Harsha Ilukpitiya pleads guilty to contempt of court charges

Former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court over the contempt of court charges filed against him over the controversial visa deal.

Former Commissioner General of Motor Traffic arrested

Former Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, Nishantha Weerasinghe and two others were arrested today by the Bribery Commission.

Musk vows to unseat lawmakers who support Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’

Elon Musk has vowed to unseat lawmakers who support Donald Trump’s sweeping budget bill, which he has criticized because it would increase the country’s deficit by $3.3tn.

Singapore police can now seize bank accounts to stop scams

Police in Singapore can now seize control of a person’s bank account and block money transfers if they suspect the person is being scammed, under a new law that kicked in on Tuesday.

At least 90% of social media complaints in Sri Lanka involve Facebook, AI issues

Sri Lankan authorities are raising concerns as most complaints are related to Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok with 90% of them involving Facebook and issues connected to AI.

Specialist neurosurgeon Dr. Maheshi’s daughter files motion seeking bail

The daughter of Dr. Maheshi Surasinghe Wijerathna, a specialist neurosurgeon attached to the Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital, has filed a bail application on her mother’s behalf.

Thailand’s prime minister suspended over leaked phone call with former strongman

Thailand’s embattled prime minister was suspended from duty Tuesday and could face dismissal pending an ethics probe over a leaked phone call she had with Cambodia’s powerful former leader.

No increase in three-wheeler fares

Despite the recent increase of Rs. 12 in petrol prices last night, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Association (AITDA) announced that three-wheeler fares will remain unchanged.

No change in domestic Litro gas prices

Litro Gas Lanka Ltd today announced that there will be no revision in the price of domestic gas for the month of July.

No bus fare hike despite fuel price increase: Minister

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake assured the public today that bus fares will not be increased despite the recent fuel price hike.

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman remanded till July 15

Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

Fix seat belts or leave the industry: Minister warns bus owners

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has urged bus owners to ensure seat belts are installed and used while transporting passengers for maximum safety and advised those unwilling to comply with the law to seek employment in another industry.

SC rejects plea for Buddhist control of Bodh Gaya temple

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition challenging the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, and seeking exclusive control and management of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya by the Buddhist community.

No change in LAUGFS domestic gas prices in July

LAUGFS Holdings Limited announced today that there will be no revision to the prices of their domestic gas cylinder refills for the month of July.

Seat belt rule for bus drivers enforced from today: NTC

The National Transport Commission (NTC) announced that it will be mandatory for bus drivers to wear seat belts starting from today (July 1), NTC Director General Nayomi Jayawardana said.

Indian Defence Ministry Company Set to Anchor Strategic Influence in colombo port

India is poised to secure another strategic investment in Sri Lanka with plans by its public sector company under the Indian Defence Ministry, ‘Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL)’ for acquiring a majority stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC).

Sri Lanka to resume seasonal employment opportunities in South Korea under E-8 visa

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is taking steps to activate job opportunities for seasonal employment in South Korea under the E-8 visa category, Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe said.

Bus fare reduction suspended following fuel price hike

In the wake of the fuel price increase, the scheduled 2.5% reduction in bus fares, which was to take effect today, has been suspended, the National Transport Commission (NTC) said.

Youth killed, another injured in Kahawatta shooting

A 22-year-old youth was shot dead and another critically injured in a shooting incident in the Yainna area of Kahawatta, police said today.

Royal train to be cut in Palace cost-saving measure

The royal train is going to be taken out of service by 2027, in a cost-saving measure announced by Buckingham Palace.

Health Ministry yet to act on dog population control, veterinarian warns

Despite six months having passed, the Health Ministry has failed to take proper action to control the growing dog population in the country, a leading veterinary expert claimed today.

Indian Defence Ministry Company set to anchor strategic influence in Colombo Port

India is poised to secure another strategic investment in Sri Lanka with plans by its public sector company under the Indian Defence Ministry, ’Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL)’ for acquiring a majority stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC).

SME paddy millers, co-ops to get loans at 7% under Yala season credit scheme

The government would roll out a Rs.6.5 billion concessional loan scheme from today to support the small and medium-scale (SME) paddy millers and cooperative societies in purchasing paddy during the upcoming Yala season, the Development Finance Department said.

Colombo consumer prices fall 0.6% in June

Inflation in the Colombo district reached a tad closer to ending the months-long deflation, as the prices fell by 0.6 percent in June 2025 from a year ago, compared to a 0.7 percent decline in the prices in May.

Immigration unearths major boarding card swap scam to send Lankan men to UK for asylum

In a rare detection, the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) officials at the airport yesterday arrested a Mullaitivu resident bound for Mumbai and uncovered a sophisticated scam of exchanging their boarding passes to go to the UK and allegedly to claim asylum afterwards.

Fuel prices increased

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision of fuel prices, which will come into effect from midnight today (30).

Former Minister Gamini Lokuge passes away

Former Minister Gamini Lokuge passed away in a private hospital this evening.

Not much progress despite scores of lives lost annually: Specialist

The Multisectoral Strategic Action Plan on Injury Prevention and Management, a mechanism introduced in 2021 to minimise accidents, is yet to see tangible progress despite scores of lives being lost, a specialist said.

’Have faced many fears, challenges in life’: Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who marked 50 years of religious life today, reflected on his spiritual journey, acknowledging the many fears and challenges he has faced over the decades.

Indian team in Washington extends stay for trade talks

Officials from India will extend their Washington visit to try to reach agreement on a trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and address lingering concerns on both sides, two Indian government sources said on Monday.