No point in associating MR with underworld figures now: MP

In what seemed humorous but a fact at the same time, Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake yesterday highlighted that there is no point in associating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa with underworld figures and criticising him as he is no longer engaged in active politics.

Sri Lanka to make fresh U.S. engagement to ensure child labour-free export supply chains

Sri Lanka is planning fresh engagements with the United States (U.S.) in a bid to avert new tariffs linked to child or forced labour, with the country’s export authorities seeking to demonstrate that it deals with the possible import of raw materials or intermediary goods tainted with such concerns for export industries, an official said.

1993 murder case finally sees justice

Eight men convicted of murdering a woman by assaulting her with sharp weapons and clubs and causing grievous injuries to two others were today sentenced to death by Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika Sri Ragala.

It could have been nipped in the bud. Only if we had been given orders – Prison officer to Minister

A prison officer told Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday that the Negombo prison unrest which claimed the lives of several prison officers and inmates could have been prevented had timely orders been issued to contain the situation.

Castle road rail level crossing closed this weekend, Kelani Valley trains restricted

The Castle Road railway level crossing between Baseline and Narahenpita railway stations will be closed to vehicular traffic for 22 hours this weekend due to essential renovation work, the Railways Department said.

Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan discuss expanding defence and security ties

The Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka Sergey Viktorov, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Ministry of Defence.

Old Bogambara prison officially re-designated as prison by gazette

The government has officially re-designated the Old Bogambara prison premises as a prison under the Prisons Ordinance through a Gazette notification issued by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.

Indian national among inmates killed in Sri Lanka’s prison riots

An Indian national was among the inmates killed in Sri Lanka’s prison riots on Monday (July 6, 2026), Colombo-based official sources told The Hindu, identifying the victim as Unnikrishnan S., aged 73 years.

Colombo university shifts lectures online over dengue

The Colombo University has decided to conduct all lectures online from tomorrow (10) until July 15 due to the ongoing spread of dengue.

US launches more strikes on Iran with blasts reported in south of country

The US has launched a new round of strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump signalled he’d ’’hit them hard again tonight’’ following an overnight exchange of attacks on Tuesday.

Paralympic great Storey retires from GB competition

Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most-decorated Paralympian, has retired from international competition with immediate effect. The 48-year-old cyclist has opted not to compete at Los Angeles 2028 to focus on helping improve Para-sport.

West Indies penalised for slow over-rate in second test against Sri Lanka

The West Indies have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against Sri Lanka in the second Test played in North Sound, Saint George, Antigua and Barbuda.

Online pension awareness sessions for retiring officers

The Pensions Department will launch a special online awareness session series from tomorrow (09) aimed at reducing delays in granting pensions to retiring public officers.

Paddy Marketing Board to begin Yala paddy purchases on July 15

The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) will commence purchasing paddy from the 2026 Yala season harvest from July 15, following instructions to begin procurement without delay.

Russia tries to jam Musk’s Starlink systems to counter Ukrainian drones

Russian forces are trying to counter Ukrainian ’’mid-strike’’ drone attacks by camouflaging cargoes and installing powerful jamming systems to disrupt Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, Ukrainian drone commanders and pilots told ​Reuters.

New US attacks on Iran were absolutely necessary, NATO chief says

The new attacks by the U.S. on Iran were ’’absolutely necessary,’’ ​NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.

New Foreign Employment Act soon – Minister

A new Foreign Employment Act aimed at addressing existing legal gaps and strengthening the rights and security of Sri Lankans working overseas will be presented to Parliament soon, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

Kitulgala jewellery shop owner fined Rs. 2.1 mn for illegal wildlife trade

A suspect arrested by wildlife officers for illegally possessing and selling protected animal parts at a jewellery establishment in the tourist town of Kitulgala has been fined Rs. 2.1 million after pleading guilty to 38 charges.

West Indies eye new era after historic Sri Lanka series win

West Indies ended a wait of more than two decades for a Test series victory over Sri Lanka, sealing a memorable 1-0 triumph and raising hopes of a new era under captain Roston Chase.

German doctor jailed for killing 15 of his patients

A German palliative care doctor has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing 15 of his patients

Trump threatens to hit Iran ’hard again tonight’ after saying ceasefire ’is over’

US President Donald Trump today (Wednesday 8) gave Iran a ’’warning’’ and said that the United States will strike the Islamic Republic ’’very hard’’ tonight. He also stated that he was unhappy with Iran, hours after declaring that the ceasefire was over following attacks on American military sites in the Gulf.

239 drivers, conductors test positive for drugs in Western Province

A total of 239 drivers and conductors have tested positive for prohibited drugs under a mobile drug screening programme carried out in the Western Province, the National Institute of Transport Medicine said today.

CSE declines further as geopolitical concerns weigh on investor sentiment

The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its decline on Wednesday, with both benchmark indices closing lower as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to weigh on investor confidence.

Egypt want officials kicked out of World Cup

The Egyptian Football Association says it has asked Fifa to kick the officials in charge of their World Cup last-16 defeat by Argentina out of the tournament.

’’Water Supply Disconnection Week’’ programme cancelled: NWSDB

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced that the ’’Water Supply Disconnection Week’’ programme, which was scheduled to be carried out from July 13 to 19, 2026, has been cancelled.

Kandy Esala Perahera to begin with ’Kap’ planting ceremony on August 13

The annual Esala Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa will begin with the traditional ’’Kap’’ planting ceremony, or ’’Kap Situweema,’’ on August 13 at 6.17 a.m., Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela said.

Education institutions to strengthen inclusive education framework

The Education Ministry and several government institutions will work together to integrate inclusive education into future plans, following a workshop held in Colombo on promoting research findings related to inclusive education.

Warm weather advisory issued for three districts

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department has issued a warm weather advisory for the Batticaloa, Ampara and Monaragala districts, warning that the heat index could reach “Caution” level in some areas during the daytime tomorrow (09).

Housing aid programme planned for low-income families with unfinished homes

The Government is planning a housing assistance programme to help low-income families complete partially constructed houses, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Government must reconsider northern train service cuts ahead of the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple Festival – Cassilingam

SLPP Jaffna District Organizer and Politburo Member Geethanath Cassilingam has called on the government to immediately reconsider its decision to reduce the Colombo–Kankesanthurai Intercity Express service, warning that the move would cause significant inconvenience to thousands of passengers travelling to the North ahead of the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple Festival.