Jan 26 (SO) SL’s coconut industry is under attack. Not from drought or falling prices, but from a tiny insect, the coconut whitefly. This pest, once limited to a few districts, is now spreading quickly across plantations, especially in the Northern Province. Farmers notice that their trees weaken and yields collapse, often before they even realize what’s happening. “I walked through my field last week, & leaves looked fine,” said one farmer. more..

Jan 26 (Island) Moreover, the recent ruling given by the Speaker in Parliament on Jan 9, 2026, on the Opposition Motion to appoint a Select Committee to review recent appointments made by the JSC to the Judiciary further buttresses the explicit recognition of the SOP and the independence of the Judiciary. Speaker reiterated the commitment of Parliament to the doctrine of the SOP and refused the Motion on the basis inter alia that Parliament was not hierarchically superior to the Judiciary and more..

Jan 26 (CT) The numbers are in, and they are harrowing. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, Colombo District recorded more child abuse and children-related complaints than any other region in SL, with 1,024 incidents reported to the NCPA. Islandwide, nearly 7,800 complaints were lodged during this period, spanning cruelty, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm against children. These figures ought to shock us — not because of their scale alone, but because more..

Jan 26 (Island) PM Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa have agreed on the appointment of three civil society representatives to the Constitutional Council (CC) to succeed Dr. Anula Wijesundere, Dr. Prathap Ramanujam and Prof. Dinesha Samararatne. The new members are Austin Fernando, Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne. The new CC appointments have come at a very crucial time. National Audit Office (NAO) remains more..

Jan 26 (TM) Sri Lanka Police’s decision to begin spot drug testing of public bus drivers is a welcome and long-overdue step. For years, passengers have relied on little more than luck when stepping onto buses that travel at high speeds, often overcrowded, on some of the country’s most dangerous roads. The early results of the tests, which revealed a troubling number of drivers under the influence of narcotics while on duty, only confirm what many commuters have suspected for a long time. more..

Jan 26 (TM) SL’s long-troubled energy sector is under scrutiny again following the arrival of allegedly low-quality coal imported from South Africa. Concerns have emerged that the coal, supplied by Trident Chemphar Ltd. under a long-term contract, is compromising electricity generation efficiency and may also contribute to health risks due to its low quality. The recent import of the coal stock by the new supplier has stirred up more..

Jan 26 (ST) The apparent reluctance by the SJB to submit its much hyped No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against PM Dr Harini Amarasuriya opened the party up to attack by a govt that spent much of this week daring the opposition to present their motion to the House. SJB-led opposition had started collecting signatures for the NCM against Dr Amarasuriya in her capacity as Minister of Education, several weeks ago, accusing her of mishandling the introduction of NPP govt’s controversial education reforms. more..

Jan 26 (DM) When Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara recently felt compelled to clarify that no cabinet discussions have taken place regarding the removal of the current Attorney General, it was a telling moment. The very need for such a statement reveals how precarious institutional independence has become in Sri Lanka. What should be unthinkable -- political interference with the nation’s chief legal officer -- has become so routine that ministers must publicly deny it. more..

Jan 26 (SO) SL’s media landscape is undergoing significant transformation, with challenges ranging from the rise of social media and online misinformation to ethical concerns in journalism. In recent years, female politicians have faced targeted online abuse and gender-based attacks, highlighting the urgent need for both media accountability and broader societal awareness. Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya more..

Jan 26 (DM) SL can rightfully take pride in its healthcare system. For a country with limited resources, we have built a structure that delivers treatment to millions, free at the point of delivery, and produces doctors who are respected across the world. Our medical professionals are skilled, dedicated and often overworked. Yet, there is one painful reality patients across the island know too well and suffer in silence; doctors not arriving on time, & patients being made to wait for hours, more..

Jan 26 (CT) The expected pace is not there to be seen; it’s so minuscule, it remains immeasurable; its lackadaisical meandering is frustrating the general public; those who steer the wheel, except perhaps Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), do not seem to care. This is what power does to any and all political leaders. The intoxicating effects of the demon called political power could enwrap the victims, whether they be leftists or right-wingers, and eventually consume them to their bone & marrow. more..

Jan 25 (ST) Governing isn’t as easy as it looks when you are in the opposition, is the closing line of award-winning filmmaker Asoka Handagama’s newly released film titled Sanda Dadayama (moon hunt). It’s a film with a political twist and wouldn’t have drawn as much attention if not for the outburst by JVP Administrative Secretary, Politburo member and Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, who took issue with the filmmaker for allegedly more..

Jan 25 (ST) Grid-connected solar power developers are appalled at the audacity of the insubordination of state authorities in implementing cabinet directives related to their industry, and bully behaviour towards them, with members eyeing legal action to resolve the issue. Prabath Wickramasinghe, President of Grid Connected Solar Power Association of SL (GCSPA), revealed that approval for a battery storage system (BESS) has been delayed by the CEB despite the Cabinet’s price approval more..

Jan 25 (ST) An exposition of the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, discovered in 1960 in the Aravali region of Gujarat, will be held at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo for seven days, from Feb 4 to 11. This is in keeping with the pledge made by Indian PM Narendra Modi during his visit to SL in April last year when he announced that the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha would be sent to SL for an exposition. Arrangements have already begun for the exposition with a forward team from India arriving in more..

Jan 25 (TM) Attorney General’s (AG) Dept rejected allegations that it is responsible for delays in justice in several high-profile cases, stating that decisions have been taken strictly based on the evidence forwarded by the Police Dept and in line with the prevailing law. Highly-placed sources at the AG’s Dept said that a recent protest against AG Parinda Ranasinghe had been entirely driven by social media, falsely portraying him as more..

Jan 25 (TM) Govt’s desire to regulate social media is set to be addressed by the ongoing reform process of the Online Safety Act (OSA), according to Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne. Her comments come in the wake of Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa’s recent remarks in Parliament on the necessity of laws to regulate social media. Dr. Ariyarathne stated that the Govt had identified several gaps in the OSA, specifically in addressing gender-based harassment, more..

Jan 25 (ST) Finance Ministry has hastily delegated authority over the National Audit Office’s (NAO) financial matters to a Deputy Auditor General, as the delay in appointing an Auditor General risked even staff salaries going unpaid. The Auditor General is the Chief Accounting Officer of the NAO. Ministry secretary delegated financial authority to the deputy (DAG) in charge of administration at the NAO till an Auditor General is appointed. Typically, after the passing of the Appropriation Bill more..

Jan 25 (Island) Engineers at the CEB have drawn a clear red line over the govt’s plan to gazette the appointed date for restructuring the utility, warning that trade union action will follow if the move is pushed through without addressing their core demands. The powerful CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) says preparations are already under way for industrial action, most likely after the appointed date gazette is published, should the Minister proceed without resolving outstanding issues more..

Jan 25 (AD) Following direct discussions conducted by IGP with Govt of India, Indian High Commission in SL, and Indian security authorities, an organized criminal who was the subject of an international Red Notice and residing overseas has been repatriated to Sri Lanka from India by air. These efforts were coordinated through Minister of Public Security and the Secretary to the Ministry, police said. The underworld figure known as Keselwatte Dinusha was arrested in Chennai, more..

Jan 25 (SO) With the air quality in several Sri Lankan cities recently reaching unhealthy levels and pollution intensifying across South Asia, the Government has taken steps to revive and strengthen regional cooperation under the long-dormant Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution, Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi said. Move comes amid growing public concern over the deteriorating air quality more..

Jan 25 (EN) Sri Lanka’s solar power firms were promised a battery tariff of 46.80 rupees a unit in 2025, but the deadline has expired in December without the Ceylon Electricity Board issuing guidelines or contract amendments, an industry association said. Instead of giving the battery tariff which is the solution to absorb more solar power to the system, solar energy is curtailed in the daytime leading to wasted energy and revenue losses which pushing some firms into a debt crisis. more..

Jan 25 (ST) Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff Chaminda Kularatne has been suspended with effect from Friday. The decision to suspend Mr Kularatne, second most senior parliamentary official after Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera, was taken by the Parliament Staff Advisory Committee (SAC), chaired by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Mr Kularatne was served his letter on Friday, following a preliminary inquiry conducted by former administrative service more..

Jan 25 (DM) As many as 16-20% of passenger bus drivers operate under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, posing a threat to public safety, a Minister said. The Transport Ministry has launched a stringent new campaign to tackle substance use among public transport staff. Speaking to the media, Minister Rathnayake revealed that while the driving profession is a respectable and vital part of the nation’s economy, it is being tarnished by a minority of individuals. more..

Jan 25 (AD) Minister Prof. Chandana Abeyratne says that this year’s State Vesak Festival will be held on May 30, 2026. The Minister said the decision was taken based on recommendations made by the Poya Committee, taking into consideration a request submitted by the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters in SL. Accordingly, on Dec 29, 2025, the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters wrote to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, requesting that May 30, 2026, be declared Vesak Poya Day, more..

Jan 25 (CT) “Looking ahead to 2026, SL’s investment landscape is entering a new phase of momentum, with several transformative projects in the pipeline that will shape the country’s next growth cycle,” said outgoing Chairman of BOI, Arjuna Herath. He noted that among the key projects under preparation are the SINOPEC oil refinery, alongside sector-specific investments in Thriloka Vijaya Pathra-based manufacturing, spices more..

Jan 25 (DM) Chinese govt has decided to donate 100 electric buses to SL to reduce environmental pollution caused by carbon emissions from fossil fuels. During a meeting with the Mahanayaka of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, Chinese Ambassador in SL Qi Zhenhong said. He said the buses will be used to operate bus services in Colombo-Kandy and Colombo-Galle routes. He said the electric buses are widely used in China, and more..

Jan 25 (TM) The 48-hour strike action by the GMOA is to conclude by 8 a.m. today (25), with further Trade Union (TU) actions to be implemented following their announcement tomorrow (26). GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe noted that Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had given the association a number of written agreements regarding solutions to various issues faced by hospitals – especially medical officers – following a series of discussions on the matter. more..

Jan 25 (TM) Football Federation of SL (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar says that they will make an effort to lure back National Team Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi for a new contract. This was after the former Coach confirmed via a Facebook post on Friday that he had officially concluded his stint in the island nation. Umar stated that the Kuwaiti national, who lined up with SL two years ago following the departure of then more..

Jan 25 (BBC) Bangladesh will boycott next month's men's T20 World Cup and have been replaced by Scotland. Scotland, ranked 14 in the world, have been called up by the ICC by virtue of being the highest-ranked team not already at the tournament and will take Bangladesh's place in Group C. Bangladesh had asked for their games to be switched from India citing safety concerns amid growing tensions between the countries and demanded to play them in Sri Lanka, more..

Jan 25 (CI) Despite their relief at winning away from home for the first time in 12 attempts, both Joe Root and Harry Brook voiced their criticism of the Khettarama pitch after England's five-wicket win in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. The pair were their team's mainstays in a 220-run chase, adding 81 for the third wicket on a dry and slow surface on which England used six different spin options across 40.3 overs of SL's innings, both a record by their team in ODIs. more..

Jan 25 (Island) Sri Lanka’s home ODI record since the wreckage of the 2023 World Cup has been a study in quiet efficiency. Ninth place in India and an early Champions Trophy exit could have sent the wheels spinning, but instead the hosts have responded by turning their backyard into a fortress. Since then, Sri Lanka have played seven ODI series at home and won all of them. These are not against minnows, but against the heavyweights, including World Cup finalists Australia and India. more..

Jan 25 (Island) The Opposition asked the govt, in Parliament on Friday, whether the latter would go ahead with its plan to close down low-attendance schools, and if so, what would happen to the students in them. The govt said the number of students would not be the sole criterion for what it described as school restructuring, and factors such as population density and transport would also be taken into consideration. Its response smacked of obfuscation. more..