Mexico defeats South Africa 2-0 in the World Cup’s opening match

Mexico kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in style, defeating South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the tournament.

Colombo university medicine faculty unveils 80 kW solar energy project

The Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo has officially launched its 80 kW Mega Batch Solar Energy Project, marking a key step towards institutional sustainability, the Environment Ministry said.

Motor vehicle sale gains exempted from tax under new IRD amendment

Gains arising from the sale of certain motor vehicles will no longer be treated as taxable income under a series of amendments introduced through the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) announced.

Elderly man dies in elephant attack

A 72-year-old man was killed after being attacked by a wild elephant in the Sumedhankara area within the Serunuwara Police Division yesterday (11).

Air testing confirms ’no hazard exists’ at Pentagon after lockdown incident

Normal operations have resumed at the Pentagon after the building was earlier placed on lockdown following the detection of an ’’air quality issue’’ that sent hazardous material (hazmat) response teams to the scene.

Sri Lanka faces AI shake-up as 22.8% of jobs exposed

Nearly one in four Sri Lankan workers are exposed to generative artificial intelligence (AI), with professional and office-based occupations facing the greatest risk of disruption, prompting the government to place AI at the centre of its economic transformation strategy.

China learns to live on less fuel, to the relief of oil markets

Three months into the Iran war, the oil ​market is coming to grips with an unexpected new reality: China, the world’s largest importer, needs much less fuel than previously thought.

Rain likely in several areas after 1 p.m.

Showers or thundershowers are expected at a few places in the Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m. today (12), the Meteorology Department said.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX raises $75bn ahead of record stock market debut

SpaceX has raised $75bn (£56bn) from financial firms ahead of it becoming a publicly traded company on Friday, in what is expected to be the highest-value stock listing in history.

Govt. to launch export blueprint targeting US$ 36bn revenue by 2030

Sri Lanka will next week unveil a five-year national export strategy aimed at nearly doubling export earnings to US$36 billion by 2030, as the government seeks to shift the economy onto a stronger export-led growth path and reduce its dependence on domestic demand and external borrowing.

Tourism industry veteran Hiran Cooray expresses cautious optimism for winter amid bleak summer warnings

As Sri Lanka pursues an ambitious target of 2.5-3 million arrivals this year, Jetwing Hotels Chairman Hiran Cooray expressed cautious optimism for the upcoming winter season while warning of a highly challenging summer.

Health Ministry warns of silent health threat from everyday plastic use

The Health Ministry has issued a strong warning over the growing use of non-standard plastic utensils and food containers, cautioning that long-term exposure could lead to serious health complications.

FIFA World Cup 2026: 10 Best Group Stage Matches to Watch in Sri Lanka

With 104 matches spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, most group stage kickoffs fall in the early hours of the morning in Sri Lankan Standard Time. You cannot watch everything, so the question becomes: which matches are worth setting the alarm for?

Middle East conflict sends global growth to lowest rate since COVID-19

The conflict in the Middle East is expected to slow global growth to the lowest rate since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic amid higher energy prices, steeper inflation, and increased borrowing costs, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects report.

Multiple Pentagon floors locked down, evacuated due to ‘hazardous materials incident’

Multiple floors and corridors inside the Pentagon have been locked down and others are being evacuated due to a “hazardous materials incident,” three sources familiar and the local fire department said.

From almost non-existent two nations to the high and mighty… Biggest World Cup Blasts Off

The best, biggest and most looked forward to football World Cup kicked off in Mexico City today as renowned singer Shakira struck the vocal cords with the official song titled Dai Dai, an Italian expression meaning “come on, come on” after which the host Mexico played against South Africa in the curtain raiser. As many as 11 cities will also host matches in the USA with Canada showcasing two host cities and Mexico three.

Schools rugby league heats up in week 2

The 2026 Schools Rugby League Tournament moves into its second round this weekend, with several blockbuster encounters set to light up the Division ‘A’ competition.

El Niño under way and threatens weather extremes, scientists say

El Niño - the natural Pacific weather pattern that pushes up global temperatures - has officially begun, US scientists say.

CSE extends decline as middle east concerns weigh on investor confidence

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its losses on Thursday, with both benchmark indices closing lower as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to dampen investor sentiment. Persistent geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over its potential economic implications kept investors on the sidelines, resulting in subdued trading activity and broad-based selling pressure across the market.

Coroner arrested in Ragama over Rs. 100,000 bribe

A Coroner attached to the Ragama (North Colombo) Teaching Hospital has been arrested by investigative officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

UK defence minister quits, plunging PM Starmer deeper into leadership crisis

British defence ​minister John Healey quit on Thursday in a dispute over military spending, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to commit the resources that are needed ‌to keep the country safe from heightened threats.

Trump says US will hit Iran ’very hard tonight’, wants control of energy infrastructure

President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would hit Iran ’’very hard tonight’’ and wanted at some point to take Iran’s oil infrastructure hub Kharg Island, after tit-for-tat strikes ​in the Gulf undermined a shaky ceasefire.

Owner of fire-gutted elders’ home granted bail

The Horana Magistrate’s Court today (11) ordered the release on bail of the owner of the ’’Mawpiya Sewana Senehase Kädella’’ elders’ home in Batagoda, Horana, who had been arrested and remanded in custody following a recent fire at the facility.

India says US hit another ship off Oman, confirms 3 dead in separate attack

Three Indian sailors are confirmed killed as the country reports a separate incident involving a vessel ⁠⁠off Shinas port in Oman, the third attack linked to the United States this week.

MRIA investment project EOI deadline extended until July 9

The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the “Project of Investments to Utilize Resources of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA)” has been extended until July 9, 2026, offering prospective investors additional time to participate in one of Sri Lanka’s key aviation development initiatives.

’System change’ promise unfulfilled, says Stalin

Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin has alleged that the present government, despite coming to power promising systemic change, is no different from previous administrations when it comes to the education sector.

SLPP’s Cassilingam urges for better Jaffna train timings to improve connectivity

While welcoming the resumption of the long-awaited Colombo–Jaffna train services, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Jaffna District Organizer Geethanath Cassilingam has urged authorities to address concerns over inconvenient train schedules and difficulties faced by the public in obtaining tickets.

UN humanitarian plan for cyclone Ditwah concludes, reaches 575,000 people

The United Nations’ Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) launched to assist communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah was officially concluded at a ceremony held in Colombo this morning (11), attended by Commissioner General of Essential Services and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche.

Illegal canned fish factory raided in Arachchikattuwa

A canned fish manufacturing facility operating without the required licence from the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) was raided in Arachchikattuwa today (June 11).

Faiszer Musthapha acknowledged by world-renowned artist

Sri Lankan-born international entertainer Alston Koch has expressed gratitude to former Minister Faiszer Musthapha for the support extended to him during his efforts to promote Sri Lanka on the global stage.