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Sri Lanka will take centre stage in the global gem and jewellery industry when FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 opens on January 3 at The Forum, Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo, welcoming international buyers and industry professionals from around the world.

Running from January 3 to 5, 2026, FACETS is widely recognised as the first major international jewellery exhibition of the year, placing Sri Lanka at the forefront of the global trade calendar and setting the tone for industry activity in 2026.

Now marking its 33rd edition, FACETS Sri Lanka has evolved into one of the most respected gem and jewellery trade exhibitions in the region. Organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), the event brings together every segment of the industry—from miners and gemstone cutters to jewellery manufacturers, designers, traders and exporters—under one trusted platform.

SLGJA President Akram Cassim, speaking ahead of the exhibition, said the longevity of FACETS reflects the strength and credibility of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector. He noted that hosting the event at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams represents a modern, forward-looking approach while remaining grounded in the country’s heritage and industry values.

Internationally known as the “Island of Gems,” Sri Lanka is famed for its high-quality sapphires and diverse range of natural gemstones. FACETS Sri Lanka offers a secure and transparent marketplace where global buyers can engage directly with local exhibitors, reinforcing the country’s reputation for craftsmanship, ethical sourcing and generations of expertise.

FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Armil Samoon said the exhibition aims to foster strong business relationships and meaningful engagement throughout the three-day event, showcasing the full scope and capability of the Sri Lankan gem and jewellery industry.

The exhibition will feature a comprehensive range of local exhibitors across the Gem Pavilion, Jewellery Pavilion and SME Pavilion, complemented by networking sessions and industry-focused activities designed to encourage collaboration and business expansion.

FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 will run from January 3 to 5 at The Forum, Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo, and is open to trade visitors, invited guests and industry professionals seeking insight into the heritage, quality and future direction of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector.

The Department of Meteorology says several parts of the island are expected to experience showers throughout today (30), with the possibility of fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm in certain areas.

According to the forecast, rain will occur at times in the Northern, Eastern, and Uva provinces, as well as in the Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Polonnaruwa districts. Meanwhile, Kandy and Anuradhapura can expect several intermittent spells of showers during the day.The Met Department also noted that showers or thundershowers may develop after 2.00 p.m. in parts of the Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces, including the Kalutara district.

In addition, fairly strong winds reaching speeds of around 40 kmph are likely at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills, and in the Hambantota, Monaragala, and Ampara districts.

Misty conditions are expected during the early morning hours in parts of the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts.

The general public is advised to take necessary precautions to reduce potential damage from localized strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, a distinguished academic of Sri Lankan origin and the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, has been knighted in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours for his exceptional service to higher education and inclusive leadership.

Born and educated in Sri Lanka, Professor Canagarajah later moved to the United Kingdom to continue his studies, earning both his Bachelor’s degree and PhD from the University of Cambridge. His academic career spans more than 30 years, including senior leadership roles at the University of Bristol, before taking up his current position at Leicester in 2019.

He has been widely recognised for his commitment to widening access, equality, and social mobility within higher education. Under his leadership, the University of Leicester has strengthened its reputation as one of the UK’s most diverse institutions, with 38% of students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and 69% from minority ethnic communities.

During his tenure, the university launched its first IntoUniversity centre, appointed its first female and minority Chancellor, and expanded community-focused and international initiatives, including programmes supporting refugees and global academic partnerships.

Commenting on the honour, Professor Canagarajah reflected on his journey, saying it was a powerful reminder of the transformative role of education, adding that rising from a childhood in a once war-affected country to being recognised at the highest national level was an extraordinary personal milestone.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo says he will not end his playing career until he scores his 1,000th career goal.

The 40-year-old scored twice in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win against Al Akhdoud on Saturday to take his tally for club and country to 956 goals.

The forward, who joined Al-Nassr in 2022, signed a new two-year deal with the Saudi Arabian club last July that takes him beyond his 42nd birthday.

Speaking after being named the Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday, Ronaldo said: "It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated.

"My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.

"You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries."

In an interview with Piers Morgan last month, external, Ronaldo said he planned to retire from football "soon".

"I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. I will probably cry," said Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances this season for Al-Nassr, who are four points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.

Despite the forward’s record of 112 goals in 125 appearances, Al-Nassr have only won one piece of silverware - the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023 - since his arrival.

Ronaldo holds the record for most goals for Portugal (143) and Real Madrid (450), and is the only player to have scored 100+ goals for four clubs - Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.

The striker said in November that the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be his last international tournament.

He captained Portugal as they won Euro 2016 in France - the nation’s first international men’s trophy.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, died after a prolonged illness, her opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said on Tuesday.

Khaleda, aged 80, had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems, her doctors said.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

Sri Lanka has today (29) rewritten its tourism history by recording the highest number of tourist arrivals ever within a single year.

The new milestone was reached as arrivals in 2025 surpassed the previous all-time record of 2,333,796 visitors, which had been set in 2018. With the arrival of the 2,333,797th tourist earlier this morning, a new chapter was officially opened in the country’s tourism journey, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority.

This achievement marks a defining moment for the nation’s travel sector, reflecting Sri Lanka’s resilience and the renewed confidence it commands as a leading global destination.

Tourism continues to stand as a key pillar of the Sri Lankan economy, generating vital foreign exchange earnings, creating employment opportunities, and fostering cultural exchange.

The Tourism Authority further noted that reaching this landmark despite challenges such as the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah underscores the strength, unity, and determination of the industry and its stakeholders in steering Sri Lanka forward.

Saudi Arabia bombed the port city of Mukalla in Yemen on Tuesday over what it described as a shipment of weapons for a separatist force there that arrived from the United Arab Emirates. The UAE did not immediately acknowledge the strike.

The attack signals a new escalation in tensions between the kingdom and the separatist forces of the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the Emirates. It also further strains ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, which had been backing competing sides in Yemen’s decadelong war against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

A military statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency announced the strikes, which it said came after ships arrived there from Fujairah, a port city on the UAE’s eastern coast.

“Given the danger and escalation posed by these weapons, which threaten security and stability, the Coalition Air Forces conducted a limited military operation this morning targeting weapons and combat vehicles unloaded from the two ships at the port,” it said.

It wasn’t immediately clear if there were any casualties from the strike. The Saudi military said it conducted the attack overnight to make sure “no collateral damage occurred.”

The UAE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP.

The attack likely targeted a ship identified by analysts as the Greenland, a roll-on, roll-off vessel flagged out of St. Kitts. Tracking data analyzed by the AP showed the vessel had been in Fujairah on Dec. 22 and arrived in Mukalla on Sunday.

Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen expert and the founder of the Basha Report, a risk advisory firm, cited social media videos which purported to show new armored vehicles rolling through Mukalla after the ship’s arrival. The ship’s owners, based in Dubai, could not be immediately reached.

Mukalla is in Yemen’s Hadramout governorate, which the Council had seized in recent days. The port city is some 480 kilometers (300 miles) northeast of Aden, which has been the seat of power for anti-Houthi forces in Yemen after the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, back in 2014.

The strike in Mukalla comes after Saudi Arabia targeted the Council in airstrikes Friday that analysts described as a warning for the separatists to halt their advance and leave the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra.

The Council had pushed out forces there affiliated with the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces, another group in the coalition fighting the Houthis.

Those aligned with the Council have increasingly flown the flag of South Yemen, which was a separate country from 1967-1990. Demonstrators have been rallying for days to support political forces calling for South Yemen to secede again from Yemen.

The actions by the separatists have put pressure on the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which maintain close relations and are members of the OPEC oil cartel, but also have competed for influence and international business in recent years.

There has also been an escalation of violence in Sudan, another nation on the Red Sea, where the kingdom and the Emirates support opposing forces in that country’s ongoing war.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

The mortal remains of the late “Songbird of the Nation”, Latha Walpola, have been placed for public viewing once again today (29) at a private funeral parlour in Borella.

Since yesterday afternoon (28), a large number of mourners have been arriving to pay their final respects to the legendary vocalist, whose passing has left a deep void in Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape.

The final rites of Latha Walpola will be conducted with full State honours on Wednesday, the 31st.

The iconic singer passed away last Saturday while receiving treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. She was 91 years old at the time of her demise.

Her body was brought to the Borella funeral parlour yesterday afternoon to allow the public to bid farewell. From 4.00 p.m. onwards, artists, political leaders, and admirers from all walks of life gathered to honour her memory.

Members of the public have been given the opportunity to pay their last respects again today, from 10.00 a.m., as the nation continues to mourn one of its most cherished musical voices.

Air quality levels have declined across many parts of the country, with several districts including Colombo and Gampaha now recording conditions that are unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Health authorities have cautioned that vulnerable individuals — including young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions — should take special precautions in light of the deteriorating air quality.

Officials have urged these groups to limit exposure and remain alert until conditions improve.

Sri Lanka Police say a significant influx of people and vehicles into Colombo is expected tomorrow (31) as the public gathers to welcome New Year 2026, particularly in and around Galle Face Green.

To manage the anticipated crowds and reduce traffic congestion, authorities have prepared a special traffic and security operation, which will be supported by the deployment of approximately 1,200 police officers across the city.

Heavy traffic is expected within Colombo city limits, especially in areas under the Fort, Pettah, Slave Island, Maradana, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, and Cinnamon Gardens police divisions. While traffic will function normally at first, temporary traffic diversions will be enforced if congestion intensifies.

Under the proposed traffic plan, vehicles exiting Colombo via Galle Middle Road will be directed through the NSA Roundabout, along Galle Face Road, turning left at the Baladaksha Mawatha (MOD) Junction, continuing via Aliya Nana Roundabout, Mackan Marker Road, and Galle Face Roundabout toward Colpetty. Vehicles entering the city through the Galle Face Roundabout may proceed up to the Baladaksha Mawatha junction.

Police noted that vehicle movement will not be allowed between the Galle Face Roundabout and Aliya Nana Roundabout via Mackan Marker Road, or from Aliya Nana Roundabout to Galle Face Road via Baladaksha Mawatha. Vehicles emerging from side roads connected to Baladaksha Mawatha must turn right to exit Colombo via Aliya Nana Roundabout, while those entering Galle Face Road from side roads should turn right and proceed toward the NSA Roundabout.

During the enforcement of this traffic scheme, parking on pavements or in ways that obstruct main roads will be strictly prohibited. Police warned that legal action will be taken against motorists who violate parking or traffic regulations.

To accommodate visitors, parking space has been arranged for approximately 5,900 vehicles across multiple locations in the city.

Free parking areas (subject to traffic conditions) include:

• Baladaksha Mawatha, Fort Police Division, and MOD Car Park (Beira Lake side)

• Marine Drive areas in Colpetty, Bambalapitiya, and Wellawatte

• D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha in Fort and Maradana

• Parsons Road exit lane in the Company Street Police Division

• Designated parking bays along Galle Road from Savoy Cinema, Wellawatte, to Bagatale Road

• Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (left lane) from Nelum Pokuna to Library Roundabout

• F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, Reid Avenue, Independence Avenue, Maitland Crescent, and Foundation Road in Cinnamon Gardens

Paid parking facilities will be available at:

• Old Manning Market parking area, Bastion Mawatha

• Vimaladharmasuriya Clock Tower vicinity

• Hemas Parking Area, R.A. De Mel Mawatha

• Lake House premises, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha

• Bastion Road, Bristol Street, Duke Street (Fort area)

• Access Tower parking at Union Place–Dawson Street junction

• Gamini Roundabout (St. Clement’s), Maradana

Police have also released four traffic maps outlining vehicle movement under this plan and urge motorists to cooperate with officers on duty to ensure a safe and smooth New Year celebration in Colombo.