Denmark’s DilemmaOpinionBy Dr Ruben ThurairajahEmpires, when they speak of values, usually mean geography. A War Explained to the WorldThe war was presented as necessity, then as virtue. Denmark’s Forgotten EmpireThere was an older echo here. Greenland was suddenly too important to be left to Denmark, too strategic to be governed by consent alone. It exited empire quietly and reinvented itself as a moral state.

Dry weather prevails at most parts of the islandNewsMeteorology Department forecasted that mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island for next 36 hours. According to then there is a possibility of ground frost at some places in Nuwara-Eliya district in the early hours of the morning. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North- western, North-central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of tomorrow morning. You can share this post!

Events DiaryFeaturesIt’s the season for the arts as Colomboscope returns from January 21 to 31. The full programme forthe festival is available at www.colomboscope.lk/rhythm-alliances….……………………………………………………..TAKE on Art × KALĀ present a month-long focus on South Asian art. The exhibition ‘Shared Ground: South Asia in Conversation’ at 138, Galle Road, featuresestablished and mid-career artists whose practices are deeply rooted in socio-political,post-colonial, ecological and material research. The exhibition will continue until February 18. ….…………………………………ARTRA Trail 2026, taking place at the Lionel Wendt Gallery in Colombo (January 16-22) and across Galle Fort (January 23-25) presents the exhibition, ‘Silenced’ curated byAzara Jaleel.

Russel’s recognises outstanding employees for DecemberBusinessRussel’s (Pvt) Ltd recently recognised employees who demonstrated exceptional performance during the month of December at a special staff appreciation event. Michael, Pot Washer, was recognised for his reliability and dedication, playing a vital role in supporting smooth kitchen operations. Sameera Madushan, Tea Service Steward, along with Sithara Kumari and Carol Sri Lal, Tea Service Stewardesses, were recognised for their courteous service, efficiency, and positive contribution to guest satisfaction. Congratulating all the recognised employees, Russel’s management reaffirmed its commitment to appreciating and encouraging staff members who consistently demonstrate excellence. The management noted that such recognition initiatives play a vital role in motivating employees, strengthening teamwork, and fostering a strong performance-driven organisational culture.

SL’s stock market watchdog warns rogue traderNewsThe Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) on Thursday urged the public not to engage with the entity operating as Blue Ocean Securities Ltd or its mobile application BOMate for investing in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). This entity is not licensed by the SEC to function as a market intermediary, the SEC said in its second warning, in recent times, over this rogue trader. The SEC has lodged a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding this unlicensed entity. Additionally, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has also lodged a separate complaint with the CID. The CID has commenced investigations, and the SEC has provided all related complaints and bank account details connected to this entity to the CID.

FAO appeal for $16.5 m for Cyclone Ditwah workNewsThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome on Thursday appealed for for international assistance of US$16.5 million to support the early recovery of livelihoods and food security for farming, livestock-keeping and fishing communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. “This appeal focuses on early recovery interventions that are urgently needed to stabilise livelihoods and safeguard food production,” said Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The $16.5 million requirement reflects priority early recovery actions, designed to rapidly restore productive capacity and protect livelihoods. FAO also co-leads the Food Security and Livelihoods Sector alongside the World Food Programme and coordinates its response with the Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan – Cyclone Ditwah. Without urgent donor support, hundreds of thousands of households risk missing an entire cultivation season, with lasting consequences for food security, nutrition and rural resilience, the FAO said.

Colombo bourse breaks another recordNewsThe Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) reached a new milestone on Wednesday (January 14) with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) closing on 23,708.70 points, breaking the previous ASPI record of 23,659.70 set on November 12, 2025. On the previous trading day, January 13, the market closed with a daily average turnover of Rs. 6.07 billion compared to the daily average turnover of the last trading day of 2025 which stood at Rs. 5.18 billion, representing a 17.18 per cent increase. “The milestone reflects a robust investor confidence across the market, marking a definitive start to the 2026 trading year,” the CSE said in a statement.

Less vegetables on the plate – a cause for concern? As society has evolved beyond foraging and subsistence farming, modern households now rely on purchasing vegetables, making it increasingly challenging to sustain the traditional “multiple-curry” meal. Against this backdrop, the recent surge in vegetable prices has left much of society shocked and feeling helpless. Marking a significant increase in vegetable prices in recent history, a kilogram of vegetable was priced at Rs.1,000 by January 2024. As doctors and nutritionists emphasise, inadequate vegetable consumption can cause children to miss out on essential vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients critical for healthy growth.

Time to celebrate Thai PongalFeaturesBy Thilakshi BasnayakeThe "Thai Pongal" festival which falls this year on January 15 is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus around the world, as well as in Sri Lanka. The Thai Pongal festival has been celebrated by Tamil Hindus since time immemorial and is a four-day festival. Patti Pongal / Mattu PongalNext comes the third day of Thai Pongal. Mattu Pongal is celebrated the day after Thai Pongal. The ‘Thai Pongal’ festival is all about fertility, gratitude, peace and harmony.

Sports Diary for this week - January 15-21SportThe Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Major League Tournament and the SLC Invitational Tier ‘B’ 3-Day Tournament for 2025/26 will continue this week as well with a combined card of 12 matches over the weekend. The SLR-Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26 will continue with a card of four matches this weekend as well while the FSL Champions League 2025/26 football tournament also continues with a card of six matches through the weekend at the Racecourse ground. The Women’s National Super League T20 2026 will come to an end with the final set to be played at the P. Sara Oval ground on Saturday (17). In addition, happenings in sports around the world are also listed. Local SportsThursday (15)Cricket:ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026India vs USA at Bulawayo (1:00pm)Zimbabwe vs Scotland at Harare (1:00pm)Tanzania vs West Indies at Windhoek (1:00pm)Women’s National Super League T20 2026Greens vs Greys at Colts (9:30am)Blues vs Reds at Colts (2:00pm)Friday (16)Cricket:SLC Tier ‘B’ 3-Day Tournament 2025/26Leo CC vs Galle CC at Welisara (10:00am)Malay CC vs Kandy Customs at BRC (10:00am)Ragama CC vs Navy SC at Salawa (10:00am)Moratuwa SC vs Negombo CC at Moratuwa (10:00am)SSC vs Army SC at SSC (10:00am)United Southern vs Sebastianites at Saliyapura (10:00am)ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026England vs Pakistan at Harare (1:00pm)Australia vs Ireland at Windhoek (1:00pm)Afghanistan vs South Africa at Windhoek (1:00pm)Football:FSL Champions League 2025/26Group round matches at Racecourse (4:00pm and 8:00pm)Cycling:Lanka Ride 2026 covering 440kms from Colombo and back (9:00am)Saturday (17)Cricket:SLC Major League Tournament 2025/26Chilaw Marians vs Bloomfield at Galle (10:00am)Colts vs Panadura SC at CCC (10:00am)Police SC vs CCC at NCC (10:00am)Badureliya SC vs Moors SC at Colts (10:00am)BRC vs NCC at Maggona (10:00am)Tamil Union vs Ace Capital at Dambulla (10:00am)SLC Tier ‘B’ 3-Day Tournament 2025/26Leo CC vs Galle CC at Welisara (10:00am)Malay CC vs Kandy Customs at BRC (10:00am)Ragama CC vs Navy SC at Salawa (10:00am)Moratuwa SC vs Negombo CC at Moratuwa (10:00am)SSC vs Army SC at SSC (10:00am)United Southern vs Sebastianites at Saliyapura (10:00am)Women’s National Super League T20 2026Final at P. Sara Oval (9:45am)ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026Bangladesh vs India at Bulawayo (1:00pm)Sri Lanka vs Japan at Windhoek (1:00pm)Rugby:SLR-Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26Police SC vs Army SC at Police Park (3:30pm)CR&FC vs Air Force SC at Longdon Place (3:30pm)Football:FSL Champions League 2025/26Group round matches at Racecourse (4:00pm and 8:00pm)Cycling:Lanka Ride 2026 covering 440kms from Colombo and back (9:00am)Sunday (18)Cricket:SLC Major League Tournament 2025/26Chilaw Marians vs Bloomfield at Galle (10:00am)Colts vs Panadura SC at CCC (10:00am)Police SC vs CCC at NCC (10:00am)Badureliya SC vs Moors SC at Colts (10:00am)BRC vs NCC at Maggona (10:00am)Tamil Union vs Ace Capital at Dambulla (10:00am)SLC Tier ‘B’ 3-Day Tournament 2025/26Leo CC vs Galle CC at Welisara (10:00am)Malay CC vs Kandy Customs at BRC (10:00am)Ragama CC vs Navy SC at Salawa (10:00am)Moratuwa SC vs Negombo CC at Moratuwa (10:00am)SSC vs Army SC at SSC (10:00am)United Southern vs Sebastianites at Saliyapura (10:00am)ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026New Zealand vs USA at Bulawayo (1:00pm)Zimbabwe vs England at Harare (1:00pm)Afghanistan vs West Indies at Windhoek (1:00pm)Rugby:SLR-Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26Kandy SC vs Havelocks SC at Nittawela (3:30pm)Sri Lions SC vs CH&FC at Longdon Place (3:30pm)Football:FSL Champions League 2025/26Group round matches at Racecourse (4:00pm and 8:00pm)Cycling:Lanka Ride 2026 covering 440kms from Colombo and back (9:00am)Monday (19)Cricket:SLC Major League Tournament 2025/26Chilaw Marians vs Bloomfield at Galle (10:00am)Colts vs Panadura SC at CCC (10:00am)Police SC vs CCC at NCC (10:00am)Badureliya SC vs Moors SC at Colts (10:00am)BRC vs NCC at Maggona (10:00am)Tamil Union vs Ace Capital at Dambulla (10:00am)ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026Pakistan vs Scotland at Harare (1:00pm)Sri Lanka vs Ireland at Windhoek (1:00pm)South Africa vs Tanzania at Windhoek (1:00pm)Tuesday (20)Cricket:ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026Bangladesh vs New Zealand at Bulawayo (1:00pm)Australia vs Japan at Windhoek (1:00pm)Wednesday (21)Cricket:ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026England vs Scotland at Harare (1:00pm)Afghanistan vs Tanzania at Windhoek (1:00pm)World SportsThursday (15)Tennis:WTA/ATP in Adelaide, AustraliaATP in Auckland, New ZealandWTA in Hobart, AustraliaGolf:PGA Tour's Sony Open in HawaiiEuropean Tour's Dubai InvitationalFigure Skating:European Championships at Sheffield, EnglandMotor Sport:Dakar Rally in Saudi ArabiaFootball:Africa Cup of Nations hosted by MoroccoRest dayFriday (16)Tennis:WTA/ATP in Adelaide, AustraliaATP in Auckland, New ZealandWTA in Hobart, AustraliaGolf:PGA Tour in HawaiiEuropean Tour's Dubai InvitationalAlpine Skiing:Men's World Cup super-G at Wengen, Swit

Chinese youth arrested for stealing Lankan’s woman passenger’s cashNewsA Chinese national who stole cash from a Sri Lankan passenger on a flight from Dubai to Colombo was nabbed by the Police shortly after the flight landed, Police said today. The woman had complained to the Katunayake police who in turn had examined the CCTV footage in the Airport. The woman had identified one of the Chinese nationals who had travelled with her on the same flight as a person suspected to have stolen the cash and gold items. Police tracked the man in a short while to a hostel run by a Chinese woman in Negombo and arrested him and detected the stolen items. OIC of the Airport Police Mr. Elmo Malcom Pate directed the investigations.

Chinese Dragon Café opens flagship outlet in GalleBusinessChinese Dragon Café (CDC), one of Sri Lanka’s most recognisable names in Chinese cuisine, continuing its legacy as a pioneer in Chinese cuisine and opened its latest outlet in Galle, marking a new chapter in the restaurant’s long-standing presence across the island. Chinese Dragon Café established in 1942 by a Chinese couple in Bambalapitiya, CDC has grown from a humble neighbourhood eatery into a trusted household name, with outlets in key urban areas including Mount Lavinia, Nugegoda, Rajagiriya, Pelawatta, Wattala, Kandana, Kaduwela and Jaffna. The Galle opening demonstrates CDC’s commitment to bringing its signature Chinese cuisine to more regions across the island. Chinese Dragon Cafe also caters to evolving customer needs through services such as free delivery, event catering, corporate meals for training and events and online ordering. We’re excited to serve the community and look forward to becoming a familiar name in the area.” With this new launch, Chinese Dragon Café reaffirms its commitment to expanding and sharing authentic Sri Lankan Chinese flavours across Sri Lanka.

Industry sets clear goals at Inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025BusinessThe inaugural Sri Lanka Fintech Summit 2025, held recently, marked a decisive step in shaping the country’s modern, inclusive, and investment-ready digital economy. It also attracted several leading international and local fintech experts, investors, global fintech influences and startups fulfilling a clear objective of the industry. Chaired by Damith Pallewatte, CEO of Hatton National Bank, the opening roundtable mapped Sri Lanka’s Vision 2030 for digital banking. Implementing and expanding the national digital ID for banking and payments was recognized as a key enabler of inclusion and innovation. The fourth roundtable, Harnessing Digital Assets and CBDCs, was chaired by Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager for Mastercard Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Grade 6 educational reforms postponed to next yearNewsCabinet Spokesman Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said a decision has been made by the Cabinet not to implement the Grade 6 educational reforms this year and to postpone them until 2027. Educational reforms proposed for Grade 1 will be implemented this year without change. The Academic Affairs Board of the National Institute of Education is expected to take disciplinary action against officials responsible for the incident where a web address directing students to an adult website was published in the Grade 6 English module. The relevant education reforms will continue to be implemented in the future based on human resource development, infrastructure development and administrative reforms, assessment and evaluation processes, curriculum development and public awareness and promotion. You can share this post!

Barberyn Resorts go chemical-free for mosquito controlBusinessWorld’s first Ayurveda Resort chains’, Barberyn Reef Ayurveda Resort Hospital has replaced traditional chemical pesticides with gentle, insecticide-free biogents mosquito traps to prioritise eco-conscious travelers and the environment. “The transition to eco-friendly mosquito traps aligns with our broader sustainability goals and assure our international guests that safety and sustainability can go hand in hand,” said Dr. Asanga Rodrigo. “Even global hospitality giants have partnered with us to implement this sustainable mosquito control system. We are encouraging its implementation across Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector. This will be a major boost to Sri Lanka’s image as a safe and eco-friendly travel destination,” Cooke added.