Newspaper
The Island
India to evacuate 10,000 Indians stranded in Iran
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has begun reaching out to Indian students across different regions in trouble-torn Iran to assess who wishes to leave the country.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Julie’s exit gladdens Udaya’s heart
Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), Udaya Gammanpila, yesterday launched a scathing attack on outgoing United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, accusing her of interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and exerting undue influence over recent political developments.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
The rules-based order
The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, in the early hours of 03 January, 2026, stands as one of the most dramatic and contentious episodes in recent international politics.
4 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
News of IMF delegation's visit to SL brings cheer to bourse
The CSE commenced trading yesterday on a negative note due to profit-takings but later turned positive, when sections of the media reported that an IMF delegation is to visit Sri Lanka next week to facilitate the fifth review of the extended fund facility to Sri Lanka.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Speaker holds bilateral talks in India
Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, has engaged on his maiden visit to India to participate in the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in New Delhi.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
'Turn your passion for technology into a globally recognised career'
Admissions now open for the 2026 intake at SLT-MOBITEL Nebula Institute of Technology
2 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Call for stepped-up economic engagement between SL and Maldives
Sri Lanka is looking to significantly expand its commercial engagement with the Maldives, with business leaders calling for a more focused strategy to capitalise on growing opportunities in trade, services and tourism-linked investments.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Planning vacation
Planning a vacation can be an exciting yet overwhelming task if you do not approach it step by step.
3 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
UNDP's assessment confirms widespread economic fallout from Cyclone Ditwah
Nearly all communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka suffered damage to homes, roads and other critical infrastructure, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assessment released on Wednesday, underscoring the scale of recovery needs and the urgency of accessible financing for the most vulnerable.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Police step up crackdown on organised crime after securing 95 Interpol Red Notices
Police have stepped up their crackdown on organised crime, after securing Interpol Red Notices for 95 suspects believed to be hiding overseas.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Countrywide police operation on Thursday nets 412 drunk drivers out of 554 arrests, including those wanted
Under a special police operation, aimed at preventing crime and drug-related offences, 412 drunk drivers were arrested during countrywide operations carried out on Thursday (15), police said.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Atale Estate: A century of stewardship, sustainability at Sri Lanka's largest rubber estate
Established in 1904, Atale Estate stands today as one of Sri Lanka’s most historically significant and geographically advantaged rubber estates.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Edinburgh & Leeds to host Tour de France starts in 2027
Edinburgh and Leeds will host the opening stages of the men's and women's Tour de France in 2027, with the UK Government saying it will be \"the most accessible major sporting spectacle ever held in Britain\".
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
UN treaty to protect ‘extraordinary’ marine life due to come into force
World-first pact aims to protect 10 million species from threats such as climate change, overfishing and deep-sea mining
2 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
How Yoga promotes emotional well-being
In a bustling city park at dawn, a small group gathers on mats.
5 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Diplomatic thaw in Middle East sparks hope for Sri Lankan tea exports
Amid softening diplomatic rhetoric between the United States and Iran, a senior economist told The Island Financial Review yesterday that the stability of Sri Lanka’s tea exports to the Middle East, particularly Iran, would be maintained.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Lanka rises to 93rd in global passport rankings
Sri Lanka has risen to 93rd place in the Henley Passport Index 2026, with its passport providing access to 39 destinations, according to the latest rankings released by Henley & Partners.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Henil, Kundu secure India's first win; West Indies take down Tanzania with ease
Five-time champions India began their 2026 Men's Under-19 World Cup campaign with a six wicket win (via DLS) over United States of America, but not without a brief scare.
4 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Pyramid Wilmar helps build next generation of professional chefs
25 young culinary enthusiasts receive scholarships to become professional chefs
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
The country on the road to recovery after Cyclone Ditwah, the Church is committed “to instilling new hope”
“The force of Cyclone Ditwah and the subsequent flooding between late November and early December 2025 left people with nothing.
2 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
Over 100 Indian pilgrims to honour St Vaz in Kandy
A group of 123 Indian tourists of Portuguese descent arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday night to participate in commemorative events for Saint Joseph Vaz.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
India shuts Kashmir medical college - after Muslims earned most admissions
Hindu groups insisted that Muslims shouldn't benefit from institutions funded by Hindu charity
6 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
IRD aims high: Rs. 2,402bn target set
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has been assigned a revenue target of Rs. 2,402 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Nandana Kumara said.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
SDB bank names Manoj Akmeemana Deputy Chief Executive Officer
SDB bank warmly welcomes Manoj Akmeemana as its Deputy Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership appointment as the Bank continues to strengthen its executive capacity to support long-term growth, sharper execution, and stronger institutional resilience.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
National Educator Awards 2025 honours Sri Lanka's outstanding educators across higher and general education
The National Educator Awards 2025, held on 26 November 2025 at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, recognised exemplary educators from Sri Lanka’s higher and general education sectors in appreciation of their intellectual and innovative contributions and their dedication to uplift the educational standards of Sri Lanka’s future generations.
1 min |
January 17, 2026
The Island
'Lanka faces food crisis': FAO calls for $16.5m aid
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome issued an appeal calling for international assistance of USD 16.5 million to support the early recovery of livelihoods and food security for farming, livestock-keeping and fishing communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, FAO said yesterday.
2 min |
January 16, 2026
The Island
Tehran protests hijacked, says Iranian Embassy
The Iranian Embassy in Colombo has defended the Iranian government's handling of recent unrest, claiming that initially peaceful economic protests were later hijacked by violent groups with alleged foreign links.
3 min |
January 16, 2026
The Island
US donates TH-57 helicopters to SLAF
The United States Government has transferred ten operational TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters, a military variant of the renowned Bell 206B-3 Jet Ranger, manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron USA, to Sri Lanka.
1 min |
January 16, 2026
The Island
Trump suspends immigrant visas for 75 countries
(AL Jazeera) United States authorities have said they will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries.
1 min |
January 16, 2026
The Island
India-EU trade deal likely on Jan 27: EU leaders to attend Summit in Delhi
BY S VENKAT NARAYAN OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
2 min |