Jangoo puts West Indies in control

West Indies moved into a strong position on Day 2 of the first Test after Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten half-century steered the hosts to 271 for 5 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 308 in Antigua.

Sri Lanka edge Scotland as Athapaththu keeps semi-final hopes alive

Sri Lanka kept their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive after Chamari Athapaththu’s explosive start laid the foundation for a thrilling three-wicket victory over Scotland in their final Group 2 match at Old Trafford on Friday.

Scotland set Sri Lanka 152 to keep semi-final hopes alive

Sri Lanka will need 152 runs to keep their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive after Scotland posted a competitive 151/6 in their final Group B match in Manchester on Friday.

CDS tightens dormant account rules to curb fraud risk

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will begin restricting transactions on dormant securities accounts from next week, under a new investor protection framework, aimed at reducing fraud risks and strengthening oversight of long-inactive holdings.

Authorities step up push to transform handloom sector into export growth driver

The authorities are stepping up efforts to position its traditional handloom industry as a higher-value export sector, with a renewed focus on innovation, product development and branding, to capture the growing global demand for sustainable and ethically produced textiles.

Russia reports large-scale Ukrainian drone attack across 12 regions

Russian air defences intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones in a major nighttime attack on 12 regions as well as the Russia-held Crimean peninsula, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, Russia’s Defence Ministry said Friday

Ireland stun world champions India for historic T20 win

Ireland caused a massive shock as they claimed a first senior international win over world champions India in Friday’s opening T20 international in Belfast.

Small aircraft crashes into Beijing’s tallest building

An aircraft about the size of a car crashed ​into Beijing’s tallest building on Friday, witnesses told Reuters, with police closing off roads around the ‌skyscraper and authorities giving no information about the incident.

Multi-vehicle collision on Southern Expressway triggers severe traffic congestion

A multi-vehicle collision involving five vehicles occurred on the Southern Expressway today near the 31st kilometer post between the Galanigama and Dodangoda interchanges, causing significant traffic congestion.

Fuel price relief likely as global oil prices decline: Govt.

The government is expecting to provide relief to consumers as global fuel prices continue to decline, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said today.

Sri Lanka still believe semis within reach at T20 World Cup

There is confidence in Sri Lanka’s defense ahead of their final group match of the Twenty20 World Cup against Scotland, which is set to begin in a few moments.

Nuwanidu fights back after Jurel’s Century puts India A on top

Captain Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 141 powered India A to a commanding 452 for 6 declared before the visitors struck twice to leave Sri Lanka A on 113 for 2 at stumps on a rain-hit second day of the first unofficial Test in Galle.

Sri Lanka Cricket set for final strike

Sri Lanka Cricket is at the threshold of winning the battle for change as the much awaited new Constitution is being put through the finishing touches before it goes to Parliament for approval and the government’s Transformation Committee able to declare its mission is over.

Over 90 organised crime suspects still abroad: Minister

A total of 96 organised crime suspects wanted under Interpol Red Notices remain in hiding overseas, with Sri Lankan authorities continuing efforts to bring them back to the country, said Public Security Minister Anand Wijepala.

BASL denies making representation for arrested attorney Rakitha Rajapakshe

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has clarified that it neither authorised any Attorney-at-Law to make representations on its behalf nor decided to intervene on behalf of Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapakshe during yesterday’s proceedings before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

SMEs urged to register for VAT voluntarily to boost growth

The Government has encouraged Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with annual turnovers below the mandatory Value Added Tax (VAT) registration threshold of Rs. 60 million to register voluntarily, highlighting the benefits of doing so.

Govt moves to speed up Jaffna land restitution process

The government has decided to speed up the release of state and private lands in Jaffna and Palaly that are currently being used by the security forces.

Ajith Vs Asitha argument over Opposition Leader and sister

An argument popped up in Parliament today between Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera and ruling party MP Asitha Niroshana over a case involving Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s sister.

ADB approves USD 57m for Sri Lanka rooftop solar aggregation project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday said it has approved a USD-57.4-million (EUR 50.4m) financing package for a solar aggregation and virtual net metering project in Sri Lanka.

Gnanasara Thera’s case over alleged anti-Islam remarks fixed for July 31

The Colombo High Court today ordered that the case filed by the Attorney General against Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera, over allegedly insulting Islam be recalled on July 31 for a preliminary trial conference.

Govt will control solar power systems by next year: Minister

The government will be able to take control of solar power systems by next year with the fixing of 2,000 modems, Deputy Minister of Power and Energy Akram Ilyas told Parliament today.

King Charles III will not live at Buckingham Palace after refurbishment completion

King Charles III will not live at Buckingham Palace after the completion of a 10-year, 369 million-pound (US$487 million) refurbishment programme as the monarchy seeks to increase public access to the historic building that has been the centre of royal life for almost 200 years.

SLTB to receive 600 new buses by year-end

The Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced plans to add 600 new buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) fleet by December in a bid to strengthen public transport services across the country.

Large rooftop solar owners asked to disconnect from grid during Poson

As electricity demand is expected to fall during the Poson holidays, owners of rooftop solar systems with a capacity of 300 kW and above have been asked to disconnect from the national grid during daytime from June 27 to 29, Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas informed Parliament today.

Dayasiri, Kumara Jayakody stage showdown in Parliament

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekera and former Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody engaged in a heated argument in Parliament on the issue of inferior quality coal.

SJB suspends Horana Organiser Charith Abeysinghe

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has taken steps to suspend the party membership of its Horana Organiser, Charith Abeysinghe, following his arrest and subsequent remand over an alleged bribery incident.

Confiscated narcotics to be destroyed in Puttalam tomorrow

A quantity of confiscated narcotics is scheduled to be destroyed tomorrow morning (June 27) at the incinerator facility located at Lactowatta in Wanathavilluwa, Puttalam.

Saudi Aramco resumes oil loading at Ras Tanura after 4-month halt

Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading on ​Friday at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Gulf after a near four-month halt, shipping data from LSEG showed, in a sign ‌that Middle Eastern producers are pushing forward with plans to boost exports despite a ship attack in the Strait of Hormuz.

Warning over power bank fire risk on flights as summer holidays begin

Flight passengers are being warned not to pack power banks or vapes in their hold luggage ahead of the busy summer holiday travel period beginning for parts of the UK.

Opposition MPs sign motion on judicial appointments delay

Opposition MPs began signing a motion today to request for a special debate on the delay in appointing senior judicial officers.