UN Human rights chief urges domestic mechanism in line with international norms

The visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Tuesday called for the establishment of a domestic mechanism to address human rights violations in Sri Lanka—one that adheres to international standards and principles.

UN Human rights Chief meets NPP leaders

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk met with the leaders of the National People’s Power (NPP) at the JVP headquarters in Battaramulla where they dscussed the repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and look into the missing persons.

Sri Lanka to tour Zimbabwe for white-ball series

Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed that Sri Lanka will tour the country to contest in ODIs and T20Is.

Govt. to import 40,000 MTs of substitute rice

The Food Policy and Security Committee has recommended the import of 40,000 metric tonnes of substitute rice for Keeri Samba.

Supreme leader, in first appearance since ceasefire, says Iran would strike back if attacked

Iran would respond to any future U.S. attack by striking American military bases in the Middle East, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday, in his first televised remarks since a ceasefire was reached between Iran and Israel.

New cargo flight service launched between Kunming and BIA

A new cargo flight service between Kunming, China and Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) commenced operations with its maiden flight yesterday.

CMC PHIs withdraw from dengue control work for a week over exam dispute

Chief Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) attached to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) have decided to withdraw from the dengue eradication programmes within the CMC area for one week, following a dispute over the rejection of exam application.

Salt imports cause delays as container backlog grows to 2,500

The Sri Lanka Customs announced that delays in clearing cargo, mainly due to a spike in salt imports, are increasing as daily container arrivals have risen from 1,200 to 2,500.

C.I.B. Big City fined Rs. 1 mn for selling bottled water exceeding controlled price

A private business outlet in Maharaga (C.I.B. Big City) was fined Rs. 1 million by the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court today for selling bottled water exceeding the controlled price.

Indictments filed against Keheliya Rambukwella and his family members

The Bribery Commission filed indictments with 43 charges agianst former Media, Health and Environment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and five other family members.

Former Health Ministry Secretary arrested

Former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta was arrested today by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) after providing a statement.

Bus fare revision to be announced following fuel price adjustment

The National Transport Commission (NTC) says the annual bus fare revision will be announced after considering the fuel price revision scheduled for July 1.

Maj. Gen. Kapila Dolage appointed Army Chief of Staff

Major General Kapila Dolage of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers has been appointed as the 67th Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, effective today (26 June 2025).

Indictments filed against Keheliya Rambukwella, 11 others

The Attorney General today filed indictments before the High Court Trial-at-Bar in Colombo against former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 others accused in connection with the investigation into the purchase of substandard human immunoglobulin.

Iranian Ambassador meets Vijitha

The Ambassador of Iran Dr. Alireza Delkhosh called on Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to brief him on the latest situation in the region.

Sri Lankan engineer Meriesha Fonseka joins Airbus Wichita Facility Team

Airbus has spotlighted Meriesha Fonseka, a talented Sri Lankan engineer, as part of their single-aisle wing design team at the company’s Wichita Engineering Facility in the United States.

Mass shooting in gang-plagued Mexican state leaves 11 dead and more injured

At least 11 people were killed, including a teenager, and more wounded in a Tuesday night shooting in the central Mexican city of Irapuato, authorities said on Wednesday.

Nine DIGs, 16 SSPs among transferred senior Police officers

Thirty-two senior police officers, including nine Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and 16 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), have been transferred with immediate effect, the Police said.

Sri Lankan Kottu, Vatalappam added to Oxford English Dictionary

Sri Lanka’s rich culinary and cultural heritage has received global recognition as several locally popular words have been officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in its June 2025 update.

Solar power generators challenge tariff reduction in court

A group of solar power generators has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, challenging the government’s decision to reduce the tariff paid per unit of electricity generated by the rooftop solar panels.

Railway technicians launch 24-hour token strike over overtime pay issue

Railway technicians and technician assistants launched a 24-hour token strike from 7.00 a.m. today (26) in protest over an unresolved overtime payment issue.

Two youths attempting to flee to Italy with forged passports caught at BIA

Two Sri Lankan youths attempting to travel to Italy using forged Indian passports were arrested by the Immigration and Emigration Border Surveillance Unit officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night.

Athletes return home with 11 medals

The Sri Lanka athletics team, which concluded a successful tour by winning 11 medals at the Thailand Open Athletic Championship 2025, is scheduled to return to Sri Lanka today. The meet was held in Bangkok from June 21 to 25.

SL must go well beyond IMF programme: Prof. Sally

Sri Lanka could miss a once-in-a-generation opportunity to plug into the fast-growing supply chains of southern India – that is unless the island nation pushes through market-opening reforms that go “well beyond” its current International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, leading international economist Prof. Razeen Sally warned this week.

Hundreds of vehicles stranded as Sri Lanka Customs enforces decade-old import rule

Hundreds of vehicles are stranded at the port, with hundreds more on the way, after Sri Lanka Customs abruptly halted the clearance of vehicles imported under cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs) starting May 26 , this year.

Deputy Minister accused of influencing police in assault case of UNP CMC member

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Talatha Athukorala has alleged that a Deputy Minister attempted to influence police regarding the recent assault on Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) member Sandamali Uluwitage.

Rs.100, 000 bribe, former land officer landed in jail for 22 years

The Colombo High Court yesterday sentenced a retired land officer to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs.30,000, after finding him guilty of soliciting a bribe of Rs.100,000 to issue a permit for cutting trees on a land within the Mahaweli Zone in Thambuttegama.

CSE continues positive momentum as Middle East tensions ease

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a strong positive note today, continuing the upward momentum observed yesterday following the ceasefire announcement between Iran and Israel. Both the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the S&P SL20 Index recorded significant gains, reflecting improved investor sentiment.

Trump declares Iran ’victory for everybody’ despite doubts over damage

U.S. President Donald Trump revelled in the swift end to war between Iran and Israel, saying he now expected a relationship with Tehran that would preclude rebuilding its nuclear programme despite uncertainty over damage inflicted by U.S. strikes.

U.S. and Iranian officials will talk next week with war over, says Trump

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that U.S. and Iranian officials will talk next week, continuing a dialogue that was interrupted by the recent war between Israel and Tehran, while a fragile ceasefire appeared to be holding.