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Let’s build a prosperous nation free of racism and rich in unity - President at Jaffna Thai Pongal Festival

Let’s build a prosperous nation free of racism and rich in unity - President at Jaffna Thai Pongal Festival

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government’s objective is to build a prosperous country free of racism and filled with national unity, where all citizens can live with dignity regardless of the language they speak or the religion they practise. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  10:23 pm
IMF fact-finding mission to visit Sri Lanka from January 22–28

IMF fact-finding mission to visit Sri Lanka from January 22–28

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decided to send a fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka from January 22 to January 28 to assess the damage caused by the recent cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  9:27 pm
European military personnel arrive in Greenland as Trump says US needs island

European military personnel arrive in Greenland as Trump says US needs island

A 15-strong French military contingent has arrived in Greenland’s capital Nuuk, as several European states send soldiers there as part of a so-called reconnaissance mission. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  9:00 pm
Veteran singer Raju Bandara passes away

Veteran singer Raju Bandara passes away

Veteran singer and musician Raju Bandara has passed away at the age of 65, according to family sources.

| January 15, 2026  7:37 pm
Turkish Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Barcelona after ‘threat’ alert

Turkish Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Barcelona after ‘threat’ alert

A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency landing Thursday at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport after a passenger created an in-flight wireless network whose name contained a bomb threat, an airlines spokesperson said. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  6:57 pm
President launches construction of 50MW HayWind wind power project in Mannar

President launches construction of 50MW HayWind wind power project in Mannar

In line with the Government’s policy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, construction of the 50-megawatt wind power project developed by Hayleys Fentons Limited in Mannar was officially launched this morning (15) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  6:42 pm
CAA raids fuel station in Beruwala hoarding petrol

CAA raids fuel station in Beruwala hoarding petrol

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has raided a fuel station in Beruwala for allegedly concealing fuel stocks and selling fuel at higher prices after claiming that Octane 92 petrol was unavailable. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  5:30 pm
Industry bodies flag gaps in Draft National Electricity Policy

Industry bodies flag gaps in Draft National Electricity Policy

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, together with several leading industry chambers associations, have submitted joint observations on the Draft National Electricity Policy, stating that a number of critical issues have not been adequately addressed. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  4:27 pm
Showers expected in several districts tomorrow

Showers expected in several districts tomorrow

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Kaluthara, Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts after 4.00 p.m. tomorrow (16) while mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere, according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  3:47 pm
Three traders fined Rs. 1 mln each for selling rice at inflated prices

Three traders fined Rs. 1 mln each for selling rice at inflated prices

The Welisara Magistrate’s Court has fined three traders Rs. 1 million each for selling rice at inflated prices above the stipulated control prices. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  3:07 pm
Singapore’s opposition leader stripped of title after conviction for lying

Singapore’s opposition leader stripped of title after conviction for lying

Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition in parliament, Pritam Singh, has been stripped of his title by the prime minister following a vote by lawmakers. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  2:31 pm
Two killed in fatal tipper truck accident in Jaffna

Two killed in fatal tipper truck accident in Jaffna

Two individuals have reportedly died in a road accident that had occurred in the Navathkuli area of Thenmarachchi on the Jaffna-Mannar main road. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  2:28 pm
After exceeding 2025 revenue target, IRD aims for Rs. 2,402 billion in 2026

After exceeding 2025 revenue target, IRD aims for Rs. 2,402 billion in 2026

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has been set a revenue target of Rs. 2,402 billion for the fiscal year 2026, the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Nandana Kumara said. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  1:57 pm
Sri Lanka ranked 93rd in Henley Passport Index 2026 with access to 39 destinations

Sri Lanka ranked 93rd in Henley Passport Index 2026 with access to 39 destinations

Sri Lanka has climbed up to the 93rd rank in the Henley Passport Index 2026, with access to 39 destinations, according to the latest global passport rankings released by Henley & Partners. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  1:21 pm
Suspect arrested over gold necklace thefts and drug possession

Suspect arrested over gold necklace thefts and drug possession

A suspect who fled after stealing gold necklaces using stolen motorcycles has been arrested by the police. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  12:41 pm
55-year-old attacked to death in Nawalapitiya over personal dispute

55-year-old attacked to death in Nawalapitiya over personal dispute

A personal dispute between two brothers-in-law has reportedly ended in a fatal assault in the Gondennawa area of Nawalapitiya Police Division, police said. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  12:29 pm
UK-based couple donates £2,000 to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

UK-based couple donates £2,000 to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

A UK-based couple residing near the Sri Lankan High Commission to the United Kingdom have donated £2,000 to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ fund. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  12:06 pm
The full list of 75 countries where Trump is suspending visa processing

The full list of 75 countries where Trump is suspending visa processing

The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, marking one of its most expansive efforts yet to restrict legal pathways to the United States. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  11:36 am
Indian Defence Minister calls for honouring IPKF soldiers’ sacrifices in Sri Lanka

Indian Defence Minister calls for honouring IPKF soldiers’ sacrifices in Sri Lanka

The sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka nearly four decades ago should be honoured, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, appearing to criticise the governments in the 1990s for not publicly recognising their contributions. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  11:23 am
Another crane collapses in Thailand killing 2 people, police say

Another crane collapses in Thailand killing 2 people, police say

A crane collapsed in Thailand on Thursday, crushing two vehicles and killing two people, police said, a day after a crane accident in the northeast caused the deaths of 32 train passengers. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  10:29 am
Safety guidelines issued for Sri Lankans in Israel amid Middle East tensions

Safety guidelines issued for Sri Lankans in Israel amid Middle East tensions

In view of the current and escalating unrest in the Middle East region, a set of guidelines for Sri Lankans working and residing in Israel has been issued by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Israel. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  9:44 am
Iran warns of retaliation if Trump strikes, US withdraws some personnel from bases

Iran warns of retaliation if Trump strikes, US withdraws some personnel from bases

The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  9:35 am
Dilith Jayaweera extends Thai Pongal greetings, highlights importance of social values

Dilith Jayaweera extends Thai Pongal greetings, highlights importance of social values

The leader of the ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ and Member of Parliament entrepreneur Dilith Jayaweera in his Thai Pongal Day message has extended his heartfelt greetings to all Tamil devotees celebrating Thai Pongal today. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  8:47 am
UNDP confirms widespread economic fallout from Cyclone Ditwah, calls for inclusive access to recovery financing

UNDP confirms widespread economic fallout from Cyclone Ditwah, calls for inclusive access to recovery financing

Nearly all communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka suffered damage to homes, roads and other critical infrastructure, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assessment released on Wednesday, underscoring the scale of recovery needs and the urgency of accessible financing for the most vulnerable. MORE..

| January 15, 2026  8:16 am
Opposition Leader emphasizes cultural awareness and respect for nature in Thai Pongal message

Opposition Leader emphasizes cultural awareness and respect for nature in Thai Pongal message

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa extended his heartfelt wishes to Tamil communities across Sri Lanka and worldwide “wishing everyone a meaningful celebration of this cultural festival, with a true understanding of the spirit of Thai Pongal.” MORE..

| January 15, 2026  7:47 am