Government to boost Nelumwewa hot springs as tourist destination

As part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, a new development project has been proposed to enhance the area surrounding the Nelumwewa hot springs in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa, with the aim of promoting it as a tourist attraction, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.

Dehiwala zoo lodges complaint with CID over fake social media account

The Dehiwala Zoological Gardens has officially lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding a fake social media account operating under their name.

CSE Shows Strong Recovery with ASPI Up 425 Points

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a strong positive note today, with both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 Index recording significant gains. The upward momentum was driven by improved global investor sentiment following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which had been engaged in nearly two weeks of conflict.

Flight operations at BIA return to normal

All SriLankan Airlines aircraft that were earlier diverted to alternate airports have now returned to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and resumed flight operations, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) Chairman Sunil Jayaratne said.

Woman arrested for attempting to pay fine with counterfeit currency

A woman was arrested by Hambantota Police yesterday morning after attempting to pay a court fine using counterfeit currency notes at the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court.

Emirates resumes regular operations after minimal disruption

Emirates Airlines confirmed that it resumed its regularly scheduled operations within hours following minimal disruptions caused by regional events on June 23.

Internal Affairs Unit established at DMT to tackle bribery and corruption

As part of the government’s ongoing effort to eliminate bribery and corruption in the country, an Internal Affairs Unit was officially established today at the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

22 Oluwil university students suspended over ragging

A group of 22 students from Oluwil University have been suspended for allegedly ragging first-year students, Vice Chancellor Prof. S.M. Junaideen said.

1,500 tons of solid waste collected at last year’s Kataragama Perahera: CEA

Nearly 1,500 tons of solid waste, four tons of plastic PET bottles, and 50 kilograms of plastic garlands were collected at the end of last year’s Kataragama Esala Perahera season, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) said.

Special traffic plan for Bohra Convention

A special traffic plan will be in place in view of the upcoming Bohra convention, scheduled to take place on June 25, and from June 27 to July 5, at the Bambalapitiya Bohra Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, Police said.

Sri Lankans continue to be evacuated from Iran

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an update on the current status of Sri Lankan nationals in Iran, Israel, and several neighbouring countries, as evacuation and repatriation efforts continue amid ongoing regional tensions.

Four State Institutions get new chairpersons

The Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of Chairpersons of four State Institutions including the Employees’ Trust Fund Board (ETF), the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Medical specialists warn of medicine shortages in hospitals

The Medical Specialists’ Association has written to the Health Minister, saying that government hospitals are not receiving enough essential medicines and medical equipment. The Association’s President, Ravi Kumudesh, revealed this at a press conference yesterday.

Iran’s top military official denies missile launch toward Israel

Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi has denied firing any missiles towards Israel in the last few hours, according to Iranian state media.

Three women arrested for killing flapshell turtles in Polonnaruwa sanctuary

Three women were arrested for killing thirteen flapshell turtles (Kiri Ibba) and preparing them for consumption inside a wildlife sanctuary in the Polonnaruwa area, the Polonnaruwa Wildlife Conservation officer said.

Israel defence minister accuses Iran of violating ceasefire and orders ‘powerful strikes’ on Tehran

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has just issued a statement, saying he has ordered the Israel Defence Forces to ’’respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran’’.

Israel agrees to Trump’s ceasefire proposal with Iran

Israel has agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. This followed Trump’s announcement that the truce is now in effect and his call for both sides to refrain from violating it.

Prime Minister Harini leaves for Canada

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya left for Canada early this morning (24) to participate in the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors as the representative of the South Asian region.

50 major bus stands to be renovated under ’Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative

The government is planning to renovate 50 major bus stands nationwide, including the Colombo Central Bus Stand under the ’Clean Sri Lanka’ programme with assistance from the Sri Lanka Air Force, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Thailand closes border crossings with Cambodia as dispute deepens

Thailand’s military has closed border crossings into Cambodia to almost all travellers, including tourists and traders, citing security concerns as tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours remain escalated over a simmering border dispute.

Is Sri Lanka ready for fallout of a Middle East war?

With tensions rising rapidly in the Middle East as the Iran-Israel conflict intensifies and the U.S. involvement threatens to escalate the crisis further, the region is now widely seen as a ticking time bomb.

Specialist Neurosurgeon of Jayewardenepura Hospital, two others further remanded

A specialist neurosurgeon at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, a management assistant and her employee ordered to be further remanded till July 8 by Colombo Cheif Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga today, over allegations of corruption.

Qatar reopens airspace after Iran’s attack on US base near Doha

Qatar has reopened its airspace after closing it earlier on Monday in anticipation of retaliatory attacks by Iran on a US air base near Doha.

Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect, please don’t violate it

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was now in place and asked both countries not to violate it, only hours after Iran launched waves of missiles, which Israel’s ambulance service said killed four people.

Norton Bridge-Sri Pada road reopens for traffic after ten days

The Norton Bridge-Sri Pada road via Ginigathhena and Diyagala, which was closed for ten days from June 14 due to the risk of a bridge collapsing, was reopened this morning.

Oil tumbles to over one-week lows as Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire

Oil prices fell sharply to their lowest in more than a week on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump said a ceasefire has been agreed between Iran and Israel, alleviating worries of supply disruptions in the Middle East - a major oil-producing region.

US judge blocks Trump plan to close Harvard’s doors to international students

A federal judge on Monday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing his plan to bar foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard University.

’No agreement’ on any ceasefire, Tehran warns - despite Trump’s announcement

Iran’s foreign minister has claimed there is ’’no agreement’’ on a ceasefire with Israel - despite Donald Trump announcing a deal has been reached.

Govt. secures clearance for casino machine imports

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) have given the nod for the importation of casino machines, citing that the move will help the country to earn revenue in the form of taxes.

COPF directs monitoring mechanism for casino machine imports: Harsha

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has directed the creation of a special mechanism to monitor the importation of casino machines, while approval was granted for the importation, its Chairman Harsha de Silva said yesterday.