People’s Struggle Movement protests against U.S. support for Israel

The People’s Struggle Movement staged a protest in front of the American Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 27, 2025, condemning the United States’ continued support for Israel amid ongoing atrocities against Palestinians.

Intoxicant capsules seized

A consignment of 317,000 capsules of an illegal intoxicant was seized during a raid on Mohottuwarama Island on Thursday night by Kalpitiya Police.

Deadlock halts election of Chairpersons in three Local Bodies

Votes to appoint chairpersons for the Bandaragama, Weligama and Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabhas have ended in dramatic deadlocks, following heated clashes between members of the National People’s Power (NPP) and opposition

Business delegation from India to visit Sri Lanka to strengthen trade and investment ties

A high-level business delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), comprising around 15 members and led by Mr. Sanjiv Puri, Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Ltd and Immediate Past President of CII, is visiting Sri

Supreme Court suspends gazette on Northern Province land

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order suspending the operation of the Gazette notification issued in respect of 5,941 acres of land in the Northern Province.

Sharp drop in HIV and AIDS cases in Anuradhapura

Health authorities in the Anuradhapura District have expressed satisfaction about the sharp decline in positive cases of HIV and AIDS reported from the district.

Sri Lanka welcomes defence cooperation with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region: Minister

Sri Lanka welcomes the defence cooperation with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region and training and capacity-building opportunities offered to Sri Lankan military officials throughout the year, according to Justice Minister

Two NPP members of Weligama PS abducted

Two NPP members of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha had been abducted last morning when they were on their way to attend the inaugural meeting of the Pradeshiya Sabha to elect a chairman.

Iran ready to increase imports from Sri Lanka amid Middle East tensions

“The U.S. bears full responsibility for this criminal act committed in collusion with the Zionist regime. But Iran is a peace-loving country. We have accepted the ceasefire because we understand that our neighbours also suffer from prolonged tensions.”

UN research ship chooses Madagascar instead of Sri Lanka, approval too late, so sad

Despite green light, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) research vessel “Dr Fridtjof Nansen” is unlikely to visit Sri Lanka since approval came late, making timely scheduling for survey here impossible, Daily Mirror learns.

Creating unblemished citizens to reduce congestion in prisons

The Department of Community Based Probation of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration has implemented a plan under the concept of to the barest minimum, to save the expenditure of Rs.1544 per day which amounts to Rs. 555, 840 per annum on maintaining a prisoner, and to work out programmes for minor offenders sentenced to community activities.

Lack of skilled workers the most pressing concern for German businesses in Sri Lanka

The lack of skilled workers is the most pressing concern for German businesses in Sri Lanka with 47 percent of them citing it as a concern, based on a survey by AHK Business Barometer.

Forgery of presidential pardons; similar investigations ongoing in other prisons, ASG tells court

Additional Solicitor General Suharshi Herath Jayawira, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed court that investigations are ongoing in several other prisons regarding incidents similar to the one currently before court, involving the alleged forgery of documents to secure presidential pardons for ineligible inmates.

Workers stage token strike demanding salary increase

The employees of Palaviya Salt Company in Puttalam yesterday staged a token strike demanding a salary increase.

Customs defend halt on cross-border LC vehicle imports, cites widespread duty fraud

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday defended its recent decision to halt the clearance of vehicles imported under cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs), citing the measure as a crucial step to combat significant tax evasion through fraudulent under-valuation.

Sri Lanka’s tea for oil barter trade with Iran to take a hit due to crisis

Sri Lanka’s barter trade with Iran (tea for oil) to settle dues for a previous transaction is likely to be hit by tension in the Middle-East at the moment, a Minister said.

Iran ready to increase imports from Sri Lanka amid Middle East tensions

In the wake of the current Middle- East crisis sparked by a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel involving the United States, Iran yesterday expressed readiness to enhance trade relations with Sri Lanka, particularly in importing tea.

Will Archchuna lose parliamentary seat?

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna continues to hold office as a public officer, raising serious threat to the principle of separation of powers.

Rs.100, 000 bribe, former land officer landed in jail for 22 years

The Colombo High Court yesterday sentenced a retired land officer to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs.30,000, after finding him guilty of soliciting a bribe of Rs.100,000 to issue a permit for cutting trees on a land within the Mahaweli Zone in Thambuttegama.

Aviation emissions returning to pre-2019 levels: Expert

The global aviation sector had emitted approximately 600 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere by 2019, and emission levels are now gradually returning to their pre-2019 figures, Sustainability and Civil Aviation Specialist and Aviation Research Leader Nuranga Adikari said.

Hundreds of vehicles stranded as Sri Lanka Customs enforces decade-old import rule

The letter from importers challenges the official count of affected vehicles, noting that a list compiled in just hours from only three shipping agents contained over 350 vehicles imported since the ban was lifted on February 1, 2025. This contradicts information allegedly given to the ministry that only five or six such vehicles had been imported.

Deputy Minister accused of influencing Police in assault case of UNP CMC member

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Talatha Athukorala has alleged that a Deputy Minister attempted to influence police regarding the recent assault on Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) member Sandamali Uluwitage.

Annual blood donation campaign by Law Students’ Buddhist Brotherhood

The annual blood donation campaign organized by the Law Students’ Buddhist Brotherhood will be held on the 26th of June from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Main Hall of Sri Lanka Law College.

Independent group fielded by jailed Mahindananda Aluthgamage secures Nawalapitiya Urban Council

An independent group, reportedly backed by convicted former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has taken control of the Nawalapitiya Urban Council following its inaugural meeting held last morning.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls for global reforms to support debt ridden countries like SL

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk who began his official visit in Sri Lanka emphasised the need for global reforms of the international financial institutions, to free many countries – including Sri Lanka – from the crushing debt burdens that weigh so heavily on human rights investments.

Former Principal Holy Rosary College, Kollupitiya passes away

Mr. Ariya Hemananth, former Principal of Holy Rosary Tamil College, Kollupitiya, Executive Member of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Union, and Coordinating Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Labour, beloved husband of Mrs. Anusha Hemananth (Teacher, St. Clare’s College, Wellawatte), passed away on 23rd June 2025.

Lanka IOC dealers angered by loss of commission

Lanka IOC dealers accuse its management of not increasing the dealer commission that was trimmed from March this year despite gaining profits in billions of rupees annually.

Middle East port disruptions push global maritime services toward Hambantota and Galle

Disruptions in ports in the restive Middle-East will push maritime services towards Hambantota and Galle ports, a maritime industry expert who wished to remain anonymous said.

Fine paid with forged note, woman arrested

A woman who attempted to pay a fine with counterfeit currency notes at the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court was arrested by Hambantota police last morning. She had tendered a counterfeit currency note of Rs. 5000 denomination

‘Aluth Kalaawak’ Sinhala music festival launched with short-film premier

A short film, setting up a Sinhalese musical festival, Aluth Kalaawak, was premiered on Monday at the PVR cinemas, One Galle Face, amidst dozens of Sinhala musicians and distinguished invitees.