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…
Air quality turns unhealthy in several areas
Air quality in many urban areas across Sri Lanka remained at slightly unhealthy levels over the past 24 hours, according to data released by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). Areas such as Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Galle recorded…
Police hotlines set up for reporting drug activity
The Police have introduced telephone numbers through which the public can provide information to assist the planned anti‑narcotics operations to be carried out in 2026. According to the Police Department, through these new mechanisms, the public will be able to…
Bimal defends education reforms, cites four rounds of union talks
Minister Bimal Ratnayake defended the government’s approach to implementing education reforms, asserting that adequate discussions were held with key stakeholders, including trade unions. Responding to criticism over a lack of public consultation, Ratnayake said that while the public and stakeholders…
Sri Lanka Police thanks UAE Govt for suspect deportations
The Sri Lanka Police has extended its appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relevant authorities for their cooperation in the successful deportation of three wanted suspects to Sri Lanka on 15 January 2026. Issuing…
Money Laundering arrest : Rs. 283 million, vehicles seized
A suspect has been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act with Rs. 283,300,000 suspected to have been earned illegally, along with two vehicles. According to the Police, officials of the Illegal Assets Investigation Division apprehended the individual during…
Weather today: Mainly dry weather
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 20 JANUARY 2026 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 20 January 2026 Mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island. There is a possibility of ground frost at some places in Nuwara-Eliya district in…
Grade 6 English textbook issue: Several Educational officials suspended
The Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Education (NIE), Darshana Samaraweera, has been placed on compulsory leave in connection with the controversy surrounding the Grade 6 English language module. Two other NIE officials have also been suspended over…
Trump ties failure to win Nobel Peace Prize to efforts to acquire Greenland
US President Donald Trump told Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that he no longer feels bound “to think purely of Peace” because the Norwegian Nobel Committee did not award him the Nobel Peace Prize. In an extraordinary text message…
Manusha withdraws FR petition after CID assurance of no arrest
A Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, seeking an order to prevent his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the Korean visa issue, has been withdrawn before the Supreme Court. The petition was…