Category: Local News

Sri Lanka plans to launch a national assessment and policy review on the impact of social media on children, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne announced.

Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia agreed to strengthen cooperation in industry, chemicals, and minerals during a high-level meeting held in Riyadh on 25 January 2026.

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and five suspects, including his two sons, have been ordered to be further remanded until February 13, 2026.

The daily wage of plantation workers in Sri Lanka will rise to Rs. 1,750, effective from January 1, 2026, following an agreement signed today (January 30) at the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure.

A workshop to brief heads of 250 state institutions on setting up Internal Affairs Units was held yesterday (January 29) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, as part of Sri Lanka Government’s drive to build a clean and corruption-free public service.

Former Lanka Sathosa Senior Manager Ranasinhage Sirinimal Fernando, private broker Domagamuwa Mudiyanselage Ariyawansa, and businessman Sinnaiya Kamal Kumar were arrested on January 29, 2026, over a garlic sale that caused a loss of more than Rs. 17 million to the state institution.

Businessman Gabbela Mohottalage Nihal Sisira Kumara was arrested at around 3:35 AM on January 28, 2026, by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over money laundering charges linked to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Six police officers attached to the Gampaha Divisional Crime Detection Bureau (DCDB), who were arrested over the assault of a Catholic priest, were released on bail by the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court today (January 29).

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced today that students entering Grade 6 this year will also be included in the country’s new education reforms, which will be implemented gradually until 2030.

Sri Lanka Police have announced that Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rohan Olugala has been appointed Director of the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Unit.

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) officially launched the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2026–2030) on 28 January 2026, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to eliminating all forms of human trafficking and strengthening coordinated national responses.

Équité today (January 28) launched new media guidelines at the Taj Samudra Hotel to promote ethical reporting and prevent discrimination against Sri Lanka’s LGBTIQ+ community.

Saman Ekanayake, the former secretary to Sri Lanka’s former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was remanded until February 11, 2026, by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

A meeting between representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who arrived in Sri Lanka to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was held this morning (January 28) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha, the first Sri Lankan Navy officer to complete elite U.S. Navy SEAL training, has died unexpectedly at the age of 28.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Sri Lanka has issued a new circular to provide relief to micro, small, and self-employed businesses affected by the emergency situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.