Deep depression in Bay of Bengal likely to intensify further
The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka (At 04:00 a.m. on Jan 9, 2026 located about 200 km South east of Batticaloa) is very likely to intensify further and move northwestwards towards the coast of Sri Lanka between Pottuvil and Trincomalee in the evening today (09), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
- Discussions held with foreign unis on establishing technology R&D institution in Sri Lanka
- US seizes Russian-flagged tanker, another tied to Venezuela as Trump widens oil push
- Colombo stock market posts record trading day
- Circular issued on providing Rs. 5 million for homes destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah
- Minor earth tremor reported in Ududumbara
- Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake appointed Presidential Advisor on Maritime, Ports and Logistics
- Mahaweli Authority issues update on water levels of major reservoirs
- Govt formulating policy to ensure child protection in use of technology - PM Harini
- Deep depression in Bay of Bengal likely to intensify further
- US Senate votes to curb military action in Venezuela, Trump says oversight could last years
Hot News
US Senate votes to curb military action in Venezuela, Trump says oversight could last years
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to advance a resolution that would bar President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization, even as Trump said U.S. oversight of the troubled nation could last years. MORE..
Govt formulating policy to ensure child protection in use of technology - PM Harini
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated the government is in the process of formulating a national policy to ensure child protection in the use of technology. MORE..
Mahaweli Authority issues update on water levels of major reservoirs
The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka has issued a special announcement on the current water levels of the Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs within the Mahaweli reservoir system. MORE..
Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake appointed Presidential Advisor on Maritime, Ports and Logistics
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Dr Mahinda Parakrama Dissanayake as Advisor to the President on Maritime, Ports and Logistics, with immediate effect, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). MORE..
Minor earth tremor reported in Ududumbara
A minor earth tremor measuring 2.2 on the Richter Scale has been reported in the Ududumbara area at 5.05 p.m. today (08). MORE..
Circular issued on providing Rs. 5 million for homes destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah
A circular has been issued by the Defence Ministry with regard to providing Rs. 5 million to families whose houses were completely destroyed due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, for the purpose of rebuilding their homes. MORE..
Colombo stock market posts record trading day
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has posted a record trading day as daily turnover crossed Rs. 12.32 billion on Thursday (Jan. 08). MORE..
US seizes Russian-flagged tanker, another tied to Venezuela as Trump widens oil push
The US seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia’s flag, as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela’s socialist government to become an ally. MORE..
Discussions held with foreign unis on establishing technology R&D institution in Sri Lanka
A discussion has been held focusing on several key proposals, including the establishment of a technology research and development institution in Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening international academic collaboration and innovation-driven research. MORE..
Fatal road accidents increased last year; 14 elephants killed by trains in 2025 – Dy. Minister
Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Prasanna Gunasena says that the number of fatal accidents recorded in 2025 have slightly increased in comparison to the previous year (2024). MORE..
Sri Lanka to receive ten Bell 206 helicopters from US under defense program
The United States has announced it will provide ten TH-57 (Bell 206 Sea Ranger) helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) at no cost for the equipment itself with delivery expected early this year. MORE..
Sri Lankan garment exports granted tariff-free access to UK from Jan. 01
The Sri Lankan garment manufacturers have secured unprecedented access to the UK market under liberalised trade rules, the British High Commission in Colombo said. MORE..
Strict action against drivers operating vehicles under the influence of narcotics – Minister
Strict legal action will be enforced against individuals who operate vehicles under the influence of not only alcohol but also any form of narcotic substances, Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake has stated. MORE..
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January 8, 2026 2:43 pm
Direct Bangladesh-Pakistan flights to resume after 14 years
Bangladesh and Pakistan are to resume direct flights after more than a decade, Dhaka’s national airline said on Thursday (Jan 8), as ties warm and regional power balances shift. MORE..
500 tabs issued to police officers in line with introduction of new digital insurance card
A total of 500 tablet devices have been issued to traffic police officers in the Western Province, enabling efficient access to the enhanced Sri Lanka Police Road Accident Data Management System and facilitating the verification of the new digital insurance e-card (e-card). MORE..
Govt formulating policy to ensure child protection in use of technology - PM Harini
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated the government is in the process of formulating a national policy to ensure child protection in the use of technology. MORE..
Mahaweli Authority issues update on water levels of major reservoirs
The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka has issued a special announcement on the current water levels of the Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs within the Mahaweli reservoir system. MORE..
Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake appointed Presidential Advisor on Maritime, Ports and Logistics
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Dr Mahinda Parakrama Dissanayake as Advisor to the President on Maritime, Ports and Logistics, with immediate effect, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD). MORE..
Minor earth tremor reported in Ududumbara
A minor earth tremor measuring 2.2 on the Richter Scale has been reported in the Ududumbara area at 5.05 p.m. today (08). MORE..
Circular issued on providing Rs. 5 million for homes destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah
A circular has been issued by the Defence Ministry with regard to providing Rs. 5 million to families whose houses were completely destroyed due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, for the purpose of rebuilding their homes. MORE..
Colombo stock market posts record trading day
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has posted a record trading day as daily turnover crossed Rs. 12.32 billion on Thursday (Jan. 08). MORE..
US seizes Russian-flagged tanker, another tied to Venezuela as Trump widens oil push
The US seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia’s flag, as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela’s socialist government to become an ally. MORE..
Discussions held with foreign unis on establishing technology R&D institution in Sri Lanka
A discussion has been held focusing on several key proposals, including the establishment of a technology research and development institution in Sri Lanka aimed at strengthening international academic collaboration and innovation-driven research. MORE..
Fatal road accidents increased last year; 14 elephants killed by trains in 2025 – Dy. Minister
Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Prasanna Gunasena says that the number of fatal accidents recorded in 2025 have slightly increased in comparison to the previous year (2024). MORE..
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President chairs discussion on relief measures for victims of Cyclone Ditwah (English)
Technology
Spotify expands its monetisation program
Spotify is expanding its monetisation programme for creators and introducing new tools for video podcasters, as it aims to better compete with YouTube and Netflix in the booming market. MORE..
Tech firms must block unsolicited nude images under new UK rules
Tech firms must block unsolicited nude images under new UK rules
Technology companies in Britain will be required to block unsolicited sexual images under online safety rules taking effect on Thursday, as governments worldwide step up efforts to curb abuse and risks linked to artificial intelligence. MORE..
iPhone will get 200MP cameras in 2028, says Morgan Stanley
iPhone will get 200MP cameras in 2028, says Morgan Stanley
Researchers from investment bank Morgan Stanley say Apple will add Samsung’s 200MP cameras to the iPhone in 2028, and also add suppliers to potentially reduce costs. MORE..
Renowned inventor Rohan De Lanerolle secures five awards at Asia Awards 2026
Renowned inventor Rohan De Lanerolle secures five awards at Asia Awards 2026
Renowned Sri Lankan inventor Rohan De Lanerolle Snr has won five prestigious awards at the Asia Awards 2026 held in India. MORE..
Entertainment
Bruno Mars returns with The Romantic in February, his first album in 10 years
Bruno Mars has completed his next album. Title The Romantic, it’s slated to be released on Feb 27, with new music also dropping on Friday (Jan 9). MORE..
Vijay’s Jana Nayagan movie release postponed
Vijay’s Jana Nayagan movie release postponed
The planned January 9 release of ‘Jana Nayagan’, the much-anticipated film widely billed as actor-politician Vijay’s final appearance on screen, was postponed on Wednesday, hours after the Madras High Court reserved its order on a petition challenging the Central Board of Film Certification’s decision to withhold a censor certificate. MORE..
Tomorrowland to hold its first-ever Asia festival in Thailand
Tomorrowland to hold its first-ever Asia festival in Thailand
Tomorrowland, the hugely popular European electronic dance music or EDM festival, will stage its first-ever full-fledged Asia edition in Thailand this December. MORE..
The ‘magical’ blue flower changing farmers’ fortunes in India
The ‘magical’ blue flower changing farmers’ fortunes in India
“Until a few years ago, the butterfly pea flower was just another climbing plant in my village,” says Nilam Brahma who lives in Anthaigwlao, a village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam. MORE..
Exchange Rates
Country |
Buying |
Selling |
|---|---|---|
USA
U.S.Dollar |
306.3248 | 313.8457 |
UK
Sterling Pound |
410.9478 | 423.7154 |
Europe
Euro |
356.5056 | 367.9743 |
Switzerland
Swiss Franc |
381.3927 | 396.5422 |
Canada
Canadian Dollar |
219.6768 | 227.6002 |
Australia
Australian Dollar |
203.5684 | 212.8043 |
Singapore
Singapore Dollar |
236.9463 | 246.3052 |
Japan
Japanese Yen |
1.9464 | 2.0124 |
Country |
Currency |
Rate |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Dinar | 822.7236 |
Kuwait
|
Dinar | 1,009.3472 |
Oman
|
Rial | 805.5639 |
Qatar
|
Riyal | 85.0753 |
Saudi Arabia
|
Riyal | 82.7024 |
UAE
|
Dirham | 84.4384 |
Sports
Australia completes 4-1 Ashes triumph after nervy Sydney win
Australia had a few nervous moments but safely chased down their 160-run victory target before tea on the final day of the fifth Ashes test on Thursday for a five-wicket victory and a 4-1 series triumph. MORE..
We want to play T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka - Bangladesh’s sports advisor
Bangladesh’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul has doubled down on the BCB’s request to the ICC to move their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. He said the BCB would attempt to convince the ICC of the gravity of the issue, which related to player safety and “Bangladesh’s dignity.” MORE..
Pakistan secure 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka in first T20I
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the first T20I in Dambulla to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. MORE..
Pakistan bowl out Sri Lanka for 128 in T20I series-opener
Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed took three wickets each as Pakistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 128 in the first game of the three-match T20I series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday. MORE..
Pakistan win toss, elect to bowl first against Sri Lanka in T20I series opener
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the first game of the three-match T20I series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday (07). MORE..
