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.

Bus plunges into stream near Gregory Lake

A private bus overturned into the Thalagala Oya near Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya today after the driver reportedly lost control while attempting to park the vehicle.

Special police protection for 454 persons

Special police protection is being provided to 454 persons, including former MPs, former IGPs, retired judges, chief incumbent monks of several temples, a Bishop and a former First Lady, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Locally made firearm to scare animals out in the market

A locally made firearm turned out by a young man in the Wellawaya area to scare giant squirrels, monkeys and macaques causing crop devastation was sold in Badulla town to the public.

Dengue vaccine has 90% effectiveness against type 2 virus – Expert

Consultant Paediatrician and Founder Clinical Head of the Centre for Clinical Management of Dengue & Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in Negombo, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, said an internationally approved dengue vaccine could significantly reduce the burden of the disease as it has more than 90% effectiveness against dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2).

Health Ministry warns nursing officers of transfer scams

The Health and Mass Media Ministry has warned nursing officers against a suspected racket involving the collection of personal information and money from officers seeking annual transfers for 2026.

Employment barriers continue to limit workforce participation of persons with disabilities, says ChildFund

Sri Lanka is losing productivity, talent and economic potential by failing to better integrate persons with disabilities into the workforce, ChildFund Sri Lanka warns. While nearly 70 percent of persons with disabilities remain unemployed despite persistent labour shortages across industries, this group includes many people who could participate in the labour market with appropriate support,

Ad hoc rice imports blamed for growing paddy marketing crisis

The flooding of the domestic market with imported rice ahead of the harvesting season has triggered the current crisis in the paddy marketing sector, according to analysts.

Remains of prison officers killed in clash brought to Welikada

The remains of the prison officers who lost their lives in the violent clash at the Negombo Prison were brought to the Welikada Prison premises in a motorcade this morning (08).

Govt considers social media ban for children under-16: PM

The government is considering banning or limiting social media access to children under 16, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today.

Opposition MPs wear black bands over prison clash

Opposition MPs attended Parliament wearing black armbands today in protest against what they described as the government’s inadequate response to the clash at Negombo Prison, MP Harsha de Silva told the Daily Mirror.

Discontinuing indelible ink could save Rs. 100 million per election: PAFFREL

Discontinuing the use of indelible ink at elections could save nearly Rs. 100 million per election without compromising the integrity of the voting process, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Rohana Hettiarachchi, said.

House Arrest Act soon to mitigate prison overcrowding: Minister

Highlighting that the root cause of the Negombo Prison clash was tension resulting from severe overcrowding, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament that key legal reforms would be introduced, including a House Arrest Bill that would enable remand prisoners to be kept under house arrest subject to electronic monitoring.

INFOGRAPHIC: Argentina Stage Stunning Comeback; Switzerland Book Last-Eight Showdown

Argentina rallied from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2, while Switzerland edged Colombia on penalties to set up a quarter-final meeting with the reigning world champions.

Iran target US military sites in Kuwait, Bahrain after earlier American strikes

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday (Jul 8) that they targeted 85 United States military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to the US’ ’’ceasefire violation’’.

Egypt were ‘cheated’ in World Cup loss to Argentina, coach Hassan says

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claims his side was “cheated” out of a place in the World Cup quarterfinals after Argentina staged a stunning late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in a gripping last-16 match in Atlanta.

Colombo canals turn into garbage dumps despite SLLDC dengue prevention claims

Despite claims by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) that a special programme is underway to maintain cleanliness in Colombo’s canal system and reduce dengue risks, recent footage has revealed that several canals have become potential breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes.

Government gazettes new Mahamodara Prison

The Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification ordering the establishment of a new prison in the Mahamodara area of Galle.

Met Dept forecasts showers and strong winds today

Several spells of showers are expected in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts today, according to the Department of Meteorology.

Acting Prisons Chief describes Negombo Prison clash as ’brutal’ and ’barbaric’

The Acting Commissioner General of Prisons Prasad Hemantha Kumara, has provided harrowing details regarding the violence that unfolded at the Negombo Prison, describing the behaviour of the inmates involved as ’’brutal’’ and ’’barbaric.’’

Search under way for cargo plane that vanished off Pakistan coast

Aviation officials in Pakistan say a search operation is ongoing after a cargo plane carrying five crew members went missing off the coast of Karachi, a city at the country’s southern tip.

Trump reiterates at NATO summit that Greenland should be controlled by US, not Denmark

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Greenland should be controlled by ​the United States, not Denmark, reaffirming a stance that has caused tensions among ‌NATO allies just as leaders of the alliance gathered for a summit in Turkey.

Rear Admiral Ravindra Tissera appointed as Navy Chief of Staff

Rear Admiral Ravindra Tissera has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, formally handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Tissera at the Navy Headquarters on Monday (7) and extended his best wishes.

US launches strikes on Iran after tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz

The US has launched ’’powerful’’ strikes on Iran in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Habitat enrichment programme launched to curb human-elephant conflict

The Environment Ministry, together with the Wildlife Conservation Department and the Forest Conservation Department, has launched the National Programme for Wild Elephant Habitat Enrichment and Rehabilitation, introducing a science-based approach to mitigate Sri Lanka’s long-standing human-elephant conflict.

GMOA provides medical support for Kataragama Pada Yatra devotees

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has once again stepped in to provide medical assistance to devotees participating in the annual “Pada Yatra” pilgrimage to the Kataragama sacred site.

Digital VAT ambiguity could undermine Sri Lanka’s investment appeal: EY warns

Sri Lanka’s proposed framework to tax digital services could inadvertently raise compliance costs for multinational companies and make the country a more complex market to serve unless authorities provide greater clarity on the new rules, tax experts at EY Sri Lanka have cautioned.