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Parents stage silent protest near Edu. Ministry demanding Grade 6 reforms
Parents stage silent protest near Edu. Ministry demanding Grade 6 reforms
A group of parents has launched a continuous silent protest this morning (19) in front of the Ministry of Education, urging the immediate implementation of the recently suspended proposed education reforms for Grade 6 students. MORE..
Decline in air quality observed across several areas; CEA advises caution
Decline in air quality observed across several areas; CEA advises caution
The Media Spokesperson for the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Dr. Ajith Gunawardena says that a decline in air quality has been reported in multiple parts of the country. MORE..
Death toll in Karachi mall fire jumps to 11
Death toll in Karachi mall fire jumps to 11
Firefighters in Karachi began searching on Monday for more than 60 missing people after a massive fire destroyed a shopping mall in Pakistan’s most populous city, while the death toll from the disaster rose to 11. MORE..
Parliamentary Sub-Committee reviews execution of principal transfers in national and provincial schools
Parliamentary Sub-Committee reviews execution of principal transfers in national and provincial schools
The implementation of transfers of Principals in National and Provincial Schools and related matters, together with the existing human resource shortages in schools, has been discussed recently at the meeting of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee. MORE..
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026: Colombo among best food cities; Galle in top 5 honeymoon destinations
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026: Colombo among best food cities; Galle in top 5 honeymoon destinations
Sri Lanka has received significant international recognition in the “Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best 2026”, with Colombo and Galle being named among the world’s top destinations under two categories, marking a major boost for the country’s tourism and hospitality industries. MORE..
President to chair special discussion on exposition of sacred Buddha relics from India
President to chair special discussion on exposition of sacred Buddha relics from India
A special discussion regarding the exposition of the Sacred Relics of Buddha, which will be brought down from India, will be held on January 21, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, according to Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. MORE..
Factory explosion in China kills two, injures 84
Factory explosion in China kills two, injures 84
A huge explosion at a factory in northern China has killed two people and injured 84 others, with eight people still missing, state media reported. MORE..
Foreign-made pistol found in abandoned water tank in Keselwatta
Foreign-made pistol found in abandoned water tank in Keselwatta
A foreign-manufactured pistol has been discovered from an abandoned water tank within an apartment complex in the Keselwatta area. MORE..
Chile fires kill at least 18 as firefighters battle extreme heat, winds
Chile fires kill at least 18 as firefighters battle extreme heat, winds
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two regions in the south of the country on Sunday as raging wildfires forced at least 20,000 people to evacuate and left at least 18 people dead. MORE..
Govt commits to global best practices for child and caregiver well-being: Minister
Govt commits to global best practices for child and caregiver well-being: Minister
The Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated that the government has undertaken numerous initiatives to strengthen Early Childhood Development (ECD) and care. MORE..
PM Harini departs for World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos
PM Harini departs for World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed Sri Lanka earlier this morning (19) to participate in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, the PM’s Office said. MORE..
19-year old arrested for aiding and abetting Kaduwela shooting incident
19-year old arrested for aiding and abetting Kaduwela shooting incident
Another individual who had allegedly aided and abetted the shooting incident that occurred on January 01, 2026 in Menikagara Road, Koratota, Nawagamuwa, in the Kaduwela area, has been arrested. MORE..
Over 1,000 imported salt containers stranded at Colombo Port for six months
Over 1,000 imported salt containers stranded at Colombo Port for six months
It has been revealed that more than 1,000 containers of salt imported into the country have been held at the Colombo Port warehouses for over six months after the expiry of the approved import period. MORE..
Two high-speed trains derail in Spain, police sources say 21 people killed
Two high-speed trains derail in Spain, police sources say 21 people killed
A high-speed train derailed and smashed into another oncoming train in southern Spain on Sunday, pushing the second train off the tracks and down an embankment in a collision that police sources confirmed to Reuters had killed at least 21 people. MORE..
GMOA doctors resume strike in Eastern Province
GMOA doctors resume strike in Eastern Province
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced that the strike launched by doctors in all government hospitals across the Eastern Province will resume from 8.00 a.m. today (19), as the government has failed to respond to their demands. MORE..
Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island
Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island
Mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island, today (19), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Iranian President warns that attacks on Khamenei mean “all-out war”
Iranian President warns that attacks on Khamenei mean “all-out war”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned on Sunday that any attack on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be considered a declaration of “all-out war” against the Iranian nation, following a sharp exchange of rhetoric with U.S. President Donald Trump. MORE..
Cabinet Minister vows to proceed with education reforms without interruption
Cabinet Minister vows to proceed with education reforms without interruption
Education reforms will not be reversed under any circumstances, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Upali Pannilage noted. MORE..
Final rites of ex-Minister Nandana Gunathilake to be held on Wednesday
Final rites of ex-Minister Nandana Gunathilake to be held on Wednesday
The final rites of former Minister, late Nandana Gunathilake will be performed on Wednesday (21) at 4.00 p.m. at the Wadduwa Public Playground. MORE..
Government Radiologic Technologists threaten to strike on Wednesday
Government Radiologic Technologists threaten to strike on Wednesday
The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association has decided to engage in an island-wide token strike based on several demands. MORE..
Over 1,800 kg of heroin seized in 2025 – Police Media Spokesman
Over 1,800 kg of heroin seized in 2025 – Police Media Spokesman
Sri Lanka Police have seized 1,821 kilograms and 174 grams of heroin during raids conducted in 2025, Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler stated. MORE..
Man arrested at BIA while attempting to smuggle in 390 mobile phones valued at Rs. 34 mln
Man arrested at BIA while attempting to smuggle in 390 mobile phones valued at Rs. 34 mln
An individual has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle 390 mobile phones into the country, Sri Lanka Customs stated. MORE..
At least 5,000 killed in Iranian unrest, officials say
At least 5,000 killed in Iranian unrest, officials say
At least 5,000 people have been killed in protests in Iran, including about 500 security personnel, an Iranian official in the region said on Sunday, citing verified figures and accusing “terrorists and armed rioters” of killing “innocent Iranians”. MORE..
Namal criticizes past governments’ approach to national development
Namal criticizes past governments’ approach to national development
Every government which came to power in recent years focused solely on fulfilling its immediate responsibilities, without giving due consideration to positioning Sri Lanka on the global map, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa stated. MORE..
| January 18, 2026 7:09 pm
Computer literacy rises to 38.4 pct in first half of 2025
Computer literacy rises to 38.4 pct in first half of 2025
Sri Lanka’s computer literacy rate has risen to 38.4 percent in the first half of 2025, the latest survey by the Department of Census and Statistics show. more..