Category: Local News

The 48-hour token strike by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), launched over unresolved allowance and service demands, continued for the second day today (January 24), causing serious inconvenience to patients across Sri Lanka.

Two multi-day fishing trawlers carrying approximately 270 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and heroin were intercepted in deep waters off Sri Lanka’s southern coast during a joint operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), authorities said yesterday (January 23).

Former Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and former Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media, Anusha Palpita, was remanded until February 6, 2026, after being arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for failing to explain the source of assets worth about Rs. 46 million.

Former Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and former Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), Anusha Palpita, was arrested today (January 23) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and five suspects, including his two sons, have been ordered to be further remanded until January 30, 2026.

The foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Paranthan Chemical Factory, closed since 1985 due to the conflict in the Northern Province, was laid on January 21, 2026 at the Paranthan Chemical Industrial Zone.

A 48-hour island-wide symbolic strike by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) began at 8:00 AM today (January 23), disrupting general hospital services in Sri Lanka due to the failure to implement agreements given by the Health Minister.

A high level discussion on strengthening Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector with Chinese support and addressing related environmental issues was held yesterday morning (January 22) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (January 22) told court that indictments have been filed against former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and his brother Dhammika Ranatunga over a nearly Rs. 800 million loss to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) says it will engage in a 48 hour token strike at hospitals across Sri Lanka starting from 8:00 AM tomorrow (January 23).

Sri Lanka recorded a sharp drop in temperatures today (January 22) with Nuwara Eliya reporting a low of 3.5°C the coldest recorded in recent times according to the Department of Meteorology.

Trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board have warned that trade union action will begin from February 01, 2026, over unresolved issues linked to the proposed restructuring of the institution.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation is arriving in Sri Lanka today (January 22) to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwa and hold discussions with relevant authorities.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said nearly 4,000 landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah have severely damaged Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, prompting urgent action to rebuild and protect the region.

The official tour of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy, ahead of the 2026 tournament jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India, was inaugurated today (January 21) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A motorcycle mechanic from Kalagedihena was arrested today (January 21) while allegedly attempting to bribe a police officer with Rs. 50,000 to secure the release of an illegally used motorcycle without court action.