Project launched to upgrade three Mullaitivu sports grounds

A project to develop three sports grounds in the Mullaitivu District to national standards was launched today with the laying of foundation stones under the patronage of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage and Vanni District MP Dr. Sellaththamby Thilakanathan.

Rise in online indirect fraud reported: SLCERT

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has reported an increase in indirect fraud incidents occurring in cyberspace.

Police recover cache of weapons used in deadly Negombo Prison riot

Police have recovered a cache of sharp weapons and makeshift clubs during ongoing investigations into the recent riot at the Negombo Prison, where inmates brutally attacked prison officers.

SJB member arrested for illegal gun possession

An Ambalangoda Pradeshiya Sabha member representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has been arrested by the Galle District Crime Division for allegedly possessing a repeater gun illegally.

Star Sports to air Lanka Premier League Season 6 from July 17

The boundary ropes are going up, and so are expectations. The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is ready to bowl into action, with Star Sports set to bring the tournament to Indian viewers as Sri Lanka’s flagship T20 competition returns from July 17 to August 8.

Minor court judges oppose proposed Constitutional amendment on judges’ retirement age

The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL), the sole organisation representing all District Court Judges and Magistrates in the country, has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposed Constitutional amendment aimed at extending the retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, sources told the Daily Mirror.

South Africa World Cup midfielder Adams dies aged 25

South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, just weeks after featuring for his country at the World Cup.

Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness inadequate due to climate threats: DMC Chief

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Director General Retired Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda has warned that Sri Lanka faces an increased risk of disasters due to climate change and global warming.

Special train services to be introduced for Nallur Festival – Minister

Following criticism over the recent reduction of train services to the Northern Province ahead of the annual Nallur Kandaswamy Temple festival, Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that the Government is planning to introduce special train services to facilitate devotees travelling to major religious festivals.

Asia’s future depends on hope, not birth rates: UNFPA

The future of Asia and the Pacific will be determined not by birth rates or population figures, but by whether young people have reason to hope, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

President’s Fund supports 370 special needs students with Rs. 100,000 grants

The President’s Fund has launched a financial assistance programme to support university students admitted under the special needs category, providing Rs. 100,000 each to 370 students.

Two dead, 19 wounded as Russia strikes Ukraine with missiles, drones

Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones ‌on Saturday, killing two and wounding 19 others, officials said, as Kyiv awaits supplies of air defence munitions after a shortage has left it exposed to Russian attacks.

Speedboat accident in southern Vietnam kills 15 Indian tourists

Fifteen Indian tourists have died after their speedboat capsized near southern Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island.

Government committed to equal access to education for all children: PM

The government is committed to ensuring equal access to education for all children, while transforming the President’s Fund into a truly people-oriented institution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Amber warm weather advisory issued for six districts

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Amber Warm Weather Advisory for Sunday (July 12), warning that the heat index — the temperature felt by the human body — is likely to reach the ’Caution’ level in several parts of the country during the daytime.

Train reaches Kadugannawa for first time since Cyclone Ditwah

A train was operated from Peradeniya Junction Railway Station to Kadugannawa today (11) for the first time since rail operations were disrupted by Cyclone Ditwah.

Government has ensured national security since taking office: Deputy Defence Minister

The government has maintained national security at the highest level since assuming office, adding that while there had been occasional public security issues, they had now been resolved, Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said.

Indian police arrest dozens after violent protests over rape, murder of 11-year-old girl

Indian police said on Friday they had arrested dozens of people for violence and ‌vandalism during protests this week over the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in an eastern state.

Trump says US, Iran agree to continue talks but ceasefire over

President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week but he declared that the ceasefire reached between ‌the two sides last month was over.

President’s fund aids Bandarawela student with monthly scholarship

The President’s Fund has granted a monthly scholarship of Rs. 25,000 to support the medical treatment of a student injured in a laboratory accident at Dharmasoka College, Bandarawela, and the education of her siblings.

All female inmates transferred from Negombo Prison after unrest

All female inmates detained at the Negombo Prison have been transferred to other prisons across the country following the recent unrest that caused extensive damage to the facility.

Ban all tobacco product sales to those born after 2010- SLMA tells President

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and the Expert Committee on Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs have urged the government to introduce a “Tobacco-Free Generation” policy that would prohibit the sale of all tobacco products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2010, warning that continued tobacco use poses a major threat to public health, social wellbeing and the country’s economy.

US $ 2.5Mn cybercrime: Was there any agency involved; CID urged to find

While concluding that US $ 2.5 million loan repayment drama has been a been a fraud which is more or less a cybercrime, the report of the probe carried out by the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has called for a further probe by the law enforcement institutions including Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to determine whether there has been any collusion within the relevant agencies pertaining to the crime.

Rough sea warning for Southern and Western waters

The Department of Meteorology has warned that sea areas extending from Hambantota to Pottuvil and from Mannar to Chilaw via Puttalam are expected to become very rough at times, with strong gusty winds reaching 50–60 kmph.

Committee appointed to probe Negombo Prison damage

A committee has been appointed to investigate the damage caused to property at the Negombo Prison following the recent clash between two groups of inmates

Govt using arrests of young people to divert attention from economic woes: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that the government was using arrests of young people and anti-crime operations to divert public attention from mounting economic difficulties and its failure to fulfil election promises.

Negombo jail violence reaches UN ears

In response to prison riots in Negombo, UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said that the outbreak of deadly violence at the jail and the reports of reprisals against inmates by guards at other prisons are deeply alarming.

Fire brigade emergency hotline unavailable; call 117

The Fire and Rescue Department’s emergency hotline is temporarily out of service, the authorities announced.

Turkish Airlines flight returns to Katunayake after bird strike

A Turkish Airlines flight operating from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul made an emergency return to Katunayake on Saturday after the aircraft was reportedly hit by a bird shortly after take-off.

Judicial retirement age extension move creates discontent - Joint Opposition

Joint Opposition Convener Prof. G.L. Peiris said the government’s proposal to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges through a constitutional amendment would amount to a serious assault on the country’s cherished democratic institutions.