Ancient ’Robin Hood’ tree is dead, experts say

The Major Oak, one of the UK’s most iconic trees due to its vast age, size and links to the legend of Robin Hood, is believed by experts to have died.

Over 1,200 killed in road accidents in less than six months

The Sri Lanka Police has reported that 1,297 people were killed in road accidents across the country between January 1 and June 16, 2026.

Hospital system may struggle if dengue cases increase further: Minister

Sri Lanka’s hospital system may struggle to cope if the number of dengue patients continues to rise, Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has warned.

South Korea’s Lee leaves G7 with Trump’s pen

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung left the G7 summit in France with the souvenir of a pen from U.S. President Donald ​Trump and the promise of a golf game after a ‌dinner discussion he described as making progress over the issue of North Korea.

Unquenchable Scottish thirst for World Cup beer pushes Boston bars to the limit

Bars in Boston are gearing up for a second tidal wave of drinking by Scotland’s Tartan Army of football fans who nearly drained some pubs of all their beer in the first ​weekend of their World Cup occupation of the city.

Did Govt. ask for America’s FBI report ?If not why? asks UNP

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday raised questions over the failure of the present government to ask for the material on the investigation carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Easter Sunday attacks since it has restarted the investigations.

First tankers cross strait under Iran deal

Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying 6 million barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz ​on Thursday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end the war that has disrupted global energy supplies.

HSBC fined over Australian scam failures

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Sugeeshwara Bandara remanded until July 1

The leader of the New People’s Front, Sugeeshwara Bandara, who was arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) this morning, was remanded until July 1 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Peace deal optimism lifts CSE

The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its gains on Thursday, supported by improving investor sentiment following reports that the United States and Iran had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paving the way for a potential peace agreement. The development boosted confidence across global markets and spilled over into the local bourse, helping both benchmark indices close in positive territory.

Russia - Ukraine conflict

Minister Nalinda rejects claims of abuse, political revenge in Sallay probe

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa rejected allegations that former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Suresh Sallay was tortured, stripped or otherwise mistreated while in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), insisting that the investigation is being conducted strictly in accordance with the law and without political interference.

Ravi K urges President to review inflation target, proposes reducing it to 2–3%

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to initiate an early review of Sri Lanka’s Monetary Policy Framework Agreement (MPFA), proposing that the country’s medium-term inflation target be reduced from the current 5% to between 2% and 3%.

Further hearing into Gotabaya’s writ petition fixed for June 24

Further hearing into the writ petition filed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, seeking an order preventing his arrest in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, was today fixed for June 24 by the Court of Appeal.

Review of 2026 budget projects held

A review meeting on the implementation of ministry-level projects and key policy initiatives under the 2026 Budget proposals was held yesterday (17) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Officers must prioritise public grievance committees: Minister

Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Professor Chandana Abayaratne has emphasized that public officers are duty-bound to provide prompt solutions to public grievances and must prioritise Divisional Coordination Committee meetings above other official engagements.

Sri Lanka tourism wins four international awards at SITF 2026 in South Korea

Sri Lanka Tourism has earned international acclaim at the 41st Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF 2026), held from June 4–7 at COEX, Seoul, South Korea, securing four prestigious awards that underscore the country’s rising profile in the global tourism industry.

Preschool education gets science-based overhaul

Sri Lanka is introducing major reforms to preschool education with a new science-based curriculum designed to improve the quality of early childhood learning across the country.

UAE bans social media for children under the age of 15

The UAE Cabinet has issued a resolution regulating children’s access to social media platforms and sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years.

Probe launched into Police-Air Force standoff in Kalpitiya

The Sri Lanka Police have launched an investigation into a tense standoff that erupted between a group of police officers and Sri Lanka Air Force personnel during a raid at the Kalpitiya seashore.

Rough seas, strong winds expected off southern and southeastern coast

The Meteorology Department has warned that sea areas off the coast from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times, with strong gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kmph.

Parents urged to choose only registered preschools as quality drive gathers pace

The government has urged parents to enrol their children only in government-registered preschools as part of a nationwide effort to improve standards in Sri Lanka’s early childhood development sector.

Middle East conflict puts global spotlight on Colombo Port, World Bank tells government

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has placed the Colombo Port under increased global attention, prompting the World Bank to urge the Sri Lankan government to exercise great care in its future development and management, during discussions with Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake at the Ministry premises.

Govt assures preschool teachers reforms will not threaten jobs

The government has assured preschool teachers that the ongoing reforms in Sri Lanka’s early childhood development sector will not jeopardise their employment, urging them not to be misled by misinformation surrounding the new policy changes.

AI will create more jobs for humans, not replace them, Amazon founder Bezos says

AI will lead to more need for workers rather than make people redundant, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos predicted during an appearance at a tech conference in Paris.

“Let my houses stay where they are”: Lalkantha tells critics to go to court

Minister K.D. Lalkantha dismissed allegations over his properties, saying anyone with concerns should take legal action.

Trump says he will visit India as frosty relationship with Modi thaws

US President Donald Trump promised to visit India during a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in France, signalling a thawing of relations between the two countries.

Health authorities urge public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites as cases climb

The Health Promotion Bureau has launched a nationwide awareness campaign urging the public to take immediate action to prevent the spread of dengue as cases continue to rise across the country.

Trump and Iran’s Pezeshkian sign initial deal to end war; Further talks planned

US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have reportedly signed an initial agreement aimed at ending ongoing hostilities between the two countries, according to details released from the event.

Bird flu kills more than 75% of baby seals on remote Australian island, study finds

Bird flu has killed thousands of southern elephant seal pups on remote Antarctic islands belonging to Australia, new research has shown.