Government committed to equal access to education for all children: PM

The government is committed to ensuring equal access to education for all children, while transforming the President’s Fund into a truly people-oriented institution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.

Amber warm weather advisory issued for six districts

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Amber Warm Weather Advisory for Sunday (July 12), warning that the heat index — the temperature felt by the human body — is likely to reach the ’Caution’ level in several parts of the country during the daytime.

Train reaches Kadugannawa for first time since Cyclone Ditwah

A train was operated from Peradeniya Junction Railway Station to Kadugannawa today (11) for the first time since rail operations were disrupted by Cyclone Ditwah.

Government has ensured national security since taking office: Deputy Defence Minister

The government has maintained national security at the highest level since assuming office, adding that while there had been occasional public security issues, they had now been resolved, Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said.

Indian police arrest dozens after violent protests over rape, murder of 11-year-old girl

Indian police said on Friday they had arrested dozens of people for violence and ‌vandalism during protests this week over the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in an eastern state.

Trump says US, Iran agree to continue talks but ceasefire over

President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week but he declared that the ceasefire reached between ‌the two sides last month was over.

President’s fund aids Bandarawela student with monthly scholarship

The President’s Fund has granted a monthly scholarship of Rs. 25,000 to support the medical treatment of a student injured in a laboratory accident at Dharmasoka College, Bandarawela, and the education of her siblings.

All female inmates transferred from Negombo Prison after unrest

All female inmates detained at the Negombo Prison have been transferred to other prisons across the country following the recent unrest that caused extensive damage to the facility.

Ban all tobacco product sales to those born after 2010- SLMA tells President

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and the Expert Committee on Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs have urged the government to introduce a “Tobacco-Free Generation” policy that would prohibit the sale of all tobacco products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2010, warning that continued tobacco use poses a major threat to public health, social wellbeing and the country’s economy.

US $ 2.5Mn cybercrime: Was there any agency involved; CID urged to find

While concluding that US $ 2.5 million loan repayment drama has been a been a fraud which is more or less a cybercrime, the report of the probe carried out by the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has called for a further probe by the law enforcement institutions including Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to determine whether there has been any collusion within the relevant agencies pertaining to the crime.

Rough sea warning for Southern and Western waters

The Department of Meteorology has warned that sea areas extending from Hambantota to Pottuvil and from Mannar to Chilaw via Puttalam are expected to become very rough at times, with strong gusty winds reaching 50–60 kmph.

Committee appointed to probe Negombo Prison damage

A committee has been appointed to investigate the damage caused to property at the Negombo Prison following the recent clash between two groups of inmates

Govt using arrests of young people to divert attention from economic woes: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that the government was using arrests of young people and anti-crime operations to divert public attention from mounting economic difficulties and its failure to fulfil election promises.

Negombo jail violence reaches UN ears

In response to prison riots in Negombo, UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said that the outbreak of deadly violence at the jail and the reports of reprisals against inmates by guards at other prisons are deeply alarming.

Fire brigade emergency hotline unavailable; call 117

The Fire and Rescue Department’s emergency hotline is temporarily out of service, the authorities announced.

Turkish Airlines flight returns to Katunayake after bird strike

A Turkish Airlines flight operating from Bandaranaike International Airport to Istanbul made an emergency return to Katunayake on Saturday after the aircraft was reportedly hit by a bird shortly after take-off.

Judicial retirement age extension move creates discontent - Joint Opposition

Joint Opposition Convener Prof. G.L. Peiris said the government’s proposal to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges through a constitutional amendment would amount to a serious assault on the country’s cherished democratic institutions.

Three men arrested for abducting Brazilian visitor, demanding Rs. 3 mn bribe

Three men have been arrested by the Unawatuna Tourist Police for allegedly impersonating Tourist Police officers, unlawfully detaining a Brazilian national and demanding a Rs. 3 million bribe to prevent his arrest.

Iran admits to Trump advisers ’’they made a mistake’’ in shooting at ships in strait

Iranian officials privately told Trump advisers that they made a mistake in shooting at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, that the attacks stemmed from an ’’errant’’ sect of hardliners who are trying to undermine negotiations, and that they want to keep talking, senior U.S. officials said on Friday.

Twelve killed, 23 missing in one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires

At least 12 people died attempting to flee a wildfire in southern ​Spain and 23 were missing, officials said on Friday, as firefighters battled to bring one of the country’s deadliest blazes on record under control.

Rough seas, strong winds forecast in several coastal areas

The Department of Meteorology has forecast rough sea conditions and strong winds in several sea areas around Sri Lanka over the next 24 hours, while isolated showers or thundershowers are expected off parts of the western and southern coasts.

Beira stinks, public support sought to clean it

Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara has warned that Beira Lake has become severely polluted after years of rapid urban development, stressing that restoring the iconic water body will require both public support and government action.

New dinosaur species with neck as long as cricket pitch discovered in Thailand

Palaeontologists in Thailand say they have discovered a new species of dinosaur from fossils found in Kalasin Province in the country’s north-east.

US wants Iran to pledge to stop shooting at ships in Strait of Hormuz

The US wants Iran to publicly state that the Strait of Hormuz is open and to pledge to stop firing on commercial ships as part of negotiations due to be held on Saturday.

Merino strikes late again as Spain sink Belgium to reach World Cup Semi-finals

Mikel Merino came off the bench to score another late winner as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 on Saturday to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

THEVENI ESA 2026

Kuwait fund to provide Rs. 2.1 bn for Rataviru pension scheme

The government will introduce a new and more flexible pension scheme for Sri Lankan migrant workers, backed by Rs. 2.1 billion in funding from the Kuwait Fund, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra told Parliament.

Government to allow rice for beer, animal feed and value-added products

The Government plans to expand the use of locally produced rice beyond household consumption by allowing it to be used in the production of beer, animal feed and other value-added products, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Emirates to double A350 operations in Colombo from August

Emirates will introduce a second daily A350 service between Dubai and Colombo from August 8, further elevating the travel experience for the customers with more options to experience the airline’s latest-generation aircraft and its highly sought-after Premium Economy cabin.

Authorities reassure 2.5mn tourist arrival target with US $ 3.5bn revenue goal

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities have reassured that the country remains on track to achieve its target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals for the year, aiming for an ambitious revenue goal of between US $ 3.5 billion and US $ 4 billion.