‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ passes the $1 billion mark worldwide
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ passes the $1 billion mark worldwide View(s):Third Avatar film ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ has surpassed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, as it kept the top spot in North American theaters with another $40 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed last week. The third installment in director James Cameron’s blockbuster series has now earned $306 million in the United States and Canada and another $777 million abroad, putting the total at $1.08 billion, Exhibitor Relations reported. It is the fourth Cameron film to pass the $1 billion mark, with the first two ‘Avatar’ films and ever popular ‘Titanic’. In second place in North America was ‘Zootopia 2’, Disney’s feel-good animated film and an Oscar contender, at $19 million. ‘Marty Supreme’, A24’s period sports drama starring Timothee Chalamet, finished in fourth place with $12.6 million.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:30 UTC
Gateway College Celebrates Outstanding SACE International Results, Showcasing Academic Excellence and Holistic Achievement
Gateway College Celebrates Outstanding SACE International Results, Showcasing Academic Excellence and Holistic Achievement View(s):The release of the SACE International results on 15 December 2025 marked a moment of celebration across the global SACE community and a particularly proud milestone for Gateway College Colombo. Adding to this achievement, while 13 subject merits were awarded internationally, one prestigious subject merit was proudly claimed by a Gateway College Colombo student. This was one of the most dynamic and well-rounded batches Gateway College Colombo has produced. Gateway College Colombo first introduced the SACE International curriculum in 2022 with an inaugural cohort of just 18 students. In 2025, Gateway expanded the SACE International programme to its sister schools, Gateway College Negombo and Gateway College Kandy, marking an important milestone in extending globally recognised academic pathways across the Gateway College network.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:30 UTC
Ajith’s ‘Brisbane Manalaya’ in town
Ajith’s ‘Brisbane Manalaya’ in town View(s):Actor and director Ajith Lokuge’s play ‘Brisbane Manalaya’ will be staged at 3.30 pm and 6.45 pm. on Sunday, January 11 at Elphinstone Theatre in Colombo 10. Madani Malwattage, Anjula Rajapaksha, Nadeeshani Peliarachchi, Nimala Yatiwella, Pradeep Manawaduge, Kalpani Jayasinghe and Ajith himself performs in the cast. Written by Kapila Kumara Kalinga and produced by Priyankara de Silva, ‘Brisbane Manalaya’ is organised by Jude Srimal. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:30 UTC
Draft electricity policy is driving investors away
Draft electricity policy is driving investors away By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s draft National Electricity and Tariff Policy has generated intense debate, particularly following discussions at the Parliamentary Oversight Committee. This is pushing renewable energy investors to leave the country and invest elsewhere or close shop entirely. The draft electricity policy developed by the Cabinet-appointed Committee on Formulating the National Electricity Policy was presented recently to the Minister of Energy. Ideally, an Electricity Policy should be aligned with a comprehensive and up-to-date National Energy Policy. “However, the draft Electricity Policy should be understood as a transitional instrument required to operationalise the new Act within statutory timelines.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Sri Lanka rupee depreciates
Sri Lanka rupee depreciates View(s):Two market-moving and business-impact-related developments were seen in Sri Lanka this week with drama, both in the stock market and the money markets, in Colombo. The Rupee slumped to 310 per dollar from 306 due to unprecedented demand for dollars and a shortage in the market. They said the demand for dollars will also rise when reconstruction happens for post-Cyclone Ditwah work as imports of construction material grow. The ‘antics’ in the stock market is addressed in a connected story on this page. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Whither our wildlife in 2026?
Whither our wildlife in 2026? View(s):By Malaka RodrigoSri Lanka’s wildlife deaths have begun the New Year on a grim note, with the first reported leopard death of 2026 occurring in Neluwa, Galle, after the animal was caught in an illegal wire snare. Within days, a young elephant calf was also killed in a collision with a lorry, underscoring the persistent threats faced by the country’s iconic fauna. Wildlife officials confirmed that the animal had suffered severe internal injuries while struggling to free itself from the snare, ultimately succumbing despite intervention. Elephant calf killed on the roadA young elephant calf was killed after being struck by a lorry, between Galgamuwa and Abanpola highlighting the ongoing danger posed by high-speed traffic on roads cutting across elephant ranges.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
A test for Sri Lanka men and women teams at inaugural SAFF Futsal 2026
A test for Sri Lanka men and women teams at inaugural SAFF Futsal 2026 football View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka will bank on ambitious talents as Football Sri Lanka (FSL) officially released the names of the national Men’s and Women’s squads for the upcoming inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship 2026, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand. “It’s a new experience for our players and Sri Lanka as well as other nations and their players of the South Asian region. The first among two competitions will be SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship, which has been scheduled to be held between January 12 and 25. In both competitions, the team with the highest points will be crowned as the inaugural SAFF Futsal 2026 champions. The Sri Lanka men’s and women’s futsal teams accompanied by officials, will leave the island for Bangkok today.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Sri Lanka cricket; revolving rather than evolving
Sri Lanka cricket; revolving rather than evolving cricket View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka’s recent Asia Cup campaign ended with three wins and three defeats. Once again, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) revealed how little it understands elite sport, long-term planning or even the fundamentals of professional governance. Sri Lanka cricket is not evolving. It is time the Ministry of Sports demanded accountability from the hierarchy of Sri Lanka Cricket. That is Sri Lanka cricket today.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Moors in command after Sohan’s century
Moors’ innings was highlighted by a splendid century from Sohan de Livera (139) and three half-centuries from Sithara Gimhan (76), Ramesh Mendis (65) and Shehan Fernando (51), as they took the Kurunegala Youth bowlers apart. In reply, Kurunegala Youth reached 134-4, still trailing by 307 runs at the close. In the match between CCC and Panadura SC at Galle, Pavan Ratnayake struck his second century within a week, compiling a magnificent 166 to help his side post 309. Dushan Vimukthi was the standout bowler for Panadura SC, claiming impressive figures of 7 for 87. Brief Scores At Sooriyawewa: Kurunegala Youth trail Moors by 307 runs Moors SC (298-5 o’night) 441 for 8 (114) decl (Sohan de Livera 139, Sithara Gimhan 76, Ramesh Mendis 65, Shehan Fernando 51, Sadeera Samarawickrama 43, Santhush Gunatileke 17n.o.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Memory carried in bodies, voices and everyday acts
Echoing the overarching theme of this year’s edition, Rhythm Alliances, their works incorporate cinema, choral practice and moving image, engaging memory not as a fixed archive, but as something carried in bodies, voices and everyday acts. Working with film, video and photography, his project begins with everyday gestures that are often starting points for wider conversations. Where Basir works through cinematic memory and collective voice, Nina Mangalanayagam and Marie Bergqvist approach sound as an embodied site of inheritance. Central to the work is The Whale, a choir of transnational and transracial adoptees formed by Marie, whose collective presence anchors the installation. Whether through cinema’s emotional arc or the collective resonance of humming bodies, the works resist silence and singular narratives.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
A slip too far?
A slip too far? Even before all this, you were subjected to intense scrutiny when you became PM, because you were a lady. There was that time when you once referred to China as the ‘Republic of China’ which is Taiwan, China’s arch-rival. Please don’t get me wrong, Harini sahodariya. As the poet said, Harini sahodariya, this is when you need to ‘keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you’!
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Artists’ response to erasure
Artists’ response to erasure View(s):ARTRA Trail 2026 unveils ‘Silenced’ in Colombo and GalleARTRA Trail 2026, taking place at the Lionel Wendt Gallery in Colombo from January 16-22 and across Galle Fort from Jan. 23-25, primarily revolves around the poignant exhibition, ‘Silenced’ curated by Azara Jaleel. Featuring the works of 15 contemporary artists, this group exhibition responds to erasure, reflecting the shifts within the socio-political context ofSri Lanka from the 1980s to the 2020s. The opening night of ‘Silenced’ will be followed by artist discussions with Menika van der Poorten, Marco Manamperi, and Gayan Prageeth. Rajani Serasinghe’s mosaic works respond directly to the question, “What was left behind?” using materiality itself as both subject and method. ‘Silenced’, supported by the Lionel Wendt Memorial Fund and ARTRA Magazine marks another ARTRAventure to showcase artists who push boundaries.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Crisis looms over VRS as CEB split nears
Meanwhile, Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS) Director General Pubudu Niroshan Hedigallage has submitted his resignation effective January 15, 2026, leaving what these employees say is a “dangerous leadership vacuum at a critical moment”. The PSRS is responsible for restructuring the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), unbundling its functions (generation, transmission, and distribution) into separate entities, and implementing reforms to make the power sector more efficient. “The right to access a VRS was explicitly guaranteed for those choosing not to transition,” it says. “These are formal administrative milestones, yet the minister has not yet published the appointed date in the gazette,” the letter points out. “Furthermore, some VRS employees who travelled abroad have been issued ‘vacation of post’ letters, risking their VRS entitlements,” they say.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 19:29 UTC
Singing Queen Latha in her last concert said, ’’mata thama puluwan’’
Singing Queen Latha in her last concert said, ’’mata thama puluwan’’OpinionBy Sunil Thenabadu in BrisbaneLegendary singing queen Latha Walpola celebrated her 91st birthday on November 11, 2025, while ITN Lakhanda’s Radio perpetual existence marked 29 years on November 15. There are more than 350 popular song solos and duets sung by the popular duo “Latha Dharmadasa Walpola” in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. It needs to be mentioned that when Dharmadasa Walpola lived, it was Latha Walpola and Dhammika who sang together. In this concert it was the trio Thisara, Christeena and Dhammika who harmonised together meticulously. At the conclusion of the concert, the legendary Latha Walpola sang on stage a part of ‘Sri Wibhushitha Lanka’ and said, ‘MATA THAMA PULUWAN’ smilingly in a good sense of humour.
Source:Sunday Times
January 10, 2026 12:26 UTC
Events diary
Events diaryFeatures‘The Art of Mahagama Sekera - a 50th Anniversary CommemorativeExhibition’ will be held on January 14 – 15 at the Alliance Française deColombo.To mark this anniversary, the Alliance Française de Colombo,in collaboration with the Mahagama Sekera Archives, present acommemorative exhibition of Sekera’s creative work in painting. ARTRA Trail 2026, taking place at the Lionel Wendt Gallery inColombo (Jan 16-22) and across Galle Fort (Jan 23-25) will feature theexhibition, ‘Silenced’ curated by Azara Jaleel. Through the works of 15contemporary artists, this group exhibition reflects the shifts within thesocio-political context of Sri Lanka from the 1980s to the 2020s. Among the artists are Menika van der Poorten, Marco Manamperi,Gayan Prageeth, Sujeewa Kumari, Layla Gonaduwa, KesaraRatnavibhushana, Sanjeewa Kumara, Hathi Mohamed, Malki Jayakodyand Venura Madurapperuma. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 09, 2026 14:14 UTC