USAID Funding Freeze Hits Sri Lanka: Signs of Reduced Foreign Interference?
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order halting all USAID-funded projects for a 90-day review, leaving Sri Lankan NGOs and government programs in disarray. The funding freeze, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has put thousands of jobs at risk and disrupted crucial initiatives. USAID is Sri Lanka’s largest donor, funding […]
President Highlights Vision for Sri Lanka’s Future on 77th Independence Day
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing the nation at the 77th National Independence Day celebrations, emphasized the importance of looking ahead to a united and prosperous Sri Lanka. He stated that independence is not just about political freedom but about achieving economic and social progress for all citizens. Reflecting on history, he paid tribute to the […]
Japan Grants Million Yen to Improve Sri Lanka’s Waste Management
Japan has extended a 300 million Yen (approx. LKR 565 million) grant to Sri Lanka under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative to enhance waste management infrastructure. The agreement was signed today at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo by Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sayama (Ikuina) Akiko, and Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry Secretary, Mahinda Siriwardana, […]
Sri Lanka Resumes Construction of Cancer Hospital, Targeting 2026 Completion
Sri Lanka is set to expand its cancer treatment infrastructure with the resumption of construction on the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve the country’s Southern Province and neighboring regions. Led by the non-profit Colours of Courage Trust (COC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Sri Lanka Army, […]
New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Holds First Call with Israeli PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held his first conversation with the newly appointed US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. According to a statement from the State Department, Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Israel, a key priority of President Donald Trump’s administration. During the call, Rubio congratulated Netanyahu on Israel’s recent successes against […]
Donald Trump to Sign 200+ Executive Orders on First Day
Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, is poised to make history on his first day in office by signing over 200 executive actions. This unprecedented move is set to address a wide array of policy priorities, signaling a dramatic shift in federal governance. Border Security Overhaul One of Trump’s first actions will be […]
Trump to Call Putin About Ukraine Peace Talks
Donald Trump, the President-elect, has asked his team to set up a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon after he takes office. The call will discuss plans for a possible meeting to talk about ending the conflict in Ukraine, CNN reports.
Hamas Presents Gifts and Souvenirs to Released Israeli Hostages
Reports have emerged that Hamas presented “gifts and souvenirs” to three Israeli women released as hostages. According to The Jerusalem Post, the women were reportedly compelled to participate in a staged ceremony, during which they were handed bags containing maps of the Gaza Strip, photographs of themselves taken during captivity, and certificates of release. The […]
TikTok CEO Will Attend The Inauguration
Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, has been invited to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration and will sit in a prominent spot on the dais, typically reserved for former presidents and important guests, according to two sources. The invitation came from the Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, and Chew will join other tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, […]
UK Signs Century-Long Pact with Ukraine, Despite Unclear Path After War
To bolster Ukraine’s security and resilience, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 100-year partnership agreement on Thursday. The pact demonstrates the U.K.’s unwavering support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia, now approaching its third year. During his visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the enduring nature […]
