Boy, 13, dies during World Cup celebrations in Spain

A 13-year-old boy was killed after part of a fountain collapsed in Salamanca province, northwestern Spain, during the country’s World Cup victory celebrations.

People forced to bear burden of poverty despite ’Wealthy Country’ vision: Patali

People are being forced to bear the burden of poverty despite the government’s vision of creating a wealthy country, United Republic Front (UNF) Leader Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

India approves its first dengue vaccine QDENGA after DCGI clearance

India has approved its first dengue vaccine, with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granting market authorisation to vaccine QDENGA, developed by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India.

Supreme Court dismisses petition challenging gender identity circulars

A Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of Government circulars permitting individuals to change their gender identity through medical procedures was today dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Dozens feared dead in Guyana after ferry carrying 133 people capsizes

A passenger ferry carrying at least 133 people has capsized off the coast of Guyana, with rescue teams saving 67 people as they searched to find dozens more still missing at sea.

AG to file District Court cases over Rs. 6 billion liquor tax default

The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that it will institute action before the District Court to recover the tax arrears owed by liquor manufacturing companies.

Over 160 MOH areas declared high-risk zones as dengue cases top 76,000

Sri Lanka has reported 76,044 dengue cases so far this year, with the disease continuing to spread rapidly across the country, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said.

Applications open for National Police Commission: Here is how to apply

The Constitutional Council has called for fresh applications from qualified individuals to be considered for appointment as Members of the National Police Commission (NPC), with vacancies existing in the Commission and one additional vacancy expected to arise.

Iran says two oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz exploded and immobilised

U.S. forces hit Iran for a ninth consecutive day on Monday as concerns grew over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran said ‌two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised.

No ban on religious pilgrimages: Labour Ministry

The Ministry of Labour has rejected as false social media claims alleging that Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando had proposed banning religious pilgrimages to Dambadiva and Thailand.

India’s cockroach protesters set to march to parliament

Thousands of students, parents, activists and political leaders are set to march to the Indian parliament following a call from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for reforms in the education system.

One killed over a brawl after cattle destroy vegetable cultivation

A person has been killed over a brawl in Hungama after a brawl he had with another person after his cattle destroyed the vegetable cultivation belonging to the latter.

Soap labels must show product name, fat content

The government has issued an Extraordinary Gazette making it mandatory for soap manufacturers and importers to display specific information on the packaging of soap products sold in Sri Lanka.

Weapons recovered from ASP’s residence

A stock of arms including three live hand grenades and swords were recovered from the house of an ASP at Nattaranpotha in Kandy. A police team from Kandy police carried out the raid and seized the weapons on information provided by the ASPs wife to a senior police official in Kandy.

Large scale scam behind liquor bottle sticker production : COPF chief

There is a large scale scam behind the liquor bottle production and it’s worth eight times more than the amount which is spent annually for the Suwaseriya ambulance scheme, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance Harsha de Silva said.

Residents of Katunayake protest against proposed cement factory

Residents of the area yesterday staged protest last morning against the proposed cement factory at the 18th Kilometer post on the Colombo- Katunayake road in close proximity to the International Airport.They pointed out that the Central Environment Authority had approved the building plan on December 12, 2020 for a tourist hotel and by the Urban Development Authority on December 25, 2025.

UNP Local government member arrested for harassing a female shop owner

A United National Party (UNP) local government member was arrested for harassing a female shop owner in Nikaweratiya over the weekend.

Two killed, four injured in multi-vehicle crash in Matara

Two people were killed and four others were injured in a multi-vehicle accident reported in the Rassandeniya area along the Matara-Tangalle main road on Sunday evening (July 19).

Churches facing closure as Christians giving up religion

Churches facing closure as Christians are giving up the practicing religion, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said during the week end.

Tourist who fell from the train admitted to the Nuwara Eliya hospital

A foreign tourist woman who fell off the Badulla bound Podimenike Express last morning had suffered serious injuries and was admitted to the Nuwara Eliya hospital.The 23 year old Turkish tourist had met with accident at Ambewela in her attempt to stand on the footboard to take a Selfie. Police said she was on a visit to Ella by train with a group of fellow tourists from Turkey yesterday after visiting Nuwara Eliya.

Sri Lanka sees sharp decline in marriages, births over past decade

Registered marriages in Sri Lanka have declined by nearly 28% over the past 15 years, while the number of births has also continued to fall, official data show.

Match fixing gambling regulations related to cricket in limbo

The newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) is awaiting government policy guidelines before formulating regulations to govern gambling activities related to cricket, according to proceedings of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF).

Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne’s final rites to be held with full police honours

The final rites of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne will be held with full police honours at the Borella Cemetery this afternoon, Police Spokesman ASP F.U Wootler said.

World Cup 2026: Spain win the World Cup again

Spain have been crowned world champions for the second time after beating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a gripping FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

England hold off India to seal series

Ben Duckett hits a record 141 as England post their highest ODI total at Lord’s and beat India by 27 runs to win the series 2-1.

Mbappe makes World Cup history with second Golden Boot

Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot twice after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer at the 2026 World Cup.

Egg prices to increase from tomorrow

The All Ceylon Egg Producers’ Association said that egg prices will increase from tomorrow (20), citing rising production challenges and feed shortages.

Iran attacks US Gulf allies, causing a fire at Kuwait power plant

Iran has fired drones and missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain and claimed to have stopped two ships in the Strait of Hormuz after an eighth consecutive night of attacks by the United States.

India amends tax treaty with Sri Lanka to plug avoidance

India has amended its tax treaty with Sri Lanka to tighten loopholes in double taxation avoidance and to curb revenue leakage by preventing treaty abuse. The intention for amending the pact has been to eliminate double taxation without creating opportunities for non-taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or avoidance through treaty-shopping arrangements.

SLS certification mandatory for sanitary napkins from October 8

The sale of sanitary napkins that do not carry the required Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) certification will be prohibited in Sri Lanka from October 8, 2026, under an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority.