About Onlanka.com
Onlanka.com is a long-established, independent English-language Sri Lankan news and information website providing comprehensive news coverage to readers in Sri Lanka and around the world since 2004.
For more than two decades, Onlanka.com has followed the developments that matter to Sri Lanka and its people. Through Onlanka News, its dedicated news publishing operation, the website delivers breaking news, developing stories, in-depth reports and important updates throughout the day.
Our coverage includes politics, government, the economy, business, courts, law, crime, public safety, international affairs, health, education, the environment, weather, sports, entertainment, culture, lifestyle and other matters of public interest.
Onlanka News combines reporting, research and information from relevant sources to bring together the important facts readers need to know about an event or issue. Reports are developed as new information becomes available, with additional details, background and related developments included when they help readers understand the full story.
Onlanka.com is registered as a news website with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Mass Media. Its purpose is to provide reliable, timely and useful Sri Lankan news and information while maintaining editorial independence.
Ownership and Editorial Responsibility
Onlanka.com was launched by Udaya Arunakantha on January 26, 2004. He has managed the website since its launch and serves as its Editor, Administrator, Webmaster and Owner.
Udaya Arunakantha has overall editorial responsibility for Onlanka.com and oversees its news publishing operation, editorial standards and website administration.
Editorial decisions are made independently by Onlanka.com. Advertisers, sponsors, donors, political organizations, government institutions, businesses and other outside parties do not control which stories Onlanka News covers or how those stories are presented.
Onlanka News
Onlanka News is the news publishing identity of Onlanka.com and is responsible for the website’s news reporting and editorial coverage.
The reporting team follows important events and developments in Sri Lanka, gathers new information, checks relevant facts and continues developing stories as further details become available.
Reporting does not necessarily end with the first announcement or piece of information received. Where necessary, Onlanka News examines additional information, previous developments, public records, official statements and other relevant material to provide readers with a clearer understanding of what happened and why it matters.
Onlanka News also publishes investigative reports, explainers and fact-checks to uncover important information, clarify conflicting claims and provide a better understanding of complex issues. Analysis and opinion may also be published where appropriate and are distinguished from factual news reporting.
Onlanka News is used as the author name when an article does not carry an individual byline. Most articles published under Onlanka News are prepared and edited by Udaya Arunakantha, Editor of Onlanka.com.
Freelance journalists, reporters, news writers and other contributors also provide reporting and information. When an individual journalist or contributor is named, that person is identified as the author of the article. Articles without a named individual author are published under Onlanka News.
Our History
Onlanka founder Udaya Arunakantha began working in web development around the year 2000, before launching Onlanka.com on January 26, 2004.
From its early years, Onlanka has worked with a number of news writers and contributors who regularly provided news and information. Their contributions helped the website expand its news coverage and develop into a long-running Sri Lankan news website.
In 2008, Udaya Arunakantha joined Independent Television Network Ltd (ITN), one of Sri Lanka’s leading television networks, as a web journalist following an invitation from the organization. He continued operating Onlanka.com while working at ITN and remained with the organization until the end of 2010.
During his time at ITN, he developed the original structure used for the organization’s first news website. That website has since been changed and now uses a different structure.
He also had the opportunity to redevelop the website of Lakhanda Radio, which was owned by the same organization. The Lakhanda website has also since moved to a different structure.
In addition to his work with Onlanka and ITN, Udaya has experience in web development through work carried out for several other organizations.
Our Reporting Approach
Onlanka News believes that good journalism requires more than publishing information as soon as it becomes available.
Our reporting process focuses on identifying the important facts, checking their accuracy, understanding their significance and presenting them in clear and accessible English.
When covering an event, Onlanka News works to answer the important questions surrounding it, including what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved, what led to it, why it matters and what developments followed.
Where relevant, reports may bring together direct reporting, interviews, observations, official information, public records, statements and other material gathered during the reporting process.
These sources support the reporting process rather than replace it. Onlanka News examines, verifies, organizes and develops the available information into useful news reports for readers.
Editorial Standards
Accuracy, independence, fairness, clarity and public interest are central to the editorial work of Onlanka.com.
Onlanka News works to verify information before publication and clearly distinguishes confirmed facts from claims that have not been independently established. Important facts are reviewed carefully, particularly when a report involves allegations, legal proceedings, public safety, financial matters or other issues where accuracy is especially important.
When different accounts of an event conflict, Onlanka News examines the available evidence and makes clear where uncertainty remains.
Onlanka.com separates factual news reporting from analysis, commentary and opinion. News reports are written in clear and accessible English so that important developments can be understood by readers from different backgrounds.
Breaking news is often only the beginning of a story. Onlanka News continues to follow important developments and updates reports when significant new information becomes available.
When a significant factual error is identified and verified, Onlanka.com corrects the relevant report.
Independent Sri Lankan Digital News Since 2004
Onlanka.com has operated continuously since January 2004 and is part of Sri Lanka’s early generation of digital news and information websites.
Over more than two decades of online publishing, the website has covered major political, economic, social, legal and national developments while adapting its reporting and publishing methods to changes in digital media and online technology.
The website serves readers in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan communities overseas and international readers who follow developments in the country.
Its long-standing mission is to make important Sri Lankan news available quickly, clearly and freely while continuing to strengthen the quality, depth and reliability of its journalism.
Onlanka Community Services
Alongside its news operation, Onlanka.com has provided free online community and information services to Sri Lankans for many years.
The Onlanka public chat service is a long-running text-based public chat platform that has provided Sri Lankans with a free online space to communicate and connect.
A guide to using the Onlanka public chat service was included in the 2009 Grade 11 Teacher’s Guide for Information and Communication Technology, published for government schools in Sri Lanka.
The Onlanka friends community has also helped Sri Lankans around the world connect with one another, build friendships and, in some cases, begin lasting relationships.
Onlanka.com also provides other useful online information and services for its visitors.
Official Social Media Profiles of Onlanka.com
Onlanka.com maintains official profiles on major social media platforms.
X, formerly Twitter: https://x.com/onlanka
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlanka
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlanka
Editorial Contact, Corrections and News Tips
Readers, journalists, organizations, institutions and members of the public may contact the Onlanka.com editorial team regarding published articles, correction requests, news tips and other editorial matters.
Editor: Udaya Arunakantha
Editorial email: editor@onlanka.com
Readers who believe that a report contains a factual error are encouraged to email the editor with the article’s link, details of the possible error and any supporting information. Verified factual errors will be corrected.
General inquiries and other communications may also be submitted through the Contact Us page.
Sponsorship and Donations
Onlanka.com provides its news, information and community services free of charge to readers in Sri Lanka and around the world.
Operating, maintaining and developing an independent digital news operation involves ongoing costs. Anyone who wishes to support Onlanka.com may make a donation of any amount. Sponsors and donors may be acknowledged on the website with their permission.
Financial support helps Onlanka.com maintain and improve its journalism, technology and online services. It does not provide sponsors or donors with any influence over news coverage, editorial policies or editorial decisions.
Onlanka.com remains editorially independent in deciding which stories to cover, how those stories are reported and how matters of public interest are presented.
Thank you for supporting Onlanka.com.
Udaya Arunakantha
Editor and Webmaster
Onlanka.com
editor@onlanka.com