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Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka - January 13, 2026

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In this issue

January 13, 2026

SRI LANKA WOOS CHINA FOR RAIL, OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING AFTER DITWAH

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath, in his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, sought assistance for rebuilding infrastructure, including rehabilitation of bridges and rail lines damaged after Cyclone Ditwah, according to a press release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

1 mins

Ditwah cyclone SEARCH FOR BODIES STILL CONTINUES BUT HAMPERED DUE TO RAIN

Some 174 persons are still missing, while the death toll stood at 648

1 mins

"A CLOUD OVER THE SUN"

New tariffs threaten to turn rooftop solar into a loss-making investment The projected Return On Investment (ROI), often over a 5-7 year period, is now being upended overnight.

3 mins

Police warn of rising extortion racket involving secret video recordings

Police said complaints regarding video recording of sexual relations of married women and their paramours, and young men and women, to extort them under threat of sharing the videos on websites have been increasing.

1 mins

ONLINE SCAMS DOUBLES IN A YEAR, POLICE INCREASE CRACKDOWNS

Cybercrimes Prevention Unit (CPU) is fully equipped to handle cases involving scams, phishing, and other illegal activities conducted through social media platforms

1 mins

Fined for destroying artefacts

A group of three suspects who had been arrested by Ethimale Police and produced before Siyambalanduwa Magistrate Dinushka Rosan Anuruddha Samaraweera for causing damage to an archaeological site and destroying nine

1 mins

SUDDEN SPELL OF SHOWERS AS NORTH-EAST MONSOON WEAKENS

DMC TO REMAIN ON HIGH ALERT UNTIL A/L'S CONCLUDE

1 mins

CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SEEK TO BRING DOWN 7,500 LABOUR FORCE FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Claiming that there is an acute shortage in labour force in the construction industry, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta said yesterday leading construction companies had sought permission from the Ministry to bring down some 7,500 labour force from foreign countries.

1 mins

ONDANSETRON SAMPLES TO BE SENT FOR GLOBAL TESTING

Against this backdrop, the manufacturer, Maan Pharmaceutical (Pvt) Ltd., had formally requested permission to send the withdrawn batches for independent testing at its own expense, which remained under consideration.

1 mins

Issues found in Ditwah compensation claims

Some applications claiming the Rs 25,000 initial payment for restoring houses which were affected by the cyclone Ditwah were found to be problematic in the District of Colombo, Colombo Divisional Secretariat said yesterday.

1 mins

ONLINE SCAMS DOUBLES IN A YEAR. POLICE INCREASE CRACKDOWNS

Over 3,100 complaints, 146 foreigners arrested in 2025

1 mins

Brandix distributes 580 school kits to workers’ children with Superior Exercise Books of WNL

Brandix Apparel on Wednesday distributed 580 school supplies kits to children of employees at its Ridigama facility, marking another round of its annual welfare initiative ahead of the 2026 school year.

1 mins

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIALISTS!

AS WANG YI RETURNS TO COLOMBO, SRI LANKA MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN SHORT-TERM RELIEF AND THE TRANSFORMATIVE, MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR POTENTIAL OF THE 21ST-CENTURY SILK ROAD.

2 mins

Mayaan Haputantri:

The Director of Intentionality

8 mins

Human-Elephant conflict claims 33 lives in Anuradhapura

The death rate in the human-elephant conflict in the Anuradhapura District has been increasing and it resulted in the death of 33 people and 91 wild elephants in 2025.

1 mins

Court frees army commando officers arrested while carrying sniper type firearm

Counsel appearing for the Sri Lanka Army submitted to court that the two officers had been returning after attending a training programme when they were arrested

1 mins

Welimada district court registrar remanded

Registrar of the Welimada District Court, who is alleged to have accepted a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to hand over possession in a land case in accordance with a District Court judgement, was ordered to be remanded till January 27 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Warusawithana yesterday.

1 mins

14-year-old's body exhumed after residents raise serious doubts over death

During preliminary investigations conducted by the Nuri Police, suspicions arose regarding the cause of death. As a result, the boy's mother and father were arrested in connection with the incident

1 mins

Preventing de-dollarisation TRUMP’S AIM IN VENEZUELA AND THE WORLD TOO

US President Donald Trump had several objectives in invading Venezuela and taking its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife hostage.

5 mins

Education reforms and the privilege gap

The education reforms which have been presented by the National People's Power (NPP) Government has eclipsed everything in politics in the country, with Opposition parties demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya who is also the Minister of Education.

3 mins

Ceylon cuppa captures cold brew craze

CEYLON TEA IS SEEN AS UNIQUELY PLACED TO LEAD THIS PREMIUM EXTRACTION SEGMENT, AN ADVANTAGE THAT MASS-ORIGIN COMPETITORS ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE SHIFTS IN CONSUMPTION IS BEING REINFORCED BY RAPID EXPANSION OF BUBBLE TEA FRANCHISES WORLDWIDE, MANY OF WHICH ARE INCREASINGLY TURNING TO CEYLON TEA AS A PREMIUM BASE INGREDIENT

2 mins

Mattala Airport accumulates Rs.39bn in losses as govt. pivots to new PPP model

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has accumulated a staggering Rs.39.3 billion in net losses over the past six years, a recent audit revealed, as the government moves to scrap a previously arranged management handover to an India-Russia joint venture, in favour of a new publicprivate partnership (PPP) model.

2 mins

LRI and Eighth Wonder acquire 71% stake in Lee Hedges for Rs.3.9bn

Lanka Realty Investments PLC (LRI) and Mauritius-based investment vehicle Eighth Wonder acquired a combined 71 percent stake in Lee Hedges PLC, on January 8, in a major transaction valued at approximately Rs.3.93 billion that has triggered a mandatory offer for the remaining shareholders.

1 mins

Ceylon Grain Elevators to invest Rs.3bn in Seeduwa poultry processing plant expansion

Ceylon Grain Elevators PLC has announced a strategic investment of Rs.3 billion to expand its chicken processing facility in Seeduwa.

2 mins

Motor traders push to scrap used vehicle tax break

Cites revenue losses

2 mins

Indices close in red

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Colombo Dockyard, Richard Pieris & Company and Hatton National Bank with the turnover crossing Rs. 5.2 Bn. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 edged down. High net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Royal Ceramics, John Keells Holdings and Cargill. Mixed interest was observed in Commercial Bank, Prime Lands Residencies and Sampath Bank whilst retail interest was noted in SMB Leasing, UB Finance Company and Lanka Credit and Business Finance. Foreign participation in the market activity remained at subdued levels with foreigners closing as net sellers. Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings and Royal Ceramics) whilst the sector index lost 0.51%. The share price of John Keells Holdings gained Rs 0.10 (0.44%) to close at Rs 22.90. The share price of Royal Ceramics moved up by Rs 0.50 (1.01%) to close at Rs 50.00. The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank) whilst the sector index edged down by 0.10%. The share price of Commercial Bank increased by Rs 1.25 (0.57%) to close at Rs 219.50. Prime Lands Residencies and LOLC Holdings were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Prime Lands Residencies recorded a gain of Rs 1.30 (3.56%) to close at Rs 37.80. The share price of LOLC Holdings edged upRs 0.50 (0.09%) to close at Rs 575.25.

1 mins

Secondary market yields tick higher post-T-bond auction

The week started with the first T-bond auction for 2026, where the yields edged up at the auction.

1 mins

Synogen commissions one of country's largest rooftop solar projects

Synogen, a clean energy engineering and technology company, has successfully commissioned one of Sri Lanka's largest rooftop solar photovoltaic projects - a 6.4 MWp installation for Best Pacific Textiles Lanka (BPTL).

1 mins

Prime Group opens Kalutara branch

Prime Group recently expanded footprint opening the Group’s 7th branch in Main Street, Kalutara - South.

1 mins

People's Leasing to recognise excellence at 'PLC Premier Awards'

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC will host the PLC Premier Awards 2025 on January 17 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, recognising outstanding Branch and Marketing Officers who delivered exceptional performance under different categories during the financial year 2024/25.

1 mins

Asiri Health partners ICTA to speed up SL's HealthTech startup ecosystem

Asiri Health partnered with the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) to support and accelerate the growth of HealthTech startups, marking a significant step in strengthening Sri Lanka's innovation-led healthcare ecosystem.

2 mins

Salesforce to launch startup programme in SL this month

PROGRAMME TO SUPPORT LOCAL STARTUPS WITH AI-POWERED TOOLS, MENTORSHIP, GO-TO-MARKET OPPORTUNITIES, AND ACCESS TO THE GLOBAL SALESFORCE ECOSYSTEM. TRAILHEAD ECOSYSTEM AND NATIONWIDE FUTURE FORCE WORKSHOPS AIM TO UP-SKILL NEARLY 1,000 WORKERS

1 mins

FitsAir certified to conduct in-house Airbus A320 pilot training

FitsAir, has been officially certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO), authorising the airline to conduct in-house Airbus A320 pilot type training.

1 mins

Apex AI takes Sri Lankan AI expertise global

Apex AI, the AI-automation company of Roar Global, is scaling its Sri Lankan operations to deliver world-class automation capability into high-growth artificial intelligence initiatives across the United States, Europe, and Australia.

1 mins

IASL launches E-Motor Card and donates 500 tablets to Sri Lanka Police

The Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) concluded the official launching ceremony of the E-Motor Insurance Digital Card and the handover of 500 tablets to the Sri Lanka Police Department at Ministry of Public Security and Parliament Affairs Auditorium, Suhurupaya Battaramulla.

4 mins

Women in Tech Sri Lanka and Teens in Al bring annual International Women’s Day Global Techathon to Sri Lanka

Women in Tech Sri Lanka in collaboration with Teens in Al bring the fourth annual International Women’s Day Global Techathon to the Sri Lankan community.

2 mins

Vandersay and Ravindu in routing show

Spin duo Jeffrey Vandersay and Ravindu Fernando combined to help Bloomfield to a thrilling outright win by 13 runs over Police SC in their Major Club Tier 'A' cricket tournament encounter at P Sara Stadium yesterday.

1 mins

CHANUL AND BIMANDI BEST PLAYERS

Chanul Dulsen of Old Sokians Sports Club, Ambalangoda and Bimandi Bandara of Hillwood College, Kandy won the Best Men’s and Women's Player awards respectively at the 79th National Table Tennis Championship held at the Bandaragama Indoor Stadium.

1 mins

Negombo CC record fourth outright win

Negombo CC coasted to a comfortable 118 runs win over Leo CC in their three day Major Club Tier ‘B’ cricket encounter at Katunayake yesterday marking their fourth outright win.

1 mins

PELICANS SOAR OVER MATARA

Pelicans Sports Club Kurunegala and Super Sun Sports Club Beruwela recorded crucial victories in the Group 'B' fifth-week matches of the ongoing FFSL Champions League 2025-26 at the Race Course Ground, Colombo.

1 mins

De La Salle, Sri Sumangala, Kegalu, Sandalankawa win

Four outright wins were recorded in the Under 19 inter-school cricket tournament as De La Salle Mutwal coasted to a comfortable innings and 15 runs win over Lyceum IS Nugegoda at Modera, Sri Sumangala Central Hikkaduwa overcame Sri Jayawardenapura MV Kotte by 23 runs at Kotte, Kegalu Vidyalaya got the better of Bandaranayake MV Gampaha by seven wickets at Kirindiwela and Sandalankawa Central defeated St. Xavier's Marawila by seven wickets at Sandalankawa while St Sebastian's Katuneriya secured a well-deserved first inning won over Isipathana at Katuneriya.

1 mins

Sabalenka warns and warms-up

Aryna Sabalenka prepared for the Australian Open with a comfortable victory over Marta Kostyuk to win a third Brisbane International title.

1 mins

Third win for unbeaten Blues

Team Blues maintained their unbeaten record in the ongoing Women's National Super League T20 cricket tournament as they recorded their third successive win with a convincing 70 runs win over Team Red in the match played at Thurstan ground.

1 mins

T20 World Cup ticket sales pass 2017 ODI event

Ticket sales for this year's Women's T20 World Cup in England have already passed the total for the 50-over tournament in 2017.

1 mins

Lakmal Gunawardene and Pravina Dunuwille win Eagles Monsoon golf titles

Retired Wing Commander Lakmal Gunewardene produced an outstanding performance to clinch the coveted Eagles Monsoon Cup Golf Trophy in the men's category while Dr. Pravina Dunuwille emerged victorious in the women's category at the tournament's fourth edition at China Bay, Trincomalee.

1 mins