Colombo Divisional Secretariats introduce card payment facilities

All 13 Divisional Secretariat Offices in the Colombo District have introduced credit and debit card payment facilities as part of the Government’s drive to modernise public services through digitalisation.

Dinal Edirisinghe wins National Table Topics Speech Contest

Dinal Edirisinghe has been crowned the winner of the National Table Topics Speech Contest conducted by District 82 of Toastmasters International at “The Ovation” District Convention held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo.

Indonesian couple publicly caned for kissing on TikTok

A young couple in Indonesia’s strict Islamic province of Aceh have been publicly caned for kissing outside marriage on TikTok, an act seen as a violation of Sharia law.

Ven Narampanawe Ananda Thero appointed Chancellor of Kelaniya University

The Deputy Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thero, has been officially appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

India to tour Sri Lanka for two-test series in August

Sri Lanka Cricket said that the India men’s cricket team will tour Sri Lanka in August 2026 for a two-match Test series.

Dengue outbreak shuts Colombo Visual and Performing Arts University

The University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo has been temporarily shut down following an outbreak of dengue and fever among students, according to the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Boy driving pickup truck crashes into group of Thai monks, killing 8

An 11-year-old boy crashed a pickup truck into a group of monks on a pilgrimage walk in northeastern Thailand on Thursday (July 2), killing eight, officials said.

Sajith Premadasa congratulates Communist Party of China on 105th anniversary

In a special message marking the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa extended his warm congratulations, commending the Party’s remarkable transformation and its contribution to China’s emergence as a global economic and technological powerhouse.

Withholding A/L results of Muslim candidates over hijab violated fundamental rights: HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has ruled that the decision to withhold the Advanced Level examination results of around 70 Muslim students from Zahira College, Trincomalee, in 2024 violated their fundamental rights.

Notice issued on FCID OIC over request to release electronic devices seized in Krrish investigations

Colombo Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today issued notice on the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to present submissions tomorrow regarding a request filed by W.D.N.H. Perera seeking the release of his computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices taken into police custody in connection with investigations into the Krrish transactions.

Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara summoned by CID

Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) of Police for the Eastern Province, Waruna Jayasundara, has been summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning, police sources said.

Next indirect US-Iran talks due after late supreme leader’s funeral

The next indirect United States-Iran talks will come after the late Iranian supreme leader’s funeral, mediators said on Thursday (Jul 2), as diplomacy inches ahead on ending the Middle East war.

Rise in teen accidents alarms health officials

Health officials have raised concerns over a recent increase in accidents involving teenagers, warning that the growing number of incidents poses a significant risk to public safety.

USA Reach World Cup Last 16 as FIFA Reports Surge in Online Racist Abuse

Football celebrated another World Cup milestone—but away from the pitch, a disturbing surge in online racist abuse cast a dark shadow over the tournament.

Labour Ministry launches probe into “Mr. Kottu” chain after owner’s arrest

The Ministry of Labour has ordered an urgent investigation into the popular “Mr. Kottu” restaurant chain following the recent arrest of its owner, Viraj Wickramanayake.

Sri Lanka courts face over 1 million-case backlog

Sri Lanka’s justice system is under strain, with more than 1.1 million cases pending nationwide, exposing a severe mismatch between caseload and court capacity, Supreme Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda said.

Sri Lanka highlights climate action and SDG integration in Bangkok

Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody has reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development during his address at the Seventh Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies held in Bangkok on 29–30 June 2026.

Australia increases student and temporary graduate visa fees

Australia has increased student visa charges, a move set to affect thousands of Kenyan students planning to study in the country or already studying there.

Missing young novice monks found safe in Passara

Two young novice monks who were reported missing from the Sri Bodhirukkharama Pirivena Viharaya in Millabedda, Passara, have been found safe, police said.

No water tariff revision for next six months: Minister

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe said that water tariffs will not be revised for the next six months of this year.

India tells WhatsApp to halt usernames rollout, justify feature or face action

India has ​asked WhatsApp to justify the implementation of a planned feature covering usernames and to freeze the rollout ‌in its biggest market, escalating a crackdown on messaging anonymity that began with Telegram, according to a government letter reviewed by Reuters.

Pakistan Defence Secretary arrives in Sri Lanka

Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan, Lieutenant General (Retd) Muhammad Ali, arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday for an official visit to participate in the 6th Pakistan–Sri Lanka Armed Forces Defence Dialogue.

Archchuna’s parliamentary eligibility case re-fixed for argument

The writ application challenging the eligibility of Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna to serve as a Member of Parliament was today re-fixed for argument after the Court of Appeal bench was not properly constituted.

Activists demand action as ’AKD Go Home’ slogan returns

Activists associated with the Citizens’ Struggle Movement staged a protest in Borella on Thursday, demanding urgent government action to address the rising cost of living, with demonstrators chanting the slogan ’’AKD Go Home’’ during the protest.

Rise in HIV, STIs among Sri Lankan adolescents

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa raised concerns over a growing number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among adolescents in Sri Lanka, saying the trend has become increasingly evident among both school and university students.

S.M. Chandrasena indicted over seed maize distribution case

Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena, who faces corruption allegations, was today served with an indictment before the Colombo High Court after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed charges against him, with the indictment being read before Colombo High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne.

Government paddy purchases delayed as warehouses remain full, farmers’ group claims

The National Agrarians’ Unity has alleged that government purchases of newly harvested paddy in the Northern and Eastern provinces have been delayed because warehouses operated by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) remain full of old stocks.

Homagama Hospital introduces digital ETU and telemedicine

The Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the Homagama Base Hospital has been digitized, with the hospital also introducing telemedicine services to enable the remote examination and management of patients through video conferencing.

World palmyrah day celebrated

Sri Lanka enters El Niño phase, braces for weather extremes

Sri Lanka is currently in the El Niño phase, with weather officials warning that the country could experience a series of extreme weather conditions in the coming months, ranging from reduced rainfall and floods to drought.