Naval prodigy Lt Koyan Chamitha laid to rest with full military honours View(s):Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha (28), the first from the Sri Lanka Navy to successfully complete the coveted U.S. Navy SEAL training who passed away unexpectedly, was laid to rest with full military honours on Friday. Lieutenant Chamitha who was attached to the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) of the Sri Lanka Navy was based at Welisara Navy Camp at the time of his sudden demise. The Sri Lanka Navy says that he was found dead at the naval quarters within the Welisara Navy Camp on Wednesday. The US Navy SEAL training process is widely regarded as one of the toughest Special Forces qualification programmes in the world. Sampath Thuyacontha has directed the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy to conduct a formal inquiry and submit a report regarding Lieutenant Chamitha’s sudden passing.

State law officers unanimously denounce attack on AG View(s):By Ranjith PadmasiriThe Attorney General’s Department Legal Officers’ Association has unanimously passed a resolution taking notice and expressing grave concern over the recent “vituperative, unfounded, repeated personal attacks” on Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Meanwhile, the association also held a “brainstorming session on improving the efficiency and independence of the department” on Friday. During the session, the state law officers engaged in structured deliberations aimed at strengthening the efficiency and independence of the Department across four key thematic areas – structural, legal, procedural, and ethical improvements. This is the first such collective exercise undertaken by officers of the department in its more than 140-year history. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

Sri Lanka faces risks of being grey-listed by FATF, affecting banking relationships and investment By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka is at a crucial juncture of potentially being sanctioned or blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due to deficiencies in Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) measures, affecting international banking and foreign investment, a top official from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka told this week. The upcoming third mutual evaluation will assess Sri Lanka’s AML/CFT effectiveness, especially concerning virtual assets. She also mentioned that FATF has 40 recommendations, with Sri Lanka adhering to mutual evaluations via the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering. “Sri Lanka’s compliance is evolving, with particular focus on recommendation 15 regarding virtual assets. He also highlighted that cryptocurrencies are a significant and rapidly evolving part of the global financial landscape with profound implications for emerging markets like Sri Lanka.

President’s Office agrees to reveal vehicle details after RTI appeal View(s):The Presidential Secretariat this week agreed before the Right to Information Commission to release information regarding the allocation of state-owned vehicles to its staff. The information required to be released includes the name and designation of officials using them as well as the make, model and vehicle numbers. After an initial refusal, that information was released in December last year following appeal hearings before the Commission. Evaluating the refusal to disclose the details, the Commission ruled that details on state vehicle allocations cannot be withheld as personal information, ordering the release by 31.01.2026. The Ministry was directed to release the information in issue on or before February 27, 2026.

It’s time for the Prime Minister and others in government to ‘walk the talk’ on women’s rights. Politicians at school functions: Govt breaking its rulesWalking the talk on other issues is also not something Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has managed to do on education-related matters either. She led the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. National Day: Concerns over cost of event structuresWhile the government has pledged to spend less on Independence Day celebrations, the ongoing arrangements show a different picture. 100 million from the 2026 budget for the National Day celebrations but expects to spend only around Rs.

In T20 World Cups between 2014 and 2021, Perera scored 248 runs in 14 innings at an average of 19.07. His strike rate of 134.78 looks respectable in isolation, until weighed against his inconsistency and long absence from sustained international impact. “We know that experienced players are very valuable in a World Cup,” Shanaka said ahead of the England series. Charith Asalanka, often spoken of as a middle-order pillar, actually owns the strongest World Cup record among the current group. Sri Lanka keep picking and unpicking the same names because they are unsure what they are trying to become.

Education reform must therefore respond not only to global ideals but also to global realities. This plural religious and cultural heritage has been one of Sri Lanka’s greatest strengths. Primary students could learn about Sri Lanka’s ancient irrigation systems and construction wonders, alongside modern environmental science, linking heritage to innovation. Sri Lanka’s kindness, simplicity, and peace-loving reputation — widely recognised worldwide — are rooted in its cultural, religious, and historical values. That is why culture and values must remain at the heart of education reform.

Kamindu back in WC frame; DDS, Madushan laid off cricket View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup preparations took another late twist on Friday night as selectors made last-minute changes to the squad before the deadline, leaving Dhananjaya de Silva and Pramod Madushan out in two decisions that underlines the uncertainty surrounding the side on the eve of the tournament. The right-arm seamer had been included in the ongoing England series purely as injury cover for Dushmantha Chameera and was never considered a certainty for the World Cup. The more significant call, however, was the exclusion of Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka’s Test captain and one of the most experienced figures in the national set-up. It is a familiar move, rooted as much in hope as in necessity, as Sri Lanka continue to search for reliable solutions. Probable Sri Lanka T20 World Cup squad 1.

Pottery as both craft and reflection View(s):‘Shadows of a Pre-Renaissance Era’, an exhibition by master potter Ajith Mohan Perera, highlighting the cultural and artistic significance of pottery as both craft and reflection on society will be held at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams on February 2 and 3. With decades of experience behind him, Ajith Mohan Perera, sees the art as more than functional or decorative. “Pottery is not just about making objects,” he explains. Cinnamon Life, home to over 1,000 commissioned artworks and a platform for hundreds of Sri Lankan artists, continues to foster creativity across its spaces. Shadows of a Pre-Renaissance Era is on display at Cinnamon Life from February 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cumulus Ballroom.

Agriculture Ministry’s ‘magic maize’ foil farmers View(s):By D. Ganasiri HettiarachchigeA model maize cultivation in Alikanda area in Manthottama, Ampara, has been completely destroyed after the farmers tried out a hybrid variety of corn given by the Agriculture Ministry. The farmers lamented that five acres of maize had failed, as they were unable to obtain a harvest from the crop which they cultivated. They explained that the Agriculture Ministry introduced the new variety of seed for the first time, and they had cultivated it expecting a better yield. The crops that grew did not yield harvest and those that did yield harvest, produced no seeds, they complained. They called on the Agriculture Department to provide them with a solution to the issue and accept the responsibility of their actions.

Gangaramaya Perahera attracts large crowds View(s):The 47th annual Navam Perahera of Colombo’s Gangaramaya Temple was held yesterday, with religious observances preceding the colourful pageant that attracts a large number of devotees, tourists and locals. The highlight was the placement of the casket carrying sacred relics on the Perahera’s lead tusker. Pushpa KumaraThe best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!

Sandwiched in between mammoth buildings down Marine Drive, this vertical café has a heady ambience. Opened just recently, the place has four floors – downstairs dedicated to a bar and a pastry shop while the first floor has a French-looking café. The second floor is shisha lounge dominated by exorcist masks- massive yakkas looking down from black walls. The cafe’s co-founders Shazi Salim and Rumaiz Ramzy have created a relaxing nook to sip (and smoke) and lounge (and laze). Ceylon Stories is at 9/6A 16th Lane, Marine Drive, Colombo 3.

SCB says rupee to remain stable, growth at 3.5 % By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):The Sri Lanka Rupee is anticipated to remain stable this year, supported by rising tourism receipts and remittances, alongside improved foreign exchange results, and a projected current account surplus of approximately US$600 million. The growth forecast is conservatively set at 3.5 per cent, influenced by the impacts of cyclone Ditwah, top economists said. The external debt requirement going down next year will assist in building reserves up to $7.5 billion, he added. The strategic importance of the Port City and logistics sector was also underscored, with a call for Sri Lanka to leverage its geographic position to benefit from the growing South-South trade corridor. He also said that the discussions around exporting energy need to be taken head-on with renewable energy as an export pillar for the country.

Legal basis to be laid for weaning children away from digital addiction View(s):By Nidarshani WickramasingheA proposal to ban social media for children under the age of 16 has been handed to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs by the National Child Protection Authority and is being studied. We have already identified the need to regulate social media for children and are preparing for broad discussions,’’ he said. In Asia-Pacific, Malaysia plans to introduce a social media ban for children under 16 years by July 2026. Florida has banned social media accounts for children under 14 years, while Virginia has limited children’s social media use to one hour per day. “These steps should work together withSri Lanka’s digital governance systems and child protection laws, especially the Personal Data Protection Act.

Navam Perahera illuminates Colombo View(s):The Gangaramaya temple’s 48th Navam Perahera took place yesterday with colourful new dance items and floats depicting important Buddhist historical events. The perahera is one of the country’s main Buddhist cultural events and attracts large crowds. This year’s perahera had dance items by eight Indian, Burmese and Chinese dancing teams apart from local dance segments representing Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic cultures. There was also a variety of traditional dances stepping in tune alongside majestic elephants including the temple’s tusker, Ganga. Pix by M A Pushpa KumaraShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS