News
Home » NewsPM assures prelates amid textbook row
Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya, at the centre of a raging controversy over the inclusion of an adult website in the Grade Six English textbook, met Malwatte and Asgiri Chapter prelates this week to explain her side of the story — how it happened and the objectives of the education reforms. She is [...]
Crisis looms over VRS as CEB split nears
Employees who opted for retirement say they are being forced to stay Official date for unbundling not gazetted; Reforms Secretariat chief resigns More than 2,000 Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees, many of them mid-career professionals, have opted for a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) and yesterday complained to the Energy Minister that the management is “forcibly [...]
PM to lead Lankan delegation to Davos
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya will lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, later this month. She will be accompanied by Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha and Foreign Ministry officials. The Prime Minister will hold several bilateral meetings during the visit and discuss investment opportunities in Sri Lanka [...]
Super Muslim banned as Govt. updates terror list
A Muslim terror group, formed in India in 2018 ahead of the Easter Sunday attack, is the latest addition to Sri Lanka’s list of proscribed organisations and designated persons, according to a revised Extraordinary Gazette released this week. The organisation, known as Super Muslim a.k.a. Sahabi Tharika, the newest addition to the list, is reported [...]
China’s Foreign Minister here tomorrow
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will make a whistle-stop visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow on his way from a four-nation African tour. Mr Wang will arrive tomorrow and hold a breakfast meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath on Tuesday morning before his departure. The talks will focus on expediting Chinese projects in Sri Lanka, [...]
AG’s Dept divided on filing charges against Ranil
By Ranjith Padmasiri Two different opinions have been put forward within the Attorney General’s Department on indicting former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his alleged misappropriation of Rs. 16.6 million in state funds during a visit to the UK. The different opinions relate to whether there is sufficient evidence for an indictment or if the evidence [...]
Thousands gather to watch Kelani Perahera
The annual Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara Perahera concluded yesterday, with thousands of people gathering on both sides of the roads near the historic temple to witness the grand colourful procession. Yesterday’s final perahera, the 99th since the tradition began, was preceded by minor peraheras on the previous two days. Pix by Eshan Fernando.
ITAK demands Sritharan quit CC; alleges party interest ignored
By Ranjith Padmasiri The Illankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has given notice to its parliamentarian Sivagnanam Shritharan to resign from the Constitutional Council (CC) on the grounds that he had failed to act in the interest of the party in voting on the appointment of various officials. The decision has been taken following an ITAK [...]
OSA proposed amendments will see tough laws for fake news
The Government’s proposed amendments to the Online Safety Act (OSA) will tighten the law with regard to fake news, particularly the dissemination of unverified news, a senior government official said. This will include clamping down on those who originate fake news which are then used to manufacture news that causes personal harm to people. “A [...]
Mainly minor staff among the 41 convicted last year: CIABOC report
Forty one persons were convicted under bribery and corruption charges by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) last year, but most of them were minor staff attached to regional offices, according to a progress report by the anti-corruption agency. According to the report of the CIABOC from January 1 to November [...]
Seven of eight e-passport bidders lose tender, protest to appeal board
By Namini Wijedasa Seven out of eight parties that bid for the Department of Immigration and Emigration’s (DIE) tender to personalise its upcoming e-Passport consignments were rejected as non-responsive, authoritative sources said, adding that several parties last week lodged a strong protest with the Procurement Appeal Board (PAB). The DIE recently announced its “intention to [...]
Plantation workers face uphill task in Ditwah relief process
By S. Rubathesan Vadivel Niranjan, 36, from Deltota, Bopitiya off Kandy, was told to leave his line room located in a tea plantation, due to potential landslides after severe warnings were issued in November. They were moved to a temporary shelter set up at a nearby church and community centre when Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri [...]
“A place of hope”: Negombo Zonal Education Office rises from the deluge
With its mission to provide quality education, foster well-rounded personalities, and ensure sustainable development in the region’s schools aligning with national policies, the Negombo Zonal Education Office has taken its own steps to help those affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The office recently organised a few workshops for those afflicted. “We have a well-formed team for [...]
‘Yakada Yaka’ slowly chugging back on track
Pix and text by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka Repairs of the railway bridge near the Sarasavi Uyana station popularly known as ‘Yaka Palama’ or Devil’s Bridge damaged by the flood that followed Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ is in progress, Superintendent of the Upper Railway Line, Danushka Dissanayake told the Sunday Times. He said that the central pillar of the [...]
Divisional secretaries raise issues regarding Ditwah compensation
By Ishu Bandara The disaster compensation plan following Cyclone Ditwa is facing many challenges– some arising from circular related issues, others by disagreements among affected people. There are also instances of individuals who were not affected by the disaster also attempting to claim compensation. In certain areas religious organisations and political parties are creating issues, [...]
Teaching moments
Opposition parties yesterday took part in a protest over the controversial modules for Grade 6 English medium which has now been withdrawn. The protest was held near the statue of C W W Kannangara in Matugama, who is considered the ‘father of free education’ in the country. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa participated in the protest. [...]
Sri Lanka Railways awaiting Public Service Commission approval to recruit women in all posts
The Department of Railways is awaiting Public Service Commission approval for its amended Scheme of Recruitment (SOR) which allows women to occupy all job positions that were previously confined to men, General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said. Once it is passed, recruitment will take place as and when there are vacancies, he said. The SOR was [...]
Kandy courts to resume sittings Monday, case files being reconstructed
By Ranjith Padmasiri The sittings of the District Court, Kandy will resume on Monday, after a grace period given to clear up the premises and identify the files damaged in the recent flooding, a court official said. However, some of the files have been damaged and some of the cases would have to be conducted [...]
JICA sole bidder for BIA expansion, Airport and Aviation says
By Namini Wijedasa Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) (Ltd) has conveyed to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that Japan’s Taisei Corporation is the only responsive bidder for the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project, official sources said. There were just two offers. The other bidder, Sojitz-L&T Consortium, has been deemed non-responsive, which means [...]
Revenue soars after Sri Lanka lifts vehicle import ban
Motor Traffic Department revenue and new vehicle registrations saw a dramatic increase between 2024 and 2025, amid policy changes governing vehicle imports. According to statistics released by the Department of Motor Traffic, revenue reached Rs 64,740mn, an increase of 111% compared to Rs 17,529mn in 2024, and exceeded both the original and revised estimates initially [...]
Bid to develop surgeons with a conscience
Vision of new CSSL President Prof. Ajith Malalasekera to shape tomorrow’s surgeons on pillars of academia, integrity & accountability By Kumudini Hettiarachchi The promise came with fervency – to shape tomorrow’s surgeon on the three unshakeable pillars of academia, integrity and accountability. Before delving into the meticulous details of how he would achieve this vision, [...]
Tobacco regulator proposes age-specific ban to protect future generation
By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol is calling for legislation to ban the sale of cigarettes to those born after 2010, its chairman, Ananda Rathnayake, told the Sunday Times. He said the NATA’s proposal, backed by specialist doctors and other medical professionals, would be presented to the government. The proposed law [...]
On the trail of dengue control: Three-day drive reveals gains and gaps
By Sajeniya Sathanandan A three-day mosquito control programme, organised by the Ministry of Local Government, ended on Friday with a string of measures implemented to stop the spread of dengue. Assisted by Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) and Senior Public Health Inspectors (SPHIs), the programme saw the implementation of different activities, including clean-up efforts, container [...]
Low pressure weather system passes north Sri Lanka with no major impact
By Jayanie Madawala The low pressure weather system passed across north Sri Lanka yesterday without a major impact, the Meteorology Department said. Though a deep depression that developed in the eastern sea area had moved slowly toward Sri Lanka from Friday onwards, the strength of it gradually reduced, turning it into a low pressure condition [...]
CBSL to review bank, non-bank regulation and undertake payment system legal reforms
By Kapila Bandara Banker to the Government, adviser on economic issues, and head prefect of the banking system, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has laid out a number of initiatives for the year in line with its mandate to maintain price stability and the soundness of the financial system. In particular, CBSL will undertake [...]
Sri Lankan fishing boat set on fire in high seas after being seized in Seychelles
By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe A multi-day fishing trawler was reportedly set on fire in Seychelles, after it was seized for illegally entering its territorial waters. The multi-day fishing vessel ‘Eshini Duwa’ had set out from the Vellamankara fisheries harbour in Wennappuwa on December 7 and was detained on December 30. The crew was accused of [...]
Aluth Sahal Mangalya at the Dalada Maligawa
By L. B. Senaratne The Aluth Sahal Mangalya at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, was held on Duruthu Poya, with the rice brought from the atuwa or granary at w. Two days prior to the ceremony, rice from the granary was distributed to all temples and devales which belong to the former Kandyan Kingdom by [...]
Organised crime gunfights continue, while Dubai nabs wanted suspect
By Ishu Bandara Underworld-related shootings carried on into the new year with further incidents, including one in Dehiwala on Friday night. After a shooting incident on New Year’s Eve related to an incident of drug trafficking, two more incidents have been reported, including the Dehiwala incident where a shop owner was shot and seriously injured. [...]
Mobile lab launched to test bus drivers and conductors for substance use
In a move to reduce road accidents a special a mobile lab was launched by the National Transport Medical Unit (NITM), in Mattakkuliya on January 8. Transport Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena commenting on the initiative said a modified mobile unit has been introduced to conduct medical tests on bus drivers and conductors, primarily at bus [...]
Whither our wildlife in 2026?
By Malaka Rodrigo Sri Lanka’s wildlife deaths have begun the New Year on a grim note, with the first reported leopard death of 2026 occurring in Neluwa, Galle, after the animal was caught in an illegal wire snare. Within days, a young elephant calf was also killed in a collision with a lorry, underscoring the [...]
HEC: Divergent interests hinder national action plan
By Kasun Warakapitiya The conflict among ministries, government departments, and state institutes with the Department of Wildlife Conservation had kept the human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation action plan in limbo, a senior wildlife official said. According to him, the human-elephant conflict remains unresolved even though the department tries many tactics to keep humans and elephants from [...]
Train drivers refuse night time runs without elephant detection tools
By Kasun Warakapitiya The Locomotive Operating Engineers Union said it will not operate trains, including the night mail, in areas where elephants roam in the northern and eastern tracks, particularly the Trincomalee and Batticaloa routes. In 2025, there were 21 elephant deaths from train accidents out of a total of 438 deaths. Unionists said they [...]
A road impassable
By Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa Residents of seven villages in the Dambulla Kandalama area say they face severe hardships due to the prolonged deterioration of the Kalogaha-ela main road, which has become impassable even on foot, after years without repairs. The road, which is under the Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha and serves communities from Kalogaha-ela to Kalundewa, [...]
Foreign tour guides operating illegally put on notice
By Wasantha Ramanayake Illegal tourist guiding harms the industry and reduces service quality, attracting low-spending visitors, said Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Buddhika Hewawasam. He rejected claims by some industry experts that SLTDA’s Supreme Court undertaking to stop illegal guiding would hinder achieving the US$5 billion revenue target for 2026. Curbing such illegalities [...]
Ranwala’s voice was not clear for crash statement, OIC’s report says
By Kasun Warakapitiya Police were unable to record a statement from National People Power parliamentarian and former speaker Asoka Ranwala immediately after the accident on December 11, 2025, as he was wearing a collar due to medical treatment and his voice was not clear, according to a report by the officer in charge of the [...]
Al Awwal School — Celebrating a Journey of Educational Excellence
Al Awwal School began its journey on 7th January 2013 as a preschool with just 7 children and 2 teachers in a humble space of 500 sq ft. The school expanded and in 2016 it proudly began its Primary Section with the introduction of Grade 1. Today, the School has grown into a well-established institution [...]