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Govt formulating policy to ensure child protection in use of technology - PM Harini

Govt formulating policy to ensure child protection in use of technology - PM Harini

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated the government is in the process of formulating a national policy to ensure child protection in the use of technology. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  10:40 pm
Mahaweli Authority issues update on water levels of major reservoirs

Mahaweli Authority issues update on water levels of major reservoirs

The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka has issued a special announcement on the current water levels of the Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs within the Mahaweli reservoir system. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  9:49 pm
Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake appointed Presidential Advisor on Maritime, Ports and Logistics

Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake appointed Presidential Advisor on Maritime, Ports and Logistics

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Dr Mahinda Parakrama Dissanayake as Advisor to the President on Maritime, Ports and Logistics, with immediate effect, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). MORE..

| January 8, 2026  9:08 pm
Minor earth tremor reported in Ududumbara

Minor earth tremor reported in Ududumbara

A minor earth tremor measuring 2.2 on the Richter Scale has been reported in the Ududumbara area at 5.05 p.m. today (08). MORE..

| January 8, 2026  7:00 pm
Circular issued on providing Rs. 5 million for homes destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah

Circular issued on providing Rs. 5 million for homes destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah

A circular has been issued by the Defence Ministry with regard to providing Rs. 5 million to families whose houses were completely destroyed due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, for the purpose of rebuilding their homes. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  6:37 pm
Colombo stock market posts record trading day

Colombo stock market posts record trading day

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has posted a record trading day as daily turnover crossed Rs. 12.32 billion on Thursday (Jan. 08). MORE..

| January 8, 2026  5:50 pm
US seizes Russian-flagged tanker, another tied to Venezuela as Trump widens oil push

US seizes Russian-flagged tanker, another tied to Venezuela as Trump widens oil push

The US seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia’s flag, as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela’s socialist government to become an ally. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  5:42 pm
Discussions held with foreign unis on establishing technology R&D institution in Sri Lanka

Discussions held with foreign unis on establishing technology R&D institution in Sri Lanka

A discussion has been held focusing on several key proposals, including the establishment of a technology research and development institution in Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening international academic collaboration and innovation-driven research. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  5:00 pm
Fatal road accidents increased last year; 14 elephants killed by trains in 2025 – Dy. Minister

Fatal road accidents increased last year; 14 elephants killed by trains in 2025 – Dy. Minister

Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Prasanna Gunasena says that the number of fatal accidents recorded in 2025 have slightly increased in comparison to the previous year (2024). MORE..

| January 8, 2026  4:23 pm
Sri Lanka to receive ten Bell 206 helicopters from US under defense program

Sri Lanka to receive ten Bell 206 helicopters from US under defense program

The United States has announced it will provide ten TH-57 (Bell 206 Sea Ranger) helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) at no cost for the equipment itself with delivery expected early this year. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  4:10 pm
Sri Lankan garment exports granted tariff-free access to UK from Jan. 01

Sri Lankan garment exports granted tariff-free access to UK from Jan. 01

The Sri Lankan garment manufacturers have secured unprecedented access to the UK market under liberalised trade rules, the British High Commission in Colombo said. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  2:48 pm
Strict action against drivers operating vehicles under the influence of narcotics – Minister

Strict action against drivers operating vehicles under the influence of narcotics – Minister

Strict legal action will be enforced against individuals who operate vehicles under the influence of not only alcohol but also any form of narcotic substances, Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake has stated. MORE..

video | January 8, 2026  2:43 pm
Direct Bangladesh-Pakistan flights to resume after 14 years

Direct Bangladesh-Pakistan flights to resume after 14 years

Bangladesh and Pakistan are to resume direct flights after more than a decade, Dhaka’s national airline said on Thursday (Jan 8), as ties warm and regional power balances shift. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  1:51 pm
500 tabs issued to police officers in line with introduction of new digital insurance card

500 tabs issued to police officers in line with introduction of new digital insurance card

A total of 500 tablet devices have been issued to traffic police officers in the Western Province, enabling efficient access to the enhanced Sri Lanka Police Road Accident Data Management System and facilitating the verification of the new digital insurance e-card (e-card). MORE..

| January 8, 2026  1:48 pm
Heatwave hits Australia as officials warn of ‘catastrophic’ fire risk

Heatwave hits Australia as officials warn of ‘catastrophic’ fire risk

Parts of Australia will face catastrophic fire conditions on Friday, when heatwaves are expected to hit most of the country. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  1:28 pm
Deep depression in the vicinity of Sri Lanka to bring heavy showers and gusty winds to several areas

Deep depression in the vicinity of Sri Lanka to bring heavy showers and gusty winds to several areas

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression, the Department of Meteorology has confirmed. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  1:01 pm
Matugama PS chairman granted bail

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..

| January 8, 2026  12:23 pm
Post-disaster housing reconstruction to commence tomorrow

Post-disaster housing reconstruction to commence tomorrow

The inauguration of the project to construct new houses and provide compensation to those who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah, under the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ initiative, is scheduled to commence tomorrow (09) in the Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  12:10 pm
Sri Lanka seeking to deploy additional personnel to UN Peacekeeping missions

Sri Lanka seeking to deploy additional personnel to UN Peacekeeping missions

Discussions have been held pertaining to the deployment of additional personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  12:10 pm
Postponed 2025 A/L exams to be held from Jan. 12-20

Postponed 2025 A/L exams to be held from Jan. 12-20

The Department of Examinations has announced that the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) 2025 examinations, which were postponed due to the disaster situation in the country, will be held from January 12 to January 20, 2026.

| January 8, 2026  11:37 am
Public urged to remain vigilant as water levels of rivers may rise rapidly - Irrigation Dept.

Public urged to remain vigilant as water levels of rivers may rise rapidly - Irrigation Dept.

The Department of Irrigation has warned that water levels of rivers and reservoirs could rise rapidly if the island experiences high-intensity rainfall due to the low-pressure area established over the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  11:22 am
Depression in Bay of Bengal likely to cross Sri Lanka tomorrow – Met. DG

Depression in Bay of Bengal likely to cross Sri Lanka tomorrow – Met. DG

The depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to cross Sri Lanka tomorrow (09) between 5:30p.m. and 11:30p.m., the Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Athula Karunanayake has stated. MORE..

video | January 8, 2026  11:17 am
Sri Lanka’s economy expected to grow by around 4-5% in 2026 – CBSL Governor

Sri Lanka’s economy expected to grow by around 4-5% in 2026 – CBSL Governor

Sri Lanka’s economy has been projected to grow by around 4 - 5% this year. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  10:46 am
Ex- Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa’s case fixed for trial on Jan. 27

Ex- Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa’s case fixed for trial on Jan. 27

The Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed against former Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and seven others be taken up for trial on January 27, Ada Derana reporter said. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  10:43 am
Technical officer attached to Wattala PS arrested for soliciting bribe

Technical officer attached to Wattala PS arrested for soliciting bribe

A technical officer at the Welisara sub-office of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha has been arrested by the Bribery Commission for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 50,000. MORE..

| January 8, 2026  10:21 am