Merino strikes late again as Spain sink Belgium to reach World Cup Semi-finals

Mikel Merino came off the bench to score another late winner as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 on Saturday to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

Kuwait fund to provide Rs. 2.1 bn for Rataviru pension scheme

The government will introduce a new and more flexible pension scheme for Sri Lankan migrant workers, backed by Rs. 2.1 billion in funding from the Kuwait Fund, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra told Parliament.

Government to allow rice for beer, animal feed and value-added products

The Government plans to expand the use of locally produced rice beyond household consumption by allowing it to be used in the production of beer, animal feed and other value-added products, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Emirates to double A350 operations in Colombo from August

Emirates will introduce a second daily A350 service between Dubai and Colombo from August 8, further elevating the travel experience for the customers with more options to experience the airline’s latest-generation aircraft and its highly sought-after Premium Economy cabin.

Authorities reassure 2.5mn tourist arrival target with US $ 3.5bn revenue goal

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities have reassured that the country remains on track to achieve its target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals for the year, aiming for an ambitious revenue goal of between US $ 3.5 billion and US $ 4 billion.

Kenya’s Wanyonyi breaks 1,000m world record

Emmanuel Wanyonyi broke the long-standing men’s 1,000m world record on his debut at the rarely run distance in Friday’s Diamond League meeting in Monaco, with Great Britain’s Jake Wightman finishing second.

BOC marks a new era in digital payments with Flex Tap & Pay

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) recently unveiled BOC Flex Tap & Pay, Sri Lanka’s first mobile banking wallet-based tap and pay solution.

ECB to face no action over Stokes retirement video

England will face no action from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Ben Stokes’ retirement video.

Committee hands over report on reforming presidential pardon process

A committee appointed to review Sri Lanka’s presidential pardon system has submitted a comprehensive report recommending a more systematic, fair and transparent framework for granting presidential pardons to prison inmates.

Trump says US agreed to Iran’s request to continue talks, but ceasefire is over

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran had asked to continue ​talks and the U.S. had agreed, but that the June ceasefire was ’’over’’.

Man nearly sucked out of window mid-air on Ryanair plane, passengers say

A man was nearly sucked head-first out of a cabin window in mid-air on a Ryanair plane, passengers have said.

Ravi K slams CB response on NDB fraud, questions regulator’s oversight

Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake today criticised the Central Bank’s response to the Rs. 13.2 billion fraud at National Development Bank (NDB), accusing the regulator of failing in its supervisory role and providing Parliament with inaccurate information.

Clash at Magazine Prison leaves two inmates injured

A clash involving around five inmates broke out at the Magazine Prison this afternoon (10), leaving two prisoners injured.

East Asia braces for destructive typhoon as landslides kill 15 in Philippines

Landslides triggered by one of the strongest storms in decades have left at least 15 people dead and six others missing on the island of Mindanao in southern Philippines, as parts of East Asia brace themselves for the looming storm.

Negombo Prison violence: Eight prison officers posthumously promoted

The Department of Prisons has posthumously promoted the eight prison officers who were killed during the recent violence at the Negombo Prison.

Sri Lanka’s second-largest water supply project for 67,000 families begins

Sri Lanka’s second-largest water supply project, which will provide safe drinking water to around 67,000 families in the Anuradhapura District, commenced today under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

HRCSL probes Negombo Prison violence, allegations of torture

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has launched an investigation into the recent violence at the Negombo Prison and subsequent incidents at other prisons, focusing on the circumstances leading to the clashes, the deaths and injuries of inmates and prison officers, and allegations of torture and ill-treatment.

Future infrastructure development must be guided by research and innovation: Deputy Minister

Future infrastructure development in Sri Lanka should be guided by research, innovation and science-based solutions to safeguard the country’s forests, rivers, wetlands and coastal ecosystems while meeting national development goals, Environment Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said today.

Former Envoy commends Kenya’s record foreign exchange reserves

Former High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya Kana Kananathan has praised the Government of Kenya on achieving a historic milestone, with the country’s foreign exchange reserves reaching a record USD 14 billion.

Mobile screening for HIV, STDs begins in Colombo, Gampaha

The Health and Mass Media Ministry has launched a mobile blood testing programme in Colombo and Gampaha districts to detect sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and other infections.

CAASL commissions solar power system to meet 70% of power needs

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has commissioned a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its five-storey headquarters, enabling the Authority to meet more than 70% of its electricity requirements through renewable energy.

UNFPA, Parliament of Sri Lanka sign MoU to strengthen evidence-based policymaking

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Parliament of Sri Lanka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the use of population data and evidence in policymaking, with the aim of ensuring the country’s changing demographic trends are reflected in future legislation and development planning.

England advised to avoid alcohol around matches

England men’s players have been advised to avoid drinking alcohol on the day before and the day after matches, under new behaviour guidelines.

Mbappe makes history again!

Kylian Mbappé scores again and smashes more World Cup records as France storm into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

US and Iran halt attacks, mediators race to restore diplomacy after strikes

The guns went quiet on Thursday, but nobody was celebrating. After two days of strikes between the United States and Iran, both sides have halted military operations in what officials described as an “uneasy calm,” even as the diplomatic machinery that might prevent a return to fighting remained broken and the mediators who put it together scrambled to reassemble it.

Kelani Valley Railway crossing at Baseline Road to close for repairs

The railway crossing on the Kelani Valley line at Baseline Road in Borella will be closed for 22 hours from Saturday morning to facilitate repair work, with police warning of traffic congestion and advising motorists to use alternative routes.

Vijay’s Jana Nayagan receives ‘adults only’ certificate

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor C Joseph Vijay’s Jana Nayagan has received an ‘A’ (Adults Only) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), signalling that the film will finally be released in theatres after a prolonged delay.

Spain wildfire kills several, with some victims found in vehicles

A wildfire that ripped through a hamlet in southern Spain killed 11 people, authorities said Friday, as a heatwave stifled swathes of the country.

Opposition to move no-faith motion against Justice Minister

Opposition MPs today began placing their signatures to a no confidence motion against Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara.

Duminda Dissanayake re-produced as suspect over gold plated T56 rifle case

Former Parliamentarian Duminda Dissanayake, who had been discharged earlier in the case relating to the gold plated T56 rifle seized from a bag belonging to an elderly woman in a Havelock housing complex in Wellawatta, was re-produced as a suspect before Mount Lavinia Acting Magistrate Ravi Matugama today and released on personal bail of two sureties of Rs.5 million each.