24-hour water cut in several areas from tonight

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 24-hour water cut in several areas, including Padukka, Homagama, Kottawa, Pannipitiya and Pelenwatte, from tonight.

Dengue nears 50,000 cases as islandwide control drive begins

Sri Lanka has launched a three-day islandwide dengue control programme today (24) as health authorities race to contain the rapid spread of the disease, which has infected close to 50,000 people and claimed 28 lives so far this year.

AKD wanted applause for a case pertaining to a traffic offence by MP on May 25: Opposition

The opposition in Parliament yesterday questioned whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake wanted people to applaud a verdict which was given against sitting MP Chaminda Wijesiri who was charged with a traffic offence.

Ministry mulls penalties for school canteens flouting healthy food guidelines

The Ministry of Health is considering imposing penalties on school canteens that fail to comply with newly introduced healthy food guidelines aimed at promoting safe and nutritious eating habits among students, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka promises to make payment clearance as soon as feasible

The recent US $2.5 million cyber theft from the newly established Public Debt Management Office (PDMO)—where a sovereign debt repayment to Australia was intercepted via systemic digital breaches, had a direct bearing on Sri Lanka’s programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to a top official.

Pope’s intervention sought by relatives of Sallay

An appeal has been made to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV seeking humanitarian intervention regarding the detention of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay, who is currently being held under the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Spa therapists’ identities revealed after arrests

The Lanka Spa Association and International Human Rights Law Association have lodged separate complaints with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, alleging that the rights and privacy of a group of spa therapists arrested during a recent police operation were violated after videos recorded at a police station were released and circulated publicly.

Sallay walking around, dressing himself

The Government has denied allegations regarding the ill-treatment and torture of former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay while under the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Amended National Environmental Act to be presented to Parliament today

The long-awaited bill to amend Sri Lanka’s National Environmental Act (NEA) is scheduled to be presented for its final reading, debate, and vote in Parliament today, marking a significant milestone in the country’s environmental governance framework.

Canadian student nabbed with Rs. 350 mn hashish at BIA

A Canadian nursing student was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, for allegedly attempting to smuggle hashish worth an estimated Rs. 350 million into Sri Lanka, Customs officials said.

US Senate votes to pass Iran war powers resolution in blow to Trump

The United States Senate has passed a resolution calling for President Donald Trump to either halt his military campaign against Iran or seek congressional approval before any further action is taken.

Reported earlier by Daily Mirror

As Daily Mirror reported on May 5, 2026 (under the ’title Sri Lanka’s new VAT rules could have negative outcome on tourism, telecom, IT sectors’ written by Panduka Keerthinanda), government Gazette amendments expanding VAT coverage to the digital economy had already triggered concern across multiple sectors, including telecommunications, tourism, and information technology.

Govt. retains Rs. 60 Mn VAT threshold, drops planned reduction

The government has decided to retain the current Rs. 60 million annual turnover threshold for Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL), postponing a previously proposed reduction to Rs. 36 million that was scheduled to take effect from July 1.

Main suspects arrested in Jaffna over female physiotherapist’s body found in car

Police have arrested the main suspect in the case involving the discovery of a woman’s body inside a parked car in the Teldeniya area, along with his wife and a young child, during a joint operation in Jaffna.

Athapaththu century powers Sri Lanka past Ireland

Sri Lanka kept their Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Ireland, powered by a sensational unbeaten century from captain Chamari Athapaththu.

Ronaldo becomes first player to score at six World Cups as Portugal thrash Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo wrote himself into the World Cup record books as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston.

Over 10 bus drivers, conductors test positive in random drug screening at Maharagama

Thirteen bus drivers and conductors tested positive for narcotic drug use during a surprise screening programme conducted at the Navinna bus stand in Maharagama on Tuesday (23).

U.S. donated TH-57 helicopters handed over to Sri Lanka Air Force

Ten TH-57 Sea Ranger multi-purpose helicopters donated by the United States were officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) during a ceremony held at Ratmalana Air Force Base on Monday under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Namal questions ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme amid rising dengue cases

Opposition MP has questioned the effectiveness of the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, citing the recent surge in dengue cases across the country.

Sri Lanka assumes CASP-AP chairmanship for 2026-2027

Sri Lanka has taken over the chairmanship of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific (CASP-AP) for the 2026–2027 term, further strengthening its role in regional aviation security cooperation.

Applications for GIT examination 2026 open until July 16

The Examinations Department has called for applications for the General Information Technology (GIT) Examination 2026, which will be conducted for Grade 12 students in government and private schools.

U.S. delivers $4 million satellite communication system to Sri Lanka Navy

The United States has delivered an advanced Fleet Broadband satellite communication system to the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), enhancing maritime connectivity and operational capabilities across its Offshore Patrol Fleet.

Oil prices continue to slide as peace talks progress

Crude oil prices extended their decline today, with Brent crude sliding to $77.51 per barrel at the time of writing, and West Texas Intermediate at $73.62 per barrel, on reports that the United States and Iran were making progress in their peace talks.

Police inspector remanded over alleged Rs. 1 million bribery

A Police Inspector attached to the Kalutara Special Crimes Investigation Unit was remanded till July 3 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva for allegedly accepting Rs. 1 million as part of a bribe demanded to facilitate the release of an illegally assembled van without instituting criminal proceedings.

Parliament approves budget proposal to reduce VAT, SSCL threshold

Parliament unanimously approved the proposal to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) from Rs.60 million to Rs.36 million.

Supreme Court reserves judgment in FR petition against former Minister Fowzie

The Supreme Court today reserved judgment in a Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Chandra Jayaratne, alleging that the misuse of a government vehicle by former State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

France records hottest-ever night as 40 drown trying to escape heatwave

At least 40 ⁠people have drowned in recent days in France while swimming in unsupervised areas to seek relief from a heatwave gripping the country and other parts of Europe.

PACAF Commander meets Deputy Defence Minister

General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence in Colombo on Monday as part of his three-day official visit to the country from June 21 to 24.

Processed meats, sugary snacks, soft drinks banned from school canteens

The Ministry of Health has announced a list of food items that will be prohibited in school canteens under its newly introduced ’Guidelines on Healthy School Canteens’, aimed at ensuring students have access to affordable, safe and nutritious meals.

Woman injured in Wellawa shooting incident

A woman was injured following a shooting incident in the Wellawa area of Kurunegala early this morning (23).