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Magistrate orders CID to record statements from teachers trained on controversial module
Magistrate orders CID to record statements from teachers trained on controversial module
Gangodawila Magistrate Ruwanthika Marasinghe today (30) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record statements from teachers trained using the controversial education module and to conclude investigations without delay. MORE..
Suspect arrested with foreign-made firearm and ammunition
Suspect arrested with foreign-made firearm and ammunition
A suspect arrested in possession of a foreign-manufactured firearm and two live rounds of ammunition has been remanded until 12 February 2026, in accordance with an order issued today (30) by the Wattala Magistrate. MORE..
President to meet school development officers on hunger strike
President to meet school development officers on hunger strike
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has decided to hold discussions with a group of School Development Officers who are currently staging a hunger strike in front of the Presidential Secretariat, demanding permanent employment. MORE..
| January 30, 2026 8:59 pm
Over 2 million foreign cigarettes destroyed at Kerawalapitiya
Over 2 million foreign cigarettes destroyed at Kerawalapitiya
A total of 2,032,804 sticks of foreign cigarettes, illegally brought into the country over the past four months, were destroyed today (30) at the Waste to Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya. MORE..
| January 30, 2026 7:39 pm
Govt. to introduce digital entry pass to tourist attractions and expedite tourist visas
Govt. to introduce digital entry pass to tourist attractions and expedite tourist visas
A meeting has been held this morning (30) at the Presidential Secretariat between Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and members of the Presidential Task Force responsible for implementing the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Programme. MORE..
Ministry of Defense issues notice on firearms licenses
Ministry of Defense issues notice on firearms licenses
The Ministry of Defense has issued a special announcement urging all individuals and institutions holding firearms licenses to renew their licenses for the year 2026 as the renewal period is slated to end tomorrow (31). MORE..
GMOA, health sector trade unions agree to work together on common issues
GMOA, health sector trade unions agree to work together on common issues
A discussion has been held yesterday (29) between the Executive Committee of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and representatives of all health sector trade unions. MORE..
Ministry clarifies removal of former AASL Chairman Harsha Abeywickrama
Ministry clarifies removal of former AASL Chairman Harsha Abeywickrama
The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has issued a statement rejecting reports circulating on social media platforms regarding the removal of former Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), Harsha Abeywickrama. MORE..
Worried families in India urge return of crew on ship seized by Iran
Worried families in India urge return of crew on ship seized by Iran
The families of 16 Indian seafarers held in Iran since December say they are anxious about the fate of their loved ones as the geopolitical situation in the region remains tense. MORE..
President proposes another name for vacant Auditor General post
President proposes another name for vacant Auditor General post
Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake stated that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has proposed another name for the currently vacant post of Auditor General. MORE..
Revision of electoral registers to resume tomorrow
Revision of electoral registers to resume tomorrow
The process of revising the electoral registers is scheduled to recommence tomorrow (31). MORE..
Colombo inflation rises to 2.3% in January 2026
Colombo inflation rises to 2.3% in January 2026
The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis, increased to 2.3% in January 2026, compared to 2.1% in December 2025, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS). MORE..
60% of public transport drivers in Colombo addicted to drugs - Minister
60% of public transport drivers in Colombo addicted to drugs - Minister
Minister of Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake stated that around 60% of drivers engaged in passenger transport services in Colombo and its suburban areas are severely addicted to drugs. MORE..
Compensation for Cyclone Ditwah victims in final stages – Ministry Secretary
Compensation for Cyclone Ditwah victims in final stages – Ministry Secretary
The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara, today (30) said that the process of providing relief assistance and compensation to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah is currently in its final stages. MORE..
WHO sees low risk of Nipah virus spreading beyond India
WHO sees low risk of Nipah virus spreading beyond India
There is a low risk of the deadly Nipah virus spreading from India, the World Health Organization said on Friday, adding that it did not recommend travel or trade curbs after two infections reported by the South Asian nation. MORE..
SLBFE warns of overseas-based job scam promising employment in Moldova
SLBFE warns of overseas-based job scam promising employment in Moldova
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) says it has received information regarding a large-scale human trafficking operation allegedly carried out by a Sri Lankan man residing abroad, who claims to provide employment opportunities in Moldova. MORE..
Sri Lanka Police operating with shortage of nearly 32,000 personnel - IGP
Sri Lanka Police operating with shortage of nearly 32,000 personnel - IGP
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has stated that the Sri Lanka Police service is currently operating with a shortage of nearly 32,000 officers. MORE..
| January 30, 2026 3:30 pm
US Montana National Guard supports post-cyclone recovery in Sri Lanka
US Montana National Guard supports post-cyclone recovery in Sri Lanka
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka this week welcomed a team of engineers and medical professionals from the Montana National Guard as they engaged with counterparts from Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and other government agencies to assess damage to health facilities and critical infrastructure following Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
Korea partners with UNDP to tackle Sri Lanka’s waste management challenges
Korea partners with UNDP to tackle Sri Lanka’s waste management challenges
The Government of the Republic of Korea has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka to support Sri Lanka in addressing its growing waste management challenges, with funding of USD 4.7 million for a new initiative. MORE..
Former Minister Johnston Fernando and sons further remanded
Former Minister Johnston Fernando and sons further remanded
Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and two others have been further remanded until 13 February by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, said Ada Derana reporter. MORE..
Trump says ‘it would be great’ if US ‘didn’t have to use’ military force on Iran
Trump says ‘it would be great’ if US ‘didn’t have to use’ military force on Iran
Donald Trump says he has told Iran it has to do “two things” to avoid military action, as the US builds up its forces in the Gulf. MORE..
Gold prices in Sri Lanka drop by Rs. 20,000
Gold prices in Sri Lanka drop by Rs. 20,000
Gold market data indicates that local gold prices have decreased by around Rs. 20,000 following a marginal decline in global gold prices. MORE..
Case against ex-Minister Rajitha Senaratne to be recalled in July
Case against ex-Minister Rajitha Senaratne to be recalled in July
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that the complaint filed against two defendants, including former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, regarding the alleged incurrence of a loss exceeding Rs. 20 million to the government, be recalled on 10 July. MORE..
School dev. officers’ fast unto death protest enters 5th day as another hospitalised
School dev. officers’ fast unto death protest enters 5th day as another hospitalised
Another School Development Officer participating in the fast unto death protest campaign, launched by the School Development Officers’ Association in front of the Presidential Secretariat, was reportedly hospitalised this morning (30) after his health condition deteriorated. MORE..
SOC urges expedited compensation and detailed reports on impact of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’
SOC urges expedited compensation and detailed reports on impact of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’
The Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability focused its attention on the impact of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ on the agricultural sector and the environment, along with the measures being implemented to restore affected areas to normalcy. MORE..