Proud 🇱🇰 ❤ The national anthem “Sri Lanka Matha / Sri Lanka Thaaye” sung in both Sinhala and Tamil languages during the 77th Independence Day Ceremony 🇱🇰 ❤ Sri Lanka🇱🇰 ශ්‍රීලංකා🇱🇰 இலங்கை🇱🇰 Happy Independence Day🙏

Thank You Dimuth 🇱🇰👏 Dimuth Karunaratne leaves the field after his final Test innings. 7,222 runs in 100 Test matches, a Sri Lankan stalwart 👏 Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions to Sri Lanka Cricket👏👏 Wishing you the best in your next chapter 🇱🇰👏 Sri Lanka's former Test cricket captain Dimuth Karunaratne retired from Test cricket. @IamDimuth

Dimuth Karunaratne plays his final Test innings. Sri Lanka now 33/1 and trails by 124 runs. SL 257 & 33/1 AUS 414

Let’s prevent drowning tragedies by learning to swim and teaching our kids this life-saving skill. 🏊‍♂️ Swimming saves lives. 🛟 Supervise children near water. 🛟 Always wear life jackets.

MP Ravi Karunanayake has submitted a proposal to abolish the pension scheme for Members of Parliament in Sri Lanka, reports Newsfirst

Three underworld figures, including 'Rotambu Upali' and 'Chandana,' who were on an Interpol Red Notice🚨, have been extradited from Dubai to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka all out for 257 runs in the first innings against Australia. Kusal Mendis 85* Dinesh Chandimal 74 Dimuth Karunaratne 36

The High Commission of India in Colombo celebrated #ITECDay2025, marking 60 years of India-Sri Lanka capacity-building partnership through knowledge sharing and skill development with over 200 participants. 🇮🇳🇱🇰 To commemorate 60 years of capacity-building partnership between India and Sri Lanka through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, the High Commission of India in Colombo celebrated ITEC Day 2025 on 5th February 2025. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Santosh Jha and Hon. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, Mr. Arun Hemachandra, graced the occasion. The event was attended by over 200 participants, including ITEC alumni from Sri Lanka, as well as officials and professionals from diverse sectors who have benefited from various training courses in India under different ITEC programs. In his address, Hon. Mr. Arun Hemachandra lauded ITEC initiative for not only serving as a conduit for knowledge exchange but also as a bridge fostering strong bilateral ties built on historical, cultural, and economic affinities. The Minister highlighted India's commitment to international cooperation through the ITEC program, which focuses on capacity building, knowledge sharing, and skill development for partner countries. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India for its unwavering support through the ITEC program, which has been instrumental in empowering Sri Lanka’s professionals and enhancing public service capabilities.He also acknowledged the contributions of ITEC alumni, whose expertise strengthens bilateral relationships and enhances global collaboration.   Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner acknowledged the keen interest Sri Lankan officials have shown in the ITEC programme over the years. He emphasized India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s education sector, including higher education, through partnerships between academic institutions in both countries, he informed that in addition to the 402 ITEC slots currently allocated annually, 1500 Sri Lankan officers will be trained at the National Good Governance Centre (NGGC) in India. He reiterated that India, guided by the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family), will continue to play a leading role in capacity-building initiatives for Sri Lanka.   Senior officials reflected on their experiences with ITEC training in India, expressing deep appreciation for the program's comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. They highlighted the diverse range of training areas, including inclusive governance, climate change, renewable energy, digital transformation, startup ecosystems, artificial intelligence in governance, cybersecurity, quality management, quantum computing, information science, and fostering innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship. These programs have equipped participants with valuable insights and practical skills, enabling them to drive progress and contribute effectively to their respective fields.   Launched in September 1964, ITEC is a flagship programme of the Government of India aimed at extending technical assistance and enhancing capacities in developing countries. It has become a key instrument in India’s contribution to human resource development, with over 200,000 individuals from 160 partner nations having participated in the programme. Sri Lanka currently benefits from more than 500 annual training slots under ITEC. ‘ITEC Day’ is celebrated each year by Indian diplomatic missions worldwide, underscoring this unique pillar of Global South cooperation.

The 3rd class reserved seats will no longer be available on the Podi Menike, Udarata Menike and Talaimannar trains from March 10: Railways Dept- Newsfirst

RT @Sri_Lanka_Army: Islandwide Beach and Road Cleaning Programmes Held for 77th National Independence Day. Read more :-

Supreme Court decides to support on 19 March 2025, the FR petition filed by Sri Lanka former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's lawyers urging for the redeployment of his removed security detail -- Adaderana

Sri Lanka's former Test cricket captain Dimuth Karunaratne is set to retire from Test cricket after his 100th match against Australia in Galle. #ThankYouDimuth 🇱🇰👏 @IamDimuth Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions to Sri Lanka Cricket👏👏 Wishing you the best in your next chapter 🇱🇰👏

Police have arrested two suspects, aged 24 and 27, for possession and transportation of 100kg of Kerala Ganja in Jaffna. Public can report illegal drug activities to Sri Lanka Police via the ☎️ 1997 hotline ( ☎️107 for Tamil). ( Calls are anonymized, and caller ID is not traceable)

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayaka will undertake a visit to the United Arab Emirates from 10-13 February 2025 at the invitation of President of the UAE Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to participate in the World Government Summit 2025. During the visit, President Disanayaka will address the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai and hold bilateral discussions with President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on a range of areas of mutual interest. He is also scheduled to meet Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Further, President Disanayaka will hold bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Governments from several countries who will attend the Summit. President Disanayaka will also engage with a number of CEOs of leading global companies in the sectors of IT, AI, Energy, Tourism, Finance, and Media to attract investments to Sri Lanka. The visit to the United Arab Emirates will further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Cabinet has granted approval to import coconut kernels and desiccated coconut (excluding copra) equivalent to 200 million coconuts for the production of coconut oil- Adaderana

The Cabinet has approved a program to issue 4,000 passports per day by operating the Immigration and Emigration Department 24/7. To achieve this, additional staff, including pensioners on a contract basis, will be recruited

MP Namal Rajapaksa has been summoned before the Colombo High Court on February 18, over alleged misappropriation of Rs.70 million, pertaining to the 'Krrish deal':.- Hiru

The Mount Lavinia District Court ordered former SLPP MP C.B. Ratnayake to pay Rs.250 million in compensation to SJB MP Sujeewa Senasinghe for defamation, pertaining to comments made during a televised programme related to the Central Bank Bond Scam:.- Hiru

Attorney General's Department informs Supreme Court that several amendments are expected to be made to the Online Safety Act - Adaderana

United States President Donald Trump has said the US will “take over” and “own” Gaza after resettling Palestinians elsewhere under an extraordinary redevelopment plan. In a shock announcement upending decades of US policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Trump said on Tuesday that his administration would spearhead economic development in the enclave to “supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area”. “The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” Trump said at the White House after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that his administration would be responsible for clearing destroyed buildings and dismantling “dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons”. Via AJ

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) says that steps will be taken to reduce water tariffs by 10% to 30% in the near future. A NWSDB spokesperson expressed that the board is considering a tariff reduction in line with the recent decrease in electricity rates. Meanwhile, a committee has been appointed to assess the proposed reduction, and its recommendations will be submitted to the NWSDB Chairman within the next few days. Upon receiving the report, the Chairman will forward the recommendations to the subject minister, after which the report will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval. Via Adaderana