Education Ministry to reduce class sizes to 25–30 students

The Education Ministry aims to reduce the number of students in a classroom to between 25 and 30, as delivering quality education is not possible in overcrowded classrooms of 50 or 60 students, Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Minister Herath engages Indian film stars to strengthen local cinema and tourism

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath met with Indian actor and producer Ravi Mohan and singer Keneesha Francis today at the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka.

SJB MP’s son arrested in Mathugama

The son of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Withana has been arrested by the Panadura Walana Anti-Vice Unit in Mathugama..

Shah Rukh Khan injured while filming for King, flown to US for treatment: report

Shah Rukh Khan has suffered a back injury on the sets of his upcoming film, King. The actor, who was last seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki, has been working on his next film with director Siddharth Anand and was reportedly shooting in Mumbai when the injury happened.

Businessman, Excise officer arrested in pre-dawn nightclub showdown with revolver shooting

A businessman and an Excise officer involved in a pre-dawn showdown outside a nightclub in Thalawathugoda while firing rounds from a revolver were arrested today by the Thalangama Police.

Hatton railway station in darkness amid fuel shortage

The Hatton Railway Station continues to remain in darkness at night due to a lack of fuel for its backup generator, despite repeated requests to the Railway Department, officials said.

Trump says he thinks 5 jets were shot down in India-Pakistan hostilities

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday up to five jets were shot down during recent India-Pakistan hostilities that began after an April Islamist militant attack in India-administered Kashmir, with the situation calming after a ceasefire in May.

Bus carrying 20 Sri Lankan workers catches fire in Israel

A bus transporting 20 Sri Lankan youth employed in Israel’s agricultural sector caught fire yesterday morning near Kiryat Malakhi, Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel said.

Over 1,000 calls received to adopt abandoned baby in Mawathagama

More than 1,000 phone calls have been received from individuals expressing interest in adopting the two-day-old baby girl who was found abandoned under a tree in a paddy field in Paragahadeniya, Mawathagama, police said.

Police face scrutiny amid wave of misconduct, sexual abuse and bribery allegations

In the wake of a series of serious violations involving police officers, including sexual abuse, discreditable conduct, and corrupt practices, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered strict disciplinary action against any officers found guilty.

Wimalasurendra reservoir sluice gates opened following heavy rainfall

The sluice gates of the Wimalasurendra Reservoir were opened this morning (19) after heavy rainfall in its catchment areas caused the reservoir to overflow, the Nuwara Eliya Disaster Management Centre announced.

Nepal bans Telegram

Nepal has banned the messaging app Telegram, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering, the country’s telecom regulator said on Friday.

Man who jumped from edge of space dies paragliding

Felix Baumgartner, who once broke the world record for the highest skydive by jumping from the edge of space, has died in a motorised paragliding accident in Italy.

Sri Lanka revises maximum financing limits for vehicles

The Central Bank issued fresh guidelines to the banks, finance companies and leasing establishments, outlining the new upper limits for loans and lease facilities granted to purchase vehicles, while removing the preferential high limit assigned for electric vehicles (EVs), effective from July 18.

Heavy rain and strong winds expected in several areas today: Met Department

The Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre has issued a weather advisory warning of heavy rain and strong winds across several parts of the country today (19).

Sri Lanka set to pay Rs.300-500 million to Adani

Sri Lanka is set to pay Rs.300-500 million to India’s Adani Company for initial costs sustained by it in terms of the two renewable energy projects, a top source said.

Millaniya Industrial City to be developed as Eco-Friendly Zone: Minister Abesinghe

The government has taken steps to develop the Millaniya Industrial City in the Kalutara District as an environmentally sustainable industrial zone, with a strong focus on protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for surrounding communities, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chaturanga Abesinghe said.

Economics and entrepreneurship must be rooted in humanity: Harini

Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today said that economics and entrepreneurship should be built on a foundation of human values, rather than driven purely by monetary gain. She highlighted the importance of the “care economy” as a powerful example of this human-centered approach.

Tourists to get temporary driving licences at airport from August

The Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry has announced that, starting in August, foreign tourists will be able to obtain temporary driving licences directly at the airport upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

Brazil’s former president ordered to wear electronic ankle monitor

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been ordered to wear an ankle monitor, his press office said on Friday.

’’Mandala by Ransirini’’ art exhibition

Opposition threaten legal action over unfair appointment of Special Commissioners to Local Bodies

The government’s plan to vest certain dysfunctional local bodies under special commissioners has sparked controversy, with opposition parties threatening legal action if such measures are implemented unfairly.

Kite flying near airports banned within 5km radius: AASL warns

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd (AASL) has warned the public not to fly kites or any other objects above 300 feet near international airports, saying it is dangerous and illegal.

Spike in schoolgirl pregnancies prompts urgent action: Minister Saroja Paulraj

Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj has raised alarm over a recent surge in pregnancies among school-aged girls, calling for immediate and comprehensive education on sexual health and responsibility.

CSE rebounds firmly as investor interest picks up

The Colombo Stock Exchange sustained its positive momentum throughout the trading session today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) climbing 96.85 points (+0.51%) to close at 18,973.70, while the S&P SL20 rose by 26.50 points (+0.47%) to end at 5,655.43.

Over 20 Indian nationals arrested in online gambling racket

Twenty-one Indian nationals were arrested in connection with an online gambling racket, following a raid by officers from the Investigation Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

'Jathika Maha Kala Mangallaya'

CA overturns death sentence of 80-year-old woman in 1993 murder case

The Court of Appeal has set aside the conviction and death sentence imposed by the Hambantota High Court on an 80-year-old woman for a murder committed in 1993.

Air India captain may have shut off fuel ahead of deadly crash: Reports

Dialogue heard on a cockpit voice recording indicates that the captain of the Air India flight that crashed in June, killing 260 people, may have turned off the fuel just after takeoff, prompting the first officer to panic, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with U.S. official’s early assessment.

Galle Face Hotel says no order of kitchen closure by CMC; guests’ safety a priority

Following the Daily Mirror article on the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) visit to Galle Face Hotel, the Hotel, in a statement, said that there had been no order to close their kitchen by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) or any other regulatory authority, and that they remained focused on providing a safe and comfortable environment for every guest.