Government announces ambitious plan to reduce debt to 95% of GDP by 2032: MP

The government hopes to reduce the country’s debt services to 95 percent of the GDP by 2032, and further lower it to 60 percent thereafter, MP Kaushalya Ariyaratne told Parliament today.

Budgetary Relief Allowance Amendment Bill too inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court held that the Budget Relief Allowance Amendment Bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and could be approved by a special majority in Parliament, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih informed Parliament today.

SC holds some clauses of Electricity Amendment Bill inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court (SC) held that some clauses of the Electricity Amendment Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and could be approved by a special majority in Parliament while it has to be endorsed by the people at a referendum, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih announced today.

Five police OICs transferred with immediate effect

Five Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of police stations across the country have been transferred with immediate effect, following the approval of the National Police Commission.

Climate sustainability in upholding lives of mothers and newborns in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s 2021 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) set targets for carbon neutrality in electricity by 2050, a 14.5% emissions reduction, and 70% renewable energy by 2030.

Snow cloaks Atacama, the world’s driest desert

Residents of the world’s driest desert, the Atacama in northern Chile, woke up Thursday to a jaw-dropping spectacle: its famous lunar landscape blanketed in snow.

US must rule out more strikes before new talks, Iranian minister

The US must rule out any further strikes on Iran if it wants to resume diplomatic talks, Tehran’s deputy foreign minister has told the BBC.

Israel orders evacuations in northern Gaza as Trump pushes for ceasefire

Israel has ordered Palestinians to evacuate from parts of northern Gaza ahead of increased military action, as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire deal.

SL lacks reform momentum despite political shift: Top economist

Sri Lanka is falling short of delivering the structural transformation it claims to seek, despite the growing rhetoric around revival and sustainable growth, warned internationally renowned economist Prof. Razeen Sally.

FLSP to file legal action over Colombo Dockyard stake sale - Dy Minister assures transparency

The Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) has announced plans to take legal action against the government’s decision to hand over a stake in Colombo Dockyard to a foreign entity.

Litigation process tainted with corruption allegations

Litigation process related to the X- Press Pearl disaster is tainted with allegations about corruption and frauds prompting the Environment Ministry to look at the appointment of a committee to probe what went wrong in the past, according to a minister.

’Rishi’ and helper caught trespassing in Ritigala

Two individuals who illegally entered the Kodigala Kanda area of the Ritigala Forest Reserve claiming to be a Rishi and his helper were rescued and arrested by officers of the Ritigala Wildlife Sanctuary Protection Office after becoming stranded in the forest.

Shahrukh Khan to perform in Colombo?

Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan is slated to perform in Colombo this year.

Dengue cases reach 27,900 with 16 deaths this year

The Ministry of Health reported that some 27,932 Dengue cases and 16 deaths were recorded so far this year. The Western Province accounts for 45% of all cases with the Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces also identified as high-risk zones.

Sri Lanka firmly rejects any handover of Katchatheevu island

Sri Lanka has categorically stated that Katchatheevu Island will not be ceded to any country under any circumstances, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said.

President’s Fund donates Rs. 1 mn to Ishaq Baig for treatment

Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi today offered one million rupees from the President’s Fund to ailing veteran singer Ishaq Baig for his treatments.

Iran could start enriching uranium for bomb within months, UN nuclear chief says

Iran has the capacity to start enriching uranium again - for a possible bomb - in ’’a matter of months’’, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has said.

Namal accuses Govt of spreading false propaganda to hide failures

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has accused the National People’s Power (NPP) government of attempting to cover up its failures through false propaganda and character assassination, while also dragging respected religious leaders into political controversies.

Thousands protest in Bangkok calling for Thai PM to resign

Thousands of protesters have gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after a phone call she had with the former Cambodian leader Hun Sen was leaked.

No change in fuel prices for July, CPC claims

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that there will be no change in fuel prices for the month of July.

Sri Lanka achieves 72% renewable electricity generation in June 2025

For the first time since the early 1990s, Sri Lanka has reached a major milestone in its clean energy transition, with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reporting that 72% of the country’s electricity was generated from renewable sources during June 2025.

Five arrested for treasure hunting in Galnewa

Five persons who were allegedly digging for treasure in a garden in Galnewa were arrested by the Galnewa police.

Too early to comment on government: Maithri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said it is too early to comment on the government and that one or two years must pass for one to comment.

Delhi to see its first-ever artificial rain to combat air pollution in July

In a first for the national capital, Delhi is set to witness artificial rain aimed at reducing air pollution, with cloud seeding scheduled between July 4 and 11, subject to weather conditions, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Saturday.

CAA denies reports on salt price fixing

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has categorically denied recent media reports claiming that a maximum retail price for salt was agreed upon during a discussion between the CAA and the Salt Manufacturers Association.

Navy seizes Indian fishing boat with eight crew members

The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended eight Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar, during a special search operation conducted early this morning.

Another fishing trawler in distress, two fishermen missing in Tangalle

Two fishermen, who went fishing from the Tangalle fishing habour yesterday, went missing after their trawler crashed against a reef.

Group of eight reported missing on Hanthana mountains rescued

A group of youth who were stranded due to bad weather while climbing the Hantana mountains, were rescued after several hours in a joint operation by the army and the police.

Family injured in accident in Nuwara Eliya

Four members of a family, including two young children, were injured in a road accident that occurred yesterday (28) afternoon in the Bambarakelle Wattha area on the Gampola-Nuwara Eliya main road, police said.

Private bus owners urge delay in mandatory seat belt law implementation

Private bus owners have called on authorities to postpone the implementation of the regulation requiring all bus drivers to wear seat belts, citing practical challenges with older buses that lack the necessary fittings.