FIFA to support construction of international football stadium in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is set to receive FIFA support for the construction of a new international football stadium in Negombo, a move expected to strengthen the country’s sports tourism sector and football infrastructure, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath said yesterday.

Kane Williamson retires from international cricket

New Zealand’s most prolific all-format run-scorer and widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest-ever batters, Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

Committee appointed to oversee SriLankan Airlines restructuring

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a high-level committee to carry out a strategic review and restructuring of SriLankan Airlines, aiming to establish a more financially sustainable and commercially efficient national carrier.

Attorney General withdraws move to call judge as witness

The Attorney General gave an undertaking before the Court of Appeal that an Awissawella High Court judge would not be called as a witness before the Colombo High Court in relation to judicial decisions made in the course of his official duties.

Colombo declared high-risk as special dengue control week announced

A special dengue control week will be launched across the Colombo District from June 15 to 21 amid concerns over the rapid spread of the disease, with health authorities identifying Colombo as a high-risk district.

Sri Lanka on the brink of climate whiplash: Sajith

Sri Lanka is on the brink of a climate whiplash as it will be hit by extreme El Nino conditions soon, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.

What Do Sri Lankan Fans Think? Ranking the Top Contenders for the FIFA World Cup 2026

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, Sri Lankan football fans remain divided over who will lift the trophy. A Daily Mirror poll found no clear favourite, with support spread across Spain, France, Argentina, Portugal, England and Brazil.

Denied a US visa to watch the World Cup? Have a free TV, says Argentine company

Dozens of Argentines who were denied ​visas to travel to the United States to ‌see the World Cup will at least have a new free television to watch the games.

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule in Sri Lankan Standard Time

Stay updated with the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule in Sri Lankan Standard Time (SLST), including all match fixtures, kickoff times, and key games. This complete guide helps Sri Lankan football fans follow every match live, from late-night kickoffs to early morning clashes. Plan your viewing and never miss a moment of the World Cup 2026 action from Sri Lanka.

Rupee weakens further against USD

The Sri Lankan rupee weakened further against the US dollar today (12), with several commercial banks recording higher exchange rates compared to Thursday.

Ex-South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to 30 years in jail over Pyongyang drone plot

A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison on Friday over charges linked to military drones sent over Pyongyang to help create a pretext for his failed December 2024 martial law declaration, Yonhap reported.

Defence Ministry fast-tracks veteran welfare

Deputy Minister of Defence, Aruna Jayasekara, chaired a special discussion at the Parliament Complex aimed at accelerating welfare assistance for Tri-Forces and Police personnel, including members of the Special Task Force (STF), who sustained disabilities due to terrorist activities during the country’s conflict.

Ragama Hospital equipment restored, saving millions

The Ministry of Science and Technology said that medical and technological equipment worth nearly Rs. 3 million at the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital in Ragama, which had been out of service for several years, was repaired and refurbished for less than Rs. 5,000 by engineers from the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT).

Former Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva granted bail

Former Southern Province Chief Minister and another suspect, who are accused of misusing public funds by distributing chairs to Southern Provincial Council members outside the government procurement process ahead of a Provincial Council election, were ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Diplomats gather in Colombo for Hail and Farewell Reception 2026

Ambassador of Indonesia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Dewi Gustina Tobing, in her capacity as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, hosted the annual Hail and Farewell Diplomatic Reception 2026 in Colombo, bringing together Heads of Mission and their spouses accredited to Sri Lanka.

Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association backs BASL, opposes judicial retirement age amendment

The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association (CLA) has extended its full support to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) over its opposition to a proposed Constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the retirement age of apex court judges, urging the Sri Lankan authorities not to proceed with the proposed changes.

‘Proposals on table, ball in Sri Lanka’s court’ – Envoy

In reference to the planned move to purchase oil from Russia, Russian Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan said that his country’s proposals are now on the table, but the ball is in Sri Lanka’s court.

Backlog of 1.1 million court cases in Sri Lanka : MP

There is a backlog of 1.1 million court cases in Sri Lanka, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Hiruni Wijesinghe told Parliament.

High blood pressure a major cause of serious diseases: Specialist

High blood pressure is one of the main factors contributing to a range of serious diseases in the human body, Specialist Physician Suranga Manilgama has said.

U.S. Navy Littoral combat ship USS Canberra arrives in Colombo

The U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, USS Canberra (LCS 30), arrived at the Port of Colombo today , marking the fourth U.S. littoral combat ship to visit Sri Lanka and reaffirming the strong maritime partnership between the two nations.

Education reforms needed to reduce student stress, Experts warn

Health authorities have raised concerns over a rising trend of depression among schoolchildren, with reports indicating that six out of every ten children are experiencing severe depressive symptoms.

Officers accused of failing to stop Easter Attacks now investigating Sallay- President’s Counsel

Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General Suresh Sallay through his lawyer yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that senior police officers including Shani Abeysekera and Ravi Seneviratne who had been identified by several investigations as having failed to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks are now leading investigations against him.

Underworld turning to homemade guns as raids drain weapon supplies

Sri Lanka’s criminal underworld is increasingly relying on locally manufactured firearms and imitation weapons as sustained police operations continue to reduce access to military-grade firearms.

West Indies defeat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in T20 opener

The West Indies secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening T20 International at Sabina Park, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

SriLankan UL606 turns back to Colombo due to adverse weather

SriLankan Airlines has confirmed that Flight UL606, which departed from Colombo to Sydney at 00:05 hrs today (12 June), returned to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) following an operational occurrence encountered amid adverse weather conditions.

El Nino to hit Sri Lanka’s power generation

Amidst various forecasts regarding the impact of the El Nino phenomenon expected to hit Sri Lanka in the coming months, Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka said yesterday that the Ministry of Energy has forecast that the impact of the El Nino phenomenon could result in the reduction of 127 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in the national grid in the coming months.

NCPA receives 287 complaints of children forced into begging in 2025

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) says it received 516 complaints related to child labour and child exploitation in the first part of 2025. Most of these cases are about children being forced to beg.

Sri Lanka on brink of dengue epidemic

Sri Lanka faces a high risk of a dengue epidemic as infections continue to rise sharply across the country, with nearly 39,000 cases reported so far this year and thousands of mosquito breeding sites detected during a nationwide eradication drive, health experts warned.

Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies after more than three years in coma

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who has been in a coma for more than three years, has died, the royal household has announced. She was 47.

Iran says no final decision made on deal that Trump hopes could be signed soon

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States and Iran could sign a peace deal as soon as this weekend that ​would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, but Iran countered that it had not reached a final decision on an agreement.