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.

Sri Lanka ranks 83rd globally in Claude AI usage, new data shows

Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI chatbot, tracks how people around the world use its models through what it calls the Anthropic Economic Index. The Index breaks down usage by country, by occupation, and by task type, using data pulled from Claude.ai conversations.

2027 Budget to prioritise long-term solutions for drinking water issues

The 2027 Budget would give special priority to addressing the country’s long-standing drinking water issues by introducing sustainable solutions, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Government committed to preparing children for technology-driven future: PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said the Government is committed to equipping Sri Lanka’s children with modern technology, knowledge and skills required to face the challenges of the future.

Four buses seized for running on kerosene fuel

Four passenger transport buses have been taken into custody by the Ambalangoda Police for allegedly operating using kerosene as fuel instead of diesel.

Greaves, Fernando gain in ICC men’s test player rankings

All-rounder Justin Greaves of the West Indies and seam bowler Asitha Fernando of Sri Lanka have made notable gains in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings after the drawn second match of their ICC World Test Championship series in North Sound, Saint George, Antigua and Barbuda.

Final salute...

Trump says interim accord to end war is ’over’ after Iranian strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump said ​an interim agreement to end the war with Iran ​was ’’over’’ on Wednesday after Tehran carried out new ⁠attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf.

Govt plans to clear major elephant corridors in Anuradhapura

The government has decided to expedite the clearing and protection of key elephant corridors in the Anuradhapura District as part of its long-term strategy to reduce the human-elephant conflict.

Trump says at NATO summit he has ordered cutoff of US trade with Spain

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday at a NATO summit he had ordered his ​Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off all ‌trade with Spain, calling Madrid a ’’terrible partner’’ in the alliance.

Death toll reaches 28 in Negombo Prison clash

A prison guard who was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with severe injuries following the violent clashes at the Negombo Prison has passed away.

If the system had changed, the Minister would have stepped down – Namal Rajapaksa

MP Namal Rajapaksa, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Namal Rajapaksa, said the government’s response to the Negombo prison tragedy demonstrates that the promised “system change” has failed, arguing that true accountability would have required the subject minister to resign.

CID completes probe into case against Ranil Wickremesinghe over London trip allegations

The Criminal Investigation Department today informed Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena that it has concluded all investigations into the case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over allegations that he caused a loss of more than Rs. 16 million to the State.

Several parties seek to intervene in Suresh Sallay’s writ petition

Several individuals and organisations, including prominent Buddhist monks, have sought the permission of the Court of Appeal to intervene in the writ application filed by Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, former Director of the State Intelligence Service, challenging the legality of his arrest and detention.

AI-generated women on Facebook used to lure Sri Lankan users into scams, adult chats

A network of AI-generated female profiles on Facebook is being used to create fake identities, attract users through emotional and sexualised content, and redirect them towards adult-chat services, gambling platforms, cryptocurrency promotions and other questionable online destinations, according to a study by researcher Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa.

Lanka Tractors unveils ACE brand

Stipulated fares for buses, three-wheelers, office and school vans: Minister

A new system of stipulated fares for buses, three wheelers, school vans and office vans will be introduced soon, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

US reinstates sanctions on Iranian oil sales after LNG, oil tanker attacks

The United ‌States on Tuesday re-imposed sanctions on Iranian oil, as a U.S. official warned that Iran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were ’’wholly unacceptable’’ and would be met with consequences.

Two transferred inmates die after Negombo Prison unrest

Two inmates transferred from Negombo Prison following the recent unrest have died.

Adam Bobrow, the 'Voice of Table Tennis,' takes on Sri Lanka

Adam Bobrow, the American commentator and YouTuber known as ’’The Voice of Table Tennis,’’ recently visited Sri Lanka to take on 15 of the country’s best players in a single sitting, filmed at the High Performance Table Tennis Academy.

Former Minister Jagath Pushpakumara arrested

Former Cabinet Minister Jagath Pushpakumara was arrested today by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over several alleged corruption offences.

Sugeeshwara Bandara further remanded

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s former Private Secretary, Sugeeshwara Lenin Bandara, to be further remanded till July 22 over allegations of criminal misappropriation of funds allocated under the Presidential Expenditure Head.

Ultimate objective should be to make public transport free of charge: Minister

The ultimate goal pertaining to transportation is to make public transport free of charge and keep private vehicles home. However, it cannot be done now, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

Tinea infections on the rise in Sri Lanka

Health authorities have warned of a sharp rise in skin disease cases across Sri Lanka, with tinea (ringworm) emerging as one of the most commonly reported fungal skin infections.

‘Silicon City’ industrial park planned in Nattandiya

The Government is planning to establish a modern silicon-based industrial park named “Silicone City” in the Nattandiya area, utilising the silica sand deposits found in the Nattandiya Mahawewa–Horakelle Wattha farm belonging to the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB).

Last respects to fallen officers...

Prison officials seek Minister’s protection for officer who opened fire

Prison officials have urged Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to protect the prison officer who opened fire during the recent unrest at Negombo Prison, claiming that misleading information is being circulated about his actions.

CPRP alleges torture of transferred Negombo Prison inmates

The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) has called for an immediate end to the alleged torture of inmates transferred from Negombo Prison to other correctional facilities following recent unrest.

Dengue death toll rises to 42

The number of dengue-related deaths reported in Sri Lanka so far this year has climbed to 42, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said.