Sri Lanka achieves 72% renewable electricity generation in June 2025

For the first time since the early 1990s, Sri Lanka has reached a major milestone in its clean energy transition, with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reporting that 72% of the country’s electricity was generated from renewable sources during June 2025.

Five arrested for treasure hunting in Galnewa

Five persons who were allegedly digging for treasure in a garden in Galnewa were arrested by the Galnewa police.

Too early to comment on government: Maithri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said it is too early to comment on the government and that one or two years must pass for one to comment.

Delhi to see its first-ever artificial rain to combat air pollution in July

In a first for the national capital, Delhi is set to witness artificial rain aimed at reducing air pollution, with cloud seeding scheduled between July 4 and 11, subject to weather conditions, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Saturday.

CAA denies reports on salt price fixing

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has categorically denied recent media reports claiming that a maximum retail price for salt was agreed upon during a discussion between the CAA and the Salt Manufacturers Association.

Navy seizes Indian fishing boat with eight crew members

The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended eight Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar, during a special search operation conducted early this morning.

Another fishing trawler in distress, two fishermen missing in Tangalle

Two fishermen, who went fishing from the Tangalle fishing habour yesterday, went missing after their trawler crashed against a reef.

Group of eight reported missing on Hanthana mountains rescued

A group of youth who were stranded due to bad weather while climbing the Hantana mountains, were rescued after several hours in a joint operation by the army and the police.

Family injured in accident in Nuwara Eliya

Four members of a family, including two young children, were injured in a road accident that occurred yesterday (28) afternoon in the Bambarakelle Wattha area on the Gampola-Nuwara Eliya main road, police said.

Private bus owners urge delay in mandatory seat belt law implementation

Private bus owners have called on authorities to postpone the implementation of the regulation requiring all bus drivers to wear seat belts, citing practical challenges with older buses that lack the necessary fittings.

GMOA election: Dr. Tennakoon, Dr. Sugathadasa secure re-election

Specialist Dr. Sanjeewa Tennakoon and Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa were re-elected as President and Secretary respectively, of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) during its 99th annual election held on Saturday (28).

Police seize 1,758kg of heroin and ice in maritime raids

Sri Lanka Police have seized 1,758 kilograms of heroin and crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) during April and May 2025, following major interdictionsmulti-day fishing vessels attempting to smuggle drugs into the country by sea.

Customs clears backlog, eases congestion at Colombo Port

The Sri Lanka Customs Department has successfully completed the clearance of import containers that had caused significant congestion at the Colombo Port in recent weeks.

Coast guard arrests 3 Sri Lankans with criminal records infiltrating Tamil Nadu

The Indian Coast Guard has arrested three Sri Lankan nationals-two Sinhalese and one Lankan-Tamil while they attempted to infiltrate Tamil Nadu by sea in the early hours of Saturday. The arrest took place near Dhanushkodi, a region infamous for smuggling and other cross-border illegal activities due to its proximity to the Sri Lankan coast.

Navy rescues 2 fishermen after trawler capsizes off Galle

The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued two fishermen after their trawler capsized about 9 nautical miles (16 km) off the coast of Galle. The incident was reported on 27 June, prompting an intensive search and rescue operation in coordination with the Air Force.

Public warned against paying brokers for passport services

The Immigration and Emigration Department has warned the public not to pay any brokers or outsiders to speed up passport services.

Passport token issuance times revised

The Department of Immigration and Emigration says tokens for One-day and Normal passport services will be given from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at its Head Office in Battaramulla, starting from Monday, June 2.

US Supreme Court allows parents to opt out of lessons with LGBT books

The US Supreme Court has sided with parents in the state of Maryland who wanted to opt their children out of reading books with LGBTQ themes.

Seat belt rule for bus drivers compulsory from July 1

The National Transport Commission (NTC) announced that starting July 1, 2025, it will be compulsory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Four MPs get stuck in BMICH elevator

Four Members of Parliament who are following a study course in governance at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) were stuck in an elevator while coming down from the study hall.

Police Commission approves appointing Shani Abeysekera as CID Director

The National Police Commission has approved the appointment of SSP Shani Abeysekera as Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka holds 43rd Annual General Meeting tomorrow

The Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL) announced its flagship event, the 43rd Annual General Meeting and the Scientific Sessions 2025, and the award ceremony which will be held on June 29, 2025 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla.

Government to strengthen public transport system to elevate country to new level: President

The government is placing particular emphasis on strengthening the public transport system as part of its broader agenda to elevate the country to a new level, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Najmul Hossain Shanto steps down as Test captain

Following Bangladesh’s crushing defeat to Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo, Najmul Hossain Shanto has announced his decision to step down as the Test captain.

Sri Lanka wraps up series with dominant innings win over Bangladesh

Sri Lanka won the second Test against Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs on Saturday, a comfortable victory that saw the host clinch the series.

Airforce deploys helicopter, Y-12 aircraft in search for missing fishermen in Galle, Kalutara

The Sri Lanka Air Force deployed a Bell 412 helicopter and a Y-12 aircraft to search for six missing fishermen off the Galle and Kalutara coasts.

Israel extends re-entry visas for Sri Lankan workers amid Middle East unrest

In response to the ongoing instability in the Middle East, the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) of Israel has extended the validity of re-entry visas for individuals who returned to Sri Lanka with plans to resume employment in Israel.

White House wants deep cut in US funding for war crimes probes in Sri Lanka and others

The White House has recommended terminating U.S. funding for nearly two dozen programs that conduct war crimes and accountability work globally, including in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Syria and on alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine, according to three U.S. sources familiar with the matter and internal government documents reviewed by Reuters.

Trump says he would ’absolutely’ consider bombing Iran again

US President Donald Trump has said he would ’’absolutely’’ consider bombing Iran again.

Rise in social media scams targeting Sri Lankans: CID warns public

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has raised alarm over a sharp increase in crimes targeting Sri Lankans through popular social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype and WeChat.