Category: Featured Headlines

The National Election Commission says that the registration process for new political parties has officially commenced.

Applications will be accepted until 3.00 p.m. on the 28th of February.

Application forms can be obtained from the official website of the Election Commission, as well as from its head office in Rajagiriya and district election offices.

The Election Commission says that applicants must submit the party constitution, a list of office bearers, details of women office bearers, audited accounts for the past four years, the party’s policy statement, and documents confirming that the party is actively functioning, along with the completed application.

As reconstruction efforts continue in the wake of cyclone Ditwah, India dispatched a consignment of 10 Bailey bridges to Colombo onboard INS Gharial to assist the restoration of critical connectivity.

Sharing the details in a post on X, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the supply of bridges is a part of India’s Special Economic Package of USD 450 million announced during the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar to Sri Lanka.

“India continues to stand with to support reconstruction efforts after #CycloneDitwah. To assist restoration of critical connectivity, a consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges was despatched today from Visakhapatnam to Colombo on-board #INSGharial. The supply of bridges is a part of India’s Special Economic Package of USD 450 million announced during the recent visit of EAM @DrSJaishankar to Sri Lanka, after India’s emergency #HADR support through #OperationSagarBandhu”, India’s MEA said on X.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka late last year, triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and large-scale infrastructure damage, overwhelming local disaster-response mechanisms.

Earlier in January, the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force has successfully constructed the third Bailey Bridge, measuring 120 feet, at KM 15 on the B-492 Highway in Sri Lanka.

The bridge, located in the Central Province, reconnects the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, restoring a critical lifeline that had remained disrupted for over a month following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The achievement followed the earlier successful launch of two Bailey bridges in the Jaffna and Kandy regions. Collectively, these engineering efforts have restored road connectivity, improved access to essential services, and provided much-needed relief to communities affected by the cyclone.

Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched in November 2025, enabled India to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), including restoration of roads, bridges, and essential services. By swiftly reestablishing connectivity along the B-492, the Indian Army has not only facilitated daily life for affected communities but also strengthened bilateral ties and goodwill between India and Sri Lanka.

Source: ANI

The Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court today (28) ordered ten individuals, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, to be further remanded in connection with an alleged violation of coastal conservation laws. The remand will continue until 2 February.

The case concerns the unauthorized installation of a Buddha statue and other construction activities at the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Viharaya, reportedly carried out without permission from the Coastal Conservation Department.

The matter was first brought before the court on 16 November 2025, when Balangoda Kassapa Thero, four other monks, and five civilians were produced in relation to the alleged illegal activities on the Trincomalee coastline.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to deepen partnership in the digital economy by establishing a Joint Working Group on Information Technology and Digital Economy, marking a new phase in bilateral collaboration focused on emerging technologies and digital transformation.

The decision was taken during the 13th session of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC), held in Colombo, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic ties and expanding cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

The Pakistani delegation to the meeting was led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan.

Officials from both countries noted that while Sri Lanka and Pakistan share longstanding bilateral relations in trade, investment and development cooperation, there was a growing need to move beyond traditional areas and develop partnerships in advanced and innovative technologies. The newly formed working group is expected to facilitate collaboration in areas such as digital infrastructure, IT services, e-governance and skills development.

The JEC session also focused on enhancing industrial cooperation and boosting bilateral trade. Sri Lanka invited Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to explore investment opportunities, highlighting the potential for joint ventures and technology transfer in the health sector.

Both sides expressed consensus on strengthening cooperation in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, recognising its critical role in economic growth, employment generation and innovation. Measures to support SME linkages and knowledge sharing were discussed.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to continue engagement through institutional mechanisms to translate agreed initiatives into tangible outcomes and further reinforce economic partnership between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Tensions flared in court on Wednesday during proceedings in the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with prosecutors questioning how the former leader was seated in court as a suspect and raising concerns over his previous hospital stay following remand.

Additional Solicitor General Dileep Peiris told the Fort Magistrate’s Court that Wickremesinghe was present in court as a suspect and questioned the manner in which he was seated.

“How can a suspect sit like that? He must obtain the court’s permission,” Peiris said, prompting objections from the defence.

Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara agreed with the prosecution’s position, stating that there is a proper procedure for court seating arrangements. “There is a proper procedure for seating in court, and it must be followed,” the magistrate said.

Peiris also raised concerns over Wickremesinghe’s hospitalisation after he was previously remanded, alleging misuse of public resources.

“After being remanded, he was admitted directly to the intensive care unit at the National Hospital and spent time with his associates there, even reading Boris Johnson’s book,” Peiris told court.

He further claimed that a medical report had been submitted to court without a request from the judiciary, and that the prosecution had not received a copy of the report.

“This suspect illegally stayed in the ICU and misused public property,” Peiris alleged.

Defence lawyers rejected the claims, arguing that many of the allegations did not relate to their client and that the authenticity of an invitation letter for Wickremesinghe’s UK visit had not been properly investigated.

The court also remanded former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, named as the second suspect in the case, until Feb. 11, rejecting his bail request. The magistrate said bail could not be granted under the Public Property Act without exceptional circumstances.

The case was postponed, with Wickremesinghe ordered to appear again on April 29.

Sri Lanka has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to continue the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) without any changes after the global lender’s team visited the island nation to assess damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the Presidential Media Division (OMD) said.

The IMF mission was expected to conclude the fifth review of the EFF before releasing the sixth tranche. However, the visit was to assess the impact of the disaster, government sources said.

“Emphasising that Sri Lanka is currently moving in the right economic direction despite facing a severe disaster situation, the IMF representatives stated that there would be no changes to the agreement relating to the Extended Fund Facility programme being implemented with Sri Lanka,” the PMD said in a statement.

“They further indicated that discussions relating to the release of the sixth tranche under the programme would resume in March.”

This means the sixth tranche which was to be approved in December 2025 will be further delayed.

The IMF has noted that the Government’s ability to present a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion was made possible by a surplus in the Treasury, describing this as a highly commendable development, the PMD said.

“The President further emphasised that this measure does not in any way signify a departure from proper financial management or fiscal responsibility.”

“The President added that all future Government programmes have been planned in line with this direction and that Sri Lanka expects the continued support of the International Monetary Fund in this regard.”