There is nothing to hide about the discovery of weapons in Jaffna last week, Defense Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said. Hettiarachchi said so addressing the media following the opening of The Civil Security Department's first apparel factory yesterday at Anuradhapura Rambewa Town at cost of Rs. 5 million. The defense secretary said the uniforms required for nearly 40,000 members of the Civil Security Department would be manufactured at the Rambewa apparel factory.

He said that in future a few more apparel manufacturing plant will be opened in the country. Defense Secretary Hettiarachchi vehemently rejected the statement of former minister Prof. G. L. Peiris regarding the detection. Prior to this detection, in the recent past the forces and the police recovered nearly 10,000 weapons in the North. No one raised any question nor criticized such detections, he said.

"There is no necessity for me to hide the facts," the defense secretary reiterated. He also denied former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's statement a few days back that as a result of hiding the truth of the discovery of the arms haul in Chavakachcheri by the government, the gossip was spreading.

"Today the media don't have top thrilling slogans to create attractive and hot headlines. On the other hand the government was not spreading any gossip. Also we are not prepared to disclose everything relating to incidents which can damage or harm the on going investigations and this too for the sake of National Security," the defense secretary emphasised.

Civil Security Director General Chandrasena Pallegama, Deputy Director General, Rear Admiral Shamal Fernando, Anuradhapura CSD Commander W. W.M.P.S.Wijekoon (RSSP) also present.

Two ruling party MPs- Wijesiri Basnayake of Kurunegala and Ajith Gihan of Puttalam- came under mob violence when they came out in their separate vehicles after a meeting with the management of an apparel factory in the Bingiriya area.

The Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara announced that the results of the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination are expected to be released by April 2025.

Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda officially assumed duties as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy at Navy Headquarters today (31). He was appointed following a presentation of the official letter by Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake on December 30.

The official YouTube channel of the Sri Lanka Police has been targeted by a cyber attack. The Police Media Division stated that by now, the control of the channel has completely fallen into the hands of the hackers. The cyber attack had occurred at around 7:30 PM yesterday.

Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka's Army Commander today (31) at Army Headquarters. Previously, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.

President Anura Kumar Dissanayake has appointed Major General Lasantha Rodrigo as the new Commander of the Army and Rear Admiral Kanchnna Banagoda as the new Commander of the Navy. The official appointment letters were presented to the newly appointed commanders today (30) by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat. Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera are scheduled to retire from their respective positions tomorrow (31).

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has alerted the public on a false post circulating on social media claiming that unclaimed luggage is being offered for sale at a price of Rs. 645, Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Ltd. (AASL) said.

In the wake of African swine fever triggering fears about possible extinction of Sri Lanka’s wild boar population in addition to the damage on the pork industry, Sri Lanka’s biosecurity surveillance is under question since the virus is suspected to have entered the country through an unlawful consignment imported into the country during the time of the previous government in 2023.

To mitigate the adverse effects on the education of vulnerable schoolchildren, the government has decided to provide an allowance to assist with the purchase of school stationery at the start of the 2025 school year.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended his deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, following his passing away.