At least 14 dead in South Korea floods and landslides

At least 14 people have died in floods and landslides caused by days of torrential rain in South Korea, the country’s disaster management office has said.

Teacher trainers to be trained under new education reforms: Minister

Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced that starting in August, steps will be taken to train teacher trainers as part of the broader effort to improve teacher education and professional development in Sri Lanka.

Elephant runs amok during Ruwanwella Esala perahera

A tense situation was reported in Ruwanwella last night when an elephant participating in the Esala Perahera went on a rampage.

Iranian national nabbed at BIA for attempting to travel with forged British passport

A 47-year-old Iranian national was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night while attempting to flee to Europe using a forged British passport.

CEB technical engineers and superintendents to launch protest on Tuesday

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Technical Engineers and Superintendents Association has announced plans to launch a protest on Tuesday, July 22.

Ukraine seeks new round of talks with Russia

Ukraine has proposed a new round of peace talks with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, in a move aimed at restarting negotiations that halted last month.

At least 27 killed after Vietnam tourist boat capsizes in Halong Bay

At least 27 people died after a tourist boat capsized in stormy weather in Vietnam’s Halong Bay on Saturday (July 19), state media reported.

Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled dies after 20 years in coma

Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has died after spending more than two decades in a coma following a traumatic car accident.

Three killed including two infants in Narammala accident

Three people, including two infant girls, died in a tragic accident on the Narammala-Giriulla road in the Narammala Police Division yesterday afternoon (19).

Former SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena dismissed from Police service

The National Police Commission (NPC) has officially terminated the service of former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Nilantha Jayawardena, following a disciplinary inquiry related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Education Ministry to reduce class sizes to 25–30 students

The Education Ministry aims to reduce the number of students in a classroom to between 25 and 30, as delivering quality education is not possible in overcrowded classrooms of 50 or 60 students, Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Minister Herath engages Indian film stars to strengthen local cinema and tourism

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath met with Indian actor and producer Ravi Mohan and singer Keneesha Francis today at the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka.

SJB MP’s son arrested in Mathugama

The son of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Withana has been arrested by the Panadura Walana Anti-Vice Unit in Mathugama..

Shah Rukh Khan injured while filming for King, flown to US for treatment: report

Shah Rukh Khan has suffered a back injury on the sets of his upcoming film, King. The actor, who was last seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki, has been working on his next film with director Siddharth Anand and was reportedly shooting in Mumbai when the injury happened.

Businessman, Excise officer arrested in pre-dawn nightclub showdown with revolver shooting

A businessman and an Excise officer involved in a pre-dawn showdown outside a nightclub in Thalawathugoda while firing rounds from a revolver were arrested today by the Thalangama Police.

Hatton railway station in darkness amid fuel shortage

The Hatton Railway Station continues to remain in darkness at night due to a lack of fuel for its backup generator, despite repeated requests to the Railway Department, officials said.

Trump says he thinks 5 jets were shot down in India-Pakistan hostilities

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday up to five jets were shot down during recent India-Pakistan hostilities that began after an April Islamist militant attack in India-administered Kashmir, with the situation calming after a ceasefire in May.

Bus carrying 20 Sri Lankan workers catches fire in Israel

A bus transporting 20 Sri Lankan youth employed in Israel’s agricultural sector caught fire yesterday morning near Kiryat Malakhi, Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel said.

Over 1,000 calls received to adopt abandoned baby in Mawathagama

More than 1,000 phone calls have been received from individuals expressing interest in adopting the two-day-old baby girl who was found abandoned under a tree in a paddy field in Paragahadeniya, Mawathagama, police said.

Police face scrutiny amid wave of misconduct, sexual abuse and bribery allegations

In the wake of a series of serious violations involving police officers, including sexual abuse, discreditable conduct, and corrupt practices, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered strict disciplinary action against any officers found guilty.

Wimalasurendra reservoir sluice gates opened following heavy rainfall

The sluice gates of the Wimalasurendra Reservoir were opened this morning (19) after heavy rainfall in its catchment areas caused the reservoir to overflow, the Nuwara Eliya Disaster Management Centre announced.

Nepal bans Telegram

Nepal has banned the messaging app Telegram, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering, the country’s telecom regulator said on Friday.

Man who jumped from edge of space dies paragliding

Felix Baumgartner, who once broke the world record for the highest skydive by jumping from the edge of space, has died in a motorised paragliding accident in Italy.

Sri Lanka revises maximum financing limits for vehicles

The Central Bank issued fresh guidelines to the banks, finance companies and leasing establishments, outlining the new upper limits for loans and lease facilities granted to purchase vehicles, while removing the preferential high limit assigned for electric vehicles (EVs), effective from July 18.

Heavy rain and strong winds expected in several areas today: Met Department

The Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre has issued a weather advisory warning of heavy rain and strong winds across several parts of the country today (19).

Sri Lanka set to pay Rs.300-500 million to Adani

Sri Lanka is set to pay Rs.300-500 million to India’s Adani Company for initial costs sustained by it in terms of the two renewable energy projects, a top source said.

Millaniya Industrial City to be developed as Eco-Friendly Zone: Minister Abesinghe

The government has taken steps to develop the Millaniya Industrial City in the Kalutara District as an environmentally sustainable industrial zone, with a strong focus on protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for surrounding communities, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chaturanga Abesinghe said.

Economics and entrepreneurship must be rooted in humanity: Harini

Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today said that economics and entrepreneurship should be built on a foundation of human values, rather than driven purely by monetary gain. She highlighted the importance of the “care economy” as a powerful example of this human-centered approach.

Tourists to get temporary driving licences at airport from August

The Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry has announced that, starting in August, foreign tourists will be able to obtain temporary driving licences directly at the airport upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

Brazil’s former president ordered to wear electronic ankle monitor

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been ordered to wear an ankle monitor, his press office said on Friday.