Sri Lanka launches major tourism push in China to boost arrivals

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing, with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), successfully hosted a Sri Lanka Tourism Briefing and Networking Reception on 8 June 2026, bringing together over 120 representatives from China’s travel trade, media, tourism investment sector, airlines, content creation industry, and the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

US-Iran to sign a ‘peace deal’ on Friday

Iran and the United States have agreed to a memorandum of understanding to end more than 100 days of war, with Tehran saying the agreement includes Lebanon, which has been under intense Israeli attacks since March 2.

2,844 abandoned houses to be rebuilt under housing programme

The National Housing Authority has allocated funds for the reconstruction of 2,844 abandoned houses in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

India A incur 10-run penalty for running on the pitch

India A were handed a 10-run penalty in their tri-series clash against Sri Lanka A on Monday (June 15) after Vipraj Nigam was found running through the protected area of the pitch twice despite the team having been previously warned.

Two arrested for selling sambar deer meat in Bogawanthalawa

Two suspects were arrested by the Bogawanthalawa Police today (15) for allegedly killing a sambar deer that was roaming in the Chapleton Estate in the Bogawanthalawa area and selling its meat.

Hadapanagala corridor cleared for elephants

The government has cleared the Hadapanagala elephant corridor as part of a national programme aimed at providing a sustainable solution to Sri Lanka’s long-standing human-elephant conflict.

Russian attack sets fire to centuries-old religious site in Kyiv and kills 5 in Kharkiv

A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine killed five rescuers in Kharkiv and wounded at least 20 people in the capital Kyiv on Monday as strikes set apartment buildings ablaze and sparked a fire at one of the country’s most significant religious landmarks.

Expired rabies vaccine claim sparks fresh controversy; Health Secretary yet to respond

A fresh controversy has erupted over allegations that expired rabies (hydrophobia) vaccines were administered to patients, with Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa questioning the continued silence of the Health Secretary and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) on the matter.

Gold prices surge in Sri Lanka

Gold prices in Sri Lanka have risen sharply following a significant increase in global gold rates, which have climbed to around USD 4,325 in international markets.

ETC users get 10% toll discount on expressway

Motorists using the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway receive a 10% discount on the standard toll fee while enjoying faster passage through dedicated toll lanes, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said.

UK to ban social media for under-16s to ‘give kids their childhood back’

The U.K. will ban social media from offering services to under-16s, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, as governments around the world face mounting pressure to ensure child safety online.

Four tourists arrested over incident inside Yala National Park

Four individuals, including the driver of a private tourist vehicle, were arrested following an incident inside the Yala National Park after a collision with a safari jeep at the Yala Junction on June 12.

Norwegian crown princess’s son found guilty of two counts of rape

Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been found guilty of two counts of rape and given four years in prison.

US, Iran dialogue humanity’s greatest strength: Sajith

The reported breakthrough between the United States and Iran is a reminder that dialogue remains humanity’s greatest strength, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said while highlighting the need for the continuation of peace.

Sri Lankan Rupee strengthens against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan Rupee strengthened against the US Dollar today (15) after several days of depreciation, according to the latest exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Amber alert issued for rough seas

The Department of Meteorology has warned of deteriorating sea conditions off parts of Sri Lanka’s southern and southeastern coast, issuing an Amber advisory for strong winds and rough seas.

Parents urged to stay alert as multiple diseases spread among children

Parents should remain vigilant as several diseases are currently spreading among children across the country, Specialist Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Colombo said.

Trump celebrates 80th birthday with Iran deal and UFC cage fight

Trump delayed his attendance to the French region of Evian where leaders of the Group of Seven – or G7 – are set to meet to host his UFC fight birthday event.

Horror house publicity stunt goes wrong in Thoduwawa

A heightened security alert in several areas prompted the police to launch an immediate inquiry on Sunday after an ominous poster appeared near a church on the coastal road in Thoduwawa, Marawila.

Sri Lanka Navy launches publication on island’s seafaring glory

The Strategic Studies and Doctrinal Development Unit (SS&DDU) of the Sri Lanka Navy officially launched its new publication, ‘Sri Lanka’s Maritime Heritage and Historical Significance,’ at the Navy Headquarters. At the invitation of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, the event was graced by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

Badulla Bar Association urges President not to increase retirement age of Superior Court Judges

The Badulla Bar Association has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to proceed with any proposed constitutional amendment aimed at increasing the retirement age of members of the judiciary, including judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

No more paddy cultivation unless prices are increased, farmers warn

Paddy cultivators in the Rajarata region yesterday warned that they would abandon paddy cultivation from the next Maha season unless the guaranteed price for paddy was increased.

Man arrested with ornaments made of animal body parts

A jeweller who turned out ornaments with tusks, teeth, deer horns and bones was arrested and a stock of ornaments seized by a team of wildlife officers from Bulathkohupitiya and Kurunegala wildlife offices during a raid in Bulathkohupitiya area.

Minister Lal Kantha owns two luxury houses in Colombo: Chamara

The joint opposition which came up with a number of fresh allegations against the present government, yesterday said Minister K. D. Lal Kantha owns two luxury houses in Kaduwela and Maharagama.

El Niño puts Sri Lanka on alert, but severe impact unlikely

Sri Lanka is unlikely to experience severe impacts from the developing El Niño weather phenomenon, although hotter and drier conditions are expected in the coming months, climate experts and meteorological officials said.

UK MP appeals for urgent review of deportation order against Lankan family

A British Parliamentarian has urged the UK Government to intervene in the case of a Sri Lankan family facing deportation, arguing that they have become valued members of their local community through their work and public service.

Middle East crisis hits health sector; pharmaceutical prices set to rise

The prices of pharmaceuticals supplied by local manufacturers under buy back agreements with the Health Ministry are slated to increase by 12.5 percent from next month, an official said yesterday.

Treasury and CPC weigh options on fuel prices as Rs. 57 Bn fuel allocation nears exhaustion

The government is considering maintaining current domestic fuel prices without implementing an increase, even after the existing state subsidy concludes, provided that the current downward trend in the global oil market remains steady.

Sri Lanka’s economy will crash soon: Ranil

Sri Lanka’s economy has begun to crash and one will be able see a complete crash before long, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Rs. 13.2 bn fraud systemic failure of institutional governance: Harsha

The Rs. 13 billion fraud for which National Development Bank (NDB) is involved is a catastrophic failure of institutional governance, Chairman Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Chairman Harsha de Silva said.