CSE continues to decline as geopolitical situation in the Middle East worsens

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed the day on a negative note, continuing its recent downward trend, with both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 recording declines. During the initial hour of trading, the ASPI showed a gain of nearly 150 points; however, the market reversed course in the latter part of the session, driven by panic selling among investors amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Sri Lankan Embassy in Teheran evacuated: Minister

The Sri Lankan Embassy in the Iranian capital of Teheran has been evacuated, Minister of External Affairs Vijitha Herath told Parliament today.

Government approves concrete debris recycling project

The government has granted approval to implement a Concrete Debris Recycling Project aimed at recycling concrete and building waste, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Cabinet nod to scrap special benefits for former Presidents and MPs

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to cancel special privileges given to former Presidents and to stop the pension scheme for Members of Parliament after their term of five years.

Cabinet approves draft bill to investigate aircraft accidents in Sri Lanka

Cabinet approval has been granted to prepare a draft bill to formally investigate airline crashes and related incidents occurring within Sri Lanka’s territory, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Another Air India Dreamliner flight cancelled

A Delhi-Paris Air India flight, AI 143, has been cancelled for Tuesday after ’’mandatory pre-flight checks identified an issue’’, the airline said in a statement this evening. Consequently, the return service, Air India flight AI 142, scheduled to fly from Paris to Delhi on Wednesday, has also been cancelled.

Special fixed deposit scheme for senior citizens

The government has decided to introduce a special fixed deposit scheme for senior citizens, as proposed in the 2025 budget, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Former Deputy GM of Land Reclamation Corp arrested

The former Deputy General Manager of the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation (SLLRDC) Sujith Priyantha Muthumala has been arrested by the Bribery Commission.

Four Sri Lankans injured in Iran-Israel conflict: Embassy

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel confirmed that four Sri Lankans have been injured in the recent attacks on Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Railway Controllers’ Union to launch 48-hour token strike on Friday

The Railway Controllers’ Union announced that it will launch a 48-hour token strike from midnight on Friday (20), protesting the authorities’ failure to address several longstanding issues.

Energy Ministry denies rumours of fuel shortage

The Energy Ministry has denied social media reports claiming that the country may face a shortage of fuel due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East.

Guidelines for 2026 education reforms released, teacher training plans underway

The Education Ministry announced that the guidelines for the new education transformation process set to be implemented in 2026 have already been released this August.

Heavy rain raises water levels in key reservoirs

Continuous heavy rains experienced in the central hills has resulted in a significant rise in the water levels of the Maussakele and Castlereigh reservoirs.

France and Sri Lanka sign bilateral debt restructuring agreement

France and Sri Lanka have today signed a bilateral agreement to implement the recommendations of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, concluded on June 26, 2024.

Air India’s Ahmedabad-London flight cancelled due to technical snag, same route on which AI-171 crashed

Air India’s AI-159 flight from Ahmedabad to London was cancelled on Monday owing to a technical fault, airline officials confirmed.

Colombo ruined by years of corrupt governance: Bimal Ratnayake

Colombo city has deteriorated due to the corrupt municipal administration that has existed for many years, Transport, Highways, Ports and Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday.

’We had some pretty good battles,’ Rohit Sharma sends message to Mathews

Former India captain Rohit Sharma, who recently stepped away from Test cricket himself, shared a heartfelt message for Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews ahead of the veteran all-rounder’s farewell to the longest format.

Housemaid of Keheliya granted bail

A woman who had worked as a housemaid for former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was released on bail in connection with a case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.

SJB MPs walk out of Parliament

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and MP Ravi Karunanayake walked out of Parliament today accusing Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne of acting in a dictatorial manner.

Neurosurgeon and clerk at J’pura hospital arrested

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested a specialist neurosurgeon and a clerk attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital.

Government not willing to act upon hearsay when it comes to mass graves in North: Justice Minister

Information published about several mass graves in the North are based on hearsay and the government is not willing to act on these without proper information, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today.

New bus stand gift for 2026 New Year travellers: Minister

The Transport Ministry is planning to offer passengers a special gift for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year in 2026 the opportunity to travel to their hometowns from a newly renovated central bus stand, Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake announced.

Sri Lanka’s biggest Rs. 474M lottery prize won

The largest lottery prize in the history of the country’s lottery was claimed yesterday (16) during the National Lottery Board’s Mega Power 2210th draw.

NPP’s Kalpitiya PS chairman assaulted

The National People’s Power (NPP)’s Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and several others were assaulted when the vehicle he was travelling in was attacked at Viruthodai in Madurankuliya last night.

Dozens killed by Israeli fire near Gaza aid sites, Hamas-run ministry says

At least 30 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire near aid distribution sites operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said.

Trump leaves G7 summit early as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies

US President Donald Trump has cut short his visit to the Group of Seven summit in Canada, with the White House saying he must return to Washington to deal with the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

Road ahead demands steadfast focus on sustaining reform agenda: CB Governor

Sri Lanka must maintain a firm focus on reforms, private sector empowerment and consistent policymaking, to secure a lasting economic recovery and sustainable debt levels, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday, cautioning that the country’s transition remains fragile.

SC orders NIC recognition for Buddhist Bhikkhuni, citing violation of fundamental rights

In a landmark judgement upholding the right to equal treatment, the Supreme Court, by majority decision yesterday, issued an order directing the Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons to issue a National Identity Card (NIC) to a Buddhist Bhikkhuni, recognising her status as a Bhikkhuni instead of ’’Sil Matha’’.

“This time must be different!” IMF First Deputy MD Dr. Gita Gopinath tells SL

Sri Lanka received what can be called a charged address from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday, which declared that the island nation’s recovery from its worst economic crisis in decades must not be wasted.

Sri Lankans braced for price hike at pumps by August

Fuel prices are poised to increase during revisions expected by August because of spikes in the global market as a direct result of the conflict between Israel and Iran, a top official said yesterday.