Sri Lanka

Union Says Probe Launched Against NUTU Kandy Vice President After Criticism of Education Reforms

Asian TribuneJanuary 26, 2026

Kandy, Sri Lanka — January 26, 2026 – The National United Teachers’ Union (NUTU) yesterday confirmed that a disciplinary investigation has been launched against its Vice President in Kandy after he publicly criticised the implementation of the government’s ongoing education reforms. The move has drawn strong objections from union leaders, who view it as a...

Deputy Minister Says NPP Government Did Not Begin Writing Education Reform Modules

Asian TribuneJanuary 26, 2026

Colombo, January 25, 2026 – Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe, has clarified that the controversial education reform modules recently publicised were not originally created by the National People’s Power (NPP) government, but were adapted to reflect its policy direction. The remarks were made at a seminar hosted by the National Movement for...

Channa Jayasumana Slams Removal of Parliament Deputy Secretary General, Calls It a Dangerous Precedent

Asian TribuneJanuary 26, 2026

Colombo, January 25, 2026 – Former Member of Parliament Prof. Channa Jayasumana has strongly criticised the controversial removal of the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, alleging that the action was taken without due process and warning it could weaken Sri Lanka’s public service integrity. The controversy stems from the suspension and removal of Chaminda Kularatne,...

IFC Commits US$166 Million to Sri Lanka to Boost SME Lending and Trade Finance

Asian TribuneJanuary 26, 2026

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) — part of the World Bank Group — has pledged a US$166 million financing package to strengthen Sri Lanka’s private sector and expand access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The announcement on January 26, 2026 underscores renewed confidence in the island nation’s economic recovery as it transitions...

Sri Lanka Central Bank Buys US$1.76 Billion in Dollars in 2025 as Reserves Rebound

Asian TribuneJanuary 26, 2026

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank continued its active foreign exchange market interventions in 2025, purchasing a net US$1.7582 billion in foreign currency over the year. The move aimed to stabilize the Sri Lankan rupee and rebuild foreign exchange reserves, which have been a major policy focus since the country’s economic crisis. According to data released, the...

Prime Minister Harini Says She Is Ready to Step Down If People Decide

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 23, 2026

Colombo, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amaraseuriya, has said she is ready to leave her post if the people decide that a change in leadership is needed. She made the remarks today when she attended a parliamentary debate soon after returning from the 2026 World Economic Forum...

Ranil Says He Is No Longer Engaged in Active Politics

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 23, 2026

Colombo / Kandy — Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former President of Sri Lanka, has announced that he is no longer taking part in active political life. The statement came during his visit to Kandy today (23 January), where he called on senior Buddhist clergy for blessings and spoke about the current political situation in the country....

Government Radiologic Technologists to Begin Token Strike at 8am

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 21, 2026

COLOMBO — The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association has announced a 24-hour token strike, starting at 8.00 a.m., across all hospitals in Sri Lanka. The strike is being carried out in protest over the Ministry of Health’s failure to conduct an impartial investigation into the conduct of the Deputy Director of the National Institute for Nephrology,...

PM Harini Holds Discussions with ADB President in Davos

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 21, 2026

DAVOS, Switzerland — Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held discussions with Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), on the sidelines of the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The meeting took place at the WEF Congress Centre in Davos-Klosters and focused on Sri Lanka’s...

University of Jaffna Marks 25 Years Since Historic Pongu Tamil Declaration

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 21, 2026

JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — The University of Jaffna has commemorated the 25th anniversary of the historic Pongu Tamil Declaration, a pivotal moment in the Tamil political movement. The event was held on campus, where students and members of the Tamil community gathered to pay tribute to the declaration and its enduring significance. Participants lit lamps...