All six games of the tour will be played at Grenada National Stadium. The first ODI will be on Feb 20, followed by games on Feb 22 and 25. The T20I series then starts on February 28, followed by games on March 1 and 3. T20I series, in particular, will be crucial as both teams look to build their prep towards Women's T20 World Cup more..

Jan 28 (CT) A recent public statement attributed to Cabinet Minister Lal Kantha has given rise to a degree of public unease and speculation that cannot be lightly dismissed. The reference made to a second phase involving the acquisition of state power in addition to the power of govt already held has left many citizens wondering what exactly was meant—and more importantly, what implications such a statement may carry in a democratic and constitutional context. more..

Jan 28 (Island) SJB-led Opposition made a public display of collecting signatures for a no-confidence motion (NCM) against PM and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya over the govt’s flawed educational reforms, but it has since got cold feet. Not all Opposition parties have endorsed the NCM in question. Some bigwigs of the JVP/NPP govt with a two-thirds majority are now daring the Opposition to go ahead with the NCM. Dr. Amarasuriya herself has taunted the Opposition, in Parliament, more..

Jan 28 (Island) The impact of Cyclone Ditwah was asymmetric. Rains and floods affected the central hills more severely than other parts of the country. Rebuilding process is now proceeding likewise in an asymmetric manner in which the Malaiyaha Tamil community is being disadvantaged. Disasters may be triggered by nature, but their effects are shaped by politics, history and long-standing exclusions. Malaiyaha Tamils who live and work on plantations entered this crisis already disadvantaged. more..

Jan 28 (SO) Protecting future Govts from tobacco related harm demands decisive transparent action that is firmly protected from tobacco industry interference. Accordingly, the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) calls upon policymakers and all relevant stakeholders to place public health above all commercial interests to expedite the establishment and effective implementation of critical tobacco control more..

Jan 28 (ST) As Americans stand on the sidewalks in towns, cities and counties to watch, enthralled, the walk for peace by a small train of Buddhist monks as they traverse through states, something strange is astir. The message conveyed by this small band of silent evangelists, beating a noiseless drum, has struck the very heart and gripped the soul that lay in the gutter amidst the toxins and waste of affluence to answer the primordial call for peace and come alive and rise with hope. more..

Jan 28 (DM) My colleague Kelum Bandara’s interview on Tuesday with Erik Solheim, the Norwegian peace envoy, stirred my memories of the peace process. Then, as a young journalist, I covered the peace process from its outset, from Ranil Wickremesinghe’s signing of a ceasefire agreement during an impromptu visit to Vavuniya, to the brutal conclusion of the war in Vella Mullivaikall, eight years later. The answers I sought in the interview were why the peace process failed. more..

Jan 28 (DM) Erik Solheim, a Norwegian diplomat and former Cabinet minister best known in Sri Lanka for his role as the chief international facilitator of the SL peace process during the 2002–2006 ceasefire talks, shared his views about the pitfalls of the process . Also, in his current role as an international commentator and adviser on climate change, geopolitics and sustainable development, he said SL has enormous potential for more..

Jan 28 (CT) The recent Court developments related to the X-Press Pearl disaster suggest that while one chapter of the legal story may be closing, the more difficult chapter of environmental recovery and public accountability is still being written, and it is this second chapter that will ultimately determine whether justice is truly felt beyond the courtroom. State has indicated that steps have been taken to restrict the movement of certain corporate officials connected to the vessel’s local operations, more..

Jan 28 (DM) We have already seen how Constantino de Sa, perhaps the ablest Portuguese captain general to arrive here, worked hard to stabilise the Portuguese position in the coastal and low-country areas under their control before finally setting off to invade Kandy. Conquest of the troublesome kingdom in the hills would have pleased the viceroy of Goa as well as the king of Portugal, and consolidated his position as Jaffna was already under his control. After putting down a plot to hand over more..

Jan 27 (NW) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake today slammed the opposition for shifting its stance on the govt’s education reforms. Addressing an event in Gampola, President Dissanayake said the govt cannot be distracted from its commitment to progress, regardless of attempts to build false narratives. “I saw one person who was majorly opposing these reforms, now asking us why it was stopped,” the President said, taking a swipe at Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa over more..

Jan 27 (DN) Dept of Railways has launched a new simulator-based training programme for newly appointed train drivers, using a state-of-the-art facility established at the German Technical Training Institute in Ratmalana. The initiative marks a major step toward modernising railway training and improving operational safety. The training programme commenced yesterday following an investment of €1.1 million and is designed to significantly enhance both the quality and more..

Jan 27 (AD) The govt has had to allocate an additional Rs. 220 billion in 2026 to fund basic salary increases granted to doctors and the entire public service, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated. Minister noted that expenditure on the salary increases is expected to rise to Rs. 330 billion in 2027. Minister Jayatissa said the govt granted a salary increase this month more..

Jan 27 (EN) Sri Lanka is offering land in Colombo to investors for a high-rise mixed development project, and land near Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya for recreational activities aimed at attracting foreign tourists, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Urban Development Authority land on Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 3, measuring 0.42 hectares, is to be given on a 99-year long-term basis to potential investors for a high-rise mixed development project, Jayatissa said. more..

Jan 27 (FT) Ambeon Capital PLC yesterday said it has entered into Share Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire a 51.11% controlling stake in Harischandra Mills PLC involving 918,118 shares from a consortium of investors through its subsidiary, Ambeon Essentials Ltd., but did not disclose a price. The share price of Harischandra Mills soared after the announcement, closing up by Rs. 1,396.25 or 25% to Rs. 6,982 with 3,166 shares traded, generating a turnover of nearly Rs. 22 million. more..

Jan 27 (AD) Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa detailed the reasons behind the suspension of the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff, Chaminda Kularatne from his post. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Minister Jayatissa stated that an inquiry committee was appointed last year to investigate the issues surrounding the appointment of Deputy Secretary General of Parliament more..

Jan 27 (DM) Nearly 30% of Sri Lanka’s adult population is affected by mental health problems, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Madhushani Dias said. Addressing aprogramme held in Colombo yesterday, Dr Dias said a significant proportion of those suffering from mental health issues are elderly persons aged 60 or 65 and above. She noted that Sri Lanka’s elderly population is increasing rapidly, but social awareness regarding mental health problems faced by older adults remains low, more..

Jan 27 (CT) A special delegation consisting of five Anunayake Theras of the Burma Ramanna Maha Nikaya (Chapter) arrived on the island on 21 January, further strengthening the long-standing religious ties between the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Myanmar (Burma). This visit, which is being carried out under the full sponsorship and guidance of the Bauddhaloka Foundation, is set to mark several important milestones in the religious history of the country. more..

Jan 27 (AD) Former Acting Deputy Director of the National Hospital of Colombo, Dr. Rukshan Bellana has left the CID a short while ago after recording a statement, Ada Derana reporter said. He appeared before the CID this morning (27) following a notice requesting a statement from him regarding an incident involving a death threat. Recently, the Ministry of Health suspended Dr. Bellana from his duties as Acting Deputy Director of the National Hospital of Colombo. more..

Jan 27 (EN) Sri Lanka is looking for investors to develop 13.57 acres of land close to the Waters’ Edge hotel in Battaramulla as a Frolic Island, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “The cabinet approved a proposal to call for expressions of interest to develop 9 plots of land on both sides of Diyawanna Oya for public recreational projects,” Jayatissa said. The land will be offered to investors on a long term lease basis, he said. Urban Development Authority planned to implement more..