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
Maritime expert to advise the President
Maritime expert to advise the PresidentBusinessDr. Parakrama DissanayakeRenowned shipping industry leader Dr. Parakrama Dissanayaka has been appointed as an advisor to the President. He has held a number of positions in the public and private sectors as former Ports Authority Chairman, former Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and is currently Deputy Chairman and Managing Director at Aitken Spence. He was also the first non-British International President of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers of UK. (SD)You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 09, 2026 08:14 UTC
Heavy rains in East as depression moves towards SL
Heavy rains in East as depression moves towards SLNewsThe deep depression in the Bay of Bengal Sea area southeast of Sri Lanka is currently located about 250km southeast of Pottuvil. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across southwest Bay of Bengal and cross Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Batticaloa between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. of tomorrow, the 9th January 2026. Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from todayStrong wind advisory was issued for next three days in Nothern, Noth- Central, Eastern, western, Uva, North western, central provinces. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 08, 2026 19:49 UTC
Civil Aviation Authority appoints committee to probe sea Plane crash
Civil Aviation Authority appoints committee to probe sea Plane crashNewsA formal investigation committee has been appointed to probe an incident involving the sea plane that crashed into the Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka said today. The Authority said under the guidance of the Ministry of Ports & Civil Aviation, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer, promptly deployed a team to the site following the initial report. Once the aircraft is retrieved, it will be transported to Katunayake for further technical investigations, the Authority added. Meanwhile residents in the area said they noticed that the Sea Plane was travelling faster than usual ahead of the incident.
Source:Sunday Times
January 08, 2026 13:12 UTC
Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia record 19 per cent increase in 2025
Sri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia record 19 per cent increase in 2025NewsSri Lankan exports to Saudi Arabia recorded a 19 per cent increase from January to September 2025, compared to the corresponding period in 2024, according to the Foreign Ministry. Ambassador Ajwad also stated that total bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia expanded by 9%, reflecting the growing complementarities and strengthening economic partnership between the two countries. In 2025 alone, ten (10) Sri Lankan business delegations visited Saudi Arabia, comprising companies specializing in food and beverages, agricultural products, construction materials, furniture, tourism, and manpower. In December 2025, the Embassy facilitated the launch of Sri Lankan products by Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) in collaboration with Amalcom Company, an initiative expected to further enhance Sri Lankan exports to the Saudi market. Such coordinated trade-promotion initiatives have significantly contributed to expanding market access, strengthening commercial ties, and enhancing the visibility of Sri Lankan products in the rapidly growing Saudi market.
Source:Sunday Times
January 08, 2026 12:37 UTC
Deep depression expected to cross Sri Lanka’s coast tomorrow - Met Dept.
Deep depression expected to cross Sri Lanka’s coast tomorrow - Met Dept. NewsThe depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered about 420 km southeast off Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (8) the Met Department stated. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across southwest Bay of Bengal and cross Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.of tomorrow (9). Navel and fishing communities are requested to be attentive to the forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard. The full releae issued by the Met Department in Sinhala and English can be found in the link below:https://meteo.gov.lk/pdfs/land_pdf.pdf?t=1767854177722You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
January 08, 2026 12:37 UTC