Dec 29 (NF) Sri Lanka has made a stunning leap in popularity among Indian holidaymakers, emerging as the third-most booked international destination for the 2025 holiday season. This surge is confirmed by the latest figures from MakeMyTrip, India’s leading travel booking platform, based on reservations between Dec 20, 2025, and Jan 2026. For years, Sri Lanka has been admired for its sun-kissed beaches, ancient temples, and lush landscapes, but 2025 marks a turning point. more..

Dec 29 (NF) Indian Police have busted a major cannabis trafficking ring with int'l links, arresting eight suspects, including a software engineer from Bengaluru, for allegedly running a large-scale operation that stretched from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu and SL. Investigators say the gang specialized in smuggling high-quality Sheelavathi strain cannabis, sourced from tribal regions along the Andhra–Odisha border. This marks the first known case of ganja from this region more..

Dec 29 (AD) Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters have written to Prez requesting him to declare 30 May, 2026 as the Vesak Poya Day, since two Poya days fall on the month of May 2026. The letter states that the two Full Moon Poya Days will fall on 1 May and 30 May in 2026. According to the calendar issued by the Ministry of Public Admin, 1 May, has been designated as the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, while 30 May has been declared more..

Dec 29 (Island) SL Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Shobini Gunasekera recently presented a conceptual framework of seven key vectors that defined contemporary international relations and facilitated dialogue among States. She made the presentation at XI Moscow International Financial and Economic Forum held under the theme “Building Bridges: Partnership without Borders”. In her address, the Ambassador emphasised that these vectors represent the channels more..

Dec 29 (NW) The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a clarification regarding the situation that has arisen concerning the use of the Sugathadasa Stadium for a musical concert. Issuing a statement, the ministry said that the outdoor stadium had been agreed to be provided for a musical concert scheduled to be held on December 28. The current running track at the Sugathadasa Stadium is in a dilapidated condition, making it unsuitable for athletic competitions. more..

Dec 29 (NW) The unveiling of seven new products identified in 2025 by the SL Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation will take place under the patronage of Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa, tomorrow in Nawinna. Expanding its portfolio further, the Corporation will introduce medicinal products such as Kubja Prasarini Oil, Bala Koranda Oil, Panchavalkala Churna, and the Corporation’s Bone Marrow Tablet, along with herbal products more..

Dec 29 (AD) Several airport trade unions staged a protest today, calling for the payment of five basic salaries as bonuses for 2025, as previously promised by the Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services SL (pvt) Ltd, Harsha Abeywickrama. Around 50 employees representing several unions participated in the demonstration, including SL Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) of the airport, Podujana Sewaka Sangamaya, the Pragathishili Sewaka Sangamaya, more..

Dec 29 (FT) Int'l R&B star Ne-Yo issued a personal apology to his SL fans following the postponement of his scheduled concert in Colombo. In a post, the Grammy-winning singer said he was deeply disappointed about not being able to perform as planned, citing unforeseen circumstances beyond his control. “To my lovely SL fanbase… as much as I was looking forward to rocking out with you all, due to unforeseen circumstances, we’re gonna have to do this another time,” more..

Dec 29 (FT) As the floodwaters recede and the health authorities scramble to contain the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in early 2025, a familiar narrative is unfolding. The new administration, fresh off a historic mandate in late 2024, finds its ambitious economic agenda hijacked by a natural calamity. To the casual observer, this is just bad luck. To the data analyst, however, it is a statistical certainty. An analysis of SL’s political and environmental history over the last 75 years more..

Dec 29 (FT) The late Dr. Amal Utum Herat, Utum to everybody, ex-Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, was a Jack of all Trades and also a Master of Everything. He did excellently in everything he practised. He was a lay preacher at his Methodist Church in Mount Lavinia, UK-qualified management accountant, master of ceremonies, public speaker, visiting university Don, international civil servant, and an economist par excellence, to mention but a few of the hats he wore simultaneously. more..

Dec 29 (FT) SL crossed the 2.3 million tourist arrivals milestone on 26 Dec, marking its strongest post-crisis performance and edging towards passing the 2018 record of 2.33 million visitors. As per SLTDA data up to 25 Dec, cumulative arrivals stood at 2,298,987, with the 2.3 million mark crossed the following day. This places 2025 marginally ahead of the previous all-time high of 2.33 million visitors recorded in 2018, more..

Dec 29 (EN) Premium vehicle, costing up to 300 million rupees including a Bentley, Ferrari and Mercedese Maybachs have registered in Sri Lanka according to an analysis of registry data by JB Securities, a Colombo-based brokerage. In November 2025, a pre-owned Bentley Continental GT and a pre-owned Ferrari 296 GTB and one brand Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV and one Maybach S580 sedan. “All these vehicles are in the LKR 200-300 mn range,” J B Securities said. more..

Dec 29 (FT) Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (PickMe) has formally written to the IGP expressing grave concern over escalating incidents of intimidation, obstruction, and unlawful interference and violence directed at independent transport providers operating voluntarily through ride-hailing applications in key tourist locations. The company’s letter follows a series of disturbing incidents in Ella and other tourist-sensitive areas, where independent drivers using digital platforms more..

Dec 29 (NW) The govt has begun discussions to amend existing laws to take over the trust fund managing Ambuluwawa, following serious concerns over its administration and use of public funds. Officials from the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Ministry of Justice, and Attorney General’s Dept have jointly initiated discussions on legal reforms related to the trust. Ambuluwawa is currently governed under Ambuluwawa Disanayaka more..

Dec 29 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued an extraordinary gazette notification declaring a number of services, including the supply of electricity, as essential services. The gazette has been issued by the Prez by virtue of the powers vested in him in terms of Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979, due to the severe adverse weather conditions currently prevailing in the country. Other services that have been declared as essential services more..

Dec 29 (AD) If there is a genuine intention to achieve successful outcomes through the implementation of education reforms, it is essential to hold comprehensive and meaningful discussions with school principals and teachers and to act in a flexible manner, stated Nimal Mudunkotuwa, General Secretary of the Graded Principals’ Association. Mudunkotuwa further stated that if such discussions are not conducted and steps are taken to hold schools until 2 p.m. from Jan 5, more..

Dec 29 (FT) Govt yesterday extended the State of Public Emergency in SL, according to an Extraordinary Gazette notification. Proclamation was issued by Prez exercising the authority conferred on him under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978, and Act No. 28 of 1988. Accordingly, the provisions set out in Part II of the Public Security Ordinance will remain in force more..

Dec 29 (AD) Former Minister Douglas Devananda, who was arrested by the CID on Friday, has been remanded until Jan 9. He was remanded after being produced before Gampaha Magistrate. Devananda was taken into custody on Friday by CID officers in connection with an incident in which his personal firearm reportedly fell into the hands of members of an organized criminal gang. It is reported that the former minister was arrested in connection with an investigation into an incident more..

Dec 29 (AD) An aircraft that arrived at the BIA was subjected to a special security inspection following a false report claiming that several suspicious individuals were on board. The information was received in relation to a flight that arrived at the BIA from Doha at 8.27 a.m. today (28), carrying 245 passengers. According to reports, an email had been sent to the official email address of the BIA stating that four individuals on board were preparing to carry out an explosion. more..

Dec 29 (TM) Ministry of Defence stated that heavy rains are expected after today, and claimed that Govt agencies, including National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) and Disaster Management Centre (DMC), are prepared to take necessary actions to ensure public safety. Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said that according to the Dept of Meteorology, a weather disturbance near the Andaman Islands is forecast to bring 50 mm to 75 mm of rainfall to North, North Central, Uva more..

Dec 29 (AD) The govt has decided to conduct the final rites of veteran singer Latha Walpola with full state patronage. The legendary singer who was receiving treatment at a hospital in Colombo passed away last night (27) at the age of 92. Meanwhile, the Dept of Govt Information has issued a statement regarding the arrangements for the final rites. Accordingly: The remains of the late singer will be placed at the premises of the Independence Square, in Colombo, for the general public to pay more..

Dec 29 (ST) Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris has proposed that indictments be filed before a 3-judge trial-at-bar once investigations into two high-profile cases involving former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe and former police chief Deshabandu Tennakoon are completed. The two cases he was referring to are the alleged misappropriation of state funds by former Prez Wickremesinghe during a visit to Britain to more..

Dec 29 (EN) Kazakhstan’s Air Astana has started flying to SL, starting from Christmas day carrying tourists for the 2025/2026 winter season, as the island recovers from the effects of cyclone Ditwah. Arrivals up to Dec 25 were up 2.05% to 195,394, from 191,465 last year. Sri Lanka had welcomed 2,298,987 tourist arrivals to Dec 2025, up 15% from a year earlier. Air Astana will operate two flights a week on Monday and Thursday, from Almaty, capital of Kazakhstan, to BIA, Colombo. more..

Dec 29 (FT) Lanka Realty Investments said that its subsidiary On’ally Holdings has commissioned the country’s largest LED display at its property in Unity Plaza in Colombo 3 on an investment of up to Rs. 200 million. The high-capacity, triple-faced outdoor LED display at Unity Plaza and its related peripherals is projected to cost between Rs. 175 million and Rs. 200 million. Board of Directors of On’ally Holdings expects the installation to materially improve advertising potential and more..

Dec 29 (DM) SL’s market for laptops and computer equipment is being increasingly distorted by illegal imports, counterfeit products, and used devices entering the country outside formal controls, the Federation of Information Technology Industry SL (FITIS) warned. The industry body noted that these informal channels are undermining legitimate businesses while exposing unsuspecting consumers to significant technical and security risks. During an industry discussion convened by FITIS, more..

Dec 29 (FT) Over 14 years after the collapse of the Finance & Guarantee (F&G) group, thousands of depositors say they are once again being failed — this time by those entrusted with reviving the defunct companies under the direct supervision of SL’s Supreme Court. F&G group, once part of the wider Ceylinco conglomerate, collapsed in 2009, leaving an estimated 7,000 depositors unable to recover more than Rs. 6 billion in savings. Although Court proceedings later acknowledged that more..

Dec 29 (Island) Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda said that he is still waiting for the govt’s response to the UK sanctions imposed on three ex-military officers, including him, and a former member of the LTTE. The former Navy Chief said so in response to The Island query whether he was aware of the position taken by a three-member ministerial committee, consisting of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, more..

Dec 29 (CI) After three one-sided, low-scoring encounters, the fourth T20I between India and SL exploded into a run-fest in Thiruvananthapuram, with both sides posting their highest totals in women's T20Is. India's big score of 221 for 2 proved too much for SL, who fell short by 30 runs, handing the hosts a 4-0 series lead with one match remaining. India missed two catching opportunities and a stumping chance, while Sri Lanka gave away three, but the batting dominance was decisive. more..

Dec 29 (ST) Last Sunday, at 43 years and 181 days, TM Sampath became Sri Lanka’s oldest batsman to score a first class century. When he struck an unbeaten 129 off 269 deliveries against Panadura Sports Club in a drawn SLC Major League match at Welagedara, Sampath signalled that he still has more to offer and that his cricketing career is far from over. Born in Jaffna, raised in the southern city of Kalutara, and the younger brother of famed international cricketer TM Dilshan, Sampath more..

Dec 29 (Island) Sri Lankan politicians love the media dearly and take up the cudgels for the rights of journalists when they are out of power. The JVP/NPP leaders also defended the media to the hilt while they were languishing in the Opposition. Jekylls become Hydes after being ensconced in power, with the media exposing their failures and malpractices. Those who can, do; those who cannot, attack the media, one may say of the govts in this country, with apologies to Bernard Shaw. more..

Dec 29 (FT) When Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka, it wasn’t just the wind and water that hit us. It was a sense of déjà vu, the feeling that we have been here too many times before. Flooded homes, frantic rescues, communities rallying together in compassion and exhaustion, these are stories we’ve all lived through, time and time again. I have watched this pattern repeat itself across floods, pandemics and economic shocks. As a country, we almost know the rhythm by heart; chaos, more..