El Niño under way and threatens weather extremes, scientists say

El Niño - the natural Pacific weather pattern that pushes up global temperatures - has officially begun, US scientists say.

CSE extends decline as middle east concerns weigh on investor confidence

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its losses on Thursday, with both benchmark indices closing lower as escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to dampen investor sentiment. Persistent geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over its potential economic implications kept investors on the sidelines, resulting in subdued trading activity and broad-based selling pressure across the market.

Coroner arrested in Ragama over Rs. 100,000 bribe

A Coroner attached to the Ragama (North Colombo) Teaching Hospital has been arrested by investigative officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

UK defence minister quits, plunging PM Starmer deeper into leadership crisis

British defence ​minister John Healey quit on Thursday in a dispute over military spending, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to commit the resources that are needed ‌to keep the country safe from heightened threats.

Trump says US will hit Iran ’very hard tonight’, wants control of energy infrastructure

President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would hit Iran ’’very hard tonight’’ and wanted at some point to take Iran’s oil infrastructure hub Kharg Island, after tit-for-tat strikes ​in the Gulf undermined a shaky ceasefire.

Owner of fire-gutted elders’ home granted bail

The Horana Magistrate’s Court today (11) ordered the release on bail of the owner of the ’’Mawpiya Sewana Senehase Kädella’’ elders’ home in Batagoda, Horana, who had been arrested and remanded in custody following a recent fire at the facility.

India says US hit another ship off Oman, confirms 3 dead in separate attack

Three Indian sailors are confirmed killed as the country reports a separate incident involving a vessel ⁠⁠off Shinas port in Oman, the third attack linked to the United States this week.

MRIA investment project EOI deadline extended until July 9

The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the “Project of Investments to Utilize Resources of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA)” has been extended until July 9, 2026, offering prospective investors additional time to participate in one of Sri Lanka’s key aviation development initiatives.

’System change’ promise unfulfilled, says Stalin

Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin has alleged that the present government, despite coming to power promising systemic change, is no different from previous administrations when it comes to the education sector.

SLPP’s Cassilingam urges for better Jaffna train timings to improve connectivity

While welcoming the resumption of the long-awaited Colombo–Jaffna train services, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Jaffna District Organizer Geethanath Cassilingam has urged authorities to address concerns over inconvenient train schedules and difficulties faced by the public in obtaining tickets.

UN humanitarian plan for cyclone Ditwah concludes, reaches 575,000 people

The United Nations’ Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) launched to assist communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah was officially concluded at a ceremony held in Colombo this morning (11), attended by Commissioner General of Essential Services and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche.

Illegal canned fish factory raided in Arachchikattuwa

A canned fish manufacturing facility operating without the required licence from the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) was raided in Arachchikattuwa today (June 11).

Faiszer Musthapha acknowledged by world-renowned artist

Sri Lankan-born international entertainer Alston Koch has expressed gratitude to former Minister Faiszer Musthapha for the support extended to him during his efforts to promote Sri Lanka on the global stage.

Kfir returns to the skies

SLAF conducts first test flight of upgraded Kfir C12 fighter aircraft

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) today successfully conducted the first test flight of its upgraded Kfir C12 fighter aircraft at SLAF Base Katunayake, marking a major milestone in the modernization of the country’s fighter fleet.

Twelve police officers injured on second night of unrest in Northern Ireland

Twelve police officers were injured and 16 arrests were made in the second night of unrest in Northern Ireland following the Belfast knife attack, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said.

Over 30 public officials arrested over bribery charges during first four months

A total of 32 state officials and public servants have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) during the first four months of 2026.

Rough seas warning for coastal waters

The Meteorology Department has warned of rough to very rough sea conditions around several coastal areas over the next 24 hours, urging naval and fishing communities to exercise extreme caution.

SriLankan Airlines expands connectivity across Saudi Arabia through new partnerships

SriLankan Airlines has announced strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabian carriers Saudia and Flynas, further strengthening air travel connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka while expanding access to a wider range of destinations for passengers.

Five Dehiwala beach access roads formally named; Ocean Pool project planned

Five public access roads leading to Dehiwala Beach were formally named today as part of a series of environmental conservation programmes held to mark World Environment Day, with authorities also announcing plans to construct safe sea-bathing pools around the country.

New National Mineral Policy comes into effect after 27 years

Sri Lanka’s National Mineral Policy has been completely revised for the first time in 27 years and was presented to Parliament, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetthi announced today.

President chairs high-level meeting on El Niño preparedness

A discussion to assess the potential impacts of the anticipated El Niño phenomenon and the preparedness measures of relevant institutions was held this morning (11) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Two Indian seafarers killed in US attack on oil tanker

Two Indian seafarers have died and one remains missing after a US attack on the Settebello oil tanker off the coast of Oman on Tuesday night, local news outlet The Hindu reports.

US and Iran exchange strikes across Middle East for second day in a row

The US and Iran have exchanged strikes across the Middle East for a second consecutive day, further straining a shaky ceasefire agreed between the two countries in April.

Sri Lankan rupee edges lower against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee depreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (11) compared to Wednesday, with both buying and selling rates showing a marginal increase, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Over 2,000 cases filed during three-day Dengue campaign

A total of 2,400 legal cases have been filed against individuals and institutions found maintaining dengue mosquito breeding sites during the special three-day dengue prevention programme conducted from June 8 to 10, health authorities said.

Kuwait reopens airspace, airport returns to normal operations after Iran attacks

Kuwait resumes air traffic and Kuwait International Airport returned to normal operations after a temporary suspension prompted by Iranian attacks, the civil aviation authority says.

Communist Party expresses concerns over Sallay’s prolonged detention

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) expresses deep concern over the continued detention of former Intelligence Chief Major General (retd.) Suresh Sallay, who was arrested on February 25, and has now been held for 95 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), according to a statement from it.

High Court rejects Shashi Weerawansa’s appeal, affirms sentence

Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne dismissed an appeal filed by Shashi Weerawansa challenging the two year prison sentence and fine imposed on her for possessing an irregularly obtained passport.

Sajith raises concerns over delay in appointing judges to SC, CA

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today raised concerns about the government’s failure to appoint four judges each to the Supreme Court (SC) and the Court of Appeal (CA), which had been vacant for more than six months.