President says benefits of economic achievement should reach the peopleNewsPresident Anura Kumara Dissanayake today said an economy’s success is not measured by data alone and the benefits of economic achievements must reach the people who form the foundation of that prosperity. However, I believe that the true fulfilment of independence lies in the extent to which we can achieve economic freedom. Therefore, the path to rebuilding Sri Lanka lies in strengthening our firm connection with the motherland. This is not a development model that severs our roots or erodes our national character, but one that builds a new Sri Lanka upon them. Therefore, I believe that the responsibility of rebuilding Sri Lanka upon the valuable foundations of the past lies with all of us.

President inaugurates Sacred Devnimori Relics expositionNewsPresident Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the exposition of the Sacred Devnimori Relics of the Buddha at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo today, February 4, 2026. The relics will be open for public worship from February 5 to February 11, 2026, from 6.00 a.m. daily. The Sacred Devnimori Relics were discovered during excavations in the 1960s at the Devnimori site in Gujarat, India. These relics have never before been taken outside India, making this a rare opportunity for Sri Lankan devotees. The relics arrived in Sri Lanka today via the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, and were taken to the Gangaramaya Temple under special security arrangements.

Former President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake was today remanded until February 11 by the Fort Magistrate in relation to the case where former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is alleged to have misused Rs. 16.6 million in state funds during a visit to the UK to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony at the University of Wolverhampton.

Two women arrested over attack on lawyersNewsThe Nugegoda Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau has arrested two women who were part of a group that allegedly attacked two lawyers near the Gamsabha Junction. The incident took place as the lawyers were leaving the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court. A group had blocked the car and attacked it, directing death threats at the two lawyers inside. The suspects were arrested last evening (2) in the Puhulwella area within the Hakmana police division. They are due to be produced before the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court today (3).

Russel’s (Pvt) Ltd Celebrates Excellence at Annual Awards CeremonyBusinessRussel’s (Pvt) Ltd held its Annual Awards Ceremony on 31st January 2026 at the prestigious Chamber of Commerce Auditorium, Colombo, recognizing excellence, commitment, and outstanding contributions of its employees. Senior representatives of Russel’s (Pvt) Ltd highlighted the importance of employee recognition as a key driver of long-term organizational success and a strong corporate culture. Award winners with the managementDuring the ceremony, several staff members were honored for exceptional performance and dedication throughout the year. The Best Outstanding Stewardess award was presented to Sithara Kumari, and Jude Krishantha was honored as Best Outstanding Steward. The Annual Awards Ceremony reaffirmed Russel’s (Pvt) Ltd’s commitment to honoring its people while fostering a workplace culture that values excellence, teamwork, and cultural appreciation.

GMOA to step up trade union action, citing Govt’s failure to respond View(s):By Sajeniya SathanandanThe Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday resolved to intensify their trade union action to press ahead with their demands, claiming that the government and the Health Minister have not invited it for talks or shown sensitivity toward the issues. During an emergency committee meeting, the union decided to involve specialist grade medical officers (consultants) in the renewed trade union action, which will begin tomorrow. The GMOA has been continuing its trade union action since January 26, accusing the government of failing to implement the promised changes. The union demands an immediate increase, pointing out that the treasury in 2018 recommended a salary of Rs 120,000. If the government does not provide favourable responses to its demands, the GMOA secretary warned the GMOA would resort to heightened trade union action that could affect the entire health system, and the Ministry of Health should take full responsibility for it.

SL’s solar success will stall without storage reform By Jeremy Fernando FEATURE View(s): View(s):Over the past decade, Sri Lanka has made notable progress in rooftop solar adoption, driven largely by the Soorya Bala Sangramaya programme. Excess daytime solar exports increasingly strain the grid, while the country continues to incur high costs and reliability risks during the evening peak. For the policy to succeed, it must be supported by realistic and bankable rules for energy storage. At the proposed tariff, battery investments struggle to recover costs, slowing adoption precisely when storage is most needed. (The writer is an independent Consultant on Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and a Patent holder with over decade of experience in the field.

Way forward with cryptocurrencies View(s):The Sunday Times Business Club organised a discussion on ‘Bitcoins and Cryptocurrency- stable or risky?’ this week at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, host hotel of the club. The speakers were Dr. (Ms.) Subhani Keerthiratne, Director/Financial Intelligence Unit, Central Bank (right) and Mr. Savan Wijewardene, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Redhill, Singapore’s largest local public relations firm. NDB Bank is a co-sponsor of the club. Pic by M.A. Pushpa KumaraShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

And an England team still carrying the emotional weight of a bruising Australian winter. Not because England’s ODI form demanded attention. They came because following England cricket is rarely about convenience. Asked about England’s ODI identity, he pauses before answering. One day cricket, once England’s great obsession and later their greatest triumph in 2019, now sits awkwardly in between.

Sri Lanka’s Sabina Yousaf secures 2nd runner-up title at Mrs World 2025 View(s):Las Vegas: Sri Lanka earned international acclaim at the 41st Mrs World pageant as Sabina Yousaf was named Second Runner-Up, marking a proud milestone for the country at the prestigious global competition. In addition to her top-three placement, Yousaf was awarded the Mrs Photogenic mini-title and secured a position in the Top 20, underscoring her strong and consistent performance on the international stage. The Mrs World 2025 crown was claimed by Chanita Seedaket Craythorne of Thailand, while Paige Ewing of the United States was declared First Runner-Up. The evening concluded with the announcement of the Top Three Finalists, placing Sri Lanka alongside leading global pageant contenders and reinforcing the country’s growing presence and recognition in international pageantry. - Courtesy The Gulf ObserverAnother pearl from Negombo (The following is a part of a story The Sunday Times ran when Sabina was crowned Mrs Sri Lanka for Mrs World) The crowning of 25-year-old Sabina T Usef, from Kepungoda, Negombo, as Mrs Sri Lanka World 2025 took place in October 2025.

A survivor’s memories 30 years after Dalrene Thirukumar recalls the harrowing events of Wednesday, January 31, 1996 - the deadly Central Bank attack by the LTTE View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka had already endured a long series of bombings even before the Central Bank bomb attack. I remember leaving home each morning, asking my mother to look carefully at what I was wearing, because rumours were rife that the Central Bank was a target. We occupied a section of the 4th floor of Carsons’ Equity Two building that faced the Central Bank. The entire wall facing the Bank was a glass window with blinds that we drew open during lunch breaks. From there, I saw a lorry attempting to force its way into the Central Bank compound, ramming the heavy metal barrier.

The unfortunate politicisation of education reforms View(s):The demonstrations for and against the government’s proposed education reforms are a blatant example of the politicisation of education in the country. Education Reform in 2026The current opposition to the government’s proposed reforms in school education is a blatant example of the politicisation of education in Sri Lanka. The irony of the current protest is that those demonstrating for and against the reforms have no idea of the school education reforms. SummaryAlthough the country’s free education from pre-independence has achieved much, the politicisation of education has retarded the progress in education. Concluding reflectionThe real challenge before the government is in the implementation of the new reforms in school education.

No relief for apparel workers View(s):Sri Lankan apparel workers would have to wait longer to receive the increased minimum wage of Rs.30,000 which should have been implemented in the month of January 2026. The minimum wage of Rs.30,000 per month for all categories of workers was published in a gazette notification effective January. Earlier the minimum wage of Rs.21,000 was increased to Rs.27,000 and implemented in September 2025. However at a meeting of the official Wages Board on January 23 pertaining to apparel workers, apparel factory employers lamented that they are unable to pay the January increased salaries for the next 3-4 months owing to tough economic conditions, trade union sources said. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

Tea factories face financial disruption By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s tea industry is facing a number of factory closures as authorities are clamping down on adulterated teas from reaching the market while some others are closing due to financial constraints. The Sri Lanka Tea Board did not disclose the number of factories closed or whose operations have been suspended. Asia Siyaka Managing Director Anil Cooke explained that tea factory owners have been plagued with low production quantities ever since the fertiliser crisis hit the industry compelling them to cultivate without the required fertilisers. He noted that despite the drop in volumes the same number of factories clamours to obtain the teas and as a result the factories are paying extra to obtain more teas. And with the surging costs of production and the increasing wages the industry’s factories are facing financial crisis.

CEB’s demise just one step away; tariff policy the hurdle View(s):By Namini WijedasaFour out of five steps needed for the dissolution of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have now been fulfilled, but the last requirement—obtaining Cabinet approval for the national electricity policy and national electricity tariff policy—is yet to be completed, the Sunday Times learns. The preliminary transfer plan, the annual power procurement plan, the long-term generation expansion plan, and the long-term transmission development plan have so far been completed. Along with the national electricity policy and the national electricity tariff policy, these are mandatory steps before the minister can appoint the date by gazette notification. Mr Hedigallage maintained that the drafts are available and that they will be signed within three months of the appointed date. “The ICA will be valid till PPAs, PSAs and TSAs are ready, maximum till the final transfer plan gazetting date,” he said.