Onlanka celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Onlanka.com which was launched on January 26, 2004, celebrating its 20th anniversary today (January 26).



Chamari Athapaththu won ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2023

Sri Lanka star Chamari Athapaththu has won the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2023 after a stellar 12 months.



United States expresses concern over Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill

The United States government on Thursday (January 25) expressed its concern over the controversial Online Safety Bill passed by Parliament of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (January 24).



Sanath Nishantha killed in accident

Two persons, including State Minister Sanath Nishantha were reportedly killed in an accident on the Katunayake Expressway near Kandana around 02:00 AM today (January 25).



Online Safety Bill passed in Parliament of Sri Lanka

The Online Safety Bill was passed in Parliament of Sri Lanka with amendments a short while ago.



Sri Lanka votes on new law to regulate online content

Sri Lanka’s lawmakers are set to vote on a social media regulation bill on Wednesday which opposition politicians and activists allege will muzzle free speech.



Suspect arrested over Beliatta mass shooting and vehicle used for incident recovered

Police arrested a 54-year old suspect today (January 24) in connection with the shooting incident at Beliatta where five persons including “Ape Jana Bala Party” leader Saman Perera were killed.



National Identity Card (NIC) number to be converted to Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)?

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has stated that efforts are being made to convert a person’s National Identity Card (NIC) number to their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).



Asia Internet Coalition refutes Public Security Minister’s statement on Online Safety Bill

The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) refuted comments made by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles in Parliament of Sri Lanka on Tuesday during the debate on the controversial Online Safety Bill, stressing that the alliance has not been privy to amendments made to the Bill.



Doctors call off planned strike action after circular revoked

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to call off the planned indefinite strike action which was scheduled to commence from tomorrow (January 24) over the suspension of the increment to the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance.



DAT allowance for Doctors suspended – Doctors to launch indefinite strike from January 24

The Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka has decided to suspend the increment of Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance which was increased from Rs.35,000 to Rs.70,000 for doctors.



Buddhist monk killed in shooting inside temple in Gampaha

A Buddhist monk has been shot dead inside a temple in the Malwathu Hiripitiya area of Gampaha this morning (January 23).



Sri Lanka central bank keeps policy rates unchanged to tame inflation

Sri Lanka’s central bank kept interest rates steady on Tuesday, in line with market expectations, forgoing a rate cut as a new tax threatened upward pressure on expenses and fuelled concerns about inflation.



UN experts call on Sri Lanka to immediately suspend and review “Yukthiya” anti-drug operation

UN experts expressed alarm at the heavy security-driven approach of Sri Lanka’s drug response, and they called on authorities to immediately suspend and review the so-called Operation ‘Yukthiya’ and to focus on policies based on health and human rights, a statement from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on January 22, 2024 said.



Former President Maithripala Sirisena’s daughter’s house in Battaramulla burgled

The house belonging to the daughter of former President Maithripala Sirisena in Wickramasinghepura, Battaramulla was subjected to a burglary and goods worth nearly Rs. 3 million were missing, Thalangama Police has confirmed.



Rising food prices drive Sri Lanka inflation up to 4.2% in December

Sri Lanka’s consumer price inflation rate jumped to 4.2% year-on-year in December driven by rising food prices, official data showed on Monday, although it remains well below record high levels seen at the height of the country’s financial crisis.