News Archive

Two Russian nationals rescued after being swept away by strong currents at Ahungalla Beach

Two Russian nationals who went sea bathing at Ahungalla Beach were rescued after being swept away by strong water currents. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  7:09 am

Outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung pays farewell call on President

Outgoing United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has paid a courtesy call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (12). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  9:34 am

Apple teams up with Google Gemini for AI-powered Siri

Apple plans to use Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence model to power its updated version of Siri, which is set to launch later this year, the two companies announced Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  8:43 am

10 Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested for poaching in Sri Lankan waters

A total of 10 Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested for poaching in Sri Lankan waters this morning (13). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  7:52 am

Donald Trump announces 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he had imposed a 25% tariff on goods from countries with commercial ties to Iran, a move that could put pressure on Tehran as anti-government protests enter a third week. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  5:51 am

Senior Russian official says Greenland could vote to join Russia if Trump does not hurry

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Greenlanders could vote to join Russia if US President Donald Trump did not move quickly to secure the Arctic island, Interfax reported on Monday (Jan 12). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  7:22 am

Veteran journalist Iqbal Athas passes away

Veteran Sri Lankan journalist and defence columnist Iqbal Athas has passed away at the age of 81. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  10:13 am

Oil prices gain on Iran supply disruption concerns

Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, as heightened concerns surrounding Iran and potential supply disruptions outweighed the prospect of increased crude supply from Venezuela. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  8:58 am

Paddy prices to be increased from upcoming season – Dy Agriculture Minister

Steps have been taken to increase the price of paddy starting from the upcoming season, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  8:20 am

Several spells of showers expected in parts of the island today

Several spells of showers are expected in the Northern, North-central, Uva, Eastern and Central provinces today (13), the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  5:50 am

Suspect linked to criminal incident arrested with firearm in Thalahena

An individual linked to a criminal incident has been arrested with a firearm in Thalahena yesterday (12), police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  6:41 am

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ national programme launch today

The inauguration of ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ national programme will take place in Colombo today (13). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  7:35 am

Sri Lanka should seek to revise IMF targets: CBSL Governor

Sri Lanka should seek to change the targets agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe noted. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 13, 2026  6:07 am

China’s Foreign Minister arrives in Sri Lanka on transit visit

The Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi has arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake early this morning (12) during a transit stop en route to China following an official visit to South Africa. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  8:38 am

Australia moves India into highest-risk category for student visas, cites ‘emerging integrity risks’

Australia has tightened checks for student visa applicants from India as it moved India into the ‘highest-risk’ category along with Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  12:18 pm

Group including Wimal Weerawansa commences ‘Satyagraha’ near Edu. Ministry against reforms

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, along with a group of civil society representatives and others, have commenced a continuous ‘Satyagraha’ campaign in front of the Education Ministry. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  10:36 am

Case against Keheliya and family to be recalled in February

The Colombo High Court today ordered that the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramith Rambukwella, his daughter Amali Nayanika Rambukwella, and one of their employees, Nipuni Krishnajina, be recalled on February 13. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  11:04 am

Welimada District Court Registrar arrested over alleged bribery incident remanded

The Registrar of the Welimada District Court, who was arrested and remanded in connection with an alleged bribery incident, has been further remanded. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  5:29 pm

Chalamet beats DiCaprio at Hollywood’s Golden Globes

Timothee Chalamet triumphed in one of the most competitive categories at the Golden Globes on Sunday, taking the trophy for best male actor in a movie musical or comedy for his role as a professional table tennis player in “Marty Supreme.” MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  9:24 am

Police warn of surge in online financial scams

The general public has been urged to exercise extreme caution when using social media platforms owing to a surge in financial scams online. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  5:00 pm

Injunction order issued against Wimal Weerawansa and group staging ‘Satyagraha’ near Isurupaya

An injunction order has been issued against a group of civil organization representatives, including leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa, staging a ‘Satyagraha’ campaign launched this morning (12) opposite the Ministry of Education premises at ‘Isurupaya’, Battaramulla. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  2:22 pm

Online shopping in future will be AI-driven, says Google CEO

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), saying that artificial intelligence (AI) agents will play a major role in the way people shop in the near future. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  12:40 pm

Fairly heavy showers expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Uva, Eastern and Central provinces and Hambantota district, today (12), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  6:31 am

Meta blocks 550,000 accounts under Australia’s social media ban

About 550,000 accounts were blocked by Meta during the first days of Australia’s landmark social media ban for kids. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  2:15 pm

Indian rocket launch loses control after liftoff in fresh blow to ISRO

An Indian rocket carrying 16 loads of equipment and experiments including an earth surveillance satellite went off track after liftoff on Monday in a fresh setback to the workhorse launch vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  5:57 pm

Deaths from Iran protests reach more than 500, rights group says

Unrest in Iran has killed more than 500 people, a rights group said on Sunday, as Tehran threatened to target U.S. military bases if President Donald Trump carries out his renewed threats to intervene on behalf of protesters. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  7:20 am

ITAK decides not to support no-confidence motion to be brought against Education Minister

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has decided not to support the no-confidence motion that is expected to be brought against Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  2:46 pm

Generator at Norochcholai power plant restored

A generator at the Norochcholai Power Plant, which had been temporarily shut down for maintenance, has been restored. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  8:05 am

Prison inmates across Sri Lanka donate meals to support Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ victims

The Department of Prisons in Sri Lanka has announced that inmates from ten prisons across the country have voluntarily donated their meals to provide relief to those affected by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  1:35 pm

Golden Globes 2026: The full list of winners

The Golden Globe Awards have been handed out in Los Angeles, honouring the best in film and television of the past 12 months. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  10:59 am

Postponed 2025 A/L exams to resume today

The remaining subjects of the 2025 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination, which were postponed due to the disaster situation in the country, are scheduled to commence today (12). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  7:00 am

Trump to visit India next year, claims new US Ambassador Sergio Gor

Earlier in the day, new US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, offered a positive outlook on India-US trade deal talks, claiming negotiations will start tomorrow, January 13. Gor also claimed US President Donald Trump may visit India next year. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  4:43 pm

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ national programme to be launched tomorrow

The inauguration of ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ national programme will take place in Colombo tomorrow (13). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  4:16 pm

US Ambassador Julie Chung praises Sri Lanka as top surfing destination

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has highlighted Sri Lanka’s appeal for surfing enthusiasts, sharing her personal experience on X (formerly Twitter). MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  11:28 am

Over 65,000 tourists arrive in Sri Lanka so far in 2026

A total of 67,762 tourists have arrived in the country in the first eight days of this year, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  1:39 pm

Indian national arrested with stock of illegally imported cigarettes at BIA

A group police officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have arrested a 56-year-old Indian national while in possession of 2,400 illegally imported cigarettes. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  10:24 am

Apple leads global smartphone market with 20% share in 2025

Global smartphone shipments rose 2 per cent year-on-year in 2025, lifted by stronger demand and economic momentum in emerging markets, Counterpoint Research said on Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  1:59 pm

Bilateral talks held between Sri Lanka and China’s Foreign Ministers

The Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, this morning (12) for a session of bilateral discussions. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  1:27 pm

One dead, six injured in road accident in Oyamaduwa

An individual has died while six others have sustained injuries following a road accident in Oyamaduwa, Anuradhapura, police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  5:08 pm

Four killed in bus-car head-on collision in Murasumoddai

Four persons have died in a road accident along the Paranthan–Mullaitivu road in Murasumoddai, Kilinochchi, this evening (12), police stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  6:32 pm

Mogo Studios releases trailer of Sri Lanka’s first animated film for global audience

Mogo Studios has released the trailer of Sri Lanka’s first animated film for a global audience, “The Secret of the Moonstone”. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  2:00 pm

Three dead, several injured in car–van collision in Mundalama

At least three people have been killed and several others were injured in a head-on collision between a car and a van in Navadankulama, Mundalama, along the Puttalam–Colombo main road, police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  9:26 am

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in several provinces. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  1:04 pm

Trump declares himself ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ days after Maduro capture

A digitally altered image posted by President Donald Trump claims he is the “Acting President of Venezuela.” Trump made this claim amid intense international controversy following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  10:28 am

Govt hopeful of finalizing Hambantota SINOPEC Oil Refinery Project agreement in 1Q 2026

The government is hoping to finalize the agreement related to the SINOPEC Oil Refinery Project in Hambantota in the first quarter of 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  6:13 pm

Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero urges President to reshuffle Cabinet

The Chairman of the National Movement for the Protection of the Nation, Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thero, has called for a Cabinet reshuffle by removing Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya from the post of Minister of Education. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  7:48 am

North Korea says US making mockery of UN

North Korea condemned on Monday (Jan 12) what it called “shameless” moves by the United States that it said undermined the United Nations and accused Washington of a “hideous criminal act”. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  2:03 pm

Sri Lanka seeks assistance from China to reconstruct roads and bridges damaged by Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka has requested the assistance of the government of China to reconstruct roads, railways and bridges that were affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  3:48 pm

Mogo Studios releases trailer of Sri Lanka’s first animated film for global audience

Mogo Studios has released the trailer of Sri Lanka’s first animated film for a global audience, “The Secret of the Moonstone”. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  2:08 pm

Cuba defiant after Trump says island to receive no more Venezuelan oil or money

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba and suggested the Communist-run island should strike a deal with Washington, ramping up pressure on the long-time U.S. nemesis and provoking defiant words from the island’s leadership. MORE..

(0)Comments | January 12, 2026  6:39 am