Category: Local News

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, in Kandy this morning (January 1), where he paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and received blessings for the New Year.

A Sub-Inspector of Police attached to the Kinniya Police Station was arrested on 31 December 2025 in connection with an alleged bribe demand.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (December 31) issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification establishing the Presidential Task Force for Rebuilding Sri Lanka to coordinate disaster recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said in her 2026 New Year message that 2025 marked a year of decisive and people oriented progress, with steps taken to strengthen transparency, good governance and a corruption free public service.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in his 2026 New Year message that the country entered the new year after achieving major economic milestones in 2025, including the lowest budget deficit since 1977, the highest government revenue since 2007 and the highest tourist arrivals ever recorded.

Sri Lanka has gained global recognition after being featured in the prestigious Happiness List 2026 by G Adventures, based on feedback from more than 8,000 international travelers who praised the country for inspiring joy, connection, and long-term happiness through meaningful travel experiences.

Bank of Ceylon has made a financial contribution of Rs. 500 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Johan Fernando, the son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, who was arrested yesterday (December 30), was remanded until January 9, 2026, by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court today (December 31).

The Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (December 31) after an unsuitable website reference was found in a newly printed Grade 6 English language module.

The second reading of the 2026 budget of the Colombo Municipal Council, which is controlled by the National People’s Power, was passed by a majority of two votes today (December 31).

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged corruption, abuse of power, and financial irregularities at the Colombo Municipal Council during the period from 2010 to 2025.

A prison inmate who was receiving treatment at the Nagoda Teaching Hospital was injured in a shooting that took place this morning (December 31).

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education has suspended the distribution of a printed Grade 6 English language module after confirming that its introduction contains a reference to an inappropriate website, and an investigation has been launched with plans to file a complaint with the CID on December 31, 2025.

Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department has collected a record Rs. 2,203 billion in revenue in 2025, the highest amount in its 93 year history, exceeding the annual target by Rs. 33 billion and recording a 15 percent increase compared to 2024.

Sri Lanka Customs recorded its highest revenue earning year in history in 2025 by exceeding its target of Rs. 2,115 billion and entering 2026 with an additional surplus of about Rs. 300 billion, Director General of Sri Lanka Customs S.P. Arukgoda said today (December 30).

Former Minister Douglas Devananda, who was arrested and remanded, has been admitted to the Mahara Prison Hospital.