Cabinet approves new plan to tackle oil, chemical spills

The Cabinet has approved a new National Plan and digital platform to respond to oil spills and hazardous chemical spills in Sri Lankan waters.

Rs. 1.09bn approved to restore Colombo-Katunayake Expressway lighting

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for a Rs. 1.09 billion project to rehabilitate and upgrade the street lighting system along the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway following extensive damage caused by vandalism and theft.

Cabinet approves lubricant supply contracts for Sapugaskanda Power Station

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of procurement contracts for the supply and delivery of lubricating oil to the Sapugaskanda Power Station for the upcoming 2026/27 operational year. The decision follows a competitive bidding process initiated after a Cabinet briefing on February 9, 2026, aimed at securing crucial engineering consumables before current supply terms expire.

Sri Lanka Cricket releases player contracts for 2026–27

Sri Lanka Cricket (Sri Lanka Cricket) has announced the national player contracts for the 2026–2027 season, naming a pool of 46 players for the upcoming one-year cycle.

Oil slips after Trump says talks with Iran are ongoing

Oil prices trended lower on Tuesday following the previous session’s sharp gains as ​the market remained cautious about progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks.

Bakthi Gee at Gangaramaya

US-gifted TH-57 ‘Sea Ranger’ helicopters arrive in Sri Lanka

Ten TH-57 ‘Sea Ranger’ multi-role helicopters granted by the United States Government to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) have arrived in Sri Lanka, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing defence partnership between the two countries.

Rough seas forecast along Western, Southern and Eastern coastlines

The sea areas extending from Mullaittivu to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Mannar, Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota are expected to be rough at times, with strong gusty winds reaching up to 50–60 kmph.

Buddhist pilgrims affected as air fares rise amid dollar surge: Tour Organizers

The increase in air fares driven by the rising value of the US dollar has caused significant inconvenience to devotees travelling to Buddhist shrines abroad, as well as to tour operators, said Mahendra Halloluwa, General Secretary of the Association of Foreign Buddhist Tour Organizers.

Court summons two lawyers in Kapila Chandrasena’s death case

Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered that summons be issued calling the 19th and 20th witnesses, President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and Attorney-at-Law Udara Muhandiramge, to give evidence over the death of Kapila Chandrasena.

Lebanon announces partial ceasefire between Israel, Hezbollah but attacks continue

Lebanon announced ​a partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel on Monday in what would amount to a limited de-escalation of a conflict that has ‌killed thousands of people and inflamed the broader U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

13 foreign nationals arrested at BIA over Rs. 28.4 million cigarette smuggling attempt

Sri Lanka Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, have arrested 13 foreign nationals for allegedly attempting to smuggle a large consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes into the country today.

Governors Forum wants PC election held under PR system

The Governors Forum, which cited certain issues that had arisen as a result of the postponement of the provincial council election yesterday, urged the government to hold the polls under the old proportional representation system.

Ruhunu Kataragama Esala festival commences on July 15

The Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala Esala festival will commence on July 15 and end on July 30 after the Water Cutting ceremony in Menikganga.

IMF should ensure that monies lent to SL are utilised for proper purposes: GL

The Joint Opposition said yesterday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had a responsibility to ensure its monies lent to Sri Lanka are utilised for proper purposes.

Sri Lanka must stop fearing investment

A friend of mine in Bengaluru recently made a remark that stayed with me. Sri Lankan governments constantly speak about attracting foreign investment. But if someone arrived with a billion dollars to invest, where exactly in Sri Lanka could they invest and obtain a reasonable return?

Sri Lankan family among migrant care workers facing UK “Leave the Country” letters for children

A Sri Lankan family living and working in the United Kingdom is among several migrant households left shocked after children as young as five, legally resident in the country, were instructed by the UK Home Office to leave—even in cases where their parents have permission to remain.

Sri Lanka spends over Rs. 5 billion annually on rabies control – Health officials

Sri Lanka spends more than Rs. 5 billion each year on rabies prevention and control, according to the National Rabies Control Campaign.

CEA refers coal pollution complaint to Parliamentary committee review

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has responded to a request by President of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, saying that matters related to the alleged environmental impact of coal imported under a disputed tender are already under review by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

Global security must evolve through cooperation, says Shavendra Silva

Former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, has called for a more inclusive, balanced, and resilient global security framework, emphasizing the need for stronger multilateral cooperation and strategic restraint among nations amid growing geopolitical uncertainties.

Rare flying object creates panic among some people in Puttalam

A brilliant object flying across the sky over the Puttalam town in the early hours of yesterday morning caused much panic, and the people dashed out of their homes to catch a glimpse. Several of them have been able to take photos of it.

Sports Ministry takes control of three national sports bodies

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification temporarily suspending the registration of the national governing bodies for handball, carrom, and hockey in Sri Lanka.

Fuel subsidy running out as CPC continues to sell fuel at a loss

Despite recent fuel price increases, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) continues to incur substantial financial losses on every litre of fuel sold, CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said.

Foreign employment industry under scrutiny following high-profile arrest

The recent arrest of an individual popularly known as “Dubai Sudda” should not be viewed merely as a sensational social media controversy or an opportunity for personal attacks, but rather as a serious warning highlighting long-standing structural weaknesses within Sri Lanka’s overseas employment and migrant worker recruitment system.

Private bus unions to decide on next move today

Private bus operators are scheduled to meet today (02) to decide on the future course of action regarding the failure to increase bus fares following the recent diesel price hike.

Vesak pandals light up Colombo

55 new hostel projects for 16,000 university students

Fifty-five new hostel projects will be implemented for 16,000 students in state universities across the island, the Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education said.

Buddha Rashmi third day

Court orders charges against Jacqueline in Sukesh money laundering case

Jacqueline Fernandez has been in legal trouble with regards to Sukesh Chandrasekhar’s Rs 200 crore money laundering case.

Mannar Island sees major rabies control drive with over 700 sterilizations

A free animal sterilization and rabies vaccination programme conducted across Mannar Island from May 12 to May 24 has provided veterinary care to hundreds of animals under ongoing efforts to reduce rabies risk and improve animal welfare in the district.