Jun 30 (DM) A fact-check by Stream found that the footage was actually filmed in SL. The video, which shows a child carrying a dark-coloured cat while a porcupine follows closely behind along a narrow path through a paddy field, has been shared in multiple Facebook posts claiming it depicts a rural scene in Bangladesh. The same claim also appeared in a social media post by the Indian newspaper The Telegraph. Both the post's caption and on-screen text identified the child as Bangladeshi, more..

Jun 30 (DM) The deadline for public officials and other individuals required by law to submit their annual declarations of assets and liabilities without incurring penalties expires today, CIABOC said. Commission warned that legal action will be taken against those who fail to submit their declarations in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act. CIABOC Director General Ranga Dissanayake earlier said that individuals required to file annual declarations must do so by June 30 more..

Jun 30 (EN) Sri Lanka’s overall rate of inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), rose to a three-year high of 6.8% in June 2026, near the Central Bank’s upper inflation target rate of 7%, data from the state statistics office showed. Central Bank had expected to reach its mid-term target of 5% much later than May, but analysts say the trickle-down impacts of the fuel price hike in the three months through end-June caused prices to rise. more..

Jun 30 (NW) A British‑SL engineer has become an unexpected face of celebration after Mercedes’ triumph at the Austrian Grand Prix, lifting the Constructors’ Trophy on the podium and gaining viral fame worldwide. Arun Rajkumar, born into a SL Tamil family, is a trackside power unit engineer for Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains. He plays a key role in monitoring and optimising the performance and reliability of the team’s power units during race weekends, making him an integral part of more..

Jun 30 (DN) Govt has launched measures to significantly reduce the time taken to release imported food containers from SL's ports, with the aim of lowering costs for importers, improving supply chain efficiency and ultimately easing the financial burden on consumers. The initiative was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe at the Ministry, where govt agencies involved in food imports and representatives of food importers examined the bottlenecks delaying customs clearance. more..

Jun 30 (TM) Despite roadside garbage dumping being a punishable offence, offenders face a maximum fine of only Rs 5,000, Director of the Police Environmental Protection Division, SSP Manoj Perera said. Perera lamented that that weak waste collection systems at the Local Authority level continue to contribute to the problem. He said that the illegal dumping of garbage is an offence and that the public must be educated on proper waste disposal methods. more..

Jun 30 (TM) While nearly 5,000 medical graduates are waiting for Govt internship appointments, the health sector continues to face shortages of specialist doctors and medical officers in several hospitals, creating a growing human resource crisis in the country’s free health service, according to a medical trade union. President of the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), Dr Chamal Sanjeewa said that there is a risk that these medical graduates could eventually join more..

Jun 30 (Island) SL's premier apparel manufacturer, Brandix, continues its legacy of care and empowering communities island wide, building 34 washrooms for students in Dehiovita and Andiambalama, and for associates in the Batticaloa area. These projects have touched the lives of over 900 students and individuals, improving access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities. Brandix constructed four girls’ washrooms at the Dehiovita Tamil Maha Vidyalaya, and another four at the Buddhist Primary School in Andiambalama. more..

Jun 30 (EN) Sri Lanka should prioritize the reform momentum going forward, the IMF’s Mission Chief for Sri Lanka said after concluding staff level discussions with the island nation’s authorities. The Mission headed by Evan Papargeorgiou was in Sri Lanka from June 24 for the discussions. “Looking ahead, the priority is clear – Stay the course and sustain the reform momentum,” Papargeorgiou told reporters at the end of the staff level discussions on Tuesday (30). more..

Jun 30 (DM) Though it was reported yesterday that rains have enhanced in some parts of the country, including the catchment areas, the Department of Meteorology yesterday ruled out disaster in the coming days. “There is an enhanced rainy condition at the moment, and this is due to the Southwest Monsoon conditions. However, there is no alarming situation as there are no signs of developing any disaster conditions,” Meteorology Department Director Forecast Merrill Mendis told Daily Mirror. more..

Jun 30 (NW) The Kalubowila Teaching Hospital today unveiled a newly established Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab), Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA Unit), and Lithotripsy Unit under a Rs. 555 million investment, marking another milestone in SL’s drive to modernize its free healthcare system with advanced technology. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the govt hospital network will expand its Cath Lab capacity to 26 units by the end of this year. more..

Jun 30 (AD) Representatives from the IMF have met with PM Harini Amarasuriya today at Temple Trees to review SL's economic progress and discuss the country's priorities for the next phase of development. During the meeting, PM expressed her appreciation for the continued support extended by the IMF to Sri Lanka over the past one and a half years, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a constructive partnership ahead. PM noted that, amid growing global uncertainties, more..

Jun 30 (TM) Former SL opener Sidath Wettimuny doffed his hat off to the West Indian pace quartet of Kemar Roach. Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph saying they reminded him of the amazing pace bowling giants of yesteryear produced by the Caribbean nation. This was after the WI inflicted on SL its heaviest defeat in Tests against them, winning the first North Sound Test of a 2-match Sobers-Tissera Trophy series by an innings and 217-runs more..

Jun 30 (Island) The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) has alleged that extrajudicial killings were taking place, regardless of repeated government assurances to the contrary. Executive Director of the CPRP Attorney-at-Law Seneka Perera said that Tharukara Wiraj Rashmika De Silva, who had been arrested near Wewagedara Hardware, in Mawathagama, this month, and then taken to Baddegama police station, was later killed. Lawyer Perera said that he raised the issue with IGP more..

Jun 30 (NW) SL photojournalist Gemunu Amarasinghe has been honoured with the 2026 Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) Journalism Excellence Award for Excellence in International Reporting. Amarasinghe received the award as part of a multimedia reporting team recognised for its project, Battling a dictatorship, building a democracy: In the jungles of eastern Myanmar, insurgents fight the junta and dream of a new state. The project documented how communities in Myanmar’s Kayah State more..

Jun 30 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Presidential Senior Economic Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa as the new Chairman and a member of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka. The other members appointed to the Board are Vish Govindasamy, Harshani Randiligama, Mangala Karunaratne and K.A. Vimalenthirarajah. The letters of appointment were presented to them this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by Secretary to the Prez Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. more..

Jun 30 (FT) Amana Bank has acquired ownership of its Corporate Office premises located at 353 Galle Road, Colombo 3 from Lee Hedges PLC in a deal worth Rs. 2.7 billion. Property transfer took place recently in the presence of Amana Bank’s Chairman Asgi Akbarally, members of the Board of Directors and the Management Committee, as well as the Directors of Lee Hedges. Spanning 95 perches, property features a modern five-storey office complex with an approximate built-up area of 50,000 square feet, more..

Jun 30 (ISland) Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa has said that tangible measures should be taken to prevent law enforcement officers from fabricating evidence to justify arrests. In spite of this illegal practice receiving public attention, occasionally, successive govts obviously failed to take remedial measures, he said. There had been allegations regarding such cases since the change of govt in 2024, the lawyer added, adding that the ongoing stepped-up anti-narcotics drive shouldn’t be more..

Jun 30 (DM) An IMF delegation has commended SL’s economic resilience and reaffirmed its support for the Govt’s reform agenda during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. The delegation, led by IMF Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Dept Sonali Jain-Chandra, met the President at the conclusion of its visit to Colombo from 24 to 30 June, during which it reviewed macroeconomic developments and the implementation of reforms more..

Jun 30 (NW) Former National Lotteries Board (NLB) Chairman Shyamila Perera has been arrested by the CIABOC. Perera was arrested over allegations that three employees recruited to the National Lotteries Board between 2015 and 2019 were deployed to the staff of former Minister Ravi Karunanayake instead of serving at the state institution. Perera, who also serves as the General Secretary of the New Democratic Party, was taken into custody by the Bribery Commission on Monday. more..

Jun 30 (NW) A nationwide programme to construct new regional cinema halls aimed at revitalizing SL’s film industry and expanding audiences has been announced by the National Film Corporation, it was reported. The initiative, aligned with the government’s A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life policy, seeks to modernize the local cinema sector and provide audiences with a superior movie‑going experience. The first round of discussions on the project, which will be implemented with more..

Jun 30 (DM) Sri Lanka has wooed U.S. investment in the development of the Colombo port and integrated infrastructure at a recent summit in Washington, a Deputy Minister said. The Colombo port is one of the biggest strategic assets of SL, with the govt planning for the development of a logistics park and the West Container Terminal (WTC) 2. Deputy Minister Janitha Kodituwakku, who attended a summit on maritime cooperation in the U.S said that more..

Jun 30 (AD) Three school students have died after drowning in a tank in Wanathawilluwa while travelling by raft to collect flowers. Police said that five students had been travelling at the time when it capsized, causing all of them to fall into the water. One student was rescued at the scene, while the others were admitted to the Wanathawilluwa Hospital. Three students who were in critical condition were later transferred to the Puttalam Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. more..

Jun 30 (DM) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Rear Admiral Damian Fernando as the new Commander of the SL Navy. Concurrently elevated to the rank of Vice Admiral, he will take charge as the 27th Commander of the country's naval forces. The formal letter of appointment was handed over to Vice Admiral Fernando by the Secretary to the President, on Tuesday afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat. The new appointment is scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2026. more..

Jun 30 (FT) Children today are growing up in an online environment fundamentally different from the one their parents experienced. Social media platforms are designed to capture attention, encourage engagement, and keep users connected for as long as possible. While these platforms offer opportunities for learning, creativity and social connection, they also expose children to cyberbullying, harmful content, misinformation, online predators and may create unhealthy patterns of screen use. more..

Jun 30 (FT) The trio, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, H. D. Premasiri, and Ravindra Guruge, have done it again. Out of sheer generosity, rather than any expectation of profit, they have jointly financed a new Sinhala film, since making money is uncertain in the kind of cinema they choose to support. In the past, each of them has been at the forefront of financing more than a dozen artistic Sinhala films. This time, their support has gone to the celebrated teledrama director Dr. Bertram Nihal, more..

Jun 30 (DM) More arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers are likely in the near future with the further scrutinizing evidence over the alleged large-scale bribery network involving detained Nadun Chinthaka, alias Harak Kata. The CIABOC and CID are jointly conducting investigations into these allegations which follows the arrest and remanding of three individuals, including Rakitha Rajapaksa and more..

Jun 30 (Island) Youtuber Chamuditha Samarawickrema said that that he would soon move court against an injunction obtained by Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, last year in respect of a Truth with Chamuditha programme. Samarawickrema said that he had decided to seek court intervention in the wake of the CIABOC taking the former Minister’s son, Attorney-at-Law Rakitha, along with SJB’s Horana organiser Charith Abeysinghe, into custody, in connection with more..

Jun 30 (Island) Central Province health officials have stated that the spread of dengue has increased in the Kandy District. Accordingly, the health authorities have identified the following areas as high-risk dengue zones: Galagedara, Gampola, Udapalatha, Illangawatta, and Kahatapitiya Amunupura. In the Kandy Gangawata Korale health division, the identified areas include Wavatenna, Ulpathakumbura Lower Iriyagama, Ampitiya, Pallegama, Thennekumbura, Mahakanda, Heerassagala, more..

Jun 30 (EN) Sri Lanka reduced fuel prices for the first time in four months after having raised them five times as the global oil prices have fallen to near pre-Middle Eastern conflict levels. In the latest revision, effective June 30, CPC reduced the price of widely used Auto Diesel by Rs.25 to Rs.382 per litre, while slashing the price of Octane 92 (petrol) by Rs.20 to Rs.414. It left prices of Super Diesel steady at 478, Octane 95 at 495, more..

Jun 30 (NW) Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam from the pastoral office of the Diocese of Jaffna and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, Bishop Dr. Pillainayagam Anton Ranjith, as the new Bishop of Jaffna. The announcement was made by the Apostolic Nunciature in SL. Bishop Anton Ranjith currently serves as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Batticaloa. more..

Jun 30 (Island) UNP has asked Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reveal the identities of those who fraudulently transferred nearly USD 1 bn, since 2023. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the PM, held the Finance portfolio from 25 May 2022, before he was appointed the Prez in July 2022. Wickremesinghe retained the Finance portfolio. Ex-Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that the Prez should be able to disclose whether the funds were illegally transferred from the public or more..