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A quiet yet powerful moment captured in northern Sri Lanka has won the People’s Choice Award, standing out among hundreds of entries after drawing more than 4,000 public votes.

The winning photograph, taken by Mark Julian Edwards at a bus station in Jaffna, resonated strongly with viewers for its emotional simplicity and storytelling depth. While most categories were decided by a panel of judges, this award was left in the hands of the public and their verdict was clear.

The image is a close-up shot of a young boy seated inside a departing bus, his face framed by the window as he looks outward. The bus, visibly aged with chipped paint and dented metal, bears the marks of time and countless journeys. Against this worn backdrop, the boy’s gaze becomes the focal point calm, curious, and quietly full of anticipation.

Speaking about the moment, Edwards reflected on the contrast that drew him to press the shutter. He described the bus as a vehicle “worn by time,” its surface telling stories of the past, while the child’s expression suggested something entirely different. “There was a quiet energy in his face,” Edwards said, noting that it felt as though the boy was already imagining what lay ahead on the road.

The photograph struck a chord with the public for its universality. Many viewers saw in it a reflection of hope, transition, and the small but meaningful moments that often go unnoticed in everyday life. Set in a bus station a place of constant movement and change the image captures a fleeting second that feels both deeply personal and widely relatable.

By winning the People’s Choice Award, Edwards’ photograph has proven that powerful storytelling does not always require grand scenes or dramatic events. Sometimes, a single look through a bus window is enough to capture the imagination of thousands

Construction on the Torrington apartment complex, a project that had remained stalled for several years, officially resumed today, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development confirmed.

Originally launched in 2012, the development includes 115 housing units but experienced repeated delays, including an unsuccessful restart attempt in 2017. Despite Rs. 160 million already invested, continuous construction had not been achieved until now.

Ministry officials have set a target to complete the project within 24 months and hand over the apartments to qualified beneficiaries.

The resumption ceremony was attended by Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, and Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, marking a significant step toward fulfilling the long-delayed housing initiative

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that “Cuba will be failing pretty soon,” adding that Venezuela, once the island’s top supplier, has not recently sent oil or money to Cuba.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Emboldened by the US military’s seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid earlier this month that Trump ordered, the Republican leader has talked of acting against Cuba and pressuring its leadership.

Trump has vowed to stop oil and money from longtime backer Venezuela from reaching Cuba.

KEY QUOTES

“Cuba will be failing pretty soon. Cuba is really a nation that’s very close to failing,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday.

“You know, they got their money from Venezuela. They got the oil from Venezuela. They are not getting that anymore,” he added.

CONTEXT

Trump has said Washington will “run” Venezuela where Maduro’s former vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, became interim president and is governing the country under US oversight.

The UN human rights office has said the US raid in which Maduro was seized was a violation of international law.

Human rights experts say Trump’s focus on exploiting Venezuelan oil echoed an imperialist approach and raised questions about U.S. efforts to frame Maduro’s capture as a law enforcement action to cut drug trafficking.

Cuba’s president said this month Washington had no moral authority to force a deal on Cuba after Trump suggested the Communist-run island should strike an agreement with the US.

Source: adaderana.lk

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa visited the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS) as part of his ongoing study tour, examining state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, electric vehicle production, and smart industrial systems.

The HMGICS, established in 2023 after the COVID-19 pandemic, represents a multi-billion-dollar investment and functions as a research-focused hub integrating robotics, automation, and data-driven processes into modern manufacturing.

During the visit, Premadasa observed Hyundai’s electric vehicle assembly lines and the application of artificial intelligence and robotics across production. The centre’s initiatives in smart agriculture and sustainable industrial systems were also showcased.

Describing the facility as an “impressive model,” Premadasa emphasized that technology-led investments aligned with his “SMART Sri Lanka” vision should be promoted to support future-focused national development. He further stressed that exposure to international best practices is vital for shaping long-term policies, noting that innovation-driven ecosystems are essential for enhancing productivity, sustainability, and economic resilience in a rapidly changing global landscape.

The Sri Lankan Rupee recorded a marginal decline against the US Dollar today (29 Jan), although exchange rates at most major commercial banks remained largely unchanged compared to Wednesday.

At Seylan Bank, the US Dollar continued to trade at Rs. 306.95 for buying and Rs. 311.70 for selling. NDB Bank also maintained steady rates, with the buying and selling prices at Rs. 306.40 and Rs. 312.95, respectively.

People’s Bank reported a slight dip in both rates, with the buying rate falling from Rs. 306.23 to Rs. 306.14 and the selling rate edging down from Rs. 312.99 to Rs. 312.89. Commercial Bank kept its rates unchanged at Rs. 304.36 (buying) and Rs. 312.75 (selling), while Sampath Bank maintained its buying and selling rates at Rs. 306.50 and Rs. 313, respectively.

Overall, the currency market showed relative stability, with only minor adjustments observed at select banks amid ongoing trading.

A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from the Unification Church, just weeks before the verdict on her husband, ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, is expected in a high-profile rebellion case.

Kim, who has been in custody since August, was found guilty of receiving luxury gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, in exchange for promises of business favors. The court emphasized her influential position as First Lady, noting that she exploited her symbolic role to pursue personal gain. However, the court cleared her of charges related to stock price manipulation and political funding law violations, citing insufficient evidence.

The ruling comes amid ongoing legal battles for Yoon, who faces potentially life-altering charges over his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024—a move that ultimately led to his impeachment. Prosecutors have requested the death penalty for Yoon, while independent counsel teams maintain he acted to consolidate power, not to protect Kim.

The decision sparked sharp reactions in South Korea. The liberal Democratic Party criticized the verdict, saying it could send the wrong message about abuse of power, while Kim’s defense described the 20-month term as “relatively high” and hinted at a potential appeal.

During her pre-arrest statements, Kim expressed regret for public concern but portrayed herself as a minor figure in the unfolding political drama. Analysts note that her conviction marks a significant chapter in the presidential couple’s dramatic fall from grace, following scandals that severely damaged Yoon’s approval rating and fueled political tensions across the country.

The court is expected to deliver Yoon’s verdict on the rebellion charges in the coming weeks, with South Korean politics closely watching the outcome of the high-stakes case.

Gold prices soared to a historic peak above $5,500 an ounce, extending a rapid rally fueled by a weakening US dollar and investor moves away from sovereign bonds and currencies.

The precious metal surged as much as 3.2%, following a 4.6% gain in the previous session — the largest single-day jump since March 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Silver also climbed to an all-time high on Thursday, reflecting broad-based strength across the precious metals sector amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and growing concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve.

Traders appeared to look past the Fed’s widely anticipated decision on Wednesday to maintain interest rates. With a new Fed chief expected to succeed Jerome Powell later this year, Rick Rieder of BlackRock Inc., known for supporting more aggressive rate cuts, has emerged as a leading candidate. Markets are increasingly pricing in a dovish shift in US monetary policy, which benefits non-yielding assets like gold and silver.

As of 9:05 a.m. in Singapore, gold was trading 1.1% higher at $5,477.36 an ounce, having earlier reached an all-time high of $5,588.71. Silver rose 0.7% to $117.47 an ounce, while platinum and palladium edged slightly lower. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index declined 0.1% on Thursday and fell 1.3% for the week, further supporting the precious metals rally.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered that former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake be remanded in custody until February 11.

The decision was delivered during court proceedings as part of the continuing legal process involving the former senior official. Further steps in the case are expected to be taken when the matter is taken up again on the next scheduled date.

The Sri Lanka Police have unveiled a special traffic arrangement for the annual Navam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, with road restrictions and diversions in central Colombo planned for the evenings of January 31 and February 1.

The traffic plan will be in effect from 6.30 p.m. on both days to facilitate the religious procession, which is expected to attract large crowds and generate heavy congestion.

According to the Police Media Division, the Perahera will assemble along W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, Park Street, and Jinarathana Mawatha, before beginning the procession from Jinarathana Mawatha near the temple. The route will follow Hunupitiya Wewa Road, W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Ultrare Avenue, Staple Street, and Baybrook Place, returning to the Gangaramaya Temple.

Several major junctions along the route, including W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha–Hunupitiya Wewa Road, Dharmapala Mawatha–Park Street, and Union Place–Hyde Park Corner, will face temporary closures or restrictions. Entry to several connecting roads and intersections will also be limited during the procession.

Motorists traveling along Sir James Peiris Mawatha have been advised to use alternate routes via Union Place, Nawam Mawatha, Uththarananda Mawatha, and Dharmapala Mawatha to avoid disruptions.

Authorities confirmed that diversions will only apply along the Perahera route, with normal traffic allowed in areas not affected by the procession. The public has been urged to follow the designated alternative routes and cooperate with traffic officers to minimise inconvenience.

Former Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake appeared before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today as proceedings resumed in the case involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of public funds.

The court took up the matter during today’s session, with Wickremesinghe also appearing earlier in connection with the same case. The complaint alleges that state funds amounting to over Rs. 16.6 million were improperly used to cover expenses for a private trip to the United Kingdom in 2023, undertaken to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony.

Hearings continued as part of the ongoing legal process examining the alleged misuse of government resources.