Hold SLC elections or get blacklisted, ICC informs President AKD

The International Cricket Council has put forward a request to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to hold the elections of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on or before July 31, and has emphasised that if local authorities fail to do so, Sri Lanka once again risks being blacklisted by the ICC, the Daily Mirror reliably learns.

Colombo Port transhipment growth accelerates as CWIT ramps up operations

The Port of Colombo recorded significant growth in container transhipment volumes in April 2026, building upon its record-breaking performance in the previous year.

Sri Lanka, Thailand urge stronger business ties to overcome ‘unfamiliarity’ to boost trade and investments

Sri Lanka and Thailand are pushing for deeper economic integration, with officials from both nations urging their respective private sectors to bridge the gap of unfamiliarity to build trust and unlock the full potential of bilateral trade and investments.

IMF team to visit Sri Lanka this week

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) country team is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from June 24 to 30 for a formal staff visit to review the nation’s ongoing economic reform programme and assess the implementation of critical structural reforms.

Tourists raise concerns over payments allegedly collected by train guards

Train guards operating on the resumed Nanu Oya–Badulla railway service have allegedly collected money from tourists in exchange for access to train compartments, railway sources said.

U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander arrives in Sri Lanka

General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), arrived in Sri Lanka today for a three-day official visit aimed at further strengthening the growing defense partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka. As the head of PACAF, General Schneider oversees all U.S. Air Force personnel and assets across the Indo-Pacific region.

US and Iran begin talks on initial peace deal in Switzerland

US and Iranian officials have arrived in Switzerland for direct talks after signing an initial agreement to end the war last week.

West Indies Women beat Sri Lanka by five wickets

The West Indies Women produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka Women by five wickets in their Group B encounter of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.

India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to win Tri-Nation A-Series

India A defeated Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to clinch the Tri-Nation A-Series trophy at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.

France bans alcohol at music festival events under red heatwave alert

France has banned alcohol at some events at a massive national music festival on Sunday as a heatwave pushes temperatures towards record levels.

Lunuwila police accused of false implication in heroin trafficking case

Two youths in Lunuwila have filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court alleging that they were unlawfully arrested, falsely implicated in a heroin trafficking case, and wrongfully remanded for more than two months by officers attached to the Lunuwila Police Station.

Government must publish full fuel cost breakdown and prove subsidy claims – Namal Rajapaksa

Speaking at a public meeting in Colombo on 20 June 2026, SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa criticized the government’s handling of the economy, rising living costs, and fuel pricing policies.

UK PM Starmer ready to quit

Britain’s Observer newspaper said Prime Minister Keir Starmer was expected to resign on Monday and set ‌out a timetable for his departure, though a government source said Starmer remained focused on getting on with the job of governing.

Sooryavanshi smashes record 11-ball half-century against Sri Lanka A

India A opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name into the record books with the fastest half-century in List A cricket during the Tri-Nation Series final against Sri Lanka A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.

US-Iran talks to begin in Switzerland as Tehran says it closed Strait of Hormuz

Direct talks between the US and Iran are set to begin in Switzerland despite the Iranian military saying it has closed the Strait of Hormuz again over Israel’s attacks on southern Lebanon.

Alleged mastermind behind Rs. 210 Billion illegal Dollar transfer network arrested

The Financial Investigation Division has arrested the alleged mastermind behind a large-scale money laundering operation accused of illegally transferring more than Rs. 210 billion (over US$700 million) out of Sri Lanka under the guise of importing goods.

Police sound alarm over social media romance scams

The Sri Lanka Police has issued a public advisory warning citizens, particularly women, to remain vigilant against romance scams and other forms of fraud carried out through social media and digital communication platforms.

IMF team to visit Sri Lanka next week to review reform programme

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will visit Sri Lanka from June 24 to June 30 for a staff mission aimed at reviewing recent economic developments and the country’s ongoing reform programme.

Iran negotiators, Vance head for Switzerland but Lebanon fighting continues

A high-level Iranian team arrived in Switzerland on ​Saturday for peace talks with the U.S., Iranian state media reported, as U.S. Vice President JD Vance departed Washington for meetings that Pakistan said will begin on Sunday.

Fuel price relief possible by August or September if global prices remain stable: Bimal

The government could pass on the benefits of lower global fuel prices to the public by August or September, provided international fuel prices remain at their current levels, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said.

Three-month concession given for vehicles without seatbelts

The National Council for Road Safety said that a final three-month grace period will be given for owners of vehicles that were originally manufactured without seatbelts to install the required safety equipment.

Pakistan cuts petrol price by Rs74 after US-Iran peace deal eases oil costs

Pakistan on Friday slashed fuel prices by up to Rs74 per liter after a peace agreement between the United States and Iran helped ease pressure on global oil markets, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying the government was passing on the full benefit of lower international prices to consumers.

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over ceasefire violations - MEHR

Iran’s top joint military command, ​Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters, said on Saturday that the Strait ​of Hormuz would ​be closed to vessel ⁠traffic, citing ​alleged violations of a ​ceasefire agreement by the U.S. and Israel, Iran’s ​Mehr state ​news agency reported.

Final weekend to see Dehiwala Zoo’s lion cubs up close

The special opportunity for visitors to see the two lion cubs born at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens from close range will end on Sunday (June 21), with the Department of National Zoological Gardens urging the public to make the most of the final weekend.

At least seven killed in twin roadside bombings in northwest Pakistan

Two roadside bombs in restive northwestern Pakistan killed at least seven people on Saturday, authorities said.

Seat belt law comes into force across Sri Lanka from today

The National Council for Road Safety announced that the mandatory enforcement of Sri Lanka’s seat belt law comes into effect from today (20), following the conclusion of the grace period granted for motorists.

Australia vows to rein in any H5N1 birdflu after confirming first case

Australia will do all it can to curb any spread of H5N1 bird flu, Prime Minister Anthony ​Albanese said on Saturday, as the first mainland infection was confirmed ‌in a seabird a day after being detected in a remote southwestern region.

Suspect arrested in Meetiyagoda with over 1kg of ICE

A 32-year-old man was arrested in the Iranawila area of Meetiyagoda after police recovered more than one kilogram of the narcotic known as “ICE” and 750 grams of heroin during a raid conducted by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB).

Special security and traffic plan for Poson season

The Sri Lanka Police has announced a comprehensive island-wide security and traffic management plan in preparation for the upcoming Poson festival. This year’s Poson Full Moon Poya Day falls on June 29, 2026, and is expected to attract large numbers of devotees to religious sites across the country.

Australia confirms first case of H5N1 bird flu as virus reaches every continent

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has for the first time been found in Australia, the country’s agriculture ministry confirmed. It means the highly contagious variant has now reached every continent.