Rise in child injuries sparks urgent call for safety measures: Health Officials

Health officials have raised concerns over an increase in accidents involving children, calling for immediate safety improvements at home and in public areas, the Health Promotion Bureau said.

High Court rejects preliminary objection in ’Harak Kata’ indictment

The Colombo High Court rejected a preliminary objection raised by the defense, challenging the maintainability of the indictment filed against Nadun Chinthaka, alias ’Harak Kata’ and two other accused, who are charged with conspiring to escape from the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Rapist acquitted on producing marriage certificate

An accused who stood indicted with rape of an underage girl was acquitted by Galle High Court Judge Purnima Paranagama, when the defense informed court that the accused and the victim were married and they are parents of a child.

Human-Elephant Conflict claims over 250 lives in six months

The ongoing human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of 261 individuals both human and animal within the first six months of this year, the Department of Wildlife Conservation revealed.

Two injured in Kandana shooting

Two individuals traveling in a car were injured in a shooting incident reported in Kandana this morning, police said.

Ugandan military helicopter catches fire in deadly Somalia crash

A Ugandan military helicopter crashed and caught fire at the main international airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, killing five people on board.

Microsoft to cut up to 9,000 jobs as it invests in AI

Microsoft has confirmed that it will lay off as many as 9,000 workers, in the technology giant’s latest wave of job cuts this year.

Sanitary napkin distribution for 2025 only via certified institutions

The Sanitary Napkin Distribution Programme for School Girls - 2025 will be carried out exclusively through four officially certified trading institutions this year, the Education Ministry said.

Trump announces trade deal with Vietnam

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US will charge 20% tariffs on imports from Vietnam under a new trade deal reached during last-minute negotiations.

Four dead, dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali

At least four people have died and dozens are missing after a ferry sank off Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali, rescuers said.

’Finally, some relief’’

Due to the lack of sufficient standard sanitary facilities available for the public, as well as the increasing number of local and foreign tourists visiting urban areas daily, the Government has decided to construct proper sanitary facilities, including standard lavatory systems.

African Swine Fever outbreak affects around 67,000 pigs and wild boar

Sri Lanka is grappling with a severe outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious and fatal disease that has affected around 67,000 pigs and wild boars, according to the Government Information Department.

Narcotics peddled at Israelis-run business centres in East

Some Israelis, who are here as tourists, are involved in peddling various types of narcotics in their unauthorized business centres set up in certain pockets of the eastern province, posing a threat to public security, according to reports shared with the tourism authorities.

Sri Lanka face defending champions Malaysia today

Sri Lanka will face defending champions Malaysia today in the semifinal of the 13th Asian Youth Netball Championship. This tournament, featuring 11 countries from across Asia, is being held in South Korea and will continue until July 4.

Fuel price formula, most reasonable methodology currently available: Nalinda

The fuel price formula which was introduced by the previous government is the most reasonable methodology available right now to mete out justice to the people, pay back loans of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and to manage past financial irregularities, Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Infant’s skeleton, toy, school bag unearthed at Chemmani mass grave

An infant’s skeleton, a small toy and a school bag were unearthed when the five and a half days of excavation at the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna was concluded.

Wildlife officers to launch trade union action on July 9

The Wildlife Conservation Officers’ Association (WCOU) today announced that they will start trade union action on July 9 if the government does not increase their risk allowance and meet other demands.

Hasaranga, Mendis guide Sri Lanka to 1-0 lead

The first session of play belonged to Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka who cracked a century for his side to make a modest 244 and in the second sesion spin duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis combined to wreck Bangladesh in pursuit of 245 runs to bundle them out for 167 runs to guide Sri Lanka record a comfortable 77 runs win in the first of the three ODI’s played at the R. Premadasa Stadium today for the host side to take a 1-0 lead.

Head, Nissanka and Pretorius prosper in ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings

Travis Head, Pathum Nissanka and Lhuan-dre Pretorius have all made huge gains in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings after their match-winnings efforts with the bat this past week.

Kahawatte OIC transferred to facilitate probe on recent shooting

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kahawatte Police has been transferred to the Jaffna Police Division to facilitate the investigation into the youth who was shot dead on June 30 in Kahawatte, Police said.

Rajitha Senaratne fails to appear before Bribery Commission, cites illness

Former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who is accused of causing financial losses to the government by allegedly awarding a sand mining project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour to a Korean company without following proper procurement procedures, has informed the Bribery Commission today that he is unable to appear for questioning due to ill health.

Change education system without becoming laughingstock before international community: Sajith

It is high time that Sri Lanka’s education system is changed to be in line with the changing world, without becoming a laughing stock of the international community, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said referring to the incident at the World Economic Forum involving Minister Sunil Handunetti.

Ranil thanks Elon Musk for enabling Starlink in Sri Lanka

Former president Ranil Wickremesinghe has thanked Elon Musk for enabling Starlink satellite internet access for all Sri Lankans.

Education Minister calls for urgent measures to end ragging and violence in universities

Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has called for the formulation of comprehensive recommendations and measures to eradicate ragging, harassment, and all forms of violence within the university system and other higher education institutions.

Trump ramps up Musk feud with deportation threat

The world’s richest person was Trump’s biggest political donor in the 2024 election, and became his inseparable ally during his first months back in the White House as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Company charged for illegal import of medical devices

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) today filed a case before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana against a Bambalapitiya-based company for the unlawful imports of medical devices, including finger-prick blood glucose testing equipment, alcohol-based sanitisers and medical plasters.

CSE ends positive with strong ASPI gains and active market turnover

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded the trading day on a positive note, reaching a new record high, supported by growing investor confidence and increased market activity. Overall sentiment remained upbeat, driven largely by the announcement that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has approved the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Sri Lanka.

MoUs to be signed with four countries on G2G procurement of pharmaceuticals: Nalinda

Four countries inclduing Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Indonesia have already submitted a list of pharmaceuticals to be supplied on government to government arrangements and Sri Lanka will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with these countries soon, Cabinet Spokesman, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Court issues notices on respondents over writ petition against Archchuna

The Court of Appeal today issued formal notices on the respondents over the writ application challenging the eligibility of Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna to serve as a Member of Parliament.

Starlink in Sri Lanka: New pricing and availability details

Following its official launch in Sri Lanka yesterday, Starlink, the satellite-based internet service by SpaceX, has released its pricing options for both residential and business users.