Draft bill to cut ex-Presidents’ perks gazetted

The gazette of the draft bill aimed at amending the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986-reducing special privileges granted to former Presidents, their families, and retired Members of Parliament, has been released.

New salary structure to be introduced for public service: Sub-Committee

The Sub-Committee appointed to seek solutions to the prevailing salary discrepancies and related issues in the public service is expected to submit proposals for the introduction of a new salary structure for the entire public service.

CEA urges devotees to minimize plastic waste during Kandy Esala Perahera

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has requested all devotees attending the Kandy Esala Perahera to properly dispose of waste and avoid bringing plastic items into the city during the festival, which will take place from July 30 to August 10, 2025.

Sotheby’s returns Buddha jewels to India after uproar

Auction house Sotheby’s has returned a set of sacred jewels believed to be linked to the Buddha’s remains to India, after facing mounting pressure from the Indian government and global Buddhist leaders.

Mahout assistant’s body found in Kandy lake

The body of a young mahout assistant was discovered floating near the banks of Kandy Lake this morning (31), police confirmed.

Rohitha Abeygunawardhana’s daughter granted bail

The daughter of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardhana has been granted bail by the Mathugama Magistrate’s Court.

London’s Heathrow hit by more flight cancellations after air traffic failure

At least 16 flights to and from London’s Heathrow Airport were cancelled on Thursday, a day after technical problems with Britain’s air traffic control system caused widespread disruption across the country’s airports.

Kerala cannabis worth Rs. 21.6 million seized in Jaffna

A stock of Kerala Cannabis valued at approximately Rs. 21.6 million was seized during a joint operation in the Maruthankerny area in Vaththirayan, Jaffna early this morning (31).

Over 30 arrested for soliciting bribes in first half of 2025

A total of 34 individuals have been arrested over bribery-related offences during the first six months of 2025, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said.

Drone operations suspended during Kandy Esala Perahera

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has announced a temporary suspension of all drone operations over the procession route during the Kandy Esala Perahera, which will be held from July 30 to August 9, 2025.

Chief Justice pledges to fast-track court digitalization

Newly appointed Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena stated today that he intends to fast-track the digitalization of the court system across the country, emphasising that the time has come to adopt technologically advanced methods in the administration of justice.

Canada follows France and UK with plan to recognise Palestinian state

Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, becoming the third G7 nation to make such an announcement in recent days.

’’India, Russia can take their dead economies down together’’: Donald Trump

A day after announcing 25 per cent tariffs on imports of India, US President Donald Trump has dropped another bombshell. Hitting out at India and Russia, he has said he does not care about New Delhi’s dealings with Moscow and that the two ’’can take their dead economies down together’’.

Fresh resolution to be moved in September

The United Kingdom, along with the other members of the core-group, will move a fresh resolution to be adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at its upcoming session in September with the primary objective of pursuing the Sri Lankan Accountability Project and other remaining matters, Daily Mirror learns.

Youth killed in shooting in Kosgoda

A 23-year-old man was shot dead in the Duwamodara area of Kosgoda early this morning (31), police said.

First Australian-made rocket crashes shortly after lift-off

The first orbital rocket made and designed in Australia crashed 14 seconds after lift-off during its first test launch.

Trump announces deal to impose 15% tariff on South Korea

President Donald Trump says the US will charge a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea, in what he called a ’’full and complete trade deal’’.

Showers expected today in several provinces after 1 p.m

The Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre announced that showers are expected today (31) at several locations in the Northern, North-Central, Central, Uva, and Eastern provinces after 1:00 p.m.

President returns from Maldives visit

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning (30), concluding a three-day official visit to the Maldives.

Hasalaka OIC violated woman’s fundamental rights by arresting her clothing with ship wheel, rules SC

The Supreme Court declared that the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Hasalaka Police Station had violated the Fundamental Rights of a woman who was arrested and detained for wearing an item of clothing bearing a ship’s wheel, which was mistakenly interpreted as a depiction of the Dhammachakra.

Petition filed in Supreme Court challenging Indo-Lanka Digital Identity Deal

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing the government from proceeding with the Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and India on the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) Program, funded through a grant from the Government of India.

Be cautious with new Plastic Credit solutions: Environmentalist warns

The country must exercise extreme caution when adopting new solutions such as plastic credits, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) chairperson and senior advisor Hemantha Withanage warned.

CDF soldier assigned for monitoring electric fence killed in elephant attack

A Civil Defence Forces (CDF) soldier who was engaged in monitoring electric fences has been killed in a wild elephant attack in South Siyambalangamuwa.

CEJ urges Defence Ministry to halt issuing guns to kill elephants

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has sent a letter of demand to Additional Secretary of the Defence Ministry, P.D. Indika L. Wijegunawardhana, urging the immediate suspension of any process involving the issuance of firearms intended to harm or kill wild elephants.

CSE ends higher despite intra-day volatility

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed in positive territory today, following a session marked by sharp volatility. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) initially surged nearly 145 points before retreating by 148 points mid-session.

TID Investigates: Were LTTE-Era weapons supplied to southern crime gangs?

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today granted permission to detain for 90 days three suspects arrested on allegations of possessing and renting out weapons stockpiled during the LTTE war period to members of the Southern underworld and criminal gangs.

Army Commander granted one-year service extension

President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka granted a one-year service extension to Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo.

Motorists exceeding 120 km/h on expressways to face legal action

Motorists caught driving over 120 km/h on expressways will face court proceedings even if fines are paid through the GovPay app, DIG of Traffic and Road Safety, Range Indika Hapugoda said.

Sri Lankan Opposition pro Palestine, Government pro Israel?

Responding to a question as to whether Sri Lanka’s Opposition in Parliament is pro Palestine while the government is pro Israel, Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman said today that what the Opposition intends doing is maintaining Sri Lanka’s traditional non-aligned foreign policy, while the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) government seems to have changed its stance.

Warm weather advisory issued for several areas

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a ’’Warm Weather Advisory – Extreme Caution Level’’ for the Northern, Eastern and North-Central Provinces and the Moneragala and Hambantota districts, valid for tomorrow.