Rs. 200 mn allocated to boost women entrepreneurship under 2026 budget

The Women and Child Affairs Ministry has launched a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women from economically disadvantaged communities through entrepreneurship development, with Rs. 200 million allocated under the 2026 Budget for a dedicated Women Empowerment Program.

Energy storage systems to be introduced to optimise renewable power use: PM

The government plans to introduce energy storage systems to ensure the optimal utilisation of renewable energy in Sri Lanka’s power sector, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament.

Sri Lanka targets 10% entrepreneurship rate by 2030: Minister

Sri Lanka aims to significantly expand its entrepreneurship base, with the government setting an ambitious target to raise the country’s entrepreneurship rate from the current 3.2 percent to 10 percent by 2030, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetthi said.

12-hour water cut in Mahara and Gampaha for central expressway pipe relocation

Water supply will be temporarily suspended for 12 hours from 7.00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, to 7.00 a.m. on Friday (12), due to essential maintenance work linked to the relocation of water pipes for the Central Expressway construction, the National Water Supply and Dranage Board (NWSDB) said.

Sri Lanka–Japan UNDP project to aid cyclone Ditwah recovery for over 900,000 people

Around 228,500 people will benefit directly, while a further 700,000 are expected to gain indirect benefits through improved services and strengthened local waste management systems under a new Sri Lanka–Japan recovery initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Fire drill in Taichung

Firms charged with manslaughter over deadly Hong Kong fire

Hong Kong authorities have charged two companies and seven people over the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk housing complex last November.

Sri Lanka to inaugurate first boat launching ramp to boost marine industry

The Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, which is driving initiatives to strengthen Sri Lanka’s emerging boat and boat-related manufacturing sector, will inaugurate the country’s first-ever Boat Launching Ramp tomorrow (11).

Court orders five-member medical board to examine Suresh Sallay

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered that a report be submitted to the court on July 1 after a five-member medical board comprising three specialist psychiatrists and two Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) examines whether former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay, who is currently being detained and questioned under detention orders over the Easter Sunday terror attacks,

Satyagraha opposing detention of Suresh Sallay called off

The Satyagraha staged opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station in protest against the detention of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, has been called off.

BYD chairman says firm will be world’s biggest automaker in 5 years as shares slide

Wang Chuanfu, chairman of BYD , on Tuesday said he expected the Chinese firm to become the world’s largest automaker within five years, as he sought to ​reassure investors following a steep decline in the company’s share price.

31,000 premises inspected in dengue drive; 1,864 found with larvae

The Health and Mass Media Ministry has reported significant mosquito breeding risks across the country as part of its ongoing three-day national dengue control programme, with inspections revealing widespread concerns in homes, workplaces, and public institutions.

Railway union warns of wider disruptions over ongoing 48-hour strike

The Railway Controllers’ Union has warned authorities not to take the ongoing 48-hour trade union action lightly, cautioning of wider disruptions if the railway work stoppage continues.

Pakistani airstrikes kill at least 13 in Afghanistan, Taliban says

At ​least 13 people were killed, including 11 children, ‌after Pakistan’s military launched air strikes in three Afghan provinces, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Wednesday, in ​a renewal of a conflict that has killed ​hundreds this year.

Bribery Commission arrests Shan Wijayalal over chair procurement scam

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former Chief Minister of the Southern Province Shan Wijayalal De Silva over corruption allegations today.

Keeping Dengue at bay

Man arrested for stealing temple studio equipment

A suspect who broke into a recording studio at the Maduluwawa Sri Sudharmarama Temple in Padukka and stole computers and recording equipment worth around Rs. 1.5 million has been arrested by Padukka Police.

Sri Lanka now second most peaceful in South Asia: Report

The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) has released its 20th annual Global Peace Index (GPI) report for 2026, revealing that Sri Lanka achieved the largest percentage improvement in peacefulness within the South Asia region.

Senior DIG seeks court order to prevent arrest over Easter Sunday probe

Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Waruna Jayasundara has filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest without probable cause in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Fishermen warned of rough seas

The Department of Meteorology has warned of very rough sea conditions and strong winds in several coastal areas around Sri Lanka.

Air Canada pilot accused of flying for 17 years without proper licence

A former airline pilot in Canada has been arrested for allegedly flying hundreds of flights without a proper licence for nearly 17 years.

Twelve killed in mass shooting in Johannesburg, police say

At least 12 people have been killed in a mass shooting in an area of Johannesburg, police in South Africa say.

Rupee strengthens against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee recorded a notable appreciation against the US Dollar across several commercial banks today (10), compared to Tuesday, with the selling rate falling below Rs. 336 at some banks.

Central Bank issues new rules on export earnings conversion

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued an updated regulatory framework governing the repatriation and mandatory conversion of export proceeds, according to an Extraordinary Gazette notification.

Some Opposition MPs are brainless: Speaker

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, who lost his cool today, accused that some Opposition MPs are brainless.

NASA taps US astronauts, Italian for Artemis mission with SpaceX, Blue Origin mooncraft

NASA named three U.S. astronauts and an Italian astronaut on Tuesday to serve as the crew for its next Artemis mission, a spacecraft docking demonstration in Earth’s orbit next year that ​will test moon landers from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin for the first time in space.

Speaker threatens to remove MP Sujeewa Senasinghe from chambers

In the midst of a heated argument over Standing Orders pertaining to raising questions, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today threatened to have MP Sujeewa Senasinghe removed from the chambers.

Kuwait restricts domestic worker recruitment to 10 countries including Sri Lanka

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has issued a new circular restricting the recruitment of domestic workers to 10 approved countries, while banning recruitment from 27 others, as part of updated regulations governing the domestic labour sector, local media reported.

President Anura congratulates Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected PM

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended warm congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister in the history of India.

Provincial Council elections will be held only after amending electoral system: Harini

Ruling out the possibility of holding the Provincial Council elections under the proportional representation system, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today that the polls will be held only after introducing a new electoral system.