Sri Lanka usher in 2026 with vibrant New Year’s celebrations
Colombo was illuminated by a fireworks show as Sri Lanka welcomed the dawn of the new year. MORE..
- Legendary singer Latha Walpola laid to rest with state honours
- Pakistan tour profit to be donated to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program – SLC
- Israel to ban 37 aid groups operating in Gaza
- SLMC suspends party membership CMC councillor who supported budget
- China’s Xi hails nation’s technological progress and renews promise to take back Taiwan
- Magnitude 6 earthquake strikes off coast of Japan’s Noda region
- Gazette issued to establish ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force’
- 114 shooting incidents with 60 fatalities reported in 2025
- Sri Lanka usher in 2026 with vibrant New Year’s celebrations
- President calls for unity and determination to rebuild Sri Lanka in his New Year message
Hot News
President calls for unity and determination to rebuild Sri Lanka in his New Year message
As we step into the New Year 2026, we do so as a nation that has shouldered the greatest reform programme and reconstruction effort in our modern history, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated.
114 shooting incidents with 60 fatalities reported in 2025
With only a few hours remaining before the end of the year 2025, two separate shooting incidents were reported in different parts of the country within a span of eight hours, police reported. MORE..
Gazette issued to establish ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force’
A Gazette notification has been issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, establishing a ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force’. MORE..
Magnitude 6 earthquake strikes off coast of Japan’s Noda region
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan’s eastern Noda region on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey said. The quake was at a depth of 19.3 km (11.99 miles), the USGS said.
China’s Xi hails nation’s technological progress and renews promise to take back Taiwan
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday hailed his country’s technological progress in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors while once again insisting his country would annex self-ruled Taiwan. MORE..
SLMC suspends party membership CMC councillor who supported budget
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has suspended the party membership of Colombo Municipal Councillor Zohara Buhary with immediate effect, citing a serious violation of party discipline. MORE..
Israel to ban 37 aid groups operating in Gaza
Israel has said 37 aid organisations will be banned from operating in Gaza from Thursday unless they comply with guidelines requiring detailed information on Palestinian staff, drawing criticism from the United Nations and the European Union. MORE..
Pakistan tour profit to be donated to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program – SLC
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today announced that it will dedicate the upcoming Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka to promoting the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program. MORE..
Five opposition members of Galle MC granted bail
The five opposition members of the Galle Municipal Council, who were arrested for intimidating and obstructing the duties of officials during an incident yesterday at the council, have been granted bail by the Galle magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Matugama PS chairman granted bail
The Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, Kasun Munasinghe, has been granted bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
First sitting of Parliament for the New Year on January 6
Parliamentary business for the first sitting week of Parliament for January 2026 was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held today (31) under the chairmanship of the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. MORE..
Turkey detains 125 more Islamic State suspects as nationwide sweep continues
Turkish authorities on Wednesday pressed ahead with nationwide operations against suspected Islamic State members, detaining 125 people in simultaneous raids across 25 provinces. MORE..
Remote Pacific nation becomes first place in the world to welcome 2026
The island of Kiritimati is welcoming in the new year - the first place in the world do so. MORE..
Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm likely in several provinces tomorrow
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, Eastern, Central, North-central, North-western and Uva provinces, tomorrow (01), according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..
Former Minister Johnston Fernando’s son remanded
Johan Fernando, the son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, who was arrested yesterday (30) by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID), has been remanded, Ada Derana reporter said. MORE..
114 shooting incidents with 60 fatalities reported in 2025
With only a few hours remaining before the end of the year 2025, two separate shooting incidents were reported in different parts of the country within a span of eight hours, police reported. MORE..
Gazette issued to establish ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force’
A Gazette notification has been issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, establishing a ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force’. MORE..
Magnitude 6 earthquake strikes off coast of Japan’s Noda region
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan’s eastern Noda region on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey said. The quake was at a depth of 19.3 km (11.99 miles), the USGS said.
China’s Xi hails nation’s technological progress and renews promise to take back Taiwan
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday hailed his country’s technological progress in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors while once again insisting his country would annex self-ruled Taiwan. MORE..
SLMC suspends party membership CMC councillor who supported budget
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has suspended the party membership of Colombo Municipal Councillor Zohara Buhary with immediate effect, citing a serious violation of party discipline. MORE..
Israel to ban 37 aid groups operating in Gaza
Israel has said 37 aid organisations will be banned from operating in Gaza from Thursday unless they comply with guidelines requiring detailed information on Palestinian staff, drawing criticism from the United Nations and the European Union. MORE..
Pakistan tour profit to be donated to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program – SLC
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today announced that it will dedicate the upcoming Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka to promoting the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program. MORE..
Five opposition members of Galle MC granted bail
The five opposition members of the Galle Municipal Council, who were arrested for intimidating and obstructing the duties of officials during an incident yesterday at the council, have been granted bail by the Galle magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Matugama PS chairman granted bail
The Chairman of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha, Kasun Munasinghe, has been granted bail by the Matugama Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Latest TV News Bulletin
Video of the Day
Flashback 2025: Sri Lanka's biggest news stories of the year
Video of the Day
Flashback 2025: Sri Lanka's biggest news stories of the year
Video Story
Kiribati becomes first nation in the world to usher in the New Year (English)
Technology
China to crack down on AI firms to protect kids
China has proposed strict new rules for artificial intelligence (AI) to provide safeguards for children and prevent chatbots from offering advice that could lead to self-harm or violence. MORE..
Meta to buy Chinese startup Manus to boost advanced AI
Meta to buy Chinese startup Manus to boost advanced AI
Meta said on Monday it would acquire Chinese artificial intelligence startup Manus as the technology giant accelerates efforts to integrate advanced AI across its platforms. MORE..
Bottled water drinkers ingest 90,000 more microplastic particles each year, study finds
Bottled water drinkers ingest 90,000 more microplastic particles each year, study finds
Daily consumers of bottled water ingest over 90,000 more microplastic particles than people who drink tap water, according to a new review of research that calls for urgent regulatory measures to manage the risks. MORE..
Amazon halts plans for drone delivery in Italy
Amazon halts plans for drone delivery in Italy
Amazon said on Sunday it has decided not to pursue plans to deliver goods by drone in Italy, saying that while it had made good progress with aerospace regulators, broader business regulatory issues did not support the project. MORE..
Entertainment
Renowned Indian filmmaker Prabhu Deva arrives in Sri Lanka
SriLankan Airlines announced that it had the honour of welcoming the renowned Indian film director, actor, dancer, and choreographer, Prabhu Deva, on board a flight from Chennai to Colombo. MORE..
Beyonce declared a billionaire by Forbes magazine
Beyonce declared a billionaire by Forbes magazine
US singer Beyonce is now a billionaire, Forbes magazine said Monday (Dec 29), becoming only the fifth musician to achieve such a milestone. MORE..
‘I gave up cinema to stand up for my fans’: Actor Vijay
‘I gave up cinema to stand up for my fans’: Actor Vijay
Actor-politician Vijay’s “Thalapathy Thiruvizha” in Malaysia was far more than a standard movie promotional event; it felt like a monumental farewell, marking the end of one era and the loud, unmistakable beginning of another. MORE..
French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot dies at 91
French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot dies at 91
French film legend Brigitte Bardot has died at 91, her foundation said Sunday. MORE..
Exchange Rates
Country |
Buying |
Selling |
|---|---|---|
USA
U.S.Dollar |
306.2933 | 313.8313 |
UK
Sterling Pound |
411.0111 | 423.8226 |
Europe
Euro |
358.3369 | 369.8844 |
Switzerland
Swiss Franc |
383.8933 | 399.1445 |
Canada
Canadian Dollar |
222.3071 | 230.3149 |
Australia
Australian Dollar |
202.9716 | 212.2001 |
Singapore
Singapore Dollar |
236.9312 | 246.1407 |
Japan
Japanese Yen |
1.9502 | 2.0169 |
Country |
Currency |
Rate |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Dinar | 822.1573 |
Kuwait
|
Dinar | 1,007.3257 |
Oman
|
Rial | 805.2012 |
Qatar
|
Riyal | 85.0325 |
Saudi Arabia
|
Riyal | 82.6586 |
UAE
|
Dirham | 84.4004 |
Sports
Pakistan tour profit to be donated to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program – SLC
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today announced that it will dedicate the upcoming Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka to promoting the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program. MORE..
Afghanistan name Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Rashid Khan will lead the command of the Afghanistan side in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. MORE..
Taavi Samaraweera climbs to No. 1 in U-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings
Sri Lanka’s Taavi Samaraweera has climbed to No. 1 in the U-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings. MORE..
Former Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn in an induced coma with meningitis
Former Australian Test and limited overs batsman Damien Martyn is in hospital in Brisbane in an induced coma after falling ill with meningitis. MORE..
Oman name squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Jatinder Singh will be supported by Vinayak Shukla, who has been named as the vice-captain in the squad. MORE..
