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One killed, several injured as two buses and lorry collide in Mawanella
One killed, several injured as two buses and lorry collide in Mawanella
One person was killed, and several others were injured when two buses and a lorry collided on the Colombo-Kandy main road in the Palpatha area of Mawanella at around 3.30 p.m. today (09). MORE..
| January 9, 2026 6:53 pm
No risks for Sri Pada pilgrimage via Hatton route - NBRO
No risks for Sri Pada pilgrimage via Hatton route - NBRO
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has confirmed that there is no risk to pilgrims worshipping Sri Pada following the restoration of the Mahagiridamba area on the Sri Pada-Hatton road, which was previously affected by a landslide. MORE..
PM says 65 out of 102 legal cases withdrawn between 2019-2024 have been re-filed
PM says 65 out of 102 legal cases withdrawn between 2019-2024 have been re-filed
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government does not act to protect any individual based on their status, noting that this is clearly evident through the judicial processes currently underway. MORE..
Deep depression in Bay of Bengal to cross Sri Lanka tomorrow – Met Dept.
Deep depression in Bay of Bengal to cross Sri Lanka tomorrow – Met Dept.
The Department of Meteorology states that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located approximately 160 km east of Batticaloa at 1:00 p.m. on 9 January 2026. MORE..
Landslide evacuation warning issued to several areas in two districts
Landslide evacuation warning issued to several areas in two districts
In view of the prevailing conditions in Sri Lanka, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Red (Level 3) Landslide Evacuation Warnings for the Udadumbara Divisional Secretariat Division in the Kandy District, as well as the Nildandhahinna and Walapane Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Nuwara Eliya District. MORE..
DV Chanaka challenges Energy Minister to debate over coal tender allegations
DV Chanaka challenges Energy Minister to debate over coal tender allegations
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament D.V. Chanaka has challenged Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody to a public debate on any media platform regarding the allegations of corruption in the coal tender process. MORE..
Former Minister Johnston Fernando and sons further remanded
Former Minister Johnston Fernando and sons further remanded
Five suspects including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), have been further remanded until January 23 by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Drug trafficker sentenced to life in prison for heroin possession
Drug trafficker sentenced to life in prison for heroin possession
The Colombo High Court has sentenced a defendant convicted of drug trafficking to life imprisonment under the charges of possession and trafficking of heroin. MORE..
India-US trade deal stalled after Modi did not call Trump, Lutnick says
India-US trade deal stalled after Modi did not call Trump, Lutnick says
India’s trade pact with the United States was delayed because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a telephone call to President Donald Trump to close a deal they were negotiating, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Friday. MORE..
Landfill collapse kills 1 and leaves at least 38 missing in Philippine
Landfill collapse kills 1 and leaves at least 38 missing in Philippine
An avalanche of garbage and debris buried or trapped workers in low-slung buildings at a landfill in the Philippines, killing one person, injuring a dozen and leaving 38 others missing, officials said Friday. MORE..
Over 20,000 new houses to be built under post-disaster reconstruction efforts – President
Over 20,000 new houses to be built under post-disaster reconstruction efforts – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that between 20,000 and 25,000 new houses are expected to be constructed during the reconstruction activities following the damages caused by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
| January 9, 2026 1:13 pm
Decision taken to remove web links from education modules - PM Harini
Decision taken to remove web links from education modules - PM Harini
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated that the Academic Advisory Board of the National Institute of Education (NIE) has ordered that no web links be included in future modules prepared for the second and third terms under the government’s education reform program. MORE..
Speaker rejects motion to appoint select committee on Judicial Service Commission
Speaker rejects motion to appoint select committee on Judicial Service Commission
The Speaker of the Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, has declared that a motion submitted by 31 Members of Parliament on 21 November 2025, proposing the appointment of a parliamentary select committee to oversee the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), is out of order and unconstitutional. MORE..
Ex-Minister Douglas Devananda granted bail
Ex-Minister Douglas Devananda granted bail
Former Minister Douglas Devananda, who was arrested and remanded, has been granted bail by the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Court amends bail condition for former Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando
Court amends bail condition for former Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (09) ordered an amendment to a bail condition previously imposed on the former Mayor of the Moratuwa Municipal Council, Saman Lal Fernando, who is appearing in court as a suspect in a corruption case. MORE..
Post-disaster housing reconstruction project commences
Post-disaster housing reconstruction project commences
The project to construct new houses and provide compensation to those who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah was inaugurated today (09) in Anuradhapura, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..
Trump says he will meet with Venezuela’s Machado next week
Trump says he will meet with Venezuela’s Machado next week
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Thursday that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was coming to Washington next week. MORE..
Deep depression changes direction; Rainfall risk in Central Highlands reduced
Deep depression changes direction; Rainfall risk in Central Highlands reduced
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) says that according to the latest forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology, the direction of the deep depression located in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has changed... More..
Deep depression in Bay of Bengal moves closer to Sri Lanka
Deep depression in Bay of Bengal moves closer to Sri Lanka
The Department of Meteorology states that the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka (at 06:00 a.m. on 9 January 2026, about 170 km east of Batticaloa), is very likely to move northwestwards towards the Sri Lankan coast between Pottuvil and Trincomalee by this evening (09). MORE..
Internet and phones cut in Iran as protesters heed exiled prince’s call for mass demonstration
Internet and phones cut in Iran as protesters heed exiled prince’s call for mass demonstration
Iran’s government cut off the country from the internet and international telephone calls Thursday night as a nighttime demonstration called by the country’s exiled crown prince drew a mass of protesters to shout from their windows and storm the streets. MORE..
Schools in landslide-prone areas of Badulla District to close early today
Schools in landslide-prone areas of Badulla District to close early today
Administrators of schools in landslide-risk areas of the Badulla District have been permitted to close schools at 11.00 a.m. today, or earlier if necessary, according to the District Education Director. MORE..
Suspect arrested with T56 firearm detained for further investigations
Suspect arrested with T56 firearm detained for further investigations
The Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court has granted permission to the Meetiyagoda Police to conduct further investigations after issuing a detention order on a suspect arrested in possession of a T56 firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition. MORE..
Main suspect in Waikkala illicit liquor incident detained
Main suspect in Waikkala illicit liquor incident detained
The main suspect in the incident where six people died due to poisoning from illicit liquor in Waikkala, has been detained under a two-day detention order. MORE..
Highest rainfall recorded from Ampara during the past 24 hours
Highest rainfall recorded from Ampara during the past 24 hours
The highest rainfall recorded during the past 24 hours was reported from the Ampara area, measuring 38 millimetres, Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management) Engineer L. S. Sooriyabandara said this morning (09). MORE..
Venezuelan government begins releasing political prisoners
Venezuelan government begins releasing political prisoners
The Venezuelan government has begun releasing detainees considered political prisoners by human rights groups, in what officials described as a goodwill gesture. MORE..