National minimum wage for private sector to increase
The Department of Labour has announced that the national minimum wage in the private sector will increase from Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 30,000, while the daily wage will rise from Rs. 1,080 to Rs. 1,200, effective from January 1, 2026….
Three locally manufactured bombs found in Anuradhapura house
Three locally manufactured bombs found at the house of a former commando soldier, located at Matale Junction in Anuradhapura, have been taken into custody by the Anuradhapura Crime Investigation Division. The Police stated that the raid was carried out based…
Traffic restrictions in Moratuwa for St. Sebastian’s procession today
The Sri Lanka Police has announced traffic restrictions in view of the 151st Annual Procession of the St. Sebastian’s Church in Moratuwa, which is scheduled to take place today (20 Jan) and commence this evening. The Police state that the…
Govt defends high taxes and demurrage fees on vehicle imports
Opposition MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena today questioned the government on the 3% tax that is added when imported vehicles are released from customs within 90 days. Addressing the Parliament today, he said that the taxes add up to around 45% by…
Govt ready to debate No Confidence Motion against PM
Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake, says the government is prepared to allocate time during parliament sessions this week to debate the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) being prepared by the opposition against Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya. Addressing…
Parliament told Dumbara Prison holds 2,246 inmates in space for 699
Opposition MP Chamindrani Kiriella yesterday (19 Jan) raised a series of questions in Parliament to Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, regarding the current state of prisons in Sri Lanka. The MP first inquired about the situation at Pallekele, Dumbara Prison,…
Dollar rate today : Selling rate increases to Rs. 313
The Sri Lankan Rupee depreciates slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (20 Jan), compared to Monday, with the selling rate moving up to Rs. 313 in some banks. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate…
Supreme Court to hear Mahindananda’s appeal in March
Former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, who have been sentenced to imprisonment over corruption charges, have filed appeals against the sentences, which the Supreme Court today (20) fixed for hearing on March 9. The appeal…
Mano urges France to address discrimination against Malaiyaha Sri Lankans
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader MP Mano Ganesan met French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert at his residence, accompanied by a TPA delegation, where they raised concerns that Malaiyaha Sri Lankans, particularly plantation residents, continue to face exclusion from…
Over 158,000 tourist arrivals recorded in first 18 days of January
A total of 158,787 tourist arrivals have been recorded during the first 18 days of 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Official SLTDA data shows 58,822 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in the first week of…