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.

Lady Ridgeway Hospital launches special dengue mosquito control programme

The Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital has launched a special integrated vector control programme to protect children receiving treatment and hospital staff amid the rising spread of dengue in the country.

Fake emergency loan scams on the rise; public urged to avoid suspicious links: SLCERT

The public has been warned to remain vigilant as fraudulent advertisements offering ’’instant’’ or ’’emergency’’ loans have once again begun circulating widely on social media, targeting people in urgent need of cash, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) experts warned.

Plans to register all shops under CAA for price regulation: Deputy Minister

Steps are being taken to register all shops in the country under the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) in a move to regulate prices of goods, Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development Upali Samarasinghe said today.

Schools, universities in dengue hotspots should close for two weeks: Doctors’ union

The Education and Higher Education Ministry, together with the Health Ministry, should immediately close all government, semi-government and private schools, universities and vocational training institutions located in high-risk dengue zones for at least two weeks to curb the spread of the disease, Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

Burnham set to be next PM as 322 Labour MPs back him in first nomination tally

Andy Burnham has taken another step towards becoming the next Labour leader and prime minister, after the vast majority of Labour MPs nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer.

Court to consider intervention pleas in Suresh Sallay’s writ case on July 17

The Court of Appeal today fixed July 17 to consider several intervention petitions filed by individuals and organisations, including prominent Buddhist monks, seeking permission to intervene in the writ application filed by Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, former Director of the State Intelligence Service.

CMC to offer free rabies vaccinations and pet services

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) will participate in Pet Expo 2026 with a special stall offering free rabies vaccinations, pet registration services and awareness programmes on animal welfare.

BASL urges President to fill eight vacancies in Superior Courts without delay

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take immediate steps to fill the longstanding vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, warning that the continued delay could undermine the administration of justice and public confidence in the Judiciary.

Israel shared intelligence with US of Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, sources say

Israel shared intelligence with the United States that Iran had recently devised a new plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN, adding another layer of tension as a ceasefire deal between the countries comes under strain.

Turn Galle Mahamodara Hospital into disease centre, not prison: Doctor

The Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, has urged the government to reconsider its decision to convert the Galle Mahamodara Hospital into a prison, proposing instead that the facility be developed into a specialised centre for treating infectious diseases, including dengue.

Tensions erupt in Indian state after 11-year-old raped and murdered

The Indian state of West Bengal has been on the boil for the past few days over the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl.

Special Ayurvedic medicines developed to combat dengue virus: Ayurveda Medical Officers

The Government Ayurveda Medical Officers’ Association (GAMOA) has claimed that special Ayurvedic medicines have been developed to combat the dengue virus.

Missing repeater firearm recovered at Negombo Prison

The repeater firearm that went missing following the recent clash at Negombo Prison has been recovered, the Department of Prisons said.

5,000 kidney patients stuck in surgery queue

More than 5,000 patients are currently awaiting kidney stone removal surgeries in Sri Lanka due to the high demand for treatment and limitations in healthcare facilities, health authorities said.

US$2.5 Mn loan repayment loss a definite cybercrime and theft: COPF chief

Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman Harsha de Silva told Parliament today that the loss of US$2.5 million during the repayment of a loan to Export Finance Ltd., Australia, was a clear case of cybercrime and theft.

Intermittent rain, dense fog disrupt traffic in Central Hills

Intermittent rain and dense fog have affected the western slopes of the Central Hills, disrupting traffic and reducing visibility on several main roads, police said.

Factory fire kills at least 28 in China’s ’shoe capital’

A fire at a shoe factory in the south-eastern Chinese city of Jinjiang has killed at least 28 people, according to the state news agency.

Iran says it hits U.S. military targets in Gulf, buries slain leader Khamenei

Iranian armed forces launched attacks on U.S. military infrastructure in Gulf states on Thursday following U.S. strikes on Iran’s southern coastal and eastern provinces, further eroding a ‌three-week-old ceasefire.

Veteran singer Mariazelle Goonetilleke passes away

Veteran Sri Lankan singer Mariazelle Goonetilleke has passed away at the age of 68. She passed away in the early hours of Friday (July 10) while receiving treatment for an illness at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila.

France beat Morocco 2-0 to enter FIFA World Cup semi-finals

Kylian Mbappe overcame a first-half penalty miss to lead France into a third successive FIFA World Cup semi-final, beating Morocco 2-0 in the Round of 16 at the Boston Stadium.

Navy seizes over 60,000 illegal sea cucumbers, arrests 26 in Mannar

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized more than 60,000 illegally harvested sea cucumbers and arrested 26 suspects during a special operation in the South Bar area off Mannar today (9).