Newspaper
Daily FT
Search begins for investors to develop Pelwatte Sugar Factory as tourist attraction
THE Cabinet of Ministers this week approved a proposal to identify investors to develop selected areas of the Pelwatte Sugar Factory premises into tourist attractions under a public-private partnership (PPP).
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
CSE ends week flat, ASPI inches up to new high
THE Colombo stock market ended the week on a new high despite closing flat yesterday.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
‘There’s something truly magical about Sri Lanka’: Julie Chung
AS she prepares to depart Colombo after nearly four years, outgoing United States Ambassador Julie Chung struck a warm but forward-looking note, reflecting on a tenure marked by deepened economic ties, stronger security cooperation and sustained US engagement during Sri Lanka's most severe economic crisis, while expressing confidence that the bilateral partnership will continue to expand across trade, investment and strategic cooperation in the years ahead.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Cabinet approves updated National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
THE Cabinet of Ministers this week approved the implementation of the updated National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture while promoting equitable distribution of industry benefits.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
President in Jaffna: Zero tolerance for racism
PRESIDENT Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday reaffirmed his Government's zero-tolerance policy towards racism and pledged to fully resolve the housing problems of all families displaced by the war during his term of office, as he launched the 2026 National Housing Program in Jaffna.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
CBSL 2026 policy agenda points to steady rates: First Capital Research
Central Bank signals a cautious “hold” on policy rates in early 2026 as inflation is guided back to the 5% target by 2H 2026 Liquidity pressures to be addressed through targeted operations and SRR reforms rather than broad rate changes SRR tightening expected to lift short-term rates, while long-term yields stay anchored on fiscal consolidation and reserve build-up Stable rates and credit expansion seen supporting earnings recovery in consumer, construction and banking sectors
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Iqbal Athas's passing marks end of an era in journalism
MANY times the term 'end of an era' is used too loosely but in the case of Iqbal Athas, one of the senior-most and trailblazing journalists in the country, who passed away on Tuesday, it truly marks the end of an era for journalism in the country.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Poverty, food insecurity compounded by Ditwah
IFPRI-IWMI report finds that just before Ditwah, over one in four households were poor; one in three experienced food insecurity
3 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Oil prices drop as global supply outlook improves
GLOBAL oil prices dropped significantly yesterday as concerns over Iran eased, and new supply data from the United States, Venezuela, and the Middle East fueled expectations of a more balanced and possibly oversupplied market in the near future, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Iqbal Athas spoke truth to power with rare courage, discipline, and integrity
SRI Lanka mourns not merely the passing of a journalist, but the silencing of a conscience that spoke truth to power with rare courage, discipline, and integrity.
4 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Decisive weekend as clubs strive to finish in the top four
Nugegoda SWC, Kurunegala YCC await their fate
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Sri Lanka targets high-value Indian travellers
SRI Lanka Tourism has successfully concluded a major tourism promotion initiative in India, its largest source market, covering key cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, as part of efforts to diversify arrivals and attract higher-spending visitors throughout the year.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
High scoring and first innings decisions feature opening day
HIGH scoring featured three of the six matches while two of them saw teams grabbing a first innings lead at the end of the first day of the Tier B 3-day league yesterday.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Brazil – Asia Chamber of Commerce shows keen interest in Sri Lanka Expo 2026
Initial discussions focus on tea, cinnamon and Colombo Port City investment opportunities
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
China and Canada agree to tariff cuts
CHINA and Canada have agreed to roll back a series of punitive tariffs following high-level talks in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, signalling a tentative thaw after years of trade and diplomatic friction.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
People's Bank celebrates Thai Pongal
PEOPLE’S Bank conducted Thai Pongal celebrations at its Kotahena and Pettah branches under the patronage of People’s Bank Chairman Prof.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
The legacy Iqbal Athas left behind
I first met Iqbal Athas in 1979, soon after I joined the news desk of the once-popular Sun Newspaper as a trainee.
4 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Northern Investment Summit: A foundation for further continuum
THE two day Northern Investment Summit (NIS) 2026 will commence in 21 January in Jaffna prioritising capacity building and youth leadership for a region which saw its potential thwarted for over three decades but which is now proceeding to attract much local and international interest.
7 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Concord Apparel and Concord Footwear win Presidential Export Award
TWO leading subsidiaries of Guston Ltd. Hong Kong, Concord Apparel Ltd. and Concord Footwear Ltd., have achieved a significant milestone by securing top honours at the Presidential Export Awards (PEA) 2024/2025.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Team Blues meet Team Green in Women's NSL T20 final today
TEAM Blues and Team Green led by national caps Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera will meet in the final of the Women’s National Super League (NSL) T20 final at the P Sara Oval today in what could turn out to be a close contest.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Kelum Rodrigo appointed Chairman of Greens Rugby Management Committee
FORMER 1997 Isipathana
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
US Ambassador pays farewell call on Opposition Leader
OUTGOING US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung paid a farewell call on Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday at his office in Colombo, as she concludes her tenure in the country.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
President urged to operationalise National Women’s Commission
Over 135 women activists and organisations have jointly written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to urgently operationalize the National Women’s Commission.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Sun Match Company's Soorya brand shines as Silver Sponsor of JITF 2026
FORTY two-year-old heritage firm from the Central Province, Sun Match Company, has announced that is brand Soorya was made Silver Sponsor of the Jaffna International Trade Fair 2026.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
EDEX Expo 2026 Colombo edition kicks off
■EDEX Expo Kandy on 24-25 Feb.
3 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
The Judicial Service Commission: A review of the Speaker’s ruling
IT was reported that Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne has rejected a motion submitted to him by 31 Members of Parliament requesting the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament to examine the exercise by the Judicial Service Commission of its powers relating to “the appointment, promotion, transfer, dismissal, and disciplinary control” of judicial officers.
5 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
ITAK opposes Govt.’s Praja Shakthi program, warns of legal challenge
THE Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has formally opposed the Government’s Praja Shakthi program, arguing that it operates outside established state structures and undermines elected local institutions.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Fortress Nittawela under siege: Kandy and Havies set for defining clash
Both sides evenly matched on form and confidence
2 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
Chinese Dragon Café wins hearts in Galle
CHINESE Dragon Café (CDC), one of Sri Lanka’s most established names in Chinese cuisine, is already making a strong impression among diners in Galle, with customers responding positively to the brand’s arrival in the Southern Province.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
Daily FT
FM Derana Official Radio Broadcaster for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026
FM Derana was announced as the Official Radio Broadcaster in Sri Lanka for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at a media briefing this week.
1 min |