Sri Lanka has called up 23-year-old Pavan Rathnayake to the T20 squad as cover for captain Charith Asalanka, who is down with the flu ahead of the tri-series involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Rathnayake, who impressed on his ODI debut on Monday with a fighting 32 while batting with the tail, will now remain in Pakistan and will not return home as he joins the T20 group. His calm and composed innings under pressure have earned him this quick elevation. Sri Lanka begins their tri-series campaign against Zimbabwe on Thursday. If Asalanka does not recover in time, vice-captain Dasun…
The Sri Lankan Report
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (17), compared to last Friday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 303.75, while the selling rate has also increased to Rs. 309. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased to Rs. 307 and Rs. 311.50 today. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 302.73 to Rs. 304.46, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 309.40 to…
ECONOMYNEXT – President Donald Trump has removed his tariff on a wide range of foods including spices, coconut, tea in packages below 3 kilograms, brought from any country, according to a new executive order that reduced import barriers. “I have determined that certain agricultural products shall not be subject to the reciprocal tariff imposed under Executive 14257, as amended,” Trump said in the executive order. Sri Lanka had previously negotiated to reduce reciprocal tariffs from 44 to 20 percent. A fact sheet from the Whitehouse explained the order as follows: o The President has thus determined that certain agricultural products…
Rajasthan Royals confirmed on Monday that Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara has been reappointed as the team’s head coach ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Sangakkara, who served in the role between 2021 and 2024, was promoted to the director of cricket role last year with Rahul Dravid as the coach in IPL 2025. Royals also named other changes to the coaching staff, with Vikram Rathour elevated to lead assistant coach, and Trevor Penney and Sid Lahiri returning as assistant coach and performance coach, respectively. Shane Bond, who joined the Royals in 2024, will continue as the fast…
The Colombo High Court has accepted indictments against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his son Ramith Rambukwella, his daughter Amali Rambukwella, and domestic aide Nipuni Krishnajina in connection with two cases filed by the Bribery Commission. The indictments were presented before High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal, following which all four accused were released on bail. The court scheduled pre-trial conferences for the two cases on January 12 and 14, 2026. Separately, additional indictments were filed against Keheliya Rambukwella and Ramith Rambukwella in a third case, for which they were also granted bail. The pre-trial conference for this case has been set…
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala today clarified that a tense situation was reported in Trincomalee yesterday over the placing of a Buddha Statue at a Dhamma School in a Buddhist Temple in the area. Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Wijepala said the statue was immediately removed by the Police following the tense situation. He further said that, however, steps have been taken to place the statue at the Dhamma school today, and that special police protection would be provided for the safety of the statue. “The statue was removed yesterday after the Police had received information on possible vandalism.…
Photo courtesy of Spencer Manuelpillai There is, quite rightly, a public outcry when a tusker is killed. There are probably less than two dozen mature tuskers left on the island, if that. This year over 350 wild elephants have been killed to date, with over 100 humans also succumbing to the conflict. Since 2010, almost 5,000 elephants have died and this number is continuing to rise. A recent census (final results still pending) conducted in 2024 estimated that there were between 6,000 and 7,000 wild elephants in Sri Lanka. If so, at the rates of killing very soon there may…
Former Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Anura Walpola, has been arrested by the Bribery Commission. It is reported that Walpola has been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation. (Newswire) The post Former Geological Survey & Mines Bureau Chairman arrested appeared first on Newswire.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that several medical services, including the issuance of prescriptions for external pharmacies and referrals for private laboratory tests, will be restricted from today across hospitals islandwide. The decision comes in protest of the government’s lack of attention to their budget proposals in the 2026 budget. A discussion with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding these concerns is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. today. Specialist doctors affiliated with the GMOA had submitted proposals to the budget, including housing facilities for specialists, and concerns over the 36% tax imposed on their income and related salary matters.…
Former Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) around 9:00 a.m. today. It is reported that he was summoned to provide a statement in connection with a special investigation currently being conducted by the Bribery Commission. (Newswire) The post Former Deputy Speaker Rajapakshe questioned by Bribery Commission appeared first on Newswire.
The low-pressure area over Sri Lanka continues to persist, due to which cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island today, according to the Department of Meteorology. As such, showers will also occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in the Hambantota district. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 pm. Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Northern and Eastern provinces, while fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places elsewhere. The public…
Two people drowned and one teenager remains missing following separate incidents along Sri Lanka’s western coastline in November, police said. On 16 November, a 17-year-old boy from Katukurunda, Moratuwa, went missing while bathing with two friends at the Egoda Uyana beach. All three were dragged out by strong waves, but residents managed to rescue two of them. Egoda Uyana Police said search operations are continuing to locate the missing teenager. At Galle Face in Colombo, two youths were rescued on the same evening after being swept away by waves. One of them, a 19-year-old from Agarapatana, died after being admitted…
Jannik Sinner signed off his 2025 season in style by overcoming world number one Carlos Alcaraz in two tight sets to defend his ATP Finals crown in Turin.
Pakistan wrapped up a dominant ODI series with a six-wicket victory in Rawalpindi, completing a 3–0 whitewash on Sunday. Captain Shaheen Afridi hailed his team’s “discipline and depth” as Pakistan continued their strong run with another all-round display.
South Africa have jumped to third in the World Test Championship standings after their victory over India at Eden Gardens, swapping places with Shubman Gill’s side.
Police have arrested a 23-year-old man sought over an incident involving a foreign tourist in Thirukkovil, after a video of the harassment went viral on social media.
Jerusalem on Sunday rejected a joint statement coordinated by the United States and signed by several countries, which called for a “pathway” – a possible route – to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. Several Israeli cabinet members emphasized that Israel would not permit a Palestinian state in either Judea and Samaria or the Gaza Strip.
MP Jagath Vithana has informed the government that he will not accept the cab allocated to him under the 2026 Budget proposal, which includes importing vehicles for all Members of Parliament.
The School Development Officers’ Association has accused the government of making pre-election promises to secure their votes, only to neglect absorbing them into the teachers’ service.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala said that a circular will be issued tomorrow to establish drug prevention committees in all government institutions.