Gunshots account for 14 of 24 deaths in Negombo Prison clash

Post-mortem examinations into the deaths of prison officers killed during the recent violence at Negombo Prison have revealed that they were subjected to brutal physical assaults.

Tilvin wins copyright case against Wimal

The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal filed by former Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa, affirming that he infringed the copyright of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva by reproducing the book titled ’Neththa Venuwata Aththa’.

LRT project will not be implemented?

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) project is not likely to see the light of the day, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake hinted in Parliament today.

Old Bogambara prison officially re-designated as prison by gazette

The government has officially re-designated the Old Bogambara prison premises as a prison under the Prisons Ordinance through a Gazette notification issued by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.

Several parties seek to intervene in Suresh Sallay’s writ petition

Several individuals and organisations, including prominent Buddhist monks, have sought the permission of the Court of Appeal to intervene in the writ application filed by Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, former Director of the State Intelligence Service, challenging the legality of his arrest and detention.

Ad hoc rice imports blamed for growing paddy marketing crisis

The flooding of the domestic market with imported rice ahead of the harvesting season has triggered the current crisis in the paddy marketing sector, according to analysts.

Officer opened fire to prevent prison breach, says Acting Prisons Chief

Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Prasad Hemantha Kumara has defended the actions of an officer seen opening fire through a gate during the recent unrest at Negombo Prison, saying the officer acted to prevent a catastrophic prison breach and protect prison officers trapped inside.

Namal’s Krrish deal case fixed for trial

The controversial Krrish deal case filed against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was today fixed for trial by the Colombo High Court.

How did prisoners access guns?

In what appeared to be yet another deadly outbreak of rioting, 19 inmates and seven prison officers were killed, and around 100 were injured in the Negombo jail yesterday. Initially, riots broke out between two drug gangs on Sunday, and the confrontation rapidly spiralled into one of Sri Lanka’s deadliest prison riots in recent history, resulting in heavy casualties and exposing serious security concerns.

UPDATE - Death toll rises to 26, over 100 injured

The death toll from the renewed unrest at Negombo Prison has risen to 26. Nearly 100 individuals have reportedly sustained injuries in the clash.

World Bank cautions Sri Lanka’s income upgrade remains fragile

Sri Lanka’s return to upper-middle-income status has revived memories of an earlier promotion that proved short-lived, with the World Bank cautioning that the latest achievement remains vulnerable unless the country sustains reforms, strengthens growth and avoids the vulnerabilities that culminated in the 2022 economic crisis.

Update: Two prisoners killed, over 25 injured in Negombo Prison violence

Two inmates were killed and more than 25 others injured following a clash between two groups of prisoners at the Negombo Prison on Saturday, hospital sources said.

Red notice fugitive in Akuregoda double murder extradited from Maldives

A suspect wanted in connection with the Akuregoda double murder and the subject of an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Red Notice was arrested upon his arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, after being extradited from the Maldives on 4 July 2026.

Parents may soon be able to test children for drug use

The government is planning to introduce drug testing kits through pharmacies, allowing parents to privately check whether their children have become involved in drug use as part of a broader national strategy to combat narcotics.

International call to pause PTA use till new law introduced

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has told the Government that the draft Anti-Terrorism Bill retains and expands the shortcomings identified in the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), while introducing new risks and concerns.

Rakitha, Charith and Aruna further remanded

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today ordered that Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Nirmala Rajapaksha, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Horana Organiser Charitha Wasantha Kumara Abeysinghe and former Airport Director of the Civil Aviation Authority Varushahennadige Aruna Sri Chathuranga be further remanded till July 17.

Former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda arrested

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda in connection with an ongoing investigation into the recruitment of Yoshitha Rajapaksa to the Sri Lanka Navy.

Historic locomotive move between Kandy and Peradeniya without tracks

A unique operation set to mark a historic moment in Sri Lanka’s railway history is scheduled to take place, with a locomotive being transported between Kandy and Peradeniya without using railway tracks.

Sri Lanka enters El Niño phase, braces for weather extremes

Sri Lanka is currently in the El Niño phase, with weather officials warning that the country could experience a series of extreme weather conditions in the coming months, ranging from reduced rainfall and floods to drought.

Sri Lanka regains upper - middle - income status

Three years after facing what was the worst economic crisis which pushed Sri Lanka to the brink of collapse, the island nation has regained upper-middle-income status.

BIA set for Rs. 15bn terminal upgrade

Sri Lanka’s aviation sector is set to undergo significant infrastructure development, with plans underway to modernize the first passenger terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport with an investment of approximately Rs. 15 billion over the next two years, Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku said.

Suresh Sallay ends hunger strike

Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay, who launched a hunger strike while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the Easter Sunday terror attack investigations, has decided to end his fast on the advice of his legal counsel.

Inflation climbs further above target

Sri Lanka’s inflation climbed further above the Central Bank’s 5 percent target in June, deepening concerns over the cost of living and raising fresh questions over whether borrowing costs will remain elevated for longer.

BOI gets new chairman and members

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Presidential Senior Economic Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa as the new Chairman and a member of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera arrested

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested Shyamila Perera, the former Chairperson of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), a short while ago.

Mr. Kottu restaurant chain owner arrested over alleged assault of employee

The owner of the popular ’’Mr. Kottu’’ restaurant chain, Viraj Wickramanayake, has been arrested in connection with the alleged assault of one of his employees.

Sri Lanka woos U.S. investments for Colombo Port development

Sri Lanka has wooed U.S. investment in the development of the Colombo port and integrated infrastructure at a recent summit in Washington, a Deputy Minister said yesterday.

Petrol,diesel prices reduced

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced a reduction in the prices of selected fuel types with effect from last night (29).

More arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers

More arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers are likely in the near future with the further scrutinizing evidence over the alleged large-scale bribery network involving detained Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, alias ’Harak Kata’.

Hospitals reach full capacity as cases surge

With Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak reaching epidemic levels, patients are facing severe difficulties as hospitals in several parts of the country have reached full capacity to accommodate the growing number of dengue cases.