Govt. retains Rs. 60 Mn VAT threshold, drops planned reduction

The government has decided to retain the current Rs. 60 million annual turnover threshold for Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL), postponing a previously proposed reduction to Rs. 36 million that was scheduled to take effect from July 1.

Main suspects arrested in Jaffna over female physiotherapist’s body found in car

Police have arrested the main suspect in the case involving the discovery of a woman’s body inside a parked car in the Teldeniya area, along with his wife and a young child, during a joint operation in Jaffna.

Athapaththu century powers Sri Lanka past Ireland

Sri Lanka kept their Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Ireland, powered by a sensational unbeaten century from captain Chamari Athapaththu.

Ronaldo becomes first player to score at six World Cups as Portugal thrash Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo wrote himself into the World Cup record books as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston.

Cityscape over Colombo

Over 10 bus drivers, conductors test positive in random drug screening at Maharagama

Thirteen bus drivers and conductors tested positive for narcotic drug use during a surprise screening programme conducted at the Navinna bus stand in Maharagama on Tuesday (23).

U.S. donated TH-57 helicopters handed over to Sri Lanka Air Force

Ten TH-57 Sea Ranger multi-purpose helicopters donated by the United States were officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) during a ceremony held at Ratmalana Air Force Base on Monday under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

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Namal questions ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme amid rising dengue cases

Opposition MP has questioned the effectiveness of the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, citing the recent surge in dengue cases across the country.

Sri Lanka assumes CASP-AP chairmanship for 2026-2027

Sri Lanka has taken over the chairmanship of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific (CASP-AP) for the 2026–2027 term, further strengthening its role in regional aviation security cooperation.

Applications for GIT examination 2026 open until July 16

The Examinations Department has called for applications for the General Information Technology (GIT) Examination 2026, which will be conducted for Grade 12 students in government and private schools.

U.S. delivers $4 million satellite communication system to Sri Lanka Navy

The United States has delivered an advanced Fleet Broadband satellite communication system to the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), enhancing maritime connectivity and operational capabilities across its Offshore Patrol Fleet.

Oil prices continue to slide as peace talks progress

Crude oil prices extended their decline today, with Brent crude sliding to $77.51 per barrel at the time of writing, and West Texas Intermediate at $73.62 per barrel, on reports that the United States and Iran were making progress in their peace talks.

Police inspector remanded over alleged Rs. 1 million bribery

A Police Inspector attached to the Kalutara Special Crimes Investigation Unit was remanded till July 3 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva for allegedly accepting Rs. 1 million as part of a bribe demanded to facilitate the release of an illegally assembled van without instituting criminal proceedings.

Parliament approves budget proposal to reduce VAT, SSCL threshold

Parliament unanimously approved the proposal to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) from Rs.60 million to Rs.36 million.

Supreme Court reserves judgment in FR petition against former Minister Fowzie

The Supreme Court today reserved judgment in a Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Chandra Jayaratne, alleging that the misuse of a government vehicle by former State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

France records hottest-ever night as 40 drown trying to escape heatwave

At least 40 ⁠people have drowned in recent days in France while swimming in unsupervised areas to seek relief from a heatwave gripping the country and other parts of Europe.

PACAF Commander meets Deputy Defence Minister

General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence in Colombo on Monday as part of his three-day official visit to the country from June 21 to 24.

Processed meats, sugary snacks, soft drinks banned from school canteens

The Ministry of Health has announced a list of food items that will be prohibited in school canteens under its newly introduced ’Guidelines on Healthy School Canteens’, aimed at ensuring students have access to affordable, safe and nutritious meals.

Woman injured in Wellawa shooting incident

A woman was injured following a shooting incident in the Wellawa area of Kurunegala early this morning (23).

North Korea’s Kim doubles down on nuclear buildup

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday doubled down on Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons buildup and confrontational stance toward Seoul.

UK considers forcing social media firms to prioritise trusted news

Britain is considering forcing social media companies to prioritise what the government called trusted news sources as part of its broader push ​to tighten regulation of the sector.

Cabinet approves measures to tackle illegal land grabbing in Eastern Province

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a series of measures proposed by the President to address illegal land grabbing, unauthorized land reclamation, and illicit coastal constructions in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province.

Government removes second voter marking requirement

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the President to remove the legal requirement for an “appropriate mark” on voters from all existing election laws.

Cabinet appoints special committees to combat looming El Niño climate crisis

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal presented by the President to urgently establish a special Ministerial Sub-Committee and a supporting Officials’ Committee to mitigate the severe impacts of the global El Niño climate phenomenon. Scientific forecasts have confirmed that the intensity and effects of El Niño are expected to impact Sri Lanka starting from the latter half of this year, elevating risks of unpredictable rainfall disrupti

Cabinet approves new circular for Grade 1 school admissions from 2027

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to introduce a new circular containing provisions and guidelines for the admission of children to Grade One in government schools, effective from the year 2027 onward. The proposal was presented to the Cabinet by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.

President appoints commission to resolve public sector salary, pension disputes

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued an Extraordinary Gazette appointing a 15-member commission to recommend solutions to long-standing disputes concerning the salaries and pensions of government employees.

Tehran’s chief negotiator: Strait of Hormuz won’t return to pre-war status

Conditions in the Strait of Hormuz “will never go back to the way they were before the war,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf vowed on Monday.

Ma-del fishermen launch Satyagraha

Congo says confirmed Ebola cases rise to 1,048, including 267 deaths

The Democratic ​Republic of ‌Congo said late ​on ​Monday that confirmed ⁠Ebola ​cases in ​the country had reached ​1,048, ​including 267 deaths.