Sri Lanka reaffirms commitment to sustainable environment at UNESCAP ministerial session

Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to ensuring a sustainable environment and advancing climate resilience through regional cooperation, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said while addressing the 9th Session of the Committee on Environment and Development at the Ministerial Level organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

Fmr. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody grilled by Presidential Commission on coal deals

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing alleged irregularities in coal procurement questioned former Energy Minister Engineer Kumara Jayakody for nearly two hours and recorded his statement yesterday (30).

Iran says it won’t meet with U.S. envoys

Iran said Tuesday it would not meet with top ‌US envoys who flew to the region following an outbreak of hostilities, clouding the prospects for a lasting peace between the two countries.

PHIs raid tobacco betel dansala; suspect taken to Court

An individual who held a dansala in Saliyawewa area to serve quids of betel containing tobacco on Poson Full Moon Poya day ended up in courts.

Labour shortage compels Sri Lankan firms to recruit foreign workers - Minister

Sri Lanka’s private sector currently has more than 400,000 job vacancies, compelling local industries to recruit foreign workers from countries such as India and China due to a shortage of both skilled and unskilled labour, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti said.

Agrarians reject Yala paddy prices, demand Rs. 140 per kg

The National Agrarians’ Unity has rejected the government’s guaranteed paddy prices for the 2026 Yala cultivation season, describing them as unrealistic in the face of rising production costs, and has warned of trade union action if the pricing policy is not revised.

Argument in Dansala queue ends in assault: Five arrested

Five suspects have been arrested after a young man was allegedly assaulted outside a Poson Dansala in Malabe, following an incident that was widely circulated on social media.

Dead dolphin found washed ashore in Wilpattu national park

A dead dolphin was found washed ashore in the Kollankanatta area of Wilpattu National Park on Monday evening (30), wildlife officials said.

Roof collapse kills 14 children at Pakistan tuition centre

Fourteen children died after the roof of a building near Lahore collapsed on top of them, officials say.

Bird nests of fibre-optic cables show war’s impact on Ukraine

Woven from fibre-optic cable and grass, a small ​bird’s nest found near the front line of the war in Ukraine shows how the more ‌than four-year-old conflict is reshaping the natural environment, researchers say.

US deports first migrant to Pacific nation Palau

The United States has started deporting migrants to a sparsely populated archipelago in the tropical Pacific, the island nation of Palau told AFP on Wednesday.

Dangerous heatwave to hit US ahead of holiday weekend

A prolonged and dangerous heatwave will intensify across a swathe of the US this week, ushering in scorching daytime heat, high humidity and stifling overnight temperatures, forecasters predict.

Strong winds and rough seas forecast around Sri Lanka during next 24 hours

The Meteorology Department has forecast strong winds and rough sea conditions in several sea areas around Sri Lanka during the next 24 hours.

Trump made more than $1bn from crypto in first year back in office

US President Donald Trump made more than $1bn (£750m) last year from business dealings in cryptocurrency, according to his mandatory financial report for 2025.

Inflation climbs further above target

Sri Lanka’s inflation climbed further above the Central Bank’s 5 percent target in June, deepening concerns over the cost of living and raising fresh questions over whether borrowing costs will remain elevated for longer.

Sri Lanka weathers Middle East shock better than expected: IMF

Sri Lanka’s economic recovery has remained resilient despite the fallout from the Middle East conflict, with strong revenue collection and growth helping cushion the impact of external shocks, although significant reform challenges remain, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday.

Construction firms report strong project pipeline despite mounting cost pressures

Sri Lanka’s construction sector regained momentum in May as a steady flow of new project awards helped drive activity back into expansion territory, offering fresh evidence that investment activity remains resilient despite higher borrowing costs and global uncertainty.

Food and energy costs push Sri Lanka inflation to 6.8% in June

Headline inflation accelerated further in June, rising above the Central Bank’s 5 percent target as higher domestic energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict continued to feed through to the economy.

Lankadeepa shines at Asian Miracle Awards

New priority access card for disabled persons announced

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has decided to introduce a special identification card to provide priority services for persons with disabilities at government institutions.

Reckless drivers to face criminal prosecution, tougher penalties: Police

Sri Lanka Police have introduced tougher measures against dangerous and reckless driving, warning that serious traffic offenders will face criminal prosecution in addition to penalties under existing traffic laws.

Sri Lanka reaffirms climate commitment, targets 70% renewable energy by 2030

Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to ambitious climate action and sustainable development goals, with plans to meet 70 per cent of the country’s energy demand through renewable sources by 2030 and beyond, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said.

Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to restrict birthright citizenship

Handing President Donald Trump a stinging defeat, the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected his audacious attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States — a right long woven into the fabric of American society — scuttling one of his top priorities in his crackdown on immigration.

Human–elephant conflict a major national challenge: Wildlife

The human–elephant conflict has become a major and challenging issue in the country, Deputy Director (Elephant Conservation) of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), U.L. Thaufeeq, said.

Guaranteed paddy prices announced for 2026 Yala season

The Government has announced the guaranteed prices at which it will purchase paddy from farmers during the 2026 Yala cultivation season

BOI gets new chairman and members

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Presidential Senior Economic Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa as the new Chairman and a member of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Health Ministry promotes dengue hotline

The Health and Mass Media Ministry has called for wide public awareness of the newly established Dengue Operations Room, which has been set up to strengthen information gathering and coordination related to dengue prevention and control.

Sri Lanka amends National Environmental Act to strengthen environmental protection

Sri Lanka has amended the National Environmental Act, introducing new legal provisions aimed at strengthening environmental protection, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody announced at an international climate conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

CSE ends lower as profit-taking and cautious sentiment weigh ahead of earnings season

The Colombo Stock Exchange commenced the week on a weaker footing, with both benchmark indices closing lower as profit-taking in selected counters weighed on overall market performance. Selling pressure persisted throughout the session, while moderate turnover and share volume levels reflected cautious investor participation.

Four school students drown after boat capsizes in Wanathawilluwa lagoon

Four school students have died after drowning in the Mangala Pura lagoon in Wanathawilluwa while travelling by boat to collect flowers.