Iran World Cup team heads to Mexico as US visa row erupts

Iran’s World Cup squad left Turkey for Mexico on Saturday, taking off under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington after the US refused to issue visas for some of the team’s support squad.

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule in Sri Lankan Standard Time (SLST)

Stay updated with the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule in Sri Lankan Standard Time (SLST), including all match fixtures, kickoff times, and key games. This complete guide helps Sri Lankan football fans follow every match live, from late-night kickoffs to early morning clashes. Plan your viewing and never miss a moment of the World Cup 2026 action from Sri Lanka.

Andreeva wins first Grand Slam title at French Open

Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday by downing Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets in the French Open final.

Three youths drown while bathing near Norochcholai Estuary

Three individuals, including two teenage girls, drowned after being swept away by strong currents while bathing near the Daluwa estuary (Moya Kata) in Norochcholai on Saturday evening.

Police reject Gammanpila’s claims over Suresh Sallay’s treatment in CID custody

The Sri Lanka Police have dismissed recent public statements made by former Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila concerning former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director and retired Major General Suresh Sallay.

Sri Lanka Coast Guard felicitates founding Director General Daya Dharmapriya

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard today paid tribute to its founding Director General, Rear Admiral Daya Dharmapriya (Retd), at a special ceremony held at Coast Guard Headquarters in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the establishment and development of the institution.

CBL Group Chairman Ramya Sanath Amaraweera Wickramasingha passes away

Ramya Sanath Amaraweera Wickramasingha, Chairman of CBL Group, has passed away, the company said in a statement expressing profound sorrow at the loss of its longtime leader.

Strong wind advisory issued for several areas

The Meteorology Department has warned of strong winds over the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Northern and North-Central Provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts due to the active South-West monsoonal condition.

Shreyas Iyer to lead India at 2026 Asian Games; Bumrah returns, Vaibhav earns spot

Shreyas Iyer will lead India at the 2026 Asian Games after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced a strong 15-member squad for the Men’s T20 event in Japan.

Shakira refutes “fake” images of her with Colombian presidential candidates

Shakira has spoken out against “fake” images of her supporting Colombian presidential candidates and has reaffirmed her commitment to “democracy” amidst the upcoming Colombian election.

Dengue risk reaches critical level as 35,300 cases reported

The risk of dengue transmission across Sri Lanka has reached a very high level, health authorities have warned, following a sharp rise in infections recorded at the beginning of this year.

Health officials urge early treatment and caution on medication

Health officials have urged the public to seek immediate medical attention if dengue symptoms such as fever persist, especially among pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

Sri Lanka fined for slow over-rate in first ODI against the West Indies

Sri Lanka have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against the West Indies in the first ODI in Jamaica on 3 June.

India’s ’Cockroach’ youth movement founder arrives in New Delhi to protest Modi

The founder of India’s viral Cockroach Janta Party arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to lead a protest against Prime Minister Narendra ​Modi’s government, taking the country’s largest online youth movement to the ‌streets for the first time.

Canada bans Texas cattle over flesh-eating screwworm outbreak in US

Canada’s food inspection agency has announced a temporary ban on livestock from the US state of Texas after flesh-eating screwworms were discovered in calves this week.

Islandwide mosquito control drive set for June 08–10

A special national mosquito control programme will be implemented on June 08, 09, and 10 across 72 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in 14 districts, health authorities announced.

Rough seas and strong winds expected across Sri Lankan waters

The Meteorology Department has issued a warning for sea areas around Sri Lanka, advising fishermen and naval communities to exercise extreme caution due to rough sea conditions and strong gusty winds.

179 urea bags confiscated in fertilizer price scam in Matara

The Matara Magistrate’s Court has imposed fines and suspended prison sentences on a fertilizer distributor and a local agro dealer after they pleaded guilty to charges related to selling urea fertilizer at incorrect prices, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said.

Free vehicle tuning dansala on June 10-11

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has announced that a special “vehicle tuning Dansala” will be held on June 10 and 11 in front of its head office in Narahenpita.

Public help sought to identify Sri Lankan woman in Lebanon

The Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry has appealed to the public for assistance in identifying a woman believed to be of Sri Lankan origin and currently residing in Lebanon.

Drop in bee population strikes Sri Lanka’s food sector: Expert

Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector is being urged to adopt more bee-friendly farming practices as experts warn that the decline of pollinators could threaten food production, increase cultivation costs and reduce farmers’ profits.

Two more arrested over deadly Meegoda crash

Police today arrested two more suspects, including the registered owner of the cab involved in the fatal Meegoda crash that claimed six lives during Vesak celebrations. The arrests came six days after the incident, when the suspects surrendered to the Meegoda Police Station accompanied by legal counsel.

Chinese Defence Attaché meets Defence Secretary

Senior Colonel Fu Xiao, the newly appointed Defence Attaché of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Ministry of Defence.

Iran’s football team granted visas to enter US for World Cup, officials say

Iran’s football team has been granted visas to enter the US ahead of the the World Cup next week, US officials have confirmed.

We spend on coils but ignore mosquito breeding sites’ – Dr. Serasinghe

Sri Lankans spend large sums of money on mosquito coils and repellents while failing to address the root causes of mosquito infestations, according to Dr. Prasanga Serasinghe, Director of the National Anti-Malaria and Mosquito Control Campaign.

Fever for 48 hours? See a doctor immediately, Health official urges

People suffering from fever for more than 48 hours should seek immediate medical attention, Director of the National Anti-Malaria and Mosquito Control Campaign Dr. Prasanga Serasinghe has warned.

No reduction in vehicle imports: Customs data challenges Government expectations

Despite claims that a temporary 50% surcharge on vehicle import duties was introduced to curb non-essential imports and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves, fresh remarks from the Customs Department indicate that vehicle imports have not seen a significant reduction in 2026, raising questions over the effectiveness of the policy.

NASA reverses evacuation alert order for astronauts aboard space station

A worsening air leak aboard the International Space Station ‌prompted five astronauts to take shelter and prepare for evacuation for roughly two hours on Friday as Russia attempted to fix a crack on its portion of the orbital laboratory, NASA said.

Govt. presses ahead to join world’s largest trading bloc

The government has decided to move on with the initiative undertaken in 2023 to join the world’s largest trade bloc, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)’, which accounts for 30 per cent of global GDP (Gross Domestic Product), and three member states, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, have already thrown their weight behind Sri Lanka.

Gazette issued for establishment of Chartered Institute of media professionals

A Gazette notification has been issued by the Government to establish the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals as a statutory corporate body.