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EU leaders heaved a sigh of relief over Donald Trump’s U-turn on Greenland as they met for an emergency summit in Brussels late on Thursday.

The leaders said they want an EU-U.S. trade deal to be back on track after the European Parliament suspended its ratification in protest over U.S. pressure to acquire Greenland.

While saying they want to work on strengthening the transatlantic cooperation, the EU leaders warned that they were ready to act if Trump was to threaten them again.

The Thursday evening summit was convened after the U.S. threatened steep tariffs, and possibly even military action in Greenland, before pulling back from those threats, saying a deal over the Arctic island was in sight.

“We were successful by being firm,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said, referring to Trump dropping its threats against Europe over Greenland.

But Trump’s threats badly shook Europe’s confidence in its partner, EU officials and leaders said.

“Transatlantic relations have definitely taken a big blow over the last week,” the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said as she arrived at the meeting.

TRUMP’S U-TURN IS GOOD NEWS, BUT EUROPE VIGILANT

The emergency summit, convened to reassess the EU-U.S. relationship, did not take any concrete decision.

“Things are quietening down and we should welcome that,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

“We remain extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal should we find ourselves the target of threats again,” Macron told reporters, referring to “bazooka” trade sanctions the bloc had considered using.

The EU “will defend itself, its member states, its citizens and its companies, against any form of coercion,” European Council chief Antonio Costa said.

Most leaders said the relationship with the United States remained key for the EU and it was one they were ready to work hard to maintain - while expecting hard work, and respect, from Washington as well.

“Europe is not willing to junk 80 years of good transatlantic relations because of disagreements ... we are willing ⁠to invest our time and energy in this,” Kallas said.

NO MORE THREATS

EU governments remain wary of another change of mind by a mercurial president increasingly seen as a bully whom Europe will have to stand up to.

“Trump crossed the Rubicon. He might do it again. There is no going back to what it was,” one EU diplomat said, adding that the bloc needed to move away from its heavy reliance on the U.S. in many areas.

“We need to try to keep him (Trump) close while working on becoming more independent from the U.S. It is a process, probably a long one.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was more than ready to discuss security cooperation in Greenland with the United States - as long as it fully respects their sovereignty.

“We have to work together respectfully without threatening each other,” she said.

THE US HAS SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE

After decades of relying on Washington for defence within the NATO alliance, the bloc lacks the needed intelligence, transport, ⁠missile defence and production capabilities to defend itself ⁠against a possible Russian attack.

This gives the U.S. substantial leverage.

The U.S. is also Europe’s biggest trading partner, making the EU vulnerable to Trump’s policies of imposing tariffs to reduce Washington’s trade deficit in goods, and, as in the case of Greenland, to achieve other goals.

One of the key questions will be how close Europeans want to remain to the United States, and how much trust remains. All said Europeans need to be united and have a common stance, but historical ties vary from one country to another.

“I still treat United States as our closest friend,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said.

Others were more cautious.

“It is important for ... our partners in Washington to understand the difference between domination and leadership. Leadership is OK,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. “Coercion is not a good method.”

EU-US TRADE DEAL

The EU had been ready to deploy a package of retaliatory tariffs on 93 billion euros ($108.74 billion) of U.S. imports and anti-coercive measures if Trump had gone ahead with his own tariffs that were to kick in on February 1, officials said.

European lawmakers are likely to resume their work on the ratification of the trade deal now that Trump has taken back his threats, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.

Source: adaderana.lk

A group of SLPP and SJB parliamentarians, led by SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, are scheduled to travel to Odisha, India, on a private visit to participate in the celebrations of India’s Republic Day on January 26, following an invitation from a private university in India. 

The delegation includes SJB MPs Chithral Fernando, Chamindrani Kiriella, Chathura Galappaththi, and Prasad Siriwardena, along with former SLPP MPs Indika Anuruddha, Sanjeewa Edirimanna, Sampath Athukorala, and Political Bureau member Milinda Rajapaksa.

In addition, the group is expected to undertake an observation tour of the Odisha Disaster Management Centre, recognized as one of the world’s leading disaster management institutions, and visit Buddhist archaeological sites dating back to the era of King Ashoka.

A cordial discussion regarding this visit was held recently at the official residence of the Indian High Commissioner, between the Sri Lankan delegation and the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.

 (Source: Newswire)

Weather conditions across the island are expected to change from this evening (23), with intermittent showers forecast for the Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces, as well as the Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said.

Light showers are also likely in parts of the Uva and North-Western provinces, while isolated showers or thundershowers may develop in other areas during the evening or night. Early morning ground frost remains possible in certain locations within the Nuwara Eliya district.

Misty conditions are expected during the early hours in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Uva provinces, along with the Galle and Matara districts.

At sea, showers or thundershowers are predicted in several offshore areas from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai. Winds will blow from the north-east to north at speeds of 30–40 kmph, occasionally strengthening up to 45 kmph in sea areas from Mannar to Galle via Colombo.

The Meteorology Department cautioned that sea conditions along the western coastal stretch from Mannar to Galle via Colombo may be fairly rough at times, while other surrounding sea areas are expected to remain moderate.

A 47-year-old individual was taken into custody in Wellampitiya yesterday after authorities discovered a large stock of illegally imported Manchester-type cigarettes at a residential premises.

The arrest followed a coordinated operation carried out by the Sri Lanka Army together with the Rajagiriya Police Special Task Force. Officials confirmed that a total of 165,200 cigarettes, estimated to be worth approximately Rs. 16.52 million, were seized during the raid.

The Sri Lanka Army stated that the Wellampitiya Police Station has launched further investigations into the incident.

Serious concerns were raised in Parliament yesterday (21) over the growing disconnect between Sri Lanka’s record tourist arrivals and the weak flow of foreign exchange into the country’s official financial system through the tourism industry.

These concerns were raised in the House by opposition member of parliament (MP) Ravi Karunanayake when he noted that Sri Lanka recorded more than 2.36 million tourist arrivals in 2025, yet total tourism earnings had increased only marginally to about $ 3.22 billion. He stated that average spending per tourist had declined by nearly 12 percent year-on-year, although arrivals surged, raising questions about the quality and sustainability of tourism growth.

According to him, tourism-related foreign exchange inflows reflected in the reserves of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) had not increased in line with the rise in arrivals, suggesting possible revenue leakages, offshore settlements and weak regulatory enforcement in the sector.

The MP further noted that the fact that around 40,000 hotel and accommodation entities operating in Sri Lanka remain unregistered, allowing a large segment of tourism activity to take place outside formal regulatory and banking systems.

Karunanayake sought clarification from the government on the structural reasons behind the decline in per-capita tourist earnings, including changes in source markets, length of stay and pricing practices. 

He further asked how much tourism-related foreign exchange was converted through licensed commercial banks and reflected in CBSL reserves in 2025, and how that figure compares with the total earnings reported by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Karunanayake also questioned the government if it had assessed foreign exchange leakages arising from offshore settlement of payments by international online booking platforms and overseas credit card usage, where invoicing and settlement often take place outside Sri Lanka, thereby bypassing domestic taxation and the local banking system, and asked what proportion of tourism activity is estimated to be carried out by unregistered accommodation providers and informal operators, and whether the government accepts that a significant share of tourism-generated foreign exchange is not strengthening official reserves.

Karunanayake warned that Sri Lanka risks losing a substantial portion of the economic benefits of its tourism boom, despite the impressive growth in visitor numbers unless these structural and regulatory gaps are addressed

(Source:pulseline.lk)

The foundation stone was laid on Wednesday (21 Jan) at the Paranthan Chemical Industrial Zone to reconstruct the Paranthan Chemical Factory, which had remained closed since 1985 due to the conflict in the Northern Province.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunneththi.

The factory is being reconstructed with an investment of Rs. 6,900 million and is scheduled to be completed within 30 months. Upon completion, it is expected to produce Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC) and Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) to meet domestic market demand.

The foundation stone–laying ceremony was held with the participation of the Minister of Fisheries, Ramalingam Chandrasekaram; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Harshana Suriyapperuma; Chairman of C/S Paranthan Chemicals Company, Sadanamdam Nesarajan; along with several government officials and distinguished guests.

According to the Ministry of Industries, the Paranthan Chemical Factory is one of the country’s earliest industrial establishments, originally launched in 1954 in Paranthan, Kilinochchi District, in the Northern Province, as a government-owned chemical factory. 

In 1957, under the State Industrial Corporations Act No. 49 of 1957, it was brought under the name Paranthan Chemicals Corporation. Prior to its closure in 1985, the factory utilized locally available raw materials to produce caustic soda and liquid chlorine as its main products, while hydrochloric acid, zinc chloride, and table salt were produced as by-products.

Subsequently, under the Conversion of Public Corporations or Government-Owned Business Undertakings into Public Companies Act No. 23 of 1987, Paranthan Chemicals was incorporated as a public limited liability company on 17 January 1991.

 (Source:Newswire)

The Royal Navy of Oman Ship (RNOV) AL SEEB arrived at the Port of Colombo today on a scheduled logistics replenishment visit, marking another step in the strengthening of maritime ties between Oman and Sri Lanka. The vessel was formally welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval customs and traditions.

The 75-meter-long naval ship, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Hamad Bin Mohammed Aldarmaki, will remain in Colombo for several days. The visit aims to facilitate professional interactions, knowledge sharing, and goodwill exchanges between the two navies, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in maritime security.

During their stay, the crew members of AL SEEB are expected to participate in various cultural and recreational activities, including visits to prominent tourist attractions in Colombo. Such exchanges are designed to foster mutual understanding and strengthen the bonds between naval personnel of the two nations.

Naval officials noted that these visits contribute to broader efforts in enhancing maritime collaboration in the Indian Ocean region, reflecting a shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, and safe navigation across key sea lanes.

The Atamasthanadhipathi of Sri Lanka, the Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Thera, met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the world-renowned icon of universal compassion, on Tuesday (20 Jan). 

According to the Satipatthana Magazine, the historic meeting marks a watershed moment in the centuries-old relationship between Indo-Tibetan and Sri Lankan Buddhist traditions, the Satipatthana Magazine said, noting that it is the first time in recorded history that the spiritual heads of these two preeminent lineages have met in such a capacity, drawing the attention of the global Buddhist community.

The Weight of Tradition

The position of Atamasthanadhipathi carries immense prestige within the Buddhist world. By ancient royal decree, Sri Lanka recognizes three supreme pillars of Buddhist heritage: Sri Dalada Maligawa (The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic), Sri Pada (The Sacred Footprint), and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. As the custodian of the Eight Sacred Places (Atamasthana) in Anuradhapura, the Atamasthanadhipathi holds a position of profound spiritual and legal authority.

The meeting between the guardian of Sri Lanka’s most ancient living heritage and the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people signifies a powerful unification of the Pali and Sanskrit Buddhist traditions.

Fulfilling a Lifelong Aspiration

Adding a layer of deep emotional significance to the visit, the Most Venerable Thero presented His Holiness with a sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

For decades, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed a profound desire to perform a pilgrimage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura—the oldest historically documented tree in the world, grown from a branch of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. While past circumstances prevented such a journey, the arrival of this authentic sapling brings the spirit of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi directly to His Holiness, fulfilling a long-held aspiration.

A Living Legacy

The sacred sapling was scheduled to be planted on Wednesday (21 Jan) during a grand ceremony at the Buddhist University within the Gaden Jangtse Monastery complex. The event was scheduled to be conducted with full monastic honours and attended by tens of thousands of Tibetan monastics and devotees from across India and abroad.

This “Green Diplomacy” initiative stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the people of Sri Lanka and India, ensuring that the roots of the Dhamma continue to grow deep and wide for generations to come.

 (Source:Newswire)

The Sri Lankan Rupee has weakened slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks today (22 January), with the selling rate reaching Rs. 313 in some institutions, compared to Wednesday.

At Seylan Bank, the dollar’s buying rate rose to Rs. 306.95, while the selling rate increased to Rs. 311.70. NDB Bank reported a buying rate of Rs. 306.45 and a selling rate of Rs. 312.95. People’s Bank maintained its rates at Rs. 306.19 for buying and Rs. 312.94 for selling. Commercial Bank saw both buying and selling rates climb to Rs. 304.49 and Rs. 313, respectively. Sampath Bank’s rates remained steady at Rs. 306.50 for buying and Rs. 313 for selling.

These fluctuations reflect minor daily adjustments in the foreign exchange market, while the overall trend shows a slight depreciation of the Rupee against the US Dollar.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said that contributions of women continue to be systematically undervalued, particularly in unpaid care work, informal labour, and agriculture sectors, despite women increasingly asserting agency in political, economic, and social spheres across the world.

“The exclusion of women from decision-making is not incidental; it is structurally maintained through gendered power hierarchies. Addressing these barriers is about transforming institutions and power structures to create enabling environments in which women can lead with confidence,” PM Amarasuriya said.

She made the remarks on Wednesday (21 Jan) while addressing the World Woman Davos Agenda 2026 at World Woman House, held on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, a high-level forum organized under the theme “Women Leading the Changing Global Order.”

“From a political standpoint, the exclusion of women from decision-making is not incidental; it is structurally maintained through gendered power hierarchies. Attacks on women in leadership, particularly in politics, through harassment, character assassination, and systemic marginalization, often force capable women, including those aspiring to leadership, to withdraw or refrain from participation, thereby reinforcing entrenched patriarchal structures,” she said.

The Prime Minister went on to note that addressing these barriers is not about protection but about transforming institutions and power structures to create enabling environments in which women can exercise leadership with autonomy, authority, and confidence.

“Sri Lanka demonstrates what is possible when political commitment aligns with the resilience of its people. Under our current inclusive government, historic strides have been made in political representation. For the first time, 20 women have been elected to Parliament. This commitment is reflected not only in vision; it signals a shift toward more inclusive governance,” she added. 

Concluding her address, PM Amarasuriya stated that leadership is not merely about occupying seats at existing tables, but about restructuring systems themselves. 

She reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to feminist, intersectional leadership, calling on global actors to ensure that women and marginalised communities are not only participants, but principal architects of the policies shaping the future global order. 

(Source:Newswire)

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court is now considering five petitions challenging the recently introduced Bill aimed at abolishing pensions for Members of Parliament.

Speaker of the House, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, informed Parliament today (22) that he has received notice of an additional petition, bringing the total to five. These petitions have been filed under Article 121(1) of the Constitution.

The Bill, which seeks to end pension entitlements for former MPs, was presented to Parliament on January 7 by Minister of Justice and National Integration, Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara. Petitioners were given a 14-day window from the date of introduction to submit their challenges.

The Second Reading of the Bill is scheduled for late next month. If passed, the legislation will revoke pension benefits for 512 former Members of Parliament.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation is due to arrive in Sri Lanka today (22) for an official visit focused on assessing the fallout from Cyclone Ditwah and engaging in discussions with local authorities.

During the visit, which will continue until January 28, the IMF team will evaluate the economic and humanitarian consequences of the cyclone, including its effects on infrastructure, livelihoods and overall economic stability. The delegation will also examine the measures taken by the government to manage the challenges arising from the disaster.

In addition, the IMF has recently concluded the fifth review under Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility. Discussions during the visit are expected to include efforts to obtain approval for the next phase of the IMF-supported program.