Negombo Prison declared crime scene, no longer suitable for housing inmates

The prison authorities determined that the Negombo Prison premises, which were damaged during the recent unrest, were no longer suitable for housing inmates.

India, Australia sign nuclear and defence pacts to bolster Indo-Pacific ties

India and Australia on Thursday signed a set of major agreements covering civil nuclear energy, maritime security and critical minerals, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese underlined the importance of their partnership in ensuring a peaceful Indo-Pacific. After wide-ranging talks, the two sides unveiled a joint declaration on defence and security

UN praises Sri Lanka’s green initiatives, opens doors for new climate financing

Sri Lanka has gained international recognition for its climate action initiatives and environmental programmes, with the United Nations commending the country’s efforts to engage youth in environmental conservation.

Jaffna airport control tower upgraded with air situation display system

The Electronics & Air Navigation Engineering (E&ANE) Division of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) has successfully implemented an Air Situation Display System at the Jaffna International Airport Control Tower, enhancing air traffic management capabilities.

Dengue death toll rises to 45; daily case count tops 1,200

Sri Lanka’s dengue death toll has increased to 45 this year, while the total number of reported cases has climbed to 65,034, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said.

Western Europe records its hottest June as heatwaves surge

Western Europe this year experienced its hottest June on record as a searing heatwave swept across a continent facing increasingly frequent and intense heat extremes, the EU’s climate monitor said on Thursday (July 9, 2026).

Sri Lankan Rupee hits Rs. 340 against USD

The Sri Lankan rupee weakened further against the US dollar today, with the dollar’s selling rate crossing the Rs. 340 mark, according to the latest daily exchange rates released by the Central Bank.

House of underworld figure ’Thembili Lahiru’ set ablaze in Middeniya

The house of alleged underworld figure known as ’’Thembili Lahiru’’ was set on fire by an unidentified group in the Kudagalara area of Middeniya on Tuesday night (July 8), police said.

Couple transforms AC train coach into ‘honeymoon coupe’, Indian Railways takes action

A viral video showing a train’s First AC cabin decorated like a lavish ‘honeymoon suite’ has prompted the Indian Railways to suspend a ticket checker and order an inquiry.

Archchuna threatens to remove clothes after Govt MP questions his attire

Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna in Parliament today threatened to remove his clothes after ruling party MP M. Jeganeeswaran questioned his attire.

LRT project will not be implemented?

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) project is not likely to see the light of the day, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake hinted in Parliament today.

Iran launches retaliatory strikes on Gulf states as Trump warns US bombing could get ’much worse’

Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain and Kuwait overnight after Iran vowed to respond to renewed US strikes on the country.

New vehicle registrations to get priority in number plate printing

Priority will be given to vehicles with new registrations when printing and issuing vehicle number plates, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General said.

CID probe underway as Excise security stickers found on counterfeit liquor bottles

A Criminal Investigation Department probe is currently underway over a large seizure of counterfeit liquor bottles recently from Malambe had the Excise Department approved security sticker pasted on the bottle necks, thus giving the impression whether the perpetrators have forged the sticker too.

No point in associating MR with underworld figures now: MP

In what seemed humorous but a fact at the same time, Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake yesterday highlighted that there is no point in associating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa with underworld figures and criticising him as he is no longer engaged in active politics.

Sri Lanka to make fresh U.S. engagement to ensure child labour-free export supply chains

Sri Lanka is planning fresh engagements with the United States (U.S.) in a bid to avert new tariffs linked to child or forced labour, with the country’s export authorities seeking to demonstrate that it deals with the possible import of raw materials or intermediary goods tainted with such concerns for export industries, an official said.

1993 murder case finally sees justice

Eight men convicted of murdering a woman by assaulting her with sharp weapons and clubs and causing grievous injuries to two others were today sentenced to death by Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika Sri Ragala.

It could have been nipped in the bud. Only if we had been given orders – Prison officer to Minister

A prison officer told Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday that the Negombo prison unrest which claimed the lives of several prison officers and inmates could have been prevented had timely orders been issued to contain the situation.

Castle road rail level crossing closed this weekend, Kelani Valley trains restricted

The Castle Road railway level crossing between Baseline and Narahenpita railway stations will be closed to vehicular traffic for 22 hours this weekend due to essential renovation work, the Railways Department said.

Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan discuss expanding defence and security ties

The Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka Sergey Viktorov, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Ministry of Defence.

Old Bogambara prison officially re-designated as prison by gazette

The government has officially re-designated the Old Bogambara prison premises as a prison under the Prisons Ordinance through a Gazette notification issued by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.

Indian national among inmates killed in Sri Lanka’s prison riots

An Indian national was among the inmates killed in Sri Lanka’s prison riots on Monday (July 6, 2026), Colombo-based official sources told The Hindu, identifying the victim as Unnikrishnan S., aged 73 years.

Colombo university shifts lectures online over dengue

The Colombo University has decided to conduct all lectures online from tomorrow (10) until July 15 due to the ongoing spread of dengue.

US launches more strikes on Iran with blasts reported in south of country

The US has launched a new round of strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump signalled he’d ’’hit them hard again tonight’’ following an overnight exchange of attacks on Tuesday.

Paralympic great Storey retires from GB competition

Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most-decorated Paralympian, has retired from international competition with immediate effect. The 48-year-old cyclist has opted not to compete at Los Angeles 2028 to focus on helping improve Para-sport.

West Indies penalised for slow over-rate in second test against Sri Lanka

The West Indies have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against Sri Lanka in the second Test played in North Sound, Saint George, Antigua and Barbuda.

Online pension awareness sessions for retiring officers

The Pensions Department will launch a special online awareness session series from tomorrow (09) aimed at reducing delays in granting pensions to retiring public officers.

Paddy Marketing Board to begin Yala paddy purchases on July 15

The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) will commence purchasing paddy from the 2026 Yala season harvest from July 15, following instructions to begin procurement without delay.

Russia tries to jam Musk’s Starlink systems to counter Ukrainian drones

Russian forces are trying to counter Ukrainian ’’mid-strike’’ drone attacks by camouflaging cargoes and installing powerful jamming systems to disrupt Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, Ukrainian drone commanders and pilots told ​Reuters.

New US attacks on Iran were absolutely necessary, NATO chief says

The new attacks by the U.S. on Iran were ’’absolutely necessary,’’ ​NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.