Category: Local News

The Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen T. Koehler, met Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (February 19), with discussions centered on strengthening maritime security cooperation.

Sri Lanka is prepared to share common values on artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring that no one is left behind and advancing collectively through mutual learning grounded in ethical principles, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated today (February 19).

Deputy Minister of Tourism Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe says about 436,000 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka this year as of February 15, 2026.

Sri Lanka has been ranked the world’s top destination for foreign retirees seeking a luxury lifestyle at the lowest cost, according to the 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index published by International Living magazine.

Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga says that to move the country forward, Sri Lanka needs an honest, capable, and experienced public administrative service.

Sri Lanka has earned USD 598,250 in less than four months after handing full Onboard Security Team operations to the Sri Lanka Navy, with all revenue now credited directly to the Government’s Consolidated Fund in US dollars.

A high-level meeting to combat illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters was held yesterday (February 17) at the Sri Lanka Parliament Complex, with strong focus on suspending licenses of vessels that disable monitoring systems and strengthening law enforcement.

Maithree Wickremesinghe, the wife of former Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been ordered to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) on February 20, 2026 in connection with an ongoing investigation involving the former President.

Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake has been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (February 18).

A Quasi Judge attached to the Koralaipattu (Central) Quasi Court was arrested for allegedly accepting a Rs. 5,000 bribe, following a complaint investigated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva at Temple Trees on February 17, 2026, where the IMF chief praised Sri Lanka’s economic stabilisation efforts.

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), visited the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) as both Sri Lanka’s IMF membership and the Central Bank marked their 75th anniversaries.

Railway drivers in Sri Lanka have taken steps to temporarily suspend the train strike that was scheduled to begin at midnight today (February 17).

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (February 17) to discuss Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and the next phase of the IMF supported reform programme.

Sri Lanka’s Parliament today (February 17) passed the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill without amendments, abolishing pensions for Members of Parliament.

An acting Births and Deaths Registrar attached to the Alayadivembu Divisional Secretariat was arrested yesterday (February 16) for allegedly accepting a Rs. 500 bribe while issuing a birth certificate.