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Train services to Palaviya to resume after 53 days
Train services to Palaviya to resume after 53 days
Steps have been taken to resume train services from Colombo to Palaviya starting tomorrow (19), the Department of Railways has announced. MORE..
Youth shot dead in Alawwa
Youth shot dead in Alawwa
A youth has been shot dead in Wilgamuwa, Alawwa, last night (17), police stated. MORE..
| January 18, 2026 2:17 pm
Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill challenged in Supreme Court
Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill challenged in Supreme Court
Petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a determination that several clauses in the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill are unconstitutional. MORE..
Political interests not important to us; what matters is, only children – PM Harini
Political interests not important to us; what matters is, only children – PM Harini
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the objective of the government is to use data and policy to provide what is best for children. Political interests or any other considerations are not important to us; what matters is, only the children, she said. MORE..
Road restoration underway in Kotmale following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah
Road restoration underway in Kotmale following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah
The road restoration work has commenced under a special labour operation in the Kotmale Panangammana area and the Kotmale Maha Peella Ella, which were among the areas most severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
Indians lead Sri Lanka tourists’ arrival in 2025
Indians lead Sri Lanka tourists’ arrival in 2025
Sri Lanka received a total of 2.3 million tourists in 2025, with Indian travellers accounting for the largest share, according to figures released by the tourism authority. MORE..
Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board
Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board
Indonesian authorities said on Sunday they had located the wreckage of a fisheries surveillance plane that went missing in South Sulawesi province near a fog-covered mountain, but were still searching for the 11 people on board. MORE..
CEB employees seek Presidential intervention over delayed voluntary retirement process
CEB employees seek Presidential intervention over delayed voluntary retirement process
A group of employees who have applied for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has written to the President, requesting intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of the 2,200 staff members who have applied for the VRS introduced under the CEB restructuring framework. MORE..
Special police operation at Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Kadawatha Interchange
Special police operation at Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Kadawatha Interchange
All vehicles exiting the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and the Kadawatha Interchange have been inspected this morning (18), as part of a special operation aimed at preventing drug trafficking and other criminal activities. MORE..
| January 18, 2026 10:35 am
EU and Mercosur sign trade deal after 25 years of negotiations
EU and Mercosur sign trade deal after 25 years of negotiations
Top officials from the EU and the South American bloc Mercosur signed a free trade agreement on Saturday in Paraguay, paving the way for the European Union’s largest-ever trade accord after 25 years of negotiations. MORE..
Bus overturns in Haldummulla: Driver killed, three others injured
Bus overturns in Haldummulla: Driver killed, three others injured
A bus travelling from Colombo to Welimada has reportedly overturned in the Uvathenna area of Haldummulla. MORE..
Two suspects arrested with foreign-made revolver and ammunition in Maradana
Two suspects arrested with foreign-made revolver and ammunition in Maradana
Two suspects have been arrested by the Colombo South Criminal Investigation Bureau with a foreign-manufactured revolver. MORE..
Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake passes away
Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake passes away
Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake has passed away at the age of 64, while receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital, according to family sources. MORE..
Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say
Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say
A threat by President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders. MORE..
Mainly dry weather expected over most parts of the island today
Mainly dry weather expected over most parts of the island today
Mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island, today (18), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
Janani Imathma crowned winner of ‘Derana Dream Star - Season 12’
Janani Imathma crowned winner of ‘Derana Dream Star - Season 12’
Janani Imathma was crowned the winner of “Derana Dream Star Season 12”, at the Grand Finale held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Saturday night (17). MORE..
Trump says 8 European countries will be charged 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
Trump says 8 European countries will be charged 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. MORE..
Rare purple star sapphire, claimed to be biggest of its kind, unveiled in Sri Lanka
Rare purple star sapphire, claimed to be biggest of its kind, unveiled in Sri Lanka
A Purple Star Sapphire weighing 3,563 carats which is claimed to be the world’s biggest of its kind was unveiled on Saturday in the Sri Lankan capital by the owners, who are ready to sell the precious stone which is estimated to be worth at least $300 million. MORE..
Iran’s leader Khamenei blames Trump for inciting deadly protests
Iran’s leader Khamenei blames Trump for inciting deadly protests
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday blamed President Donald Trump for weeks of protests after rights groups said a violent crackdown by security forces had claimed thousands of lives. MORE..
Education reform process will not be reversed - PM Harini
Education reform process will not be reversed - PM Harini
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed that the ongoing education reform process will proceed without hindrance, emphasizing that the government has not taken a single step back from implementing transformative changes in the education sector. MORE..
Demerit points system for traffic offences to be implemented from July-end
Demerit points system for traffic offences to be implemented from July-end
The demerit points system for drivers who violate traffic laws is scheduled to be implemented from the end of July, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, W. P. J. Senadheera. MORE..
| January 17, 2026 6:18 pm
Indonesian ATR aircraft with 11 on board goes missing, debris seen on mountain
Indonesian ATR aircraft with 11 on board goes missing, debris seen on mountain
An Indonesian ATR 42-500 aircraft has gone missing near Makassar, with videos circulating on social media appearing to show debris on a mountain close to the area where contact with the plane was lost, according to flight-tracking data and local media reports. MORE..
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa calls on Chief Prelates of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa calls on Chief Prelates of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters
Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, and Deputy Minister of Health Dr Hansaka Wijemuni have paid a visit to the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters and received their blessings. MORE..
Shooting in South African township leaves 7 dead
Shooting in South African township leaves 7 dead
Gunmen killed seven people in a township outside the South African city of Cape Town early on Saturday in an incident believed to be extortion-related, police said. MORE..
Special announcement on 2025 A/L Home Economics practical exam
Special announcement on 2025 A/L Home Economics practical exam
The Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka, has issued a special announcement regarding the practical examination for the subject of Home Economics for the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination (2025). MORE..