Category: Local News

The minimum wage of private sector employees in Sri Lanka has been increased by Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 30,000 with effect from January 01, 2026.

A 40 year old man was arrested yesterday (January 19) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after police seized Rs. 283.3 million in cash and two vehicles suspected to have been illegally acquired.

Sri Lanka Police have arrested five suspects, including a 49 year old woman, in connection with a shooting in the Jinthupitiya area that killed one person and injured two children.

Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Education (NIE) Darshana Samaraweera has been sent on compulsory leave over the controversial Grade 6 English module, while two other NIE officials have been interdicted.

A high level discussion on Sri Lanka’s digital economy projects, with a strong focus on promoting a cashless economy and new plans for 2026, was held this morning (January 19) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Baladaksha Mawatha flyover was opened to the public in Colombo today (January 19) to reduce heavy traffic congestion in a key part of the city.

Sri Lanka Police destroyed two large cannabis cultivations in forest reserve areas in Hambegamuwa and Ethimale yesterday (January 18) after raids that uncovered more than 22,000 cannabis plants.

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed Sri Lanka this morning (January 19) to participate in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which will be held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from January 19 to 23, 2026.

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that it is the government’s policy to ensure equal and continuous access to education for all students, regardless of their social or economic background.

Around 500,000 driving licenses that were delayed due to a shortage of cards will be issued within March 2026, Sri Lanka’s Department of Motor Traffic announced.

Former Member of Parliament Nandana Gunathilake passed away in the early hours of this morning (January 18) at the age of 63 while receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital.

The wife of former Speaker and National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament Asoka Sapumal Ranwala has been hospitalised after being injured in a road accident.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that parents in the Northern Province, who once lived in fear for their children due to the war, are once again living in fear today because of the growing drug menace.

A 44 year old man injured in a shooting near the Jinthupitiya roundabout under the Foreshore Police Division died after being admitted to the National Hospital of Colombo, while two young children injured in the same incident are receiving treatment at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that although some groups continue to attempt to incite racial tensions around heritage or religious sites in various parts of the country, there will be no space whatsoever for racism in the North, South, East or any other region of Sri Lanka.

The Criminal Investigation Department today (January 16) extradited three wanted suspects from Dubai, including two suspected hitmen linked to organized criminal gangs and a woman wanted for financial misappropriation.