Three elephant corridors opened to address human-elephant conflict

The government has cleared three major elephant corridors and established a special expert committee to formulate long-term solutions to Sri Lanka’s worsening human-elephant conflict, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody announced today (6).

Clash erupted between two rival groups involved in underworld, drugs: Minister

Claiming that the clash at the Nogombo prison had erupted between two rival groups involved in underwold activities and drugs, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara said prision officilas had only intervened to resolve the clash.

SMB Finance PLC strengthens growth momentum following successful transformation

SMB Finance PLC has reported a strong start to 2026, demonstrating significant improvements in profitability, stronger capitalization and enhanced asset quality as the company enters a new phase of sustainable growth following its transformation into a fully-fledged finance company.

Committee appointed to probe Negombo prison violence

A committee has been appointed to investigate the violent incident that occurred at Negombo Prison, following approval granted at today’s (6) Cabinet meeting.

Early market gains fade as selling pressure dominates trading

The Colombo Stock Exchange ended today’s session in negative territory after failing to sustain a positive start. Both indices opened higher, reflecting early buying interest, but sentiment weakened as the session progressed, with profit-taking in several index-heavy counters eroding initial gains. Consequently, the ASPI declined by 98.08 points (-0.44%) to close at 22,080.65, while the S&P SL20 fell by 27.17 points (-0.44%) to 6,076.18.

No casualties among foreign inmates in Negombo prison clash: Authorities

Prison authorities have confirmed that no foreign inmates sheltered at the Negombo Prison were injured or killed in the recent clashes.

Government launches immediate measures to tackle human-elephant conflict

The government has launched a series of immediate measures to address Sri Lanka’s escalating human-elephant conflict, with efforts already underway to strengthen the operational capacity of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said.

Sri Lanka eyes dengue vaccine, Wolbachia programme

As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s dengue prevention programme, Sri Lanka is considering introducing a dengue vaccine and adopting the Wolbachia mosquito control method

IRD opens e-service portal for 2025/2026 income tax returns

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that its e-service platform is now open for the filing of Income Tax Returns for the Year of Assessment 2025/2026.

Justice Minister takes responsibility over Negombo prison clash

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara said he will take the responsibility as the minister in charge of prions over the clash at the Negombo prison.

Actual dengue cases may exceed official count: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has raised concerns that the actual number of dengue infections in Sri Lanka could be significantly higher than the officially reported figures, warning that the country may be witnessing the early stages of a major outbreak similar to the 2017 epidemic.

Immigration deputy controller nabbed over alleged fake passport issuance

The Deputy Controller (Administration) of the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the issuance of a fraudulent passport, police said.

Impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte begins

The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has begun in Manila, in a highly charged case that could determine her political future.

Inmates to be transferred following deadly Negombo Prison riot

Authorities have begun arrangements to transfer a group of inmates from Negombo Prison to other prisons across the country following the deadly unrest at the facility.

China test fires missile into Pacific, alarming regional powers

China’s military test-fired ​a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concerns ‌from Japan, Australia and New Zealand over Beijing’s expanding military reach.

Hirunika’s appeal against abduction conviction to be heard on August 6

An appeal filed by former parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra challenging her conviction and three-year prison sentence over a 2015 abduction case, has been fixed for argument before the Court of Appeal.

Death toll climbs to 25 in deadly Negombo Prison violence

The death toll from the violent unrest that erupted at Negombo Prison on Sunday (06) has risen to 25, according to police.

Negombo Prison violence claims 19 lives so far

At least 19 people have so far died and more than 50 others have been injured in the violent unrest that erupted at the Negombo Prison, police said.

India orders Meta to remove ads promoting child sexual abuse

The Indian government has directed Meta to immediately disable advertisements and content on Instagram that promote or facilitate child sexual abuse material, a senior official said.

Sri Lanka unveils 2026-2030 strategy to combat human trafficking

Sri Lanka’s National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force has outlined a new five-year strategy to combat human trafficking, highlighting the growing threat posed by technology-enabled recruitment, labour exploitation and organised transnational crime.

UPDATE - Death toll rises to 26, over 100 injured

The death toll from the renewed unrest at Negombo Prison has risen to 26. Nearly 100 individuals have reportedly sustained injuries in the clash.

Police open fire to quell clash at Negombo Prison

Police opened fire to bring a tense situation under control at the Negombo Prison today after clashes broke out between inmates and prison officers, leaving several officers injured.

Debate grows over dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka

A growing public debate has emerged over the recent surge in dengue cases in Sri Lanka, amid conflicting views on whether a new viral strain is responsible for the outbreak.

Iran to close Tehran airspace for funeral ceremonies

Iran will fully close Tehran’s airspace on Monday as part of funeral arrangements, the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) has reported.

Five children among 6 killed, in Mumbai chawl collapse

Five children among six persons were killed in a house collapse in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area amid heavy rains on Sunday (July 5, 2026) night, officials said.

Fresh unrest erupts at Negombo Prison

A fresh tense situation erupted at the Negombo Prison today, with several prison officers reportedly injured as authorities moved to bring the unrest under control.

Golden Boot War: Messi, Mbappé & Haaland locked on 7 as Kane closes in

The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot is heating up into a historic four-way battle, with football’s biggest names delivering under pressure on the global stage.

Demolition of massive rock boulders on A5 road in Lunugala begins

The demolition of what is considered the largest rock mass to have collapsed on a roadway in Sri Lanka hascommenced in the Lunugala 13 Kanuwa area (143 km post) along the Badulla–Chenkaladi A5 Road, officials said.

Eleventh national accident prevention week from today

The Eleventh National Accident Prevention Week will commence today (6), aimed at raising public awareness on accident prevention across Sri Lanka.

Player dies after collapsing during cricket match in Beruwala

A local cricket match in Beruwala ended in tragedy after a 46-year-old cricketer collapsed on the field and later died during a tournament organised by an old boys’ association of a school.