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February tourist arrivals surpass 150,000
February tourist arrivals surpass 150,000
A total of 159,339 tourists have arrived in the country in the first 15 days of February, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows. MORE..
EU to take part in Trump’s Board of Peace but not as member
EU to take part in Trump’s Board of Peace but not as member
The European Union will take part in this week’s inaugural meeting of United States President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, but a spokesman insisted on Monday (Feb 16) that Brussels would not be joining as a member. MORE..
New details emerge on Akuregoda double murder plot
New details emerge on Akuregoda double murder plot
Two individuals, residents of Nawagamuwa, were arrested today (16) for allegedly transporting the firearm used in the double murder of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama and for facilitating the gunmen, police stated. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s PMI for January expands
Sri Lanka’s PMI for January expands
Sri Lanka’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for January 2026 recorded growth in both manufacturing and services sectors. MORE..
Around 250 children die daily from cancer worldwide
Around 250 children die daily from cancer worldwide
Around 250 children die globally each day from cancer, according to international health data. MORE..
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards begin military drills in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards begin military drills in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday (Feb 16) began a series of military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported on the eve of talks with the United States. MORE..
Pakistan has always supported Sri Lanka during difficult times: President
Pakistan has always supported Sri Lanka during difficult times: President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that the Pakistan Interior Minister’s visit, together with the arrival of the Pakistan national cricket team in Sri Lanka, has further strengthened the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. MORE..
Prabath Chandrakeerthi named President’s Chief of Staff
Prabath Chandrakeerthi named President’s Chief of Staff
Prabath Chandrakeerthi has been appointed as the Chief of Staff to the President. MORE..
Sri Lanka, Pakistan pledge deeper security collaboration
Sri Lanka, Pakistan pledge deeper security collaboration
Sri Lanka and Pakistan have decided to broaden collaboration between interior ministries, placing special emphasis on internal security coordination, counter-terrorism initiatives, and anti-narcotics operations. MORE..
Massive fireworks store explosion in China kills eight ahead of Lunar New Year
Massive fireworks store explosion in China kills eight ahead of Lunar New Year
Eight people have been killed and two others suffered minor burns following an explosion and fire at a fireworks shop in eastern China. MORE..
President Anura Kumara to leave for India tomorrow
President Anura Kumara to leave for India tomorrow
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to leave for India tomorrow (17) to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi. MORE..
Buddhist monks from all chapters to be summoned to Colombo on Feb. 20
Buddhist monks from all chapters to be summoned to Colombo on Feb. 20
Monks from all Buddhist chapters will be summoned to Colombo on 20 February to be briefed on actions being taken against the ‘Buddhasasana’, Ven. Dambara Amila Thero has announced. MORE..
| February 16, 2026 4:45 pm
Advisory for low pressure area in Bay of Bengal issued
Advisory for low pressure area in Bay of Bengal issued
A low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal sea area to the south east of Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..
| February 16, 2026 4:35 pm
Asgiri Anunayake Thero calls for calm amid criticism of Buddhist clergy
Asgiri Anunayake Thero calls for calm amid criticism of Buddhist clergy
Members of the Buddhist clergy should respond with equanimity to allegations directed at them by certain sections of society, the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thero stated. MORE..
| February 16, 2026 4:10 pm
IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva arrives in Sri Lanka
IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva arrives in Sri Lanka
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago (16). MORE..
| February 16, 2026 4:03 pm
Two brothers arrested in Kottawa in relation to Akuregoda murders
Two brothers arrested in Kottawa in relation to Akuregoda murders
Two brothers have been arrested in Kottawa for allegedly aiding and abetting the killing of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama last week. MORE..
Cricket fans flew in 15 private jets to witness yesterday’s India-Pakistan match in Colombo
Cricket fans flew in 15 private jets to witness yesterday’s India-Pakistan match in Colombo
A large number of cricket fans from around the world landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on 15 private jets to witness the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match held in Colombo on 15 February 2026. MORE..
Over 800 prisoners currently on death row in Sri Lanka - Ministry
Over 800 prisoners currently on death row in Sri Lanka - Ministry
A total of 817 local and foreign individuals who have been sentenced to death are currently held in prisons across the country, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration has stated. MORE..
Govt. announces minimum purchase prices for paddy
Govt. announces minimum purchase prices for paddy
The government has officially announced the minimum prices at which the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) will purchase paddy from farmers.
Wild New Zealand storm disrupts transport, leaves thousands without power
Wild New Zealand storm disrupts transport, leaves thousands without power
Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted flights, trains and ferries, forcing the closure of roads across large parts of New Zealand’s North Island on Monday, while snapping power links to tens of thousands. MORE..
UK Deputy PM David Lammy to visit Sri Lanka tomorrow to strengthen bilateral ties
UK Deputy PM David Lammy to visit Sri Lanka tomorrow to strengthen bilateral ties
The Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lammy is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (17). MORE..
Police inspection in Tissamaharama: 23 school buses and 3 vans deemed unfit for road use
Police inspection in Tissamaharama: 23 school buses and 3 vans deemed unfit for road use
School buses and vans transporting students to Tissamaharama were subjected to a sudden inspection by police, authorities said. MORE..
Lawyers stage protest march over killing of lawyer and wife in Akuregoda
Lawyers stage protest march over killing of lawyer and wife in Akuregoda
A protest march has been staged today (16) by a group of lawyers led by the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) over the murder of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama last week. MORE..
UNP warns killing of lawyer threatens integrity of legal system
UNP warns killing of lawyer threatens integrity of legal system
The United National Party (UNP), in a statement, said that the killing of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawaarachchi and his wife on Friday, 13 February 2026, in broad daylight, poses a serious threat to the integrity of Asia’s oldest Western-based legal system. MORE..
GMOA to withdraw from health data reporting from Feb. 18
GMOA to withdraw from health data reporting from Feb. 18
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced its decision to withdraw from the reporting of health data with effect from February 18.