Shiranthi asks for two weeks to appear before FCID
Shiranthi asks for two weeks to appear before FCIDNewsFormer First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who was due to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) today (27), has informed through her lawyers that she is unable to appear today due to personal reasons. Ms. Rajapaksa has requested she be given two weeks' time to appear before the FCID. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 13:50 UTC
Cricket: Sri Lanka women to tour West Indies next month
Cricket: Sri Lanka women to tour West Indies next monthSportThe Sri Lanka women’s cricket team is set to engage in a white-ball series against their West Indian counterparts during end of February and early March, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced today (27). The tour will include three each of Women’s One Day Internationals (WODI) and Women’s T20 Internationals (WT20I), beginning from February 20 to March 3. All matches will be played at the Grenada National Stadium, formerly known as Queen’s Park, in St. George’s. Sri Lanka women last engaged in a five-match WT20I series against the Indian women, who swepth the series 5-0, played during December 21 to 30 at Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 13:36 UTC
From Spain to Graze: A Spanish Culinary Experience at Hilton Colombo
From Spain to Graze: A Spanish Culinary Experience at Hilton ColomboBusinessAn exclusive Spanish culinary showcase featuring guest chefs from Hilton Madrid Airport. This January, Hilton Colombo adds a Spanish flair to its dinner buffet at Graze Kitchen with ‘From Spain to Graze,’ an exclusive culinary showcase set to take place from January 28 to February 7, 2026. The experience promises to bring the vibrant flavors of Spain to Graze Kitchen, alongside its signature international dinner buffet spread. “‘From Spain to Graze’ celebrates the joy of sharing global flavors and culinary stories,” said Manesh Fernando, Area General Manager for Hilton Sri Lanka and General Manager of Hilton Colombo. “This special collaboration with Hilton Madrid Airport will allow us to offer our guests a truly authentic taste of Spain, whilst representing a continued elevation of the dining experience at Graze Kitchen.”You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 11:16 UTC
Women PC among drug peddlers
Women PC among drug peddlersNewsFour women including a police woman constable and a man were arrested over a drug racket yesterday. According to information received the Ambagas Dowa police arrested a four women and a man who were possessing Heroin. Among the women was a Police Constable (PC) who was residing at the police quarters. The woman PC was attached to Badulla Headquarters inspector office. After interrogation the police constable have revealed that there other women who are at the ages of 43, 41, 71 were involved in the racket.
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 11:13 UTC
Ceylon Stories - Gallery Café opens in Colombo
Ceylon Stories - Gallery Café opens in ColomboBusinessCeylon Stories - Gallery Café opened its doors to the public on 9 January 2026, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy its offerings of tea, art, and shisha. The Ceylon Stories teamVisual storytellingConceptualised as a gallery café, Ceylon Stories will feature a new artist every month. Additionally, Ceylon Stories invites visitors to engage with a carefully curated collection of artwork inspired by Sri Lanka’s history, traditions, and contemporary narratives. Guests are offered guided tea tastings that showcase the diversity and depth of Ceylon tea, making it a must-visit for tourists, both local and foreign. Positioned as an inviting space for both local and international visitors, Ceylon Stories welcomes creatives, tea enthusiasts, and individuals seeking authentic experiences.
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 10:44 UTC
ComBank to boost SME financing with IFC’s $60 m, shares risk
ComBank to boost SME financing with IFC’s $60 m, shares riskBusinessTthe Commercial Bank of Ceylon is partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to significantly expand the bank’s capacity to lend SMEs nationwide. Under this partnership, IFC will provide risk cover for a US$60 million (equivalent to over Rs. 18.5 billion) portfolio of new SME loans issued by Commercial Bank. By assuming 50 per cent of the credit risk, this facility empowers the bank to sustainably scale its lending capacity. The Risk Sharing Facility (RSF) will prioritise women-led enterprises and agri-businesses.
Source:Sunday Times
January 27, 2026 05:36 UTC
NATIONAL LOTTERIES BOARD EXTENDS DIGITAL DEALER AGREEMENT WITH LUCKY 1 . LK, REINFORCING TRUST IN SRI LANKA’ S LEADING DIGITAL LOTTERY PLATFORM
NATIONAL LOTTERIES BOARD EXTENDS DIGITAL DEALER AGREEMENT WITH LUCKY 1 . LK, REINFORCING TRUST IN SRI LANKA’ S LEADING DIGITAL LOTTERY PLATFORMBusinessFrom Tradition to Digital: Revolutionizing the Way Sri Lankans WinThe National Lotteries Board (NLB) has renewed Lucky1.lk as its authorized digital dealer for the sixth consecutive year, reaffirming trust in Sri Lanka’s leading digital lottery platform and its secure, transparent, tech-driven experience. Launched in 2019 and powered by DigitalX Pvt Ltd, Lucky1.lk has become Sri Lanka’s most trusted digital lottery platform, delivering six years of reliability, innovation, and customer convenience. Lucky1.lk lotteries are also available on Daraz, enabling customers to purchase official NLB tickets through one of Sri Lanka’s top e-commerce platforms. This renewal as NLB’s authorized digital dealer underscores Lucky1.lk’s commitment to making Sri Lanka’s lottery industry more accessible, transparent, and future-ready.
Source:Sunday Times
January 26, 2026 05:40 UTC
Ella seeks solutions for garbage stench from fertiliser project
Ella seeks solutions for garbage stench from fertiliser projectNewsBy Prasad RukmalAn organic fertiliser plant near the Ella town has become an eyesore for tourists, who have to put up with the stench as well, while hoteliers and eateries struggle with fly infestations. Tourist guides said that the organic fertiliser plant is located at the junction towards the entry point to the city on the Kithal Ella Road. Visitors approaching from Ella-Wellawaya and Millagama roads are hit by the stench of garbage. World-renowned Ella, Sri Lanka’s most famous hotspot for scenic views, has changed over the years, and conditions are not entirely pleasant for tourists. Read more in yesterday's Sunday Times edition hereYou can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 26, 2026 05:33 UTC
Grama Niladaris fear bad precedent from Rs 500,000 damage payout
Grama Niladaris fear bad precedent from Rs 500,000 damage payout By Ishu Bandara View(s): View(s):Although the Defence Ministry issued a second circular to address the controversy over the payment of Rs 500,000 as compensation to owners of partially damaged houses without proper assessment following Cyclone Ditwah, the Grama Niladhari Union has continued to oppose the decision. In response, the Defence Ministry issued a second circular. The second circular states that those whose homes are partially damaged will receive Rs. He said the assessments back then were controversial, with some payments made without proper valuation, and warned that paying a flat rate of Rs 500,000 for partially damaged houses now, without proper assessment, could set a bad precedent. Another key party involved in influencing the second circular was the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service Association.
Source:Sunday Times
January 26, 2026 00:14 UTC
Anuruddha Polonnowita – oldest living cricket captain of Ananda College
Anuruddha Polonnowita – oldest living cricket captain of Ananda College By Meghavarna Kumarasinghe cricket View(s): View(s):At the age of 86, Anuruddha Polonnowita, is the oldest living cricket captain of Ananda College,Colombo. Polons attended Ananda College, and played cricket from age of 10 and secured a place in the Under-14 team and commenced serious cricket. Polons not only captained the Ananda College cricket team in 1957, but also was selected to lead the Combined Schools team. He always had the game of heart and made a big contribution to the development of Ananda College cricket. Twenty four cricketers played for Sri Lanka and a further 25 more played at National Under-19 and Sri Lanka ‘A’ levels.
Source:Sunday Times
January 25, 2026 12:14 UTC
Don’t fall for scammers claiming your account holds drug money
Don’t fall for scammers claiming your account holds drug money View(s):By Nidarshani WickramasingheA group of scammers pretending to be police officers or bank employees are deceiving people into transferring out money from their accounts on the pretext that they (the scammers) are investigating funds that have been deposited into such accounts by drug traffickers, police warned this week. If anyone receives such calls, they should not transfer money into the accounts of any unknown party and must immediately inform the police. In some cases, death threats have been made, and fear has prompted victims to transfer money from their bank accounts to the scammers. Do not share bank details, the NIC number, login details, OTP, passwords, PIN numbers or photographs, and do not click on suspicious links, police also urged. Use only verified accounts, and always confirm the identity of the person when transferring money, the SLCERT expert advised.
Source:Sunday Times
January 25, 2026 08:47 UTC
Milan Rathnayake — Sri Lanka’s possible missing link in victories
Milan Rathnayake — Sri Lanka’s possible missing link in victories cricket View(s): View(s):Modern limited-overs cricket is unforgiving to imbalance. On slow, spin-friendly surfaces in the subcontinent, Wellalage will remain central to Sri Lanka’s plans where control and batting depth will be priceless. Yet the selectors have persisted with the right-arm medium pacer as the all-rounder Sri Lanka are searching for. His decline through injuries left a structural hole in Sri Lanka’s ODI set-up, one that has never truly been filled. If Sri Lanka are serious about competing away from home, Milan Rathnayake must be more than a squad player.
Source:Sunday Times
January 25, 2026 06:49 UTC
Krrish liquidator invites bids for controversial project
Krrish liquidator invites bids for controversial project View(s):The controversial Krrish project in Fort, Colombo which has residencies and two upmarket global hotel brands, last week invited local and foreign bids to develop the property which has three towers and a podium with a total 10.4 million square feet of space. The project originally promoted by India’s Krrish group was taken over by the government after the former failed to meet deadlines. The Krrish liquidator said the original total project cost was made up of $395 million (84 floors for Ritz hotel and residencies), $125 million (74 floors for JW Hotel and JW residencies), $145 million (94 floors for JW Residencies and office), total construction costing $665 million and design and development $47 million. Construction work by the Krrish company, after securing a 99-year lease from the Urban Development Authority in 2012 for $17 million (Rs. 70 million in connection with the controversial Krrish project.
Source:Sunday Times
January 25, 2026 06:45 UTC
Airports operator 2024 profit slips 25%, but pays Rs 664.6m bonus
Airports operator 2024 profit slips 25%, but pays Rs 664.6m bonus View(s):By Kapila BandaraState-owned Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, the aviation services provider, has reported a 25% drop in profit for 2024 at Rs 21.108 billion versus Rs 28.122b the year before. But, the company has paid Rs 664.6 million in bonus, the national auditor observes. In 2023, AASL even paid Rs 50,000 bonus advance totalling Rs 178.8 million to 3,589 employees. Turnover in 2024 increased by 14% on year to Rs 43.897b as against Rs 38.376b in the year before, filings this week to Parliament show. In 2024, AASL recorded 8.9m travellers, “far exceeding Terminal 1’’ annual capacity of 6m passengers.
Source:Sunday Times
January 25, 2026 06:13 UTC
Legal action looms over CEB bullying solar firms
Legal action looms over CEB bullying solar firms By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):Grid-connected solar power developers are appalled at the audacity of the insubordination of state authorities in implementing cabinet directives related to their industry, and bully behaviour towards them, with members eyeing legal action to resolve the issue. These renewable plants are classified as “Must Run” facilities, requiring dispatch to cover operational costs, but recent CEB actions have undermined contractual agreements. GCSPA is calling for compensation from the CEB and Ministry of Power and Energy, highlighting that any long-term solutions would take years to implement. Curtailment of solar power plants results in losses of 4 million electricity units daily. These financial institutions have lent to us on the strength of the Power Purchase Agreement with the CEB.
Source:Sunday Times
January 25, 2026 06:13 UTC