Jul 1 (PMD) A discussion on the proposed Temple City project, which aims to develop the area surrounding Beira Lake into an international tourism and cultural destination centred on the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, was held yesterday afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, which enjoys the respect and reverence of both local and international visitors, more..

Jul 1 (DM) National Zoological Gardens Dept will announce the selected names for the two lion cubs born recently at the Dehiwala National Zoological Park, which have attracted widespread public attention and affection. The names were selected from suggestions submitted by animal lovers, and prizes will be awarded to those whose entries were chosen. The announcement will be one of the highlights of the Dehiwala Zoo's 90th anniversary celebrations, scheduled to be held on July 3 more..

Jul 1 (DM) With over 54,000 dengue cases and 31 deaths being reported in the country, medical experts warn that the country’s healthcare system would be crippled if more cases surge. A majority of patients reported so far are women, and medical experts suspect whether this is due to a delay in seeking treatment. During a special media briefing, medical experts advised public to refrain from doing self-diagnosis & to seek treatment immediately. more..

Jul 1 (GLN) Veteran actor Gamini Samarakoon, who rendered an unparalleled service to the SL arts field, has passed away. He, who won the hearts of audiences through the fields of stage, cinema, and tele-drama for decades, was an artist who left an indelible mark in the memory of fans through the eternally popular song Sobawa De Mepura – Siri Wisithuru from the stage play Tharawo Igilethi. Mr. Samarakoon, who displayed an exceptionally prominent acting talent in stage drama, more..

Jul 1 (DM) Sri Lanka's aviation sector is set to undergo significant infrastructure development, with plans underway to modernize the first passenger terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport with an investment of approximately Rs. 15 billion over the next two years, Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku said. Deputy Minister said several historic development initiatives are currently being implemented across the country's aviation sector. more..

Jul 1 (Island) Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance Spokesman Ananda Palitha maintained that the prices of a litre of auto diesel and a litre of petrol 92 Octane could have been reduced by Rs 115 each. Instead, CPC reduced petrol 92 Octane and auto diesel prices by Rs. 20 and Rs. 25 per litre, respectively. Petrol 92 Octane is now priced at Rs. 414 per litre and auto diesel at Rs. 382 per litre. The former CPC employee said that NPP's more..

Jul 1 (DM) Cabinet has approved the implementation of a programme to provide a pair of footwear each to selected school students, as well as to lay and monastic students of Pirivenas and Seelamathas for the year 2027. The decision was taken based on a proposal submitted by the Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister of Education. Under the proposed programme, eligible students will be provided with a gift voucher valued at Rs. 3,000 each for the purchase of footwear. more..

Jul 1 (NW) Govt has launched a national programme to connect young people who have successfully completed drug rehabilitation with more than 400,000 permanent private sector job vacancies. Minister Sunil Handunnetti said the initiative aims to train and recruit rehabilitated youth into sectors facing labour shortages, including construction, tiles, footwear, leather goods and the automobile industry. Minister said the programme seeks to fill existing vacancies with SL workers instead of more..

Jul 1 (LBO) In a major move to transition SL from economic stabilization to long-term development, World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved US$150 million in financing to back the country’s comprehensive reform agenda. The funding is part of the SL Reforms for Growth, Resilience and Openness Development Policy Operation (REGROW DPO). This initiative marks the first in a planned series of three operations designed to unlock private sector-led growth, more..

Jul 1 (PMD) A discussion with relevant stakeholders on establishing a Single Window approval mechanism for Sri Lanka's film tourism sector was held yesterday afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The establishment of a Single Window approval mechanism was a decision taken at the meeting of the Presidential Task Force on the Implementation of the SL Tourism Development Programme. more..

Jul 1 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Govt aims to increase SL's economic growth from its current level of around 5% to 7–8% over the coming years, emphasising that the information technology, electrical and electronics sectors will play a pivotal role in achieving this target. Prez made these remarks while addressing a discussion with leading investors and industrialists from information technology, more..

Jul 1 (NW) Sri Lankan mountaineer Johann Peries has etched his name into history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Denali, North America’s highest peak at 6,190 metres. He reached the summit on June 17, 2026, marking a long‑awaited triumph after years of setbacks, injuries, and two failed attempts. Denali, renowned as one of the most unforgiving and technically demanding climbs in the world, tested Peries’ endurance and determination. more..

Jul 1 (Island) In spite of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent claims in Parliament regarding the delay in making appointments to the superior courts, Bar Association of SL (BASL) is campaigning against the govt move. The BASL will conduct a public consultation on the govt’s proposal to extend the retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal on 4 July at the Sri Lanka Foundation. BASL Executive Committee recently took this decision. more..

Jul 1 (FT) Govt will launch a nationwide campaign next month to encourage voluntary tax compliance and improve public attitudes towards taxation, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s revenue system. The campaign, titled Tax Power 2026 (Badu Shakthi 2026), will be launched in July under the Revenue Administration, Reform and Modernisation Unit of the Presidential Secretariat. Presidential Secretariat Revenue more..

Jul 1 (Island) The Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court yesterday (30) ordered former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pilleyan, to be further remanded until 13 July, pending investigations into five killings in the Eastern Province in 2008. Chandrakanthan also served as the Chief Minister of the Province during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure as the President. The order was issued when the case was taken up before the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court. more..

Jul 1 (AD) National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) have agreed to increase the bus fares effective from July 6. According to LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne, it has been decided that fares for journeys up to 100 kilometres will be increased by 12%, while fares for journeys exceeding 100 kilometres will rise by 20%. Accordingly, the minimum private bus fare will increase from Rs. 30 to Rs. 34 with effect from July 6. more..

Jul 1 (NW) The govt announced today that State of Emergency will not be extended beyond this month, ending the extraordinary measures first enforced in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the decision to implement the state of emergency was initially taken following discussions with opposition parties soon after Cyclone Ditwah. He noted that while some groups had attempted to create fear by suggesting the emergency law could be misused, govt had implemented it solely more..

Jul 1 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to publish in the Govt Gazette a draft bill combining the Rabies Ordinance (Authority No. 476) and the Dog Registration Ordinance (Authority No. 477), aimed at eradicating rabies and strengthening dog registration laws. The new legislation seeks to control the dog population, make rabies vaccination for dogs mandatory, reinforce the legal framework for registration, clarify the powers and responsibilities of institutions tasked with these duties, more..

Jul 1 (DM) Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today ordered former SIS Director Suresh Sallay, who is being detained and questioned under a detention order over the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, to provide the CID with the passwords to his mobile phone and computer for the purposes of the investigation. The Magistrate also delivered orders on the applications made by the defence at the previous court date. more..

Jul 1 (NW) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ruled that CID Director Shani Abeysekara cannot be removed from the ongoing investigation into Suresh Sallay, former head of the SIS. The case, currently being heard before Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, has seen several applications including calls to exclude Abeysekara from the probe. Magistrate rejected those requests, along with Sallay’s plea to be provided with writing materials and his request to make a confidential statement. more..

Jul 1 (DM) Former SIS Director Suresh Sallay, who launched a hunger strike while in the custody of the CID over the Easter Sunday terror attack investigations, has decided to end his fast on the advice of his legal counsel. Sallay remains under medical treatment at the National Hospital, Colombo, where he was admitted after beginning the hunger strike. He is currently receiving treatment in the hospital's cardiac unit. CID arrested him on Feb 25 in connection with the ongoing investigations more..

Jul 1 (EN) Central Bank said its investigation found crypto trading platform provider Infinity Rover (Pvt) Ltd was involved in prohibited scheme. CB said that Infinity Rover has been added to the list of 25 firms involved in the prohibited scheme. “In terms of Section 83 (C) of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988, as amended, CB has conducted an investigation, ascertained and determined that Infinity Rover (Pvt) Ltd has engaged, more..

Jul 1 (NW) One hundred freshly trained Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers formally joined the national service, following a transparent recruitment process free of political influence. The Passing Out Parade, held under the patronage of Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, showcased the discipline, teamwork, leadership skills, and professional readiness of the recruits. Physical fitness and special drill displays highlighted the rigorous training undertaken by the officers more..

Jul 1 (EN) Cabinet has approved a proposal to initiate the procurement process for the construction of Phase 1 of the Central Expressway Project’s fourth phase, from Kurunegala to Galewela, govt funds and local contractors, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “It has been decided to implement the Phase 4 of the Central Expressway Project in two phases and to implement the Phase 1 of the 38.5 km road section from Kurunegala to Galewela using funds from the Govt of SL,” he said. more..

Jul 1 (FT) IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Evan Papageorgiou, has announced that an IMF mission would visit Sri Lanka from 24 to 30 June. He confirmed that the mission would engage with the Government and a broad range of stakeholders to review Sri Lanka's ongoing economic reform program and assess the implementation of critical structural reforms. Papageorgiou stated that the IMF looked forward to constructive and more..

Jul 1 (FT) Justice was a keyword and a foundational pledge of Maithripala Sirisena’s 2015 presidential campaign. Candidate Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and a bunch of oppositional politicians promised to end the repression and the corruption that had become bywords for Rajapaksa governance, and to bring the perpetrators before the law. Amongst the high profile corruption cases often touted on campaign platforms was that of Avant Garde Maritime Services. more..

Jul 1 (FT) The IMF said SL’s swift response to the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict had preserved macroeconomic and social stability, while urging the Govt to pursue bold reforms as it prepares for the Seventh Review of its EFF arrangement. The Fund said stronger, more durable and inclusive growth would require bold reforms to improve the efficiency and fairness of the tax system, liberalise trade, address labour more..

Jul 1 (DM) The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has decided to introduce a special identification card to provide priority services for persons with disabilities at govt institutions. The decision was taken during a meeting of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities held today under the chairmanship of Minister Dr. Upali Pannila. According to the decision, a pilot project for the issuance of the special card will be implemented through the Kaduwela DS. more..

Jul 1 (AD) A suspect has fled following a violent confrontation with police during an attempted arrest in Kahaduwa, Elpitiya, police said. Officers from the Elpitiya Police Station had gone to the area to conduct a raid when suspects allegedly attempted to assault them. Officers fired into the air to bring the situation under control. Two suspects then fled the scene, while two police officers pursued them. During a subsequent attempt to arrest one suspect, he allegedly attacked a police officer with more..

Jul 1 (AD) Expenditure on SL’s fuel imports increased by 112% y-o-y to US$ 536 million in May 2026, driven by the increase in oil prices and volumes, according to the CBSL. However, on a month-on-month basis, expenditure on fuel imports reduced by 39.5% in May 2026. CBSL, issuing the external sector performance report for May, said SL continued to be impacted by the war in the Middle East, with current account recording a deficit more..

Jul 1 (DN) The deadline for officers who were unable to complete their registration on the centralised electronic system due to technical faults to submit their declaration of assets and liabilities has been extended until midnight on July 7. The CIABOC issued a notice stating that no fines will be charged during this extended period. The Bribery Commission took this decision following reports that users faced technical glitches due to severe system congestion. more..

Jul 1 (FT) The IMF yesterday clarified that SL’s temporary tightening of vehicle import financing requirements did not derail its EFF program, as the Central Bank reported motor vehicle imports had exceeded $ 1 billion during the first five months of 2026. IMF Mission Chief for SL Evan Papageorgiou said the temporary measure triggered one of the program’s continuous performance criteria on import restrictions after it tightened import financing requirements for vehicles. more..