Jan 18 (ST) Batter Kusal Janith Perera and seamer Nuwan Thushara have been left out of the 16-man squad selected for Sri Lanka’s three-match T20 series against England later this month, virtually ending their hopes of playing the home World Cup next month. For Kusal Janith, the writing had been on the wall for some time. Though he was named in the extended 18-man squad for the recently concluded series against Pakistan, the left-hander never made it into the playing eleven. more..

Jan 18 (Island) We have witnessed many false dawns, with self-proclaimed messiahs winning elections purportedly to put the country right and subsequently reneging on their solemn pledges in keeping with the Machiavellian maxim on promises. One of the key campaign promises of the ruling JVP-led NPP was to restore the rule of law, which had been undermined by successive govts. The public reposed their trust in the NPP, expecting it to honour its promise & straighten up the legal system. more..

Jan 18 (TM) SL and England are set to play a full T20I series consisting of three matches for the first time in this country when both teams go head to head from 30 Jan to 3 Feb at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. To date, SL have played five one-off T20Is against England in 2006, 2011, 2014, and 2016, losing the latter three games in England. The only fixture played here in the 2018–’19 season was also won by tourists, more..

Jan 18 (Island) For nearly twenty years I have been writing a column for the Sunday Island. It has been a joyous ride for someone who is not a professional journalist, yet enjoying the thrill and enthusiasm of being a deadline artist, in however small a way. The ride began shortly after the 2005 presidential election when Rohan Edirisinha arranged for Kumar David and me to write for the Sunday Observer where Rajpal Abeynaike had just become the editor. Almost an year later, when Rajpal left more..

Jan 18 (CT) Despite growing frustration over repeated delays in container clearance, Customs House Agents (CHAs) at the Rank Container Terminal (RCT) in Orugodawatta, say they cannot be held responsible for slow release timelines. CHA members state that the terminal continues to operate out of old Food Commissioner warehouses, which were never designed for container operations and have limited infrastructure. It is alleged that RCT charges importers rates above the tariff more..

Jan 18 (TM) There is nothing inherently wrong with optimism. In a country that has endured economic collapse, political upheaval, and repeated shocks to public confidence, the instinct to look for silver linings is understandable. But optimism untethered from reality is more about denial than hope. It is precisely this dangerous conflation of positivity with progress that appears to be shaping the Govt’s response to some of the most consequential economic challenges facing SL today. more..

Jan 18 (ST) My dear Wimal, I began writing to you when I heard you had begun another protest. I was hopeful it would be a fast unto death to prevent the proposed educational reforms. Then, I heard that, firstly, it was not a fast unto death but a satyagraha and then that you had called it off, before one could say Lemon Puff! Whatever your faults, Wimal, we know you are not silly enough to repeat the same mistake twice. That is why your protest this time was not a fast unto death. more..

Jan 18 (ST) In yet another example of just how unpredictable the situation at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) can be, NPP on Wednesday failed to win control of the all-powerful Finance Committee, with all five positions that are chosen by election being won by the so-called combined opposition. Wednesday saw members being elected to 23 standing committees of the CMC. Their term will run from Jan 14 to Dec 31 this year. more..

Jan 18 (ST) The Govt’s decision to postpone the implementation of its botched education reforms is a belated but welcome move, and even more salutary as it shows the President and his ministers are receptive to genuine public criticism and agitation and (probably) not, as many fear, sliding towards authoritarianism. These reforms got into a tangled web of controversy for multiple reasons, not least due to a contentious reference to an adult website in the textbooks for Grade 6 students. more..

Jan 18 (SO) In the shadowed corridors of global power, where tweets ignite infernos and sanctions strangle economies, Donald Trump’s latest saber-rattling against Iran has thrust the Middle East into a vortex of uncertainty. As Trump warns of military strikes amid escalating protests in Iran, the world watches with bated breath. This isn’t just another chapter in the endless U.S.-Iran saga; it’s a high-stakes gamble that could redraw maps, crash economies, and unleash chaos from more..

Jan 18 (TM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) last week launched one of the country’s large-scale housing projects with the national housing programme for 2026 under the theme A Place to Belong – A Beautiful Life in Chavakachcheri in Meesalai on Friday (16). The programme is aimed at providing housing for 31,218 families nationwide, including 2,500 war-displaced families from the north and east. more..

Jan 18 (CT) Is the Sara Jasmine Narrative a Red Herring? Six years after the devastating Easter Sunday terrorist attacks of 21 April 2019, SL continues to grapple not only with unanswered questions but also with growing public frustration over unfulfilled promises of closure. On that tragic morning, coordinated suicide bombings ripped through three churches—Katuwapitiya, Kochchikade, and Batticaloa—and three leading hotels in Colombo, claiming 267 lives and more..

Jan 18 (SO) In the wake of the devastation left behind by Cyclone Ditwah, debate on environment versus development has come to the fore again. For a country such as SL, protecting the environment and forging ahead with development are equally important. This is a question with no easy answers – whether we prioritise development at all costs including tossing away environmental concerns or whether we protect the environment at all costs regardless of the need for development. more..

Jan 17 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya has stated that the Govt is making every effort to ensure the quality education to nurture a developed citizen that the country requires, and that providing quality education is a massive process that takes time and must begin not only with curriculum changes, but also by ensuring all necessary infrastructure for both students and teachers. PM made these remarks, while participating in more..

Jan 17 (DM) A new luxury tourist bus service named Bustaurant, equipped with all the facilities of a high-end hotel, was officially launched yesterday (15), providing domestic and international visitors with a modern and fully equipped travel experience. The initiative, the first of its kind in SL, was implemented by the Central Province Dept of Tourism with the participation of the Dambulla Municipal Council and the Pradeshiya Sabha, based on a proposal from a private entrepreneur. more..

Jan 17 (EN) Sri Lanka central bank’s foreign exchange reserves, net of swaps, fell to US$ 2,298 million in November 2025, from US$ 2,533 million in October before cyclone Ditwah, and a new IMF emergency loan, official data show. Reserves, net of swaps were, US$ 2482 million in January 2025. Gross reserves were large unchanged. In January 2025, central bank’s swaps, including one with the People’s Bank of China, which is not inflationary, was US$ 3,548 million. more..

Jan 17 (CT) The Supreme Court, on Friday (16), ordered that a Fundamental Rights petition filed by a Kandy-based attorney, alleging that the Govt violated basic human rights by failing to take necessary measures to mitigate the disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah, be taken up for consideration on 15 July. The petition was taken up before a Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and more..

Jan 17 (ST) Dept of Railways is awaiting Public Service Commission approval for its amended Scheme of Recruitment (SOR) which allows women to occupy all job positions that were previously confined to men, General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said. Once it is passed, recruitment will take place as and when there are vacancies, he said. The SOR was amended to remove the restriction over women applying for certain posts. Women were traditionally frozen out of all more..

Jan 17 (FT) Central Bank of SL’s (CBSL) Policy Agenda for 2026 signals a vigilant but steady monetary stance in the year ahead, with policy rates likely to be kept on hold in early 2026 as inflation is gradually steered back toward the 5% target, according to a note by First Capital Research. In its flash note analysing the CBSL’s newly unveiled agenda, First Capital Research said the Central Bank’s approach reflects confidence in the macroeconomic stability achieved over more..

Jan 17 (EN) SL’s manufacturing sector expanded in December, registering a value of 60.9 on the Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the CB, supported by seasonal demand, despite adverse weather-related disruptions experienced early in the month. All sub-indices contributed positively to this increase, CBSL said. “New Orders and Production sub-indices increased in December, driven by the manufacture of food & beverages sector.” Employment and Stock of Purchases more..

Jan 17 (DN) Inaugural Lanka Ride cycling race began in impressive fashion yesterday, with the SL Army asserting early dominance as Sandaruwan Pinto took the opening stage honours, while teammate Saranga Perera finished second and claimed the King of the Mountain title after leading the decisive climbs. Deshan Kavinda of Ja Ela Flash Club secured third place, while Suranga Ranaweera of the Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Council finished fourth. Sithum Poorna of Kadirana more..

Jan 17 (Island) Leader of the PHU, Udaya Gammanpila, yesterday launched a scathing attack on outgoing United States Ambassador to SL Julie Chung, accusing her of interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and exerting undue influence over recent political developments. He said Chung’s departure, after a four-year tenure, marked a day of national relief, claiming her presence had been harmful to the country. more..

Jan 17 (FT) The National Chamber of Commerce of SL announced the official launch of the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2026 on 14 January, celebrating a landmark 21st year of recognising excellence in SL business. Established in 2004, the NBEA has become the country’s premier business awards platform, applauding organisations that demonstrate exemplary business practices, strong governance, and a lasting contribution to national economic progress. more..

Jan 17 (Island) Amid softening diplomatic rhetoric between the US and Iran, a senior economist said that the stability of Sri Lanka’s tea exports to the Middle East, particularly Iran, would be maintained. The economist, who closely follows regional developments, pointed to recent statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Prez Donald Trump as signs of de-escalation. Araghchi denied plans to execute anti-govt protesters, while Trump indicated more..

Jan 17 (DM) SL’s aluminium door, window and façade fabrication industry is being undercut by policy gaps that allow finished products to be imported duty-free, threatening jobs, foreign exchange savings and domestic manufacturing capacity, an industry body said. Aluminium Fabricators Association of SL (AFASL) said the omissions in the Board of Investment’s (BOI) Negative List have enabled fully fabricated aluminium doors, windows & façade systems more..

Jan 17 (ST) Sri Lanka will bank on ambitious talents as Football SL (FSL) officially released the names of the national Men’s and Women’s squads for the upcoming inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship 2026, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand. The dual competition, staged for the very first time by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) with the intention of popularising futsal among countries across the region, will take place at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, from Jan 12 to 26. more..

Jan 17 (CT) Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody caused widespread confusion during the ceremonial inauguration of renewable energy projects in Talaimannar after claiming that agreements had been secured for 12,789 megawatts (MW) of power projects for SL. The statement immediately drew surprise and scepticism, even among engineers at the CEB, as the last approved CEB generation plan for more..

Jan 17 (EN) If the U.S. invades Iran, the Middle Eastern nation is ready to defend itself without relying on any other countries, Tehran govt’s ambassador to SL, Alireza Delkhosh said. He made these comments when he addressed a group of select journalists in Colombo over the latest development in Iran amid an expected impending U.S. attack citing the Tehran govt’s failure to protect the rights of protestors who started protests last month over sudden depreciation of Iranian more..

Jan 17 (FT) Brazil – Asia Chamber of Commerce has shown keen interest in participating in the SL Expo 2026 this June and commenced initial discussions on deepening trade ties focusing in tea, cinnamon and opportunities in Port City in Colombo. This was revealed at a recent discussion in Brazil between Ambassador of SL to Brazil Chaminda Colonne with Brazil – Asia Chamber of Commerce (CBA) President Reginaldo Lante, on 14 Jan 2026 in Brasilia, focusing on its participation more..

Jan 17 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism has successfully concluded a major tourism promotion initiative in India, its largest source market, covering key cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, as part of efforts to diversify arrivals and attract higher-spending visitors throughout the year. The campaign was carried out in collaboration with SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), more..

Jan 17 (FT) The Colombo stock market ended the week on a new high despite closing flat yesterday. ASPI close on the up Friday, gaining a marginal 0.10% or 22.9 points to 23,731.60, a new high, while the active S&P SL20 closed 0.28% on the up, gaining 18.11 points to 6,560.08. Market turnover was nearly Rs. 4.73 billion on over 132.5 shares traded. Foreign investors were net buyers on net inflow of Rs. 65.3 million. During the week, the ASPI gained 77.3 points up 0.32% while more..

Jan 17 (CT) It came as a profound shock to the Ceylon Today editorial team to learn of the passing of veteran Indian journalist and political observer N. Sathiya Moorthy; a long-time guest columnist of this newspaper. He passed away at the age of 71 in Chennai on Thai Pongal Day, 15 Jan 2025. His last article for Ceylon Today was published on 19 Dec 2025, under the headline Why Ditwah Did Not Unite — yet another masterful analysis of SL affairs. When no column followed in subsequent weeks, more..