National tea sale average rises in July but declines YoY

Sri Lanka’s national tea sale average for July 2025 was recorded at Rs.1,127.60 (US$ 3.74) per kilogramme, up Rs.24.33 (US$0.06), from June average of Rs.1,103.27 (US$ 3.68), according to the data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research.

Nasa to put nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 - US media

US space agency Nasa will fast-track plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, according to US media.

Sumanasara Thera expelled

Ven. Badulugammana Sumanasara Thera has been removed from the post of Chief Incumbent of Nagala Rajamaha Vihara in Bibila and expelled from the Malwatta Chapter for distorting the doctrine and violating the norms of the Sangha Sasana.

Titan submersible owner OceanGate used ’’intimidation tactics’’ to avoid scrutiny before implosion, U.S. Coast Guard says

The U.S. exploration company OceanGate used ’’intimidation tactics’’ to ’’evade regulatory scrutiny’’ in the years leading up to the June 2023 Titan submersible tragedy, according to findings released by the U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday.

Govt. to allocate Rs. 110Bn for public service salary increases in 2027

The government plans to allocate Rs. 110 billion for public service salary increases in 2027, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

CSE pulls back after record highs amid profit-taking

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a pullback today, with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) declining by 68.23 points (-0.34%) to close at 19,718.00. The index initially dipped nearly 136 points during early trading but later recouped part of the losses. However, subdued investor activity and clear signs of profit-taking, following the market’s recent all-time high, weighed on overall sentiment.

State counsel opposes bail for Deshabandu: Court grants time to file objections

Senior State Counsel Oswald Perera today told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that although the Magistrate’s Court has the power to release a person on anticipatory bail prior to arrest, such power should only be exercised in respect of individuals who respect the law and the authority of the court not those who have repeatedly violated the law and ridiculed the legal system.

Two sentenced to death for murder

Two accused who stood indicted with murder were found guilty and sentenced to death by Matale High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne yesterday.

Landslide in North India leaves 50 missing

At least four people were killed while 50 others are missing after a massive mudslide and flash floods struck a village on Tuesday in a northern Indian Himalayan state.

Medamulana better than Wijerama, says MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today brushed off concerns over the government’s move to slash privileges granted to former Presidents, saying the real privilege lies with the people.

Police sergeant arrested while soliciting Rs. 10,000 bribe

A Police Sergeant attached to the Keerthibandarapura Police was arrested today while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption said.

Two suspects identified in Kahawatta murder case

Two of the eight suspects remanded over the abduction and murder of a 22-year-old man in Hallinda, Palansuriyagama, Kahawatta, were identified by eyewitnesses during an identification parade held at the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court today.

Over 120 temporary driving licences issued in two days to tourists at BIA

At least 120 temporary driving licences have been issued to foreign tourists at the on-arrival service counter at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in the two days since its launch, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said.

Vehicle registrations surge; over 133,000 registered in 2025 so far

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has recorded a significant increase in vehicle registrations this year, with a total of 133,678 vehicles registered as of July 2025, Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said.

Three drug kingpins threaten Chief Inspector of Western North Crimes Division

The Western North Crimes Investigation Division today informed court that death threats had been made via WhatsApp on Chief Inspector Linton de Silva of the Western North Crimes Division by three notorious underworld figures and drug traffickers.

Parliament approves resolution to remove Deshabandu as IGP

The resolution to remove IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon was approved by a majority of 177 votes in Parliament a short while ago.

Vietnam facing worsening African swine fever outbreaks

Vietnam has been hit by an increasing number of outbreaks of African swine fever, with the number of infected pigs more than tripling in just two weeks, state media said on Tuesday.

Japan sets record high temperatures, worries mount over rice crops

Japan recorded its highest-ever temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius (107.2 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, prompting the government to advise residents to stay indoors and promise steps to ease weather-related damage to rice crops.

Speaker, government violate Standing Orders by moving resolution to remove Deshabandu: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said today that the Speaker and the government have violated Standing Orders in moving the resolution to remove Deshabandu Tennakoon.

MP insurance slashed by 75%

The Cabinet approved a proposal to reduce the annual group insurance coverage for Members of Parliament (MPs) from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 250,000, with the new policy taking effect from October 9, 2025.

Australian Governor General to visit Sri Lanka

The Governor General of Australia, Samantha Joy Mostyn, will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from August 6 to 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism announced.

Court grants time till August 7 to file objections against Tennakoon’s anticipatory bail application

Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura today granted time till August 7 to file written objections against the anticipatory bail application filed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Other wrongdoers should suffer same fate as Deshabandu: Mujibur

Other wrongdoers should also suffer the same fate as IGP Deshanbandu Tennakoon, as they have also committed offences, Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman told Parliament today.

Debate to remove Deshabandu kicks off in Parliament

The debate on the resolution to remove IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from office in terms of Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, commenced in Parliament a short while ago.

President’s fund misused by two sitting MPs, several others: Deputy Minister

The President’s Fund has been used to assist relatives of politicians in the past, Deputy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament today.

Teaching will be made one of the highest paid jobs in Sri Lanka before long: Deputy Minister

In response to a statement by MP Ravi Karunanayake that Office Assistants of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka are drawing a higher salary than that of some categories of teachers, Deputy Minister of Education Madura Seneviratne told Parliament today that teaching will be among the hightest paid jobs in Sri Lanka before long.

Cardinal skipped Easter service on divine warning: Wimal Weerawansa:

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Member of Parliament Wimal Weerawansa claimed that the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, may have skipped the Easter service this year after being ’’informed by God’’ not to attend a move he described as unprecedented in history.

11 Indian nationals arrested for online gambling in Thalangama

The Thalangama Police have arrested 11 Indian nationals including three women for engaging in online gambling.

Over 2,000 vehicles stuck at ports amid import dispute

More than 2,000 newly imported vehicles remain stuck at the Colombo and Hambantota ports for over two months, causing serious logistical challenges for unloading additional shipments, informed sources revealed.

‘Import American vehicles duty-free’ U.S. tells Sri Lanka

The United States (U.S.), in its tariff negotiations, requested Sri Lanka to grant duty-free access to American vehicles, including Electric Vehicles (EVs), in its bid to narrow the trade gap, a source familiar with trade talks said.