Rice imports hit local production by 60%, says National Agrarians’ Unity

The import of nearly 100,000 metric tons of rice has severely disrupted the local rice market, reducing demand for domestically produced rice by around 60% and creating a crisis for farmers ahead of the 2026 Yala harvesting season, National Agrarians’ Unity Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon claimed.

Applications open for Second Efficiency Bar Examination for teachers

The Examinations Department has called for applications for the Second Efficiency Bar Examination for Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service officers serving in national and provincial schools, scheduled to be held in September 2026.

Bus fire kills seven passengers in Vietnam

At ​least seven passengers ‌were killed when a ​bus ⁠caught fire in southern Vietnam early ‌on Tuesday, police said.

Health services face uncertainty over circular on acting specialist doctors

A circular issued by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIM) has sparked concern over the functioning of specialist medical services, with a doctors’ trade union warning that it could disrupt healthcare delivery across the country.

Rs 26.2 million spent for Rohana Wijeweera’s family

Public funds of Rs. 26,278,052 has been spent for the late founder of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Rohana Wijeweera’s family since his demise, it has been revealed.

Father seeks probe into daughter’s death at Ratnapura Hospital

The father of a 21-year-old girl who died while receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Ratnapura has called on the Health Ministry to launch an immediate and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, alleging possible medical negligence.

Sri Lankan war heroes risk being arrested and imprisoned in foreign countries: Joint opposition

Sri Lanka’s military leaders risk being arrested and tried, in terms of the principle of universal jurisdiction, in the national courts of different countries as a result of the investigative mechanism established by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Joint Opposition raised alarm yesterday.

Police stations under watch over drug raids; STF to step in where police fail

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that if a local police station fails to take action against drug-related activities in its area, he is prepared to deploy other police divisions or the Police Special Task Force (STF) to conduct raids.

29 unused oil tanks in Trincomalee open for local, foreign investors

In a bid for the commercialisation of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd (TPTL) is planning to go for international bidding for the development of 29 tanks out of 61 tanks in its possession, an official said yesterday.

Govt came to power on ‘endless lies’, failed to deliver promised system change: Namal

Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that the National People’s Power (NPP) government came to power through ’’endless lies’’ and has abandoned its pledge to introduce a new political culture.

Fifa opens investigation into Argentina post-final trouble

Fifa’s disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at MetLife stadium.

Trump slaps 50% tariffs on Canada and Carney vows to ’intensify’ trade talks

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of goods imported from Canada, in retaliation for what he called ’’unequal treatment’’ of US cars, dairy and alcohol.

SriLankan suspends Kuwait flights until July 26

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Sri Lanka has announced that SriLankan Airlines has temporarily suspended its flights to the State of Kuwait due to the escalating military situation in the Middle East.

FIU fines 11 institutions Rs.14.6mn over anti-money laundering failures

Sri Lanka’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) imposed penalties totalling Rs.14.6 million on 11 institutions for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance failures, including one finance company found to have maintained business relationships with three individuals designated under the United Nations regulations.

Taiwan suspends tourist visa for Sri Lankans

Taiwan has suspended tourist visa applications from Sri Lankan nationals in accordance with the latest visa policy of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Taiwan Foriegn Ministry said.

CSE opens the week lower as broad-based selling offsets strong institutional activity

The Colombo Stock Exchange commenced the week on a negative note, with both benchmark indices declining steadily throughout Monday’s trading session as broad-based selling pressure continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Although market turnover and share volume improved compared to the previous session, the increase was primarily driven by crossing transactions rather than widespread buying interest,

GIT 2025 examination results released

The Examinations Department has released the results of the General Information Technology (GIT) Examination 2025 today (20).

President urges expediting monthly allowance to children who lost their parents due to Ditwah

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised that the monthly allowance to children who lost their parents as a result of Cyclone Ditwah is disbursed to the eligible children without delay.

New Chairperson, members appointed to Finance Commission

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed N. R. Anees as the new Chairperson and a member of the Finance Commission, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Trump says US strikes hit Iran in ’honour’ of American soldiers killed

President Donald Trump says the latest strikes by the US hit Iran ’’very hard’’, adding that the attacks were ’’in honour’’ of three US soldiers killed in recent days - two in Jordan, one in Iraq.

Government moves to curb toxic chemical use in fruit ripening

The government has initiated discussions on introducing stricter measures to prevent the use of toxic chemicals for ripening fruits, amid growing consumer complaints over unsafe practices in the market.

Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister after meeting King Charles

Andy Burnham has formally become the UK prime minister after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, the fourth person to hold the role in less than four years and the sixth within a decade.

President reviews proposals on addressing issues in prison system

A discussion on the issues currently affecting the prison system and the measures required to address them was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

Hamas names Khalil al-Hayya as new leader

Hamas has named Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed by the Israeli army in October 2024.

Tax revenue not benefiting the public: Namal

SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged that the government was failing to use tax revenue for public welfare despite collecting record levels of income.

Train derails at Colombo Fort Railway Station again

A train bound for Rambukkana derailed at the Colombo Fort Railway Station this afternoon, marking the second derailment involving the same train this month.

Universities urged to strengthen community support to prevent dengue outbreaks

Universities cannot combat the growing dengue threat alone and called for greater cooperation from surrounding communities and the health sector to prevent possible outbreaks, Education and Higher Education Deputy Minister Dr. Madura Seneviratne has said.

Five students transferred to Trincomalee hospital after toxic seed incident

Five Grade 6 students were transferred to the Trincomalee Hospital after falling seriously ill following the suspected consumption of toxic seeds unfit for human consumption at a school in the Kantale area.

Britain is about to get a new leader. Here’s how the transition works

Britain has become accustomed to shuffling through prime ministers at a rapid pace and is now poised to have its seventh leader in a decade. But the transition still requires a few steps.

Boy, 13, dies during World Cup celebrations in Spain

A 13-year-old boy was killed after part of a fountain collapsed in Salamanca province, northwestern Spain, during the country’s World Cup victory celebrations.